Disaboom Tech & Tools Articles

Talking Tools for Low Vision

Kathryn Arbour — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:53:00 GMT

Exie, age 92, is facing rapidly deteriorating eyesight with a fast-moving type of macular degeneration. She enjoys life immensely, so has not let this condition wear her down. For the past five years, Exie has approached the problem as the scientist she is, researching the options, trying out various tools, attending seminars and talking to folks of every type to mine what they know.

Paul, age 13, has retinitis pigmentosa. The manifestation of this often genetically inherited set of conditions often occurs later in life, but sometimes children and youth experience its effects early on. He first experienced difficulties seeing at night; now he has tunnel vision blindness, able only to see as if through a small pinhole. His introduction to tools and options is at an early, but dramatic, stage.

How similar are these two individuals, despite the very ends of the age spectrum. When individuals are born blind or become blind as infants, they and their families are introduced to products to encourage independence that are designed specifically for people with no vision. When faced with a condition that causes progressive blindness or low vision, individuals often learn about tools as they need them.

Such is the case with talking products. They are a staple for those who are blind and often come into the lives of others as low vision progressively limits independence. The types of talking products span nearly every facet of daily activities.

For day to day activities, consider choices that help you:
• Tell time. Talking watches and clocks of every type and variety exist. You can find options with female or male voices. One of the most popular clock choices is an atomic clock that adjusts to time zones and time changes easily. Once set you can use the clock simply to tell you the date and time, or you can set alarms to help you manage other functions.

• Cook. Timers and cooking thermometers make your tasks in the kitchen easier. For those of you who love to cook candy on the stovetop, you will be delighted to know that there is even a thermometer to help you stay on top of the ever-changing temperature of bringing sweets to a boil.

• Manage your health. A talking scale can make the difference of managing your weight. Talking blood pressure monitors and glucose monitors are valuable tools in staying healthy or avoiding additional problems.

• Read. Talking books have been a staple for the blind. Those with low vision are discovering just how helpful these services are. Nowadays you can buy your own CD or DVD players equipped to handle talking media.

• Video readers. The CCTV has become more and more affordable for those with diminishing vision. The age of machines that read to you is still emerging, although the options are growing. Ovation, Sara and Extreme Reader are just a few of the major brand names that have come out in front in this field. You scan materials into the reader and it reads back to you. Of course, electronic voices do have their downside.

Choosing a machine that gives you choices will increase the odds that you will find a voice you can understand…and stand long enough to make your way through a book. Be sure to see some of the increasing popular handheld options so you can take something with you to a restaurant or shopping.

As technology continues to expand the frontier of talking tools, you will have reasonable options to consider. The more choice you have, the more possibilities exist for your independence.

Kathryn Arbour, President and Founder of Capabilities, a retailer offering products for independence, health and comfort. Visit the flagship location in Westminster, CO or online at www.capabilities.com for a selection of products for low vision and many other conditions.

Get Free Digital Talking Books and Magazines

Jamie Prideaux, MSLS — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:09:00 GMT

You may already know that if you are unable to read standard print or if you have certain reading disabilities, you can get free talking books through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). (You can read more about this program in my previous article: Free Talking Books Delivered Right to Your Home).

But even better than this, through the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download Project (BARD), you can download some of these same high-quality recorded talking books and magazines to your computer and then listen to them on a digital player. The NLS uses experienced human narrators in their recordings and as a result, produces very high-quality talking books. The audio books are generally a much higher quality than any books you could find in your local bookstore, and NLS regularly adds new talking books and magazines.

Who Qualifies For These Free Downloadable Talking Books?
These downloadable books are offered free to anyone who qualifies for the talking books program. (You will need to sign up for the program if you are not already a patron.) Then all you need to get started is to purchase one of the digital players that will work with the BARD program. There are currently three players you can use:

APH Braille plus Mobile Manager
Humanware Victor Reader Stream
LevelStar Icon

Of these, the Victor Reader Stream is the least expensive and most popular—around $329. If you need financial assistance to purchase one of the digital players, check to see if you qualify for the assistive technology fund (ATF) through the Association of Blind Citizens. The fund will cover 50 percent of the purchase price if you qualify.

What Happens After I’ve Purchased the Player?
After you’ve bought the player of your choice, register for BARD online. Once you’ve signed up for the BARD program, NLS will contact you via email to provide the necessary instructions and log-in information to begin downloading the talking books online. Your local talking books library can assist you with questions or problems downloading the books. There are also several email discussion groups sponsored by NLS, such as BARD-DISCUSS and BARD-SUPPORT, that you can join once you have signed up for the BARD project. (Information about how to join these groups is provided to BARD patrons after they have signed up.) So, if you’ve never used NLS talking books, this is the time to get started! Free digital talking books await!

See Jaime Prideaux's Disaboom member profile

Photos courtesy of humanware.com

Getting Donated Adaptive Equipment

L. Lee Scott — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:36:00 GMT

One of the important needs of people with disabilities is mobility, which often means the use of wheelchairs. There are three main types of wheelchairs: manual or push chairs, electric or power wheelchairs and motorized scooters. The problem for many people with mobility disabilities is that new wheelchairs and scooters are very expensive, and not all insurance programs will pay for them. One alternative is to look for used or pre-owned chairs or donated equipment.

How to Get Preowned or Used Wheelchairs
The first step to getting a preowned chair is to look for programs in your area that provide refurbished, used wheelchairs and scooters. Some organizations provide them at no cost for people who meet their criteria; others may offer them at a set, low price or a sliding-scale price based on each individual's financial situation.

Organizations that Provide Used Wheelchairs
Many organizations receive donated equipment, including used wheelchairs and other medical equipment. Some provide chairs on a national level, while others work in various regions. Most organizations repair and refurbish the scooters before giving them to those in need. The following is a partial list of organizations that provide preowned wheelchairs.

Alternatives in Motion is a nonprofit organization that provides wheelchairs for the uninsured.

Direct Relief International provides requested medical supplies and equipment to community organizations in 140 countries, including the U.S.

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children provides wheelchairs and other equipment to individuals with disabilities living in the Atlanta, GA, area.

Kansas Equipment Exchange provides refurbished, donated medical equipment to Kansas residents.

LifeNets' The Wheelchair Project matches donated, used wheelchairs to individuals who can't afford them or don't qualify for assistance in the U.S.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) collects donated, used wheelchairs and other medical equipment for local MDA "loan closets," where they're available free to people with disabilities caused by neuromuscular disease.

For more resources, check www.mobility-advisor.com/wheelchair-donations.html and www.wheelchairfoundation.org/donate/give_or_receive_wheelchair.php .

Pros and Cons of Used or Preowned Wheelchairs
The most obvious pro to buying or receiving a donated, preowned chair is cost. New wheelchairs cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, and specialized chairs can be even more expensive.

Before you decide on a used wheelchair, consider that unless you can see it and try it, you can't know if a used chair will suit your specific needs. If you can obtain it from a hospital, clinic or your local MDA office, you can be fairly sure that the donating organization will think about your needs and not just the chair.

Be aware that wheelchair warranties, unlike car warranties, aren't transferable to a new owner. Any needed repairs will be your responsibility. Finally, ads in newspapers or on Web sites, like eBay.com or craigslist.org, should probably be avoided, as there is no regulation of these sites. Ads in newsletters or on bulletin boards at hospitals or independent living centers are a better bet for getting a good chair and being able to try before you buy.

(Resources used: http://www.mobility-advisor.com/wheelchair-donations.html , http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/donate/give_or_recieve_wheelchair.php , http://www.mda.org/help/donate/products/html , http://www.mobility-advisor.com/mobility-chairs.html , http://www.thewheelchairsite.com/purchasing-a-used-wheelchair.aspx )

See L. Lee Scott's Disaboom member profile
See L. Lee Scott's Associated Content profile

Purchasing Used Wheelchairs

John Guglie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:22:00 GMT

There are many factors involved when buying a wheelchair, especially if it is used. One of the main factors is how will the wheelchair be used. Will the user be in the wheelchair all the time, for an extended period of time or only temporarily?

If a wheelchair is to be used only temporarily, the wheelchair may not need any customizing. This means that any basic wheelchair will suffice, provided that it meets the user's size and weight requirements. Standard wheelchairs like this only cost a few hundred dollars, so a used one should have a comparatively lower cost.

If the user needs a more permanent wheelchair, they will most likely need a more customized wheelchair, which might not always make a used wheelchair a feasible option.

The more restricted the person's mobility, the more customized a wheelchair the user will need to prevent pressure sores and joint pain due to not being able to reposition their body occasionally. People with more severe disabilities will most likely require customized accessories or wheelchair modifications from a medical supplier. In this case, the money saved by purchasing a used wheelchair is undermined by the additional costs incurred to make it fit the user.

It is a good idea for the buyer to create a checklist of items to inspect before buying a used wheelchair.

Preliminary Factors
There are a few preliminary, time-saving factors to consider before moving forward with the process of buying a used wheelchair.

When first looking at a used wheelchair or reading its description, note its size. It shouldn't be too large or too small for the size of the user and his or her home and vehicles. Consider the wheelchair's weight capacity. Find this information before proceeding.

What to Look For
There are several items to inspect on a used wheelchair to make sure it functions properly and meets the user's needs. Some of these include:

Manual wheelchair: Frame, Wheels, Brakes, Leg rests, Footplates, Armrests, Headrest, Upholstery, Seat cushion

Motorized wheelchair: Controller, Motors, Motorized tilting mechanism, Batteries

If anything is loose, it might just need some tightening.

If customized features are required, inspect the accessories. Know that the accessories probably won't meet every user's needs. Custom parts can be ordered from a medical supplier, or the user may have parts from previous wheelchairs that fit on the used wheelchair.

Where to Buy
There are many sources where you can locate used wheelchairs. Some sources include local newspaper classified ads, local medical suppliers and local centers for independent living. Users can look online at auction sites, like eBay.com and craigslist.org, and the countless suppliers found through search engines.

It is recommended that buyers search for used wheelchairs locally, so they can inspect the equipment before buying. Buying from distant sellers means that the buyer needs to rely on the seller's own description and photos, which might not be completely accurate. This option also runs the risk of damage during shipping.

In summary, there are many pros and cons of buying used wheelchairs, including those listed below.

Pros
-Lower cost (usually)
-Can haggle for lower price
-No need to wait for insurance company
-Immediate ownership

Cons
-No customizing
-No thorough inspection
-No try before you buy (if bought online)
-Shipping fees
-Scams

See John Gugie's Disaboom member profile
See John Gugie's Associated Content profile

Download Free Audio Books and eBooks From Your Library

Jaime Prideaux, MSLS — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:55:00 GMT

Lots of libraries now offer free audio books and eBooks that you can download to your computer or MP3 player. Many of these are compatible with iPods too! Some libraries allow you to download books directly to your MP3 player while in the library. In other cases, you download the audio books or eBooks directly to your computer or MP3 player at home.

The books generally have a checkout period, just like any other book you get from the library. After the checkout period is over, the book is no longer available for download on your computer. (But if you have burned it to a CD or MP3 player, it will still be available on the CD or MP3 player. According to my state library, it is still legal to listen to the books you have downloaded on CD/MP3 after the checkout period ends.)

Unlike the free Talking Books program with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), there are no eligibility requirements to check out the free audio books from your local library, other than the requirement that you must be a library patron.

How do I find out what audio books or eBooks are available in my local area?
To find out what books are available to download from libraries in your local area, first ask your local librarian. He or she can explain what options are available to you. This information is often listed on your local library’s Website.

Lots of libraries use a company called Overdrive to provide audio book and eBook download services. Overdrive’s Website allows you to quickly search to see if your local or state library offers free Overdrive audio book or eBook downloads. (But remember, this will only show you if your local library uses Overdrive for audio book and eBook downloads. If your local or state library does not appear, they may still offer free downloads, but through another company or resource.)

Finally, another good place to discover what free audio books and eBooks are available locally is to look for this information on your state library’s Website. To find your state library’s Website, go to your favorite search engine, and type “State Library of ______”, putting your state’s name in the blank. Then, once you’ve found the state library Website, search for any links about audio books or eBooks.

What if I need help downloading the books?
Many libraries also offer free online or telephone technical support if you have any problems downloading the audio books and eBooks. This is a great way to troubleshoot any specific difficulties you might have getting the audio books or eBooks to work with a screen reader, screen magnifier, or other specialized software you may have on your computer.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get reading!!!

See Jamie Prideaux's Disaboom member profile

Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Disease

Lori Batcheller — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:37:00 GMT

As doctors use brain imaging technology to determine the ideal placement of electrodes in Paul Schroder’s brain, Paul cracks jokes and sings to pass the time.

Once the ideal location is found in the thalamus, the doctors carefully weave the thin wire electrodes through a quarter-inch hole in Paul’s skull, connecting them to a wire that runs down his neck and shoulder and connects with a small, battery-operated neurostimulator inserted under the skin in his chest.

When the procedure is complete, the results are nothing less than miraculous. Paul experiences something he hasn’t felt in years—a freedom from the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

“Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) allowed me to regain the ability to do some of the things that living for 10 years with Parkinson’s disease had made very difficult, if not impossible,” says the 48-year-old Colorado resident. “One of the first notable changes was the smile on my face instead of a blank stare.”

After the surgery, Paul was also able to reduce his medication from 28 pills every day to just 12, drive his car, and once again enjoy fly-fishing.

Paul's History with Parkinson's
Paul was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when he was just 35 after noticing difficulty moving his left arm. First misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy that had gone undetected, Paul received a definitive diagnosis after responding positively to Sinemet, the most commonly prescribed medication used for treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, particularly the slowed movement and rigidity.

Paul says his life went along pretty normally other than his “stubborn left arm” for the first few years. Then he noticed his left shoe wearing out because he wasn’t lifting his foot up and found himself freezing in doorways. By the time Paul was 45, he was taking between 24 and 28 pills a day.

“The disease had pretty much stolen my life,” he says. “I had to quit working and started receiving Social Security disability.” He also got satin sheets and pajamas to help move himself around in bed.

Getting Approved for Deep Brain Stimulation
In 2003, Paul was identified as a good candidate for the relatively new DBS, which was considered a last resort for people whose symptoms could not be controlled by medication. Generally, the risks of bleeding in the brain, stroke, and infection secondary to DBS were considered more dangerous than the symptoms—tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement, and walking problems—of Parkinson’s disease.

The neurostimulator, similar to a pacemaker, delivers electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremor and other symptoms. Paul can adjust the amount of stimulation with a hand-controlled device to fine-tune the effects.

Benefits of Deep Brain Stimulation
One of the biggest benefits to DBS is that Paul can reduce the dosages of medications, which themselves cause many of the symptoms such as involuntary trembling. Since DBS does not damage healthy brain tissue, if more promising treatments develop in the future, the procedure can be reversed, something that gives Paul hope for the future.

Paul's Side Effects of the Surgery
Less than two years after Paul’s first surgery, the DBS had to be removed because of an infection that developed near the wires in his neck. Paul’s body again became a prison. Since his second DBS surgery in 2007, Paul’s symptoms and need for medication have again improved, but not as profoundly as after the first surgery. Despite the roller coaster journey of surgery, recovery, infection, and surgery again, Paul considers DBS a success.

“I wouldn’t trade the two years of relief I had for anything,” he says.

Paul’s journey with Parkinson’s disease and DBS, including close-up footage of the surgery, is covered in the award-winning documentary film, Shaken: a Journey into the Mind of a Parkinson’s Patient, available through Lila Productions.

Producer/director Deborah Fryer, who created the film after realizing how few people understand the disease, is turning the documentary into a full-length feature for PBS that will include Paul’s second surgery and stories of many other Parkinson’s patients.

For more information:
Shaken: a Journey into the Mind of a Parkinson’s Patient

Parkinson’s Support Network

Photos copyright Lila Films

Center for Aging Services Technologies Develops Assistive Technology to Improve Lives

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is a unique organization that is pushing for the development and implementation of assistive technologies that can improve the lives of aging individuals.

This organization focuses its efforts on speeding up the development of needed assistive technology, advocating the mass distribution of proven assistive technologies and supporting the development of other technologies that could benefit both seniors with a disability and the general aging population.

The unique services that this organization provides the aging population are invaluable, and they fill a need that has been somewhat overlooked.

The Center for Aging Services Technologies - Funders
To keep the CAST programs running, several corporate sponsors have signed on to lend their support to the CAST mission. The NEC Foundation of America is one of the sponsors that the CAST has had in the past.

This is a granting organization that offers financial support to nonprofit organizations that work towards meeting the needs of people across the country. The most recent corporate sponsor of the Center for Aging Services Technologies is the Blue Shield of California Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to solving the health care coverage problem in the state of California.

CAST Task Forces and Work Projects
One of the functions that CAST fulfills is the development and implementation of special work forces. These task forces work on issues and needs related to policymaking, pilot projects, standards and education projects. For example, some of the current task forces include: continuity of care document project, electronic heath records/personal health records and web communications. Task forces and work projects are developed on an ad hoc basis and usually are made up of CAST members and sponsors.

Grant Opportunities
Another function that CAST fills is providing people with access to grant opportunities. Some of the grants that have been identified and offered by CAST include the HIT Planning Grant, technology prize grants and economic development grants. New grant opportunities are posted on the Center for Aging Services Technologies Web site.

How to Get Involved
There are several ways that you can get involved with the Center for Aging Services Technologies. The first way is to simply sign up for their e-mail newsletter. This newsletter will be sent to your e-mail account on a regular basis and keep you informed about the latest development, issues, grants and programs.

If you are interested in playing an active role in this organization then you will want to sign up as a CAST member. Your membership will keep you in the loop and provide you with the chance to participate in programs and task groups. If your company is interested in lending its financial support to the Center for Aging Services Technologies then you can sign up as a CAST sponsor.

Finally, you can work as an employee of the Center for Aging Services Technologies. To find available jobs with CAST, you will need to contact the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

See Eisla Sebastian's Disaboom member profile
See Eisla Sebastian's Associated Content profile

Access Board in D.C. Maintains Universal Design Standards

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:56:00 GMT

For those with disabilities, accessibility and universal design can be important issues in more ways than one. A federal agency called the Access Board helps to create and maintain universal design ideas for transportation vehicles, electronic technology, information technology and more. The Access Board also acts as a guideline enforcer to federally funded facilities.

What is the Purpose of the Access Board?
The purpose of the Access Board is to coordinate federal agencies to be sure accessibility guidelines are being followed. Also, the Access Board seeks to create and implement universal design ideas, as well as educate other agencies and organizations on doing so, in an effort to make products and environments accessible to all.

What Does the Access Board Do?
A main function of the Access Board is to develop and maintain universal design guidelines pertaining to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some of these guidelines include those related to transportation vehicles, telecommunication devices and electronic and information technology used by the federal government.

The Access Board also provides many publication materials to reference for information on accessibility and universal design. In addition to these materials, for those needing to learn more, the Access Board provides training in relation to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and standards. These are provided to organizations as a way to educate them on proper compliance. Among other areas of study, there is also training available that covers environmental design, such as in parks, recreational areas and play areas.

Some of the research materials available include those on the topics of accessible play areas for children, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, ADA Accessibility Guidelines, detectable warnings, assistive listening systems, accessible pedestrian signals, accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas and many more.

Research is an important part of the Access Board's efforts as well. Information on completed research projects can be found on the Access Board Web site. Subjects of some of those research studies include automatic doors, swimming pools, accessible exterior surfaces, accessible pedestrian signals and power mobility aids.

Those who feel any federal funded agency in violation of the guidelines set by the Access Board may be relieved to know that the Access Board actively enforces the guidelines. Anyone who feels that they may be a victim, or bears witness to a violation, may find information through the Access Board. If after checking the facts, a violation is suspected, a claim may be filed.

Who Benefits?
Those with disabilities can benefit from the Access Board in more than one way. The guidelines created and maintained by the board can create a sense of security. Also, the board does enforce these guidelines and encourages those who know of or experience a violation to contact them. Aside from the protection that the guidelines offer, people with disabilities can benefit from the products, environments and structures that are implemented with universal design.

Federal agencies and federally funded programs can gain a wealth of knowledge on universal design and disabilities through all that the board has to offer.

Source:
Access Board

See Momie Tullottes' Disaboom member profile
See Momie Tullottes' Associated Content profile

Auto Equipment Manual and Power-Wheelchair Users

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:10:00 GMT

In 1988 I had a car accident. After several surgeries to try to correct damage around my spinal cord, I finally lost the use of my legs. When you use a wheelchair to get around the world, people ask some of the strangest questions.

One question I was constantly asked was whether I drive. This was strange, I thought, because anyone familiar with the area in which I live knows that there is little public transportation available. As everyone knows, availability of transportation is an important factor in self-reliance. Finding and holding onto a job, for instance, requires reliable transportation. The lack of it is one of the factors associated with the low employment levels of people with disabilities.

The question got me thinking about how other people with disabilities deal with the problems surrounding driving. The first hurdle, of course, is getting into a vehicle. Though I use a manual wheelchair, for someone who uses a power chair this could be a major problem.

The Automatic Transport and Retrieval System (ATRS) may be the solution you're looking for. ATRS is the collaborative brainchild of Freedom Sciences LLC, Lehigh and Carnegie-Mellon universities. It is a modular, three-part system: an articulated power seat, a power lift platform that brings the user into the vehicle, and a computer-controlled laser guidance system to bring a wheelchair into a vehicle once the user is secured into the car seat.

A wheelchair seat is not designed to protect an occupant in the same way a car seat is. A crash could propel the occupant out of his chair, causing significant injury. It is far better to drive from a crash-tested car seat. But, many power wheelchair users have difficulty transferring out of their chairs. ATRS helps get you into that seat. Then it does something no other transfer system has ever done before: it stores your chair for you.

Open the driver's door, press a button, and the articulated car seat turns outward and lowers to allow easier transfer. That technology has been around for a long time, but here comes the cool part. Press another button, and a platform is lowered at the rear of the vehicle. Using a device attached inconspicuously to the chair, the user maneuvers his empty wheelchair to the rear of the van. Like magic, the chair is detected by a laser guidance system and drives itself onto the lift platform, which stores it inside the vehicle.

Like everything in life, there are problems with the system. The driver needs to be able to use upper body strength and have significant flexibility in order to get onto the vehicle's driver seat. Freedom Sciences is, however, looking into that shortcoming. They are planning to develop an advanced ATRS for wheelchair users who have difficulty sliding themselves from the wheelchair to the car seat.

The ATRS came onto the market in 2007 at a cost of $15,000-$20,000, a significant reduction from the cash outlay associated with the kind of vehicle modifications (lowered floor, raised roof, chair lock) necessary to allow driving from a wheelchair.

Free “Talking Books” - Delivered Right to Your Home

Jaime Prideaux, MSLS — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:23:00 GMT

Did you know that you may qualify to receive free Talking Books delivered right to your home? The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) offers a free Talking Books program for people with visual or physical disabilities, as well as those with certain reading disabilities.

Who Qualifies for the Talking Books Program
This program sends recorded books by mail to people who are unable to read “standard” (size 12 font) print. In addition, people with physical disabilities that prevent them from holding a book (such as multiple sclerosis/MS, Parkinson’s, and other muscle-weakening conditions) also qualify. (Even someone with a broken arm could temporarily qualify for Talking Books, until his/her arm heals.)

Connect With Your Local Program
To start receiving your audiobooks, you’ll need to fill out a Talking Books application and send it in to your local Talking Books library. (To find your local Talking Books library, call 1-888-NLS-READ.) Although the Talking Books program is a federal program, it’s administered locally through each state’s Talking Books library.

How to Apply
The easy-to-fill-out application asks for basic contact information and what type of books you like to read. (Download an application, or request one be sent to you from your local Talking Books library.) As part of the application process, you’ll be able to choose whether to have books automatically selected for you based on your reading interests, or based on specific titles that you request from the catalogs that will be sent to you after you sign up.

Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll need to have it signed by someone on your medical team (eye doctor, medical doctor, or nurse), or by a librarian. If you have a reading disability, the application needs to be signed by a medical doctor.

Enjoying Your Books
After you’ve sent the application to your Talking Books library, you should receive your Talking Books player and first books in the mail within a few weeks. After that, you simply mail the books back (postage free, using “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped” mail) after you’ve completed them. New books will be sent out when the old books are received. It couldn’t be easier! It’s a great, easy, and fun way to keep up with the latest books or catch up on the classics, so why not sign up for this program now.

Book Review: Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People With Disabilities

Alexandra Fresch — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:18:00 GMT

Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People With Disabilities by Marcia J. Scherer, is an exploration of the complex relationship between people with disabilities and assistive technology. Dr. Scherer, of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and the Rochester Institute of Technology, provides at once a comprehensive history of assistive technology and powerful argument for a person-first approach to the use of that technology.

Her chosen focus is a rare one: how people with disabilities relate to access technology. Scherer explains why people with disabilities so often don’t want to completely replace human assistance with technology. There are issues with privacy, dignity, self-sufficiency, and learned helplessness—but at the same time, there are problems with government benefits, funding, service animals, and the technology itself. She traces assistive technology through the past two decades, then discusses the implications of this technology. In the process, she explains how loved ones can better understand the issues that arise from living with a disability and “needing” these devices.

Scherer discusses how access technology can define the way people with disabilities interact with the general public, which affects their self-image. She compares the different views that people with disabilities hold about compensating technologies and why one third of all access technology is abandoned. Most importantly, she explains how to remedy the problem by making sure the proper product is recommended and purchased.

In Scherer’s own words, this book “shows, how, paradoxically, the more technology became available and the more free from limitations individuals became, the more stuck they seemed.” A unique, well-researched book that will help anyone, with a disability or not, deal with the physical and emotional adjustments to a life with assistive technology.

Publisher: Brookline Books
Publish date: January 15, 2005
250 pages
ISBN-10: 1571290982
ISBN-13: 978-1571290984

Squaring Off with EdgeWrite

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Sometimes it's cool to be a square. That's what Jacob Wobbrock, a doctoral student from the Carnegie Mellon Human-Computer Interaction Institute, discovered. Take a square piece of plastic. Throw a touch-sensitive pad behind it. Bingo—you have the basis for Wobbrock's text entry software, EdgeWrite.

Using a stylus in much the same way owners of PDAs do, people who have typing accuracy problems due to tremors can draw characters on a small screen. Those characters are then translated, by specialized algorithms, into text. The program also includes shortcuts that can be trained to type entire words or phrases.

The EdgeWrite software recognizes the pattern and sequence used to form characters in a box. Users form a character by moving a stylus/mouse/finger in a specific sequence from one corner of a box to another. For each character, the whole screen or input area is considered a box

Now, you may be thinking, "I can't remember a whole new alphabet." Rest assured, Wobbrock considered those of us with bad memories. Because they look similar to standard English letters, EdgeWrite's character patterns are easy to remember.

But, if you need help, a program to assist users to learn the character set is available from the Tampere Unit for Human-Computer Interaction. And, it should be noted, several developers are creating character sets for other languages. For example, Eru Hojin Kim is developing a Korean character set at the Information and Communications University, in Daejeon, South Korea.

"My hand shakes too much to draw accurate characters." No problem. Wobbrock considered that potential problem. There's a great deal of latitude in this program. Characters do not have to be formed with a high degree of accuracy. In this way, tremors and poor small muscle control are compensated for.

Another beautiful thing about this software is that you don't need any new hardware. You can type a letter simply by moving the joystick on your power wheelchair, or mouse on your computer, or stylus on your PDA or phone. That saves you from having to fumble with the often-arduous task of learning to use a new device. It also reduces clutter on your desk and computer screen. And potentially it can offer a new way to plug into and use the text-entry kiosks that have been popping up in malls and airports all over the world.

That latter point is interesting isn't it? Fly out of New York. Send an email to your wife from a kiosk when you've reached your destination. Instant stress reduction! And, the beauty of it is you don't have to struggle with trying to reach the keyboard on one of these kiosks.

What if you use a device like the Eyegaze tracking system that monitors eye movements? There is an EyeWrite version that works in conjunction with these devices, making communication easier.

Finally, the creators of EdgeWrite are open and eager for new applications to be developed. To make that task easier, they've written a DLL (Dynamic-link library), a software component that can be used by programmers to create PC and PDA applications.

Suzanne Robitaille Helps Others Find Success through Assistive Technology

Cherl Petso, Disaboom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:07:00 GMT

After working in multiple Fortune 500 companies, Suzanne Robitaille, 33, decided to move from the fast-paced, fast-track corporate environment of New York City into a freelance-based lifestyle. It’s been four months and she’s loving it.

When asked how she likes being her own boss, Suzanne laughed.

“Wow, that’s not how I think of it at all! Being on my own is the way I can make the biggest impact on myself and others. I need to do what I’m doing now. It makes me feel good—like I’m making a difference.”

Hearing for the First Time

Born in Danvers, Massachusetts, Suzanne lost hearing in both ears when she was four due to spinal meningitis. She moved to New York City in 2000 to make a name for herself as a journalist. She quickly discovered how to make her employers comfortable with her disability by taking night shifts so as to avoid the phone, or educating her bosses on the true meaning of the ADA.

Suzanne received a cochlear implant in 2003. By 2005, her implant had vastly opened up her job opportunities in one big way: she was able to use the telephone.

Working Independently

From Suzanne’s perspective, working independently is a great way for people with disabilities to earn an income and build a career. There’s usually no immediate pressure to disclose a disability when working alone. Suzanne’s advice is to become so skilled at your job that if and when you need to disclose a disability, it will be an insignificant occasion.

However, Suzanne says, it may be necessary to disclose immediately if accommodations must be made. “I know I have limitations. I can’t do conference calls or talk to people in loud environments. So I have to make requests and sometimes people don’t want to accommodate.” This potential of rejection pushes Suzanne to be as qualified as she can be in her field.

Disclosing a Disability in the Office

“Disclosing a disability to a potential employer is huge. To do it right away feels like laying all your cards out on the table.” Suzanne doesn’t recommend disclosing immediately. She feels that the best way to disclose is to put it in the context of the accommodation you might need. Creating an open line of communication with HR or the manager is key. “If you frame it in the context that, yes, you may have a disability, but you just need specific technology to get past it, then it’s not a big deal.” It’s also important to shop around for companies that will understand your needs and accommodate you if necessary. Suzanne lists Google, IBM, and Pepsi, to name a few.

Suzanne has another method of avoiding rejection based on her disability: assistive technology. She advises others to invest all the money they can into assistive technology. “It will help you work faster and stronger and even the playing field a bit.”

Love Affair with Assistive Technology

Suzanne first fell in love with assistive technology (AT) when she started her second New York City job at Businessweek Online. She was originally hired to cover stock market reports, but was soon asked if she wanted to write a weekly column on assistive technology.

“I’ve always had people helping me—sign language interpreters, note-takers, etc.—never technology. It struck me how much independence I could gain through technology.”

Writing about AT was a way for Suzanne to help people with disabilities gain independence. She is fascinated by the way assistive technology can be as simple as a mainstream product used in a special way, but still have a big impact. “Technology has changed my life,” Suzanne states.

Ablebody Website

Abledbody (http://www.abledbody.com) is a project that Suzanne is working on to expand her audience for assistive technology freelance writing. “A lot of my articles get lost in cyberspace. Abledbody is a one-stop place for people to learn and share what they know about assistive technology. We can all learn from each other. Assistive technology is such an enabler.”

Suzanne is also working on an Assistive Technology book due sometime in 2009. Her first book project as a contributor, Reading Lips and Other Ways to Overcome a Disability [Apprentice House, August 2008] came out in 2008.

Suzanne’s blog can be found at: http://profoundlyyours.blogspot.com/. She invites anyone with a question about freelancing or assistive technology to contact her there.

Freedom Machines: A Review

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:25:00 GMT

Freedom. We all look for it in our daily lives. For people with disabilities, especially those who are dependent on technology, it is often hard to feel truly free. Assistive technology provides that sense of independence; but which device fits a particular need? A new television production called Freedom Machines provides answers.

The world of assistive technology is confusing. Freedom Machines, created by Jamie Stobie and Janet Cole, and presented as part of the Public Broadcasting System's P.O.V series, is a great primer. It guides viewers through the maze of available products. Lost the use of your legs and need to learn a new way to drive a car? This program gives you options. Have trouble typing? Here are some solutions.

Presented in a series of short vignettes, real people discuss real life challenges. Candidly showing the difficulties they face, they describe the technological solutions they've found. By no means are the solutions discussed a panacea. Stobie and Cole don't pretend to give all the answers to all the myriad questions, but they do provide a basis for further investigation. Their stated goal: "to take a new look at disability through the lens of assistive technology," is achieved. We see the people before the technology. What most people need is a place to begin their own research. Freedom Machines offers that.

When the "story" opens, we watch Susanna Sweeney Martini riding down the street in a power wheelchair. After a few moments she demonstrates a voice activation program on her computer. She describes training the software and discusses what she accomplishes with it. Susanna says she appreciates the opportunities that adaptive technologies provide her, giving her the ability to explore the world and further her education. In stark contrast, her mother tells us she argued with Susanna's early schools, which would rather have given the technology to "gifted" students rather than a child who had difficulty.

In a disturbing scene, a group of students climbs a staircase on their hands and knees to get into a school building. The voice-over remarks on the ability of adaptive technologies, like stair-climbing wheelchairs, to improve the lives of these and other people with disabilities.

Another woman, Benita Dearmont, who is blind, discusses how her experiences 30 years ago differ from those of today. In the past, she says, blind people might only have been expected to open a concession stand. Today, due to adaptive technology, people in her situation have many more opportunities.

Whenever they read a technology article I'm writing, my family tells me I should include examples and links to the devices I discuss. This is one of the shortcomings of an otherwise very well done documentary. Freedom Machines presents interesting people and technologies. The vignettes show us what people can achieve with the right technologic assistance. What the show lacks, however, is a discussion of where the equipment can be found and what the average consumer can expect to pay for the technology they need.

Freedom Machines will broadcast on local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) channels on Sept. 9, 2008. I urge everyone to tune in. If you miss it, a DVD is available by contacting Janet Cole at JCole@SBCGlobal.net or logging onto www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/freedommachines/index.html. The DVD, with its audio descriptions and text captions, is totally accessible.

Photo caption and credit: Dean Kamen's IBOT mobility system in use. Dean Kamen sees his inventions as ways to allow us to move past what was once thought of as disabling. Photo by Robert Elfstrom.

Students with Disabilities Make Beautiful Music with New Technologies

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:46:00 GMT

As students head back to school this fall, some innovative educators across the country are making strides in the need to serve students with disabilities, including those who want to pursue an education in the musical arts. That’s where a few innovative programs and high-tech tools are entering the picture; they’re helping to transform the way people learn, not only in the classroom, but in libraries, museums, and even cyberspace.

Music Programs for Students with Disabilities
The Music and Arts Center for Humanity (MACH) in Bridgeport, CT, hosts the Summer Institute for Blind College-Bound Musicians.

“Students from around the country come to attend this one-week intensive program to study Braille music, theory, and music technology necessary for the advanced study of music at the college level,” reads the program description. “After this immersion into an academic and musical experience on a school campus, students come away with new knowledge of resources, with a confidence inspired by practicing college living, and with a network of mentors and friends to turn to for help and encouragement as they continue their education.”

The Institute is a program of the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians, a division of MACH that groups music technology for blind musicians and students into two broad categories:

• Software that works with print or Braille
• Software that allows people to produce and manipulate music as sound, including for recording studio work.

Technology for Musicians
GOODFEEL® notation software is one such suite of programs from Dancing Dots that is designed to empower musicians to automatically convert several kinds of music files to Braille. To prepare and transcribe these files with GOODFEEL, musicians do not need to know how to read Braille music.

By combining programs like GOODFEEL with other technologies, schools can meet the varying needs of students in pursuit of a music education. For instance, teachers and transcribers who want to produce a finished Braille product can scan their music using a program called Sharp-Eye.

Next, they can edit the music with a program called Lime and produce the Braille copy with GOODFEEL. Dancing Dots also sells Sibelius, a sophisticated program that can produce publisher-quality print scores.

MusicShop is a program that displays graphic notations to represent pitch and duration. It uses colored bars of varying lengths instead of traditional music notation, which can be confusing. In short, MusicShop can relate sound to what music looks like—it’s no longer limited to what it sounds like.

Though the goal of achieving a truly inclusive educational environment remains a formidable challenge, these are just a sampling of the technologies available to give musicians with disabilities the ability to compose, arrange, and edit music; proofread it (in Braille when necessary); and produce a print version.

By putting these technologies to work, students with disabilities can express themselves, compose, score, arrange, practice, and become successful musicians. And while the access to technology is important in the sense that it enables students with disabilities to pursue careers in music, it also, quite simply, is another step toward independence and inclusion.