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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1032

                           Friday, April 15, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                             a.d.a. disadvantage
                   Re: Apple Computer outreach to blind...
              Is there a Russian speech syntethizer available ?
                             Graphic to tactile
               IBM Screen Magnifier/2 - New Product for OS/2.1
                   Re: Apple Computer outreach to blind...
                            Banks Braille Writer
                             blind subway access
                  Re: texas bank offers braille statements
                         Re: re best places to live
                    Blind railway modelers and live steam


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                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: a.d.a. disadvantage
From: dashiell@nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)


litigation i'd like to see.
Well let's talk about software.
I think a good litigation would be to have a
class action suit filed which if successful would remove any copyrights
licenses or patent protection on all software that wasn't speech synthesizer
friendly on systems which support speech synthesizers.
That would send a very big message.

Jude <dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil>
p.s. litigation should also happen to wipe
patent protection on all hardware that's not
potentially useable by those with speech synthesizers.
Note I didn't say directly I said potentially.
If an effort has been made in this direction for either speech or
braille accessability that device should be protected and I don't
restrict hardware to computers, hardware is anything now used in the office




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

Contact your state talking book library and ask for a list of magazines
related to computer use by blind people.

Since most of these publications are on cassette or in Braille and are sent
through the mail as "free matter for the blind," they cannot contain adver-
tising.  They can print "product notices", however.

Hope this is some help.

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




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Subject: Is there a Russian speech syntethizer available ?
From: timaham@cc.jyu.fi (Timo Hamalainen)
Organization: University of Jyvaskyla, Finland

Hello,

I wanted to get any information on speech processing of Russian language.
Are there any syntethizers or other equipments available and what is the
quality and price of the products?

All the best,
Timo Hamalainen
--
Timo Hamalainen   timaham@jyu.fi




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Subject: Graphic to tactile
From: MDDNP@cc.newcastle.edu.au

Capsule paper must be used with a carbon image. The humble B2 soft
pencil some Artline pens, standard photopiers are all ways of
puuting and image onto capsule that can then be raised by using a
150 - 500 watt halogen lamp. The carbon image is the trick. You can
also use a computer printer such as an IBM portable 5183 (costs
around $400 in Australia!) with a carbon ribbon loaded, and print
from a CAD or other drawing package straight on to the capsule
paper. This can then be raised using a suitable heat source.  You
are looking for around 130 deg Cent. A fuser, as used in the
printing industry will also work but they are now fairly scarce.
Expensive stereo ion please contact Tim Connell at APH Louisville.
I have received a fax from a friend in Yokohama Japan, printed
straight onto the capsule paper and then raised by a simple hand
held halogen lamp as used in video making.  This process was first
proposed by Yuji Ishido and was recently demonstrated at the
International Cartographic Association's Tactual Mapping Commission
Conference in Brazil. Tactile fax! well nearly.

The graphic to tactile process can also be achieved very
effectively now with a package called Picture Braille. Please
contact APH for details. It is a first rate system giving an
embosser output, to Versapoint, Mountabatten, Index and similar
embossers.

It is also possible to produce high resolution tactile graphics
using "at home" screen printing methods and a system known as RISO
screen fax and Print Gocco. Special inks have to be used. Please
contact APH in Louisville for details.

Hope this helps someone
Dr. Don Parkes
Ecology of Blindness and Audio-Tactile Graphics Research unit
University of Newcastle Australia




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From: JGBGSH@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU (Jim Breene)
Subject: IBM Screen Magnifier/2 - New Product for OS/2.1

  SCREEN MAGNIFIER/2 OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
  March 31, 1994

  IBM's Special Needs Systems has announced Screen Magnifier/2, a
  software product that lets visually impaired users interact more
  easily with personal computers.

  Screen Magnifier/2 enlarges applications running under IBM's powerful
  O/2 2.1 operating system.  Now, users can magnify OS/2, DOS, and
  Windows applications running under OS/2 2.1.  The magnification level
  ranges from two to 32 times the normal size, so users can make the
  words and images on the screen the exact size they need.

  Screen Magnifier/2 has other special features, including:

  o   A "reading mode" that pans the cursor along the lines; the reading
      speed can be controlled with the touch of a finger.

  o   Screen colors that can be reversed for greater contrast.

  o   Focus tracking, to ensure that the mouse pointer always moves
      to the area of interest - so users immediately see an
      error message that pops up on another part of the screen.

  o   A locator that lets users see just where the magnified window
      is on the system.

  Screen Magnifier/2 is the latest addition to the IBM Independence
  Series of products, providing solutions for those with a wide range
  of disabilities.

  Screen Magnifier/2 is a simple tool that can improve the readability
  and usability of systems for everyone.  But, for the visually
  impaired, it is the key that provides access to the world of OS/2.

  For additional information about Screen Magnifier/2 or any other
  member of the Independence Series family of products, call the
  Independence Series Information Center:

                   1-800-426-4832 (VOICE)
                   1-800-426-4833 (TDD)
                   1-800-465-7999 (Canada)

  PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY




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Subject: Re: Apple Computer outreach to blind...
From: panda@meteor.wisc.edu (Administration User)
Organization: U of Iowa Panda System

Apple might also want to consider exhibiting at one or both of the major
conferences this summer, either ACB or NFB.  That's an excellent way to get
the word out about the Macintosh.







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Subject: Banks Braille Writer
From: BI08%UTEP.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (Murray Voight)

A friend is looking for the manufacturer of the
"Banks Pocket Braille Writer."

The only information he has about the company is from the 1950's
as follows:

V. L. Martin Co. Ltd.
Southall Midd.x. England

If anyone has a current address or information about the company
please let me know privately.

Thank you.

Murray Voight
bi08@utep.bitnet




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Subject: blind subway access
Organization: Fido: I CAN! BBS * (ican.com) * 312-736-7388 (1:115/738)

     The most effective way I have found for people who are not
blind to learn about independent travel of blind persons is to
learn how to travel as a blind person.  The second best way is
for the sighted person to shadow several independent travelers
for an entire day asking as many questions as needed.  The
problem with proposals such as sonic devices or auditory devices
for the blind is that they fail to understand the basic concepts
of independent travel and why people sometimes have trouble.  I
have found sighted persons develop deep sensitivity and
understanding after they could travel under a blindfold as well
as I can as a blind person.  Locally, I have had several transit
officials from The Chicago Transit Authority "shadow" me as I
traveled throughout the system, explaining what I am doing and
why.  I witnessed their attitudes change completely about the
expectations and abilities of blind passengers.

     Knowing about blind travel yourself places each of us in a
position to understand the following questions?  How will a
auditory sonic device remedy the problems of blind travelers?  Is
the problem the subway environment or one of familiarity and
training?  What's wrong with low-tech solutions, such as a
pamphlet describing the "tricky" stations.  Why must blind people
be dependent on an auditory, sonic device created by a sighted
person in order to travel?  can the blind person use other skills
and techniques to travel without the need for sophisticated
technology?

     While the Americans with Disabilities Act requires transit
agencies to make their facilities accessible to persons with
disabilities, compliance with the ADA for transit agencies is
spelled out in great detail in highly specific guidelines.
Because of past advocacy work by all persons with disabilities in
the past, the transportation section of the ADA is highly
defined.  Consequently, the proposal is likely not to fall under
the ADA because it is not specified in the guidelines for
accessibility.

     I am troubled by the statement that blind persons asking
assistance or questions while on the subway system is degrading
and bereft of dignity.  I resent the projection of my feelings
and perceptions at public policy proposals before anyone has
asked what my feelings are.  Someone else's projection of my
feelings is perhaps a way to state what their feelings are
without adequately dealing with them.  Also, is employing an
auditory sonic device for blind travelers simply replacing one
form of "dependency" for another?  Also this assumes that blind
persons can't navigate the subway system without the assistance
and support of sighted persons.  I challenge this notion.

     I travel the subways of Chicago on my own every day without
the assistance of sighted persons or adapted technology.
Thousands of blind people do the same.Sometimes people approach
me and insist on helping.  They confuse my exploration of a
station and the use of alternative techniques of travel as being
lost or confused.  I am approached simply for being different.
Being familiar with a subway station and learning about its
features will probably take longer for a blind person.  This does
not mean that learning will be forever; it can happen quickly.
The purpose in using the subway is to travel so that I can
participate in something not an end in and of itself.




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Subject: Re: texas bank offers braille statements
From: jfaircloth@DELPHI.COM (John Faircloth)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

Well, I think I saw you post this acouple of weeks ago, or maby it was
someone else. But I will repeat what I said in reply. It's to bad that all
banks didn't start with this. What ever happened to equal access of information?
My bank hear in Miami, Barnette has no plans to start putting there statements
in braille or whatever way opsible for me to read them. As it is, sense I
don't hav a scanner, I have to get someone to read it for me, and I fell
like I'm advertising my private life. It's none of anyone's business how
much money I spend or deposit. But what choice do I have?

Regards, John Faircloth.





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Subject: Re: re best places to live
From: jfaircloth@DELPHI.COM (John Faircloth)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

Right now, I live in Miami Florida. I think that as of now, for the blind,
ecept for say Washington D.C. this is the best place. I am thinking about
moving to Pensacola. Now, this rases some questions. 1. How easy is it to
navagate around Pensacola? Is there good transportation? The answer to both
is as follows. When I lived there from 1981--83, it was shall I say pure hell.
Now, there is no bus service that I know of. Taixs are unrealible. And the
place just is to spread out. How ever, I whent back about two years ago,
and things seemed to have changed. I will be visiting there in about two
weeks so I will post more on this issue. Now, as far as Miami is concerned.
Yes we have our problems, but Miami has a good bus service, and taxis are
adime adosen. Also streets are easy to navagate.

Will post more on all this in afuture message in about two weeks.

Regards, John Faircloth.





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Subject: Blind railway modelers and live steam
From: T.Pennick@axion.bt.co.uk (Tim Pennick)
Organization: BT Labs, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, UK
Organisation: BT Laboratories, Martlesham Heath, IPSWICH UK


I have recently become interested in the idea of a live steam garden railway
setup, and it occurred to me to wonder whether there were any other blind
hobbyists with this interest.  If such people already exist, I'd be
interested to share stuff like whether they'd had any luck with building
loco's, layouts etc, getting scales right, and such basic things as
monitoring water-level and boiler pressure.  As a kid I used to have some
very basic steam engines which I used to have no problem operating, but I'm
not sure how easy it would be with more serious models.  I'm not really
expecting any response to this one but if poss. please Email, as I don't get
much of a chance to read this newsgroup at the moment.

Tim Pennick




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                 End of Issue # 1032 of the Blind News Digest

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