WIPO Diplomatic Conference

Today the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) starts its two week (17th -28th of June) Diplomatic Conference to conclude a Treaty to facilitate access to published works by visually impaired persons and persons with print disabilities, in Marrakesh, Morocco.

An IFLA delegation, including representatives from the CLM Committee and the Section for Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities will be present during the negotiations for the Treaty during this time. IFLA representatives will be joined by colleagues from Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) and the Library Copyright Alliance (LCA). Prior to the conference, IFLA and other leading library organisations have issued a statement stressing the importance of a workable Treaty. Libraries will be at the heart of implementing the Treaty and need an suitable framework to best serve their visually impaired and print disabled users. We hope that the coming two weeks in Marrakesh will be successful and that an effective treaty will be concluded.

You can follow the meeting via livestream, textstream or on Twitter (hashtags: #WIPO or #books4blindtreaty). We will be providing more feedback as the Conference continues.

Smart 911

DC Mayor To Introduce New 911 Emergency System; Allows Users To Build Online Profiles

https://www.smart911.com/news-article.php?p=1360#.UXVD3qKsjTo

The University of Glasgow is conducting a test of a new audio captcha. 

https://secure-hamlet-3770.herokuapp.com/experiment/

http://www.gatewayfortheblind.com
Gateway For the Blind offers a wide variety of adaptive technology resources to the blind community in Missouri and the nation. Their purpose is to evaluate the needs of a visually impaired person for employment in a field they are entering. To prepare them for education with the proper training in the use of adaptive hardware and software, and mainstream applications.

Eyes On Success

http://eyesonsuccess.net/
This half-hour weekly audio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across the US and Canada, via 3 internet streaming services, and to everybody else as a podcast at the link above. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US, 8 Canadian provinces and over 80 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey and distributed by WXXI Reachout Radio in Rochester, NY.

BARD Detailed Modifications Summary

Please check out this detailing of recent changes to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's Downloadable Books and Magazines online system, BARD, which stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download:
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/NLS/NewBARDOverview.html

Assistive Technology Survey

We are an independent group of engineers and scientists conducting a short survey to better understand where and how individuals want technology assistance in daily life activities. Responses will be used to inform design decisions as we develop solutions to improve quality of life. All answers are confidential and for internal informational purposes only. We thank you in advance for volunteering your time and for providing insightful information.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFp1X203aTFySFJ2ZTZ1blh1b1JNaXc6MQ

http://www.androidaccess.net/

Welcome to Android Access, your portal to information on accessible Android apps and programs for the blind and visually impaired. We're excited to be a part of the Android community, and look forward to your comments, feedback, and submissions.

Vision Support Lunch & Learn: “Living With Low Vision: The Journey”

Join Elinor Waters, PhD, gerontologist, as she shares personal and professional insights.
When: Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Where: Friendship Heights Village Center
4433 South Park Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
Call 301-656-2797 to reserve light lunch.
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington®

Low Vision Holiday Tea & Talk: “Better Light for Better Sight & More”

Join Joan Gilliard, Low Vision Occupational Therapist, and learn strategies for enhancing your daily living skills in the New Year.
When: Thursday, December 13, 2012
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Charles Beatley Central Library
5005 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA
Free parking
For more information, call 703-746-1702 or \202-234-1010.
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington®