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.
Friday, October 30, 2009
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.
* 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
http://ablegamers.org/game-accessibility-day-10.html
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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
http://www.gazette.net/stories/10212009/nortnew200922_32532.shtml
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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
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/
http://www.nvda-project.org/
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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
For a recap check out http://j.mp/2NhXUE
For links to the presentations online go to: http://bit.ly/4iZZ2y
Monday, October 5, 2009
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
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
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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
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
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=4405
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