HumanWare Group Worldwide CEO Gilles Pepin and Pierre Hamel, Vice President
of R&D for HumanWare To Provide A Unique "Up Close" Look Into Company's
Operations and Vision For Its Future.
Many of you may have heard that the former president of HumanWare Canada has recently become the CEO of the HumanWare Group. Tech Talk has invited Gilles Pepin to join us and discuss HumanWare. Tech Talk participants will hear Gilles talk about his history in the Assistive Technology industry and how he developed his former company Visuaide best known for launching the Victor Reader in 1998.
Jenny goes through the email program on the Icon. She shows how to set up accounts and send and receive. We also discuss many other features in the email program.
Presenter: Woody Anna Dresner, National Braille Press.
Email: adresner@nbp.org
888-965-8965
http://www.nbp.org
Computer users worldwide are meeting the daily challenge of harnessing the
power of Google, the largest, most complete, and popular Internet search
engine available today. Attendees at this week's Accessible World Tek Talk
event WILL BE PROVIDED an introduction to using Google based on the book
"Get Going with Google", which was originally an audio tutorial created by
Jonathan Mosen that our presenter, Anna Dresner, later adapted to written
Presenters:: Walt Kramer Email: wokwest@charter.net and Ken Trebelhorn (lvti@charter.net
)While most people know that Kurzweil 1000 provides blind users access to
printed and electronic materials through its excellent optical character
recognition scanning program, few really know how to use the many other
extremely valuable tools within the software. During Monday's online Tek
Talk training event, sponsored by the Accessible World, Walt Kramer and Ken
Trebelhorn, assistive technology trainers working as independent contractors
LevelStar is pleased to announce that, our soon-to-be-released 1.1 software package
will include support for NLS digital talking books, as well as content from Audible.com.
for a preview of how these exciting new features are to be implemented
on the Icon and Braille +.
Contacts:
Jenny Axler
jaxler@levelstar.com
,Michael Jones
mjones@levelstar.com
Don Wardlow blind baseball color man was our guest in the Sports Talk Room. We shall also discuss Super Bowl 42. John Beaulieu will play an interview of John hannah, former patriot Tackle. he will discuss how he prepares for a big game.
comprehensive overview of the new Microsoft Office 2007 by Karen McCall, M.S. of Karlen Communications, a recognized trainer and consultant on digital environment accessibility. She will discuss many of the features of the software and provide valuable tips for setting up Outlook 2007 for anyone using adaptive technology and how to make the two programs work together better.
Contact: Karlen Communications, Ontario, Canada
Web: www.iprimus.ca/~martha/table.htm
Probably the most talked about topic among computer users of assistive devices is
the inaccessibility of many websites. Unfortunately, for most the talk is just that:
Talk. During the upcoming Accessible World Tek Talk online event, however, you will
have the privilege of meeting a technology expert who has done much more than talk
about the problem. He has developed core technology and led the development of InFocus(tm),
the industry's first commercial software for testing Web accessibility.
Tim Springer, co-founder of SSB Bart Group and the chief architect of the Accessibility
Jenny and Michael discuss a new feature coming to the Icon.
The next version will introduce file sharing on the Icon. We had a lot of
good discussion about this new feature.
A Unique "Up Close" Look Into HumanWare's Operations and Vision For Its
Future, Part 2, and An Update on VR Stream Version 1.2.
Those of you who joined us January 7 for the special Tech Talk featuring the
up close look at HumanWare with Gilles Pepin, CEO and Pierre Hamel Vice
President of Research and Development may remember that Pierre was unable to
complete his presentation due to Internet issues that disrupted the
Accessible World broadcast. Pierre has graciously accepted to repeat that
presentation for us February 18.
Rick Harmon, a recognized technology trainer, will discuss and demonstrate Callburner
and several other recording methods now available.
Contact Rick Harmon at his webpage and podcast feed at:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net
or his web Blog at
http://blind-geek-zone.blogspot.com/
Email:
rickharmon@sbcglobal.net
Larry Lewis, President of Flying Blind LLC, will showcase the entire
line of wireless Braille displays manufactured by Baum Retek, a European-based manufacturer
with decades of experience developing products for persons who are vision impaired.
The virtual audience will be taken on a tour of the hardware of these displays and
will hear a demonstration of methods for efficiently using these displays to wirelessly
access a PC as well as Mobilespeak-equipped PDAs and Smartphones.
Additionally, Lewis will discuss how these displays have complimented his abilities
During this Tek Talk online event, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI) of Grass Valley, California will provide two related presentations: eClipseWriter 4.0 Scanning to DAISY and how eClipseReader and writer work together to provide instant
remote access to accessible media.
Attendees will first learn how eClipseWriter Professional 4.0, now powered by Abby
FineReader 8, integrates document scanning and DAISY book and Personal use. Then,
eClipseWriter's new scanning, word processing and automated Save to DAISY features
Doug Geoffray, Co-Owner of GW Micro, will first demonstrate to the Accessible World Tek Talk audience
the many new features of 7.0. Then, he will devote the majority of the presentation
discussing and demonstrating the new and powerful scripting abilities. He will provide
a background of what scripting is, how it integrates into Window-Eyes and how it
will increase productivity for blind computer users.
Doug Geoffray
GW Micro Co-Owner, VP Product Development and Support
Email: doug@gwmicro.com
Web: http://www.gwmicro.com
Phone: 260-489-3671
During the upcoming Accessible World Tek Talk online event Larry Gassman and other
members of the Tek Talk planning committee will provide an overview of the products
and services displayed during the 23rd annual CSUN technology conference held March
10-15th 2008 in Los Angeles. A project of the California State University Northridge
Center on Disabilities, the conference is known as the longest-running and largest
annual university sponsored conference on technology and persons with disabilities
in the world.
LevelStar presents many of the new features and changes in
release 1.1 of the Icon/Braille+ software.
This week's Tek Talk event will feature the version for Maestro and Trekker, a small
yet powerful, fully accessible and easy to use handheld device with many solutions
such as Calendar, Contacts, wireless Email, Web browser, Media Player, Daisy player,
Voice notes, Text notes and a File Explorer.
Trekker GPS features many popular and innovative application such as: Where am I
information, GPS status, creation and search of Points of interest, Route creation,
virtual Browsing offline, free mode navigation and many more.
Sam Adler, Market Development Manager for HumanWare.
Dean Martineau will discuss and demonstrate Windows Vista Speech Recognition, a powerful feature of this operating system that has received less promotion than it deserves. He will discuss who can best benefit from this feature, some thoughts on how this approach to speech recognition compares with Dragon Naturally Speaking, then provide a tutorial on its use, both with System Access as the screen reader and using the J-Vist package from T & T Consultancy.
Did you know there is now a portable device that recognizes flat and solid objects
through the eyes of a digital camera! Did you know there is a hand-held device that
is a real computer with Windows XP and 60GB Hard Disk, slightly bigger than a palm,
able to recognize objects in less than ten seconds? Did you know a device exists
that can read books, magazines and newspapers of any size and complexity up to two
complete pages at a time, text on boxes, bottles, cans, and medicines , as well as
texts found on TVs and LCD displays? Whatever the camera frames, the device reads
Chess has been defined many ways but most will agree that it is not merely an idle
amusement but essentially in its essence it is a game, in its form an art, and in
its execution a science. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the
course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits,
ready on all occasions. the current form of the game emerged in Southern Europe during
the second half of the 15th century after evolving from similar, much older games
of Indian and Persian Origin dating back somewhere before 600 A.D.. Today, while
The next Accessible World Tek Talk online training event will explore the musical
world with Bill McCann, Founder and President of Dancing Dots, a United States, based
company with customers in more than 40 countries, that has been providing solutions
to challenges faced by blind musicians worldwide since 1992. He will demonstrate
the Goodfeel Braille Music Translator, any sighted musician with no knowledge of
Braille can scan and edit print notation and convert it to the equivalent braille
notation. The translator also enables Blind musicians to independently create print
Determining the importance of computer games in education has resulted in significant
research throughout the world. While opinions of researchers vary, it is generally
believed that computer games are the most frequently used interactive media for children
and young adults and that computer games are already a phenomenon of greater cultural
importance to all ages than movies, or perhaps even sports.. The gaming industry
is believed by many to be the catalyst that is driving the propagation of new and
improved operating systems since statistics substantiate that more time is spent
Are you blind or visually impaired? Do you take prescription medications? Do you
know someone else who does? Are you concerned about remembering your prescription
instructions and information? Are you bothered that you have to rely on others to
read your prescription information? Are you looking for a way to safely and independently
manage your medications? If you answered YES to any of these questions, ScripTalk
Station is for you!
During the upcoming Tek Talk online event sponsored by the Accessible World, you
Are you trying to decide which MP3 player to buy, or would you like to know how to
use your MP3 player more effectively? If so, Anna Dresner's new book, A Pocketful
of Sound, available from National Braille Press can help. It compares and describes
a variety of mainstream and adaptive players and includes instructions for their
use.
The Accessible World is excited about having Anna Dresner as its presenter during
the upcoming regular Monday event. Anna will describe some key features of the book.
She will then demonstrate searching for and downloading music from Amazon.com's MP3
"HumanWare is proud to present the most recent GPS Orientation tool: Trekker Breeze!
This new, all-in one device , easy and simple tool will assist you in your daily
travel, providing automatically most valuable information such as Where you are,
What's around and Where to go next. The Breeze will allow you to record your favorite
landmarks and routes, in the easiest manor. Only nine buttons to give you all the
security you need to enjoy outdoor travel in confidence. This device is small, smart
and it's operation is yet so simple!
Whether we're working or playing, at home or on the road, access to digital information
has become essential in our daily lives. Ricky Enger of Serotek Corporation will
join us to discuss and demonstrate software from Serotek enabling computer users
to access information anytime, anywhere.
We'll explore the concept of the Accessible Digital Lifestyle using several tools
from Serotek, including SAToGo, a free, web-based screen reader, the System Access
Mobile Network, and much, much more.
Contact: Ricky Enger, Marketing Representative, Serotek Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Just when we think we’ve heard about all the newest technology that provides independence
and employment opportunities to the blind and visually impaired, we learn about the
Tag-It Guide developed by Dr. ger and Lienert Informationsmanagement GbR of Marburg,
Germany.
This system, based on the RFID -technology (Radio frequency, allows identification
of objects that are provided with tags or transponders and displays information via
a computer, a PDA or some other small device. The tags are small self-adhesive labels
Tech Talk is pleased to welcome back Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager from HumanWare to update us on the latest news for the Stream. Gerry
will focus on the exciting new features and improvements in software version
2.0 the most comprehensive software upgrade yet released for the Stream.
Past Tech Talk presentations on the Stream have been very popular and an
excellent way to learn first hand from HumanWare about the advances to this
versatile DAISY, NISO, and MP3 player and voice recorder.
HumanWare Contact Info:
Australia: au.sales@humanware.com
During this week's Tek Talk event, attention will be focused on PayPal, a secure,
global online payment system that allows individuals and businesses with an email
address and an Internet connection to securely send and receive online payments for
goods and services. There is no fee to use the service to buy something; it's always
free to use PayPal to send payments to someone.
Millions of people use this system but blind computer users need to know if it is
accessible with assistive technology.
Bill and Jennifer Sparks, both totally blind business owners, will answer that question
If you are looking for a portable device that is a hand-held Optical Character Recognition
scanner, an organizer, media player, notes recorder, electronic magnifier, barcode
reader, and more, you definitely will want to be in the virtual audience when Assistive
Technology Center LLC of Sacramento, California demonstrates the many features of
Mobile Eyes, Basic and Professional. Performing the functions of nine different devices
and counting, for less than half the cost and at fraction of the weight, MobilEyes
Are you still looking for that easy to use, affordable and accessible CD burning
software?
Yur search may be over when you listen to Dean Martineau, internationally recognized
leader in the technology field, describe how to use CD Burner XP this week on Tek
Talk, an Accessible World online interactive training event.
Named the editor's choice for products of its category on the Gizmo's Tech Support
Alert page, this totally free application makes it possible to create all types of
CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs and ISOs .
Contact: Dean Martineau, Top Dot Enterprises.
Bob Acosta interviews Wes parker, former Los Angeles Dodger
Discussing new technology is something Jonathan Mosen enjoys and does very well.
As Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management at Freedom Scientific,
he has been invited to share information with the Tek Talk virtual audience this
week on the new features of PAC Mate Omni 6..1
Attendees will learn that the PAC Mate Omni Accessible Pocket PC is available with
or without refreshable Braille, and in Braille and qwerty input versions. Out of
the box, it contains a wide range of essential tools for school and work use, but
Attendees of this week's Tek Talk online training will have the unique opportunity
to learn about two products that work together to make computer use more accessible
for the blind and partially sighted. Sound interesting? Read On!
The Firefox browser, when used with a new add on, Webvisum, has significantly increased
Internet accessibility. The feature that has attracted the most attention is Webvisum's
ability to solve captchas with no sighted assistance. If you have been kept from
participating in forums, from working fully with Yahoo Groups, or are tired of the
As we approach the first anniversary of the Victor Reader Stream, Accessible World
Tech Talk wants to hear from Stream users. Monday August 25 we will host a user forum
for the Victor Reader Stream. We invite you to tell us your story. What has the Stream
done to change the way you access information? How and why do you use your Stream?
How has it changed your life as a student, working age adult, or how do you just
plain have fun with it? Have you used it for unusual purposes that perhaps others
have not thought of? Do you have tips and tricks to share with your fellow Stream
Excitement is running high among the Friends of Bookshare and Accessible World supporters
in anticipation of Friday's special program that will focus on the several ways to
transfer files to the Victor Reader Stream. Assistive Technology Trainer Ann Parsons
will facilitate the session and as this reminder was being prepared we learned that
Don Barrett, recognized advanced computer user, will provide specific training on
the many features of the Companion 2.0. He will demonstrate how easy it is to use
this powerful tool to transfer a variety of files including Bookshare, NLS digital
With the increased interest in accessing computers with Braille displays, we have
invited Larry Lewis, President of Flying Blind LLC, to demonstrate the functionality
and practical uses of Optelec's recently released Alva Braille Controller 640.
Since Optelec began shipping this 6th generation of Alva Braille displays within
the United States in June 2008, customers have been experiencing the feature-rich
functionality present within this state-of-the-art, wireless Braille solution.
Lewis, who has extensive experience both using and representing a wide array of wireless
Presenter: Michael McCarty, Expert Database Coordinator
http://www.fredshead.info
American Printing House for the Blind
http://www.aph.org
Direct Tel: 502-899-2396
APH Phone: 502-895-2405
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Email: mmccarty@aph.org
.Do you know where to find the most comprehensive accumulation of computer related
tips, techniques, tutorials, in-depth articles, and resources for and by blind or
visually impaired people?
Do you know who sponsors this collection and how long it has been in existence?
Presenter: Amy Ruell, President, Visually Impaired Computer User Group, Massachusetts.
Email: aruell@comcast.net
Web: www.vibug.org
Did you know that a personal digital assistant (PDA) is almost like holding a feature-rich
laptop in the palm of your hand?
Are you aware that with proper training a blind computer user can quickly learn to
use the many features of this powerful, totally accessible device?
To hear for yourself, plan now to attend the next TekTalk Internet online training
event when Amy Ruell, an extremely knowledgeable computer user, will demonstrate
Imagine for a moment that nothing in your house is labeled in braille. Or maybe you
don't have to imagine it! Do you reach in the fridge for some orange juice and grab
the milk carton instead? Ever sprinkle some cinnamon on your French toast - but it's
cayenne pepper instead? And are you wearing your new maroon silk top, or the one
with the plaid pattern that clashes with almost every pair of pants you own? These
examples may be extreme, but think about it - are you expending more mental energy
on identifying things than you would like?
Phil Vlasak, founder of one of the oldest companies dedicated to developing blind
accessible games, will review the past present and future of blind friendly computer
games during the next Tek Talk event. This will include a description of the text
only games in the past up through the surround sound windows games of today and then
review predictions of what developments are next in the gaming industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a gaming expert all about the world of
accessible fun and entertainment.
Contact: Phil Vlasak, President, PCs games.
www.pcsgames.net
During September 2008, Apple (who are world renowned for their range of iPod products
and an Internet Store from where music and movies can be downloaded), made two startling
announcements.
First, they stated that the iTunes software for transferring material to an iPod,
and the vehicle for accessing their Store, contained a level of accessibility for
screen-reader users. Second, the new range of Apple's iPod Nano products gives the
ability for a visually impaired person to have access to audio track titles and menus
through spoken prompts.
During the Accessible World’s Tek Talk online event this week, attention will be
focused upon how the latest update of Dolphin’s screen reading, screen magnification
and reading and writing tools opens the world of information to those with vision
loss.
Dave Williams, Blindness Products Manager For Dolphin Computer Access Limited, will
provide a practical demonstration of new enhancements in Version 10 of the Hal screen
reader, Lunar screen magnifier and the Supernova screen reader/magnifier. This will
More relevant online training will again be available this week as attention is directed
to Windows Live Messenger, the next-generation of MSN Instant Messenger. It has all
the cool features of Messenger, and much more! It is the software Microsoft rebranded
to coordinate with Windows Live, a family of free desktop and web based services.
Joann Becker, Access Technology Trainer, will demonstrate how to communicate with
your friends, family and colleagues using the latest Microsoft instant chat client,
Choosing just the right present for those on your holiday gift list will be much
easier again this year thanks to the upcoming free online Stocking Stuffers event
hosted by the Accessible World on Monday, November 3, and Monday, November 10, 2008.
Both days will feature a number of manufacturers and product Distributors who provide
useful and accessible products for celebrating religious holidays, to remember a
birthday or anniversary, to send get well wishes or express gratitude to a special
person in your life. you will have an opportunity to learn about a myriad of unique,
If you are still looking for that special present to please the most
discriminating family member, friend or colleague on your shopping list,
plan now to attend this week's Accessible World's free online Stocking
Stuffers 2008 Part Two event. It will feature three more manufacturers and
product distributors who provide useful and accessible products for
celebrating religious holidays, to remember a birthday or anniversary, to
send get well wishes or express gratitude to a special person in your life.
You will have an opportunity to learn about a myriad of unique, fun,
Responding to many requests we have received to provide training in making
MP3 files from text documents to transfer to the VR Stream and other
portable devices, we have invited Don Barrett to discuss this topic in
detail during next week's Tek Talk online training sponsored by the
Accessible World.
This training session will discuss exactly what Text Aloud is, where to buy
the software, how to begin using it, how to use various voices, batch file
conversion, how to add, pauses and change voices within a file, use the
pronunciation editor to change the way words are spoken, and more.
As the world moves farther into the 21st century, it seems a look at the
past is inevitable if for no other reason than to determine if we've made
any progress at all. Each person attending this week's Accessible World Tek
Talk online two part event will be guided by experts as Braille writing
past and present is reviewed by a recognized historian and a current day
technology expert on the latest technology for the blind.
Micheal A. Hudson, Director, Museum of the American Printing House for the
Blind, will begin by presenting a brief history of American braillewriters
Tek Talk Provides Tutorial On Using HumanWare's Companion Software To
Transfer Books To the VR Stream Monday, December 1, 2008
As increased numbers of VR Streams are being purchased and used by thousands
of blind individuals worldwide, Tek Talk has received numerous requests to
again offer training on transferring files from the computer to the VR
Stream using the Companion software. Therefore, during this week's Tek Talk
event, Don Barrett, recognized advanced computer user, will provide specific
training on the many features of the Companion 2.0. He will demonstrate how
Brian Hartgen, the Product Development Manager at T&T Consultancy Ltd, has
been invited to introduce two low cost products for use with JAWS for
Windows and the computer keyboard this week on Tek Talk, the online
worldwide training event sponsored by the Accessible World.
The session will begin with a demonstration of TypeAbility, the software
that allows a person to learn how to use the keyboard in 77 fun, easy and
interactive lessons. By the end of the lessons, users will have learned the
letter keys, figures, and punctuation signs together with basic
With the increasing use of Skype to communicate with others worldwide, there
has been a genuine need for efficient, low cost software that will record
skype messages. Jamie Pauls, a well-known, knowledgeable user of assistive
computer technology, will provide a comparison of several recording options
and will then demonstrate in detail the features of the MX Skype Recorder, a
new tool that works in conjunction with Skype and other VOIP applications,
to record voice conversations. This will include its ability to
automatically select the record, stop or manual modes, automatically
With the growing concern of the nation's economy, historian Edwin Cooney has
been invited to launch this special program series by providing a historical
overview of the economic depressions in America. He will begin by defining
just what the term depression means and then will briefly review the history
of economic depressions during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The
substance of the presentation, however, will be the scope of the "Great
Depression" from 1929 to 1942, including the causes of the depression as