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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1096

                          Monday, December 05, 1994

Today's Topics:


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    better access to html for www Status: SDA -> HTML 2.0 for ICADD (fwd)
                           Let me introduce myself
                           Help needed for friend
                OsCaR versus Omnipage Professional Version 5
                              ZoomText VS LPDos
                           Let me Introduce Myself
                           Machine Vision Research


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Subject: better access to html for www Status: SDA -> HTML 2.0 for ICADD (fwd)
From: senkmj@ptbma.usbm.gov (Mark J. Senk WB3CAI)


bill,
I hope this forwarded message will be of use to someone on this list.


Mark Senk       (412) 892-6513  senkmj@ptbma.usbm.gov
U.S. Bureau of Mines
Pittsburgh, PA  15236


---------- Forwarded message ----------
 Date: Mon, 21 Nov 94 01:08:42 EST
 From: Jeff Suttor <jsuttor@Library.UCLA.EDU>
 To: Multiple recipients of list <html-wg@oclc.org>
 Subject: Status: SDA -> HTML 2.0 for ICADD

Below are the SGML Document Access (SDA) #FIXED attributes that will be added
to HTML 2.0 in support of easy transformation to ICADD for print-impaired
access using Braille, large print and voice synthesis.

Thanks to all of the attendees at the SGML '94 BoF that helped put this
together!  It was a great mix of people from the SGML, HTML and
print-impaired communities.  There are only a few minor changes from the notes
I took at the BoF, most having to do with mapping EMPTY elements.

What's next:

        - please review and comment, all input is welcome
        - I will run test transformations from HTML 2.0 -> ICADD
        - we will formally submit these to the HTML 2.0 editor
        - time is *very* short, please respond if possible in the next few days

Once HTML 2.0 is an RFC, several Internet sites have expressed interest in
providing URLs to batch scripts for:

        HTML 2.0 -> ICADD
        ICADD    -> Braille
        ICADD    -> voice
        ICADD    -> ASCII/large print

Thanks to all,

Jeff Suttor     JSuttor@Library.UCLA.Edu


<!-- Last modified 941120 21:10 PST -->

<!SGML "ISO 8879:1986"

        -- This is a conforming SGML Document Access application. --
        AppInfo SDA
>


<!DocType HTML Public "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN//2.0" [

<--
HTML 2.0 contains SGML Document Access (SDA) fixed attributes in support
of easy transformation to the International Committee for Accessible
Document Design (ICADD) DTD "-//EC-USA-CDA-ICADD//DTD ICADD22//EN//1.1".
ICADD applications are designed to support usable access to structured
information by print-impaired individuals through Braille, large print
and voice synthesis.  For more information on SDA & ICADD:
        - ISO 12083:1993, Annex A.8, Facilities for Braille, large print
          and computer voice
        - ICADD ListServ <ICADD%ASUACAD.BITNET@ARIZVM1.ccit.arizona.edu>
        - Usenet news group bit.listserv.easi
        - Recording for the Blind, +1 800 221 4792
-->

<!-- SGML Document Access (SDA) Parameter Entities -->
<!ENTITY % SDAFORM  "SDAFORM   CDATA    #FIXED" >
<!ENTITY % SDARULE  "SDARULE   CDATA    #FIXED" >
<!ENTITY % SDAPREF  "SDAPREF   CDATA    #FIXED" >
<!ENTITY % SDASUFF  "SDASUFF   CDATA    #FIXED" >
<!ENTITY % SDASUSP  "SDASUSP   NAME     #FIXED" >

<!AttList  A
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans A: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Address
        %SDAForm; "Lit"
        %SDAPref; "Address:&RE;" >

<!AttList  B
        %SDAForm; "Bold" >

<!AttList  Base
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Base: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  BlockQuote
        %SDAForm; "BQ" >

<!AttList  Body
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Body: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Br
        %SDAPref; "&RE;" >

<!AttList  Cite
        %SDAForm; "It" >

<!AttList  Code
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  DD
        %SDAForm; "Para" >

<!AttList  Dir
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Dir: #AttList><LHead>Directory</LHead>" >

<!AttList  DL
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans DL: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  DT
        %SDAForm; "Term" >

<!AttList  Em
        %SDAForm; "It" >

<!AttList  Form
        %SDAPref; "<Para><?SDATrans Form: #AttList>Form:</Para>" >
        %SDASuff; "<Para><?SDATrans Form: #End>Form End.</Para>" >

<!AttList  Head
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Head: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  HR
        %SDAPref; "<Para><?SDATrans HR: #AttList></Para>" >

<!AttList  HTML
        %SDAForm  "Book"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans HTML: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  H1
        %SDAForm; "H1" >
<!AttList  H2
        %SDAForm; "H2" >
<!AttList  H3
        %SDAForm; "H3" >
<!AttList  H4
        %SDAForm; "H4" >
<!AttList  H5
        %SDAForm; "H5" >
<!AttList  H6
        %SDAForm; "H6" >

<!AttList  I
        %SDAForm; "It" >

<!AttList  Img
        %SDAPref; "<Fig><?SDATrans Img: #AttList>#AttVal(Alt)</Fig>" >

<!AttList  Input
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Input: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  IsIndex
        %SDAPref;
        "<Para><?SDATrans IsIndex: #AttList>[Document is an index.]</Para>" >

<!AttList  Kbd
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  LI
        %SDAForm; "LItem" >

<!AttList  Link
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Link: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Listing
        %SDAForm; "Lit"
        %SDAPref; "Listing:&RE;" >

<!AttList  Menu
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Menu: #AttList><LHead>Menu</LHead>" >

<!AttList  Meta
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Meta: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  NextID
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans NextID: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  OL
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans OL: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Option
        %SDAForm; "LItem"
        %SDAPref;
        "<?SDATrans Option: #AttList>#AttVal(Value) #AttVal(Selected)" >

<!AttList  P
        %SDAForm; "Para" >

<!AttList  PlainText
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  Pre
        %SDAForm; "Lit"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans Pre: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Samp
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  Select
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref;
        "<?SDATrans Select: #AttList><LHead>Select #AttVal(Multiple)</LHead>" >

<!AttList  Strong
        %SDAForm; "Bold" >

<!AttList  TextArea
        %SDAForm; "Para"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans TextArea: #AttList>#AttVal(Name): " >

<!AttList  Title
        %SDAForm; "Ti" >

<!AttList  TT
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  UL
        %SDAForm; "List"
        %SDAPref; "<?SDATrans UL: #AttList>" >

<!AttList  Var
        %SDAForm; "Lit" >

<!AttList  Xmp
        %SDAForm; "Lit"
        %SDAPref; "Example:&RE;" >
]>




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Subject: Let me introduce myself
From: yen@aloha.com (Duen Hsi Yen)

Aloha from Hawaii! My name is Duen Yen, and I am a scientist/inventor
attempting to design better electronic travel aids (ETA) for blind persons.
Over the years, I have designed several blind aids based on echolocation
principles. I have had limited  success in designing a device that creates
externalized auditory imagery at the location of an echolocated object
using binaural sound cues similar to those responsible for spatial hearing.
This past summer, I may have designed a more successful device. For now, I
am called it an "electronic cane" and it is similar in concept to the Mowat
Sensor or Polaron, but with some improvements. One blind person here in
Hawaii says my invention is the best ETA he has ever tried and says he
would gladly trade his own for mine. More significantly, my design can be
made affordable, perhaps retailing for $50. My estimate is based on devices
of similar complexity being sold at Radio Shack. What I need is assistance
or advice (technical, financial, manufacturing, marketing, licensing), in
bringing this project beyond the prototype stage. If anyone can lend me a
hand, please let me know.





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Subject: Help needed for friend
From: nlender@mail.valverde.edu (Nicholas Lender)

I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WENT BLIND FROM SMOKING CRACK!!!!!!!  HIS NAME
IS RICHARD "BUCK" WALLACE JR.?????     I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE CAN
GIVE ME SOME ADVICE
ON HOW I CAN HELP HIM...... BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO WASTE HIS LIFE
AWAY!!!!!!

       P.S. WRITE BACK A.S.A.P.


                                                      THANK YOU,
                                                      NICHOLAS LENDER



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Subject: OsCaR versus Omnipage Professional Version 5
From: LBTLM@cc.newcastle.edu.au

Hello!

I work in a university based Adaptive Technology Centre.  The
centre, which has been open since May this year, aims to assist
students with a disability attain access to course and research
material in appropriate formats.  Currently we are utilising an IBM
PC and HP ScanJet IIp with Arkenstone Reader II software in
conjunction with ARTIC speech (Business Vision 3.08) and Duxbury WP
brailling software, to generate braille transcripts of printed
material.

In the near future we will be upgrading our equipment in an effort
to provide a faster, more efficient service for our students.  In
particular, we are interested in procurring new OCR software, with
the aim of providing the most accurate recognition possible.  We
are considering mainstream software packages in addition to those
designed for use by people with a vision impairment.  The new OCR
software will run on a Pentium 90MHz machine.  A new speech
synthesis system (possibly DEC-TALK with VOCAL-EYES) will be
purchased for use with this machine.

I have read some evaluation articles on OMNIPAGE Professional
Version 5, and these seem to indicate that the recognition is
extremely good.  Also, the output is apparently quite flexible -
being able to be directly formatted for a variety of different word
processing packages.  It is also supposedly quite competent in its
processing of source material of a less than ideal nature (for
example, photocopies and faxes), and has been praised for its
intuitive user interface.  One negative commnt I read regarding
OMNIPAGE indicated that the software has little tolerance for the
scanning of slightly skewed pages.

In addition to OMNIPAGE, we have also made enquiries about the
OsCaR document reading system - a package designed specifically for
users with a vision impairment.  This system apparently utilises
the same underlying OCR engine as OMNIPAGE Professional Version 5.
Also, it apparently works directly with Duxbury software to produce
immediate braille output, which would be extremely practical and
convenient - depending on the standard of formatting retained in
the document.

I would be very interested in finding out how much, if at all, the
OSCAR sotware differs in recognition accuracy and performance from
the OMNIPAGE Professional V5 software.

I would be extremely appreciative if anyone who has had experiences
using either, or better still, both of these products, could offer
an opinion as to their accuracy, ease of use, and usefulness in
terms of compatibility with other related pieces of software and
hardware.  If anyone has had a particularly positive experience
with any other OCR system (for IBM), I would be really interested
to hear about that also!

Thanks for your help!

Tanya McGovern
University of Newcastle.



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Subject: ZoomText VS LPDos
From: mday@silver.sdsmt.edu (Michael Day)
Organization: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

This may be a question addressed in your FAQ or elsewhere, so I apologize
in advance if this is old territory for your group.  My father has
recently experienced a rather catastrophic loss of vision due to Drusin,
a degenerative disease affecting the macula.  He does not yet feel that
he needs or wants a screen reader, and has information about both LPDos
and ZoomText, but cannot make a decision about what to get.  He is not
newsgroup savvy, so he asked that I solicit opinions and advice from this
group.  If this is a tiresome and well covered question, I would be very
happy if someone could email me some advice for him privately.

Thank you sincerely,

Michael

Michael J. Day
Assistant Professor of English
Department of Humanities
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East St. Joseph Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
(605) 394-5100
mday@silver.sdsmt.edu




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Subject: Let me Introduce Myself
From: PatPrice@aol.com

Hello All,

As a recent subscriber to the Blind News Digest, I would like to briefly
introduce myself.  My name is Pat Price.  I am a full-time volunteer for a
number of organizations - primarily focusing on  vision loss.  I edit 3
publications - one a magazine, "Vision Access." dealing with information
about visually impaired people and issues, medical research, science,
technology, adaptive devices - both lo- and hi-tech, computer access for
visually impaired, varied news items, books and videos, etc.  I am always
interested in meeting other vision impaired people and receiving interesting
articles on the subject from throughout the world as we have readers in many
countries outside the U.S.

I would welcome receiving E-Mail from anyone also interested in meeting the
needs of the low vision community or other related topics.  I can be reached
at:

Internet:  patprice@aol.com
America On-Line:  PatPrice
CompuServe:  Patricia L. Price - 71756,216







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Subject: Machine Vision Research
From: 90083768@vax1.dcu.ie

Hello

I am a postgraduate student at Dublin City University and I am carrying out
a masters degree in machine vision. I hope to direct my research towards
developing an aid for the visually impaired.

For those of you who are not familiar with machine vision, it involves
connecting a video camera to a computer, taking some pictures and then
writing software to analyse these images.

I hope to develop a system which can identify household objects (e.g.
domestic packages, CD's, cassettes, denominations of money etc.).

I would be most grateful if there is anyone out there who could offer
any advice and ideas on this subject or more specifically, answer some
of the following questions.

1)      Would such a system be useful in the household, in banks or
        in shopping centres ?

2)      Is there anywhere else where such a system might provide a
        useful service ?

3)      If such a system were available commercially, how much would
        you be prepared to pay for it ?

4)      Are there any other objects apart from those mentioned above
        which are difficult to identify ?

5)      Can you suggest any alternative ways which a machine vision system
        can be used to benefit the visually impaired ?

Thanks

Tommy Mc Gowan





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                 End of Issue # 1096 of the Blind News Digest

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