Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind ceases production of its Braille and cassette versions Nov 09

Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind ceases production of its Braille and cassette versions in November 2009.  http://bit.ly/4MLv8V

Massage Therapist

Story about Mandy Somer, a massage therapist who is visually impaired.
http://www.ketv.com/news/21694886/detail.html

Mika Pyyhkala from Prague

Listen to an audio of Mika Pyyhkala ording a cab via SMS using his Nokia cell phone in Prague.  http://www.utterli.com/u/utt/u-MTAyODMxNzE

Brice Mellen

Brice Mellen is a whiz at video games such as Mortal Kombat and is blind.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-07-28-blind-gamer_x.htm

Entombed Online Role Playing Game

Driftwood Audio Entertainment is a company specializing in games for the blind and visually impaired.
Entombed is Driftwood's first project and has been in development since early 2008. In Entombed, you battle to escape a deep and brutal dungeon. Having been thrown into the infamous pit, your only option is to trek deeper and deeper within hoping to find a passage that returns you to the surface. Along the way you'll face menacing goblins, ogres, living statues and countless other fantasy creatures. Choose from several unqiue professions including fighters, mages, rangers, fortune tellers and more. Uncover secret rooms, magical equipment, and hidden features.
Entombed is currently in beta testing and free to play. Download the game from the downloads page and post your comments to the discussion group.

http://www.blind-games.com/default.aspx

News From Top Tech Tidbits

The Eyes-Free mailing list exists to discuss accessible apps for the Android phones:
http://groups.google.com/group/eyes-free

J.J. of BlindBargains.com has unearthed five free games you can play un Twitter: Word of the Day:
http://artwiculate.com/
Trivia
http://twitter.com/twrivia
Calculations
http://twitter.com/twitbrain
Word unscramble
http://twitter.com/beatmytweet
And Tweetstone
http://twitter.com/tweetstones
Stevie Wonder is holding another House Full ofToys benefit concert, with proceeds going for adaptive technology which is donated to students throughout the US who cannot otherwise afford it. Last year's applicants who did not receive equipment will receive first priority. Nine companies have also donated equipment to the fund.
http://www.senderogroup.com/hftform.htm

Here is an article about the free Dragon Naturally Speaking app for the iPhone:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/08/dragon-dictation-comes-to-the-iphone-wow/

Total iTV is a web site offering what is said to be a growing collection of audio-described movies and tv series, both in English and Spanish.
http://www.totalitv.com/

All inPlay BlackJack is now ready. To celebrate, everybody can play the six games at All inPlay free until the end of the year, and there will be six 24-hour tournaments between 18 and 23 December.
http://allinplay.com/

A short interview with Michael Curran, one of the developers of NVDA, is temporarily available for download here:
http://www.rphadelaide.org.au/links/VE.mp3

SeroTalk Tech Chat 44 gave lots of ideas for Accessible Gifts Under $50 http://serotalk.com/2009/12/11/serotalk-tech-chat-44-accessible-gifts-under-50/

An effort is afoot to allow for sharing of special-format materials, primarily braille and DAISY, across borders, thus potentially giving all blind people access to more literature.
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2009/article_0055.html
Not surprisingly, many interests in the US oppose this plan:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/blind_block

Watch Your Favorite TV Shows Online

From the fredshead blog: New in Fred's Head: Watch Your Favorite TV Shows Online
http://bit.ly/5DIfnU

Accessibility DC

The next Accessibility DC meet-up will be Tuesday, December 15, 2009, from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Adaptive Services Division.

Audio Magazinies

National Talking Express

National Talking Express is a magazine with charitable status distributed on cassette for the blind and visually impaired.

Soundaround Online

An international interactive audio magazine for blind and partially sighted people.

Infosound: Information about living with sight loss

Free, impartial and relevant information for anyone in the Uk living with sight loss.

iPhone Accessibility review:

iPhone Accessibility review:

http://www.nillabyte.com/blog.php?b=280

Adaptive Technology Programs for November at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

The Novemeber 7th Saturday Technology Training Session from 1pm to 4pm will feature Brian Hurley, External Affairs Program Director for the National Industries for the Blind demonstrating iPhone accessibility, the BlueAnt Bluetooth wireless headset, and the Senseview Duo portable CCTV with distance capability.  Also, Charlie Crawford, former Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind will also be there to talk about open source technologies and discuss the ACB convention that took place in Baltimore this past weekend.


The Tuesday November 17th, 6pm to 8:30pm AccessibilityDC meeting will be the first meeting of that group which is a regular monthly meeting that will be held on the third Tuesday of every month, from 6pm to 8:30pm in room 215 Adaptive Services Division at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Suggested topics for the meeting include web accessibility, employment, and adaptive technology, but the agenda is open and topics should be generated by attendees of the meeting.


The November 21 Saturday Technology Training Session, 9:30am to 4pm, will be the Foundation Fighting Blindness regional conference which will include talks on recent developments in the treatment of retinal conditions in the morning, and a tour and overview of Adaptive Services in the afternoon.

BarCampDC3 November 14th

BarCampDC3: www.barcampdc3.eventbrite.com November 14th, 9:30am - 5:30pm, A Level (Basement) and the second floor East and West Lobbies of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. This conference is not specific to Accessibility or Adaptive Technology but is a more generally focused technology conference. BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering where people share and learn in an open environment. Topics are suggested for discussion, but there is no set agenda until everyone gathers. The event will feature discussions, demos, presentations and interaction from participants. Most of the regular attendees of BarCamp are developers/designers/geeks/ and social media minds from the greater DC area but everyone is welcome. Expected attendance is about 250. The only stipulations from the organizers are:


* Powerpoint is BANNED. That means NO SLIDES. This variable is meant to encourage active conversation rather than passive presentations.


* Sessions must focus on something you're passionate about.


* We've created a Twitter Swear Jar - each time you reference Twitter in a session you will have to contribute $1 as a common donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. Feel free to abuse this rule - one dollar can serve 5 meals!


BarCamp DC is an ad-hoc unconference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference) and is part of the larger BarCamp (http://barcamp.org/) movement. While there are topics suggested for discussion, there is no set agenda until everyone gathers. Attendees are required to participate to some degree: either by leading a discussion, showing a demo, or by creating another type of collaborative session.

AbleGamers Game Accessibility Day 2010 conference

Participate in the largest event dedicated to game accessibility to be held as a pre-conference event at Games for Health 2010.
http://ablegamers.org/game-accessibility-day-10.html

Paratransit Operator Honored by International Association

Adepegba "Tony" Abiodun was honored by an international association for his work as a paratransit operator for Challenger Transportation of Gaithersburg.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/10212009/nortnew200922_32532.shtml

Article on Online Gaming for people who are blind

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4112725.stm

News from Top Tech Tidbits

1) JFW version 11 has been released to coincide with today's release of Windows 7. The first screen reader to ship on a dvd, it features better support for web pages written using ARIA,the new research feature, and a free DAISY reader.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWS-whats-new.asp

2) Every Thursday evening stateside, GMT Friday at 01:00, Serotek holds its Tech Chat via its Accessible Event software. This week, at 01:00 Friday 23 October, the chat will concern Windows 7, focusing on little-known configuration options. Archives are always available.
http://serotalk.com/

3) Speaking of the Tech Chat, the last one featured a lively discussion of users' favorite iPhone and iPod touch apps.
http://serotalk.com/2009/10/15/serotalk-tech-chat-37-favorite-apps-for-iphone-3gs-and-ipod-touch/

4) An accessible YouTube page has been created. It probably works best with later versions of screen readers. It features keyboard shortcuts for playing and controlling videos as well as lots of control over the screen display for low vision users.
http://tube.majestyc.net/

5) Google has an accessibility page which features tips for accessing the many programs and services Google offers and recent blog posts about increased accessibility.
http://www.google.com/accessibility

6) Google is seeking participants for a usability study to help them test the accessibility of their products for people with impaired vision.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEFpUm5NQjA5QVdVcGJ0Y19

7) Jamal Mazrui has updated his powerful Twitter client McTwit to version 2.5, adding lots of utilities to use Twitter to find useful information.
http://EmpowermentZone.com/mtsetup.exe

8) Recent programs from the Main Menu series are now available, and will presumably be made available soon after broadcast, in the archive site http://mainmenu.acbradio.org

9) The Klango network is updated to version 3. This free worldwide online network purports to offer many audio features, a growing number of utilities, a version of its software for Synbian phones, and lots of networking. Here is an audio presentation:
http://simplito.com/klango3.mp3

Top Tech Tidbits

If you are not already signed up, sign up for Top Tech Tidbits listserv. They have great Adaptive Technology related information.
http://www.flying-blind.com/ttt_enews_archive_2009.html

New Version of NVDA

NVDA is a free screenreader. Download the newest version from the following link:
http://www.nvda-project.org/

Accessibile Games for the Visually Impaired

http://www.accessibility.nl/games/index.php?pagefile=visual

AccessibilityCampDC 2009

AccessibilityCampDC, an informal conference on web accessibility, happened at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday October 10th.

For a recap check out http://j.mp/2NhXUE

For links to the presentations online go to: http://bit.ly/4iZZ2y

NFB and ACB Conventions

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) State Convention for Washington DC will be held at the Channel Inn on the DC Waterfront, and starts Friday night October 9th, 2009 at 6 pm with NFBDC Has Talent followed by an auction. Saturday October 10th, 2009 the convention will resume at 9 am with a host of presenters to discuss, employment, services and education. The Cost is $40.00 for Registration and Lunch. Contact information is available at:
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/DC_resources.asp

The American Council of the Blind Mid-Atlantic Affiliates Convention will be held at the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Marriott Conference Center starting at 5pm on Friday October 29th and resuming at 9am on Saturday October 30th and then again on Sunday October 31st, 2009. The theme is ‘Live, Learn, Leverage’: learn new skills, participate in hands-on workshops, and explore technology for better living. Some presentations will include accessible U. S. paper currency, Mac accessibility, Twitter, Facebook, Google Voice, Skype, Match.com, and BookSense. Registration is $75 and available at: http://www.regonline.com/acb_mid_atlantic_affiliates_convention

October Events in Adaptive Services Division of DC Public Library

October 3rd:

Korey Singleton from George Mason University will talk about free and low cost Adaptive Technologies for DAISY conversion, screen reading, and Learning Disabilities, as well as demo the Pulse Smart Pen. http://accessibility.gmu.edu/ Janice Rosenberg from the Foundation Center will talk about accessible grant writing, the Adaptive Technology Workstation at the Foundation Center and their grant writing classes. http://www.foundationcenter.org/washington/



October 17th:

Burt Levy from the White Cane and More Store will demonstrate various Adaptive Technologies including the SmartView Synergy CCTV from Humanware http://www.yellowbot.com/the-white-cane-more-store-silver-spring-md.html

Michael Hingson will do a short Skype demo of the KNFB Mobile Reader with the N86 Nokia cell phone http://michaelhingson.com/newsite/

Jack Wood from AIBinsee will demo the EyePal, a portable scanner and reader, the EyePal solo, and ZoomEx a portable scanner, reader and magnifier, and talk about horse back riding for people who are blind or visually impaired. http://www.abisee.com/



October 10th:

9:30am-5:30pm is Accessibility Camp DC 2009. Register at www.accessibilitycampdc.eventbrite.org AccessibilitiyCamp DC 2009 will be held in the second floor east and west lobbies and Adaptive Services Division of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. This is an informal, user-generated conference on the topic of web accessibility, where professionals. Mostly web designers, share information about accessibility in a series of presentations and discussions that will be scheduled the morning of the event. The presentations will probably be mostly technical in nature, but everyone is invited to attend and encouraged to participate by either sharing information about how to make webpages accessible, or sharing concerns about web accessibility. The model for this event is barcamp www.barcamp.org At past accessibility camps, topics have included:

508 Compliance
Practical Ways to Make Your Website Accessible
Accessible PDF's
Making Flash Accessible
Web Accessibility Initiative
Accessible Video and Transcription
Issues Effecting Individuals with Disabilities on the Web
Captioning

25 most popular websites for Blind and Visually Impaired

BlindBargains.com has begun a survey of the 25 most popular web sites for the blind and visually-impaired.
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=4405

BBC iPlayer

David Bales has produced another of his guides for JAWS users, though they will benefit most any screen reader user. This one demystifies the BBC iPlayer:
http://tinyurl.com/q58knt

Career Fair for Individuals with Disabilities

U.S. Department of the Treasury
Career Fair for Individuals with Disabilities
and Disabled Veterans
Friday, October 9, 2009
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Washington DC - Invitation Only (See below)
Treasury has identified career areas where they may be hiring in the next 6 months. In order to ensure that the event is most beneficial to candidates seeking employment, Treasury will review all registrations and invite those candidates with skills in these career areas to the fair.

Registration is required.

Visit http://www.cessi.net/treasurycareerfair09 to register.

earn@earnworks.com
www.earnworks.com

Accessible World

Accessible World is an archive of podcasts on new technologies like the EyePal, a portable scanner and reader, and the Orator screen reader for Blackberry:

http://www.accessibleworld.org/

Learning Disability Resources

A list of links to Learning Disability Resources from the Friends of Quinn website: http://www.friendsofquinn.com/share/c/39623/1098/adults-disabilities/2

Accessibility Camp DC

Accessibility Camp DC

October 10th, 2009
10am – 5pm
Second Floor
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC

Accessibility Camp DC is an informal conference on Web Accessibility where computer professionals and people who use Adaptive Technology gather to educate each other about the issues around internet access for all. It will consist of a series of presentations and discussions held on the second floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on October 10th from 10am to 5pm. All who are interested in Web Accessibility are welcome, however please be aware that many of the presentations will be aimed at a technically-oriented audience. For more information go to the website www.accessibilitycampdc.org or contact Patrick at the email and telephone listed below. If you need accommodation in order to participate, please see our accommodation statement at the end of this email.

We expect between 100 and 150 people and about 20 presentations in 4 spaces, the second floor East and West lobbies, the Adaptive Services Division, Room 215, and their adjacent learning lab. The presentations will start at the top of each hour, at 11am, 12, 2, 3, and 4pm.

Some presentation topics will include:

· 508 Compliance
· Practical Ways to Make Your Website Accessible
· Accessible PDF's
· Making Flash Accessible
· what is WAI-ARIA - (Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
· Accessible Video and Transcription
· Panel Discussion on “Issues Affecting Individuals with Disabilities on the Web”
· Captioning

The agenda is as follows:

10:00am -- introductions and scheduling of concurrent presentations
11:00am -- first presentations
12:00noon - second presentations
1:00pm -- lunch
2:00pm -- third presentations
3:00pm -- fourth presentations
4:00pm -- fifth presentations
5:00pm -- clean-up

The DC Public Library encourages persons with disabilities to participate in our programs, services and Board of Trustees meetings. If you have questions about physical access, need handouts in alternate format, or require American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Venetia V. Demson, Chief, Adaptive Services, by email: lbph.dcpl@dc.gov, phone: (202) 727-2142, videophone: (202) 559-5368 or TTY: (202) 727-2255, Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5 pm. Please request accommodation as early as possible, but at least 7 days in advance of the meeting, so that proper arrangements may be made. If you have requested ASL interpretation or other accommodation, and find you cannot attend, please contact us promptly to cancel your request.

CAREER EXPO FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

sponsored by
CAREERS & the disABLED Magazine
Washington, DC
November 13, 2009
Ronald Reagan International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Meet with Fortune 500 Companies and Government agencies looking to recruit new talent.

You must pre-register in order to attend the Annual Career Expo.

http://www.eop.com/cdinfopage.html

New Technologies:

New Technologies:

Eye-Pal is a portable instant scanning/reading machine for the blind and deaf-blind that allows output to a Braille display and speech.

Zoom-Ex is a 1 lb instant reader, magnifier, and book scanner.

Zoom-Twix adds a second camera to zoom up on the teacher or blackboard and captures images with a single keystroke, eliminating a lot of note taking. Students love that, and it is an advantage over sighted colleagues.

K-NFB reader demo

K-NFB reader demo at the White Cane and More Store in Silver Spring MD, Tuesday September 15 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Wednesday September 16 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The address for the White Cane and More Store is 8720 Georgia Avenue, room 302. 301-589-0866. please rsvp

Joint Utility Discount Day

The annual Joint Utility Discount Day (JUDD) will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Thursday, September 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. Low-income residents of the District of Columbia can apply for discounts and financial assistance on their utility bills.

Please be sure to bring the following documentation:

· Picture ID

· Proof of Income for all members in the household

· Social security cards

· Copies of all utility bills (electric, water, gas, phone)

· Copy of Rent Receipt or Lease only if gas is included in rent.

For those individuals with a disability or those individuals who are homebound, Energy Office suggests that the application be completed and sent to their office at: DC Energy Office-Reeves Center 2000 14th Street, NW, Third Floor Washington, DC 20009-4484. Application can be found at http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/frames.asp?doc=/ddoe/lib/ddoe/energy_div/pdfs/Assist.Application.pdf. After October 1st, these individuals will be contacted for an office appointment or home visit appointment. However, the best method to ensure timely processing is for arrangements to be made to deliver the application to the office prior to October 1st. For more information, call DDOE’s Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6700.

What Can YOU Do?

http://whatcanyoudocampaign.org/
The What Can YOU Do? Web site is the centerpiece of the Campaign for Disability Employment, which seeks to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Through outreach and public education, the Campaign aims to encourage employers and others to recognize the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to the workplace, as well as the dividend to be realized by fully including people with disabilities at work.

Disability.gov

Awesome resource:
Disability.gov

People with Disabilities Hiring Fair

Federal Aviation Administration / Department of Transportation People with Disabilities Hiring Fair
Monday, August 10 2009, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Holliday Inn Capitol 550 C Street SW
http://www.hireheroesusa.org/events/icalrepeat.detail/2009/08/10/39/-/MGM4NGU4Nzc1NDIzZWVjMzNkZjUxODRjNjliMzhiZTU=

Blind students test-drive experimental vehicle

Blind students test-drive experimental vehicle
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009579542_blindcar01.html

Saturday Session summer break

Saturday Technology Training Sessions in the Adaptive Services Division of the DC Public Library will be on hiatus until Saturday September 19, when they will continue as regularly scheduled on the first and third Saturday of each month from 1pm to 4pm in room 215 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Happy Summer Vacation!

Disaboom!

The online disability community with information about adaptive sports, accessible travel, or any other disability-related topic, welcome!
http://www.disaboom.com/

David White - NFB Training Center Louisiana

Listen to David White's testimony about his experience at the NFB Training Center in Louisiana.(click 4 Button to listen to video)

Gail Snider performs Platonov

Come to a play starring Gail Snider as the lead role in Chekhov's Platonov as a part of Wild Honey production at the Calvary Baptist Church. 755 8th St NW. Washington, Tuesday July 21 at 7:30pm. For more information call the DC Public Library Adaptive Services Division at 202-727-2142, or www.theatrelab.org.

Listen to NFB conference live

listen to ACB conference live

12th Annual Job Opportunities Fair

Thursday July 16, 2009, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW Washington DC, 9:30-3pm, Must bring proof that you are a DC Resident, Drivers License, Non Drivers ID, Voter Registration Card, Pay Stub, Utility Bill, Lease, Interactive Workshop 9:30-11am, Job Hunting in the Electronic Age, Apprenticeship Training, Dressing for Success, Jobs Available as early as this summer, Federal Govt jobs, 12,000 stimulus jobs, Construction Jobs, Jobs for recent College grads, bring copies of your resume, public transportation - Mt. Vernon Square, 7th st. Convention Center, Red line Gallery Place/China town, Circulator 66,70,71,79,80,96,G2,G8,P6,X2 DC Residents only

Montgomery County Public Libraries AT meetings

Montgomery County Public Libraries
Disability Resource Center

Learn and share about Adaptive Technology

On the 4th Saturday of each month the Disability Resource Center will host meetings to learn and share experiences and information about technologies for people with disabilities. The meetings are free and open to the public – no registration required.

Saturday, July 25: Speech recognition – how it works, and is it right for me? 1-3 pm, with further informal discussion until 4 p.m. In the first floor meeting room of the Rockville Library.

Saturday, August 22: Digital Talking Books and Downloading Books 1-3 pm, with further informal discussion until 4 p.m. In the first floor meeting room of the Rockville Library.

Saturday, September 26: Disability Resource Center Open House – a variety of programs and speakers at the Rockville Library, including orientations to the Rockville computer lab.

Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave. (in the Rockville Town Center), Rockville 20852

For more information or to request ADA program accommodations, contact 240-777-0001, TTY 240-777-0902, or drcinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov.

STTS Saturday June 20th

1 to 4pm

National Youth Leadership Network and EARS for EYES

http://www.nyln.org

www.earsforeyes.info

411 Services

Call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-766-7411) for free business telephone number information anywhere in the US. This service also dials the number for you after you get the one you want.

Call 1-800-FREE-411 (or 1-800-373-3411) for free residential telephone numbers anywhere in the US. The draw-back is that you must listen to advertisements before you get your number. It will repeat the number (once the correct one is located) as many times as you say the command which prompts it to do so.

Article on Finding Employment

This article on finding employment is from the American Printing House Fred's Head blog: http://www.fredshead.info/2006/07/meeting-challenge-of-finding.html

EZ PAY - MetroAccess PrePay

EZ-Pay is an electronic system that allows you to prepay your MetroAccess fare by phone or the Internet using a credit or debit card. You’ll never have to carry postcards or pay with cash or tokens again. Simply prepay with EZ-Pay, then show your MetroAccess photo ID to the driver when you board the vehicle.

https://www.eztransport.com/WMATA/MembersPortal/FAQ.asp

National Library Service Digital Talking Books

Download NLS talking books to your Victor Stream or ICON:
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/nlsbardprod/index.cgi

Empowerment Zone

Information, ideas, and software related to Jamal Mazrui's interests and the theme of empowerment.

http://www.empowermentzone.com/

Interesting Blog

Interesting Blog
http://www.blindgal.com/

BBC Ouch

Ouch! is a website from the BBC that reflects the lives and experiences of disabled people. It has articles, blogs, a very busy messageboard and an award-winning downloadable radio show - The Ouch Podcast). It's aimed at those with a stakehold in disability: family, friends, professionals and, rather importantly, disabled people themselves - without whom all this would be a bit meaningless.

There are many ways to join in, comment and add value by posting your personal experiences or helpful tips. Ouch! often likes to use humour and doesn't dodge issues with fancy politically correct language. And the Ouch team are themselves disabled.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH6rCff0MJA

Hows Your News?

Hows Your News? MTV show that follows five news reporters with mental and physical disabilities around the United States.
http://www.howsyournews.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgW7eVI5iYA

Frontline Disabled Sports & Recreation

Frontline Disabled Sports & Recreation is an outreach ministry of McLean Bible Church, McLean VA. We enjoy sports and outdoor adventures in an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. Activities include, but are not limited to, camping, fishing, biking, snow/water skiing, boating/canoeing, and much more. You don’t have to be a member of our church. This is a way that we use sports as a ministry and we are trying to advance that to include individuals with disabilities as well. Give us a chance, even if it may be the case that you enjoy sports and are looking to make new friends and network. Please visit our web site for more information and if you would like to participate, be sure to fill out the form at the bottom half of the page so we can register your information and contact you about upcoming events! This is for us to see how many individuals we have interested to see if we can get some activities started soon.

Our web address is:
http://www.frontlinedc.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=29039

BlindTreasures

Blind Treasures Listserv for used Adaptive Technology deals. As with all online sales services you need to be careful when purchasing anything online. http://www.blindtreasures.com/

101 Phones

For telephones fitted to your specific needs go to:
http://www.101phones.com/

Worldwide Adaptive Technology Helpdesk

Ray Campbell talks about the Adaptive Technology Helpdesk hotline available worldwide:
http://tinyurl.com/d4axnn

Hadley School audio seminar archive

Check out these audio seminars from the Hadley School.
http://www.hadley-school.org/2_f_past_seminar_hadley.asp

American Federation of the Blind Career Connect

American Federation of the Blind Career Connect, check it out! --http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=7

Gospel Music Concert

Come to a Gospel Music Concert fund raiser for the National Federation of the Blind Captial East Chapter on April 25th at 5pm. The concert will be at 5301 North Capitol Street NE Washington DC at the intersection of North Capitol and Riggs Road at the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Author's Guild Protest

Follow Author's Guild protest at: http://twitter.com/pyyhkala

Adaptive Technology Helpdesk hotline

Ray Campbell talks about the Adaptive Technology Helpdesk hotline available worldwide: http://tinyurl.com/d4axnn

Digtal Talking Book Machine preference list

Confirm that you are on the new Digital Talking Book Player preference list by calling 202-727-2142, in order to receive your new DTB player as soon as they come out. Veterans and Centenarians get first priority.

Sighted Tutor Training and Volunteer Pizza Party

Sighted Tutor Training - April 25th, 11am to 1pm, room 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Pizza Party for all Adaptive Services Division Volunteers, April 25th, 1:30pm to 3:30 pm.

Cell Phones and Accessibility

Cell Phones and Accessibility

http://www.youtube.com/user/afb1921

Twitter

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Search for "patricktimony" and then look at the "following" list for Adaptive Technology related Twitter users.

http://twitter.com/

Blog your Life

The following is a video blog on blogging from the Watha T. Daniel Public Library. Screenreader users tab into the flash movie until you get to the "Play Pause" button and press the space bar.



The Watha T. Daniel Blog:
http://wathatdaniel.blogspot.com/

Victor Stream Content

The following are provided as examples of Internet sources for books, newspapers, podcasts, music, and electronic texts that can be downloaded and transferred to the Stream. HumanWare makes no promises as to the accuracy, quality, or availability of these sources.

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/support/find_content_for_stream

Thanks for attending grand opening of Adaptive Services

Thanks to all who attended the grand opening of the Adaptive Services Division. Over one hundred people attended for guest speakers, tech demos, exhibitors, an art exhibit, American Sign Language Story Hour, Sign Song, Therapy Dogs and more. It was a great success!

Another Top Tech Tidbits newsletter:
http://www.flying-blind.com/tttenews/03262009/index.html

GW Micro founder gives a technical talk on screenreaders

GW Micro founder discusses the evolution of screen readers on the desktop and the nature of the challenges we face as we start addressing similar issues in the context of rich internet applications.

part 1 http://video.yahoo.com/watch/357221/2224574

part 2 http://video.yahoo.com/watch/357225/2224611

Chikodinaka's World

Check out Chikodinaka Oguledo's Youtube post from the Saturday Technology Training Session March 7th 2009 in the Adaptive Services Division of the DC Public Library:

Screenreader users tab into the flash movie until you get to the "Play Pause" button and press the space bar.

Games and Social Networking

The top 25 gaming and social networking sites for people who are blind:
http://www.7128.com/top25/topsitesblind.html

Job Links

Two interesting links: One is to the Workforce Recuritment Program for college students with disabilities. The other is to the Computer Accomodations Program at the Pentagon. Patrick

Workforce Recruitment Program:
www.wrp.gov

Computer Accomodations Program at the Pentagon:
www.tricare.mil/cap

The Zone BBS

Another awesome social networking site for people who are blind or visually impaired:
http://www.zonebbs.com/index.php

Social Networking sites for people who are blind or visually impaired

Check out BlindSpots, a social networking and dating site for people who are blind or visually impaired.
www.blindspots.net

Hadley Seminars

Check out these awesome audio sessions from Hadley including Dating, Decoration, Cooking and more:
http://www.hadley-school.org/2_f_past_seminar_hadley.asp

Saturday Technology Training Session, February 21st, 2009

This Saturday Technology Training Session will feature Burt Levy from the White Cane and More Store in Silver Spring demonstrating the Moshi Clock and the My Reader 2. http://whitecaneandmore.com/ . Sammy Clay from the Veterans Administration will demonstrate the Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Mobile Reader, the Colorino Talkinig Color Identifier, and the ID Mate Bar Code Scanner.

ATIA's AT Video YouTube Contest:

ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) Video YouTube Contest: Broadcast Assistive Technology

OVERVIEW : Create a Video Celebrating Ability Using Assistive Technology:
The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) (http://www.atia.org/) is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2009. As part of the celebrations ATIA is hosting an AT video contest on the popular YouTube web site. ATIA invites you to create a short video that presents an inspiring story about how assistive technology has helped to change the life of an individual with a disability and helped to empower them to change their world.

DATES: The contest is open from February 1 - July 31, 2009.
PRIZES:
Grand Prize - trip to the ATIA 2009 Chicago Conference (October 28-31, 2009) including travel and hotel expenses.
Sub-Category winners receive $400 gift certificate (American Express or Visa).
Runners up receive complimentary registration to ATIA 2009 Chicago or ATIA 2010 Orlando (January 27-30, 2010)

http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3560

Top Tech Tidbits

Top Tech Tidbits is an archive of weekly Adaptive Technology news.
http://www.flying-blind.com/ttt_enews_archive_2009.html

Fred's Head Database

The Fred's Head Database contains tips, techniques, tutorials, in-depth articles, and resources for and by blind or visually impaired people.
http://www.aph.org/fh/index.html

Nominate a student to receive Adaptive Technology

Nominate a student to receive equipment from the Stevie Wonder House Full of Toys benefit concert

The 13th Stevie Wonder "House Full of Toys" fundraising concert was held December 13, 2009 in Los Angeles. This is the sixth community-giving program Sendero has spearheaded.

Nominations are open for students and young folks who could benefit from this technology and who could not otherwise afford it. A school or small organization may also apply where the equipment might be used by more than one student.

One thing that is a bit different from the past two years is that we would like to hear from the student as well as the teacher who is nominating him or her. In this season of giving, the application asks for one page or less with a story or essay about what the student has done or is doing to give to others.

Nominations are open through January 31, 2009

http://www.senderogroup.com/hftform.htm

February 7th Grand Opening Canceled

The Grand Opening of the newly renovated Adaptive Services Division at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, which was scheduled for February 7th, will be canceled, and instead there will be a regular Saturday Technology Training Session on that day from 1pm to 4pm in the new learning lab in room 215, featuring two presentations that will be announced shortly on this blog.

SAVE THE DATE!
Please join us for the first ever

Disability Power and Pride Inaugural Ball

Sunday Evening, January 18, 2009

7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

National Press Club

529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC

Grammy Award Winning Musicians! Dancing! Great Food!
Special Guests! Commemorative Memorabilia!

Black Tie Optional

Individual tickets are $100

Tickets are available on first-come first-served basis and may sell
out quickly

Sponsorship levels and benefits include:
• $500- recognition and 1 ticket
• $1000- recognition and 2 tickets
• $5000- category recognition in all print materials and 5
tickets
• $10,000 –category recognition, acknowledgement from the
podium, commemorative branding, 5 tickets and a donation of 5 tickets
to youth with disabilities and others who could not otherwise attend
• $25,000 –category recognition, podium speaking opportunity,
commemorative branding, 10 tickets and a donation of 10 tickets to
youth with disabilities and others who could not otherwise attend
If you would like to be listed on the first round invitation as a
sponsor of the Ball, please notify us of your intention and
sponsorship level no later than noon on 12/1/08.
Special thanks to our Supporters and Sponsors as of
11/25/08:
$5,000
FoxKiser
$1,000:
Rayna Aylward & Edward N. Bomsey
Bender Consulting Services
Stephen Bennett & Craig Ferrier
Tony Coelho
National Coalition for Disability Rights- Jim Ward & Marcie Roth
Doug Rogers
Kate Seelman
Martha J. Toomey
$500:
Sam Bagenstos
Allan, Jan and Dina Bergman
Ann Cody
Susan Daniels
Yoshiko Dart
Steve Eidelman
Dan Fisher
Arlene Mayerson/DREDF
Bryon R. MacDonald
Susan, Jamal and Nicole Mazrui
Shelia Newman
National Rehabilitation Hospital Center for Post-acute Studies
Becky Ogle
Barb Otto
James B. Reed
Jeff Rosen
Fred Schroeder
Lauren Spiro
The Strahan Family
In Kind:
Natalie P Shear and Associates (event planning)
Joel Snyder (audio description)
Sign language interpreters, CART and assistive listening devices will
be available.

The National Press Club is easily accessible via Metro.

For further information, to purchase tickets by credit card or to
become a sponsor, please contact:

Natalie Shear Associates

1730 M St. NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036

Phone/TTY: (202) 833-4456 X101 or 800-833-1354 Fax: (202)
833-2116

Email:
npshear@aol.com

Please make checks payable to: WOW! DISABILITY BALL and mail to
Natalie Shear Associates

Saturday Technology Training Session January 17th

The next Saturday Technology Training Session will be on January 17th from 1 to 4 pm in the newly renovated Adaptive Services Division room 215.

Mel Demissay, Adaptive Technology Specialist at Woodrow Wilson Public HighSchool, will demonstrate the Kurzweil 1000 scanning and reading system and will talk about a computer literacy program for teens who are visually impaired that he will be working on in collaboration with the Library, Columbia Lighthouse and Inclusion Research Institute this spring.

Eva Britt, a lawyer, a former member of the Mayor's committee on Persons with Disabilities, and Ms. Wheelchair 1986, will be talking about disability rights, the constitution and self esteem in relation to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Inauguration of Barack Obama.

Free White Canes

The National Federation of the Blind is distributing free white
canes to blind residents of the United States and Puerto Rico,
regardless of their ability to pay. Canes are available in the
following lengths: 53, 55, 57, 59, 61 or 63 inches. Individuals
may request one free cane in any six-month period. For more
information on the use of the long white cane and the National
Federation of the Blind's free cane program, fill out an online
application at
www.nfb.org
or download the application and mail it to:
Free White Cane Program
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230;

Phone: 410-659-9314.