by Billie Jean Keith
The announcement of products and services in this column is not an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its staff, or elected officials. Products and services are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The Braille Forum" cannot be responsible for the reliability of products and services mentioned.
To submit an item for "Here and There," send an e-mail message to [email protected]
You may call the ACB toll-free number, (800) 424-8666, and leave a message in mailbox 26. Please bear in mind that we need information two months ahead of actual publication dates.
Cupid Calling
New from National Braille Press: print/braille Valentine's Day Cards! Let your classmates, friends, teachers, and loved ones know how you feel with print and braille Valentines!
Choose from two different packets. The small packet contains: 30 small valentines with the message "Happy Valentine's Day," 2 larger valentines with the message "You Are Special," and 32 envelopes. The large packet contains: 20 larger valentines with the message "You Are Special" and 20 envelopes. Each packet is only $10!
Supplies are limited, so order now! To read more about these cards -- and to read about the history of Valentine's Day -- visit our website at http://www.nbp.org/valentine02.html. To order a set of print-braille Valentines, send $10 to National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115-4302. Or call toll-free and charge it, (800) 548-7323 (call 617-266-6160 ext. 20 outside the U.S.).
Good News for BrailleNote Users
Over the past year or so, there has been a bit of interest in the North American market in having some degree of Linux access with the BrailleNote family of products. Many of you are familiar with BrailleTTY, a Linux-based Braille screenreader which provides access to a Linux box. The Pulse Data Group is pleased to announce the arrival of a BrailleTTY driver for the BrailleNote family of products. This driver enables the user of the BrailleNote to access a Linux Box using his/her BrailleNote as a Braille display.
It should be noted that this version of BrailleTTY is still in public beta and is expected to be released shortly. In addition, BrailleTTY is a free downloadable program. Therefore, neither HumanWare nor any other agent of the PDI Group will be offering technical assistance for you to install or use this driver. The BrailleTTY project can be found at http://mielke.cc/brltty. From this location, select the download link and download the 2.99z beta. This beta, which has support for both the 18 and 32 braille cell models as well as the Braille qt models, contains all sources and documentation. The project maintainer is Dave Mielke, [email protected].
New Listserv on Audio Description
This list serves as a venue for discussions among consumers and audio description amateurs and professionals, as well as members of the Audio Description International Organization. Topics include standards, techniques, current events, and other subjects of interest to the audio description community. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: [email protected].
Cards Brailled Free
Nardin Park Braille Transcribers will braille any greeting card at no charge. Send the card in the envelope, unsealed, stamped, and addressed to the eventual recipient. Mail in a larger envelope to: Nardin Park Braille Transcribers, 33542 Argonne Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48335. Allow time for the brailling process.
Online Courses for Certification in Information Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Southern Maine offer online certificate programs in Accessible Information Technology. Accessible information technology enables on-site computers, as well as all Internet web information, to be accessible to users with various disabilities.
For information about courses from the Rochester Institute of Technology, send an e-mail to [email protected]. For information about courses from the University of Southern Maine, send an e-mail to [email protected].
TV Newsreader is Blind
When Nuria Del Saz takes her seat to read the television news, she is fulfilling a childhood ambition. The 25-year-old Spaniard has good reason to be proud of her achievement. Other newsreaders get help from the studio autocue, but she cannot see it because she has been totally blind since age 13.
Before losing her sight, Nuria pretended to be a newsreader, writing news scripts and broadcasting to her parents. She pursued her newscaster dream into journalism school, and while working in a student radio service, she was selected to receive television training.
"The problem was speed," she said. "I would write my script in braille, but it takes much longer to read than ordinary text because each letter is touched. So I began almost to memorize the whole broadcast, reading and re-reading before I went on air. Now I read the first part of a sentence and deliver the rest from memory while I move onto the next lines with my hands."
Many people have written to tell Del Saz how her achievement has inspired others. "A grandmother rang me up in tears to tell me about her two-year-old grandson who is blind. She said it gave her hope for his future. As you can imagine, that made me feel pretty good."
Bank One Installs 25 Machines in Louisiana
Bank One announced today that it has installed 25 talking ATMs in Louisiana, creating the first ATM network in the state to help visually impaired customers conduct their banking transactions.
With the Louisiana ATMs, Bank One now has more than 100 talking ATMs nationwide.
More information about Bank One's talking ATM program, including the locations of Bank One's talking ATMs nationwide, is available by calling 1-877-241-8665.
Bank One Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, operates 200 banking centers and approximately 400 ATMs in Louisiana. Bank One can be found on the Internet at www.bankone.com.
Custom Handcrafted Wood Signs
These signs are made of cedar wood and look, feel, and smell wonderful. Each sign is created by blind craftsman Allan Golabek and made for the outdoors. They will weather to a rustic look. Specify the message to be engraved, e.g., last names, pet names, business names, house numbers, children's name plates, or any creative idea to be custom-made. All signs are treated with oil for a smooth, shiny finish.
Order from Mr. Golabek at A.G. Originals. Signs cost $55, including shipping and handling in the continental U.S. Prices vary depending on the message to be engraved. Please make checks payable to Allan Golabek, 70 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, CT 06801, phone (203) 743-9238, e-mail [email protected].
Free Catalogs on Crafts and Cooking
Horizons for the Blind offers catalogs filled with items on cooking, knitting, crocheting, and tatting. Cooks will enjoy the seven-volume "Recipes from Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars," while the crocheting crowd will enjoy the "Cro-Hook Instructions." To request a free catalog, call (815) 444-8800, fax (815) 444-8830, or e-mail [email protected]. Specify a braille, large print, or tape catalog.
Back to Basics
Access software tutorial writer John Wilson has produced a recorded guide to the fundamentals of Windows-based computing titled "VIP's Introduction to Computers." The two-cassette recording costs $20, including postage. It is designed to provide information needed by newcomers to computing. One hour of the three-hour guide provides an introduction to different types of computers and peripherals, particularly keyboards. The following hours provide a step-by-step demonstration on using the most basic, important concepts and utilities of Windows. The guide serves as a demonstration of various types of screenreaders such as JAWS for Windows, HAL for Windows, and Window-Eyes.
For more information, e-mail [email protected], or if telephoning from the U.S. or Canada, call 011 44 113 257 5957.
Recipe of the Month Club
This service provides you with all the recipes you want, in the format of your choice. For $25 a year, you will receive five recipes a month in your choice of braille, cassette, large print, computer disk, or e-mail. Also, you'll receive unlimited recipe search and transcription services. If you need a recipe in braille or another format, let me know and I'll send it to you. Or send me the print version and I'll braille it for you. I charge $10 to braille a cookbook, plus $5 an hour for embossing, if necessary.
For more information, contact Sarah Lindley at (602) 595-7130 or e-mail [email protected].
Cordless Phone with Talking Caller ID
Friends who are blind have said how much they like this Panasonic phone. The model is KX-TG2680N, and when Panasonic e-mailed the user manual in text version, it was time to tell Forum readers about it. The phone is a 2.4GHz GigaRanger Elite SST Cordless Phone with Talking Caller ID. The Talking Caller ID plays through the speakerphones in both the base and the handset. It announces who is calling using text-to-speech technology. A Panasonic representative indicated the button layout on the base is very tactually friendly, with the speakerphone button off to the side and a large triangular shape. The 12-keypad buttons are large oval buttons, with a nib on the 5 key. No other buttons are this size or shape. Buttons are grouped by function. While there is not the same ample space on the handset, size and shape are discernable.
Other features include: all-digital answering system (15-min.); dual digital duplex speakerphones (on base and handset); dual keypads; call waiting caller ID; 50-station caller ID (memory and dialer); station phone directory and dialer. Several buttons speak their function when pressed. The price for this phone ranges from $250 to $350.
National Dating Service
This service is organized by a blind person who called the ACB national office recently. The service is intended for people who are blind or visually impaired. For details, please call Rosemir Rodriguez at (925) 969-9744.
California Canes Valentine Offer
Free shipping when you buy two slim line canes during February. Also, a free cane tip of your choice is included. These canes are made with the same durable carbon fiber as are our other fine canes. To order, or for information, contact California Canes toll-free at (866) 489-1973, e-mail [email protected], visit the web site, www.californiacanes.com, or write to 25611 Quail Run, #125, Dana Point, CA 92629, fax (949) 489-0996.
Computer Consultant
Mr. Cory Jackson has a degree in computers and is very knowledgeable in the field of adaptive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. He has excellent skills at trouble-shooting and solving computer problems. Contact him toll-free at (866) 222-9046, or e-mail [email protected].
List of Blindness-Related Listservs
Cathy Anne Murtha has gathered all the blindness-related lists she could find and placed them in a comprehensive indexed list for those who may be interested in joining a new list, or want to see what is available. More than 300 lists have been indexed and can be visited at http://www.accesstechnologyinstitute.com.
Medicare Coverage for Glaucoma Exams
Medicare now provides a new glaucoma benefit. The benefit includes coverage of a dilated eye examination with an intraocular pressure measurement, and direct ophthalmoscopy or a slit-lamp biomicroscopic exam for individuals at highest risk of developing the disease.
Better Labeling — Yes Please
Better labeling on products to help visually impaired shoppers has been recommended by at least two reports in the United Kingdom. Similar reports have emerged in the USA. A study by academics at the Manchester School of Management found that people with partial vision are often unable to see vital information such as price, sell-by dates, storage instructions, and ingredients.
The report, published in the December issue of Consumer Policy Review, identifies seven areas where packaging could be improved. These include increasing the size of the lettering on products, an area on the label with clear black text on a white or yellow background, clear number and price information, and symbols to help distinguish between products. While the outcome appears to be a no-brainer, the report goes on to state that the grocery industry does not take the recommendations seriously and nothing has been done in the matter.
All this seems to be a no-winner, no-improvement study, but remember how pressure in this country forced food and grocery manufacturers to print clear nutritional facts on all food items marketed in the USA.
Seeking Parents with Disabilities and Their Teens
Through the Looking Glass, a national resource center for parents with disabilities, is conducting a nationwide project to learn more about families in which a parent with a disability is raising a teen (11-17 years old). The project is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, part of the Department of Education.
Surveys are available in various formats, or can be completed by phone. Teens may also participate and receive $5 for completing the teen portion of the survey.
If you would like to take part in this survey, please contact Nancy Freed by phone at (510) 848-1112, ext. 174, toll-free (800) 644-2666, TTY (800) 804-1616, e-mail [email protected], or visit the web site, www.lookingglass.org.