Blind News Digest # 1166
Bill McGarry
Issue # 1166
Wednesday, October 25, 1995
Today's Topics:
******
Re: Talking Books in Russian
New organization for the blind needs resource information
Blind/Help
Online Bus Schedules
Blind News Digest Entry
Documentation on the Lynx text Browser
COLOR PERCEPTION - HELP!
Merry Christmas
ASCII texts on floppy disks
******
To subscribe to the Blind News Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:
UUCP: uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET: w...@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET: blin...@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet: The Handicap News BBS (141/420) 1-203-926-6168
(300 - 28,800 baud, 24 hours)
Bill McGarry (Moderator)
(203) 926-6187
------
Subject: Re: Talking Books in Russian
From: 73572...@CompuServe.COM (alt.sex.intergen)
Organization: CompuServe, Inc. (1-800-689-0736)
Here in the United States we have the Braille Institiute that
offers the loan of equipment and "talking books" on tape to persons
who are blind or disabled. This is a federally mandated program
administered by the United States Library of Congress. They offer
most languages (including Russian, German, Spanish, French, Polish,
and many others.... including English :) ). I used to live for a
while in the UK, and I know there is a similar program and they did
have foreign languages as well... contact your local lending
library for the blind or blind service organization for details on
how to get the materials you seek, as well as sources for
purchasing such materials if you do not want to borrow them.
Take care
------
Subject: New organization for the blind needs resource information
From: ir...@boulder.earthnet.net (Sandy McAviney)
I'd like to announce that the AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF COLORADO has
a new non profit chapter in Longmont, Colorado, formed this month. They
have 12 members, nine of whom are visually impaired or blind. Most of the
members work full time and are computer literate, but do not have equipment
to use at home, so you can reach them through this e-mail address:
ir...@boulder.earthnet.net
The ACBC-Longmont Chapter has several exciting service projects planned. In
fact, we just received our first telephone call...
A mother has a 9 year old girl who is blind in one eye and has keyhole
vision with glacoma in the other eye. The child needs a computer with
magnification equipment to use at home in order to do her homework because
she has trouble writing. She uses Apple equipment at school, and we all use
IBM compatible equipment at work. We are too new an organization to have
fully developed our local resources yet. Also, this family is on a fixed
income and cannot afford to buy the computer, printer, and magnification
unit that the 9-year-old needs. Do any of you have suggestions as to how
this mother can most quickly get the equipment her child needs?
Thanks for your time and input.
Sandy
------
Subject: Blind/Help
From: 73030...@CompuServe.COM (Stephen Theberge)
Organization: Speech Systems for the Blind
Stephen Theberge
76 Wheaton Drive
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508)226-0447
4/1/94
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGH-TECH PROMISES OF THE FUTURE:
THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY AND THE ADA...
WATCH YOUR WALLET, WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE CAN HURT YOU.
As a computer programmer, I am always glad to hear stories of
how wonderful new high-tech gadgets or the next program for my PC
is really going to make my life easier. Why, there are so many new
things to chose from, you'd almost have to roll a die to know
what's really the best thing.
High-tech certainly has many advantages and our society has no
doubt benefited greatly from it. What is lacking from many "well-
rounded" reports on technology is the discussion of its economic
impact on the individuals it affects. We can see that television
is most susceptible to not delving into this, as it is more
interesting to show a new piece of "magic" without telling us that
maybe most people can't afford to pay the price of the gadget.
In the late '70's there was a device for the blind that could
read books to them by speaking the words on the printed page. This
certainly made good press in some circles. If the fact that such a
device cost $50,000 were included in the stories, I'm sure they
would have lost some of their luster. I understand now that one
can purchase the device for $7,500. This is a great improvement,
but probably explains why one does not see an overflow of news on
high-tech devices for the blind and visually impaired. Some people
would probably assume that agencies for the blind, both private and
public, could foot these bills. Some agencies have done this, but
even if we are to believe an economic recovery is coming, the fact
is that most agencies are cutting back, and so, the famed
information highway, promises of jobs for the disabled by the ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act) will not help many who will need
computers to do there work as we approach the year 2000.
There are numerous speech synthesizers and screen review
programs for the blind today. A speech synthesizer allows the
blind to hear anything sent to it spoken out as if someone were
reading to them. A screen review program sends information to the
speech synthesizer, making it possible for people with low or no
vision to use computers.
There is less discussion in the media about computers for the
disabled, and blind specifically, because many people feel that the
job has been done, they have the technology, and so, what's there
to say? Yet, upon looking at Compuserve and GEnie, two major
computer on-line services available to the general public, many
people, with and without disabilities, from all walks of life have
been discussing these very issues for quite some time now.
In most cases, new "oh wow!" computer stories aren't actually
about money at all, but rather feel-good stories. Anyone who has a
computer can tell you they feel nice when they hear about new
things for there PC, especially when they, being all tired after a
day's work, see it on the local news. The next morning they find
that they either can't afford it, forgot the number of the company,
forgot the company name, or just couldn't find that new product.
Often the media focuses on products that won't be reasonably priced
for 3-5 years.
Excluding Speech Systems for the Blind, one can get a speech
synthesizer and software (screen review program) to read the screen
for around $495. Some cost up to $2,400. As Lyndol V. Williamson
of Louisiana stated to me in his letter of 6/26/91, "I was surely
surprised to hear that you could obtain a synthesizer for under
$100.00," and later, "I must also pay you another compliment; My
good friend was visiting me from New Orleans and he wanted me to
tell you that he thought your program was neat ...."
Speech Systems for the Blind charges under $50 dollars for
both its DOS and Windows screen readers. Most third party hardware
it supports costs under $150. We feel the blind and visually
impaired have been paying outrageous prices for this kind of
technology for too long a time now. We also rely less on expensive
advertising then our competition, and rely on word-of-mouth, and
any public mention of our company.
I am legally blind and graduated from Rhode Island College in
1987 with a B.A. in computer science. I was always interested in
speech technology and the computer, especially the PCs. In 1989,
my friend, John Kline, who lives in Providence Rhode Island, asked
me why computers couldn't speak. I then informed him that this
technology already existed. After discussing the matter further
and getting around to the price, John asked me why the technology
couldn't be more affordable. That is when we conceived Speech
Systems for the Blind.
Please feel free to contact Speech Systems for the Blind about
any of its services. We will be glad to answer any other general
questions you may have as well.
###
Internet Address: S.THE...@GENIE.GEIS.COM
MAKE WINDOWS TALK
Now, if you have Microsoft Windows (R) v. 3.00 or later, your
programs can talk what they are writing on the screen to you. This
is very helpful for the blind and visually impaired, and also for
those who want to alleviate eye strain or want the thrill of
having there programs talk to them. Features include:
1. Speak keys when struck.
2. Speak icons when selected.
3. Speak menus when opened.
4. Speak menu items selected.
* Also tells if item is grayed, checked or disabled.
5. Speak all standard controls.
* Radio buttons, check boxes and all Windows (R) push button
controls are spoken and states (checked or un-checked) are
given for standard Windows (R) controls.
6. Text echoed as written.
* All document text and other text written in windows is
spoken, even text scrolled onto the screen, such as in word
processors spreadsheets, etc.
7. Highlighted text spoken.
* Any text highlighted or selected in Help and other text
systems is spoken when selected.
8. Stop Speak!
* Striking any key or clicking the mouse aborts any speech
that is to be output so you can quickly continue with your
work and not have the system bogged down with speech.
9. Comprehensive review.
* Review all text items, icons and buttons and other speech
output. Check it for spelling and punctuation and spelling,
capital letters, special and non-ascii symbols. Review and
repeat words and lines as you need as many times as you need
to.
10. Virtually all sound devices!
* If you have a sound card or external sound device you are
currently using with Window's for multimedia or games, than you
are ready to use WINKLiNE! All that is required is a Wave-Out
driver (*.DRV) file to control your sound board, card or
device to be able to use our program. Ask your sound card
dealer for details on using it with Windows.
Demo copies of program are available for a nominal fee of
$5.00 to offset postage and handling. The file WINKLI.ZIP in
erve's "GO DISABILITIES" forum and the file
WINKLINE.ZIP in library 9 of GEnie's "ABLE" are also demonstration
copies of the WINKLiNE PROGRAM. Feel free to download these
demo files or contact me to obtain one. Please call or write for
any questions you may have.
ORDER FORM
Speech Systems for the Blind
76 Wheaton Drive
Attleboro, MA 02703-6623
508-226-0447
Only check or money orders please in U.S. dollars.
Name__________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
City_______________________D
___________________________
State____________________Zip Code_____________________
Phone# Area Code (_______)____________________________
Please send me: (check one)
______ copies of WINKLiNE DEMO at $5.00 (five dollars) each.
______ copies of WINKLiNE READ
ER at $45.00 (forty-five
dollars) each.
on 2 (two) (check one)
______ 3.5 diskettes (1.44 MEG)
I understand the software is sold AS IS and that it is under
copyright. I may only make copies of the software for my own
personal use, and these copies are only for the purpose of backing
up and protecting my system. I also am aware that shipping charges
are included in the above price.
DEMO TOTAL $_________.______
READER TOTAL $_________.______
SHIPPING included $________0.00____
TOTAL enclosed $_____ ____.______
VIRTUAL TALKING COMPUTER!
Speech Systems for the Blind
Stephen A. Theberge
76 Wheaton Drive
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508)226-0447
CIS: 73030,3644
GEnie: S.THEBERGE
The Seekline Screen Reader Program is a DOS text-to-speec h
TSR for IBM computers and compatibles allowing the visually
impaired and blind to access nearly all types of programs running
on these systems. It utilizes most commercial sound cards to
accomplish its text-to-speech. It has easy to learn keystrokes
and a menu driven system to ease the learning curve for all users.
It requires 214K RAM, 400K EMS, 286 or higher. Its main features
are:
1. Cursor alignment, separate program and system cursor.
2. Spell word, repeat word, spell line, repeat line, read
entire screen standard or letter by letter, read to and
from current cursor position and locate text on screen.
3. Full user configuration, set pitch, speed, tone, volume,
read window area, keys as you type said or not.
4. Dictionary (add,delete, etc.)
5. Screen area read window, define rows and columns to read
from.
6. Full control by user of separate read cursor, will not
interfere with current programs on system.
7. Sit over ALL applications. TSR.
8. Tell user when in g raphics mode, not allowing useless
graphics "garbage" to be spoken to user.
9. Work with all standard text modes, 40 column width and even
50 line VGA mode.
10. Set line-watch, watches an area of screen and reads it
when it has been updated.
11. Version 2.08/Allows up to 10 window areas to be defined on
screen and also echo standard BIOS/DOS video writes from
any program.
D Demo copies of program are available for a nominal fee of
$5.00 to offset postage and handling. The file SEEKLY.ZIP in
library 5 of Compuserve's "GO DISABILITIES" forum and the file
SEEKLYNE.ZIP in library 9 of GEnie's "ABLE" are also demonstration
copies of the SEEKLiNE SCREEN READER PROGRAM. Feel free to
download these demo files or contact me to obtain one. Please call
or write for any questions you may have.
ORDER FORM
Speech Systems for the Blind
76 Wheaton Drive
Attleboro, MA 02703-6623
508-226-0447
Only check or money orders please in U.S. dollars.
Name__________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
City__________________________________________________
State____________________Zip Code_____________________
Phone# Area Code (_______)____________________________
Please send me: (check one)
______ copies of SEEKLINE DEMO at $5.00 (five dollars) each.
______ copies of SEEKLINE READER at $45.00 (forty-five
dollars) each.
on 1 (one) (check one)
______ 3.5 diskettes (1.44 MEG)
I understand the software is sold AS IS and that it is under
copyright. I may only make copies of the software for my own
personal use, and these copies are only for the purpose of backing
up and protecting my system. I also am aware that shipping charges
are included in the above price.
DEMO TOTAL $_________.______
READER TOTAL $_________.______
SHIPPING included $________0.00____
TOTAL enclosed $_________.______
------
Subject: Online Bus Schedules
From: kf...@teleport.com (Kelly Ford)
Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access (503) 220-1016
This message is of most value to those living in or traveling to the
Portland, Oregon area. I thought I'd mention that you can find the
area's public transportation bus and train schedule online at
http://www.tri-met.org. If you don't have web access, you can call (503)
220-1016 and enter tri-met at the login prompt to access the bus
schedules. To me this is a good example of how to make bus schedules
more accessible.
--
Kelly Ford
kf...@teleport.com
See my home page at http://metro.turnpike.net/kford/index.html.
------
Subject: Blind News Digest Entry
From: Brlt...@aol.com
Orange County Public Schools
Orlando, Florida
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT....
Certified Teacher of the Vision Impaired (dual-certified O&M, preferred and
desired,
but not mandatory), to serve students in the itinerant Vision Program.
Desire a teacher who will also work with multi-handicapped students.
Please Contact: Jeri Hanna
Educational Leadership Center
6th Floor
445 West Amelia Street
Orlando, Fl 32801
Telephone: (407) 849-3321
------
Subject: Documentation on the Lynx text Browser
From: ba...@the-sett.demon.co.uk (Badg Champion)
Organization: The Sett
I too would appreciate info on Lynx.
Please mail ba...@the-sett.demon.co.uk
--
Badg Champion
------
Subject: COLOR PERCEPTION - HELP!
From: ke...@empyr.dircon.co.uk (kevan winch)
Organization: Empyrion BBS
Hello,
Apologies if this is not an appropriate group...
I am trying to find information on the Giles Archer lantern test for
determining color perception.
I have a negligible red-green anomaly which is preventing me from pursuing
certain career paths. What I would like to do is to build / buy a Giles
Archer lantern and investigate the possibility of 'training' my eyes to
consistently recognise red and green correctly. I have failed such a test
already, but only by a fraction. I am convinced that whilst I am unable
to instantly identify red & green under extreme conditions (tiny aperture
and very dim light), this may be because I am *looking* for 'red' and
'green'. I *DO* see a difference between them, but not the most obvious,
i.e. one is red, the other green !
I would therefore like to build / buy lantern testing equipment to enable
me to study the colors that I cannot 'see' to look for a reliable way to
correctly identify them.
I would be *Extremely* grateful for *ANY* information, leads, ideas, etc.
I do not have the ability to read this newsgroup, only post to it via an
e-mail to usenet gateway, so could I possibly ask for e-mail replies
please ?
Many thanks.
Cheers,
Kev.
E-mail: Ke...@empyr.dircon.co.uk
VQWK 6.20 [Rev H - 04/04/94]
------
Subject: Merry Christmas
From: phil...@netcom.com (Phil Scovell)
If you would like the Christmas Talk-Me-Thru Tutorial
cassette catalog, email me your address and I'll send it to you
free of charge. All tutorials will be discounted 25 percent from
the release of the Christmas catalog until December the first and
all my distributors will also be able to offer this same discount
because they will be receiving the same discount on their whole
sale prices. In fact, the TMT distributors will be free to
continue their discounts on the tutorials until Christmas because
I will keep the whole sale discount in place for them until that
time. My own retail discount will stop December the first
however.
If you have purchased TMT tutorials before, you are likely
already on my mailing list but if you wish to make certain you
receive this special catalog, email your mailing address to me
right away because I will begin mailing the catalog shortly.
This TMT Christmas catalog will have a totally different
format than my normal talking catalog. Besides the standard
information about all the new tutorials recorded in recent
months, price and order information, and those tutorials soon to
come, I have taken sample recordings from each of the tutorials so
the listener can get a feel for exactly how the tutorials are
done. The tapes are not copyrighted so feel free to make copies
and share with your friends. Besides, I need extra money for
Christmas this year; I'm buying my wife a cute pair of slippers.
Yep, this Christmas I've decided to go all out. Don't let me down
because she's counting on me. What did I get her last year, you
ask? Socks, for the slippers, of course!
Phil.
------
Subject: ASCII texts on floppy disks
From: 7102...@CompuServe.COM (Odile Santiago)
Organization: Spectrum Press
We have a free list available of over 250 plain ASCII texts
on floppy disks for PC and Mac. These texts can be used
with speech synthesizers, Braille printers, etc. They can also
be read off the screen or printed with an ordinary printer.
The list contains all categories, Classics, Nonfiction,
Modern Fiction and Poetry, etc. Most of the texts are not
available elsewhere. If you would like the free list sent to you
by E-mail, simply transmit "send list" to the following address:
Odile Santiago
Spectrum Press
--
Spectrum Press
Quality Fiction and Nonfiction on Floppy Disks for PC and Mac
Free catalog always available by E-mail - Over 250 titles
7102...@compuserve.com
------
******
End of Issue # 1166 of the Blind News Digest
******