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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1131

                           Monday, March 13, 1995

Today's Topics:


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                          Help blind friend connect
                 Re: Macular degeneration information needed
                             Talking Thermometer
                          Seattle Times Now Online
                         Re: Descriptive Services???
                           Greetings_from_Iceland
                             Braille stopwatch??
                      Re: Macintosh near-blind software
                            help braille printer
                          Re: Braille with one hand


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                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: Help blind friend connect
From: jerryh@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu (Jerry Hagins)
Organization: UT Austin

I have a blind friend who is also multiply disabled (mobility impaired and
unable to speak). She uses a computer with JAWS speech software. She has a
modem but I don't know what kind of comm. software if any (she lives in
another city so I can't check out her system).

Could someone provide me the basics about email for such a person? I'm an
abled user (and not a very good one at that) so I'm unfamiliar with
specialized software for people with disabilities. I'd like to be able to
point her in the right direction at least.

Are the web browsers usable by sight impaired? It seems like the web is so
graphically oriented that that would cause problems for blind users.

Thanks!



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Subject: Re: Macular degeneration information needed
From: feld@cc.UManitoba.CA (Michael Feld)
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

In article <35799@handicap.news> MKFX15B@prodigy.com (MRS DEBBIE S ANTHONY)
 writes:
>Index Number: 35799
>
>We are searching for any information available on Macular
>Degeneration. Thank you for any help you may be able to
>provide!
>
>        Debbie Anthony
>


You might start by posting your request to the newsgroup
        sci.med.vision
I've found its discussion of macular degeneracy very helpful.  There
is also a listserver devoted to RP, which occasionally address MD.
Beyond that, the standard encyclopedias and medical reference
directories are of some value.
-
--
Michael Feld                  | E-mail: <feld@cc.umanitoba.ca>
Dept. of Philosophy           | FAX: (204) 275-2411
University of Manitoba        | Voice: (604) 733-8134
Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2M8, Canada



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Subject: Talking Thermometer
From: Edwards_Maryellen/sra_hq1@cpo.stratus.com

I just discovered your newsletter and am excited about passing on
some of the valuable information covered to my father.  He is
interested in purchasing a talking indoor-outdoor thermometer but
has been unable to find one.  Does anyone know a manufacturer or
where I might purchase one?  Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Maryellen Edwards



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Subject: Seattle Times Now Online
From: kford@cts.com (Kelly Ford)

The Seattle Times has joined the growing ranks of newspapers
available electronically.  The subscription-based service includes
access to the text of the daily and Sunday Seattle Times paper,
local and internet mail, plus a variety of newspaper archives of
movie, restaurant and travel reviews.

To reach the service by modem call (206)624-7000.  To reach the
service over the internet, use telnet to connect to
extra.seatimes.com.



Kelly Ford

See my corner of webspace at http://www.turnpike.net/metro/kford/index.html.





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Subject: Re: Descriptive Services???
From: patt@its.brooklyn.cuny.edu (Patt Bromberger)
Organization: Brooklyn College

In article <35627@handicap.news>, Richard C Kiiski <kiiski@crl.com> wrote:
>Index Number: 35627
>
>Is there currently in existence any print periodicals devoted exclusively to
>audio description services for the visually impaired - also sometimes referred
>to as descriptive video services and/or narrative television?
>
>Any info you provide will be greatly appreciated!


Call the 800 operator and ask for Descriptive Video Service; they're
in Boston, assachusetts, I believe; they provide a monthly catalog,
terrific videos, etc.

Good luck.



--
Patricia Ann Bromberger                 patt@its.brooklyn.cuny.edu
Student Organization for Every Disbility United for Progress at
The Mamie & Frank Goldstein Resource Center for Students with
Disabilities :  Brooklyn College / CUNY : 718-252-9230



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Subject: Greetings_from_Iceland
From: arnhelg@ismennt.is (Arnthor Helgason)

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Arnthor Helgason.
I work as a specialist on Braille and Braille technology at The
Icelandic Library for the Blind. In Iceland there are only about
20 people able to read Braille. This is due to a limited
production of Braille books in the past. But in recent times we
have increased the printing and produce annually more than 30
titles. We have used computers for the production of Braille
materials since 1983 and were among the first in the world to
provide blind people with books on computerised form (in 1984).
Currently we are using a Braillo 200 printer and a special
Braille translation program made by an Icelandic engineer.  Index
printers are also used in our country.

I have been using computers since 1983 starting with the
VersaBraille, then an Apple II E with an Optacon and later an
IBM-PC.

In 1986 we bought the first Braillex Braille-display from F. H.
Papenmeier in Germany and currently I am working with a Braillex
2D Screen (a two-dimensional display). I mostly use Wordperfect
5.1 but will soon be switching to some Windows-based programs as
I am now introducing the WINDOTS program from F. H. Papenmeier
in Iceland. As a result of the work done by the Educational
Materials Department of The Icelandic Library for the Blind we
now have more than 12 Braillex displays in our country. Iceland
is in fact sometimes called THE BRAILLEX Country.

I am greatly interested in Braille technology and application
programs for the blind. I look forward to reading your
information and would be glad to share my experience with some
of you.

Arnthor Helgason
arnhelg@ismennt.is




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Subject: Braille stopwatch??
From: steveh4094@aol.com (SteveH4094)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

Does anyone know where I can find a braille stopwatch?  I have contacted
many of the national resources without luck.

Thanks in advance.



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Subject: Re: Macintosh near-blind software
From: ralphf5521@aol.com (RalphF5521)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

In response to Macintosh near-blind software.

There are 2 that I know of, they are: Closeview it is provided free by
Apple and comes loaded with the computer, inLARGE is available from
Berkely Systems for approx. $ 200 it does more that Closeview.
Both Closeview and inLARGE were made by Berkely.

inLARGE has a problem with some sord prossessing applications, the
magnifying glass (screen enlargement window) does not follow the typing
cursor. Two applications that this problem exists with are: Aldus Personal
Press, and WordPerfect Works. I STRONGLY suggest that you speak with
Berkely and inquire if there are any other applications that inLARGE has
problems with.

Best wishes


Spectators don't win. Helping others is helping yourself.



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Subject: help braille printer
From: omonagas@conicit.ve (Oswaldo Monagas (UNA))

Hi All:

My english is not so well and this is the first time I send a mail
to this list, by these, I beg your pardon for misleading on language
and protocol. At the same time, I have send this message to other
lists, I hope you be patient with duplicate messages.

I am a math professor at Open University (Universidad Nacional
Abierta-UNA) in Venezuela, and the last 8 months I have been working
in built a program for asessment to blind students. I began by
teaching geometry to two blind sisters, with success, and they will
graduate on next march, 14. While working I develop some strategies
and materials for teaching and searching for other students in similar
situation, I found at least 8 blind or visual impaired persons
studying at UNA.

I have the opportunity of get financial support from the Research
Council of the University in order to design and put up to work a
program for atention to students with disabilities, and I am trying
to begin in two ways: asessment in instruction and evaluation to
blind an visual impaired students, and provide an information service
for and about persons with disabilities using a national gopher.

I would appreciate your hints about these aspects and by now I
request  your colaboration giving me information about prizes and
locations for buying Braille printers and software for convert text
to Braille. This is an information I must send to the Research
Council for they estimate the financial support to this program.

Thanks in advance from me and the persons we may help.


Oswaldo Monagas




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Subject: Re: Braille with one hand
From: Bill@blondie.demon.co.uk (Bill Casey)

bbaughn@gate.net writes:

> I have been asked to locate information about using a braille
> writer with one hand.  Any information will be appreciated.

The suppliers of the Perkins Brailler have sets of extension keys that
can be added to standard brailler keyboards to allow the use of one hand.

There is also a Unimanual Perkins Brailler similar to the standard model,
but has been adapted for one handed use.

Your local resource centre for the blind should be able to help you, or
contact the following.

Howe Press
Perkins School For The Blind
Watertown
Mass 02172



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                 End of Issue # 1131 of the Blind News Digest

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