Columbia Kermit/kermit.zip/d/aablind.hlp

Text File | 2020-01-01 | 104KB | 2,676 lines

(This file contains messages relating to use of Kermit, and of computers,
and even technology in general, by people with blindness or other
disabilities.)

Date: Tue 1 Oct 85 14:17:51-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <[e-mail]>
Subject: Use of Kermit by the Blind
To: [e-mail]
cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]

I've had a call from Kenneth Reed at NASA in Greenbelt, MD (phone [phone])
asking how Kermit can be used effectively by blind people.  Back in the days
when computers had terminals, you could put a device like a Votrax or DECtalk
or whatever between the terminal and the computer, and it could try to speak
the letters and numbers, or words, as they went by.  But microcomputers don't
generally have a place to attach such a device.  Kenneth says his Apple II
has a special card that somehow gets characters just before they're about to
be put on the screen and presumably can transmit them to a speaking device,
but that's just for the Apple.

I'm sure there has been a lot of discussion about this elsewhere, but I must
have missed it.  How can blind people use microcomputer applications in
general?  Obviously, graphics-oriented stuff is mostly out (and therefore,
presumably, also the Macintosh).  In MS-DOS, maybe there are console drivers
that can intercept characters, strip out (or interpret) formatting information,
and send the text out the serial port to, say, a Votrax, or maybe there are IBM
PC boards that "speak the screen" directly.  Anyhow, Kenneth's department is
selecting microcomputers and he'd like to see them pick one that text oriented
applications (like Kermit) can be adapted to give comprehensible audible
output.  If you have any information, please post it and also give Kenneth a
call at the number listed.

By the way, the way the Kermit file transfer display is done is important here.
On MS-DOS systems, a "form" is put up on the screen at the beginning of the
file transfer, and then numbers and messages are filled in and updated
randomly throughout.  If one were to read this stuff in sequence as it appeared
on the screen, it would be a pretty confusing jumble.  Also, you'd need a
pretty fast talker at high baud rates...  The serial output of local-mode Unix
Kermit or DEC-20 Kermit would be a lot more comprehensible when interpreted
by a voice device.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 2 Oct 85 06:21:51 MDT
From: [e-mail] (Henry M. Halff)
Subject: Re: Use of Kermit by the Blind
References: <[e-mail]>

Let me suggest that your friend contact the following firm.

    Talking Computers, Inc.
    6931 North 27th Road
    Arlington, VA 22213
    703-241-8224

The fellow that runs the firm is Doug Wakefield.  His business is putting
speech synthesizers on computers for blind people.  He pretty much specializes
in IBM PC's, but he might be able to help with Apples.  The software that he
uses should have no problem with a screen display like Kermit's since the
user can, at any time, get a readout of the entire screen or any line
on the screen.

Hope this helps.

Henry M. Halff
Halff Resources, Inc.
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 2 Oct 1985  22:52 MDT
From: "Frank J. Wancho" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Use of Kermit by the Blind

Frank,

Have Ken contact Anda Lee in Florida.  She is blind and runs a BBS.
Her numbers are:

Office: 800-237-2774 x8492
Home:   813-885-4420
BBS:    813-885-4369

She called me last year because she was having some trouble bringing up my
RBSS4.  I talked to her for about an hour about sections of the code before she
up and told me she was blind.  I couldn't tell up to that point.  She has a
VOTRAX-like device she uses and also markets...

I haven't talked to her in a long time, so I don't know if those numbers are
current.

--Frank

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 5 Oct 85 10:28:24 mst
From: Kelvin Nilsen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Kermit for the Blind

hate to sound like a pest, but it seems that versacom might be able to offer
some assistance here too.

versacom does not run windows!  all i/o to the terminal is serialized through
the bios, write tty (except of course when it comes to terminal emulation).
this makes it possible to run versacom on a pc from a terminal and connect
to another system to transfer files.  for example:


      vt100                   dumb tty emulation
    +-------------+             +---------+            +----------+
    |home terminal|- 1200 baud -|office pc|-19200 baud-|office vax|
    +-------------+             +---------+            +----------+

xon/xoff handshaking is supported on both ports, in both directions and works
independently.  the amount of information reported by file transfers can be
each packet, or each file transfered.

anyway, this capability makes possible two solutions to the problem you
mentioned.  first, attach a votrax-type terminal to one of the com ports
of the pc.  second, modify versacom to send bios tty output to an internal
voice synthesizer instead of or in addition to the bios tty output.

alternatively, it sounds like the SOURCE people have a version of UNIX-kermit
that runs on the PC.  it seems that would offer similar capabilities.  Who
knows how robust and user friendly that implementation is?

kelvin nilsen

------------------------------

DATE: October 07, 1985 11:29:44 EDT
FROM: [e-mail]
SUBJECT: TERMINAL FOR THE BLIND

WE ARE TRYING SEVERAL DIFFERENT PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND HERE AT VA. TECH
ONE IS A PACKAGE ON THE IBM PC CALL ED FREEDOM. VERY NICE PACKAGE.
WORKS OUTSIDE OF ALMOST ANY OTHER PACKAGE ON THE PC. WE USE THE TERM
EMULATOR YTERM WITH IT NO PROBLEMS.
WE ALSO USE THE AUDIOTRONICS TALKING KEYBOARD FOR THE PC. HAVING SOME
SPEED INTERFACE PROBLEMS. QUESTIONS CALL 703-961 5961.

------------------------------

Date:  5 Oct 1985 1454-PDT (Saturday)
From: [e-mail] (William Randy Day)
Subject: Re: Use of Kermit by the Blind

I am part of a research project here at the University of Washington aimed
at developing software for deaf-blind (both deaf and blind) users.
The presentation problem is severe. As you say, graphics-oriented
software is out. As you describe in you posting, even ``non-graphics''
programs like kermit can prove incomprehensible if a straight screen
output to speech translation is made. We have come to the conclusion
that a simple hardware/software translation unit sitting on top of
normal software is inadequate, particularly for our severely handicapped
target group. We have taken the custom software approach.

I know this is Kenneth Reed's ball and not yours, but your message didn't have
an email address for Kenneth. Besides, I don't have an answer, just a comment.

Randy Day.
UUCP: {decvax|ihnp4}!uw-beaver!uw-june!randy
ARPA: randy@washington
CSNET: randy%washington@csnet-relay

------------------------------

Date:     Mon, 7 Oct 85 20:31:19 EDT
From:     Doug Gwyn (VLD/VMB) <[e-mail]>
To:       [e-mail]
Subject:  terminals for the blind

I don't know why nobody seems to be mentioning the VersaBraille (another
company makes a similar device).  I used to have a blind programmer working for
me, and we tried various talking terminals, optical scanners, and so forth.
Her conclusion was that the VersaBraille (with communications software
cassette) was much easier and faster, although for graphics (yes!) she resorted
to an optical scanner (sorry, I forget the trade name).

This topic really seems orthogonal to KERMIT, other than to the extent to which
it points out the silliness of fancy user interfaces in what was supposed to be
a file transfer program.

------------------------------

From: Peter da Silva <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Use of Kermit by the Blind
Date: 2 Oct 85 16:54:45 GMT
To: [e-mail]

Attach the votrax to the printer port & turn on echoprint, perhaps? ^PrtSc on
the IBM, ^P on CP/M.

------------------------------

Date: Wednesday, 9 Oct 85 07:59:43 PDT
From: Robert Jaquiss <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: EQUIPMENT FOR THE BLIND

     I am a blind programmer at Tektronix Inc.  I have used Kermit on several
occasions.  For my work I use a Thiel braille printer from Maryland Computer
Services.  To the computer it looks like a teletype that can send and receive
upper and lowercase.  Of course graphics are useless cursor movement is
impossible.  It is possible to deal with num- bered or lttered menus where you
select the item you want by entering some character.  I have a Versabraille as
a backup terminal on which I have also used kermit it worked fine.  The micro I
am using runs CP/M so I don't have to contend with menus.

     Here are some equipment sources that have reliable hardware.  Maryland
Computer Services sells a very good braille printer.  They have a specially
modified HP150 [an MS-DOS PC with a touch-screen] that talks and a accessory
for a PC that will allow users to use screen oriened software.  Telesensory
Systems Inc. sells the Versabraille (a refreshable braille display) and the
Optacon (a hand held scanner that will show you the shape of letters).  Vtek
sells a tactile display device for use on a ibm PC or Apple.

        Maryland Computer Services Inc.
        2010 rock Springs Road
        Forest Hills, Md. 21050
        Phone [phone]

        Telesensory Systems Inc.
        455 N. Bernardo
        Mountainview, Ca. 94039
        Phone [phone]

        Vtek
        1610 26th
        Santa Monica, Ca. 90404
        Phone [phone]

     If you need moe help call me at (503)  627-6346  (work)
or [phone] (home).

        Robert S. Jaquiss

ucbvax!tektronix!robertj (uucp)
robert jaquiss@tektronix (csnet)
robert jaquiss.tektronix@rand-relay (arpanet)

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 11 Oct 85 9:34:53 EDT
From: Robert I. Isakower (IMD-SEAD) <[e-mail]>
Subject: Use of Kermit by the Blind

The following letter was sent to Kennith Reed 10/10/85 at your request.
9 October 1985

Dear Mr. Reed,

Recently  a request was forwarded to me from Frank da Cruz asking if I
had any information on the use of Kermit or the MS-DOS system by the Blind.

Perhaps this request was directed to me because I have tunnel vision (Retinitis
Pigmentosa).  I also have a degenerative hearing problem which places very
demanding requirements on any voice synthesizers used with visual aids for my
eyesight problems.  I have found SMOOTHTALKER on the Mac difficult to
understand.  DECTALK provides, for my personal use, the best voice output.
Please realize that I am not a judge of what constitutes good speech because
everything sounds to me as if it were coming from a distorted radio receiver.

The following information that I am including in my letter are my notes and
results of my own findings of a computer show that I attended in Ewing, New
Jersey this past September.  I have no corporate nor financial interest in any
of the company products and the information and comments that I am offering is
my personal opinion.

I sincerely hope that my enclosure will be of some assistance to you in your
research.  If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact
me.
        Robert I. Isakower
        C,  Technical Systems Division

Four vendors featuring "talking computers" were at the show for aids for the
blind and the visually impaired.  I was unable to get prices for all the
equipment.

VTEK (formerly VISUALTEK)
1625 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA   90404
1-800-345-2256

     VOYAGER Electronic Magnifiers:  $2,395 to $2,895

     Large Print Display Processor  (*) :  $2,695
(This device magnifies, up to 16X, whatever is on the screen, with
character enhancement.  It recognizes the ASCII code and redraws it as
a solid line vector, instead of an enlarged matrix of dots and spaces.)

     MBOSS-1 Braille Printer:  $3,225

     Braille Display Processor (*):  $3,495
This is a neat paperless braille output with a 20 cell tactile refreshable
braille readout.  It will provide the braille equivalent of 20 contiguous
character spaces on the computer display.  Audio signals indicate the
"position" of the 20 cell braille window on the video display.

     (*) for APPLE II, II+, IIe and IBM PC, PC-XT, PC-AT

COMPUTER CONVERSATIONS
2350 N. Fourth St.
Columbus, Ohio   43202
[phone] (after 6 PM)

     ENHANCED PC TALKING PROGRAM:  $500

     Written by a blind programmer, (Ronald Hutchinson), this is interfacing
software only, and requires the user's own computer, voice synthesizer, and
application progams.  Application programs are the programs that you wish to
use in a speaking mode and would be an additional expense with all talking
computers.  This company's program interfaces with the most used computers,
speech synthesizers and application software in the marketplace.  The company
will offer to recommend the configuration best suited to your needs and budget.

MARYLAND COMPUTER SERVICES
2010 Rock Spring Rd
Forest Hill, Maryland    21050
[phone]

     TOTAL TALK PC (microcomputer, display, speech synthesizer, keyboard)

AUDIODATA/IBM PC KEYBOARD (2 slider keys, speech synthesizer, speaker, and
display magnification with optional low cost monitor)-provides audio output
from your IBM PC.  The vertical slider key locates the desired line and the
horizontal key locates the character on the line. In this manner, the user can
hear the screen, one line at a time, character by character.

     THIEL BRAILLE (high speed-120 cps) EMBOSSER

     CRANMER-PERKINS BRAILLER (4000 character memory typewriter, braille
printer, plotter, smart terminal, portable):  $2,350.

     READY READER optical character reader (typewritten material to braille
or voice):  $11,500.

     MCS computer systems are based upon Hewlett-Packard computers which are
very well constructed.  Unfortunately, none of the above equipment was
demonstrated to me, for one reason or another.

A fourth vendor was demonstrating a speech synthesizer that works with
the APPLE II.  I wasn't stirred by it and left early, not being offerred
any literature.

COMMENTS: VTEK and MCS have been around a long time, know the business of
electronic visual aids, have the most varied product line and are probably
my best bet for the future.  They have equipment for both the visually
impaired and the totally blind.  MCS's AUDIODATA/IBM KEYBOARD promises the
simplest, cheapest and quickest fix for IBM PC users. Although it is a very
competitive computer marketplace, a small software manufacturer and system
iterfacing company such as Computer Conversations, probably with lower
production costs and more self-motivating talent, cannot be discounted.
Another company that should be investigated is the one that manufactures a
portable tactile (pins) readout device called the OPTICON.  I've watched
this used with great success and speed on printouts and teletypewriters (on
line), and I heard of some sort of adaptation to a computer display.  Note
that the OPTICON is difficult to learn to use.

------------------------------

Date: Monday, 7 October 1985  22:53-MDT
From: [e-mail]
To: Info-IBMPC@MIT-MC
Subject:  Output Devices for the Blind

This is in response to the comments about making Kermit, etc. run via a voice
interpreter.  Although this idea is good, what about some sort of tactile
display?  A device called a Braille Writer (?) takes a serial input and
displays it in a mechanical braille display: 1 row of 20 characters.  The
display consists of a large 'dot matrix', where the dots are pins attached to
coils.  To display a character, it charges the proper coils pushing the proper
arrangement of blunt pins out of their sockets.

To use Kermit with such a thing, why not a 25x80 set of character matrices that
accepts the same inputs as a monochrome monitor?  Technically, it is a
relatively simple problem.  In practicality, it will probably never hit the
market.  The development costs would be comparable to those of new printers or
monitors, but the market is orders of magnitude smaller that for devices for
sighted people.  If it was developed privately, the unit cost would be terribly
high.  With the present government attitude towards spending money on
charitible projects, it would likely never come to pass via Uncle Sam.

Boy would I like to see someone prove me wrong on this one...

[This is way off the subject for INFO-IBMPC, but am bending the rules a bit.
Perhaps the people interested in this subject can get together on some
appropriate forum. -wab]

[This is not so off the subject, given the most commonly available engine for
any project is a pc; certainly it is more relevant here than Info-Kermit.
-elmo, feudal editor]

------------------------------

From: Sheldon Talmy <[e-mail]>
Date: 19 Oct 85 18:36:58 PDT (Sat)
Subject: Kermit for the blind

In response to your msg about, "Kermit for the blind", there is a great deal
being done for the visually handicapped in conjunction with computers.

One company I suggest is IRTI:

Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies Inc.
26699 Snell Lane, Los Altos Hills,Ca, 94022
415-948-8588

They have a huge catalog of products for the visually impaired, including
synths & entire turn-key systems.  If nothing else, the man who owns the
company is an excellent resource for info on the latest products.

I've been writing articles on computers for the handicapped for the last couple
of years, & have gathered several sources for products, that are ready to go
now.  If I can be of any help, send me a msg, & I'll be happy to assist you.

I note from other messages on the subject, that some research is going on that
could conceivably come under the heading of "re-inventing the wheel".
As i'm involved in the field, I might possibly be able to save time & effort,
so contact me if you like.


Shel Talmy<>Talmy@Rand-Unix

------------------------------

Date: 02 Nov 85 19:52:51 EST (Sat)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: man-machine interfaces for the blind

     the following companies have experts in understanding the specific
problems of developing and using man-machine interfaces for the blind.

Automated Functions, Inc.    Washington, D.C.
Maryland Computer Services    Gambrills, Maryland
Talking Computers                Arlington, Virginia
Telesensory Systems Inc.    Palo Alto, California

    I own a Macintosh, but find it very difficult to use myself.  I own
it because, nevertheless, it is the best tool for the application for which
I got it.  I have heard of a blind Mac user who reads the screen with an
OPTACON.

    Dave Stoffel
    Amber Research Group, Inc.

------------------------------

Date: 17-Jan-86 19:06:10-EST
From: BLACK J EMMETT <[e-mail]>
Subject: computer use by blind people...
To: <[e-mail]>

I can recall having "chatted" with a person on the SOURCE who was using an old
TI-99/4a with voice synthesizer...  which "read" the screen to him...

Although possibly difficult to find, the price is likely to be quite low for a
"dumb" voice terminal using the TI...  I've seen a number of ads offering TI's
for sale...

------------------------------

Date: Wednesday, 1 January 1986  18:04-MST
From: Mark Becker <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: BBS's for the handicapped

    Keith, are you aware of any bulletin boards anywhere that support
both ASCII and Baudot code?

     I know of one in southern Maryland run by a Dick Barth... that's the HEX
(for Handicapped Educational eXchange) machine.  It supports ASCII at 300 baud
*and* 45.45 baud Baudot code.  His machine, build a couple of years ago from a
Gov't grant, has quite a population of hearing-impaired and blind people using
it.

     The Baudot modems aren't anywhere near Bell 103 or 212A; they use
something called a Weibrecht (sp?) standard.  Mark tone at 1400 Hz, space at
1600 Hz.  Also, they are *half* duplex.

     Please forward this as you see fit - I'm curious if more than one of these
"modified" BBS systems exist.

     Dick's hardware is oriented around a Smoke Signal Broadcasting frame with
a 15 MByte disk attached.

Regards,
Mark

------------------------------

Date: Thursday, 6 March 1986 9:56am
From: Frank da Cruz <[e-mail]>
Subject: BYTE Articles on Computing for the Blind

The March 1986 issue of BYTE Magazine has a couple articles in this area.  One
is called "Computing for the Blind User" by Aries Arditi and Arthur E.
Gillman.  It's an overview of the problems and solutions.  The other is a
review of Braille-Edit, by Henry Brugsch.  The first article includes a list of
products:

Screen Talk
Computer Aids Corp.
124 West Washington, Lower Arcade
Fort Wayne, IN  46802
Phone [phone]

The Enhanced PC Talking Program
Computer Conversations
2350 North Fourth Street
Columbus, OH  43202
Phone [phone]

Total Talk PC
Maryland Comuter Services
2010 Rock Spring Road
Forest Hill, MD  21050
Phone [phone]

Braille-Edit
Raised Dot Computing Inc.
408 South Baldwin Street
Madison, WI  53707
Phone [phone]

Echo+
Street Electronics
1140 Mark Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Phone [phone]

VERT
Versabraille
Telesensory Systems Inc.
455 North Bernardo Avenue
Mountain View, CA  94043
Phone [phone]

Personal Speech System
Type-'N-Talk
Votrax Inc.
1394 Rankin Drive
Troy, MI  48083
Phone [phone]

------------------------------

Date: Thursday, 6 March 1986 9:56am
From: Frank da Cruz <[e-mail]>
Subject: Catalogs

Two catalogs I came across recently, both somewhat dated but perhaps useful
nonetheless.  There may be newer editions of each.

TASH - Technical Aids & Systems for the Handicapped, Inc. (1984)
70 Gibson Drive, Unit 1
Markham, Ontario
CANADA  L3R 2Z3
Phone [phone]

The TASH catalog is mainly useful to the physically impaired.  It includes all
sorts of alternate keyboards, switches, foot treadles, joysticks, etc, designed
to allow data to be input to a computer by people who don't have full use of
their hands.  Some devices are very simple, like "keylocks", which hold control
or shift key down.

IBM Directory of Services and Specialized Equipment
for the Physically Impaired (1st Ed, 1982)
G320-0024-0
IBM Corporation
Department 63C/028
Kingston, NY  12401

This publication is more than 400 pages long, and is not limited to computing
aspects.  It also discusses aids for daily living, cooking, clocks, etc.  There
are large sections on the blind, the deaf, the deaf and blind, etc.  There is a
20-page list of agencies and organizations serving the physically impaired.
It does not seem to be IBM-oriented in any way -- many products are listed from
other vendors, even competitors.  It invites submissions from readers for
future editions; I'm submitting this collection of messages, up to and
including this one.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 10 May 86 00:53:31 EDT
From: Richard Barth <[e-mail]>
Subject: Discussion group for technology for the handicapped

>    A mailing list has been set up at North Dakota State University for
>    discussing computer and other technology for people with any kind
>    of handicap, plus meetings, conferences, funding agencies, and so
>    forth.  It is run by Bob Puyear, [e-mail] (via Arpanet,
>    [e-mail]), who will add you to the
>    mailing list if you send him a request to do so.  To send mail directly
>    to the list itself, replace NU025213 by L$HCAP in the addresses above.
>

Please add me to the list. I operate a computer bulletin board system in
Silver Spring MD called the Handicapped Educational Exchange (HEX); data
line is [phone]. It accepts calls at 300 baud ASCII (8N1) or in
TTY/TDD format. It serves as a clearinghouse for information on the use of
computers to aid the disabled. One of the reasons why I (very recently) got
onto the net was so that I would be able to trade information with others
having similar interests. I'll be putting out an announcement about HEX as
soon as I get the feel of your group. Meanwhile, I'm glad to know you're
around.

------------------------------

Date:     Tue, 29-JUL-1986 20:50 EST
From:     <[e-mail]>
Subject:  information on computers for visually impaired

               APPLE RESOURCES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
     By Harvey Lauer and Leonard Mowinski, Blind Center (124), Veterans
Hospital, Hines, Illinois  60141.  [phone]
     Details about these and information about many more resources will
be found in the two newsletters called RDC Newsletter and BAUD.  Three
periodicals on Apple disks are listed which also discuss resources.
     Additional, extensive Apple resource lists are available from
Sherry Lowry, 10622 Fairlane, Houston, Texas  77024.  [phone]
     Braille-Edit is a product of Raised Dot Computing, 408 South
Baldwin Street, Madison, Wisconsin  53703.  [phone].  It is a
program system for word processing in braille, speech and large print.
It has extensive utilities including braille translation and file
transfer.  You can upload and download files at any speed.  RDC also has
the Braille Training Program, Tactile Graphics Program, and Math
Blackboard Program.  The hardware they selll includes the Echo speech
devices, the Super Serial Card, the Cranmer Modified Perkins Brailler
and many special connecting cables.  We recommend the RDC Newsletter for
all who are interested in computer aids.
     Foley's Low Vision Aids sells the following items.  Their
manufacturers listed here also market them.  Echo Plus, Echo GP, Sweet
Talker (including software), Braille-Edit, Braille Training Program.
Foley's Low Vision Aids and Computer Aids are also Apple Dealers from
whom all the hardware and most special software can be bought.  Foley's
Low Vision Aids, 1357 East David Road, Kettering, Ohio  45429, (513)
294-2433
     The Bible on disks, (called The Word Processor), Bible Research
Systems, 8804 Wildridge Drive, Austin, Texas  78759, [phone].
Price:  $190.00.  This is a valuable and unique service for clergymen
and students.  It facilitates searches and cross referencing and works
with the Echo and Cricket speech devices.
     Data Capture, Southeast Software, 7743 Briarwood Drive, New
Orleans, Louisiana  70128, [phone].  Useful terminal programs,
some of which can be used with the Echo II, but not all features work
with the speech.
     Computer Aids sells Info Database, Documents Word Processor, Agenda
appointment calendar, Talking Transend terminal program, and a
draft-quality braille translator called Braille Talk.  Their word
processor has been revised and improved.  It is called Word-Talk.  (See
also the newsletter entitled Baud. and see IBM Resources.)  Mr. William
Grimm, Computer Aids, 124 West Washington blvd., Lower Arcade, Fort
Wayne, Indiana  46802.  [phone]
     Speech Synthesizers: Echo II for the Apple II models and the Echo
Cricket for the IIc.  Street Electronics, Inc., 1140 Mark Avenue,
Carpinteria, California  93013.  [phone].  They also make the
Echo GP which works with computers other than Apple and other Apple
cards.  Their talking terminal program does not save to disk but is
unique in that it runs at any baud rate.
     Electronic Typing Fingers, Personal Micro Computers, Inc., 475
Ellis Street, Mountain View, California  94043, [phone].  It
works with the IBM braille writer to print braille.  Explained in
another article, it requires tinkering and is seldom advisable now that
low-cost braille printers are here.
     Anti-Static Floor Mat, Misco, Inc., Box 399, Holmdel, New Jersey
07733, [phone].  Note:  Also obtainable from computer stores.
     Cables and plugs for RS/232 connections, Telcom Products, 7550
Plaza Court, Willowbrook Court, Illinois  60521, [phone].  Note:
Cables are also available from computer stores, but Telcom sells either
parts, standard cables, or made-to-order cables often at better prices.
     A spell-checking program we recommend is Sensible Speller from
Sensible Software, 210 South Woodward, Suite 229, Birmingham, Michigan
48011.  [phone].  It is not as convenient to use as it should be,
and it does not talk with the Echo; however, a version is available from
the Cyberon Corporation which talks well with the Zero Card or the
Print-it Card.  A version is being worked on with Echo speech in
Pro-DOS.
     The Adaptive Firmware card provides alternate input options for
people with manual disabilities.  These include Morse Code and
puff-and-sip controls.  Contact: Adaptive Peripherals, Paul Schwejda,
4529 Bagley Avenue North, Seattle, Washington  98103. [phone].
     To get output to speech or braille devices while running protected
software, you can use the Print-it Card.  Contact: Text Print, Inc., 8
Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts  01803.  [phone].
Computer stores also sell it.  See also the Cyberon Corporation.
     Pronto DOS is a faster operating system then Apple DOS.  It works
with speech and is available from Beagle Brothers, 4315 Sierra Vista,
San Diego, California  92101.  [phone].
     Diversi-DOS is another such operating system; however, a special
version of the Echo II speech must be used with it.  It comes from DSR,
Inc., 5848 Crampton Court, Rockford, Illinois  61111.  [phone].
     We have had the Maggs-Visek program modified to work in the Apple
under the CP/M operating system.  It works with the Microsoft card and
perhaps others.  It will not work with the Echo boards but works well
with external synthesizers.  Contact us at the above address.
     Speak Up is a program to create customized high-quality speech
using the Echo II.  It comes from Laureate Learning Systems, 1 Mill
Street, Burlington, Vermont  04301.  [phone].  You can put the
speech into your programs.  They also have excellent talking software
for young children.  Note that the customized speech cannot be used in
existing application programs.
     The Slot Buster Card is a new one from R.C. Systems, Inc., 121 West
Winesap Road, Bothell, Washington  98012.[phone] or (800)
227-1617.  One version has a parallel port, a serial port and a buffer.
Of main interest to us is the version that has those ports and a speech
synthesizer using the new SSI 263 chip.  The speech is fast and clear,
and there are commands written for us similar to those available with
the Echo speech.  The only exception is that screen review in Applesoft
is not yet available but soon may be.
     The BAUD Newsletter (see Publications) and a substantial library of
public domain software that works with speech is available from Joe
Giovanelli, Audio-Tech Laboratories, 1158 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New
York  11714.  [phone]H$p A talking database called Lister Talker
is available from CiderWare, Attention:  Mike Firth, 104 north St. Mary,
Dallas, Texas  75214.  [phone].
     A bank book and check writing program is called Trax Pax.  It comes
from Howard Traxler, 6504 West Girard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53210..
[phone]
     A program to handle budgeting and check writing is Personal
Accounting.  It comes from Kieth Creasey, 1956 Melwood Avenue,
Louisville, Kentucky  40206.  [phone].
     Two talking word processors are sold by Larry Skutchan, 337 South
Peterson, Louisville, Kentucky  40206 Work:  [phone] Home:  (502)
896-1288
     Tutorial programs to teach you programming in BASIC are sold by
Program Design, Inc., 95 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut
06830.  [phone].  Their new programs do not work with speech, but
their old versions work with the Echo. if you can get them.  They were
not designed for that, so you need to be experienced with the Echo II
before using them.  You also need the workbook, so it should be tape
recorded.
     Several Apple manuals and the Echo II manual are available on
VersaBraille tape from Harvey Jossem, 1432 Sunny Avenue, Eureka,
California  95501.  [phone]; or from Olga Espinola, 763 Grafton
Street, Apartment 2, Worcester, Massachusetts  01604.  Audio Cassette
versions of many manuals have been made by Recordings for the Blind and
other organizations.
     The Echo Enhancer is a little black box with volume control and
jacks that facilitates using the Echo II with earphones, tape recorder,
etc.  It comes either from RDC or from Greg Mark, 207 Paisley Court,
Kalamazoo, Michigan  49007.  [phone].  Ciderware also has such a
box with a different configuration.
     A talking terminal program called Talking TermExec is available
from Quinsept, Inc., P. O. Box 216, Lexington, Massachusetts  02173.
[phone].  For details and technical support, contact Henry
Brugsch, 1645 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, Massachusetts.  (617)
391-0020.  The program is not recommended and may be discontinued for
lack of support.
     Quality educational software in a wide variety at levels ninth
grade through adult which speaks with the Echo or Cricket is available
from Sliwa Enterprizes, Inc.  SEI, 2360-J George Washington Highway,
Yorktown, Virginia  23692.  [phone].  Their talking Spanish
course is also unique and well done.
     A magazine on Apple disks is Softdisk Magazette, P. O. Box 30008,
Shreveport, Louisiana  71130.  [phone].  It features articles and
programs mostly usable with the Echo II.
     Softyme is a bimonthly magazine on Apple disks.  Many, if not most
of its offerings are usable with the Echo II.  The price is $48 per
year. Write Softyme, P. O. Box 299, Newport, Rhode Island 02840.
     Apple Talk is a quarterly periodical on Apple diskette.  It is
packed with information, programs and ads.  The price is $10 per year.
Contact Jeff Weiss, 3015 South Tyler Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
72204.  [phone].


SELECTING COMPUTER AIDS FOR THE VISUALLY
                IMPAIRED

       by Harvey Lauer and Leonard
                Mowinski

     "I've read the literature on
computer aids, but I am still in a
quandary."

     Hearing this again and again from
both consumers and counselors prompted
us to write this paper. We'll attempt to
fill in some gaps in the literature and
in courses on the state of access
technology for the visually impaired.
Some familiarity with computer aids is
assumed. This is not an evaluation of
any particular aid. Our purpose is to
present a theoretical framework for
comparing the aids; we do use some brand
names in our illustrations. We want to
discuss the expertise needed to
implement this challenging access
technology, and the reasons why
computers can be a mixed blessing for
blind people.

        Aids Can Play Three Roles

     There are three categories, roles,
or "personalities" for computer aids.
Understanding this is crucial for anyone
issuing, teaching or using the aids.
They can serve as "stand-alones", as the
"heart" of a system, or as "peripheral
devices".

     Both the VersaBraille and Kurzweil
Reading Machine are billed as
"stand-alone" devices. That label does
fit the KRM fairly well. It is designed
as a dedicated system; it is inefficient
as a peripheral talking terminal at
present. Unfortunately it will never
serve as a word processor or run a
database. As a reading machine, it does
stand alone. However, when it is used to
scan print and then send data to a
computer for processing and reprinting,
it is technically a peripheral device.

     The VersaBraille, due to its useful
overall design, fits into all three
categories. It has enjoyed success
despite its small computer, slow
operating system, limited keyboard and
the fact that it does not send its
commands to its port. Let's examine
these three roles in detail:

     The VersaBraille can stand alone
for taking notes and record keeping.
Paper braille and recordings are nearly
as useful for those tasks. The VB would
not be fully exploited if it was only
used as a stand-alone device.

     But when it is used as the heart of
a system, the VB becomes more valuable.
You can connect a keyboard, drive a
printer and a speech device. Then you
can create, edit and print texts without
retyping and losing control of your
material. It does require a lot more
training and study to use the VB at this
level.

     Using the VB as a peripheral can be
even more effective and requires yet a
higher level of training and teaching
skill. Remember, however, that if it
were nothing but a peripheral, it would
lose much of its value. You are using it
as a peripheral when you interface it
with a main frame computer, either
directly or through a telephone modem.
Many jobs now require that capability.
It is a peripheral when you use it with
a personal computer running special
software. The VB really shines when the
user learns all three of these roles. If
the only instruction is "how to use the
VersaBraille as a stand-alone device"
then both the user and the machine are
shortchanged.

     Any computer worth its chips for
sighted people will also perform those
three roles. But most of them are not
accessible to blind people. Fortunately
for us, there are specialized hardware
and software application that do perform
these three crucial roles. (Examples
include the Brailink, the I.T.S., the
Avos System, the IBM PC, and the Apple.)

     For example, when we play games or
run a talking database in a
microcomputer, we are using it as a
stand-alone device. When we boot a
talking terminal program and telephone a
data bank, we are using it as a
peripheral. The same is true when we
interface it (as a talking or
large-print terminal) to another
microcomputer. In that case, the other
micro runs the applications programs.
When we run a multi-media word processor
such as BRAILLE-EDIT and generate texts
in braille, speech, and print, we are
using an Apple as the heart of an
accessible computer system.

                Training

     Training is the least understood
aspect of computer aids for the blind.
Vendors and users often sabotage their
own long-range interests by claiming
that sophisticated aids can be learned
easily from manuals. Some people can do
that, but we have all had enough
experience to know that many people
cannot learn to use their first computer
aid from any manual. People's ability to
learn how to use any computer-based
system varies widely. At one extreme,
there are those who can work from a list
of commands on a reference card. At the
other end of the scale, many need
several weeks of training before they
can make any sense of their manuals.
Teachers are no different. Most lack the
requisite experience to train students
in the new access technologies.

     The fear, awe, and hostility
surrounding computers is a serious
handicap. We only exacerbate the problem
if we try to dazzle people with an
illusion of simplicity. The bald truth
is that both the teachers' and the
users' needs are not met by the existing
manuals.

     Any training center considering
adding "computer aids" to its list of
prosthetic devices should ponder four
things:

     -- Computers and related equipment
must be evaluated as they become
available. Funding for evaluators, as
well as for equipment purchases, is
needed.

     -- Most centers do not now have
sufficient staff to teach computer
literacy and use to their clients. In
the past, the Living Skills department
taught the use of sensory aids (such as
the Optacon and Kurzweil Reading
Machine). It's wrong to assume the same
staff will be able to teach
Versabraille, Visualtek, Viewscan etc.
in addition to their regular duties. We
recommend that one full-time position
per VA center be added for the express
purpose of teaching computers and other
sensory aids as they become available.
Centers with no such program will need
additional staff. These same people can
also be responsible for helping out the
Living Skills and Research departments
if computer training slows down.

     -- We need to develop a computer
literacy course that can be an
established part of a training Center
curriculum.

     -- It is important to match the
proper equipment with the needs of the
user. A team consisting of training
center personnel should be developed to
help evaluate requests for equipment.

    Expertise Needed For Prescribing
              Computer Aids

     There are two types of expertise
needed to prescribe effective computer
aids. Right now, few people are experts
in both areas.

     (1) Rehabilitation skills must be
brought to bear on the problem. We must
have someone well-versed in "human
engineering"--the knowledge of what can
be done with special computer aids. The
mode of input, the media of output, the
devices, and the software must be
matched to the client's abilities and
the tasks to be done. However, rehab
personnel still lack both general
computer literacy and knowledge of the
function and operation of individual
special aids. Complete knowledge of the
access technology is currently possessed
by only a handful of people. The
computer field is constantly changing,
and it is a challenge to maintain
up-to-date evaluations of the aids
available. The country needs several
centers (super centers) which, in
addition to training, are dedicated to
evaluating aids and committed to sharing
results with developers and local
trainers. At present, many aids are
being developed in partial vacuums.
Local trainers, where they exist, cannot
keep up with the technology.

     (2) Computer applications
technology is currently the realm of
applications engineers and systems
analysts. They must begin to coomunicate
with administrators, office personnel,
programmers and technicians to implement
their work. Knowledge of the spectrum of
applications technology is even more
diffused in the sighted world than in
the blindness community. Most placements
of visually impaired workers require
teams of five to ten people to
implement.

     Five different skills are needed in
the interfacing process. To be
successful, you must find people who
know how to use the special devices, how
to interface that special technology,
how to use the regular office equipment,
and how to interface it, too. Last but
not least, there must be a person well
versed in the real needs of the office
environment. It may make more sense to
create a parallel, accessible computer
system, rather than trying to make the
main office system itself acessible. Any
blind person who is persistent enough
and lucky enough to get a piece of
appropriate technology, must be even
luckier and more persistent to get it
interfaced and working.

         The Quandary Summarized

     Selecting aids is not a trivial
task. Few counselors know where to
start. It has often required three days
of work to confer and prescribe computer
aids for a complex office environment.
Sometimes, even then, applicability
cannot be fully assured.

     Computers can be a mixed blessing
for us. If the cost of prescribing,
interfacing and training goes
unrecognized, chaos and frustration can
result. Blind people must approach
computer use in a different way from
sighted people. Voice output is not
exactly comparable to screen output.
Computer software is becoming more and
more screen oriented. It's easy for a
sighted person to quickly skim a "help
menu" on the screen to locate commands.
If standard software is merely made to
speak, the user may have to listen to a
long list of commands, trying to
remember the right one. Braille
reference cards can be helpful. But
there is still a need for specialized
software designed for efficient voice
output.

     Of equal importance is the fact
that sighted people using computers at
work need to know much less about their
machines. There's usually lots of
reference material available in print.
Some programs are so popular that there
are literally scores of books aimed at
beginning users. For the average sighted
worker, "interfacing" is a verb they'll
never encounter! Until the blind person
learns the intimate details of a
particular system, they are likely to
need a lot of ongoing technical support.
Remember that software changes even
faster than hardware. We can't assume
that systems support people will
continue to help blind workers and their
equipment adapt to changes in a
computer-oriented work environment.

     Functional computer aids (both
software and hardware) can range in cost
from $500 to $15,000. A successful
prescriber will keep in mind all the
possibilities; the various roles a
device can play; and the susceptibility
of any device to obsolescence due to the
rapidly changing technology.

     We estimate that for every success
story in this field, there is one
inefficient application, another
inadequate one and two or three more
unmet needs. This is an uphill road, a
pioneering trail. Can we reverse the
trend of lost jobs and educational
opportunities? Cooperation among
researchers, service providers, and
users is essential. Each state needs a
computer aids center. At the few
existing centers, the few staff are
struggling to learn and apply the
basics. The computer aids centers or
clinics should give literacy training to
rehab staff, train and assess clients,
and interface equipment for clients.

     The manufacturers and vendors
cannot keep up with the application or
interfacing of what they sell. As a
result, it is often catch-as-catch-can
for the blind user. Sometimes a helpful,
persistent colleague takes the
initiative in getting the user's
equipment working. But this AGAIN places
the blind user in a dependent role.

     Computers are billed as "friendly",
but their power and swift evolution make
them bucking broncos. If we harness
their power and mold their multiple
personalities to meet our needs, we can
achieve competence and parity wherever
our society chooses to use computers.

------------------------------

Date:     Thu, 31 Jul 1986 17:47 PDT
From:     "Jeffrey Sicherman" <[e-mail]>
Subject:  Using Computers as TDDS, Sources of Software & Hardware

The following is copied from an information sheet obtained from the
Orange County (CA) Deaf Equal Access Foundation (D.E.A.F.)
                   7700 Orangethorpe Ave #6
                   Buena Park CA 90621
concerning TDD modems and bulletin boards

                  USING COMPUTERS AS TDDS
       SOURCES OF SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

Apple II,II+,IIe                  Howard Cunningham
Atari                             Secretary, AMRAD
Commodore C64                     11523 Chariton Drive
TRS-80, Model I                   Silver Spring, MD 20902
   The above source has public domain software for the
various computer systems listed. Generally, copies of
this software are available for the cost of the diskette
plus shipping and handling ... about $5.00. All programs
require the use of an external modem; either the old
Phone-TTY 80 or a modified VADIC modem card which AMRAD
sells for $25.00 (?) a copy. Write for information on a
specific computer system.

IBM PC                            Richard Barth
IBM PC-XT                         AMRAD Handicapped Exchange
IBM PC-JR                         11523 Chariton Drive
 CoCo                             Silver Spring, MD 20902
   The above source has public domain software for those
computer systems. The IBM PC and PC JR software does not
require external modems. I am not sure about the Coleco
CoCo software. This is very simple software which allows
these computers to operate as TDDs and nothing more.
Send Mr. Barth a blank floppy disk and $2.00 to cover
return postage... or $5.00 to cover the disk plus postage.
  [My comments: I have some reason to suspect some of the
                immediately above. I think the PC jr either
                does or can have an internal modem port
                but there is none standard in the PC/XT
                and you cant couple it directly to the
                phone line. I don't know about the author
                of this information or its precise age.]

 IBM PC                            Edward Ingham & Associates
 IBM PC-XT                         3708 Falcon Avenue
 IBM PC-AT                         Long Beach, CA  90807
                                   TDD [phone]
   The above source sells a modem and software which
enables the IBM-PC and clones to communicate with both
TDDs and other computer systems with Bell 103A ASCII
compatible modems (110 and 300 baud). This system also
auto-answers and automatically detects the incoming
call signal and sets the modem in the proper handshaking
protocol (TDD, 110 Baud ASCII originate or answer, and
300 Baud ASCII originate or answer). This software and
modem combination also allows these computers to function
as electronic bulletin boards accessible to both other
computers and TDDs. Cost for the modem and software is $350.00.

Any computer with RS 232c serial communications ports:

  Krown Research, Inc.
  6300 Arizona Circle
  Los Angeles, CA  90045
  Voice/TDD [phone]

  The above source sells a modem which turns any computer or
dumb ASCII terminal into a dual-mode terminal which is accessible
to both TDDs and 300 Baud ASCII terminals, buth with limited
computer functions unless the system used with telephone
communications software for the specific computer, purchased
separately for an extra 50 to 200 ($ ?). This modem costs
350.00 plus shipping.

 [ I have no connection or special communications with any
   of the above, so please direct any comments or questions
   directly to them. However I would appreciate any corrections
   to the above informationb, whether quoted material or my
   own comments]

Jeffrey Sicherman
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Wed 3 Sep 86 12:07:37-EDT
Sender: List Processor<LISTSERV@NDSUVM1>
Reply-to: Distribution List <L-HCAP@NDSUVM1>
From: Hans A. ]lien <[e-mail]>
Via: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Lauer-Mowinski two-part Article (source request) and more

            RECOMMENDING COMPUTERS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
                    A MOVING TARGET OR A LOSING WAR?
                  By Harvey Lauer and Leonard Mowinski
              Blind Rehabilitation Technology Specialists
                            September, 1985

As a new subscriber to the l-hcap mailing list
I just received the above mentioned article.
I found it quite interesting, and would very much like to
receive the "resource lists" mentioned.
If they have already been posted, please mail them to me.
Anyway, could someone supply me with an address,
preferabby both email and papermail, of the authors of the article.

As for the contents of the article, I agree with most of it.
The situatien in Norway is somewhat different.
Because of our Norwegian language (and three additional letters of the alphabet)
reasonably priced American speech synthesizers like those of Street Electronics
are of little use. Only during the last year or so
the Swedish Infovox SA201 speech synthesizers have been provided
with a Norwegian language output.

Maybe because of the above, computers have not been widely used by
blind people in this country. For the time being, however,
quite a number of pupils, students and employees are being provided
with Braille, speech and/or large print computer aids.
Among the special stand-alone hardware, Braillex-D and Braillex-PC
from Papenmeier Germany, together with TSI VersaBraille I & II, are dominating.

For large print the Norwegian CP/M-based Tiki-100 provides double-width
and double-height letters at least for word processing.
Apart from the Tiki, most standard micros used are IBM PCs and clones.
Infovox speech output has already been mentioned, and for large print
Telesensory's Vista card has become quite popular.
Braille access to the IBMPC screen is not enjoyed by many people here,
but the BD80T from Marburg Germany has been around for some time.
This summer we have had the first two copies of the Braillex IB-80 8-dot
Braille display with access to the PC screen (including display of all 256
ASCII characters and their attributes (inverse, highlight, blink, etc.)) --
this device looks promising, But unfortunateby, very expensive, like all other
Braille displays available here.

One final question on Braille devices:
I have read about the Kentucky Porta-/Pocket-Braille devices.
I would very much like to receive any user experiences or other details
on these products, along with details on prices, options available,
and ordering information.

Many thanks in advance for any information!
And Bob, please continue supplying old items from the list -- thank you!)

    All the best
    Hans
-------

Date:         Fri, 3 Oct 1986 11:55 CDT
Sender:       (NU025213@NDSUVM1) via List Processor <LISTSERV@NDSUVM1>
From:         Bob Puyear <NU025213@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      Book Review

I would like to inform this Distribution List of a new book that appears
to have some good information in it if you are blind or are attempting to
set up a blind person with peripheral devices that are currently on the
market.

Title:  The Ultimate Guide to Peripherals for the Blind Computer User
Publisher: National Braille Press, Inc
           88 St. Stephen Street
           Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Phone:     [phone]
Date:      January, 1986
Price:     $ 19.95

Available in braille and audio cassette for $16.95.  Printed copies are
$19.95.  Overseas in any medium the price is $30.00.  Postage is included
in all prices.

                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: SCANNERS: GETTING THE INFORMATION IN

    A guide to optical character readers (OCR)
    Kerzweil Reading Machine
    DEST Workless Station OCR
    TOTEC TO-5000B OCR
    Oberon Omni-Reader
    Omni-Reader OCR

    The prices range from $30,000 to several hundred.

CHAPTER 2: A BUYER'S GUIDE TO MODEMS

CHAPTER 3: BRAILLE PRINTERS AND TRANSLATERS

    This chapter compares: 1)Cranmer modified Perkins brailler "PERKY"
        2)TRIFORMATIONS PERSONAL BRAILLER, AND 3)MSBOSS-I.
        ($2,300-3,500)
    Dipner Dots ($10 + daisy-wheel printer)
    Braille Translaters
        Braille-Edit, BETTE (Apple II, $300-400)
        Duxbury Translation Software (IBM PC, $495)
        Braille-Talk (IBM PC or Apple II, $125-195)

        These probably work with IBM and Apple compatibles

CHAPTER 4: A BUYERS GUIDE TO INKPRINT PRINTERS

CHAPTER 5: SELECTING A SPEECH SYNTHESIZER

    This chapter discusses and compares:
        1)Echo+, Cricket ($150-170)
        2)Votrax Personal Speech Synthesizer ($400)
        3)DECtalk ($4000)
        4)Calltext 5000 ($3,225)

    There is also a table which lists compatability of: Commodore 64,
    Radio Shack Model 4, Apple IIe/c, IBM PC and compatibles with voice
    sythesizer, and screen review (talking) program.

CHAPTER 6: PAPERLESS BRAILLE DEVICES

    This chapter describes good and bad points about three paperless
    braille devices and introduces the Kentucky portabraille and
    pocketbraille.
        1) VersaBraille II ($6,995)
        2) Microbrailler ($5,750)
        3) BDP-21, BDP-20 ($3,495)
    One comment, the BDP-20 or BDP-21 require either an Apple, IBM PC or
    compatible to operate.  This is not the case for versabraille II, or
    microbrailler.

        4) The Kentucky braillers are meant for the do-it-yourselfer.
           The manual for either the portabrailler or pocketbrailler sell
           for $5.00 and includes construction plans, parts list and
           source of parts.  The estimated cost for the portabrailler is
           between $800 and $900, the pocketbrailler $100 and $200.

CHAPTER 7: ODDS and ENDS

    This chapter contains information about products that do not fit
    neatly into the above chapters.  Some of the items listed are:
        1) Small Talk
        2) A closet full of cables
        3) Braille-n-Print
        4) MCI Mail
        5) Morse Enhancement Program
        6) Versabraille Case

CHAPTER 8: A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING

    This chapter lists many resources such as names an addresses of
    societies, publishers, etc.

There are two other books that may be of interest.  They are both
published by National Braille Press.  Their titles are: A BEGINNER'S
GUIDE TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, 1983 and
THE SECOND BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND AND
VISUALLY IMPAIRED, 1984.  The prices are about $15.00 each.

I would like to state that I had nothing to do with the writing or
publishing of these books and therefore have no vested interest in their
success.  There is one participant on this list who would be in a good
position to comment on various items listed in this brief outline since
he contributed to this publication.

If any of you need more information about a specific topic let me know.

                        Bob Puyear
                        North Dakota State Univ.

------------------------------

Date: 5 Oct 86 05:19:00 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Voice Recognition Board for IBM PC/XT

IBM has a voice recognition board that can replace the keyboard for
well-behaved programs running on the PC/XT.

Special switches and keyboards for the physically handicapped are
available from:
Prentke Romich Company
1022 Heyl Road
Wooster, Ohio 44691

------------------------------

Date:         Sun, 19 Oct 1986 12:45 CDT
Sender:       (NU025213@NDSUVM1) via List Processor <LISTSERV@NDSUVM1>
From:         Bob Puyear <NU025213@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      Closing The Gap
To:          <[e-mail]> (Dist: L-HCAP)

Dear readers of this list,
  Some of you may be, or are, wondering what "Closing The Gap" (CTG) is.
I thought I had described what CTG is and does some time age.  If I did
please forgive the repeat for some of you.  CTG is an organization
located in Henderson, Minnesota and publishes a bimonthly paper,
sponsors a yearly conference, publishes the proceedings of this
conference, holds summer workshops and acts as consultants for
individuals and organizations about the implimentation of adapted
computer technology.
  THE ADDRESS FOR CTG IS:
     CLOSING THE GAP
     HENDERSON, MN 58044
     [phone]
  COST IS $21.00/YEAR US, $30.00/YEAR CANADA & MEXICO AND OVERSEAS
  $40.00/YEAR.  IN ALL CASES POSTAGE IS INCLUDED.
I do not believe that any of their publications are available in
braille or on audio casset.  I will ask about this when I attend
their annual conference this week.
                     Bob Puyear
                   Prof. Emeritus
                North Dakota State Univ

------------------------------

Date:         Wed, 22 Oct 86 16:06:40 CDT
Sender:       (NU021172@NDSUVM1) via List Processor <LISTSERV@NDSUVM1>
From:         Marty Hoag <NU021172@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      IBM National Support Center
To:          <[e-mail]> (Dist: L-HCAP)

   I just received my copy of "The Directory:  Personally Developed
Software for IBM Personal Computers Direct from IBM" (Vol 2, No 3).
The Directory contains about 100 inexpensive programs for the PC (most
are like $19.95, $49.95, etc. - half are under $30).  They are ordered
from 800-IBM-PCSW (Alaska/Hawaii it is 203-237-4504).

   The book is a catalog for programs like "PC Palette", "File
Facility", "Daily Organizer", "Trivia Games", "Aeromathics", etc.  But
on page 106 they have a section called "Products for the Disabled".
It describes the IBM National Support Center for Persons with
Disabilities:

   "For most people, technology makes things easier."
   "For the disabled, technology makes things possible."

   "IBM's National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities was
created to help professionals and others learn how computers can
enhance the work and lifestyles of people with disabilities."

   "Specifically, the introduction of the Personal Computer - bringing
substantial computing power right to the individual - signals a new era
of opportunity for disabled people."

   "Have you heard about an IBM PC program that makes it possible for a
hearing or speech impaired individual to communicate over the phone to
a hearing person?"

   "Did you know that you can write a letter on a PC using your voice instead
of a keyboard?"

   "Are you aware that you can operate a computer by sipping and puffing on
a straw?"

   "And finally, have you seen the technology that magnifies characters
on the PC screen up to 16 times their original size?"

   "Please call one of the numbers listed below for additional information
or for our resource guide, which is an extensive listing of adaptive
devices and software for IBM products, and resources and services for the
disabled."

   "IBM National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities
    4111 Northside Parkway
    Atlanta, GA  30327

    800-IBM-2133  (Continental USA)
    404-238-2500  (Georgia)
    404-238-3521  (TDD)"

   I know nothing more about this other than what I saw in The
Directory.  Perhaps others here might find this useful.  Or, if you know
more about this you might want to provide a better description of what
is available.  Does anyone know if the "resource guide" mentioned is
something new or the same that has been distributed by IBM for a few
years?

------------------------------

Date:         Mon, 1 Dec 1986 16:31 CST
Sender:       (NU025213@NDSUVM1) via List Processor <LISTSERV@NDSUVM1>
From:         Bob Puyear <NU025213@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      resources for the blind/visually impaired computer user
To:          <[e-mail]> (Dist: L-HCAP)

There are several new items that I would like to introduce to the L-HCAP
users.  This information will be most useful for the blind or visually
impaired individuals.
    1. Talking Optical Reader (TOR)
    2. Macintosh Large Screen Programs
    3. Screen review programs
    4. Data base for the blind and visually impaired computer users

1. The Talking Optical Reader (TOR) is an inexpensive, according to it's
   developers, portable optical scanner that can be used by individuals
   to read LED, LCD, and fluorescent characters.  This would enable
   these people hear what the reader "sees."  The user would be able to
   read characters on household appliances, laboratory equipment,
   medical apparatus, and many other consumer products.

   The TOR consists of a hand-held camera connected through a cable to a
   voice box.  The camera is about 10 cm long by 5 cm in diameter.  The
   voice box can be attached to the belt and is about 10 cm square and 2.5
   cm thick.  The cable is about 1 cm in diameter.

   In application, the user manually displaces the camera across a display
   panel, the images are detected, identified, and then voiced to the user.

   A prototype is now under development and is expected to be available
   to the consumer in 1987.  The cost of the unit will be under $500.
   The TOR is being developed, tested, and marketed by:

          American Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
                   15 West 16th Street
                   New York, N. Y. 10011
                   212-620-2082

2. Macintosh Large Screen Programs

   a. inLARGE is software available for the MACINTOSH 512 or Plus.  The
      screen display can be magnified 2 to 16 times.  The magnified display
      fills the entire screen and follows your keystrokes and mouse
      movements.  You can select either light or dark background.  It has
      an auto scanning option which moves the magnified display along at
      any rate you select.  The cost is $95.00 + $5.00 S&H and may be
      purchased from:
                Berkeley System Design
                1708 Shattuck Avenue
                Berkeley, CA 94709-1720

   b. LoVE is a low vision editor that enlarges character to 10 inches
      (25 cm) on a large TV or monitor (23 inches or 57.5 cm) or 2 inches
      (5 cm) on the Macintosh minitor.  A powerful writing tool for the
      sight impaired.  The text is read back to you letter for letter,
      word for word, even by sentence.  The cost is $149.95.  The adapter
      for the large minitor is $899.00.
                FINALLY Software
                4000 MacArthur Blvd.
                Suite 3000
                Newport Beach, CA 93663


3. A 39 page review of several screen review programs was obtained at
   the recent Closing The Gap conference I attended.  These programs are
   for the IBM PC and compatibles.  I do not have time to give you more
   than the source of the review paper and a list of the programs
   reviewed.

   Reviewed by: Curtis Chong and Steve Jacobson
   Title: "A comphehensive review of speech and braille
           software/hardware systems designed to permit
           blind persons to access the video display of
           an IBM personal computer (PC)
   Address:National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
           3530 Dupont Avenue North
           Minneapolis, MN 55412
   Phone:  [phone]

   a. Artic Vision                  $395
          Artic Technologies
          Tim Gergagliano
          1311 North Main St.
          Clawson, MI 48017
          Phone: [phone]
      Works only with the SynPhonics 200 speech card marketed by Artic Tech
      or Votalker IB marketed by Votrax.

   b. Enhanced PC Talking Program   $500-700
          Computer Conversations
          Ron Hutchinson
          6297 Worthington Road SW
          Alexandria, OH 43001
          Phone: [phone]
     Works with DECTALK, Votrax PSS and IB, SynPhonics 200 speech card,
     and Echo speech synthesizers.

   c. PROVOX                          $295
          Kansys, Inc.
          Dr. Charles Hallenbeck
          1016 Ohio
          Lawrence, KA 66044
          Phone: [phone]
      Works with DECTALK, Votrax PSS and IB, SynPhonics 200 speech card,
      and Echo speech synthesizers.

   d. Screen-Talk-Pro                 $395
          Computer Aids Corporation
          Bill Grimm, President
          124 West Washington
          Lower Arcade
          Ft. Wayne, IN 46802
          Phone: [phone]
   e. Soft VERT
          Telesensory Sysrems, Inc. (TSI)    $395
          455 N. Bernardo Ave.
          Mountain View, CA 94039-7455
          Phone: [phone]
      Supports DECTALK, Votrax PSS, and Echo speech synthesizers.

   f. Video Voice                   $500
          Deborah Norling
          P.O. Box 460
          Berkeley, CA 94701
          Phone: [phone]
      Supports DECTALK, Votrax PSS, and Echo speech synthesizers.

The authors state that the information presented in this report concerns
programs that not only have captured the attention of the blind consumer
but which also represents relatively recent changes or developments
in the field.  Six other screen review programs were discussed in the
January 1986 BRAILLE MONITOR.

4. Data base for the blind and visually impaired

   This data base is called CompuHelp and can be reached 24 hrs/day via a
   modem at 916-786-3923.  This db is a menu driven bulletin board system,
   where a caller can find information pertaining to computer hardware,
   software, self-help groups, publications, and more.

   There is no charge to use CompuHelp, however, a $5.00 donation is
   encouraged.  For more information contact:
      The National Association of Blind and Visually Impaired Computer
          User
      P.O.Box 1353
      Roseville, CA 95661-1352
      Phone: [phone]

------------------------------

Date:         Mon, 14 Sep 1987 14:38 CDT
Sender:       L-HCAP List <L-HCAP@NDSUVM1>
From:         Bob Puyear <NU025213@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      Handicap Digest No. 100


                          THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                               Issue # 100

                        Friday, August 14, 1987

Today's Topics:

**********************************************************************

                   Source list: computers & disabled

**********************************************************************

To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

           {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

                                Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                                Bunker Ramo, Shelton, CT
                                [phone]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Written-by: Carolyn Kotlas <decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!kotlas>
Subject: Source list: computers & disabled

[My apologies to Carolyn for the very long delay in posting this
 article.  Bill]


             SOURCES OF HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, & PERIPHERALS
                     FOR USERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
                                (3/6/87)

[If there are any corrections, additions, deletions to this list,
 please notify Carolyn (kotlas@ecsvax) or myself (wtm@bunker).]

Abledata *
   National Rehabilitation Information Center
   The Catholic University of America
   4407 Eighth St. NE
   Washington, DC 20017
   (800) 34 NARIC (voice or TDD) or [phone]

   Computerized listing of products for disabled.

American Council for the Blind *
   1010 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 1100
   Washington, DC 20005
   [phone]

   List of sources for computer technology for the blind.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) *
   10801 Rockville Pike
   Rockville, MD 20852
   [phone]

   A professional scientific association of speech-language
   pathologists and audiologists focused on developing computer
   technology to assist the disabled.

Apple Computer, Inc.
   20525 Mariani Ave.
   Cupertino, CA 95014
   [phone]

   Apple Computer's APPLELINK network contains information for
   disabled users of Apple computers, with 1000+ fully
   annotated records on specialized software, adaptive
   peripherals, and support organizations and publications.
   Apple sales representatives can provide users with
   information on how to connect to APPLELINK.

ARTS Computer Products, Inc.
   145 Tremont St., Suite 407
   Boston, MA 02111
   [phone]

   Products for vision-impaired computer users.
   PC LENS--enlarges & enhances IBM PC screen image.
   PC VOICE--verbalizes screen image.

Association for the Development of Computer-Based
Instructional Systems (ADCIS) *
   Miller Hall 409
   Western Washington State College
   Bellingham, WA 98225

   International organization for professionals in
   instructional technology.  Educators of the Handicapped is
   one of its special interest groups.

AudioBionics
   9817 Valley View Rd.
   Eden Prairie, MN 55344
   [phone] (voice or TDD)

   Specializes in products for speech- or hearing-impaired
   people.  Lifestyle Personal Communicator--portable device
   with voice synthesizer and 40-character LCD which can be
   connected to a telephone or used as a portable TDD.
   Includes word processor, clock and calendar, and calculator.

Baruch College
   The City University of New York
   17 Lexington Ave.
   New York, NY 10010

   Baruch College Computer Center for the Visually Impaired
   publishes listing of computer equipment:  COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
   & AIDS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ($22.50 + $2
   postage & handling; PC/MS DOS-compatible disk version
   available in future.)

Carroll Center for the Blind *
   Computer Access
   770 Centre St.
   Newton, MA 02158
   [phone]

   Private, nonprofit rehabilitation center for the legally
   blind, includes a computer division offering training in
   technological skills.

Center for Computer Assistance to the Disabled (C-CAD) *
   2501 Avenue J, Suite 100
   Arlington, TX 76006
   [phone]

   Nonprofit organization facilitates the development of new
   computer applications to help the disabled and trains the
   disabled in the use of computers.

Clearinghouse on the Handicapped *
   Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
   U.S. Dept. of Education
   Room 3132, Switzer Bldg.
   Washington, DC 20202
   [phone]

   This organization provides information on federal funding
   and legislation for programs serving disabled people.
   Distribute free copy of A POCKET GUIDE TO FEDERAL HELP FOR
   THE HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL.

Closing the Gap *
   P. O. Box 68
   Henderson, MN 56044
   [phone]

   Publishes CLOSING THE GAP newsletter, which provides
   information on technology for the disabled.  Also provides
   training at its Training and Resource Center and hosts an
   annual national conference.

Committee on Personal Computers and the Handicapped
(COPH-2) *
   2030 Irving Park Rd.
   Chicago, IL 60618
   [phone]

   Self-help group for physically handicapped, visually and
   hearing impaired and other severely disabled people.
   Provides information, technical consultations, and
   evaluations.  Publishes LINK-AND-GO for network members.

Computer Aids Corp.
   124 W. Washington, Lower Arcade
   Fort Wayne, IN 46802
   [phone]

   Products for blind and vision-impaired computer users.
   SCREEN-TALK--speech synthesizer.  BRAILLE-TALK--translates
   standard text into braille for embossing.
   WORD-TALK--talking word processing program.

Computer Conversations
   2350 N. Fourth St.
   Columbus, OH 43202
   [phone]

   Products for visually-impaired computer user.  ENHANCED PC
   TALKING PROGRAM--software for speech synthesis that is
   compatible with over 50 microcomputers.

Computer Users in Speech and Hearing (CUSH) *
   Dr. William Seaton
   School of Hearing and Speech Sciences
   Lindley Hall
   Ohio University
   Athens, OH 45701

   An organization of speech-language and audiology
   professionals using computers in working with disabled
   individuals.  Membership is open to special educators.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) *
   1920 Association Dr.
   Reston, VA 22091
   [phone]

   A professional organization of teachers which sponsors the
   ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children and
   the Center for Special Education Technology Information
   Exchange.  Offers Project RETOOL for teachers to learn to
   use microcomputers in special education.  Technology and
   Media (TAM), a division of CEC, publishes THE JOURNAL OF
   SPECIAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY and conducts teacher
   conferences, workshops, and training programs.

Education Turnkey Systems, Inc. *
   256 N. Washington St.
   Falls Church, VA 22046

   Publisher of COMMUNICATION AIDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (1983),
   one of four reports funded by Special Education Programs,
   U.S. Dept. of Education.  The report assesses technologies
   providing communication aids for the handicapped and
   includes a listing of organizations that make communications
   devices.

Handicap Digest/Handicap News
   Bill McGarry
   c/o Bunker Ramo/Olivetti
   2 Enterprise Drive
   Shelton, CT 06484
   [phone]

An electronic mailing list and newsgroup distributed worldwide through
various computer networks.

Handicapped Education Exchange (HEX) *
   11523 Charlton Dr.
   Silver Spring, MD 20902
   [phone]

   A microcomputer-based electronic mail system providing
   information on technology for the handicapped and serving as
   an electronic mail system for the hearing impaired.

International Council for Computers in Education (ICCE) *
   University of Oregon
   1787 Agate St.
   Eugene, OR 97403
   [phone]

   A professional organization of educators using computers in
   the classroom.  Hosts a special interest group for special
   educators (SIGSPED), which publishes the quarterly SIG
   BULLETIN.

Kissick's Consultants, Inc.
   1615 S. Fourth, Suite M-3210
   Minneapolis, MN 55454

   "The Disabled Challenger"
   Quarterly newsletter: $15/yr.

   Dealer for hardware products for disabled users.
   Available for speeches and one-to-one consulting.  They are
   a dealer for the Prentke Romich Company.

Kurzweil AI (Applied Intelligence)
   411 Waverly Oaks Rd.
   Waltham, MA 02154-9990

   Voice recognition products:  KURZWEIL VOICESYSTEM and
   KURZWEIL VOICETERMINAL.

LINC Resources, Inc. *
   3857 High St.
   Columbus, OH 43214
   [phone]

   A professional marketing organization for special educators.
   Publishes SPECIALWARE DIRECTORY, a resource guide for
   special educators, which describes courseware and software
   for special education.  Includes extensive index and
   indication of whether products are specifically designed for
   or adapted to special education.  LINC houses the Special
   Education Software Center Database and participates in the
   Center for Special Education Technology Information
   Exchange.

Maryland Computer Services, Inc.
   2010 Rock Spring Road
   Forest Hill, MD 21050
   [phone]

   Specializes in products for blind and visually-impaired
   computer users.
   TOTAL TALK PC--talking computer based on Hewlett Packard's
   microcomputer.

   Other products include:  Audiodata keyboard, Thiel Braille
   embosser, optical character readers.

Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers *
   Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
   300 SW 6th Ave.
   Portland, OR 97204
   [phone]

   MicroSift, a federally funded clearinghouse for information
   on educational technology, publishes a quarterly report
   comprising product descriptions and reviews.

National Braille Press, Inc.
   88 St. Stephen St.
   Boston, MA 02115
   [phone]

   Information on sources for products for blind and
   visually-impaired computer users.  Books available print,
   cassette, or braille versions.

   THE SECOND BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR THE
   BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED.  (Print copy--$12.95;
   Braille/cassette editions available.)

   ADD-ONS; THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PERIPHERALS FOR THE BLIND
   COMPUTER USER.  (Print copy--$19.95; Braille/cassette
   copies--$16.96; $3 extra for UPS shipping; orders must be
   prepaid.)

National Down Syndrome Congress *
   1800 W. Dempster St.
   Park Ridge, IL 60068
   [phone] or [phone]

   Professionals and parents of children with Down Syndrome
   provide information on computer technology to help persons
   with Down Syndrome.

National Easter Seal Society (NESS) *
   2023 W. Ogden Ave.
   Chicago, IL 60612
   [phone]

   Local Easter Seal facilities offer a variety of services to
   handicapped children such as therapeutic programs in
   speech-language-hearing and recreational programs.
   Publishes a newsletter, COMPUTER-DISABILITY NEWS:  THE
   COMPUTER RESOURCE QUARTERLY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

National Information Center for Handicapped Children and
Youth *
   P.O. Box 1492
   Washington, DC 20013
   [phone]

   A free information and referral center for the parents and
   educators of handicapped youth.

National Institute for Rehabilitation Engineering *
   97 Decker Rd.
   Butler, NJ 07405
   [phone]

   A nonprofit organization providing information and
   educational software to those who work with the physically
   handicapped or learning disabled.

National Organization on Disability (NOD) *
   2100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 234
   Washington, DC 20037
   [phone] or [phone] (TDD)

   Nonprofit organization operates information clearinghouse
   providing specific information on and referrals to computer
   technology for the disabled.

Prentke Romich Company
   1022 Heyl Road
   Wooster, OH 44691
   [phone]

   Source of communication systems, computer access
   equipment, environmental control systems, and mobility
   control systems.

SpecialNet *
   National Association of State Directors of Special Education
   2021 K St. NW, Suite 315
   Washington, DC 20006
   [phone]

   Electronic network for special educators providing
   information and communication for persons concerned with
   services and programs for handicapped students.

Special Education Software Center *
   SRI International
   333 Ravenswood Ave.
   Menlo Park, CA 94025

   Funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education, the Center is
   operated with assistance from LINC and CEC.  SRI assists
   developers of special education programs.

TASH (Technical Aids & Systems for the Handicapped, Inc.)
   70 Gibson Drive, Unit 1
   Markham, Ontario L3R 2Z3
   [phone]

   This organization is affiliated with the Canadian government
   and the Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled.
   Hardware available includes:  ability switches,
   environmental controls, mobility and living aids.
   Computer aids include:  keylocks, keyguards, keyboards, disk
   guides.

Technical Education Research Centers, Inc. (TERC) *
   1696 Massachusetts Ave.
   Cambridge, MA 02138
   [phone]

   Provides information about and offers workshops on computer
   use in special education.

Telecommunications Exchange for the Deaf (TEDI) *
   P. O. Box 508
   Great Falls, VA 22066
   [phone] or [phone] (TDD)

   A telephone relay service for the deaf, using computers to
   link hearing and nonhearing individuals in telephone
   communications.

The Association for Persons With Severe Handicaps (TASH) *
   7010 Roosevelt Way NE
   Seattle, WA 98115
   [phone]

   Provides information on computer technology to help the
   severely handicapped.

Trace Research and Development Center on Communication
Control and Computer Access *
   University of Wisconsin-Madison
   S151 Waisman Center
   1500 Highland Ave.
   Madison, WI 53705
   [phone]

   Provides information on development of nonvocal
   communication and computer access for handicapped
   individuals.

Western Center for Microcomputers in Special Education *
   1259 El Camino Real, Suite 275
   Menlo Park, CA 94025
   [phone]

   Publisher of the quarterly THE CATALYST, which addresses
   special education applications of technology.

Young Adult Institute (YAI) *
   460 W. 34th St.
   New York, NY 10001
   [phone]

   A nonprofit organization providing counseling, training,
   educational and residential support services to mentally
   retarded or developmentally disabled children.

*  Entries marked with * are from "Need Some Support?" in ELECTRONIC
EDUCATION, February 1987 issue.  Reprinted with permission.
When reprinting this list, please give credit to ELECTRONIC EDUCATION
for these entries.

List compiled by:

     Carolyn M. Kotlas, Microcomputer Consultant
     UNC-Educational Computing Service
     2 Davis Drive, POB 12035
     Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
     [phone]


----------------------------------------------------------------------


To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

            {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

Note: To send mail to someone on FidoNet, include the name and the
net/node number (e.g., 115/777) of the person and send the mail to
Dr. David Dodell at:
   [e-mail]  -or-  ..!philabs!cadovax!gryphon!ddodell

**********************************************************************
                 End of Issue # 100 of the Handicap Digest
**********************************************************************

------------------------------

Date:         Tue, 15 Sep 1987 12:24 CDT
Sender:       L-HCAP List <L-HCAP@NDSUVM1>
From:         Bob <NU025213@NDSUVM1>
Subject:      Handicap Digest No. 102


                          THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                               Issue # 102

                      Sunday, August 16, 1987

Today's Topics:

**********************************************************************

                    Special education resource list

**********************************************************************

To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

           {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

                                Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                                Bunker Ramo, Shelton, CT
                                [phone]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Special education resource list
Written-by: dasys1!patth@phri (Patt Haring)



Ellen Gerson, Senior Librarian, at the New York Public Library For The
Blind and Physically Handicapped (212-925-9699) announces the following:
Highlights for people with disabilities:
At the fully accessible New Dorp Regional Library, 309 New Dorp Lane,
Staten Island, NY 10306 [phone].
-- Kurzweil Reading Machine, by appointment
-- Apollo Magnifier
-- TDD Communications System [phone]
-- Materials relating to special library and community services.

At the fully accessible Mid-Manhattan Library PROJECT ACCESS, 455 5th Avenue,
New York, NY 10016 [phone]
-- Training and assistance in the use of a talking IBM computer with
   braille print-out.
-- A copier which makes enlarged print copies to help researchers with
   limited vision.
-- A bibliography of books for young people which include characters
   with visual impairments.
-- Kurzweil Reading Machine, by appointment.

At the Fordham Library Center, 2556 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.10458
[phone]
-- TDD Communications System [phone]
-- Game time offering specially designed chess, checkers and monopoly.
-- Training and assistance in the use of an Apple ][E computer with an
   echo-speech synthesizer.
-- A limited number of volunteers to read andd type for visually
   impaired library patrons.
-- Kurzweil Reading Machine, by appointment..


PROJECT "RECIPE" FOR LEARNING DISABLED/K-6: IEPS ON MICROS
PROJECT "RECIPE" ASSISTS SPECIAL EDUCATORS WORKING WITH LEARNING
DISABLED CHILDREN (K-6).  AN EXEMPLARY PROJECT IN THE FEDERAL
NATIONAL DIFFUSION NETWORK (NDN), RECIPE USES MICROS TO STORE
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND TO CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
PLANS (IEPS), IMPLEMENTATION PLANS, AND PROGRESS REPORTS.
THE SYSTEM PROVIDES "BANKS" OF OBJECTIVES IN BASIC SKILLS AND IN
AREAS OF ARTICULATION, SOCIALIZATION, AND MOTOR SKILLS.  THE
BANKS ARE ORGANIZED INTO "LEARNING MAPS" OR ORGANIZATIONAL
PATTERNS FOR PLANNING INSTRUCTION.  ACCOMPANYING THE OBJECTIVES
ARE A CRITERION-REFERENCED ASSESMENT SYSTEM AND OVER 2,400
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES CORRELATED TO THE OBJECTIVES.  ADOPTING
SCHOOLS MAY IMPLEMENT THE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PROJECT BY PURCHASING
A USER GUIDE ($300) AND SOFTWARE FOR EITHER APPLE OR TRS-80
MICROS ($400).  FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
H. SANDERS BELL, DIRECTOR
PROJECT RECIPE
SCHOOL BOARD OF SARASOTA
2418 HATTON STREET
SARASOTA, FL  33577
[phone]


TALKING BOOKS are available from the main office of the PUBLIC
LIBRARY in a major City near you!  Call your librarian for FREE
information on obtaining talking books, a tape recorder on which
you can play them; flexible disk recordings of national magazines
such as TIME, NEWSWEEK, RANGER RICK, WORLD (National Geographic),
CHILDREN'S DIGEST, JOURNAL OF COUNSELLING AND DEVELOPMENT among
others.  For further information call Ellen Gerson, Senior Librarian,
New York Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at 212-925-9699
and leave a message on this 24 hour answering machine with your name,
address and phone number - someone will return your call.


Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey announces
special administration of college and graduate admissions tests for
individuals with visual, physical, hearing or learning disabilities.
Tests included are the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) the GRE
(Graduate Record Exam) and the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions
Test).  These tests are offered in four versions: braille, large type,
cassette and regular type.  Additional accommodations may include a
reader, amanuensis, interpreter, additional time, and frequent rest
periods. Contact:
Dr. Catherine Nelson,
[phone].


The American Foundation for the Blind has begun development
of a National Technology Center (NTC) at the New York
headquarters.  The NTC will have three primary divisions:
research and development, evaluations, and a national database.
This will fulfill AFB's longstanding commitment to technology
and the visually impaired population. The NTC will focus on applied
research and development of aids and devices, feature "Consumer
Reports" type evaluations of technology devices, and collect and
disseminate information about all types of adaptive products from
canes and braille watches to sophisticated computer systems.
Operation of the NTC began in late fall of 1985. A computer operator
answers queries by telephone and provides hard copy information on
request. In subsequent years the database will be networked to
selected centers and AFB's six regional offices, and a Bulletin
Board Service will be established; system design will allow
accessibility by visually impaired users.


Apple Computer Inc.
[phone] (voice)
Cupertino, CA
Alan J. Brightman, Ph.D., Director
Office of Special Education Programs
give them the ideas you perceive as the greatest needs
in special education and rehabilitation; they "may undertake
activities designed to increase awareness and understanding of
computer applications across special ed; support ongoing initiatives
to provide quality training and support to special education personnel;
work together with 3rd party software and hardware developers to ensure
that the computer-using needs of disabled children and adults are more
appropriately addressed than they are at present."


FREE special education software search!
The Special Education Software Center is now accessible online for
those who wish to dial up the Center with their own modem and
telecommunications software.  A toll-free number [phone]
provides free access to the Center (except Alaska and Hawaii).
To reach the Center, users dial the 800 number and type "help" at the
logon prompt.  HelpNet then  prompts the user to request information
about Center services.  The Center provides technical assistance to
software developers, disseminates information about existing software
and courseware for special education, and conducts an annual conference
that explores state-of-the-art ideas for the improvement of special
education software resources.  Future plans include a HELPNET BBS
with software subroutines developed by the Center under its technical
assistance activities will be made available.  HelpNet will also allow
users to send messages to Center staff and receive answers via the
service.  For additional information call 1-800-223-2711. The Special
Education Software Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education
under contract to SRI International of Menlo Park, California.


Computers in Special Education:

NEW PRODUCT FACT SHEET
TALKING TEXT WRITER
Talking Text Writer is a software program that combines word processing
with a speech synthesizer.  By repeating aloud whatever a student types
into it, Talking Text Writer makes the classroom computer a learning
tool that aids beginning readers and writers. It is intended for use
with grade level students: pre-K - 6th grade; gifted students:
pre-K - 4th grade; bi-lingual; Chapter 1; communication disorders;
remedial reading; learning disabled; trainable retarded.
Published by    Scholastic Software
Price           $373.75 list (includes Street Electronics' Echo board
                speech synthesizer).  $248.75 list without Echo board.
Educator discounts available.
Availability    September 1986
System          Apple IIe and IIc--128K with disk drive, Echo board
                required.
Requirements    Printer (optional).  Koala Pad (optional).
Contents        Read/Write program disk with backup
                Read-only program disk with backup
                Data disk with backup
                User's Handbook
                Echo Board
Features
Word processing interface developed for younger children.
On-line help screen.
Print by letter, word, paragraph, etc.
Total control of speech output.
Size of text option:  20, 40, or 80 column.
Dictionary Box for screen display of words and definitions.
Discussion Box for a screen display of teacher comments.
Description
Talking Text Writer is a software program that combines the use of word
processing with a speech synthesizer, enabling students to explore and
use written language with a natural curiosity and interest.  With the
Talking Text Writer, students can write letters, words, sentences,
stories, and other text and hear what they write. As a word processing
program, Talking Text Writer can be used to store files on a data disk
for future retrieval.  Text can be inserted, moved, copied, altered,
and deleted through a wide range of program commands. Talking Text Writer
is a learning tool for a wide range of beginners; provides support,
feedback and repetition.  Talking Text Writer gives students the control
to individually orchestrate their own learning needs by allowing them to:
See the text and control how they want it to look by changing screen
colors, margins, and size of text.  Hear and control the speech
output - using either the voice box or a headset. Use the keyboard for
those students who have difficulty using pen and pencil.
Various kinds of text and related practice exercises can be easily
tailored to each student's individual needs and preferences, making the
educational experience richer and more effective for both teacher and
student.  Pre-schoolers can explore letter sounds and words in the
context of their personal experience.  Primar=school children learning
English can write their own stories, experimenting with sounds, words,
and ideas.  Being able to experiment with language and express ideas
helps students build their self-confidence. Students with learning
disabilities and communicative disorders have the same needs for
self-confidence, experimentation, and reinforcement as other students
do.  By using Talking Text Writer, they benefit from an infinitely
patient tool repeating material to be learned, and allowing them to
try new things at their own pace.
Contact:
Scholastic Software
Department JS
730 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
[phone]


Special thanks to Richard Barth, SYSOP of Handicapped Education
Exchange BBS for these additional listings:

CHATTERBOX Voice Learning Systems
29 Elk Ridge Lane, Dept. B
Boulder, CO 80302
[phone] or [phone]
Producers of software and computer peripherals featuring speech
recognition; includes speech synthesizer for student to hear the
computer "talk;" specializing in products for the blind and
those physically unable to use a keyboard and certain learning
disabilities; Apple ][+, ][e and ][c; IBM PC.


Educational Technology Publications
720 Palisades Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
[phone]
This "Educational Technology" magazine is for managers of change
in Education; published since 1961, subscription is $69/year;
reviews new hardware and instructional software based on actual
classroom use.  Also reviews Foundation reports, conference papers
and other professional literature.


Peal Software
2210 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 806
Santa Monica, CA 90403-5784
[phone]
Programs for early language acquisition; developed by Dr. Laura F.
Meyers, a USC researcher in linguistics and child language disorders;
also the author of numerous papers in those fields. Software is
specifically designed to teach language skills to children with
a developmental age of 18 months to 8 years old; programs run on
Apple ][e or ][+ with disk drive and monitor; requires the Echo
Speech Synthesizer; the Apple ][c requires the Cricket Speech
Synthesizer.


ABLENET
Cerebral Palsy Center, Inc.
360 Hoover Street, Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55413
[phone]
ABLENET is a program of the CP Center based on simple technology
used as assistive learning devices (ALDS).  Will help a child/adult
with a severe disability to control the environment; currently
available is a round plastic switch connected to a 2 to 90 second
timer, when the user touches the large (5 inch diameter) switch
any electrical device plugged into the timer is turned on; on time
can be permanent or according to the timer setting.


Network Services
1915 Huguenot Road
Richmond, VA 23235
[phone]
CAPTAIN is a software system for cognitive training and
rehabilitation for use with LD, MR, special vocational, stroke
and head injury populations; includes 21 programs run with a
trackball, Apple mouse or Sip 'N Puff headset.  Developed with
staff at Cumberland Hospital for children and adolescents in
New Kent, Virgina.  Software runs on Apple ][e and IBM PC and comes with
30-day money-back guarantee;  designed to improve various types
of attention, visual/motor and conceptual skills using colors
in a game-like atmosphere.  Apple ][ and IBM PC DEMO disks are
available for $10 each.
Questions on using the software should be directed to:
Department of Admissions and Marketing
Cumberland Hospital
[phone] (outside Virginia)
[phone] (in Virginia)



--
Patt Haring    ..!cmc12!phri!dasys1!patth
Big Electric Cat Public Access Unix
New York, NY, USA
"It's man's mission to learn to understand."  -- Vannevar Bush



----------------------------------------------------------------------


To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

            {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

Note: To send mail to someone on FidoNet, include the name and the
net/node number (e.g., 115/777) of the person and send the mail to
Dr. David Dodell at:
   [e-mail]  -or-  ..!philabs!cadovax!gryphon!ddodell

------------------------------

Subject: Re: Voice Synthesizers
Written-by: decvax!decwrl!vox.dec.com!forman (Joan Forman)

In response to the message regarding voice synthesizers, I'd like
the readers to know that Digital offers the DECtalk Grant Program
Through the Grant Program, non-profit organizations or individuals
through the sponsorship of a non-profit can receive a $2500 grant
against the $4200 list price, resulting in a price of $1700 per system.
If anyone is interested in receiving more information about the
DECtalk Grant Program, they can call 1-800-832-6277.

Joan Forman

------------------------------

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Subject:      Handicap Digest No. 140
To:           Distribution List <[e-mail]>




                          THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                               Issue # 140

                      Friday, September 11, 1987

Today's Topics:

*********

                            public library
                    A follow-up on smart modems --
               Byte Magazine: Computers and the Disabled

********

To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

           {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

                                Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                                Bunker Ramo, Shelton, CT
                                [phone]


---------

Subject: public library
Written-by: dasys1!patth@phri (Patt Haring)

Call Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at the New York
Public Library, 166 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10013 and ask for
Ellen Gerson, Senior Librarian - I don't have the phone number handy
or I'd give it to you.  There are "talking books" available to
the disabled and she'll tell you all about what she's got that you
might want.
You might also try Special Education Software Center at 800-327-5892 or
2711 for FREE information about software available for the handicapped.
Their dataline number is 800-772-7372 if you want to dial in and
search for your self.
Good luck.


---------

Subject: A follow-up on smart modems --
Written-by: decvax!ihnp4!homxc!gtk

A follow-up on smart modems --

Phone-TTY Inc. in Hackensack, N. J. advertises a smart modem (CM-4)
that features 300 baud ASCII answer/originate plus 45.45 and 50
baud Baudot for PC communication with TDDs as well as PCs.
Includes software that runs on IBM compatibles (AT&T-6300, Tandy 1000,
Compaq, etc.).

Phone-TTY specializes in TDDs, signalers, light flashers and other
special devices for the handicapped (incl. braille TTY, I believe).
My experience with them has been limited but good.
They are at 202 Lexington Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Phone [phone] (voice or TDD).

G. Kresan
AT&T-Bell Labs
[phone]




---------

Subject: Byte Magazine: Computers and the Disabled
Written-by: Ed Frankenberry <talcott.harvard.edu!CC5.BBN.COM!ezf>
In-reply-to: Your message of Sunday, August 23, 1987

To: Mike Dacus (FidoNet 15/4)
Mike,

The article that you referred to appeared in the September 1982 issue
of Byte.  This was a "theme" issue devoted to the topic of Computers
and the Disabled.  It includes an article entitled "Braille Writing in
Pascal" by Alfred Fant that contains a Pascal program to print Braille
output on a line printer with a soft platen.  Since most printers strike
the paper from the front, the program actually translates input to Braille
that's reversed (left to right).  After printing, the paper is turned over
and the impressions become raised dots in the normal direction (right to
left).  The program is fairly simple and could be readily translated into
computer languages other than Pascal.

While looking for this article, I came across another issue that may be
of interest.  The March 1986 Byte contains articles on the theme of
"Homebound Computing" including an article by Aries Arditi and Arthur
Gillman on "Computing for the Blind User."

        hope this helps,
        Ed Frankenberry
        ([e-mail])


--------


To join this group or have your thoughts in the next issue, please
send electronic mail to Bill McGarry at the following address:

            {decvax, philabs, yale, fortune}!bunker!wtm

Note: To send mail to someone on FidoNet, include the name and the
net/node number (e.g., 115/777) of the person and send the mail to
Dr. David Dodell at:
   [e-mail]  -or-  ..!philabs!cadovax!gryphon!ddodell

********
                 End of Issue # 140 of the Handicap Digest
********
Subject: AT&T ENABLES
Written by: [e-mail] (Dick Summerford)

Hi Everyone,
    You've all probably seen the AT&T commercial in which a
teenage girl, who is hearing impaired, & her mother learn what
TDDs (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf) could mean to the
young girl.  The commercial ends with two Toll Free numbers.
    Though I'm not hearing impaired, I have difficulty utilizing
the telephone as a result of limited dexterity.
    I called the Toll Free number & reached:

                AT&T National Special Needs Center
                2001 Route 46, Suite 310
                Parsippany, New Jersey  07054-1315

                    1 [phone]
                    1 [phone] TDD Users

    I was very impressed while visiting with the AT&T employee &
was sent a product catalog which covered a full range of items for
use by users with Special Needs.

 * Origin: Dial Success - El Paso TX - [phone] - Fido (1:381/28)
EN-BY--
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