WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.
Incorporated under laws of Wisconsin in November 1952, the Council is directed by 19 volunteer delegates: ten are appointed by four organizations representing people who are blind; nine delegates at large elected by blind people throughout the state.
The Council is a strong voice for blind citizens of Wisconsin. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. The Council is funded through proceeds of endowments established through bequest grants, private gifts from individuals and corporations, and the White Cane Fund campaign. No government funding is received.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VISION FOR THE FUTURE: 2005 PUBLIC EDUCATION DAY
LIVING WELL WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION
ACCESSIBLE CELL PHONE SOULTIONS FOR THE BLIND
AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
WCB CREATES NEW ELECTIONS DATABASE
ORGANIZING THE DISORGANIZED - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
FOR DISABLED STUDENTS
By: Virginia DeBlaey
I have a friend who goes through every magazine and newsletter she gets in the mail, even if the issue is several months old before she has time to read it. Another friend says, “I never read any newsletters I get.” Most of us fall somewhere between these two extremes. By taking a few minutes to read this article, it may be easier for you to decide which articles you place on your “must read” list or on your “should read” list.
Each January, the WCB holds its organizational meeting and there are always changes from year to year. In his article, Chris Zenchenko introduces himself to you as our new President and summarizes some of his goals for the coming year. Bruce Parkinson introduces three new Council members in his article entitled “Meet The Council.”
Our Executive Director, Dick Pomo, shares plans for remodeling the Council store which will make it more user-friendly for customers and sales staff. Richard Johnson begins a new feature which will showcase two or three products from our store and provide a detailed description of each one.
Nona Graves summarizes the topics discussed and actions taken at our last Council meeting. And Rhonda Staats informs you of our plans for a Legislative Day to be held in the Capitol Rotunda at the end of March.
Those of you who have been familiar with the WCB for many years may remember when we sponsored recreational trips to different locations around the state. Although we are no longer able to do this, Betsy Gruba writes the first in a series of articles featuring a hobby or leisure activity which blind and visually impaired individuals may enjoy. She interviews several people from knitting shops around the state where blind customers can take knitting lessons.
Caroline Congdon shares an article about how technology can be used by students as a study aid. An article which is reprinted from another magazine on accessible cell phones is also included.
Sue Barker summarizes recent support group news and my article deals with the creation of a new Elections Database.
As you can see, this issue of “The Council Courier” should contain something of interest to almost everyone. Of course, I hope every article is on your “must read” list.
For the past several years the Council has offered extended hours on Thursday until 8:00 P.M. This has resulted in very few folks visiting our store at that time. Most who have come in have done so between 4:30 and 6:00 P.M. With this in mind, BEGINNING April 1, we will remain open on Thursday evenings, but only until 6:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday hours remain 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
We always welcome any suggestion of how we can improve our service to you. Please feel free to contact us.
By: Chris Zenchenko
Many readers may recognize my name from the “Stay Tuned” column that appears now and then here in the Courier. Old time radio program preservation is just one of many hobbies and interests that keep me on the go. To that lengthy list I can now add the honor of serving as President of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind.
For almost the entire forty-three plus years of my life the Council and blind community have played an important role.
Since both my parents were visually impaired and attended the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped (WSVH), it was an easy choice for me as a child to go there. I can still remember the Head Start program in Madison and the feeling of being left out of the fun. My 13 years at WSVH were quite a ride, but feeling left out of the activities there could only be attributed to lack of effort on my part. I spent my years there getting an education, playing in the orchestra, swimming on the swim team, running with the track team, performing in the drama club and generally living life to its fullest. I went to college at UW-Platteville for a degree in business and then to UW-Whitewater for my MBA.
I learned the hard way just how difficult it is for a blind person to find a job, but was finally rewarded for my efforts when I obtained a position at the Department of Natural Resources. After fourteen years, I am still there supporting the information technology needs of the Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment. People may recognize the Brownfield Program from news stories. That program is one of our most visible and important efforts and it is based in the RR Bureau.
In my spare time I fill my hours with the radio projects already mentioned, along with many other activities. I build and support computer systems for blind users. I travel whenever money and time permits and have visited all 50 states. I have a large model railroad layout and am a licensed amateur radio operator (call sign WB9RSQ.) For six years, I had a monthly live radio program playing old country and western records from my library of more than 40,000 recordings. Riding and chasing trains is also a favorite pastime.
My connection with the Council goes back to my earliest days. I can remember playing on the floor at George Card's house while waiting for the adults to finish whatever it was they were doing. Later I can remember going to Midwest meetings and AAWSVH meetings at the school. Every summer for eleven years I went to Lions Camp, and for a year or two, I bowled with a league in Madison. I took out a business loan from the Council in the 1980s to help make it possible to build and sell computers to blind users. Through the 1990s I stayed in touch with many of the Council members, but not until the year 2000 did I actually become a member myself. For the past five years I have served on the Board of Directors. At the January 2005 meeting I was elected President.
You will read in this issue, and future issues, articles from other members describing changes that are taking place here at the Council. We hope the changes will help improve our services, expand our outreach effort and enhance our ability to fund our programs. Some of our committees are changing names, and all have been charged with examining their mission statements and goals. This process will help in long-range planning, but more immediately help everyone understand how things fit together. You will also read about our three new members in this issue. Change is coming throughout the blind community and the Council is changing as well. I feel that with the addition of new members and a fresh look at the way we conduct business, the possibilities are unlimited. The new voices and ideas will be welcome.
In addition, I will be working to expand involvement from outside the Council on our committees and on special projects. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is an important voice, and it needs to hear and understand the concerns of blind and visually impaired people of Wisconsin in order to do the best job possible. I look forward to guiding our organization during the year 2005. The help of all present and past Council members, along with the people who have supported us through the years, is essential and I thank all.
By: Bruce Parkinson
On January 29, Council members were pleased to greet its three newest members. They are Caroline Congdon, Kay Malmquist, and Jeff Scott.
Caroline and Kay represent the Midwest Association for the Blind and Jeff represents the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Wisconsin.
Caroline Congdon lives in Milwaukee and works for Adaptive Technology Resources of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, as a product specialist doing in-home computer training and consulting. She is an alumna of WSVH in Janesville. She has been married to her husband, Jim, for seven years and they have two cats. Her hobbies include computers, reading, and music. When asked what she might like best about being on the Council, she said working with many people and what they do offers her a wonderful experience and challenge. In the next ten years, Caroline would like to see Council programs expand throughout the state to serve as many people as possible. She was elected to a one year term.
Kay Malmquist will come to Council meetings from her home in Janesville. She works there as an assembler for Industries for the Blind. She, too, is an alumna of WSVH. She has shared life with Dave for the past twenty years and they have two children. Kay's hobbies include working with animals, and animal behavior training. In fact, she is currently working toward certification in the area of animal behavior. Being able to network with other Council members to advance the direction that the Council is currently taking is what she feels is significant to her. Ten years from now Kay would like to see the Council more visible to the public. Consumer awareness needs to be broadened. Kay will serve a three year term.
Jeff Scott lives in Madison where he runs his own business, Cheffrey's, a cafeteria in the Revenue building on Rimrock Road. Like the others, Jeff is an alumnus of WSVH and he also has a degree in Culinary Arts from MATC. Jeff has worked in the Business Enterprise Program for almost thirty years. He has been married to his wife, Linda, for almost 32 years and they have two children. His basic hobby is helping people and to that end, he belongs to the Lions Club and Elks Club. He also critiques recipes and helps others to learn computer skills. He is also currently serving on the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Wisconsin Board. Jeff says his challenge as a Council member is to bring other people, their ideas and efforts to Council programs. He feels that networking is important for success. In ten years Jeff would like to see Council programs, especially technology, expanded.
The Council is pleased to have new members who will bring new ideas and effort to the Council programs. Welcome aboard Caroline, Kay and Jeff!
VISION FOR THE FUTURE: 2005 PUBLIC EDUCATION DAY
A Salute to Wisconsin Organizations Serving Citizens
Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired
By: Rhonda Staats
In past years the Wisconsin Council of the Blind planned a Legislative Day in which individual Council members and friends visit legislators and their staff to advocate for issues and legislation important to people who are blind or visually impaired. This year, we decided to take a different approach.
For the last several years, a consortium of Wisconsin organizations has been meeting to achieve a single voice on causes and issues important to all of us. The Consortium includes the WCB, the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Alumni Association of WSVH, the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin, the Statutory Council on Blindness, and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Wisconsin.
The Consortium came together to plan a special public education event to be held in the Capitol Rotunda. This event, entitled “Vision for the Future: 2005”, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, and will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It is designed to take our message directly to the Governor and the Legislature, and to showcase the variety and accomplishments of Wisconsin citizens who are blind and visually impaired. This event will spotlight Wisconsin agencies and organizations serving our community statewide. By holding a large public display in the Capitol Rotunda, the Consortium has the opportunity to interact with legislators and their administrative staff.
The Consortium has invited many agencies and organizations to participate. Each group will have at least one table where they can mount their displays and hand out literature. Participants include the Wisconsin Regional Library, the Department of Transportation, the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Wisconsin Braille, other braille transcribing groups, plus other members of the Consortium. Prevent Blindness is planning vision screening for glaucoma.
The Council will have two tables: one featuring assistive devices and computer technology and one highlighting and describing other WCB programs and services. Council member Dean Winger will man a separate display featuring hunting and outdoor recreation for people who are blind and visually impaired.
There will be a program at noon with presentations from Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster, State Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) and State Representative Debi Towns (R-Edgerton). Each speaker will be introduced by a Consortium participant whose field of interest coincides with each message.
Governor Doyle’s office has been asked to craft a proclamation recognizing the contribution and accomplishments of Wisconsin’s citizens who are blind or visually impaired. A press conference is planned to re-introduce a bill to bring the definition of guide dogs and service animals up to modern standards of language and purpose.
This is the first time this kind of public education event has been planned. Our united action will show the Governor and Legislature the total scope and dedication of many diverse groups working together for improved services in our communities.
All participants have a common goal: to raise the profile of Wisconsin citizens who are blind and visually impaired, and to further educate those who work in the State Capitol.
By: Nona Graves
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind met at its office in Madison on January 29, 2005. The meeting was called to order by President Bruce Parkinson who welcomed new Council members.
At the January meeting the Board of Directors and officers for the coming year are elected. Members of the Board are Chris Zenchenko from the Alumni Association of WSVH, Virginia DeBlaey from the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Bruce Parkinson from the Midwest Association for the Blind, and at-large delegates Bob Hueller and Rhonda Staats. The officers for 2005 are Chris Zenchenko, President; Bruce Parkinson, Vice-President; Nona Graves, Secretary; Arnold Tucker, Treasurer.
Following the elections, Kathy Lange-Novak reported on plans for fund
raising which include contacting persons and foundations in each of Wisconsin’s counties to obtain their help in raising money. Executive Director Dick Pomo reported on plans for remodeling of the Council’s store to make it more accessible. This work should be completed shortly. Dick also presented information about last year’s fund raising efforts. Mike Nelipovich from the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired reviewed his concerns for being able to provide service to older blind persons due to cuts expected in the next state budget.
Most of the rest of the meeting was spent hearing committee reports and making appointments to those committees for this year. A complete list of the committees is available from the Council office, and much of the information in committee reports is summarized in other articles in this newsletter.
It looks as if 2005 will be a very busy year for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind. Long range planning is continuing, some changes are planned in the bylaws, and much more. The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2005.
By: Betsy Gruba
Okay, I admit it. I am addicted to knitting. I could sit for hours and chew up balls of yarn like gumdrops, making them into sweaters, scarves, mittens and afghans. So how does a person accomplish this when he or she can’t see? Very easily.
When I lost my vision 12 years ago, one of my first questions was “Do they make knitting patterns in braille?” Much to my delight the answer was yes. I did get a couple of them and found they weren’t bad, but not great either. So I put the needles away for a while. Come to think of it, a long while.
It wasn’t until I started working for the WCB that I discovered knitting again thanks to one of my co-workers. I still wasn’t sure how I was going to do this, but I was willing to give it a try, especially when I visited a few yarn stores and found all the wonderful new fibers available that weren’t around in the 1980s.
What I found was a wealth of information from store owners and online shops that supplied me with not only braille books but large print knitting books as well. I found I could use a computer to scan a pattern in and then print it out in large print for myself or have it read back to me. I also got tips and tricks from these shop owners, and pretty soon those knitting needles were just clicking away.
Melissa Matthay, owner of The Knitting Tree in Madison, (author of the best selling book “Basically Brilliant Knits” and soon to be released “Perfectly Brilliant Knits”) said that she worked with blind and visually impaired knitters while living in New York and would love to put a class together. “It’s all done by feel”, Matthay said. I agree with her.
Shirley Grade of The Yarn House in Elm Grove, states that one of the biggest challenges is “making sure colors match”. I have to admit that is a challenge for me too. Good lighting in stores is critical for those knitters who have low vision. Natural light is always best, but not always available. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as I have often done from both Melissa and the staff at The Yarn House. Grade also indicates that she would start a class if enough people were interested.
Don’t let the fact that you have never knit before fool you. Once your hands learn the motion, there is nothing to knitting and purling. What about the fancy stitches? Those take a little more practice.
So, where to start. My first suggestion is to find a shop in your area that is willing to work with you. There are many shops in the state and all the owners I interviewed, with one exception, were more than willing to work with a person with a vision loss. I interviewed people from eight shops in the state. Secondly, start small. Don’t begin with an afghan pattern that has fourteen colors, six different cables and twenty different stitches. Start with a simple scarf with some eyelash yarn. Knit with that until your hands become comfortable with the motion. Then move on to something else. Talk to other knitters who have a vision loss. I have started a list of others in the state and if you would like to be on it please call me or send me an e-mail at betsy@wcblind.org. You don’t have to be an expert knitter or even know how to knit to join the list. I’ll see you in the wools and cottons soon.
LIVING WELL WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION
Courtesy of the Hadley School for the Blind
Have you or has someone you know been recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? You may wonder how AMD will impact your life or that of your loved one. The Hadley School for the Blind’s new, tuition-free, distance education course “Macular Degeneration” explains the diagnosis and shows how people with AMD can continue everyday activities with limited vision.
The course covers various aspects of AMD. It not only compares 20/20 vision with AMD’s symptoms and progression, but also lists risk factors for the condition. In addition, the diagnosis is discussed in light of the doctor-patient relationship. Ways to maximize vision and continue activities are suggested. Finally, the emotional impact of AMD is explored.
“AMD, by itself, does not signify blindness,” says instructor Don Golembiewski. “Informing yourself about the disease and the many resources available can help immensely in the rehabilitation process.” This course is currently available in large print and will later be available on audiocassette. It is open to students in the Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs as well as those enrolled in the Family Education Program. At a later date, an online version of the course will be offered to students in the Professional Education Program.
So why not enroll in this course to learn more about this condition? To do so, contact Student Services.
Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind is one of the largest, worldwide educators of persons who are visually impaired. Hadley offers more than 90 tuition-free courses to eligible students. The school’s 10,000 annual students come from all corners of the United States and more than 90 countries. Courses are available to students who are visually impaired, family members and professionals. Visit them on the web at www.hadley.edu. You may contact Student Services at 847/446-8111; Fax 847/446-0855; and Hearing Impaired 847/441-8111 (TTY).
By: Dick Pomo
July of this year will mark four years since the Council moved in to its current location. We were pleased to be able to increase the space in the entire facility, but especially pleased to provide a larger store area and more space for inventory. During the past three years, we have constantly been evaluating our ability to serve our customers better. One of the areas that we realized we could improve was the physical setting of our store.
Those of you who have visited the Council will recall that our display area has utilized wire type racks on which a variety of products are displayed. These racks afforded us the ability to display many items. Personally on a number of occasions, I have had encounters with the racks, resulting in either a desperate hunt to find what I knocked off the rack, or my crying for help from Brent, Sue or Top to find and identify what dropped to the floor. These racks did not provide a user-friendly atmosphere as we had hoped, so we are making a change.
We will be installing several modular units. This change will allow our customers a place to sit and utilize a surface on which to place items while looking at them. We will still continue to have a great number of items on display, but plan to provide a setting in which those of you with low vision can browse at your convenience, and allow folks with no vision to browse if they wish to do so. As part of the display area, we will investigate better signage and will look to comments from customers to help us improve the viewing area. We will also improve the lighting throughout the store.
We realize that many of our customers never get to our store. We want to assure you that for those of you who visit us, as well as those who we service via phone and mail order, we will continue our efforts to provide friendly, courteous and efficient services. While we do not always carry a particular product you are looking for, we will try our best to locate it or a satisfactory substitute. We welcome input from you when you find one.
Finally, we are still searching for a name for our store. We appreciate those of you who have responded to our “name the store” contest, but to date, we have not found the perfect name. Remember, a $50.00 gift certificate to our store awaits the winner. Put your thinking caps on again and send any ideas to me via E-Mail at dick@wcblind.org or call our office at 608-255-1166 or 800-783-5213 and ask for me or my voice mail. Over the years I have found that many folks prefer talking to my voice mail. (I wonder what that means?)
ACCESSIBLE CELL PHONE SOLUTIONS FOR THE
BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Reprinted From Ray Gonzales, P.E. ETO Engineering, PLLC
February 2005
Brief History of Accessible Cell Phones for People who are Visually Impaired:
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that cell phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, etc. and the service providers such as Sprint, Cingular, etc. make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities including the visually impaired if readily achievable. Of course “readily achievable” has a different meaning to the disabled consumer than it does to the manufacturer and service provider. Part of the purpose of this act was to lay out the frame work for a consumer to file a complaint with the FCC regarding inaccessible products and services. In December 2003, Audiovox settled a formal complaint brought against it by Dr. Bonnie O’Day, a blind cell phone consumer who was frustrated by the wireless industry’s inaccessible cell phone products and services and the inability of the FCC to enforce its regulations. In that same month following the settlement, Audiovox released phones with the Voice Guidance system which provided voice dialing, audible caller ID, and audible phone status.
The Voice Guidance system was the first step by any cell phone manufacturer to make an accessible cell phone available to the blind consumer in the US. (Note: Audiovox sold its wireless subsidiary to UTStarcom in June 2004. Just prior to this deal being announced, Audiovox bought out the holdings of its minority shareholder, Toshiba. With this buyout, the accessible Voice Guidance technology seems to have disappeared as quickly as it came into being.) Verizon was also named in the original complaint brought by Dr. O’Day. Verizon settled its complaint almost a year later in August of 2004. In November of 2004, Verizon released a software upgrade for the LG VX4500 cell phone which makes many more of the phone’s features accessible to the blind cell phone user. If there is any question as to the importance of the legal action by Dr. O’Day on the current state of accessible cell phones for the blind and visually impaired, one only needs to look at how little the industry has responded to the needs of other disability groups.
While all of this was going on in the US, the Europeans who had earlier embraced GSM technology were coming out with their own accessible cell phone solutions. TALKS, a mobile phone screen reader, was released by the German software company Brand and Gobel in 2003 for Symbian OS series 60 cell phones which operate on the GSM network. A Spanish company Owasys in 2003 introduced the Owasys22c, a GSM mobile phone specifically designed for the visually impaired. Most notably the phone does not include a screen. In 2004, Code Factory, a Spanish software company, released their own screen reader for the Symbian OS series 60 cell phones, Mobile Speak. TALKS and Mobile Speak have slowly migrated to the US. TALKS was purchased by Scansoft in September 2004 and soon after Cingular announced that it would be offering TALKS with its Nokia 6620 phone.
Current Accessible Cell Phone Solutions for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
There are currently two basic accessible cell phone solutions in the US for the blind or visually impaired. The first option is to use a cell phone with a Symbian operating system and install third party accessible software. The cell phones are typically made by Nokia and are GSM so the major carriers are AT&T Wireless, Cingular, and T-Mobile. The accessible software designed for the blind and visually impaired includes Code Factory's Mobile Magnifier, Mobile Accessibility, and Mobile Speak and Scansoft’s TALKS. The main advantage of these solutions is that they offer the greatest access to the phone's features. Although there are currently no accessible mobile web browser solutions, these solutions even allow text messaging and e-mail. The drawback is the cost considering you have to pay additional for the accessible software and the phones are more expensive higher end smartphones.
A less expensive alternative is for the consumer to buy a cell phone with built-in voice recognition and voice output features. This is the approach taken by the CDMA carriers like Sprint and Verizon. Not only does the phone talk to you, many times you are expected to talk to it as well. Verizon markets a software upgrade for one of its exclusive LG phones specifically for people with visual impairments. With this latest software update, visually impaired users can more easily make calls, hear Caller ID, check phone status, and access several other phone features. Similarly, Sprint markets phones with VoiceSignal technology for the blind consumer. VoiceSignal technology allows for voice dialing, voice commands, and audible phone status but is most notably missing audible caller ID. VoiceSignal technology is intended for the sighted user who wants to operate his cell phone while walking or driving in a car but has a crossover appeal to the visually impaired user. There aren't any special features specifically for the blind or visually impaired user, just voice technology that the on-the-go mainstream consumer would want.
The main advantage to these CDMA solutions is the cost since you don't have to pay for additional software and the phones are not the higher end models like the GSM solution requires. The disadvantage is that accessible text messaging or e-mail is not possible with the CDMA solutions. Depending on the cell phone model you choose, only a limited number of the cell phone features are going to be accessible to a blind or visually impaired user.
The Future:
The cell phone industry is always in a state of flux or change. Not only are mergers among the carriers continuing to occur, new products are constantly being brought to market. Perhaps this does not bode well for the consumer with disabilities but perhaps it can be a source for innovation. Cell phones are not designed to be held on to and used beyond a couple of years. The industry cycles its products in the US on average every 18 months, 12 months in Europe. The US is moving toward the shorter product cycle of Europe with the expansion of video and data services by the carriers. We still have not seen an American company create accessible software for the cell phone. I can’t say if this will change as this is a business decision and how things are going to shake out is still up in the air. It takes a lot of money and resources to create and support software. Companies may be too hesitant to enter this market if they are not confident that their products can stay around long enough to generate a profit.
Microsoft is making great strides to get into the smartphone market with the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. Currently all of the accessible software solutions are written for the rival and market leading Symbian OS. This will probably change as Microsoft Windows Mobile products become more available and likely more dominant. Microsoft has the ability to throw large amounts of capital and resources at a product and I think that Microsoft sees the power and future of the cell phone industry. Microsoft has used this same technique in the past to gain success in the operating system, web browser, gaming, and Pocket PC markets.
Some really innovative products were introduced at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show. The one that I think has the most potential for the visually impaired is VoiceSignal Technologies’ revolutionary speech-to-text product called VoiceMode(TM), which allows consumers to speak into the phone and have the phone convert those words directly into text. Using advanced speech recognition technology, consumers also can send short messages with the sound of their voice. This product will be debuted on Samsung's p207. QuickPhrase(TM), debuting on Samsung's a890, makes it easy for consumers to address a message and activate one of the frequently used short messages pre-programmed on the phone. Once in the messaging application, users can activate phrases such as "Call me" or "Will call you later" by simply speaking those words, and the text is included in the message.
There are always rumors of the Owasys22C coming to the US. Owasys has been trying for some time to get FCC approval for their phone. Assuming that approval by the FCC occurs, Owasys also needs to find a US GSM carrier to sell their phone. Since AT&T merged with Cingular and they have committed to the TALKS software, it is doubtful that the new merged company would take on this product as well. T-Mobile is the only other major GSM carrier and so it seems likely that if this product will come to the US T-Mobile would be the carrier. It is unclear how large an impact this product will have in the US (periods) at this point. There are certainly admirers of a phone designed specifically for the blind consumer. While the Owasys22C was delayed in coming to the US other options with similar features have become available. I’m afraid this has minimized some of the impact this product might have made had it been released to the US market in 2003 when options for the blind user were far fewer in number. We’ll have to wait and see what develops.
About the author: Ray Gonzales is a professional mechanical engineer in the state of North Carolina. He himself is a sighted cell phone user. In November 2004, Ray started selling accessible cell phones to people with disabilities as well as to the blind and visually impaired. Any questions or comments about this article or accessible cell phones can be addressed to ray.gonzales@etoengineering.com or by calling 919-523-0205.
WCB CREATES NEW ELECTIONS DATABASE
By: Virginia DeBlaey
Every three years, the WCB conducts an election of ten delegates-at-large. Legally blind residents of Wisconsin as well as sighted members of our affiliated organizations are entitled to vote by secret ballot. During the last few elections, the number of ballots returned has been steadily declining, even though our database has been growing. At the present time, our database contains more than 11,000 names and in our last election only a few hundred ballots were returned.
Although there may be many reasons for this low level of participation, Council members have decided to create a new Elections Database which will be used only for delegate-at-large elections. Individuals who are members of the groups affiliated with the WCB (which include the WSVH Alumni Association, the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Midwest Association for the Blind and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Wisconsin) will automatically have the names of their members in the new database. Other legally blind Wisconsin residents will need to tell us to include their names. A specific method for this to occur has not yet been determined, however, there will probably be a designated time period in which you may contact the Council office.
Be assured that it is not our intent to exclude anyone from participating in the election process. By using our current system, we are spending thousands of dollars to send ballots and biographical material for each candidate to many people who are not interested.
We are currently in the process of revising our Bylaws so that the way in which our delegates-at-large are chosen may change. Further updates will be published in future issues of The Council Courier.
By: Richard Johnson
Are you tired of listening to a mechanical voice and enjoy listening to your own? Try the extended Universal Talking Remote. You speak in the number and the button identifies itself. Sculpted buttons have a ten-second memory and voice prompts talk you through set-up and operation. One button is pushed to turn on the device which is then active for four hours. It is activated again by pressing the same button. The memo recorder can be used either hands free or hand held.
You may also purchase the Voice Phone Dialer with an AC power adapter. The device is installed between the wall and the phone jack. It will dial automatically up to 59 phone numbers with four names for each phone number. When you enter or delete a phone number a voice prompt will help you to ensure accuracy. This is done before it is displayed on a small screen. This device includes a ten digit calculator and an alarm clock.
By: Sue Barker
The Brown County Support Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired has a new contact person in Florence Berry-Wilson. She has taken over as facilitator. They meet at the Aging Resource Center of Brown County on the second Thursday of each month at 1pm.
Twenty-five people get together to listen to speakers on any subject or just to socialize. An especially interesting presenter was the local warden for the prison system. Members will decide whether they will go on future outings. Membership is open to all.
Transportation is available by Medivan, the Red Cross or city buses. If you are in the Green Bay area, contact Florence at 920/339-8423.
Georgiana Heisel has taken over as volunteer facilitator for the Marathon County Aging VIP Support Group. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Wausau is the site of meetings on the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 12:30–2:30 pm. Fifteen members enjoy speakers and socializing. Many get there on the Badger Van.
Georgiana says she is working to get information out into the community, especially to local ophthalmologists, and to be included on the area’s resource list. If you live in Wausau, call her at 715/261-6061.
On a sad note, the Waukesha County Sight Loss Network Support Group has disbanded. This group, led by Janet Baer, had been meeting in Waukesha at St. John’s Lutheran Church. According to Janet, there are many groups out there that give support to the blind and visually impaired and her group was no longer needed. We are hoping another Support Group will be formed soon in Waukesha County.
ORGANIZING THE DISORGANIZED:
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED STUDENTS
By: Caroline Congdon
From a very early age, it is impressed upon students to become organized. They are given assignment books, taught to take notes, and told to keep things in order. What happens, though, when ordinary methods such as the traditional pencil and paper just don’t work? What happens to the students who, due to a physical or mental disability, are unable to use those traditional means for staying organized? When the standard methods don’t work, there are other ways.
There are several possibilities ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, and ranging in dimension from pocket-size organizers to the size of a small laptop. Each student’s needs are going to vary, and what works for one may not work for another. Many devices were developed for one particular disability, however their features make them useful to other students.
For a blind/visually impaired or deaf-blind student there are two very popular options: the Pac Mate from Freedom Scientific, and the Braille Note from PulseData/Humanware. These devices are similar in function, giving the student a full appointment book/calendar, word processor, calculator, and many other features. These devices can feature speech, braille, or both, allowing the student to hear and read things. Teachers can share worksheets and other material with students via infrared or compact flash (if an electronic copy of the hand-out exists) giving them the same access to information as their peers, with no major adaptation.
Other devices that were primarily created for the blind, but are also very useful to those with other disabilities, include the Parrot Voicemate from Parrot SA in France and the Voice Diary from VDI Tele-Assist. Again, these two devices are similar in features, but are much more cost-effective. Small in size, (about as large as a cell phone), they offer both speech and visual display options, clock and alarm features, a notepad for students to keep track of assignments, and an appointment book section. These two devices primarily use speech recognition to interact with them. For example, if students are unable to write, but have no problem with verbal skills, they could use one of these units to record (in their own voice) the homework assignments that are due for the next several days, and group them into the dates they are due. This allows them to learn to prioritize their work.
Finally, there is a new device that can take the frustration out of note-taking for any student with a disability--the PlexTalk. This portable CD-player/ recorder has many features. A student can use this device to record information which can be sent to a compact flash card. Bookmarks and voice tags can be placed directly into recordings to help them review material later. Many textbooks are now coming in the DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) format. The PlexTalk allows students access to these books on CD, allowing them to navigate by chapter, section, page, and in some cases, even by phrase. This format also enables students to “skim read” just like anyone else. Although this device was designed primarily for the blind, it can be very useful to a student who finds it difficult to handwrite as well as students with dyslexia or poor memory skills who may wish to review information repeatedly.
There are many other features of these devices that make them very useful for students of all ages. The decision to buy one of these devices is a big one, but their proper use can help keep track of even the smallest task and greatly improve study skills.
March 30
WCB Legislative Day
"Vision for the Future: 2005 Public Education Day"
Capitol Rotunda, Madison
April 2
Badger ACB Day
Badger Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Milwaukee
April 9
WCB Council Meeting
Council Office, Madison
April 16
Midwest Association for the Blind
Milwaukee
April 28 - 29
WCB Philanthropy Day and Seminar
Ramada Inn Convention Center
Eau Claire
May 7
Badger Association of the Blind Monthly Membership Meeting
Milwaukee
May 10 - 12
Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) Convention
Best Western Inn on the Park
Madison
*The Council will hold a Reception and Open House for this event at the Council Offices from 5 - 7 p.m. on May 10.
CASSETT
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