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 held responsible for the reliability of products and services mentioned.
To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or call ACB at 1-800-424-8666 and leave a message in mailbox 26. Please remember that postal regulations prohibit us from including advertisements, and that we need information two months ahead of actual publication dates.
The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners will be holding its 15th annual conference in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2008. IAADP is a cross-disability consumer advocacy organization with more than 2,000 members partnered with guide, hearing and service dogs. The conference will include presentations by a British animal behaviorist, Norwegian members discussing media outreach, a panel on access issues throughout the world and other topics. Registration for the conference is $70 for IAADP members and $90 for others. For more information and registration forms, visit www.iaadp.org, or call Tanya at (513) 245-2199.
The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind is now accepting registrations for its summer camps for people who are blind or visually impaired. The schedule is: adult adventure camp, Aug. 3-9; traditional adult camp, Aug. 10-17; and family camp Aug. 21-24. Camp activities include: field trips, arts and crafts, swimming, hot tubbing, games, and entertainment. In addition to the traditional activities, programs for the adventure camp may include: white water rafting, challenge course, hiking, skydiving (additional fee) and more. New this year is the family camp for families who have visually impaired children age 17 and under. This is an ideal time for parents and children to connect with other families for campfires, swimming, hiking, new games, skits and more. Fees for the adult camps are $350; for family camp, $125 per adult and $75 per child. For more information about Oral Hull's summer camp programs, call (503) 668-6195, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.oralhull.com.
Camp Tuhsmeheta has released its summer schedule of programs for youth who are visually impaired. For fees and additional information on the following programs, contact Camp Tuhsmeheta at (616) 754-5410 or [email protected]. More information is also available at www.campt.org.
Family camp (parents and kids): June 12 to 15
Elementary camp (ages 7 to 12): June 15 to 25
Culinary camp (ages 7 to 18): July 6 to 13
Braille camp (ages 13 to 18): July 13 to 20
Boot camp prepare for sailing trip (ages 13 to 18): July 13 to 20
Adventure Trip Sail a ship-Lake Michigan (ages 13 to 18): July 20 to 26
Art/Drama Camp (ages 7 to 18): July 27 to August 2
Music Camp (ages 7 to 18): August 2 to 10
GPS Technology Event (ages 16 - 99+): August 13 to 17
Mind's Eye Travel creates tours for people who are visually impaired or blind. Itineraries are customized not only for great comfort, camaraderie and enjoyment but also for full sensory discovery. Destinations are carefully screened in advance with hand-picked activities, restaurants and lodging. The trips for 2008 include: mid-coast Maine; Sedona, Ariz. and the Grand Canyon; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. For more information, visit www.mindseyetravel.com.
VisionOutdoor has been organizing nature tours for people who are blind or visually impaired since 2004. The organization strives to create unique experiences in and with nature and culture and give people the chance and inspiration to get active. Tours combine outdoor sports like canoeing, hiking or cross-country skiing with cultural experiences. This summer VisionOutdoor will offer three tours: exploring Iceland on easy hikes and guided tours in June; learning about wolves and moose in Upper Lusatia, Germany in July; and spending time in the land of a thousand lakes (Finland) with activities like hiking and canoeing in August. For more information call 011-49-521-399-8182 or visit www.visionoutdoor.de/start_english.html.
Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier are software programs that make the multiple functions of cell phones accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. The software is currently compatible with five phones offered by AT&T: the Nokia N75, Nokia E62, Cingular 3125, Samsung BlackJack (Windows Mobile version 5), and Pantech Duo (Windows Mobile version 6). Each software program costs $89. For additional information or to obtain a 30-day software trial, contact AT&T's National Center for Customers with Disabilities at 1-866-241-6568 or visit www.wireless.att.com/about/disability-resources/mobile-speak-magnifier.jsp.
"Label It! Braille & Audio Strategies for Identifying Items at Home & Work" is a new book by Judith M. Dixon. In this book, the author sorts through the labeling strategies that she and her friends have used through the years and identifies the very best ideas and tips. Focusing primarily on labeling with braille, the book covers all the bases: clothing and accessories, medications, food containers, appliances, and a hodgepodge of other items, from postage stamps to chargers and cables. She also discusses what to do when you can't label something, and tricks to employ when you're out and about and nothing is labeled. An extensive resource list at the back covers labeling materials and products. It is available in braille and PortaBook from National Braille Press for $10. To order a copy, call toll- free 1-888-965-8965 or visit www.nbp.org.
ViewPlus recently released the new IVEO Hands-on Learning System, which is a multi-sensory learning system that makes teaching of visual concepts such as diagrams, images and art more complete and interactive for people who are visually impaired. The IVEO system includes a touch-sensitive pad on which raised or embossed templates are placed. Students can touch the tactile pictures and diagrams on the pad while the software speaks descriptions of the objects being touched. Descriptions can include computer speech, recorded speech, sounds, music or even links to web pages or computer files that contain information about objects on the tactile template. New features include: the ability to add sounds, music and links to objects in the tactile template; an enhanced user interface; and a choice of the previous portable IVEO touchpad or a new large format touchpad. It comes with sample curriculum templates with more available for free download and printing from the ViewPlus web site at www.viewplus.com. Curriculum packs for biology, math, health, and geography will be available soon. For more information, contact [email protected] or (541) 754-4002.
Ai Squared has released ZoomText Scripting Edition software which allows a script writer to create scripts that improve workflow and efficiency for the ZoomText user. Scripting Edition makes it possible to customize the behavior of ZoomText and other applications, providing enhanced magnification and screen reading functionality, and automation of routine tasks. Examples of useful scripts might be: a script that announces the contact fields you're interested in when opening a database; having ZoomText automatically read each e-mail that you open; or announcing all new text that's delivered into your chat window. Along with this new software you will need someone with script writing experience to create your scripts. Ai Squared is recruiting script writers who may be able to help. For more information, or to place an order, contact Derek Bove at (802) 362-3612 x108 or [email protected].
Wings & Things, maker of the Safety Whistle, has moved. The new mailing address is: Wings & Things, 1608 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008. Because of the address change, Wings & Things may not have received your order/check. For new orders or questions about the status of your order, contact Diane Hedgecock at (408) 378-0700.