Did someone say free gaming?

Want to learn more about free self-voicing games? Then read on!

Taken from the Accessible World News Wire:

Although there is an abundance of computer games for the sighted population, accessible games for blind computer users have been in very short supply. Our next Accessible World TekTalk guest, Jim Kitchen, however, has addressed the problem by creating and distributing free of charge a variety of totally accessible self-voicing games.

During his presentation, you will learn why he became interested in writing computer games, how he acquired the necessary programming knowledge, and hear a demonstration of some of his games.

Contact: Jim Kitchen Email: jim@kitchensinc.net
Web: http://www.kitchensinc.net

Date: Monday, May 5, 2008
Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: TekTalk Conference Room at: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

or

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk room, enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

A Guide to Online Resources - Library and Information Science

Have you seen the Guide to Online Resources in Library and Information Science from the Library of Congress? Check it out at http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/libsci/

The site says, "This guide is intended for individuals without ready access to print resources and subscription databases in the field of library and information science. It compiles free, full-text resources available on the Web for use by librarians, library technicians, and students in the field."

Mass Production of E-text for College Students - free webinar

EASI is offering a free webinar series about mass production of e-text for students with disabilities. Be sure to sign up if you're interested!

Taken from the website at http://easi.cc/forms/e-text2.htm:

May 1 and 15 - 2 PM Eastern

"CSU Fullerton has developed a detailed step-by-step process starting with the student's registration for class and resulting in the timely delivery of the class text in an alternate format usually ready for the beginning of each class.

This 2-part presentation will describe how it interfaces with the college registration process, with the professor's book selection and also interfaces with the bookstore. This highly effective process has been developed because it brings some benefits to all the players at each step along the way.

The presentation will also describe the details and the mechanics of scanning the book, proofing the text, adding images and the final delivery to the waiting student."

Americans Living Longer, Enjoying Greater Health and Prosperity, but Important Disparities Remain, Says Federal Report

Americans Living Longer, Enjoying Greater Health and Prosperity, but Important Disparities Remain, Says Federal Report... (info from http://tinyurl.com/6z8agm - PDF file)

The Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being report is now available online at http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/main_site/default.aspx

According to the website, "This report provides the latest data on the 38 key indicators selected by the Forum to portray aspects of the lives of older Americans and their families. It is divided into five subject areas: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care."

You can read the press release for the report at http://tinyurl.com/6z8agm (PDF file)

Technology for Blind Musicians and Their Educators

The Accessible World Newsletter is announcing the following for musicians:

Dancing Dots: Providing Technology for Blind Musicians and Their Educators

The Accessible News Wire April 23, 2008, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

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 and braille scores, Lime and Lime Aloud, and sophisticated sound recordings with CakeTalking for SONAR.

The company provides training to any of its technology, as well as mainstream applications such as Duxbury Braille Translator and JAWS for Windows, and even courses in reading Braille music. Additionally, it provides on-site and online training and a Braille transcription service. As the company represents the leading manufacturers of assistive technology and music supplies, its consulting service is much in demand.

The virtual audience will have opportunities to ask questions following the formal presentation.

Contact: Bill McCann, Founder and President, Dancing Dots, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Tel: 610 783-6692
Web: http://www.dancingdots.com
Email: info@dancingdots.com

Date: Monday, April 28, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m.
Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

or http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

Credit Reports will soon be accessible!

The Blind Access Journal blog has mentioned that credit reports will soon be accessible - in Braille, large print, and audio CD! For more information, check out the blog post at http://tinyurl.com/4bmxgr

This is great news for individuals living with low vision! Thanks to Blind Access Journal for the heads up!

Webcast: Best Practices for Large Print - April 29

There is an upcoming Webcast on April 29 at 2 PM Eastern Time about best practices for large print materials in libraries. For more information, check out http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6551471.html. The Library Journal website mentions, "This 60-minute Webcast will cover not only best practices for Large Print in the library but will also explore how Large Print can improve reading performance in the classroom, assist with adult literacy efforts, and more. Many librarians and booksellers have been told by their patrons and customers that anyone that loves to read, (at home, on the treadmill or in the classroom), can benefit from the Large Print format. We'll also discuss how the library's Large Print collection can be marketed and displayed for maximum results, inviting even more patrons to try this format that reignites the passion for reading."

To sign up for the webcast, go to http://tinyurl.com/3xzyfq

Interview with Kim Charlson, Library Leader from Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, Watertown, MA

I recently received the following email from the Accessible World Newswire:

Kim Charlson: National and International Leader Guest on Books and Beyond Wednesday, 4-23-08

The Accessible World News Wire, April 20, 2008 Indianapolis, Indiana USA

This week's guest on the Internet talk show Books and Beyond, hosted by Bonnie Blose, has achieved national and international recognition for outstanding leadership in a number of areas affecting the lives of thousands of blind and visually impaired individuals. Kim Charlson, herself totally blind, has consistently displayed outstanding leadership capabilities. In pursuing her own education, she became one of the few blind people in the United States to earn a master's degree in library and information science. Then, following 16 years as the Service Management Librarian and Assistant Director, she was appointed in 2001 to the position of director of the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped network library in Watertown, Massachusetts, becoming the only library director on the East Coast who is blind. Recapping her career provides just a mini view of a person willing to give of herself for others while at the same time advancing her personal career goals.

She has distinguished herself as a recognized national and international expert on library and information services for people with disabilities, Braille literacy, adaptive technology in libraries, and information access.

Kim serves on several committees for the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the American Library Association, and is a member of the State Advisory Council on Libraries of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. She is the immediate past President of the Keystone Library Automation Systems User's Group and she has served on the board of the Massachusetts Metrowest Regional Library System. She is also the past chair of the Braille Authority of North America, the standard-setting body for braille in the United States and Canada. She is chair of the Massachusetts Braille literacy Advisory Council, and is the past treasurer of the international Council on English Braille.

Kim is also active in a wide range of consumer advocacy arenas including arts access and audio description, adaptive technology, civil rights, guide dog access issues and special education. She also serves as an appointee of the Secretary of State on the Steering Committee working to implement the Help America Vote Act in Massachusetts.

In addition to her many other responsibilities, Kim has published "Establishing a Braille Literacy Program in Your Community: A Handbook for Libraries and Other Community Organizations. She has contributed to numerous other publications including a chapter on braille library services in the book, Braille: Into the Next Millennium, which was published by the Library of Congress. She is a contributing author to the book, Making Theatre Accessible: A Guide to Audio Description in the Performing Arts, published by Northeastern University Press; and she co-authored a chapter on audio description in the book "Video Collection Management and Development: Perspectives for Multiple Types of Libraries", 2nd edition, published by Greenwood Publishing Group.

Following the formal interview, the virtual audience will be encouraged to ask questions of this high profile, prestigious award winner, and super achiever.

Contact: Kim Charlson, Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, Watertown, MA

Telephone: (617) 972-7240
Email: kim.charlson@perkins.org
Web: http://www.perkinslibrary.org/

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m.Eastern and elsewhere in the world Thursday 0:00 GMT.

Where: Books and Beyond Conference Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org/

or use the Direct Link:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsf44894b5dc56

All shows are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the show or podcast from the Books and Beyond Archives section at: www.accessibleworld.org. You may also hear the show on ACB Radio, Philmore Telephone Service at 773-572-3166, and several Radio Reading services throughout the United States.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone world wide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly withthe presenters and others in the virtual audience.

Article: Canada Post issues braille stamp

Have you read the article Canada Post issues braille stamp? You can read it at http://tinyurl.com/6a2tmr

The article states, "Canada Post issued its first and North America's first braille stamp Monday. The self-adhesive stamp depicts a yellow Labrador Retriever and features a 52-cent denomination both in large print and in braille. The stamp is being issued to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Association for the Blind."

Go Canada!!!

Have any Canadians out there seen this stamp in person?

World Book Day - April 23

Did you know that World Book Day is April 23? Go to the United Nation's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) website at http://tinyurl.com/5o8thd for more information. Over 100 countries are involved in World Book Day! Unesco's website says, "Publishers, book shops, libraries, schools, cultural institutions and authors’ societies from all over the world have undertaken to celebrate the Day and promote the enduring importance of books."

You can download a free poster for World Book Day at http://tinyurl.com/5nkfx. Check it out!

Unlimited Nationwide Messaging Plans from Verizon Wireless

The Hearing Loss Association of America is reporting that Verizon Wireless is introducing 3 unlimited messaging plans tomorrow. For more information, check out http://www.hearingloss.org/advocacy/enews042108.asp

Taken from the website (link above): “We developed these messaging plans in response to feedback from our customers,” said Robert Miller, vice president - marketing for Verizon Wireless. “We have a growing number of customers, particularly from the deaf or hard of hearing community, who are using their wireless phones to communicate via messaging. Our Nationwide Messaging plans offer an affordable solution for customers who primarily use messaging to communicate, giving them more choices to only pay for services they need.”

Do you know someone who needs help with prescription costs?

The Social Security Administration is asking that people help get the word out about this.... The slogan for the program is "I helped my mom save $3,600 on prescription drugs. You can too!

Taken from the Social Security website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/10163.htm

Do you know someone who needs help with prescription costs?

Now, you can help someone you care about apply for extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs. Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. Extra help is available for some people with limited income and resources. It will pay for all or most of the monthly premiums and annual deductibles and lower the prescription co-payments related to their plan. The extra help could be worth up to $3,600 per year. Many people with limited income and resources qualify for these big savings and don’t even know it. To find out if someone is eligible, Social Security will need to know their income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than their home). If they are married and living with their spouse, we will need this information for both of them.

To qualify for extra help they must have:

• Income limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple living together.
  
  Even if their annual income is higher, the ones you care about still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if they or their spouse:
  
  
  • Support other family members who live with them;
  • Have earnings from work; or
  • Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and
    
    
• Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count their house and car as resources.

The Spanish version of this information is available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/10986.htm

Anyone for a game of chess? Accessible chess!!

I received this information recently via email (the Tek Talk newsletter from Pat Price):

Anyone For A Game of Chess?

The Accessible News Wire April 13, 2008, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

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 chess is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide in clubs, online, by correspondence, in tournaments and informally, only a limited number believe that it can be played and enjoyed by individuals who are blind. Anna Dresner and Alan Dicey will demonstrate to the Tek Talk audience that Whether you're new to chess or a seasoned player, blindness does not have to stop you from playing, and playing well. It really is a game that can be played effectively and enjoyed by those who are totally blind.

In their presentation, they will describe adaptive chess sets, discuss playing as a blind person, tell you where to get free lessons, and suggest lots of ways to meet other players - sighted and blind, from the U.S. and elsewhere - and develop your skills via e-mail, voice chat, and computer
chess programs. So listen in, then grab a board and join the fun!

Contacts: Woody Anna Dresner, National Braille Press.
Email: adresner@nbp.org
Alan Dicey, President, U.S. Braille Chess Association.
Email: adicey@bellsouth.net

Date: Monday, April 21, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m.
Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

or

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk room, enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tech Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tech Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

Deaftimes: For the Deaf, by the Deaf

Have you heard about the Deaf Times website? It's at http://deaftimes.net/

The site has sections for news, events, and even a job mart. The website states, "This was created to be a tool used by people with news, event announcements, things for sale, and anything you would find in a newspaper. We have opportunities for local Deaf News to operate from this site, whether it is a local club, statewide or national organization news by one individual or many. It can also be open to the public or be a private list. We are still in the early stages and are open to suggestions for improvement."

It is currently in beta, so be sure to check it out and offer your suggestions!

National Library Week... Join the circle of knowledge

National Library Week is April 13 - 19, 2008.

What exactly IS National Library Week? Check out http://ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm for more information. A fact sheet about National Library Week is available at http://tinyurl.com/4aqmp9

The fact sheet states, "First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate."

This year's theme is "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library."

So, what are YOU doing for National Library Week?

Two New Digital Talking Book Players to Play NLS books

In addition to the Victor Reader Stream, two new digital talking book players can now be used in the digital talking books download project. They are the LevelStar Icon and the Braille Plus Mobile Manager. (You can register for the digital download project at https://www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb/. View the application at https://www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb/ApplicationInstructions.html if you qualify for the program and have a player.)

The following email was recently sent by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to people on the Digital Talking Book Test Announcement listserv:

"Two additional devices can now be used to read downloadable audio materials from NLS:

- The LevelStar Icon is a portable device for the visually impaired that gives you access to all of your contacts, documents, and media on the go. Icon, with its 40 GB hard drive, can store thousands of documents and audio files. Icon users are now able to download NLS books directly using the Icon's powerful web browser and its wireless connection, and play and navigate them using Icon's Bookshelf. To learn more about the Icon and its support for NLS content, please visit www.levelstar.com, or call 1-800-315-2305, or send email to info@levelstar.com .

- American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.'s Braille Plus Mobile Manager is a hand held, accessible tool that combines entertainment and productivity into one device small enough to easily fit into a pocket or purse. With its large hard drive, the Braille Plus stores dozens of books at a time, and with its built-in web browser, the user can download and read any of the NLS DTB collection without having to use a computer at all. For complete information about the Braille Plus, please see www.aph.org/tech/pda_info.htm .

Current owners of these devices are just a free software upgrade away from adding the ability to download and read NLS talking books and magazines.

Remember, to authorize any new device for download, just go to the download site's home page, choose "Update my settings," and then choose "Add a new player." "

Free Printer Cartridge Refill at Walgreens

On April 2, Walgreens is offering Free Printer Cartridge refills. The refills only work for some printers, but it's worth checking it out to see if yours (or any of your library's) is on the list! More info about this deal here: http://www.walgreens.com/dmi/inkrefill/default.html

And if you're going for free ink, don't forget to print the coupon to take with you! But hurry, the offer is only good on April 2!

Two public library programs in the Washington Metropolitan Area!

I recently received an email from the National Literary Society of the Deaf about two public library programs in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area:

March 13 – April 15, 2008 is Deaf History Month.

2008-2010 Theme: Promote deaf culture, books and literacy @ your library

Saturday, April 5 10:00 am – Noon

Guest Presenter: Diana Gates, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Gallaudet University will lead a panel discussion on the book “Talk, Talk” by T.C. Boyle. She will also highlight how deaf characters in literature have changed in the last twenty years.

Sponsored by the Rockville Public Library and Disability Resource Center

Program site: Rockville Public Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850

Coordinated by Susan Cohen of Disability Resource Center, Library Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

About program accommodations, please email to drcinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-0001; or TTY # 240-777-0902.

“Talk, Talk” is a suspense story of Dana, a deaf woman, who is arrested for a crime she did not commit. She and her boyfriend, Bridger set out to find the identity thief themselves. This is a story that deals with language, love and identity theft.

Wednesday, April 9 12:00 Noon – 1:00 pm

Guest Presenter: Susan M. Mather, Ph.D, Professor of Linguistics, Gallaudet University and co-author of “Movers and Shakers: Deaf People Who Changed the World”

Sponsored by the D.C. Public Library and Adaptive Services Division

Program site: Martin Luther King Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Room A-5

Coordinated by Janice Rosen, Librarian to the Deaf Community of the Adaptive Services Division

About program accommodations, please email to library_deaf_dc@yahoo.com or call 202-727-2142; or TTY 202-727-2255

Presenter will highlight lives of both famous and unsung deaf heroes, from Joachim Du Bellay in the sixteenth century to Andrew Foster in the twentieth, as well as remarkable deaf achievers, such as Ludwig van Beethoven to Thomas Edison.