Welcome to District 23B, Connecticut

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December 23, 2009
Tears of Joy for Diabetics

Nanocomposites could change treatment

The non-invasive technology uses extremely small nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel lenses.
Image Credit: presstv.

Diabetics may soon be able to wear contact lenses that continuously alert them to variations in their glucose levels by changing colours - replacing the need to routinely draw blood throughout the day. The non-invasive technology uses extremely small nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel lenses.

The non-invasive technology, developed by Chemical and Biochemical Engineering professor Jin Zhang at The University of Western Ontario, uses extremely small nanoparticles embedded into the hydrogel lenses. These engineered nanoparticles react with glucose molecules found in tears, causing a chemical reaction that changes their colour.

Zhang received $216,342 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) today (Dec. 16) to further develop technologies using multifunctional nanocomposites.

These technologies have vast potential applications beyond biomedical devices, including for food packaging. For example, nanocomposite films can prevent food spoilage by preventing oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture from reaching fresh meats and other foods, or by measuring pathogenic contamination; others can make packaging increasingly biodegradable.

Source: University of Western Ontario /...

December 10, 2009
Supporting our great Foundation

In efforts to make the process of supporting our great Foundation as easy as possible, the on-line donations process has been refined. Lions can contribute to any of the four donation categories, including Humanitarian, Sight, Disaster and In Honor/In Memory.

December 7, 2009
Amazon beefing up Kindle's functionality for vision-impared users as B&N's Nook stays silent

By Paul Miller posted Dec 7th 2009 11:17AM

While the Amazon Kindle's text-to-speech functionality might seem like a gimmick for some, it's anything but for blind, vision-impaired and dyslexic users. Unfortunately, the device's accessibility so far hasn't extended to the menus. That's set to change next year, however, with Amazon promising to release an audible menuing system for navigating the unit look-free. Amazon's also prepping a new "super size" font, that doubles the current largest font in height and width. It all sounds great, but it also seems like a subtle dig at Barnes & Noble, whose brand new Nook reader is skipping out on text-to-speech (for this generation, anyway). Barnes & Noble claims that it's due to the sub-par experience on "other devices," but for now that means the Kindle might just be most accessible dedicated e-reader around -- at least once this new software rolls out, supposedly by summer 2010.

November 10, 2009
The Intel Reader Photographs Text and Reads it Back to You

Intel's Reader for the visually impaired

Intel's Reader for the visually impaired isn't a concept; it goes on sale today. Using an Atom processor, 5-megapixel camera, and Intel's Linux-based Moblin OS, it turns book pages into digital text and MP3s…then reads aloud in a synthesized voice. Read more

November 8, 2009
AccesibleNYC.org Website Launched for Visitors to the Big Apple with Disabilities

At a press conference at New York City’s storied Russian Tea Room on Tuesday, October 20, United Spinal Association’s Kleo King, Senior Vice President of Accessibility Services, announced the launch of Accessible NYC (www.accessiblenyc.org), a website designed to help visitors with disabilities navigate New York City. Ken Biberaj, Vice President of The Russian Tea Room, and Commissioner Matthew Sapolin from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities also spoke at the event to support the mission of the founding partners, Society for Accessibly Travel & Hospitality (SATH), United Spinal, and Vega Transportation. The Russian Tea Room is located at 150 West 57th Street in Manhattan. Read more

October 7, 2009
10 Digit Dialing Starting in November 2009

Get Ready Now!

10 Digit Dialing effective November 14, 2009!

Beginning November 14, 2009
you must use the new 10 digit dialing procedure
for all local calls in Connecticut

If you do not use the 10 digit number, your call will not be completed.
A recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

New 475 Area Code
Beginning December 12, 2009, new telephone lines or services may be
assigned numbers with the 475 area code. The new 475 Area Code will serve
the same geographic area currently served by the existing 203 Area Code.

Start now with the
Simsbury Chamber of Commerce phone number
and re-program our 7 digit number to include the area code.

Simsbury Chamber of Commerce
phone - 860-651-7307
fax - 860-651-1933

Don't forget fax machines, cell phones, advertising material, stationery,
checks, security systems, call forwarding, etc.

You can start using the 10 digit numbers now.

Public Service Announcement

September 26, 2009
MIT Develops new 6dot braille labelmaker prototype

MIT's just unveiled a new prototype of a braille labelmaker / printer, the 6dot. Though not the first, MIT's model is apparently more advanced, easier to use, and cheaper than currently available models. Designed with the blind and visually impaired in mind, the labelmaker features an around the neck strap, and six buttons (for each of the dots of a braille character), allowing quick production of accurate labels, including contractions. The internal processor of the device can store up to 16 characters, and "prints" the characters onto adhesive label paper, which the user can then affix for easy identification of household items, such as medications, canned goods, and so on. Though it's still in prototype phase, it's possible the device could cost as little as $200 when it does hit the market.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

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Nanocomposites could change treatment

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

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