🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1094

                          Monday, December 05, 1994

Today's Topics:


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         requesting assistive technology material for VAT repository
                   affordable recorded computer tutorials
                       FAX-Phone blind reader services
                             Voice synthesizer ?
                           Travelling help needed
                           Telcon Zorba/AVOS Inc.
                     World Wide Web access for the blind
                  Device Reading Printed Text - Blind users
          Compuserve-visually impaired may lose access-please read


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To subscribe to the Blind News Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


UUCP:       uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.afd.olivetti.com
BITNET:     blindnws@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-926-6168
            (300 - 14,400 baud, 24 hours)

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: requesting assistive technology material for VAT repository
From: robbie@kramden.phaedrav.on.ca (G. Robert Arrabito)
Organization: Arrabito Enterprises, 18 Alladin Ave., Toronto, ON  M6L 1S5 Canada

I am in the process of setting up a collection of
handicap related material and making it accessible to the public at large
via my listserver over the Internet. This collection includes

-- brochures
-- demo programs
-- cacatalogues
-- hardware user manuals
-- public domain programs
-- shareware programs
-- sample magazine issues
-- government services
-- newsletters
-- announcements
-- company advertisements
-- individual advertisements
-- anything else that pertains to vendors and assistive technology for the handi
cap

So far I have received material from the following companies.
Blazie Engineering
Archenstone
Dragon Dictate
GW Micro
SynthaVoice
MicroTalk
Berkeley Systems
Duxbury (forthcoming)

All material that I recieve will be made accessible to the public
at large at no fee via my listserver.
Since this is a free service that I am providing to anyone, there is only
so much time and effort that I can put into this.
My phone bills are getting rather large and I would appreciate
anyone who is in local range of a BBS that carries material
targeted at the handicap to help me out in building up
the repository of handicap related material.

I would be greatful to receive help from everyone in building up this
repository. Please place any material on a IBM/PC disk (either 3.5 inch or 5.25
inch)
and mail it to the address given below. Please indicate whether
you would like me to return your disk(s).
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Please circulate this announcement.

I am including below the index of available files that can be
requested via the listserver. To request any of the
files listed below, send a message to

        listserv@kramden.phaedrav.on.ca

and in the body of the message say

        get filename

It isn't necessary to specify the directory path.


--
# Robert Arrabito
# Arrabito Enterprises, 18 Alladin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario  M6L 1S5  Canada
# phone: (416) 244-8195
# UUCP: robbie@kramden.uucp    INTERNET: robbie@kramden.phaedrav.on.ca

------------------------- index file for the VAT repository follows --------
                                        updated on Thursday, November 24, 1994



Please be patient when ordering large numbers of files, and do not order
files you do not need.
All files ending in a ".ZIP" extension have been compressed with
PKZIP V. 2.04G. If you do not have PKUNZIP, then you can request it
from the listserver. When you request a file ending in a ".ZIP" extension,
it will be UUENCODED and then sent to you in one or more mail messages.
You'll then have to strip off the mail header of each file and then
merge the files together. Once you have done this, you'll have to run
UUDECODE. If you do not have UUDECODE, then order
UUDECODE.DBG, save it to a file without the mail headers, and run

        debug < uudecode.dbg

This will create a rudimentary DOS UUDECODE program that you can use to
decode other files, including more sophisticated versions of UUDECODE.
Once you do this, you can order UUEXE532.ZIP, which is the UUDECODE we
use at Arrabito Enterprises. If you have problems retrieving any
files then please e-mail directly and I'll do my best
to help you.

Rob Arrabito
e-mail: robbie@kramden.PhaedraV.on.ca


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Directory of D:\PUB\UTILS

PKZ204G.EXE    202,574 05-15-93     pkzip V. 2.04g (shareware)
UUDECODE.DBG   4,222   03-12-91     DEBUG script to produce UUDECODE.COM
UUEXE522.ZIP   32,267  02-02-93     Marks' fast multi-section UU/XX EN/DEcode
UUEXE532.ZIP   40,282  10-09-94     Marks' fast multi-section UU/XX EN/DEcode
UNDIGEST.C     6,676   01-27-93     Break down newsletter digests to individ. ms
gs
DIGEX104.ZIP   16,059  12-08-91     Undigest (extract) digests in mail file form
at



Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\ANNOUNCE

ASSETS94.TXT   20,313  08-12-94     Advance Program - ASSETS '94


Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\BROCHRES

DECTLKEX.TXT   6,437   07-23-94    DECTalk Express description
DUXBURY.TXT    3,682   09-15-94     Duxbury Systems products & prices
DRAGON.ZIP     9,911   11-05-94     Dragon Systems products & prices


Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\CATALOGS

AFB94.ZIP      30,055  08-13-94     American Found. for the Blind #,94 prod cat
ARKEN94.TXT    21,077  06-09-94     Arkenstone #94 catalogue
BLAZIE94.ZIP   31,674  10-01-94     Blazie Engineering #94 catalogue
SPEAK.TXT      15,602  10-12-94     Speak to Me! catalogue
GWMICRO.ZIP    37,011  10-14-94     GW Micro 1994 catalogue


Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\DIGEST

JULY94.ZIP     8,124  07-28-94      VAT postings for July, 1994
AUG94.ZIP      4,543  09-02-94      VAT postings for August, 1994
SEP94.ZIP      13,144  10-01-94     VAT postings for September, 1994
OCT94.ZIP      8,368   11-05-94     VAT postings for October, 1994
NOV94.ZIP      3,717   12-03-94     VAT postings for November, 1994


 Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\DEMOS

EDGEDEMO.ZIP   290,881 07-18-94     Xerox Reading AdvantEdge OCR demo
ASAP.ZIP       196,942 11-08-94     ASAP demo/manual, 94/11/18 revision
TESTASAP.ZIP   28,497  12-01-94     ASAP beta update 94/12/01
DETEST4.ZIP    470,518 10-31-94     DEC-talk Express update to work with ASAP
DTEXINFO.TXT   1,851   10-21-94     DEC-Talk info file for ASAP update
OSWDMO10.ZIP   417,531 11-09-94     outSPOKEN for MS-Windows demo
READ_OSW.TXT   1,658   11-09-94     readme file for outSPOKEN demo
VE2-2.ZIP      451,874 11-21-94     Vocal-Eyes V. 2.2 demo
JAWS2_31.ZIP   1,200,149 11-24-94   JAWS 2.31 demo
SWB_132.ZIP    1,412,458 11-25-94   SynthaVoice SlimWare Window Bridge 1.32 demo


 Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\MANUALS

TNSMAN.ZIP     139,721 09-23-94     Type 'n Speak user manual
BNSMAN.ZIP     115,706 10-01-94     Braille 'n Speak user manual
VE2-2MAN.ZIP   251,862 11-21-94     Vocal-Eyes V. 2.2 user manual


 Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\MAGAZINE

TECHUP.ZIP     19,139  10-01-94     Technology Update sample issue, April 1994


 Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\MAGAZINE\STV

SPRING92.ZIP   15,861  10-01-94     Share the Vision, spring, 92
SUMMER92.ZIP   17,088  10-01-94     Share the Vision, summer, 92
WINTER92.ZIP   24,627  10-01-94     Share the Vision, Winter, 92
SPRING93.ZIP   29,372  10-01-94     Share the Vision, spring, 92
SUMMER93.ZIP   26,657  10-01-94     Share the Vision, summer, 93
AUTUMN93.ZIP   26,488  10-01-94     Share the Vision, autumn, 93
SPRING94.ZIP   24,271  10-01-94     Share the Vision, spring, 94
SUMMER94.ZIP   24,999  10-01-94     Share the Vision, summer, 94

 Directory of D:\PUB\VAT\NEWSLTRS

HJNEWS94.ZIP   131,782 11-26-94     Henter-Joyce Newsletter & Tech Tips 94-06






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Subject: affordable recorded computer tutorials
From: deamar@eskimo.com (Dean Martineau)
Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever


I have uploaded to the /pub/incoming directory of the ftp site
handicap.shel.isc-br.com a short list of recorded computer-related
tutorials (DOS, ASAP, Braille 'n Speak, computer Buyer's guide, etc.),
all available for under $20.00 from top Dot Enterprises.  I will also be
happy to email the list to anybody who would like to receive it in that form.
Dean Martineau
deamar@eskimo.com




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Subject: FAX-Phone blind reader services
From: projaction@aol.com (ProjACTION)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

FAX-phone reading services have been discovered as a method for blind
persons to use a standard FAX machine to fax their incoming mail to a
reader who will read it back to them over the phone.  Readers can use
computer fax software to receive and store incoming fax messages for their
"Customers"  for more information.  E-mail to ProjACTION@AOL.com atten:
Robert Carlson



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Subject: Voice synthesizer ?
From: jpotts@sad.hp.com (John Potts)
Organization: Hewlett Packard



I am looking to purchase an additional voice synthesizer for a
specific work application.  We are currently using a unit
produced by 'Street Electronics' called Echo PC which was
purchased some years ago.  We just recently purchased an
additional unit from Street electronics to create
additional workstations for a blind worker.  The problem is that
the new version of the voice synthesizer does not have a built
in buffer.  This causes some of the text sent to the device not
to be spoken.  We are using the synthesizer on a unix
workstation running rocky mountain basic.  We know a way to fix
the problem but it would create other problems that we would
like to avoid.  Does anyone know of a voice synthesizer in the
same price range or a little more that has a  built in buffer.

Please supply an address and/or phone number of a supplier.

Thanks

John Potts, jpotts@sr.hp.com




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  John Potts                            jpotts@sr.hp.com
  Si/Simore Production          (707)-794-4450
  Mailstop -> 2LR-P


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Subject: Travelling help needed
From: richard@speech.braille.uwo.ca (Richard Quan)
Organization: The Computer Braille Facility, University of Western Ontario


Hi,

I have the first two weeks of January off work and don't want to
waste it like I do every other year.  My original plan was to go on a vacation
with a long-time friend.  He informed me that he would not be available during
that time.

I am a blind person living in Toronto.  I have no close relatives with
whom I would like to share my vacation.  None of my other
friends are available at this time of the year.  What I am left with is the
predicament that I want to go on an adventure of some sort,
no one to go with, (or at least no one that is available), and a
strong urge to set out somewhere on my own, (at least at the outset).

As a single person, one has to pay more because most
packages force you to pay for double occupantcy. I do not think this
is fair; but, what can you do.

As a pretty normal unattached heterosexual male, can anyone
suggest vacation spots or package tours that would suit my predicament.  I
have a guide dog and really do not want to put up with
the hastle of travel agents being concerned about the blind
thing or hotels worried about the same.  I want an interesting vacation
full of the things that everone finds on their holidays.  If
anyone can recommend an understanding travel agency,
an exciting place to go, or anything like that, I would be grateful.

On the disability front, I don't know of any special travel
agents putting together packages for blind people; but, I would be interested in
hearing about some if they do exist; however, I don't want to confine
my search to specialty or adapted trips.

Thanks for listening.  Please write me at:

richard@speech.braille.uwo.ca




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Subject: Telcon Zorba/AVOS Inc.
From: mikef@pacifier.com (Mike Freeman)
Organization: Pacifier BBS, Vancouver, Wa.  ((206) 693-0325)


Hello, netland!

A decade ago, a now-defunct company known as AVOS, Inc. adapted
a Telcon INdustries Zorba luggable Cp/M computer for screen-reading
access with speech.  I have been using one for many years and it has
finally breathed its last (or at least it'll take me a while to
get it repaired).  Meanwhile tasks pile up and while I will come
into the twentieth-century with a PC clone, it'll take me a while
to come up-to-speed.  Hence, it would be nice to have another Zorba.

If anyone has an AVOS-modified Telcon Zorba that''s not being used
and is taking up valuable closet space and if they'd like to get rid
of it for a song (or perhaps a few lieder), please E-mail me.

Thanks very much in advance.
--
Mike Freeman            |       Internet: mikef@pacifier.com
GEnie: M.FREEMAN11      |       Amateur Radio Callsign: K7UIJ
... Virtue is its own punishment.



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Subject: World Wide Web access for the blind
From: jsizemor@ci.phoenix.az.us (Joe Sizemore)

I too would be interested in working with a project that seeks to improve
access to the World Wide Web for the blind.  So far my experience with it
has been difficult, but not impossible.  Please contact me at:
jsizemor@ci.phoenix.az.us
or
7721@ef.gc.maricopa.edu
Let's work toward making things better.
Joe





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Subject: Device Reading Printed Text - Blind users
From: wsulliva@badlands.NoDak.edu (William O Sullivan)
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing

Advanced Integrated Systems released the AIS Audio Reader.  This device reads
any printed text aloud.  Simply place the printed text on the scanner and
in a matter of seconds the printed text will be read aloud.  The devices
uses six keys so it is very easy to use.  The device has seen great use by
the sight impaired as well as the learing disabled.  For more information
call (701) 235-1771 or write to Advanced Integrated Systems, 1505 35th
Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota, 58104 (USA).  They are also soon to
release a product that will read text in one language and speak it aloud
in another language of your choice.








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Subject: Compuserve-visually impaired may lose access-please read
From: sst@netcom.com (Shel Talmy)
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)

I wrote to Kathryn Woods in customer service at Compuserve,
having spotted her name in a message somebody posted, as the
person most knowledgeable about how Compuserve and the visually
impaired 'co-exist'.

My message expressed my concern at the 'rumor' that Compuserve
was rapidly moving towards a graphics environment and will
forsake ASCII access, to the detriment of those of us who need
it.  I asked optimisticly, for Ms. Woods to dispell the 'nasty'
rumor, and here is her reply.

Oh well, it appears it's time to clear the decks for action!  I
don't know about anybody else, but i'm tired of losing ground.
If Compuserve goes the way of America-On-Line and Prodigy, only
Internet will remain as an information/communication service, and
as great as I think Internet is, I'm damned unhappy at being
denied access to practically every other service on the planet.
This erosion has to stop.

Date:  18-Nov-94 13:13 PST
From:  Odradek [70004,1617]
Reply to: Graphics rumor

Hello!

The trend does seem to be to move towards HMI (that's the
graphical windows mode) versions of all of the areas online, but
I'm afraid that I don't know what's planned for development and
support of the ASCII interface.  We in Customer Service are
generally not informed of such decisions until they've already
become final or until they are shortly to be put into action, so
I'm afraid that I can't make any assurances to you in either
direction.

I would highly recommend that you write a letter to our CEO,
Maury Cox.  I'm not sure what he would be able to tell you about
plans for the text mode either, but he's naturally the best
person to whom to make your concerns known.  The address to use
would be:

        Maury Cox
        5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
        Columbus, OH  43220

The phone number for Corporate Headquarters is 614/457-8600, but
a letter would probably be best.

I'm sorry that I couldn't provide you with any more specific
information; however, if there's anything else that I can help
you with, please don't hesitate to let me know!

        Kathryn Woods

P.S. I wish I could say that I'm involved in any official way
with concerns for the visually-impared here; unfortunately, as of
this moment most of what I'm working on (the ASCII users guide
and signup kit for the visually-impared) is a personal project
only.  However, I am trying to get management involved with my
ideas because I would like to see CompuServe become more
accessable to the visually-impared.  If you are interested in
acquiring an ASCII version of the users guide, or who have
friends or family who would benefit from a signup kit, please let
me know.  Thanks for writing!  --K




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                 End of Issue # 1094 of the Blind News Digest

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