Eyes on Success Audio Show

This half-hour weekly radio program and podcast discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across the US and Canada, via 3 internet streaming services, and to everybody else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US, 8 Canadian provinces and over 90 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey and distributed by WXXI Reachout Radio in Rochester, NY. 

Topics range from detailed descriptions of adaptive equipment and programs such as screen readers and portable Braille displays to discussions of various accessible reading materials to personal stories of engaging in extreme sports and other hobbies. There's something for everyone on Eyes On Success. 

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed. 

Eyes On Success, then known as ViewPoints, was awarded the 2012 Program of the Year Award in the Consumer Information category from the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) for show #1242 about Downloading and Reading Books on a Smart Phone. 

You can subscribe to the podcast or download individual shows at the "Podcasts with Show Notes and Archive" link. (Scroll down for list of shows and brief description.) You will also find a brief description of each show plus links to show notes with contact information for the products and services discussed in each one. 

Television Accessibility

Samsung and The Carroll Center for the Blind Team Up to Test Television Accessibility Samsung contracted with The Carroll Center to perform important usability testing for a new product still in development.

Samsung television featuring the Samsung logo Samsung television featuring the Samsung logoTechnology opens doors to knowledge, communication, and simple human interaction to young and old alike; it can connect people to people, and its power and prevalence can make it the great equalizer for the blind, but only if technology is accessible.

Newton, MA (PRWEB) January 22, 2014

The Carroll Center for the Blind, a rehabilitation training facility that in 1984 offered the country's first computer classes for individuals who are blind, is now helping businesses, government agencies and educational institutions improve the accessibility of their websites and products for persons with disabilities.

"Today, access technology can provide breakthroughs comparable to the introduction of Braille in the 19th century, or the long white cane in the 20th century," according to the Carroll Center Accessibility Services Coordinator Bruce Howell, a former banking executive and Carroll Center graduate.

"Technology opens doors to knowledge, communication, and simple human interaction to young and old alike; it can connect people to people, and its power and prevalence can make it the great equalizer for the blind, but only if technology is accessible."

The Carroll Center's Accessibility Services team provides businesses, colleges, and government agencies with a comprehensive website evaluation to identify accessibility issues such as a lack of text descriptions for images and graphics. The team then makes recommendations for correcting and improving page construction, and identifies key elements to make navigation easier for disabled, blind and vision impaired customers.

In addition to website evaluation, the Accessibility Services team also provides product testing. Their latest product-testing project gave them an opportunity to work with Samsung Smart TV.

Samsung contracted with The Carroll Center to perform important usability testing for a new product still in development. The Carroll Center thoroughly tested the products and provided feedback about the accessibility features Samsung plans to incorporate into some television and remote models for 2014 and 2015. The two organizations worked together to test audible menu access, screen contrast and magnification options, and voice recognition functions that Samsung engineers have developed for inclusion in Samsung televisions, as well as tactile improvements recommended for their television remotes.

Samsung has already made vast contributions to accessible technology and improved communication. Samsung's voice guide feature verbally communicates the channel name, broadcast name and EPG, volume control, TV menu options, and Internet and Smart Hub content. The models also have screen magnification and high contrast UI for those with low vision.

Brian Charlson, Director of Technology for The Carroll Center complimented Samsung for the work they are doing. "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) will require equal access to televisions for blind and low vision users by 2015, so we are very pleased to see what actions Samsung is taking towards this goal. The Carroll Center's Accessibility Services team was delighted to be chosen as the testing partner for Samsung."

The Carroll Center President Joseph F. Abely noted that for the past 76 years the mission of the Carroll Center has been to enable those with vision loss to be independent and productive members of their community.

"Although we teach our clients the skills they need to navigate the Internet, their ability to fully interact with online content and effectively use electronic devices at home, school, and work is often hampered by the inaccessibility of websites and devices that don't provide the same sort of equal access as physical stores and buildings are required to provide under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)," Abely said. "Inaccessibility is a deterrent for potential consumers. It just makes good business sense to have websites and devices that every consumer can use."

For more information about the Carroll Center's Accessibility Services team, visithttp://carroll.org/accessibility-services/

or contact Bruce Howell by phone at 617-969-6200, x210 or email at bruce.howell(at)carroll(dot)org.

Music For The Blind by Bill Brown

Over 1070 lessons for over a dozen instruments

Taught completely “by ear!”

No Braille, No Print, No hard-to-learn system!

Just great music instruction.

EYE NOTE

Photo of iPhone with
EyeNote App

EyeNote® is a free mobile device application to identify denominations of Federal Reserve Notes (U.S. paper currency) as an aid for the blind or visually impaired.

The EyeNote® application (app) was developed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) for the blind or visually impaired to use as a tool to increase accessibility to Federal Reserve Notes (U.S. paper currency). EyeNote® is built for the Apple iOS to allow the user to scan a bank note and communicate its value back to the user.
The app is available as a free download on the Apple App Store℠. It runs without any special filters or background material. A data connection is not required for the app to work.
Features

• OneTouch, hand-held operation.
• Face or back of note to camera.
• Partial note recognition (note can be handheld).
• Any circular orientation.
• No equipment modification, special background materials or special lighting required.
• Camera flash is not required.
• No data connection required - all processing on device.
• Currency designs from Series 1996 and forward.
• Note can be on a complex background.
• 2-4 second response time.
• User selectable spoken output English or Spanish, based on device language setting.
• Spoken mode also indicates the front or back of note to assist in vending use.
• Simplified on screen instructions (read aloud when device is set to VoiceOver in Accessibility mode)

TCB Christmas Party

From our President, Jesse:

We will be having our Tulsa Council of the Blind Christmas party on Friday, December 13, 2013 at our regular meeting place, West Tulsa Free Will Baptist Church, 930 W. 23rd Place!

We will start at 5:30 p.m. and will be finished at 8:00 p.m. We will be exchanging gifts.  If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift with a cost of no more than $10.  The cost to eat is $8.  We need a few people to bring some sides or a dessert.  Please let me know if you are willing to bring a side or dessert.  Please let Julie or I know if you need a ride to the Christmas party.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Jesse Martinez, TCB President
918 232 7164
Julie Bailey, TCB Vice President
918 231 0202
j.bailey@cox.net

New Resources!

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology - Products for people with low vision and the Blind including electronic magnifiers, scan and read OCR software, talking devices, PC systems, wireless Braille keyboard, book players, and screen readers. They also offer a library of FREE digital books! (Selections such as Phantom of the Opera, Crime and Punishment, War of the Worlds, Beethoven's Letters, Alice in Wonderland and other classics.

Future Aids: A Store for the Blind - Braille Superstore includes low vision products, housewares, toys and games, gift shop, and Braille books and greeting cards. Braille workshop products are available to help family and friends learn Braille, and there is a Copy Center where you can convert brochures, handouts, menus and other documents into Braille.

Survey - Deadline Nov. 22

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is collecting information about the preferences of blind users who browse the Web on mobile devices. They've created a short survey (15 questions) that can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes, and will be available until November 22. Here is the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7RCD9SR

Christmas Shopping - Support ACB

From our President, Julie:

Shop Amazon, Support ACB


Are you starting to make your shopping list for the upcoming holidays? I
have already begun making my wish list and shopping.


One of my favorite online shopping web sites is www.amazon.com. I no longer
have to shop until I drop; I can relax in my favorite chair and browse to my
heart's content.


I recently learned that I can support the American Council of the Blind
while shopping. That's right! You can shop Amazon and a portion of your
hard-earned money can go to assist ACB. It is really easy. Here's how.


From your favorite Internet browser, simply go to www.acb.org/adp. There,
you will find information on ACB's Audio Description Project. There is a
link called "The ADI Amazon.com Associate Link." This will take you to
Amazon, where you can shop as usual. ACB receives a commission on everything
you purchase from Amazon through this link - described DVDs, games,
household products, books, music, and even food. And it doesn't cost you one
penny more to help ACB!


I have an account at Amazon, and they recognize me when I enter using the
ACB links. For the most part, I shop the Amazon main site; however, there is
a link to an accessible site, and I do use it on occasion.


By the way, spend some time on the ADP page; there is a bundle of very
valuable information there for your perusal. You'll find information about
audio-described TV shows, movies, DVDs, and much more.


Happy shopping, and enjoy supporting ACB this holiday season.


- Linda Yacks


Sharon Lovering, Editor

American Council of the Blind

2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201

slovering@acb.org

Learn more about us at www.acb.org

Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial

Tulsa Council of the Blind

From our President, Julie:

Hello to all!

This is just a friendly reminder for the upcoming November 8th TCB Meeting. I
would strongly urge you to make every effort to attend this meeting as
important things are happening!

We will be voting on the 2014 TCB Board and it is important for everyone to
come and let your wishes be known. Just remember that in order to vote, your
dues of $5 will need to be paid before the beginning of the business portion
of the meeting.

We will also be having a guest speaker at this meeting. It is one of our own
members, Marion McFadden. Please come and listen to his tale of how he came
to write his book and his attempts to get it recorded for visually impaired
and blind readers.

The meeting will be at the West Tulsa Free Will Baptist Church in the Family
Life Center located at 930 W. 23rd Place in Tulsa. Dinner will begin at 5:30
pm and the meeting will begin at 6 pm. And conclude no later than 7:30 pm.

If you have transportation difficulties to the meeting, please contact me
and I will do what I can to assist.

See you there!!!

Julie Bailey

TCB President

j.bailey@cox.net

918-231-0202

Disability Treaty

ACTION ALERT
October 25, 2013

The Disability Treaty is Back!
REMEMBER DECEMBER

BACKGROUND:

Last December, the U.S. came close-VERY close-to ratifying the Disability
Rights Treaty. Five Senators who voted 'No' stood in the path of the 2/3
vote required to ratify a treaty that protects the rights of people with
disabilities. Last year we lost, in part, because the Homeschool Legal
Defense Association used misinformation and scare tactics with homeschool
parents to out-call supporters of the treaty by a margin of 100 to 1.  We
cannot let this happen again!

The Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities is the vital
framework to protect the human rights of persons with disabilities across
the world. Inspired by our own Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which
served as the model for the Treaty, the CRPD protects the values of
independence, respect, and dignity for individuals with disabilities. 

More than 700 American organizations, from disability groups, 20+ veterans'
service organizations (most recently the American Legion), businesses
associations, and faith-based organizations have pledged their support to
this treaty.  The United States signed the CRPD in 2009. It's time for our
Senators to ratify the treaty.

SUMMARY OF CURRENT STATUS:

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee,
announced his intention to hold hearings and a markup on the Treaty soon. He
is singularly focused and committed to passing the CRPD this year.  Two
hearings dates are currently scheduled for Nov. 5 and 12.  The Senator has
said it is important that the disability, civil rights, veterans, and
business communities come together to overcome the strong opposition.  

Currently 61 Senators out of the 67 needed have indicated support for the
Treaty, including several strong Republicans (McCain, AZ; Barrasso, WY;
Ayotte, NH; Kirk, IL; Murkowski, AK; Collins, ME).  At least 6 more
committed senators are necessary to reach the 2/3rd (67) votes to ratify the
treaty.  We have identified 14 senators, listed further below, we believe
could be persuaded to vote for the Treaty. Our job is to make sure these
Senators understand the Treaty, how important the Treaty is to the
disability, veterans, and business communities, and to get them to commit to
voting "YES" during the Committee markup!  The Treaty will not go to the
Senate floor for a vote unless WE can get firm commitments for the 67 votes
needed.  

Please take as many of the following action steps as you can to help us
Ratify the Treaty Now.

TAKE ACTION:

1.      Sign the on-line I Support the Disability Treaty Petition
<http://www.handicap-international.us/support_the_disability_treaty>  now!

2.      Call your U.S. Senators and tell them that you support the
Disability Treaty.  If you have called them before, call them again!

.         Visit the CRPD Action Center
<http://cqrcengage.com/disabilitytreaty/action>  to find out the name of
your US Senators  (scroll down and enter your zip code).  It will take you
through the steps to call and email your Senators; or

.         Dial the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the
office of your Senators

.         Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you
represent (if any)

.         Use the talking points below to state your position and ask for a
commitment to vote for the Disability Treaty (or at least be open to
learning more at the upcoming hearings before saying no)

.         Pass this alert along to other people and coalitions that support
the treaty

3.      Email your Senators directly using the CRPD Action Center
<http://cqrcengage.com/disabilitytreaty/action> .  It literally only takes a
minute! A sample letter is provided. 

4.      Tweet both of your Senators to show your support.  Click here
<http://usicd.org/doc/US%20Senators%20List%20of%20Twitter%20ID.pdf>  for
list of your Senators Twitter IDs.  Remember to use #Disability Treaty for
each tweet you send. 

Sample Tweet:  "Let's promote respect for everyone's inherent dignity.
@(SenatorID) I urge you to support passage of #DisabilityTreaty for
Americans with Disabilities."

5.      Come to the hearings on Nov. 5 and 12! We need to pack the hearing
to show support.  If you can't travel to D.C., hold viewing parties and
tweet, call, and email during the hearings.

6.      Tell Us you have acted by emailing emagan@uscid.org
<mailto:emagan@uscid.org> .  We need to be able to show that our supporters
are taking action.

TALKING POINTS: 

* Ratification opens new markets for American products, technologies
and services and will put the US in the best position to export technologies
for people with disabilities worldwide.  Many businesses, such as IBM,
Consumer Electronics Association, Adobe, AT&T and the US Chamber of Commerce
support the Treaty (see more on business support
<http://www.usicd.org/doc/CRPDBusinessCase.pdf> ).
* Ratification helps thousands of Veterans by improving physical,
technological, and communication access outside the US (see Statement by Bob
Dole <http://67.199.83.28/doc/BobDoleTestimony.pdf> , Senator and Disabled
Veteran).
* Ratification provides the U.S. with the best tools to pressure other
countries to end abuse of people with disabilities, and to make their public
infrastructure accessible to people with disabilities (see the CCD report:
Neglected and Abused Abroad: A Look at the Severe Mistreatment of
Individuals with Disabilities Around the World and How the U.S. Can Help
<http://www.c-c-d.org/fichiers/CCD_Inter_TF-Neglected_and_Abused_Abroad.pdf>
).
* Ratification reinforces America's global leadership, putting us in
the strongest position to advance disability rights worldwide and to promote
the rights and values the U.S. established under the ADA, while having no
impact on U.S. sovereignty. 
* Republican and Democratic Attorneys General
<http://67.199.83.28/doc/Gray_Thornburgh_CRPDLetter.pdf> , and past Counsel
to Presidents (see President Bush <http://67.199.83.28/doc/Bush41Letter.pdf>
letter) support the treaty, finding U.S. domestic law already in compliance
with the principals and rights contained within the treaty.
* The CRPD is budget neutral on federal, state, and local governments.

* This treaty is good for American business and for the world. It will
allow us to bring our knowledge of making a society accessible to the whole
world.
* Reservations, understandings, and declarations (RUDs) --added to
explain U.S. interpretation and obligations under the treaty -- address all
the issues raised by the opposition.  

For more information, including the text of the Treaty, please see
http://www.disabilitytreaty.org/ <http://www.disabilitytreaty.org/>  and the
Ratify CRPD Facebook Page <https://www.facebook.com/RatifyCRPD>  that now
has over 4,000 followers.

TARGET LIST:

All Senators, but especially these current targets:

Corker (TN), Ranking member 

Cochran (MS)

Portman (OH)

Coburn (OK)

Flake (AZ) 

Isakson (GA) 

Chambless (GA) 

Fisher (NE) 2012

Johnson (WI) 

Johanns (NE) 

Blunt (MO)

Alexander (TN)

Coats (IN)

Boozman (AR)

We know this is a lot to ask, but if the disability community can't come
together to push the Disability Treaty now, we may not have another chance
for a long time.  PLEASE ACT NOW!

Eric Bridges

Director of External Relations and Policy 

American Council of the Blind

2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201

ebridges@acb.org

Learn more about us at www.acb.org

Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial