Hawaii Association of the Blind
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We are the State affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
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Technology

Talking Cellphone with Screen Reader

Frustrating as it may seem, a blind or visually impaired person walking into a cellphone dealer in search of a truly accessible mobile phone most often than not comes out empty handed. The sales people do not really have a reasonable understanding of what the blind customer needs. This experience has happened to me, my friend and perhaps a good number of blind individuals looking for a talking cellphone that actually talks. Dealers may offer cellphone units that speak the numbers but what we actually want is one that reads to you what sighted people see on the phone screen. We are pleased to inform you that there are technologies offering that functionality and most dealers are not aware they even exist. And even if you know what to get, where will you go and inquire, and maybe acquire one?

There are two softwares, TALKS and Mobile Speak, that run on certain units of cellphone that funciton as screen readers, just like JAWS or Window Eyes for computers. These softwares read whatever is seen on the display. To learn more about the technology, please visit http://www.etoengineering.com/vision.htm

Do you know who offers this technology now? If so, you can go to this link and see how you can buy and even save on the cost of TALKS software -

http://www.cingular.com/about/talks_program

http://www.cingular.com/about/talks_rebate

Please be informed that HAB is not promoting or selling the above items or services. We just want to help others who have painstakingly sought the technology and still failed.

DAVIS, CA, (August 1, 2005)

Sendero's GPS version 3.3 for the BrailleNote is now shipping including versions for the tiny PK and the new mPower. Version 3.3 introduces two huge improvements to Sendero's BrailleNote GPS, the Cadillac of accessible GPS systems. * The Points of Interest database is being expanded from one to twelve million points in the U.S. and Canada with 108 categories. Additional functionality has been added to deal with this voluminous and newer data content. In addition to the restaurants and hotels common in previous versions, the GPS 3.3 data includes everything from beauty salons to nursing homes to churches. As our beta testers in the U.S. and Canada have said, "it is amazing how much stuff is out there and we feel like we can see it with our BrailleNote GPS, especially in version 3.3." * We have enhanced the manual route creation software. You can now designate manual waypoints as Straight, Left or Right. You can add custom descriptions like "4-way intersection" or "slight bend in path." This makes manual routes created across a campus or in the woods extremely versatile. For both manual and automatic routes, you now hear a natural voice telling you to "continue straight" when you are on course or, "Warning, off route" when you are not. Directional information has been enhanced by averaging headings, making relative directions for waypoint and points of interest much better. BrailleNote GPS has at least double the features and functions of other accessible GPS products and the PK GPS is the smallest and most powerful. For more information, come see Sendero or HumanWare at an upcoming conference or call 1-888-757-6810. Details are on the web at http://www.senderogroup.com  HumanWare is the manufacturer of the BrailleNote family of products and Sendero Group is the manufacturer of the GPS as well as a distributor of BrailleNotes. Sendero's GPS products are the most mature as a result of 10 years development and sales with the largest installed base of blind GPS users worldwide. HumanWare 175 Mason Circle Concord CA 94520 800.722.3393 http://www.humanware.com

WD 40 - Wonder Product

When you hear the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle!

Then try it on your stovetop... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a "Water Displacement" compound.

They were successful with the Fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.

The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts.

The workers were so pleased with the product they began smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home.

The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in aerosol cans. The rest is history. It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. One of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff manufactured each year. It gets its distinctive smell from a fragrance that is added to the brew. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

Here are a few of the 1000s of uses:


~Protects silver from tarnishing

~Cleans and lubricates guitar strings

~Gets oil spots off concrete driveways

~Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery

~Keeps flies off cows

~Restores and cleans chalkboards

~Removes lipstick stains

~Loosens stubborn zippers

~Untangles jewelry chains

~Removes stains from stainless steel sinks

~Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill

~Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing

~Removes tomato stains from clothing

~Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots

~Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors

~Keeps scissors working smoothly

~Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

~Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide

~Lubricates gear shift and mower - deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers

~Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises

~Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open

~Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close

~Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards and vinyl bumpers

~Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles

~Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans

~Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling

~Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly

~Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools

~Removes splattered grease on stove

~Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging

~Lubricates prosthetic limbs

~Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)

~Removes all traces of duct tape

~I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

~Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers

The favorite use in the state of New York

~ WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

~WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. It's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

~Keeps away chiggers on the kids

~Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately, and stops the itch.

~WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

~Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!

~If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start. (If I knew what a distributor cap was, it might help)

~WD-40, long known for its ability to remove leftover tape smunges (sticky label tape), is also a lovely perfume and air freshener! Sprayed liberally on every hinge in the house, it leaves that distinctive clean fresh scent for up to two days!

~Seriously though, it removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

~Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
 

	ATUG Hawaii
	Technology challenged? Cheer up! The Assistive Technology User Group (ATUG), based in Honolulu, Hawaii, is ready, able and willing to give a hand with your technology dilemma. Blind and any disabled individual who needs assistance in understanding, using or whatever techie problem solving with regards to high and low-end devices (computers, CCTV magnifiers, etc.) can turn to ATUG. To learn more about ATUG, click here.
	Talking lunch line. Sighted students take advantage of a bright idea from their blind colleagues. Read more.
	Unusual computer performance? Nagging ads pop-ups? Welcome to the real world of Internet. These unwanted unsolicited "reminders" or worse, nasty viruses that lurk behind the scene ought to be eliminated. We are always at risk whenever we're online, especially when using broadband connection like DSL or Roadrunner. Click here for tips to help solve your computer woes caused by viruses and ads popups.
	ETO Engineering PLLC
	For a while, we maintained information on talking cell phones that are designed for use by the blind and visually-impaired individuals. Well, the mobile phone industry has finally caught up with the demands and is now offering several models and features. This time, we are confronted with the decision of choosing which model and software to satisfy our specific needs or wishes. In this regard, ETO Engineering PLLC may be of assistance.They sell accessible cell phones for the blind and visually impaired.  They sell a variety of cell phones and plans nationwide from carriers such as Cingular, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.  They are affiliated with the largest online cell phone retailers so that they can always get you the lowest price on your cell phone.  They sell and support Code Factory accessible software for the cell phone: Mobile Magnifier, Mobile Accessibility 2.5, and Mobile Speak. Their website offers lots of information on accessible cell phones.  website:  www.etoengineering.com       phone: 919-523-0205
	JAWS©,  MAGic©,  OpenBook© The latest version of JAWS for Windows 6.0 is now here. The new release features, among others: ♫ Automatic Position Virtual Focus to Flashing Cursor ♫ Forms Mode State Remembered when Switching IE Sessions ♫ Automatic Language Detection in HTML ♫ User Definable PlaceMarkers in the Virtual Cursor Mode ♫ Navigating by Heading Levels is More Intuitive ♫ INSERT+F5, Select a Form Field Dialog ♫ Position Information for Radio Buttons in HTML ♫ Position Information for List Boxes and Combo Boxes in  HTML ♫ Customize how Form Field Prompts Are Identified ♫ Reorganized the INSERT+V, Verbosity Dialog ♫ Personalized Settings for Any Web Site ♫ INSERT+TAB now reveals all Verbosity Options for many HTML Elements ♫ Added Wrap to Top or Bottom of Document for Many of the ♫ Quick Navigation Keys There are also updates for MAGic screen magnifier and OpenBook scanning solutions for printed materials.  Learn more about it by clicking here.
	Digital Technology for Libraries Microsoft chairman, Bill Gates stresses the value of Digital Technology to libraries and making such information more accessible to people with vision or print disabilities. Learn more about what services the future libraries around the world may soon be offering - to blind and visually impaired individuals.