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December 29, 2010
Top Three Must Have Android Apps for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Accessibility on the Android is improving dramatically. Just about all of the features of the Android phones are accessible now because recently, Android apps have been created that have dramatically  improved accessibility in areas where it once lacked. If you are blind or visually impaired and are an Android user, there are three Android apps that you will need to get your hands on to dramatically improve your user experience.

IDEAL Accessible K9 E-Mail

It used to be that email was not an accessible feature on Android phones. This is no longer true because IDEAL Accessible K9 E-Mail now makes this feature one hundred percent accessible. With this Android app, the blind and visually impaired have access to their email, just the same as their sighted counterparts. This Android app is free of charge and is one hundred percent compatible with Android's accessible technology (Ideal Group).

IDEAL Item Identifier

Surely you have heard of the expensive blindness technologies that enable us to read barcodes, so we are able to identify certain products. You think of how wonderful it would be to have something like that in your possession, but feel it is far out of your reach because of the cost. The good news is that if you have an Android phone, you can have a barcode reader for free. Just download the IDEAL Item Identifier to your Android phone, and you will be in business (Jacobs)! 

Fennec

Fennec is a browser made by Mozilla that will soon be released. It is still in the testing phases. However, if you feel brave, you can download it and check it out. If you are really tech savvy and familiar with software development, you can give suggestions in terms of accessibility (Tofel).

The Android platform is absolutely wonderful! The fact that this platform is open source enables accessibility to be developed at a much quicker pace because everyone in the community can work together on this initiative and allow the blind and visually impaired to have access to everything for free.

Works Cited 

Ideal Group. "IDEAL Accessible K9 E-Mail." AndroidZoom. N.p., 2010. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. 
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/communication/ 
ideal-accessible-k9-email_ilop.html.

Jacobs, Steve. "Accessible Android E-Mail and Barcode Reader Available." Access For All. N.p., 7  July 2010. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. http://www.accessforall.eu/2010/07/accessible-android-e-mail-and-barcode-reader-available/.

Tofel, Kevin C. "Why Mozilla Wants the Fennec Browser on Android (and What It Looks Like)." 
Gigaom.com. N.p., 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. http://gigaom.com/2010/04/28/ 

why-mozilla-wants-the-fennec-browser-on-android-and-what-it-looks-like/. 

From http://www.associatedcontent.com 


December 29, 2010
New iPhone app helps visually impaired

A shake shake shake, and a phone call is made!


December 29, 2010
Helpful Apps for iPhone

The designers of the iPhone, however, have realized that their new phone can be used for more than just listening to music or playing games.

Listed below are some incredibly helpful applications available for the iPhone that can truly make your life easier.

Vision Applications

Your eyesight is an incredibly valuable asset. The applications below test your vision, exercise your eyes, tract your acuity, or just help with routine activities, making your life easier and more independent.

Vision by AppZap - This application helps test and protect your vision. It includes various functions such as eye exercises that keep your eyes healthy and minimize eyestrain, fun games like optical illusions and stereograms, as well as tests tracking your color vision, astigmatism, retinal function and visual field. It also provides practical information relating to different aspects of vision.

Eye Test by Bokan Technologies - A portable testing tool for near visual acuity, color test and visual illusions, this application tests your visual acuity with the Snellen Chart and records your results to see how your vision has changed over time.

Splash ‘n’ Dash - Eye Training by Kendi Tech - Exercise and challenge your eyes with momentary vision and focus ability tests. The application flashes a 6 digit number for a quarter of a second and then you have to enter it into the program, which tracks your results over time.

Colorblind by Andrew Borland – A game that challenges your ability to memorize and create colors, this application stretches your ideas about color in a completely new way.

ISpectrum Color Blind Assistant by Wishbone Apps – An application that is essential for the colorblind, ISpectrum identifies any color by name. With over 500 verified colors, the application uses your camera and zoom tools to focus in on the items you need, providing fast and efficient help and the touch of a button.

Braille

Learning Braille is important to many family and friends of those who are blind; however, it is sometimes difficult and time consuming to learn. These applications make learning Braille easy and portable, allowing you the ability to communicate with your loved ones quickly.

Bumps – A Braille Guide by Izatt International – Learn the Braille alphabet with three convenient methods including a quick reference guide with all 26 letters displayed, flash cards and word play. This application is a great way to learn Braille while on the go.

Learn Braille by Paul Ziegler - This application helps anyone with regular sight learn and master Braille. The program helps you learn Braille with standard letters and symbols as well as Braille in Japanese, Hebrew, Korean and Chinese.

Braille Clock by Peter Elst - Practice your Braille numbers with this Braille Digital Clock.

Linguistical by glyph.org.uk - This program helps you learn to sight read Braille as well as a variety of other languages. A language learning tool, the system was designed to increase your vocabulary skills while you’re on-the-go.

ASL Programs

American Sign Language (ASL) is broken down and demonstrated through a variety of fantastic programs. Find the level that works best for you and increase your communication skills with your friends and family. If you are interested in the basic ASL alphabet, you can use American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet by DMBC, ABC Sign by iDev2.com, or Hand Speak by Imagine Software. More advanced applications are listed below.

Sign Smith ASL by Vcom3D – This application comes in three different versions. The Lite version includes 20 signs and is a great start for learning ASL. The Essential version increases your skills to 100 signs while the Ultimate level contains 1,200 signs. The 3D application provides easy to follow instruction, allowing you to learn basic words and greetings and continuing to full conversations.

ASL by Zoosware - Another program available in three levels, the ASL program is easy and enjoyable application that lets you learn at your own pace, tracking your progress along the way. The Lite version contains 50 words, Pro has 700 and Ultimate contains 1,400 signs.

Baby Sign ASL by iDev2.com - A video phrase book with over 200 signs useful for children, Baby Sign provides your child with the ability to communicate before they can even speak. It is believed that learning sign language as a baby enhances their learning skills, increases your baby’s IQ, increases self-esteem and builds trust.

Other Helpful Aids

The iPhone also has a variety of other applications that can help with your daily routine. From tracking your medication to your glucose levels, these programs can become a life-saving addition to your daily routine.

Pillboxer by Nixwire - Track all your medications, vitamins and supplements in one place. This helpful application includes a full database of 11,000 FDA approved medications, visual pill box icons that let you track the medications taken during the week, a web reference to look up detailed information about your medication, notification if you’ve missed any scheduled times and much more.

Glucose Buddy – Diabetes Helper by OneAppOneCause – This application is a smart, easy and effective way to track your blood glucose, food, exercise and medicine.  A convenient way to record all of your healthy steps in one place, and help manage your medical care.

Disabled World Updates App on iPhone - The world can be a tough place for those who are disabled or handicapped. Not only is there the challenge of living with your disability, but for many a handicap also brings the stress of living on a fixed income. Whether you yourself are disabled or you help to care for a disabled person this is a must have app. Disabled World Updates delivers the latest news on overcoming disabilities, and new technologies to help you cope with your situation. Whether your life is affected by autism or paralysis there are new discoveries made everyday. So get this app and the next update might just be the one that makes all the difference to you and your family - http://www.pcworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=116769



Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/iphone-apps.php#ixzz19WBNothp

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
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.

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, 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 HumanitarianSightDisaster 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
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.
 
Read more

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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