A. T. Corner Issue Archive

The A.T. Corner Issues Archive

Introduction (“The A.T. Corner: Intro to The Corner”, 02/21/2008)

Issue #1 (“The AT Corner: Hey.........My Phone Talks, To Me”, 02/21/2008)

Issue #2 (“The AT Corner: Two Senses Better than One?”, 03/06/2008)

Issue #3 (“The AT Corner: Building Engagement and Fun!”, 03/20/2008)

Issue #4 (“The AT Corner: Your PDA Does What Now?”, 04/03/2008)

Issue #5 (“The AT Corner: Your Employee…..More Productive”, 04/17/2008)

Issue #6 (“The AT Corner: Now……You Type What We Said”, 05/29/2008)

Issue #7 (“The AT Corner: I Have That?”, 06/05/2008)

Issue #8 (“The AT Corner: Write it!”, 07/18/2008)

Issue #9 (“The AT Corner: Lookee What Else The Guru Gave Me! Version 9.1 (Guru Talk for Part I)”, 08/22/2008)

Issue #10 (“The AT Corner: Lookee What Else The Guru Gave Me! Version 9.2 (Guru Talk for Part II)”, 10/17/2008)

Issue #11 (“The AT Corner: Lookee What Else The Guru Gave Me! Version 9.3 (Guru Talk for Part III)”, 1/27/2009)

Introduction

The A.T. Corner

Intro to the Corner

column introduction

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday February 21, 2008

Hi…………….welcome to the Assistive Technology (A.T.) Corner, a short e-mail column with tips on using today's technology to better work with and improve the Independence of individuals with disabilities…………and I will be your A.T. guru and guide through this tech savvy world of tools.

I graduated from Grand Valley State University (G.V.S.U.) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration and minor in Information Technology.

As a student, I worked as a technician for the Computing and Technology Support Department. I then did my internship with G.V.S.U.'s Disability Support Department, maintaining and troubleshooting Computer Assistive Technology workstations and conducting emerging A.T. research. In addition, my senior thesis was done on Assistive Technology and surrounding issues.

Bi-weekly, on Thursdays, I will be sharing a tip or news, with uses in education, the work place, and daily life, from the A.T. techie world.

Till the Guru strikes again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topics you would like to see in an upcoming issue, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Back To Contents

Issue #1

The A.T. Corner

Hey.........My Phone Talks, to Me

issue #1

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday February 21, 2008

Here's a new modern day application of technology that was introduced in the 1970’s and I must say, I think shows great potential. Here's a device that can tell you whether a bill is worth $1, $5, $10 or $20, read a restaurant menu to you, interpret a phone book or a fax, can read anything that is photographed, and get this, is the size of a cell phone. Alright, You got me……….It is a cell phone, from Nokia. The smart phone is the next generation of computerized aids for the blind and visually impaired.

What really sets this piece of A.T. Tech apart is that this phone not only has the capabilities of other hand-held scanners such as scan limited amounts of text and read it aloud, the device combines all of those functions in one smart phone, said James Gashed, vice president of business development for K-NFB Reading Technology Inc.

Gashel, who is blind, said in a telephone interview. "I'm talking to you on the device I also use to read things. I can put it in my pocket and at the touch of a button, in 20 seconds, be reading something I need to read in print.

Cost...........well let's say that expected total cost when marketing is planned to begin sometime this month through K-NFB Reading Technology Inc., while not bad, is out of my range.

Those with vision problems are not the only ones expected to benefit from the technology. Dyslexics, for example, are expected to be among the users of the current device because of its ability to highlight each word as it's read aloud, helping them cope with their disability, which affects the ability to read. The highlighting function can also help them improve their reading skills.............and all this from an easy-to-use device that fits in a shirt pocket.

Till the Guru's phone talks again, have a technologically great day!

___________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topics you would like to see in an upcoming issue, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Full Article and Source

Information taken from:

"Cell Phone Can Read Documents for Blind"

by Alex Domingues, January 27, 2008

Posted by Google

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jT7V1AIX2DA1bG3T0WOC5WdevGzAD8UEMCIO0

Article was accessed Wednesday February 20. 2008

Back To Contents

Issue #2

The A.T. Corner

Two Senses Better than One?

issue #2

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday March 6, 2008

Howdy..............the A.T. Guru, that's me, has returned. This week I am displaying in the A.T. Corner a techno, nope.............not the music, package from the Educational Learning and Literacy department.

Word is floating around that when a person has one or more of their five senses diminished, that person's other senses become heightened, and I've seen first hand how true this is.

This computer based literacy program provides basic text-to-speech capability with the ability to read scanned, Microsoft Word, and PDF documents. But WYNN Wizard by

Freedom Scientific is much more than this. Other features include, but are not limited to:

Tools like:

-Word Pronunciation, syllables, prediction

-Dictionary

-Ability to insert collapsible comments (text and voice)

-Highlighting

-Web browser and reader

-Text and web masking (block out those distracting elements)

-Two views

-Text View (the text WYNN reads, text WYNN pulled from a scanned doc)

-Exact view (a digital photo copy of scanned doc)

-Speech settings

-WPM

-Pitch

-Type……………..and more

Because the speed at which I am able to read and, at times, comprehend is diminished due to some nerve damage, this program has greatly benefited me by both speeding up reading time and, because I am able to both hear and follow along, improving comprehension. Two sensory inputs seem, for me, to be better than one!

Guess you could say that WYNN is my nerve continuity booster......................Check it out.

Till the Guru's senses are heightened again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topics you would like to see in an upcoming issue, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Full Article and Source

Not this time...........all words are straight from

the Guru himself but feel free to visit the

links I've provided to the Freedom Scientific

website by clicking on WYNN Wizard and

Freedom Scientific, up in the third paragraph.

Back To Contents

Issue #3

The A.T. Corner

Building Engagement and Creativity!

Issue # 3

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday March 20, 2008

What inanimate object is smart, always blinded by the light (Now I’ve got that song in my head), and boosts employment innovation and educational learning?

Manufactured by Smart Technologies Inc, this tool has both employers and educators jumping with excitement. I see the wheels turning………..ok, drum roll please. The technology that is revolutionizing computer interactivity is a whiteboard that, when connected to a computer and digital projector, becomes a big computer screen and your finger is the mouse, a big touch Screen. They call it Smart Board, or Interactive whiteboard.

Use your finger to double-click on and open the Smart Board software package of tools, directly from the whiteboard. Even before opening the tools, you can control and navigate the computer hooked to it just as if you were sitting in front of it…………..But the software is what really gives it a kick. The Smart Board software has three main features, touching, writing, and saving.

Touching is how you navigate, write, drag (objects and words), and do anything else a traditional computer mouse can do.

Writing can be done at the touch screen via the board’s own markers you can use to write on the board just as you would a regular whiteboard. However, the ink is not on the board, it’s not even ink at all. Here’s one of the really cool parts! The markers, and an eraser, have their own little holders on the board unit. When a marker is taken out, let’s say color red, the board senses that the red marker has been removed from the holder and sets the next touch on the board to show digital red marker ink, whether the touch be from your finger, the marker, or any other object. This setting will remain until another setting is selected. Same goes for the other two markers, respective to their colors, and the eraser (erasing action) mentioned. These writing options, font color and eraser, and more are also available on-screen.

Writing can be done in the Smart Notebook or on top of applications, i.e. circling words. In addition, text you write can be rearranged by dragging and/or converted into typed text, great for notes. Everything is able to be saved, printed, and distributed.

Saving is a great feature here. Content from a regular white board would eventually need to be hand copied for notes, copies, etc. but with Smart Board’s save feature it is effortless to make copies, print, re-visit later, and distribute that same content.

Other features include:

- Page sorter for file management

- On-screen keyboard for inserting text into documents

- Magnifier

And still more!

Till the Guru taps the board again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________________

Short Thought from the Guru in the Corner

“Assistive Technology is, by word reversal, simply technology that is assistive, boosting performance. Although the benefit to individuals with disabilities is great, A.T. can be beneficial to everyone.”

________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topics you would like to see in an upcoming issue, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Article and Source

(1) On-line Encyclopedia description

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_Board_interactive_whiteboard

(2) Smart Technologies Inc. feature showcase of on of the models of the Smart Board

http://www.touchboards.com/smart/smart540.asp

(3) High Tech Services Inc. chart of features available on 1-of-3 computer platforms

http://www.hits-inc.com/SBSoftwareDetail.htm

(4) 5 minute 16 second demo video posted on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqmrIqWQiAw&feature=related

(5) Smart Board Basics Video posted on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US3YVEofotU&feature=related

Back To Contents

Issue #4

The A.T. Corner

Your PDA Does What Now?

issue # 4

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday April 3, 2008

Welcome to a late edition in the Corner.

Today’s business world revolves around the digital world, with a popular device being the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). “Got one in the mail today. It’s only 70 paper clips in weight and only 7.5 centimeters in diameter by 3 centimeters in thickness…………..and no screen.”

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. has a PDA out on the market, TapMemo Voice Activated Personal Data Assistant, that has only three buttons (function, volume up, and volume down), it is, other than the three buttons, completely voice activated, and knows how to use the phone.

Because all verbal commands on the pocket sized voice activated PDA is speaker independent, no voice training is needed so it’s ready to use upon arrival. No assembly required. For the size, this oversized hockey puck has more to it than you might think. Additional main features include:

Memo Pad

30 memo capacity at 1 minute voice recording time for each memo

Phone Book

60 entries, storing the phone number and a 7 second recording each………...but how does it use the phone? Through the magic of today’s micro-chip, just place the unit by a phone receiver and it will dial a number you choose.

Calendar

maxs out at 30 appointments, 7 second voice recording each

Alarm clock

digital and audible

Talking time and date

just a button push and voice command away

Battery low level warning

alerts you when the high capacity battery needs charging............However, the amazing battery will keep your PDA working for 10 hours.

Charging jack

for when a charge is needed……..Four hours and you have a full charge.

Location feature

will speak a short phrase………….simply whistle and the TapMemo will sound off.

Earphone jack

convenient for playback without disturbing others

Belt clip

allows for cell phone like carrying

Don’t know what voice command to use? Just say “what can I say” and the PDA will tell you what commands are expected.

I’ve seen prices for the TapMemo Voice Activated Personal Data Assistant ranging from $159.00 to $185.75. Not bad at all. Get this PDA, a screen reader for the computer, and the Nokia Smart Phone and you’ll be set to hit the office.

Till the Guru talks to the PDA again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________________

Short Thought from the Guru in the Corner

“A.T. is more closely related to accommodation or adaptive technology than assistive technology. Having a disability simply means finding a different way to do some things.”

________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb 2@yahoo.com

Article and Source

(1) Maxi-Aids, Inc. – Products for independent Living

http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?idstore=4&idProduct=6828

(2) Accessible Devices, TapMemo Voice Activated Personal Data Assistant Instruction Manual

http://www.accessible-devices.com/TapMemoManual.html

Back To Contents

Issue #5

The A.T. Corner

Your Employee…..More Productive

issue # 5

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday April 17. 2008

Wouldn’t it allow an employee to be more in tune, and maybe even more productive to the task at hand, if all attention could be focused on what is going on in the meeting or conference rather than trying to divide attention with note/minute taking?

Of course, the answer to this question isn’t always yes but for some with varying disabilities, C-Print, can be an efficient way to take part and interact. Developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), as an efficient compromise to the expensive and complicated stenography commonly used in court proceedings (also now being used in business and classroom situations) to record in text everything word for word, the use of this speech to text method is widespread.

Instead of specially design equipment, with C-Print a standard computer keyboard is used to translate spoken word into text using phonetic, as opposed to spelling based, abbreviations. This method of phonetic use is an extension of auditory listening and therefore easier to learn and not as error prone.

With C-print, a captionist types what is being said by using phonetic abbreviations which is then converted by the computer into whole words. Though this method isn’t necessary word-for-word like steno CART (Communication Access Real-time Captioning) systems, it is still real-time speech to text conversion.

Features of C-Print include:

Voice input by the captionist

Option with Pro Edition, addition to input by abbreviation

Who is talking

The captionist is able the to denote who is talking

Ability to communicate over distance

What is typed by the captionist is immediately available to the audience on another monitor (or several), whether that be in the same room or a few blocks away. In addition, there is a built-in instant messaging system in which captionist and recipients are able to talk to each other by computer.

Notetaking tools

Handy for note enhancement, printing, sending out over the internet, etc.

The whole package is pretty handy…….but it has its pros and cons. See the links provided to see if it’s an option for your employee!

Till the Guru converts speech to text again, have a technologically great day!

__________________________________________________________________________

The Corner is on the Web!

The A.T. Corner had been deemed Web worthy! Copies of issues are now on the World Wide Web.

Click here or go to http://www2.gvsu.edu/~smithb2/TheATCornerIssuesArchive.htm

__________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb 2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) C-Print, How Does it Work

http://www.ntid.rit.edu/CPrint/how_cprint.php

(2) Advantages of Using C-Print as an Accommodation Option for

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (Second Paragraph)

http://www.jsu.edu/depart/dss/cprint/basics.html

(3) C-Print, Bringing Text to Classrooms

http://www.nvrc.org/content.aspx?page=12461&section=7&language=1#CPrint

(4) Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) description via the Communication Information Center sponsored by the National Court Reporters Foundation

http://www.cartinfo.org/

(5) The C-Print Connection, Jacksonville State University

http://www.jsu.edu/depart/dss/cprint/

Back To Contents

Issue #6

The A.T. Corner

Your Employee…..More Productive

issue # 5

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday April 17. 2008

Features of C-Print include:

Voice input by the captionist

Option with Pro Edition, addition to input by abbreviation

Who is talking

The captionist is able the to denote who is talking

Ability to communicate over distance

Notetaking tools

Handy for note enhancement, printing, sending out over the internet, etc.

The whole package is pretty handy…….but it has its pros and cons. See the links provided to see if it’s an option for your employee!

Till the Guru converts speech to text again, have a technologically great day!

__________________________________________________________________________

The Corner is on the Web!

The A.T. Corner had been deemed Web worthy! Copies of issues are now on the World Wide Web.

Click here or go to http://www2.gvsu.edu/~smithb2/TheATCornerIssuesArchive.htm

__________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb 2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) C-Print, How Does it Work

http://www.ntid.rit.edu/CPrint/how_cprint.php

(2) Advantages of Using C-Print as an Accommodation Option for

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (Second Paragraph)

http://www.jsu.edu/depart/dss/cprint/basics.html

(3) C-Print, Bringing Text to Classrooms

http://www.nvrc.org/content.aspx?page=12461&section=7&language=1#CPrint

(4) Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) description via the Communication Information Center sponsored by the National Court Reporters Foundation

http://www.cartinfo.org/

(5) The C-Print Connection, Jacksonville State University

http://www.jsu.edu/depart/dss/cprint/

Back To Contents

Issue #7

The A.T. Corner

I Have That?

issue # 7

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Thursday, June 5, 2008

This week, I point out several simple tools you may not know you have.

Microsoft, developer of Microsoft operating systems (i.e. Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc), has built into their Operating systems accessibility options.

Although the assistive tools included in Microsoft’s operating systems are basic and a far cry from some of the specialized higher functioning assistive software available, they can still be a big help to some users and the functionality within may include just what you or someone you know need to alleviate that certain computerized operation that always seems to get in the way.

All the following tools are located under one of the following paths depending on your operating system and the configuration of the “Start Menu.”

“Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, Accessibility”

“Start Menu, Programs, Accessories, Accessibility”

· Magnifier

Magnifies up to 9x anything on the Monitor in a separate movable resizable window

· Narrator

Very Basic screener that can read menu items, events (such as a button that is clicked), and keyboard strokes – doesn’t work well with all programs and seems to be a little selective

· On-screen Keyboard

Limited functionality on-screen keyboard with some options (i.e. font, keyboard orientation and type, typing mode (i.e. click, hover, joystick, reg. keyboard to type))

· Utility Manager

Single window in which magnifier, narrator, and on-screen keyboard can be turned on and off

· Accessibility Wizard

A step by step interactive guide to configure windows for vision, hearing, and mobility needs (i.e. keyboard, sound, display, and mouse)

These same settings can also be achieved manually via one of the two paths below.

“Start Menu, Control Panel, Accessibility Options”

“Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel, Accessibility Options”

Microsoft has developed additional software, titled Active Accessibility, that, when added or downloaded to your operating system, allows assistive technology programs, WYNN or Dragon Dictate for example, better work with graphics seen on the monitor (called the User Interface), such as:

1. Being alerted when the state of an item on the screen changes (a button is grayed out because it is no longer an option)

2. Altering how an action is carried out (click a push button to drop down a menu and choose a menu command)

3. Finding out the state of a given element displayed (whether a highlighting feature is turned on or off in WYNN)

One last feature I would like to feature (play on words, I couldn’t resist) is the Language Toolbar. This toolbar can be found by right clicking any empty space on the long strip which contains the clock and start menu, going to toolbars, and then select language bar. This toolbar, among a few other features, is a basic speech to text application………….don’t forget to train it though.

Till the Guru points out what you may not know you have again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information:

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) Active Accessibility, description

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms697335(VS.85).aspx

(2) Accessibility downloads

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/bb739826.aspx

(3) How to Use the Language Bar in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306993

Back To Contents

Issue #8

The A.T. Corner

Write it!

issue #8

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Friday July 18, 2008

Misspelling words, using incorrect homophones ((two, to, or too) or more words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings), and/or using less than professional grammar can cast an unpleasant shadow in the work place.

But wait………No need to fear; the A. T. Guru is here and, fortunately, some helpful computer programs too. Following are three programs, with WhiteSmoke being the most advanced.

Inspiration (website)

This is a tool to visually lay out your ideas in several different diagrams and, if inclined, Inspiration will convert your diagram into an outline or visa versa. Inspiration is a great tool if you’re visual, and it also promotes learning and organizational skills. Oh, a spell checker is included.

WYNN (website)

Summarized in Issue #2, WYNN is a literacy software package and one of the areas of aid in this package is writing. This includes features like:

· Spell check as you type

· Outlines to help organize

· Word Prediction, provides spelling suggestions and anticipates your word

· Homophone Search, makes sure you have the correct your, or is it you’re

· Post typing spell check

Several other tools are available to review your writing, among which WYNN will read to you what you’ve typed. In this way you can listen for inconsistencies while following along on the screen.

Please note that the information for Inspiration and WYNN are based on earlier versions and newer versions may contain altered features, most likely enhanced.

WhiteSmoke (website)

· Grammar checker (incorrect verb tense? Broken grammar? They’ll fix it!

· Spell checker that stays up to date with word trends

· Punctuation correction……….Does a comma go here?

· Dictionary

· Thesaurus………….What word am I thinking of?

· Auto correct

and WhiteSmoke is compatible with:

· Microsoft Operating Systems (i.e. XP, Vista, etc.)

· Macintosh Operating Systems

· Microsoft Word

· Microsoft Outlook (contains an e-mail client)

· Adobe (PDF files)

· And Here’s where the email and other typing on the web comes in: Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (internet browsers)

If you aren’t in need of a real high functioning hand up in the world of writing or just want to start simple, consider using features most likely already in your possession. Try the following!

Microsoft Word

MS (Microsoft) Word, in my opinion, offers a very functional spelling and grammar check as well as dictionary, thesaurus, and spell-check as you type. As far as I know, Word doesn’t keep up with current word trends on a regular basis like WhiteSmoke, but you can get updates and/or add-ins (mini-programs that are added to your program for greater functionality) for your version of Microsoft Word as they become available by going to

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX102826141033.aspx?pid=CL100569831033

and selecting your version of Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Outlook

In addition to a calendar, task organizer, and contact storage, MS Outlook is also a client e-mail application. “Client e-mail application” is just a fancy way of saying that the application manages e-mail on your own machine rather than on the internet. Anyway, the point of it all is that Microsoft Outlook uses Microsoft word and all its features to compose e-mail. One of the nice things about client e-mail apps is that all e-mails can be saved directly to your computer, just like a MS Word document.

Outlook Express

Outlook Express is a separate application that is just the e-mail part of MS Outlook but still uses all the writing features of MS Word.

Note: Though WhiteSmoke is the only application compatible with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox Internet browsers featured here, you can copy and paste any writing (i.e. from MS Word, etc.) into your internet based e-mail or wherever any text is entered on the internet. You can do this by:

Highlight the text you wish to copy à Edit Menu à Copy

Highlight the text you wish to copy à Ctrl +C (on the keyboard)

After placing the curser where the copied text is to be inserted, to paste, you can:

Edit Menu à Paste

Page Menu à Paste

(Paste may be under a different menu but these two are the most common)

Ctrl + V (on the keyboard)

I use this method with Microsoft Word for these newsletters. I type the newsletter in MS Word, proofreading and using spelling and grammar checking. I then copy what I’ve typed in Word and paste the text into a new e-mail message.

Till the Guru delivers writing aid again, have a technologically great day!

________________________________________________________________________

In Tech News

A.T. Guru is returning to a bi-weekly schedule. L

________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information.

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) WhiteSmoke Writing Software Website

http://www.whitesmoke.com/

(2) WYNN Users Guide, Ver. 4.0

By Freedom Scientific

(3) Inspiration Users Guide, Ver. 6

By Inspiration Software Inc.

Back To Contents

Issue #9

The A.T. Corner

Lookee What Else The Guru Gave me! Version 9.0 (Guru Talk for Part I)

issue #9

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Friday August 22, 2008

I thought it might be neat and exciting to look at some applications of technologies featured in “The A.T. Corner” issues thus far, peek at what people in the business world are saying, and/or visit some additional options surrounding the subjects touched on in past Guru visits. So…...without wasting any tech time, let us get right to the first installment………………..

First up in the series is an update to the Nokia Smartphone₁ that reads to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a feature from issue #1. In review, the integrated feature that is generating all the attention is the phone’s ability to read from pictures it takes with its five mega-pixel camera.₂

Keep in mind that the Nokia N82 loaded with high function software also offers all the features that are on cell phones out there today (additional functions₃, fifth paragraph) and can transfer files to the computer or Braille Notetakers.

Some reviews on the smartphone package and comments from the business world:

James Gashel, Kurzweil Technologies Inc., is blind, but he can get his caffeine fix with help from his cell phone. "All you have to do is snap a picture of the bag and it tells you”, he says.₄

Mike Hanson, Lawyer - "I'm a lawyer, so I'll use it to read material related to cases I'm working on. "It's next on my list of technology items to seriously consider”, he says.₄

"I find that just doing small things without sighted help gives me a feeling of independence. The potential is just fantastic for this technical camera that talks."₅

-David and Lori Stayer

"I really didn't know what to expect, when I got it. However, from the first picture I ever took I was extremely impressed. [...] the Reader is so handy and portable, it’s really extremely useful."₅

-Cynthia Handel

“From reading phone bills to checking the labels on medicines, the Mobile KNFB Reader has myriad applications for the vision-impaired. During our tests it accurately read letters, multi-column magazine articles and even curved labels on jars and bottles of medicine. It understandably struggles with text written over images. The pronunciation is excellent, although slight punctuation issues mean it occasionally hesitates in strange places. The software is very simple to operate and the voice even pauses to accept incoming phone calls. If you can't see well enough to read, the Mobile KNFB Reader software is the kind of thing that could change your life.”₆

A rather bulky piece of equipment…..0.68 inch thick and 114-gram frame can be a little cumbersome to carry around. Some complain of the tiny alphanumeric keypad however, after a little time mastering it, some people will realize that the keys were designed to lessen the chances of accidentally hitting the other keys. It’s actually easier to type emails and text messages. The phone it cannot read street signs, handwritten texts and signs wrapped around cans or bottles though.₇

I snapped pictures of insurance forms, art books (it reads around pictures), paperbacks, and business cards. Occasionally, spoken words got clipped or mumbled because of the layout of a page or the position of the phone. But the overall accuracy was quite decent. I was impressed that the device was smart enough to read the words in one column before the text in another.₈

“This product is awesome, and as far as blind people not being able to use it, try this. Take a digital camera and a piece of paper, close your eyes and try to take a picture of it. It’s that easy. A little practice and you’re a pro.”₈

“If they are blind how do they know where to point the camera? Even if something is right in front of you, if you cannot see it, how do you know you get a picture of what you’re trying to get a picture of...? Sounds pretty useless to me, neat, but useless as far as the blind community is concerned.”₈

“A good idea but the buttons on the phone are too small for a vision impaired person to use. My mother has age related macular degeneration (the dry kind) and t is heartbreaking to watch her struggle with technology. We've set up her phone with one touch dialing but she could never find the right ones on that phone. The price is still outrageous; hopefully it will come down so people with this disability could actually use it.”₉

I don’t quite have the orientation thing down, as far as capturing the desired image with the phone’s camera, but here is the part I do have under my guru belt.

Users take a picture of a printed text using the Nokia's high-res camera, with a voice-guided recognition system steering them to an optimal framing point. Press a button and "most" printed materials will be easily read in "clear synthetic speech.”₁₀

Ideally, you want to place a book or the text on a flat surface in front of you and hold the phone in the middle, about 10 inches above. But how do you know where that is?

It does not matter whether a page is right side up or upside down. The phone does the orientation determining for you. A few seconds later, the voice clues you in along these lines: "Bottom, left and top edges are visible; 9% filled, rotated 3 degrees counterclockwise", giving you (the user) an idea of where you are in reference to the point of interest.₈

Overall, it sounds as though the Nokia N82 with K-NTB Technology is a success…and I understand there are more features in the works!

Till the Guru gives you more of something else, have a technologically great day!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information.

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) Kurzweil Develops First Seeing-Eye Cellphone [Smartphones]. Tech News The latest in technology. January 29, 2008

http://www.expat.ru/forum/tech-news/61350-kurzweil-develops-first-seeing-eye-cellphone-smartphones.html

(2) http://content.usatoday.com/community/comments.aspx?id=30949104.story&p=2

(3) A Reading Machine in Your Pocket: Introducing the KNFB Reader Mobile Edition. Deborah Kendrick. AFB ACCESSWORLD ® March 2008 Issue.

http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw090206

(4) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18504117

(5) http://www.knfbreader.com/stories.php

(6) http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/05/07/1209839659818.html

(7) http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/how-the-nokia-n82-helps-the-blind-452079.html

(8) http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2008-02-13-nokia-n82-blind_N.htm

(9) http://content.usatoday.com/community/comments.aspx?id= 30949104.story&p=2

(10) http://gizmodo.com/349558/kurzweil-develops-first-seeing+eye-cellphone

(11) Nokia N82 Smartphone Rejiggered to Help Blind, Learning Disabled. James Alan Miller. BlackBerryToday. January 31, 2008

http://www.blackberrytoday.com/articles/2008/1/2008-1-31-Nokia-N82-Smartphone.html

(12) Empower the Hearing Impaired; High-Tech Solutions Help Blind “See” their way in the Business World. Diversity Boston Magazine. Spring 2008

http://www.knfbreader.com/pdf/Empower%20the%20Vision%20Impaired.pdf

(If a box pops-up asking if you what to open the file, it is safe to do so)

Back To Contents

Issue #10

The A.T. Corner

Lookee What Else The Guru Gave me! Version 9.1 (Guru Talk for Part II)

issue #10

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Friday October 17, 2008

Don’t know about you but I’m ready to get back to it! I fell off the face of the earth there for several weeks! I’m pretty sure our predecessors thought the earth was flat…...hmmmmm, maybe on some level there is some truth to that.

Last time I started a series called “Lookee What Else The Guru Gave me” in which we revisit some past issues. For part II of this series, I thought we could have some fun playing some games; well, part of them anyway.

You may have heard about or even played the hottest gaming system on the market. Nintendo Wii₂ uses a special remote control to sense motion, sending that info to the console to make for a truly interactive gaming system. Johnny Chung Lee₃ of HCII – Camegie Mellon University has come up with a very practical use for the remote control of the Nintendo Wii.

If you can remember all the way back to March 20, Issue #3 titled “Building Engagement and Creativity!₄” introduced the Smart board, also known as an interactive whiteboard. Due to the cost of a several thousand dollars, the use of this technology was not very widespread; the cost has just gone way down!

Thanks to Johnny Lee, you can have your own Smartboard for under $100.00 (if you don’t have a Nintendo Wii remote), turn your computer into a touch screen computer, or use the Wii remote as a computer mouse.

Wii Smartboard – Note this will work using any surface

(Instruction from Johnny’s website₅)

You need an infrared pointing device (some assembly required, see video₅ without capacitor or see video₆with capacitor, improving performance and accuracy….find out how and why this helps₆)

Software (also on Johnny’s website₅)

Infrared LED

Switch

Power source

Optional capacitor₆

Wii Remote as a wired computer mouse (Instructional video ₇)

Old Serial mouse

USB cord

Wii Remote as a wireless mouse or (Instructional video ₁₁)

Built-in or adapter Bluetooth for computer

GlovePie Software₁₂

Wii Remote as a controller (higher function mouse) for your computer

Built-in or adapter Bluetooth for computer

GlovePie Software₁₂

Sources eight, nine, and ten are quite helpful too. I found number eight to be very interesting helpful. It is a video exploring the commercial Smartboard versus the Wii smartboard………..5 minutes 49 seconds and worth the time.

So What’s the Application

The Wii SmartBoard has its own large set of beneficial functions, among which is one feature that appealed to me as having the potential to be of great benefit. The Smartboard technology Johnny Lee created can utilize any smooth surface, such as a tabletop, addressing possible vision impairments. Individuals with dexterity issues and those who have trouble with motor function and fine movement could benefit from the touch-screen and Wii mouse option developments. Adding affordable touch-screen technology to an individual’s computer eliminates the need for a traditional mouse, along with the need for a clicking action to interact with one’s computing companion. At the same token, the Wii mouse works by pointing the remote at the monitor and manipulating orientation of the remote in the air. The Wii remote can trace four points simultaneously meaning that multi-point manipulation using two infrared pens, or two fingers in the case of the Wii mouse is possible (As demonstrated at the end of the video for reference #5).

Till the Guru gives you more low-cost tech interaction, have a technologically great day!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information.

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

Source and Reference

(1) Nintendo Wii Gaming System lowdown from Nintendo to you

http://www.nintendo.com/wii/what

(2) Nintendo Wii Gaming System lowdown posted on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii

(3) Johnny Lee’s Website

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/

(4) Issue #3 posted online for a refresher on the Smartboard

http://www2.gvsu.edu/~smithb2/TheATCornerIssuesArchive.htm#Issue3

(5) Wii remote projects link of Johnny Lee’s Website, Second section on page

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/

(6) How to build the infrared touch-screen device for use with the Wii Smartboard via

YouTube.com

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cs-Vwj6hnow&NR=1

(7) How to use Wii Remote as a wired computer mouse

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2KtFVlUaMRA&feature=related

(8) Assessment of Johnny Lee’s Wii Smartboard compared with vendor whiteboards

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BSDxc2kFjms&feature=related

(9) Additional instruction from Johnny in video on YouTube.com

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ

(10) Additional demonstration of tech implication, here’s Johnny, no disrespect to Carson

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKCrGvShZs&NR=1

(11) How to use Wii Remote as a wireless computer mouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01TV6eaVyJA&feature=related

(12) Link to GlovePie software needed for wireless mouse and controller

http://www.wiili.org/index.php/Category:Scripts

Back To Contents

Issue #11

The A.T. Corner

Lookee What Else The Guru Gave me! Version 9.3 (Guru Talk for Part III)

issue #11

by Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

Tuesday January 27, 2009

Hope everyone had a thankful Thanksgiving, a great holiday season, and a very happy new year!

A long time ago in a far away A.T Corner we were two issues into a series called “Lookee What Else The Guru Gave me” in which we revisited some past issues. Today we continue that journey; so………….What else did the Guru give you?

Here’s what some people are saying about the Tap Memo Voice Activated PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, also referred to as Personal Data Assistant) featured in issue #4:

“Is this unit accessible to the Blind and Visually Impaired? Absolutely.”

“I believe perhaps the main reason I'm so pleased with the TapMemo is that it

Does exactly what it promises to do.”

“The voice recognition is the best I've seen. However, as the manual cautions, it works best in a quiet environment. In my own experience it has been right around 95 percent of the time.”

“Priced at $160.00 plus shipping the TapMemo comes in at about $60.00 below comparable products that will do the same job, but probably at least in my opinion not

as well. Between the three of us we have used most of what's available for recording phone numbers, appointments, memos etc. The TapMemo is clearly the best we've found. All three of us have made the statement that the longer we have it the more we like it. If you asked me that knowing what I know now would I buy it again? The answer would be definitely.”₁

“For myself, I like it, but it does have its drawbacks. The voice is of a nice volume, but you cannot hesitate too long in giving commands. As a new user, I found it cutting off on me because I hesitated too long. You also have to put in the area code for every phone number, which I find a bit cumbersome. I like its size and it is easy to lock and unlock the keys. The commands you must learn are few and intuitive. I think that some seniors could use it with ease while others would struggle with it. It is a bit of technology that is not too technical. Smile.”₂

Advantages:

“Fits easily and comfortably into your hand

Simple device layout with the 3 control buttons which are easy to locate.

Good battery life

Voice is loud and clear

Buttons are tactile and easily distinguishable by touch

Consistent command layout between the phone book, memo, and calendar

The ability to go through all entries is a good idea.

The “what can I say” is a good help feature.

The single tone for command and the double tone for non-command is quite distinct.

You can set reminders for your appointments

The features of this device can be learnt in approximately 30 minutes.”₃

Disadvantages:

“Memory capacity is low

Blue buttons on a brown background are a poor contrast

Labels on the buttons are the same colour as the buttons and are very small

Cannot tactually distinguish the power socket from the headphone socket

Cannot adjust speech rate or verbosity

Too many or unnecessary steps required to get information

Cannot be upgraded or reprogrammed via a PC

There are several issues with the voice recognition such as:

When setting the unlocking code to the digit 0 (zero), unit states that the unlock code is the letter o. If you say the letter o to try and unlock it, it will not let you because you need to use the digit 0.

When entering in a phone number, if the unit misheard a number, the user has to start over again. Also when entering a long number with the unit repeating each number back, sometimes easy to forget where the user is up to in the actual number sequence. The unit appeared to have trouble picking up the number 8 (eight).

The voice recognition seems to work well with some people’s voices but not others

This product is most suitable for:

A person who is blind or has low vision who requires an accessible organizer that is not incorporated into a mobile phone. In its current form, it would be most suitable for a home user.

Users who are familiar with voice recognition devices.”₃

Judging from the above and everything else I read, I think the Tap Memo is an overall success, given that it is used in a somewhat quite (low back ground noise) environment.

Under the “Source and Reference” heading at the very end of this issue, other worthwhile links are provided. Five is a link to a low-cost note taking handheld (handheld computer) with DAISY reader and more. Six is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, also referred to as Personal Data Assistant) featuring a braille overlay among other features. On a little side info note, a PDA is a member of the handheld computer family, like a blackberry. The basic purpose of the PDA is to keep track of appointments, notes, address book, etc. while on the go. Computer in the palm of your hand………..quite handy. Seven is an intro to a PDA called The Voice Mate, catering to the vision-impaired user by incorporating full voice recognition.

Till the Guru gets organized with his voice again, have a technologically great day!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Signal Not Getting Through

Having trouble getting that traditional alarm clock to wake you up for work in the morning? Set the alarm on that cell phone, put it in vibrate mode, and slip it under your pillow, inside the pillowcase. I’ve been using this low tech alterative to strict auditory alarms for a couple weeks with success. The idea was first introduced by Brenda Neubeck of the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan at an Assistive Technology seminar in Detroit.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Tech Glitch Fixed

Links, AKA hyperlinks, on The A.T. Corner Archive page on the web related to issues nine & ten have been corrected and work properly. Sorry for this Guru’s Blunder. If you stumble upon a link or links that do not seem to work properly, please shoot a quick e-mail my way to let me know.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact me, the A.T. Guru, with any questions, comments, suggestions, topic requests, or for more information.

Brian Smith, A.T. Guru

b.smithb2@yahoo.com

_____________________________________________________________________________

All issues of The A.T. Corner are also online at http://www2.gvsu.edu/~smithb2/TheATCornerIssuesArchive.htm

Source and Reference

(1) E-mail by Reginald George containing a review of The Tap Memo PDA by The Accessible Devices Team, posted on freelists.org under list “real-eyes”. E-mail review dated Jul. 8, 2007. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.

http://www.freelists.org/post/real-eyes/Tap-Memo-Review

(2) Posted email reply and review of the Tap Memo by Marilee Kenlon on freelists.org, under list “visionrehabtherapist”. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.

http://www.freelists.org/post/visionrehabtherapist/Tap-Memo,2

(3) From an Equipment Evaluation Summary Report of the Tap Memo PDA courtesy of Vision Australia: Blindness and low vision services.

For further information, e-mail info@visionaustralia.org

(4) Vision Australia on the web….the home page

http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/

(5) Maestro, handheld computer manufactured by Humanware. Accessed Jan. 13, 2009.

humanware.com > brail and speech > handheld computers

http://humanware.com/en-new_zealand/products/braille_and_speech/handheld_computers/_details/id_28/maestro.html

(6) New Handhelds Target the Blind By James Alan Miller, Via Pocket PC City. Article dated July 1, 2004. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009. WindowsMobileToday > News > New Handhelds Target the Blind.

http://www.pocketpccity.com/articles/2004/7/2004-7-1-New-Handhelds-Target.html

(7) Voice Mate Organizer - Voice Recognition PDA via Smart Phones Today. Article dated Jan. 19, 2001. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009. SmartPhoneToday > News > Voice Mate Organizer - Voice Recognition PDA

http://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2001/1/2001-1-19-Voice-Mate-Organizer.html

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