Tommy's Tidbits
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BRAILLE UPDATE
A Pocketful of Sound
A Quick-Start and Buyer's Guide to Accessible Book and Music Players
By Anna Dresner
In braille & PortaBook, $14
Have you ever wished you could carry a whole library of CDs or audiobooks with you to college, on your commute, or on vacation? It's now possible to do just that, in a device that fits in your pocket. But there are so many choices it can be hard to know which one of these cute little gadgets you should buy.
'A Pocketful of Sound' will help you decide. Author Anna Dresner describes and compares many of the most accessible players, including the Zen Stone; iPods; layers running Rockbox; the Olympus DS-30, Ds-40,and DS-50; the Victor Stream; the Icon; and many others. She uses the same checklist for each product, so you can quickly compare their features. You'll learn how to get the most out of your player with detailed descriptions, basic instructions for use, and tips for power users. Anna has given each of these products a good work-out, and shares her personal opinions on each in a "Would I Use It" section .
Also included are brief sections on the media-playing capabilities of notetakers and cell phones, information about how players organize music, links to tutorials and other resources, and sources for downloading music and books.
So whether you already own a player or are considering your first one, this book will help you rock and read the way you want to.
Check out the table of contents: http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/POCKET.html
Source: The National Braille Press, 04.02.08. -
HELP FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
How difficult life would be if a person couldn't use the telephone because of a disability? Tennessee is one of a few states addressing the problem and improving the quality of life for thousands of Tennesseans, Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) Chairman Eddie Robertson said today.
The TRA provides free specialized equipment enabling more than 1,800 Tennesseans to communicate via telephone during the 2006-07 fiscal year that ended June 30. Since 2002, the TRA has given communications devices to nearly 8,500 Tennesseans who otherwise could not communicate via telephone.
"A citizen's quality of life and safety depends upon being able to communicate over the telephone to the outside world. Through the vision and leadership of the General Assembly governor, Tennesseans needing a helping hand are receiving assistance," Robertson said.
The General Assembly established Telecommunications Devices Access Program (TDAP) in 1999. The TRA has distributed more than $1.8 million worth of devices since the July 2002. The program initially was aimed to help individuals with hearing loss, vision and speech disabilities. The General Assembly expanded the program in 2004 to people with any disability.
Citizens with questions about how to apply for TDAP assistance should call 615-741-3939 or 1-800-342-8359.
The TRA's mission is to promote the public interest by balancing the interests of utility consumers and providers.Info: www.state.tn.us/tra
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CLEANING OUT YOUR CLOSET?
WHERE TO DONATE UNWANTED ITEMSMost people know that they can give unwanted items to Goodwill and The Salvation Army, but there are other, smaller charities that make use of specific items, including... (note: clicking on a link will open a new page.)
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Children's and teen's books.
Give to the East Tennessee Technology Access Center's literacy projects.
Source: ETTAC, 856-2159-0130, www.discoveret.org/ettac.
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Prescription eyeglasses.
Sends used glasses to developing countries. Drop them at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, BJ's Optical, Sunglass Hut or Lions Club.
Source: Gift of Sight, 513-765-60000, www.givethegiftofsight.com.
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Cell phones and rechargeable batteries.
Refurbishes and resells them, and part of the proceeds goes to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Drop-off sites: Best Buy, Circuit City, Lowe's, Sears and Target.
Source: Call2Recycle, 877-273-2925, www.rbrc.org/call2recycle.
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Coats.
Distributes outerwear to those in need.
Source: One Warm Coat, 877-663-9276, www.onewarmcoat.org.
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Musical instruments.
Distributes used musical instruments to underprivileged children.
Source: Hungry for Music, 202-479-2810, www.hungryformusic.org.
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Computer.
Give working laptops, desktops and printers to nonprofit agency.
Source: ETTAC, 865-219-0130, www.discoveret.org/ettac.
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Business clothing.
Provides clothing for job interviews to low-income men.
Source: Career Gear, 212-577-6190, www.careergear.org.
Does the same for women.
Source: Dress for Success, 212-532-1922. www.dressforsuccess.org.
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Gowns and shoes.
Gives dresses and shoes to needy high school girls for their proms.
Source: Fairy Godmothers Inc., 215-675-9391, www.fairygodmothersinc.com.
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Luggage.
Gather luggage for foster children who move from home to home.
Source: Suitcases for Kids, 203-877-0300, www.suitcasesforkids.org.
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REX, THE TALKING BOTTLE
Ever wish your prescription medication bottle could tell you the directions for taking the medicine inside?
Wish no more!
Rex, the Talking Bottle, verbally identifies bottle contents through the simple push of button and allows you to hear information about your medication.
Source:
MedivoxRx Technologies.
5001 Baum Blvd., Suite 770
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
866-RX-TALKS (798-2557) -
EXCEL for the Blind
The Hadley School for the Blind has a new course on how to create and use Excel spreadsheets. This tuition-free course is available in Braille, large print and online and enables you to practice working with spreadsheets at your own pace in the privacy of your own home.
Prerequisites include the following: familiarity with the computer keyboard, ability to type, basic math skills, access to a computer with Windows 95 or a later version, Excel software, 1995 version or later and word-processing software (e.g., Word, Notepad, etc.). This course is open to students in the Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs. Contact Student Services today to enroll in this course at 800.526.9909.
Courses are available to students who are visually impaired, family members, and professionals. Visit us on the Web at www.hadley.edu.
Source: Hadley School for the Blind, 10/27/2006. (Clicking this link will open a new window). -
APH LAUNCHES NEW PE WEB PAGE
The Parent/Teacher Resource for Children with Sensory Impairments is set up as a place to exchange ideas among those who want to create activity programs for individuals or groups who are blind, deaf-blind, or who have low vision. It lists adapted physical education programs, adapted athletic/sports organizations, equipment resources, sport camps, articles, toys and games, books, and services available on the national, regional and state levels.
For more information or to submit additional resources, visit www.aph.org/pe.
(Clicking this link will open a new window). -
MATH TRAX FREE SOFTWARE
Math Trax is a FREE computer application from NASA that helps students who are visually impaired to understand math. Its text descriptions and "audio graph" allow students to "see" and "hear" mathematical equations, providing access to information that might otherwise have been unavailable to them. To download and learn more about Math Trax for both Windows and Macintosh, visit http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/mathtrax. (Clicking this link will open a new window).
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New ADA Braille Sign-Making System
Everything you need to create great ADA Braille signs. Powerful rotary engraving machines using the Raster Braille method. Plastics, metals, sign stock, and tags are ready for delivery. http://www.gravograph.com/ (Clicking this link will open a new window).
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LARGE TYPE Mailing Kits
Very Truly Yours makes extra-large label kits to aid seniors and low-vision individuals in sending mailings independently. The kits include bold-type labels, a binder with zippered pockets for each addressee's labels, an easy-grip pen, and a bag for keeping stamps. Contact Very Truly Yours, LLC at (717) 334-0330.
http://www.verytrulyyourspak.com/ (Clicking this link will open a new window).
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Assistive Technology Helpline
The Chicago Lighthouse has established a telephone assistive technology support line. The toll-free number for the new service is 1-888-825-0080. They will assist with any hardware or software relating to assistive technology as long as the customer is visually impaired or calling on behalf of someone who is visually impaired.
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Federal Student Aid Publications
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, has a variety of information resources available for blind and visually impaired students considering enrolling in or currently enrolled in education beyond high school.
The Student Aid Audio Guide contains a 60-minute overview of the department's federal student aid programs and the federal student aid life cycle including eligibility criteria, application procedures, notification of results, loan repayment options, and deferment and cancellation provisions.
To hear it, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/audioguide, or order a CD copy by calling 1-800-433-3243. (Clicking this link will open a new window).
Additional publications are available in Braille through the toll-free number.
*Information contributed by Tommy Bedwell, an ETTAC employee who has a dual sensory impairment (deaf and blind).