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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1137

                           Monday, April 17, 1995

Today's Topics:


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                               New AFB gopher
                                   Braille
                              Labels in Braille
                   fwd: help please on finding information
                            Wanted:  used OPTACON
           [Media-Access:130] Re: Advocating for Audio description
                              JAWS For Windows
                      Bank of America and Card Machines
                  Re: More than just info dissemination...
                              recipes for blind
                   NEW BBS SOFTWARE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED


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thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: New AFB gopher
From: afbinfo@afb.org (Information Center (AFB))
Organization: Interport Communications


The American Foundation for the Blind would like to invite you to
visit our new gopher at gopher.afb.org 5005. This gopher was
developed with funds from the MCI Foundation and was designed
to provide a wide range of information services to people who
are blind or visually impaired, to their families, friends,
parents and teachers, to students and professionals who work with
blind or visually impaired people, and to the general public.

Please send your questions, comments and suggestions to

afbinfo@afb.org


AFB Information Center
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
212-502-7661




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Subject: Braille
From: schwcoop@dialup.francenet.fr (Pierre Schweitzer)
Organization: Francenet -- Paris, France

I  am looking, to help peaple not knowing braille alphabet, for a braille
font that I could print in black. Wher to find it and Shareware if
possible.
If it exists, please tell me.

Thank you
Pierre Schweitzer



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Subject: Labels in Braille
From: eikeim@lilac.nhsl.lib.nh.us (EILEEN KEIM)

In BND #1135, someone asked about a printer that could do cassette labels in
braille.  Yes, such a printer does exist - a small model was demonstrated in
June 1994 at the Denver CO meeting of regional librarians working with LC's
National Library Services to the Blind/Handicapped.  Since we in NH don't
produce any books of our own, I watched but didn't take notes and so cannot
supply the name of the device or its manufacturer.  But NLS can!  Try
contacting F. Kurt Cylke, Chief, NLS, 1291 Taylor ST NW Washington DC 20542.
Perhaps he can help you find someplace to produce labels for you, as well.
Good luck - Eileen Keim, NH



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Subject: fwd: help please on finding information
From: claudia@comel1.unipv.it (Claudia Diano`)

Forwarded by cares@info.umd.edu (Lionel Cares)


I am an italian student at the eletronic eng. dept of the university of Pavia
and I am looking for some papers on the topic:
 " aid for navigation of blind persons"
In particular ,I think that an important pubblication has been:
"development of an orietation aid for blind individuals"(R.G.LONG,S.
FAZENBAKER) in PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS NATIONAL SEARCH FOR COMPUTING
APPLLICATIONS TO ASSIST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES"(1992)
but I cant't find it.
Could you please help me suggesting some internet site where to find it?
   Thanks a million,
                   Claudia Diano'



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Subject: Wanted:  used OPTACON
From: way@asel.udel.edu (Thomas Way)

I am interested in purchasing a used Optacon, as I can't
afford the arm & a leg it takes for a new one.  I'd love
to hear from anybody who would be willing to part with
hers (or his).

Thanks very much,

tom way
way@cis.udel.edu
(302) 454-9027



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Subject: [Media-Access:130] Re: Advocating for Audio description
From: tom_wlodkowski@wgbh.org (Tom Wlodkowski)


"Field of Dreams" has been described for blind and visually
impaired audiences by Descriptive Video Service (DVS), and is
available for mail order purchase from the DVS Home Video Catalog.
To receive a catalog, or to place an order, call 1-800-736-3099.
DVS information is also available electronically via email.  Send
requests to: dvs@wgbh.org.

As far as live theater description is concerned, the Wheelock
Family Theater here in Boston provides description of their plays
during select performances.  To learn more about Wheelock or DVS,
please email me at: dvs@wgbh.org.

Thanks!

--------------------------------------
 Date: 4/8/95 10:45 AM
 To: Tom Wlodkowski
 From: jsnyder@tmn.com



                                ******
**
*  Joel Snyder                                     Assistant Director  *
*  8401 Barron Street                              Presenting Program  *
*  Takoma Park, Maryland  20912       National Endowment for the Arts  *
*  USA                                1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #726  *
*  301 431-3008 voice/fax                  Washington, DC  20506  USA  *
*  e-mail:  jsnyder@tmn.com                202 682-5444, 202 682-5591  *
*                                FAX- 202 682-5612, TTY- 202 682-5496  *

                                ******
**


On Fri, 7 Apr 1995 BLACKBURN860@delphi.com wrote:

> I belong to a small group of people who want to implement audio
> description in live theater performances and other events in
> Austin, Texas.  I would like suggestions regarding the best
> approaches to convince funding
> sources of the need for such a service.
>
> For example:  I am blind.  Those of you with visual impairments will
 understand
> when I say that I enjoyed the film, Field of Dreams, but I was frustrated
> by the visual ending.  I had to wait until the next day to ask co-workers
> what happened.  Would telling such a story sound too "poor me"

Not at all, IMHO.  Kathy, I think you're simply letting others "see" a
part of your life from a particular perspective.  That's valuable to
folks and I would hope they'd respond generously.

You should know about the group in Houston--Taping for the Blind--that
does some good work with audio description.  Contact Beth O'Callaghan or
Ted Pfister at 713 622-2767.  There are a few of us AD "veterans" who do
training of prospective audio describers and help folks set-up an AD
program in their community.  If you (or other interested folks) share
your "snail-mail" address with me, I'd be glad to send you more information.


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Subject: JAWS For Windows
From: kford@cts.com (Kelly Ford)
Organization: CTS Network Services (CTSNET), San Diego, CA

Henter-Joyce has changed their policy on a demo version of Jaws for
Windows to some degree.  They will now sell you a fully functional
version of the program that will run for 60 days from the date of
installation for $39.95 plus $5.00 shipping.  If you decide to purchase
the software you will be given a code to unlock it.

If you opt not to purchase the program you can keep the manual and
training tapes.

When you purchase the $39.95 trial, you receive the standard package and
the software isn't limited in any way, excluding the 60 day time limit.



Kelly Ford

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





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Subject: Bank of America and Card Machines
From: kford@cts.com (Kelly Ford)
Organization: CTS Network Services (CTSNET), San Diego, CA

How smart is the Smart Card?

Bank of America is the latest to enter the world of cashless
transactions.  The financial giant announced a pilot project to
test what they are calling a "Smart Card", a card the size of a
credit card but with a computer chip to deduct purchases from the
cash balance on the card.

While this is by no means a new concept, it does appear that some
form of these devices are going to take hold sooner than later.

The accessibility issues are largely the same as for the standard
Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).  But in speaking with a Bob Wynne
at Bank of America about this issue, I was told that, "I'm certain
the people developing this technology have thought about those
issues," in response to my question about how people with
disabilities would use the system.

However, when I pressed him for specifics he could only tell me
that the bank's ATMs had braille.

I explained that, while the braille was definitely of value to
some, it hardly made the units usable to all.

He seemed receptive to my concerns although I don't know how that
will translate into action.

You can reach him at:

Bob Wynne
Bank of America
315 Montgomery St.
6th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94104
(415) 622-6320.

I'd encourage those interested in these types of access issues to
contact the bank.  I think we need to speak out strongly when these
types of things are announced.

You may also wish to contact Schlumberger-Danyl, Inc., the
manufacturer of the machines used to put money on and read the
Smart Cards.  Unfortunately, Bank of America and my searches
couldn't turn up an address for this company.  Perhaps someone with
knowledge of this industry can provide that information.



Kelly Ford

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




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Subject: Re: More than just info dissemination...
From: senkmj@ptbma.usbm.gov (Mark J. Senk WB3CAI)

I think the first step is to keep informed.  The next is to contact those
who can make some changes and let them know we are out here.  I have had
some success just writing to the owner of a web page andasking that the
text descriptions be added.  Is it worth having a group of web users do
this?  It would let the electronic publishers know there are a number of
blind "readers" using their pages.  We should also publicly and privately
thank  those who provide useful resources.  It's  one method of behavior
modification.
-- mark





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Subject: recipes for blind
From: LGIBSON@NMU.EDU (Gibson, Leon)
Organization: NMU.EDU (Northern Michigan University)

I'm looking for easy to do recipes for blind persons. They should not in
volve too many steps. This is not for, but a friend of mine. Any recipes
that you can think of will be very appreciated. Please send them in e-ma
il to LGIBSON@NMU.EDU. Thank you.




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Subject: NEW BBS SOFTWARE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
From: nuiq@aol.com (NuIQ)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

Contact: Roland Baroni
         (914)833-3479, ext. 263

FOR RELEASE APRIL 10, 1995


      NuIQ ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE OF BBS SOFTWARE FOR THE BLIND


Larchmont, New York -- NuIQ Software, Inc., producers of
Powerboard BBS Software, has released a new version of their BBS
software for the blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic.  This
is the second release of "Powerboard Speech" -- NuIQ introduced
the first version of the program, which is the first BBS
package made for the blind, in August of last year.  Powerboard
Speech is modeled after NuIQ's popular Powerboard BBS software,
with alterations to work with speech synthesizers so that the
BBS operator can run the system without needing a video monitor.

The new version of Powerboard Speech (a.k.a. PBS), version 1.10, contains
several new features, along with various other improvements over the
initial
release. In the original release of the software, the SysOp (BBS
Operator) would, on some occasions, be required to press a key asking
the speech synthesizer to "review" text that has recently been
transmitted to the user.  In this new release, the Sysop will have
much less of a need to do this as all important information such
as command prompts are now outputted to the synthesizer.

Even in the original version of the software, visually impaired
callers found using a Powerboard Speech-based BBS much easier
because of several considerations made for their needs.  This
new version introduces several improvements, such as a file
tagging system which uses numbers and is therefore more geared towards a
visually impaired caller.  The remote SysOp interface has been greatly
improved: there is a new speech-friendly on-line user editor, new
function for managing the download file areas, and more.  "These new
features allow the disabled SysOp complete flexibility, as those familiar
with Powerboard might expect, coupled with unmatched ease of use,"
said John Altmeyer, a visually impaired sociologist who serves as
a co-director of the PBS project.

"Powerboard Speech has been very important to NuIQ Software since it's
original inception.", said Roland Baroni, NuIQ Executive Vice-President
and General Manager,  "As this product is continually improved, we are
also making the BBS market even more accessible for those with
disabilities."

Both Powerboard and Powerboard Speech are offered at $99 for a four-line
system, and are available from NuIQ Software at 1-800-THINKCOM.  A free
test-drive version can be downloaded from NuIQ's World Headquarters BBS
at 914-834-7830, or the Powerboard Speech Support BBS at 317-784-2422.
NuIQ Software is located at 415-A Richbell Road, Larchmont, New York
10538-3325. (914) 833-3479, Fax (914) 833-3623.



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                 End of Issue # 1137 of the Blind News Digest

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