Disabilities Expo

Don't forget the Disabilities Expo this weekend!! Come by the TBC booth and see the new digital machine!

2010 Disabilities Expo and Mini-Conference
Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:30am - 1:00pm
Classic Center
Athens, GA

http://negatalkingbooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-disability-expomini-conference.html

Recruiting for Survey on Synthesized Speech and Audio Description

Recruiting Now for a Survey on Synthesized Speech and Audio Description

IBM Research-Japan and WGBH's Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) are conducting a joint study via an online survey on the applicability of speech synthesis for audio description of Web-based video.

Adults (18+ years of age) who are blind or have low vision will be asked to share their opinions about a few short video clips which include synthesized description.

NCAM is seeking participants with a range of familiarity with synthesized speech (from little or none to regular users) and as well as familiarity with audio description (from little or none to regular users).

Interested in sharing your opinion? Please send an email toaccess@wgbh.org with "participate" in the subject line. Once the online survey is posted on or about March 1, you will be sent an email with the survey's Web site address and asked to complete the survey by Friday, March 12. The survey, which will be accessible via screen-reading software, should take no longer than one half hour.

NCAM will summarize and share the results of the survey once user opinions are analyzed.

NOTE: This is an early investigation into a subject many people who are blind or have low-vision have asked about for many years. Though we are conducting this study, WGBH does not intend to substitute synthesized speech for human voices on the programs and movies we currently describe. Following this narrow and limited initial study, further research will be required to expand the scope of investigation into larger populations, other types of media and other parameters.

Thank you!

Mary

--
Mary Watkins
Director of Communications and Outreach
Media Access Group at WGBH
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
617 300-3700
mary_watkins@wgbh.org
access.wgbh.org

Follow the Media Access Group on Facebook and Twitter (AccessWGBH)

WGBH Boston informs, inspires, and entertains millions through public
broadcasting, the Web, educational multimedia, and access services for
people with disabilities.

Disability Day at the Capitol is Feb 25

Disability Day at the Capitol, a gathering sponsored by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, will be held next Thursday, February 25. This annual rally is a chance for Georgians to support disability rights during the General Assembly legislative session.

Here is an article from the Athens Banner-Herald about Disability Day:

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/021810/new_564360676.shtml


For more information, please visit www.gcdd.org.

HumanWare Introduces Stream 3.1 Software

An email from HumanWare, Inc:

Dear Victor Reader Friends:


HumanWare is please to announce the release of new Stream 3.1 software. Stream 3.1 is a free release that responds to popular requests received from many Stream customers. New features include:

- Multi-level Talking Books bookshelf. The ability to create nested folders on the Other Books, Podcast, and Text File bookshelves introduced in version 3.0 has been extended to include the Talking Books bookshelf. You can now optionally create nested folders within the $VRDTB bookshelf folder and navigate the structure while browsing the Talking Books bookshelf.

- For our friends in Spain we now support the Spanish braille electronic text files with a file type of .BRA. At the time of this announcement the Spanish 3.1 is not yet available but we are working with our partner in Spain to release it as soon as possible.

- The popular percentage announcement on the Where Am I key that informs you how much of the book you have listened to has been extended to Talking Books and Audible books.

- When you set a start position for a Highlight bookmark the End position can now be set with a single key press of the Bookmark key.

- The navigation UNDO feature has been extended to the Go To Page function.

- We have introduced two shortcuts to reach the start or end of a book. To quickly jump to the beginning of a book press the Go To key once and then press the Rewind key once. To reach the end of the book press the Go To key and then the Fast Forward key.

- When you press Cancel to end a recording the Stream will now ask you to confirm. This prevents stopping a recording accidentally.

- Stream 3.1 will allow you to copy DAISY books from USB flash media such as flash memory sticks or the NLS cartridges used by the NLS library in the USA and the AFWA library in Western Australia. Each USB flash book must be in its own folder. When you attach a cartridge or flash media the Stream will automatically start playing the first DAISY book on the media. Once the book is playing you can optionally press key 3 to copy it to the Talking Books bookshelf of your SD card.

Stream 3.1 also includes several bug fixes. Please see the Release Notes for full details.

Both the software and Release Notes can be downloaded from the Stream support page at:

http://www.humanware.com/stream_support

Select the Software link on that page. You will find the Release Notes at the top of the English 3.1 software download links. You can choose from two English versions one with Samantha + Tom text-to-speech voices and another with Samantha + Daniel (UK) voices. You can upgrade to version 3.1 from any prior Stream version. To install the new software, follow these steps:

- Download the software zip file

- Unzip the single UPG upgrade file from the zip file. You do not need special unzip software. Simply press Enter to open the zip file and you can then select the UPG file.

- Copy this UPG file to the root of your Stream SD card.

- Disconnect the Stream from the computer, connect it to AC power and turn it on.

- The Stream will automatically start the update process which takes about 2 minutes during which time it will announce intermittent "please Wait" messages. The Stream will power off when the new software is installed.

- When you power back on the UPG file will be automatically removed from your SD card.

After the new software is installed, an html Release Notes document will also be available in a HumanWare sub-folder of your Text Bookshelf so you may read the Release Notes with your Stream. The html version allows you to navigate the Release Notes section by section using the 2/8 keys to select the level and keys 4 and 6 to move between sections.

With this announcement, version 3.1 is available in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish. As other languages become available they will be posted on the same download page. We also are working on a new version of the Stream Companion software for Windows which will be announced on the Newswire when it is available.

HumanWare values your continued support of the Victor Reader Stream. We remain committed to our customers to make the Stream the most powerful, flexible, and enjoyable product used for listening to digital talking books, computer files, and music.



Thank you,

The HumanWare Team

2010 Disability Expo/Mini-Conference

Northeast Georgia Transition Team
and
Georgia Council for Exceptional Children
present

2nd Annual Disabilities Expo and Mini-Conference

This expo is designed for families with children, teens, or young adults with disabilities. There will be information on transportation, rehabilitation, recreation, medical equipment and supplies, home modifications, insurance, prescription medications, health care financing, support groups, employment, education and more!

Come by and visit the Talking Book Center booth! We will have the new digital machines on display!


2010 Disabilities Expo and Mini-Conference
Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:30am - 1:00pm
Classic Center
Athens, GA

TBC Open Monday

The Talking Book Center will be open Monday, February 15, although the mail will not run due to the President's Day holiday. You can still call in your orders to be picked up on Tuesday!

Other Sources for Blank Digital Cartridges

Adaptive Technology, a division the Perkins School for the Blind, is now selling blank cartridges similiar to the ones used by NLS digital players. Patrons may purchase these cartridges for use with the BARD program.

Blank 1GB cartridges are $14.95, while blank 1GB cartridges bundled with a compatible
36-inch USB cable are $17.95. The USB cable may also be purchased separately for
$3.95.

Customers ordering by phone or online may use credit cards. Perkins also accepts
e-mail or fax purchase orders. To place an order, contact Adaptive Technology, a
division of Perkins Products, as follows:

E-mail: adaptivetech@perkins.org
Phone: (978) 462-3817
Fax: (978) 462-3928

To place an order online, go to the Talking Book Accessories section of
www.perkinsproducts.org.

To order by mail, send your request with a check to:

Perkins Products
P.O. Box 778
Amesbury, MA 01913




You may also purchase cartridges from American Printing House for the Blind. Their 2GB cartridges are $11.95 each. To place an order, contact the American Printing House for the Blind at http://shop.aph.org or 1-800-223-1839. Customer service questions may be sent by e-mail to cs@aph.org.



Independent Living Aids also sells blank cartridges. You can read about those in our earlier post, found here.

Global Voice

An email from the Public Relations Manager of The Global Voice:

The Global Voice is a multi format internet radio station launched on May
1 of last year. The station is currently operated by mostly blind individuals. The mission of the station is to bring together the blind and sighted communities.

The Global Voice operates 24/7 and offers a wide range of programs, including: music, news, technology, comedy, and talk shows. Programs are produced by staff as well as outside sources.

Since the intent of this station is to be global, we have a variety of broadcasters from around the world and offer programs in languages other than English.

If you’d like to stop by and give us a listen, visit:

www.theglobalvoice.info

Any questions regarding the station can be directed to:

management@theglobalvoice.info

Follow us on twitter: theglobalvoice

GLASS Survey

The GLASS (Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services) website has a survey about the upcoming decisions for Talking Books services. Your input is needed! This survey is designed for current and former TBC patrons, public library staff, service providers, disabilities educators, and anyone interested in TBC services.

You can find the link on the GLASS website:

http://www.georgialibraries.org/glass/

or go directly to the survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KeOlzFDbdPvusM15dhdi%2fuy3Md4qkDxbNEMjCW5lGT8%3d&

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY!

TBC Patrons Get More DBs

If you are a TBC patron using digital books, expect to see more of the blue boxes in your mailbox. When digital books were first loaned out to patrons, the collection was so small patrons could only borrow two at a time. Now the collection has grown, so patrons will be able to check out up to five digital books at a time.

The number of digital book cartridges you borrow from TBC is not impacted by use of the BARD program and books you download.

If you have not yet received a digital player and you would like to be on the list for one, please call 1-800-531-2063.

TBC Public Forum

The Talking Books Public Forum is THIS SATURDAY, February 6th, at 1:00pm!!

Talking Books Public Forum
Saturday, February 6
1:00pm
Athens-Clarke Co. Library Auditorium


This is an important opportunity for patrons, family members, and anyone interested in Talking Books to present their ideas to the state TBC representatives. YOUR INPUT will help shape the future of Talking Book service in Georgia.

For more information, please call the Talking Book Center at 1-800-531-2063.

2010 Transit Day at the State Capitol

Here is a letter from ACTNow Georgia about Transit Day at the Capitol:

Dear Friends of Transit,

Thanks to many of you for taking time to talk to me over the course of the
last week regarding the Area Coalition For Transit Now, ACTNow Georgia, and
your organization's possible participation in various "2010 Transit Day at
the State Capitol" activities on February 18, 2010.

As I mentioned to you, ACTNow Georgia is a grassroots, non-partisan
coalition that is comprised of individuals and organizations that recognize
public transit as a necessary component of Georgia's economy, environment,
and quality of life. Through the use of education, public outreach, and
advocacy; we aim to ensure that transit has the necessary federal, state,
regional, and local resources needed to maintain and extend the current
levels of service being provided.

ACTNow Georgia's goals for the "2010 Transit Day at the State Capitol" are
quite simple-to encourage thousands of transit supporters to attend the
activities being hosted on that day; encourage those supporters to talk to
their legislative representatives about the need to support transit for the
entire State; and encourage those supporters to continue "transit support"
dialogue with their representatives, community leaders, community
organizations, and neighbors; long after Transit Day is over.

The activities currently planned for "2010 Transit Day at the State Capitol"
are as follows:

* Breakfast for members of the Georgia State Legislature at Georgia
Freight Depot

During the breakfast, live video footage of "Faces of Transit" from around
the State will be shown to give legislators a clear visual picture of just
how important transit is to the citizens of Georgia. If at all possible, we
would like for different transit agencies to bring some of their patrons to
the breakfast. The cost of the breakfast will be covered. The only cost to
the agency is the fuel that they were already planning to use to make the
trip.

* Caravan of Legislators and their constituents to the State Capitol

After the breakfast the legislators will be asked to join their constituents
on their agency's buses for a trip to the Capitol. This will give transit
supporters an opportunity to engage in conversation with their legislators
about how vital transit services are to them.

* Appointments with Legislators at the State Capitol

Transit advocates and individual supporters will be allowed to schedule
meetings with their legislators from about 10:00am - 12:00pm. Agencies and
individuals are urged to contact their legislator's offices to request an
appointment time for this day.

* Return to Georgia Freight Depot for Wrap-Up

This activity may be subject to change in whole or in part. As planned now,
the Legislators will be asked to return to the Georgia Freight Depot between
12:00pm -1:00pm for a wrap-up and/or discussion of "Transit Matters" and
perhaps additional lobbying for transit legislation. We shall provide more
information on this piece as soon as it is finalized.

It is ACTNow Georgia's sincere hope that your agency will be able to
participate fully in the day's activities. We also hope that you are
willing to allow us to come in and capture photos, slides, and/or video
footage of "Faces of Transit" within your system, so that we can be sure
that we are conveying a clear message to legislators about how vital transit
is to every district throughout the state of Georgia.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience regarding scheduling a time
for us to come to your location to capture photos, footage, etc. that you
would like to have us include in "Faces of Transit." In addition to this,
if you already have photos or video footage available that you would like to
submit to us that would be great and it would also save a lot of time. I
may be reached by phone at (404)409-9994 or by e-mail at
alvatinaupshaw@gmail.com. For more information on ACTNow, Georgia, please
log on to our website at www.actnowga.org or
e-mail us at info@actnowga.org.

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you very soon.




Sincerely,


ACTNOW GEORGIA