edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB E-Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned.
To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
2021 Touch of Genius Prize Winner
This year’s winner of the Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is Songpakorn Punong-ong, an electronic engineer from Phetchaburi, Thailand, who created the ReadRing. The ReadRing is an affordable compact device, the same size as a computer mouse. It has an opening where you put your reading finger, and there is a rotary refreshable braille display that moves with your finger, allowing you to continuously read braille as it streams from a wirelessly connected smartphone, computer or tablet. It can also read optical characters captured by an attached camera.
Sight For Kids Expansion
Sight For Kids is a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson Vision and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. The program provides free eye care to students in low-income and underserved communities worldwide to address inequities in eye health. SFK is the world’s largest-known school-based eye health program. Since 2002, more than 37 million children have been helped. Learn more at https://www.jjvision.com/press-release/johnson-johnson-vision-expands-sight-kids-program-bring-eye-care-more-children-and?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=ctt&utm_campaign=impact-report-release.
GrandPad Introduces Moods App
GrandPad is the first purpose-built tablet for older adults. The device has been specifically designed for their specific needs and technology capabilities. GrandPad offers features that can help seniors and families stay connected safely and easily.
GrandPad recently introduced the Moods app, which delivers a curated selection of immersive audiovisual environments to promote relaxation, comfort, and improve mental health in older adults. Its senior-friendly apps include games, streaming music, local radio stations, a private family photo and video stream, and educational content. To learn more, visit https://www.grandpad.net/.
New Digital Marketing Website
Launched in 2021, WebABLE is an automated, news aggregator website delivering relevant and trusted news, products, services, and other information about and for the disability community. The site helps people with disabilities find what they are looking for. Providers of accessibility products and services are able to access their target markets through advertising. For more information, visit https://webable.com/.
Braille and Large Print Menus at Starbucks
NBP produced 35,000 braille and large print menus for all Starbucks company-operated and licensed store locations in the U.S. and Canada as part of the company’s efforts to create a more accessible experience for blind and low-vision customers. Starbucks first began offering braille and large print menus in 2012.
New from National Braille Press
There are a lot of new books and other items available from National Braille Press.
Over in the children’s corner, check out “The Day You Begin” (English) or “El día en que descubres quién eres” (Spanish). The book, by Jacqueline Woodson, is available in contracted braille (UEB) and in Spanish braille for ages 5 to 8.
Also new is “My Papi Has a Motorcycle” by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Pena. It comes in contracted braille (UEB), and is for ages 4 to 8. It’s a touching ode to a young girl, her father, and their Los Angeles neighborhood.
And don’t forget to take a look at “Mouse Tales” by Arnold Lobel. It’s available in contracted braille (UEB) for ages 4 to 8. When Papa’s seven little mouse boys ask for a bedtime story, he tells seven stories, one for each boy!
There are a number of new books for adults, too. With the arrival of summer, check out “Air Fryer Recipes” from allrecipes.com. This book has the 89 most popular recipes, plus sections on choosing an air fryer, accessories, tips, and the basics for cooking with it.
Technology changes at a rapid pace – especially cell phones. “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 14: Step-by-Step Instructions for Blind Users” by Anna Dresner contains everything you need to know to get started using the iPhone and the iOS 14 operating system. It’s available in braille (3 volumes), BRF, DAISY, and as a Word file.
Also hot off the press is “Mac Basics for the Beginning User: macOS 11 Big Sur Update” by Janet Ingber. It covers the basics of getting started with VoiceOver, setting system preferences, how to interact with the dock, understand the structure of files and folders, and how to work with the trackpad or Touch Bar. It also covers how to use email, iCloud, Quick Nav, Safari, TextEdit, and PDF files. It also comes in braille (one volume), BRF, DAISY, and as a Word file.
Who loves audio description? Check out Judy Dixon’s book “Audio Description: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It.” It’s available in braille (one volume), BRF, DAISY, or Word. Includes a foreword by Deborah Kendrick.
Love puzzles? Look up “The Great Sherlock Holmes Puzzle Book: A Collection of Enigmas to Puzzle Even the Greatest Detective of All” by Dr. Gareth Moore. It’s available in braille (two volumes) and as a BRF file, for ages 10 and up. Includes 130 puzzles involving riddles, word play, and mathematical problems. See if you can match the towering intellect of Sherlock Holmes!
If you’re looking for jewelry, check out the necklaces from Neat Artist Studio! The seven necklaces feature the words “mom,” “strong,” “proud,” “believe,” “grace,” “luck,” or “thankful.” The featured word is written on white porcelain in uncontracted braille. The braille dots are plated with white gold, hung horizontally on a fine 18" chain plated in 16k gold. No two pieces are alike.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html.