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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1030

                           Monday, April 11, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                           Re: Graphic to tactile
                      Req. for Soc. Sec. Benefits info.
                                     NfB
               Re: BBS for children with physical impairments
                        Subway Navigation Technology
                         apple outreach to the blind
                          internet training/access
                       information superhighway access
                   Large Print Spanish/English Dictionary


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                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: Re: Graphic to tactile
From: blackburn860@DELPHI.COM (Kathy Blackburn)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

If the picture is simple, it could be drawn on heavy paper using a
dress- maker's tracing wheel.

There is a machine called a Stereocopyer which reproduces a picture
as a raised figure on special "capsule paper."  However, this
machine is expensive.

Hope this is some help.

Sincerely,
Kathy Blackburn
Austin, Texas
Internet" Blackburn860@delphi.com




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Subject: Req. for Soc. Sec. Benefits info.
From: EHERSH@MU2.MILLERSV.EDU (Edward Hersh)

A while ago I noticed a note on the Blind-L list regarding someone offering
to help answer questions on social security benefits for the blind.

I have a few questions that may not be of interest to the entire list.
If that person (I'm sorry I don't remember who) would send me an email
note, I would appreciate it.

Thanks so much,

Edward Hersh            - Systems Analyst,  Millersville University
email:  EHersh@MU2.Millersv.Edu             Millersville, PA




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Subject: NfB
From: jfaircloth@delphi.com (N4Skv)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

Hello all.

  I have an idea, I am a member of the National Federation Of The Blind.
I understand that they have there own Bbs in Baltimore, that's whare the
echo Blindtalk is from. I am thinking about starting anewsgroup for Nfb
members to discuss Nfb issues and just general topics concerning the Blind.

What do you think? Think there will be enough interest? Please post hear
or Email me.

Ps, if anyone does theese kind of things, please crosspost this on the
Fidonet echos.

Regards, John Faircloth, JFaircloth@Delphi.com





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Subject: Re: BBS for children with physical impairments
From: jfaircloth@delphi.com (N4Skv)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

Please check out one of your local Bbs's, if they are amember of Fidonet
they can get the echos, Blindtalk and Blinktalk, as far as phonenumbers
go I can give you the numbers of the ones I use hear in Miami, you can
check out the echos and see if this is what you want.

The following is the phone number for Abuv Top Secret hear in Miami.
305-388-8273.

Yes I know it's alonge distance call for you but it might be worth it.
If you do get on please Email me on the board just send mail to John Faircloth
or write me via Internet, JFaircloth@Delphi.com

Regards, John





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Subject: Subway Navigation Technology
From: hologram@mindvox.phantom.com (Robert Lendvai)
Organization: [MindVox] / Phantom Access Technologies / (+1 800-MindVox)

Hello Everyone,
      I need your help. With a team of 3 other people and myself I have
come up with a new technology to help people who are blind navigate the subway
stations. We call it the CSNS (Comprehensive Subway Navigation System).
Through a headset, it would let people who are blind know where
to transfer to other trains, find the appropriate platforms, stairs, token
booths etc. I have several questions to which I am seeking answers.

1. What is your feeling, would such a technology be helpful? useful? is
it needed?

2. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public transportation
be accessible to people with disabilities. Subway stations are so
complicated that people who are blind must memorize the layout of a station
before they can use it or ask someone for directions - this is tedious,
takes away one's dignity and is very inefficient. Thus, can it be said
that subways are truly accessible to the blind? If not, is the TA in
New York City for example breaking the law because of it?

3. Would it be possible to gain funding to develop such a technology
from laws such as the the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals
with Disabilities Act (TRAID)? Are there any other funds which could be
utilized to make this project a reality?

4. Are there any cities with subway systems that would be interested in
this? How can I find out?

I appreciate all and any help, advice, or opinion that anyone could offer.
Please *e-mail* all replies to: hologram@phantom.com
Thank you,
            Robert Lendvai

*****************************************************
Robert Lendvai         |   "My favorite, I might say,
the "Fool on the hill" |     my only study, is man."
hologram@phantom.com   |           George Borrow
*****************************************************




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Subject: apple outreach to the blind
From: dashiell@nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)


Contact the radio reading services first of all
the In Touch network in New York city
and then other stations and put together a public
service announcement.  If ron Popeel and i'm not sure his
name was spelled correctly can do an infomercial why can't apple?
A large part of the problem new potential users of apple
computers and for that matter any computer have is they don't
know what tasks the hardware and especially
software can do and what it costs.
Be sure if aisle 17 is marketing anything for the mac's
that it will work on outspoken software and most stuff will
and if it does to point this out on the infomercials.

jude <dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil>




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Subject: internet training/access
From: steveh4094@aol.com (SteveH4094)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

I am looking for some information about a project that provides
training on using the Internet for blind/visually impaired
students. Thanks in advance.





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Subject: information superhighway access
From: Kelly.Pierce@ican.com (Kelly Pierce)
Organization: Fido: I CAN! BBS * (ican.com) * 312-736-7388 (1:115/738)

     What form will affordable community-based access to the
information superhighway take?  A growing number believe
involvement is necesary to ensure that poor, communities of
isolated ethnic and racial minorities, and communities of
disinvestment have access and delivery of services of the
information superhighway.  To accomplish this, organizations such
as Libraries for the Future in New York and the Chicago Coalition
for Information Access believe that greater investment should
occur in the existing information infrastructure, the local
public library with an augmentation of access points in such
places as community centers, boys and girls clubs and park
district fieldhouses..  They believe that this approach will
provide low-cost means of training, self-development and as a
means of community empowerment.  People will be able to receive
training and support at such sites as they begin to learn and
master using the superhighway.  Peer and cooperative learning
will be fostered in such environments.  Such access and
participation is necessary, they say, if we are to have a
democratic and open society free of information haves and have
nots.  The arguments make sense.  Governments have begun to take
some forward steps.  Nashville's Mayor and Police Chief have e-
mail addresses, working through citizen problems and concerns
directly with the individual instead of the bureaucracy.  Several
states, including California and Texas, have begun to offer
government services through computer terminal kiosks placed in
shopping malls and other public places by North communications of
Santa Monica.  Seattle and other cities have provided full-
connectivity to the Internet at local public libraries.  My city,
Chicago, is finally getting into the act with its own Internet
project.  The project does not call for access by blind and
print-impaired persons at any of its terminals.  It also raises
the question of what would the best access approach be?  Access
through speech synthesis at point of use terminals or subsidies
to blind and print-impaired persons who wish to acquire hardware
and subscribe to the services of the Superhighway?  Compounding
this question are additional concerns of training and support in
using either model for print-impaired persons and those with
disabilities.  Below is a letter I sent to my library
commissioner regarding her flawed and incomplete proposal.

3257 N. Clifton Ave.
Chicago, IL  60657-3318
(312) 472-7206
Internet:  kelly.pierce@syslink.mcs.com

Sunday, 3 April 1994

Mary Dempsey, commissioner
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60605

Dear Commissioner:

     I am disappointed that accessibility considerations for
people with disabilities are not contained in your grant proposal
to locate seven terminals connected to the Internet at libraries
throughout Chicago.  I am blind and would find such access
useful.

     I could Telnet to databases such as the Library of Congress
Information System.  There, I would search the Union catalog of
the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, currently unavailable to me.  I also would FTP and
Gopher to sites to obtain documents that otherwise are available
only in print.  This kind of document retrieval will allow me to
read items independently without use of a sighted reader.  With
features such as this the benefits to print-impaired persons are
clearly obvious.

     However, access to a terminal through speech synthesis is
not contained in your proposal.  Beyond that level of access,
wheelchair access to the seven sites was not even identified in
the proposal.  Section 35.160 of Title II in the Americans with
Disabilities Act calls not only for access but consultation with
people with disabilities to determine preferences and choices for
assistive devices and services.  The proposal for the CPL
Internet Project does not specify how the library will obtain
this feedback and conduct this dialogue with persons with
disabilities.  Such a dialogue is important when the proposal
does not state which Internet functions and services will be
available and usable by patrons.

     I understand the proposal fails to detail how patrons,
including patrons with disabilities,  unfamiliar with computer
networking  will be trained and supported in using the Internet
services.  Such support is necessary considering that full
function use of computer networks and "Internet serfs" can be
confusing and challenging for even the highly-skilled user.
Additionally, the proposal fails to say how blind and print-
impaired persons will receive materials in alternative formats,
who will decide the appropriate format and the process for such
decision making.

     In sum, I believe that print-impaired persons and those with
disabilities should be included as a constituency in planning the
CPL Internet Project.  Such inclusion extends beyond legal
requirements; it fosters greater community interaction,
independence and self reliance.  Again, I stand willing to assist
the Chicago Public Library and the City of Chicago in providing
information access to all.


Sincerely,



Kelly J. Pierce
cc:  Larry Gorski
     Pat Gregory
     Bernie Hansen
     Jay Hopkins
     Debra Kaplan
     Bridget Lamont
     Dave Porter
     kelly Sandor
     Ellen Starkman
     Julie Walberer




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Subject: Large Print Spanish/English Dictionary
From: KEVIN@MASH.Colorado.EDU (Kevin Callison)

Does anyone know where I could find a large print Spanish/English dictionary?
A friend of mine needs one.

I would appreciate any help.
Thanks!




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                 End of Issue # 1030 of the Blind News Digest

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