Article: Blind, yet seeing: The brain's subconscious sense

The New York Times has an article titled Blind, yet seeing: The brain's subconscious sense at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/health/23blin.html?_r=2

Taken from the article:

"The man, a doctor left blind by two successive strokes... zigzagged down the hall, sidestepping a garbage can, a tripod, a stack of paper and several boxes as if he could see everything clearly...

The study, which included extensive brain imaging, is the most dramatic demonstration to date of so-called blindsight, the native ability to sense things using the brain’s primitive, subcortical — and entirely subconscious — visual system...

The finding suggests that people... may be able to recover some crude visual sense with practice."

Article: Guide Dogs for the Blind and Inspiration for All

Check out the blog post at Daily Yonder blog about Guide Dogs for the Blind!

Guide Dogs for the Blind and Inspiration for All

Taken from the blog post: ...amidst financial ruin and calamity there’s an organization you should know about. It is founded on the principle of helping others in need. And this haven of love and concern provides all its services at no cost. Yes. It is free, with no small-print disclaimers.

A tax credit for persons with disabilities - a way to save money on taxes

A tax credit for persons with disabilities and those who are disabled - a way to save money on taxes!

Thanks to the blog post at eSight Community News - http://www.tabinc.org/blog/archives/2008/12/dont_overlook_t.html, I learned about a tax credit for persons with disabilities that is often overlooked.

Taken from the blog post:

Many disabled taxpayers may be overlooking a valuable tax credit that could increase their federal income tax refunds by as much as $4,824. The IRS estimates that up to one in four taxpayers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit - or EITC - fail to claim the credit. Are you one of them?

Check out the entire blog post at http://www.tabinc.org/blog/archives/2008/12/dont_overlook_t.html

Article: Software That Opens Worlds to the Disabled

Thanks to the We Are Living in the Future blog post at http://tinyurl.com/4s4f66, I learned about the New York Times article titled, Software That Opens Worlds to the Disabled. You can read the article at http://tinyurl.com/3elpr5.

Taken from the New York Times article:

"ONE computer program would allow vision-impaired shoppers to point their cellphones at supermarket shelves and hear descriptions of products and prices. Another would allow a physically disabled person to guide a computer mouse using brain waves and eye movements."

Read the entire article at http://tinyurl.com/3elpr5

Article: Scientists try to let the blind `see' fish

Have you read the article Scientists try to let the blind `see' fish? It's at http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081217/D954O1GO0.html

It talks about how scientists at Georgia Tech are using technology to help blind persons "see" fish in aquariums. Pretty cool!

Find a new thing to do with Google today

Thanks to the OPL Plus blog post at http://opls.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-else-can-you-do-with-google.html, I learned about the Google "Things to do" page. It lists 52 things you can do with Google (and the list grows from time to time)! It's called Find a new thing to do with Google today. There are lots of cool things on there you may have never thought of. Check it out at http://www.google.co.uk/landing/thingstodo/

What cool things do YOU use Google for?

Silver Alert program works in Florida

The Silver Alert program is apparently working in Florida! Check out the New York Times article Florida Adopts ‘Silver Alerts’ for Mentally Impaired Elderly Who Wander Off at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/us/18silver.html?_r=1&ref=health

Not sure what Silver Alert is? Check out my previous blog post,

Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors

at http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/08/silver-alert-helps-rescue-lost-seniors.html

Common Craft now has books on the Kindle!

Attention all Common Craft followers! I just learned that Lee & Sachi LeFever at Common Craft now have some books out for the Amazon Kindle! Check them out! This is great news, especially for Kindle owners! If you're not familiar with Common Craft, they write and produce lots of great "how to" videos, explaining Web 2.0 technologies in ways that everyday people can easily understand. Their stuff rocks! Congrats to Common Craft on getting these books in Amazon Kindle format! (If you can't see the image links, you can click on the text links for more info.) Enjoy!

Phishing Scams in Plain English

Electing a US President in Plain English (explains the electoral college)

Podcasting in Plain English

Social Networking in Plain English

Social Media in Plain English

Twitter in Plain English

Web Search Strategies in Plain English

Blogs in Plain English

Article: Freedom Scientific Releases Jaws Version 10

Have you read the article Freedom Scientific Releases Jaws Version 10? It's at http://www.carroll.org/2008/12/12/freedom-scientific-releases-jaws-version-ten (The Carroll Center for the Blind Blog)

JAWS is screen reading software, and the newest version, Version 10, was released in November 2008. Taken from the article at http://www.carroll.org/2008/12/12/freedom-scientific-releases-jaws-version-ten:

"Version 10 includes a new feature that automatically switches on ‘forms mode” when the user navigates to an edit box using either the up and down arrows or the tab key. A popping sound indicates that forms mode” has been switched on and that the user can begin typing information into the form. This is much smoother than having to switch forms mode on and off...

JAWS 10 includes JAWS tandem which allows remote control of the PC. In order to establish a remote connection, the user of one PC obtains a special code from the software and gives this code to the individual who is going to take control of the computer remotely. The individual taking control then enters the code into a JAWS edit box and presto! This is all done very smoothly and quickly. Both individuals can now control the same computer and the settings of the computer being controlled are invoked for both users."

Buy a refurbished Kindle, in stock at 10 pm Central Time!

Just a quick note to my Amazon Kindle followers... just went to Amazon and saw the refurbished Amazon Kindles are now in stock! It's 10 pm Central Time on Wednesday, December 17! Good luck to anyone trying to buy a refurbished Kindle! $329! Woot!


Refurbished Amazon Kindle

Sign the Accessibility Anywhere Braille Display Petition

Thanks to the Serotek blog, I learned about the Accessibility Anywhere Braille Display Petition. Taken from the Serotek blog at http://blog.serotek.com/2008/12/accessibility-anywhere-braille-display.html:

The petition asks "Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers."

Please check it out and add your name to the petition! You can read the petition and sign it at http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html

Be sure to share this information with your friends and family!

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle, in stock, for $329)

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle, in stock, for $329) - part 4.

One more fast update for those of you who have been coming back to this blog to check the stock of refurbished Amazon Kindles. I suspect more will be released again soon with Christmas just around the corner. There's even been mention that new Amazon Kindles are shipping sooner than expected, so if you're on the wait list, don't give up hope!

Here is the link that worked for people buying the refurbished Kindles:

Refurbished Amazon Kindle

P.S. There are still no current coupons or coupon codes for the Kindle, sorry! If that changes, I'll let you know!

Related Posts:

Does the new Amazon Kindle work where you live?

Buy a refurbished Kindle (part 1)

Library of Congress reports on Flickr project

The Library of Congress recently released a report on its Flickr project. It sounds like the project has been a great success!

Taken from the Library of Congress website at http://www.loc.gov/blog/?p=394:

“The popularity and impact of the pilot have been remarkable,” said Michelle Springer, project manager for digital initiatives in the Office of Strategic Initiatives, who said total views reached 10 million in October. The site is averaging 500,000 views a month, she said, adding that Flickr members have marked 79 percent of the photos as “favorites.”

The report recommends that the Library of Congress continue to participate in The Commons and explore other Web 2.0 communities.

Note from Talking Books Librarian: If you're not familiar with the LOC Flickr project, you can check it out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle, in stock, for $329 - part 3)

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle, in stock, for $329) - part 3.

Just a quick update for those of you who have been coming to this blog to check the stock of refurbished Amazon Kindles. Word on the street is that the Kindles are in stock randomly throughout this past week. They seem to come and go, but I have learned again that people have successfully purchased them during the week, through the link I provided! (and some Kindles are shipping out the SAME DAY again!)

And last weekend, there were reports of lots of people buying refurbished Kindles. So, since we're just getting ready to start the weekend, don't give up hope! Keep checking in randomly from time to time and you just might get a refurbished Amazon Kindle of your own! And as I mentioned, it appears the Kindles are generally shipping out the same or very next day after your order, so you can still get one before Christmas..... here's hoping I find one under my Christmas tree! :)

Here is the link that worked for people buying the refurbished Kindles:

Refurbished Amazon Kindle

And if after trying all weekend, you still haven't gotten a refurbished Amazon Kindle, I suppose you can always go ahead and buy a new Kindle and an Amazon gift certificate (to use on purchases of new books for the Kindle of course!), and put the gift certificate under the Christmas tree with a super sweet note attached, saying something like "actual Amazon Kindle to arrive soon."

Here's hoping you all get those Kindles! Do keep me updated!

P.S. There are no current coupons or coupon codes for the Kindle, sorry! If that changes, I'll let you know!

Related Posts:

Does the new Amazon Kindle work where you live?

Buy a refurbished Kindle (part 1)

Buy a refurbished Kindle (part 2)

Secret Santa at LibraryThing

Want to be a Secret Santa? Want to have a Secret Santa? Then head on over to LibraryThing to take part in SantaThing! If you love books, this is for you!

Taken from http://www.librarything.com/santathing.php:

"The idea is simple. Pay $25. You play Santa to a random LibraryThing member, and buy them up $20 worth of books, based on their library or a short description. Someone else does the same to you. LibraryThing orders the books and pays the shipping, so no addresses are exchanged."

But hurry, the deadline to sign up is December 15 at noon Eastern Time (United States).

For those of you not familiar with LibraryThing... take the LibraryThing tour at http://www.librarything.com/tour/

Taken from http://www.librarything.com/tour/:

"LibraryThing is a site for book lovers.

LibraryThing helps you create a library-quality catalog of your books. You can do all of them or just what you're reading now.

And because everyone catalogs online, they also catalog together. LibraryThing connects people based on the books they share."

Will be there a White Christmas where you live... what is the probability it will snow on Christmas?

What is the probability that there will be a White Christmas where you live? Will it snow on Christmas this year? (meaning "at least one inch of snow on the ground on Christmas")

I found a fun map at Weather.com that shows the odds of a White Christmas for everywhere in the United States. Looks like we have a 5-10% chance overall here, lol!

Check out the map at http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/holidays?region=national

For an interactive map at the same site, go to http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/holidays/

I guess you can tell I'm in the Christmas spirit this year! :)

Fun librarian gifts for less than 20 dollars (for the holidays or anytime)!

Quite a few people come to my site looking for librarian gifts and Christmas presents for librarians. So, just in time for the Christmas holiday (or really anytime!), here are some suggestions for fun and cheap librarian gifts for less than $20! (hint hint hint dear family!) :)

If you can't see the pictures, click on the text links.

Librarian wall clock

Illustrated library temporary tattoos

Librarian deluxe action figure


Librarian parking sign

Librarian custom street sign

And if all else fails, I supposed you could always get the lovely librarian in your life an Amazon gift card (hint hint). :)

UPDATE: As a side note, I just learned that if you need to make sure you get a gift sent out ASAP, you can get FREE 2 day shipping from Amazon on many items if you sign up for Amazon Prime. (It's free to sign up, and if you cancel within 90 days, you will not be charged for Amazon Prime.) So if you're in a rush, you might give that a try! Happy shopping and happy holidays!

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle for $329 - part 2)

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle for $329) - part 2.... Because I recently posted about how to buy a refurbished Amazon Kindle, I wanted to share some great news with those of you still trying to get Amazon Kindles before Christmas. I recently received notice that someone (at least one person, maybe more?) was able to buy a refurbished Amazon Kindle using the links I provided. And even better news? The Amazon Kindle shipped out the very next day! Unbelievable! So you know what this means? There is still hope to get a Kindle before Christmas, so don't give up if you're wanting one! Feel free to bookmark this page and/or these links!

Here is the link that worked again:

Refurbished Amazon Kindle

***If you are/were also able to successfully buy a Kindle using these links, please contact me to let me know, so I can pass the word along! Thanks!

I have also posted a link at the top of the blog "Click to see if refurbished Amazon Kindle is in stock now" to make things easy on you! :)

Related posts:

Buy a refurbished Kindle (part 1)

Search government legislation on autism

Want to stay on top of what the government's doing in regard to autism?

You can easily search online for autism-related legislation. Go to http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/autism.cfm

You can search by state, topic, year, status, sponsor, and bill number. Legislation in the database starts with the year 2008, and will include additional legislation as it's added.

Audio Books on the Kindle

Can you listen to audiobooks on the Amazon Kindle? Does the Kindle work with audio books? How do you get audiobooks for the Amazon Kindle? How do you play audio books on the Kindle?

These are the types of questions people ask me via email, so I decided to do a special post addressing this question. The answer is YES, you can listen to audio books on the Amazon Kindle through Audible.com. Check out Amazon's page about audio books on the Kindle here:

Listening to Audio Books on the Kindle

Related posts:

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle for $329)

Article: Libraries offer seniors more than books

Have you read the article Libraries offer seniors more than books? Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/6kggtg

Taken from the article:

"Among the suggested changes to make libraries more friendly to the older population are:

Dedicating senior spaces for patrons who prefer quiet rooms, away from young-adult chatter.

Forming senior advisory boards and groups to recommend and fund programs.

Creating programs to help baby boomers prepare for career changes.

Adding audio books and large-print books and other options.

Holding intergenerational programs to dispel stereotypes and tap seniors as mentors."


Feel free to offer any other suggestions you might have....

Buy a refurbished Kindle (how to get a cheap discounted Kindle for $329)

Buy a refurbished Kindle (or how to get a cheap discounted Kindle for $329... hopefully)...

With the Amazon Kindle coupon code (OPRAHWINFREY) now over, there's been lots of discussion all over the internet about the fact that the Amazon Kindle is out of stock until after Christmas. As a result, I've been seeing more and more talk about the refurbished Amazon Kindles that become available from time to time. And the best part is they're selling for around $329, which is $30 less than a new Kindle. So, if you're wanting a Kindle, but having trouble finding one, check to see if a refurbished one is available. It's pretty hit and miss, but if you're set on having a Kindle before Christmas, it's worth a shot.... word is that those who have bought the refurbished Kindles get them shipped very quickly.... but people have also said that you should be ready to buy it through Amazon's "one click" button to have the best chance.... good luck!

Refurbished Amazon Kindle

To make it easy on you if you are serious about getting a refurbished Amazon Kindle, add this blog post to your bookmarks.... that way you can check it several times a day, and hopefully snag one right after it's restocked.... :)

Refurbished Amazon Kindle

And of course if you can't find a refurbished Kindle, you can always buy a new Amazon Kindle and get on the waiting list to have one sent after Christmas.... I've even heard of some people buying the new Kindles and then canceling the order if they are able to get a refurbished Kindle.... Gosh, the things people do to get these Amazon Kindles, lol.

Related post:

Does the new Amazon Kindle work where you live?

USPS Holiday Shipping Calendar

For those in the United States, the USPS has posted its holiday shipping calendar for holiday packages. Check it out at
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_125.htm?from=2008holidaypressroom_center&page=holidaypackagescare (It's called Mail Holiday Packages with Care: Tips from Your Holiday Shipping Experts)

For the most part, if you're sending something via regular mail, it looks like you should have items in the mail by December 16 (parcels and packages) or December 20 (cards), assuming you want them to reach the recipients by December 25.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone! :)

Blog Post: the alphabet in books

I came across a cool blog post at Walking Paper that shows "the alphabet in books." Basically, colored books have been set up in the shapes of letters in various book displays... 26 in total, one for each letter of the alphabet. Pretty cool! Check it out at http://www.walkingpaper.org/974

You can also see the original post that showed the "alphabet in books" at pan-dan: b o - o k

Is your blog or website lijit? Are you lijit?

Are you lijit? Is your blog lijit? Is your website lijit? If you have no clue what I'm talking about, then you clearly missed this blog post....

Yes, I am a lijit fan. I will admit it. I've been hooked since day one of using lijit.... Come on, if nothing else, you know you want the "Are you Lijit" button on your site..... :) but seriously, if you haven't tried lijit yet, I do think you should check it out! Give it a try here on my site!

Free letter from Santa in Braille and print

Your child can get a free letter from Santa at the North Pole, in Braille and print..... just in time for Christmas!

Parents can request a letter from Santa for their child at http://www.nfb.org/Forms.asp?MODE=NEW&SnID=1536951339&Forms_FormTypeID=-45

Teachers can request letters from Santa for their kids at http://www.nfb.org/Forms.asp?MODE=NEW&SnID=1536951339&Forms_FormTypeID=-81

The letters from Santa are sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind, and of course, Santa Claus at the North Pole. :) You can view the official press release at http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=385

If your child does not qualify for the free letter from Santa in Braille and print, I came upon another place where you child can get a letter from Santa.

Order a written letter from Santa



Also, if you're trying to find toys for blind or visually impaired children, you might check here for some ideas. (Please feel free to contact me with other good sites you know of for toys!)

Related posts on Talking Books Librarian:

Holiday Gifts and Christmas presents for persons who are blind or visually impaired

2008 Holiday Toy Guide

Learn about Free Digital Talking Books through the NLS Digital Conversion Seminar - Adaptive Technology Series

I recently received the following email from someone at LightHouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired in San Francisco. So, as you will see in the email, I am helping them spread the word about this great event! Don't miss it! :)

Taken from the email:

Dear Talking Books Librarian,

I recently discovered your blog and it is really exciting! The NLS service is one of my favorite things to tell clients and the public about and now I enjoy telling them about your blog as well. I wanted to ask you if you would consider posting the following announcement about an event we are having here at the LightHouse. It is open to anyone as those not living in San Francisco can attend via teleconference or web stream. The NLS digital switch over is a big deal that will open up many options. Please help us spread the word!

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, San Francisco

NLS Digital Conversion Seminar

December 5, 2008

Panel Presentations: 1 pm - 3 pm, PST

Vendor Exhibits: 3 pm - 5 pm, PST

214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

We are pleased to present a new installment in our adaptive technology series. The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is converting their talking books to a digital format. This will allow users to listen to books on digital talking book players. Now you can read in DAISY or MP3 format, bookmark favorite passages, or download your news and go!

Topics will include the new NLS player, Braille Plus Mobile Manager, the Level Star Icon, the Victor Reader Stream and Plextalk Pocket.

You can participate in one of three ways:

· Live audio stream on our website

· Free telephone conferencing service

· In person. Stay for the post-seminar demonstrations. The LightHouse is wheelchair accessible. Accommodations are available upon request.

RSVP at 1-888-400-8933 or info@lighthouse-sf.org.

Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided.

Cash4Books - get money by selling your used books and textbooks

Cash4Books - get money by selling your used books! (And yes, you can sell back your textbooks here too!)

Okay, so probably everyone and their dog already knows about this site, but I just recently learned about it.

It's called Cash4Books, and just like the site sounds, you get paid cash for your used books. (And yes, as I mentioned before, you can sell back your textbooks here too! So if you're a college student and your bookstore isn't buying back your used textbooks, give this place a try.)

You can enter a bunch of ISBN's from your books and quickly find out which books they will pay you for. The amount they will pay you varies on how popular a book is, how rare it is, etc.... But once you've decided which books you want to get paid for, you can print off a prepaid shipping label and mail in your books. (In other words, shipping your books to them is totally free.) They will send payment for your books via Paypal or by check (snail mail). I did a quick ISBN check on a few of my books and saw I can actually get paid cash for some of them. Yay!

So, if you're a book-a-holic (or a librarian) :), you might give Cash4Books a try and see what you get offered for the books you have. Good luck!