Posts Tagged ‘Technology’

Blind Users Wanted for Chrome Usability Study

Google is currently scheduling people who are blind for a usability study to take place on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Assistive Technology Teaching and Learning Center in Berkeley. The goal of this study is to learn more about the usability of ChromeOS.

The criteria for the study is as follows:

- be over 18
- be completely blind and use some form of assistive technology.
- have used ChromeOS

If you are interested in participating, please complete the short survey below. They will then schedule appointments on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have difficulty accessing the link below this paragraph, please contact Philip Strain at pstrain@google.com.

Link to survey:
http://goo.gl/MbZvR

Window-Eyes training by GW Micro

GW Micro will be offering a two-day Window-Eyes training at the LightHouse in February. Take the training that the American Foundation for the Blind raved about in their review of Window-Eyes training in the July 2010 edition of AccessWorld (www.afb.org/aw).

If you are a teacher who needs to know how to use the latest screen reading technology, an IT professional who needs to support blind clients, a student or current Window-Eyes customer who needs to know how to get the most out of Window-Eyes; then Window-Eyes training is made just for you.

When: Tuesday, February 7 and Wednesday, February 8
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

What do you get when you sign up for Window-Eyes training?

You get. . .

* Hands-on training with a GW Micro certified trainer
* The entire two-day curriculum on CD
* Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook using Window-Eyes advanced Office technology features
* Knowledge of the Internet and how to use it to its full advantage with Window-Eyes
* Knowledge of how to customize your computer, making graphics, words, and colors speak the way you want them to
* Continuing Education Units (for an additional fee)
* Many more skills. Check out www.gwmicro.com/training for more information

Unlike other training courses that can cost up to $1000 per day, the complete, two-day Window-Eyes training is only $650 per student. Check with your Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) counselor to see if this expense is covered under your DOR plan.

If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Kimberly Cline at 260-489-3671 or kimberly@gwmicro.com for more information.

To sign up for the training, please register at https://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Window-Eyes_Training/Registration/. Make sure to select San Francisco, CA as the location for training. For more information, check out www.gwmicro.com/wetraining.

Technology Seminar: Accessible Gifts – the December Dilemma – 11/15/11

The holiday season is fast approaching, and you’re wondering what accessible gifts to get for that special visually impaired or blind friend or family member. Or maybe you have been good this year and want to buy yourself a gift. Download the podcast and hear what people have to say about:

Apple TV (and all things accessible from Apple)
BraillePen Slim and BraillePen 12 (Bluetooth Braille enabled access tool for your smartphone or computer)
PenFriend (voice labeling system)
Dolphin Guide (simple talking computer software)
The Wilson (digital voice recorder)
iBill (talking money identifier)
SleepPhones (comfortable headphones for sleeping)

Click here to take survey

The December Dilemma - 11/15/11 [ 1:14:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (241)

Give APH Your Input – Survey Deadline Extended to Nov. 15

In 2001, the American Printing House for the Blind hosted a multiple disabilities focus group and conducted its first online survey to identify product needs for individuals who have visual and multiple impairments. The results of that survey guided APH over the last 10 years in the development of products for the visually impaired and multiply disabled population.

This year APH hosted two multiple disabilities focus groups: birth to grade 12 in March and adults in June. Each group helped create a product needs survey.

APH invites you to take the survey that addresses the specific population with whom you work or parent, or the group of which you are a member. The survey links will be available until November 15, 2011.

Children Birth to Grade 12 Product Needs Survey

Adult Product Needs Survey

LightHouse Tech Seminar – the December Dilemma

Listen via streaming at http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/listen.m3u

The holiday season is fast approaching, and you’re wondering what gift to get for that special visually impaired or blind friend or family member. Or maybe you have been good this year and want to buy yourself a gift.

Join the LightHouse for the next technology seminar and learn about the latest accessible high-tech goodies, in price ranges to suit a variety of holiday budgets.

When: Tuesday, November 15, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. PST
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, or by phone or streaming audio

Assistive Technology consultant Peter Cantisani will talk to us about Apple TV. Other topics include the Braille Pen and the Pen Friend. We’ll have demos galore at Adaptations, the LightHouse Store, including “The Wilson” personal voice recorder, the SleepPhone (soft headphones one can wear in bed), and the iBill money identifier. There will be many other gift possibilities, as well.

You can participate in one of the following ways:

• Tune in via live audio stream on our website
• Dial in with our telephone conferencing service
• Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar

RSVP to 415-694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org. Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided with RSVP.

Can You Hear Me Now? Technology Seminar October 6

Join the LightHouse for the next technology seminar and learn about cell phones that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.

When: Thursday, October 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

Find out if a smartphone or a basic phone is right for you. Do you want to join the iPhone craze?  Or maybe you would prefer to use the Sprint Sanyo Vero smartphone or the Verizon Haven basic phone?

Assistive Technology Consultant Peter Cantisani and representatives from Sprint and Verizon will present and answer questions. You can participate in one of the following ways:

• Tune in via live audio stream on our website
• Dial in with our telephone conferencing service
  • Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.

RSVP to 415-694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org. Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided with RSVP.

Give APH Your Input on Product Needs

In 2001, the American Printing House for the Blind hosted a multiple disabilities focus group and conducted its first online survey to identify product needs for individuals who have visual and multiple impairments. The results of that survey guided APH over the last 10 years in the development of products for the visually impaired and multiply disabled population.

This year APH hosted two multiple disabilities focus groups: birth to grade 12 in March and adults in June. Each group helped create a product needs survey.

APH invites you to take the survey that addresses the specific population with whom you work or parent, or the group of which you are a member. The survey links will be available until October 1, 2011.

Children Birth to Grade 12 Product Needs Survey

Adult Product Needs Survey

ILRCSF Assistive Technology Lending Library

The Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco (ILRCSF) is happy to announce the launch of its new Device Lending Library

With support from the Department of Rehabilitation, and as part of the Assistive Technology Network, ILRCSF’s Device Lending Library offers people with disabilities the chance to come in, try out the latest technology, and even bring it home for an extended test run.

ILRCSF has a wide variety of devices available to borrow, including:

Portable ramps, handheld GPS systems, laptops and iPads with a variety of accessibility-related software, and more.

These items can:

• Make home, work and school more accessible;
• Assist in orientation and decision making;
• Serve as loaners during device repair or while waiting for funding.

Contact Derek or Amber to learn more about the program.

Main office line: 415-543-6222

Email:
Derek Zarda: derek@ilrcsf.org
Amber DiPietra: amber@ilrcsf.org

Tomorrow! Freedom Scientific Lunchtime Seminar at Adaptations

Discover the benefits of using electronic vision aids and software to improve activities of daily living at home, school, the work place or just about anywhere. Enjoy a free lunch as Adaptations, the LightHouse Store hosts an informative presentation and hands-on demonstration by Freedom Scientific and Access Ingenuity.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn about and actually use Freedom Scientifics’ new TOPAZ and RUBY video magnifiers, MAGic screen magnification software and new MAGic keyboard, JAWS Screen Reader, as well as the brand new SARA CE and PEARL Camera with OpenBook, lightning fast tools to scan and read printed materials.

Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
When: Tuesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. to noon, lunch included

This educational seminar is tailored for people who are visually impaired and their families, instructors and trainers, seniors and senior center staff, and vision support groups. Attendees are invited to stay for a free lunch following the seminar. There will also be a drawing for a free RUBY Handheld Video Magnifier!

For more information and to RSVP, call us at 1-888-400-8933 or email us at adaptations@lighthouse-sf.org.

There’s an App for That. Booklet Lists Nifty Picks for Blind iPhone Users.

Alameda resident and longtime LightHouse friend Peter Cantisani has long been a champion of finding off-the-shelf technologies that work for blind people.

Peter has just finished a volume on iPhone apps he’s found that can be helpful and extremely affordable. “Twenty-six Useful Apps for Blind iPhone Users” is available for $9 in Braille, eBraille, DAISY and Word formats. Order it here.