assistive technology blind » Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Jun 242010

Leader Dog Guiding a Blind Individual

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an organization that focuses on providing dog guides to people who are blind and visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence, and quality of life. Leader Dogs for the Blind has expanded its services to provide other programs to enhance a person’s independence and quality of life in other ways.

The following programs and descriptions are some of the services that Leader Dogs for the Blind provides to individuals:

The Deaf-Blind Program- This program provides training in the use of a leader dog to individuals who are both hearing and visually impaired. The student is taught to utilize sign language and touch to communicate commands and praise to their dog.
The Accelerated Mobility Program- This program teaches advanced orientation and mobility skills to individuals who are visually impaired and use a cane to assist them in traveling.
The Extended Services Program- This program embraces the new technology that aids clients in attaining greater independence.
Trekker Training- This program utilizes global positioning system technology to teach users how to use a Trekker GPS unit to confidently travel in a community they have never experienced.
The Basic and Advanced Computer Training Programs- These programs teach the use of assistive technologies to enhance employment opportunities.
O & M Professional Seminars- These seminars broaden the reach of leader dogs and increase the resources available to students who may need post-graduation assistance.
The Youth Programs- These programs are designed for students at least 16 years of age to offer dog guide use, Trekker training, and computer training.

The Leader Dog Campus, located in Rochester, Michigan, is a training center where individuals can be trained in any of the programs. The campus housing accommodates for 24 students in individual rooms, along with a kennel to accommodate for 310 large dogs.

The mission of the Leader Dogs for the Blind is to enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.

Visit the Leader Dogs website for more information.

accessABILITY: Senior Technology Fair

Assistive Technology Products, Events, Organizations No Responses »

Jun 152010

Handheld Magnifier

WHAT: Senior Technology Fair

WHERE: To be held at the American Legion, located at: 8725 E. 38^th Street

WHEN: Date: June 18, 2010

Time: 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

See the newest most innovative technology for legally blind and totally blind seniors.
Learn how accessABILITY and other community partners can help make your life more independent.
Make new friends and get involved in community activities that will keep you in the know.

**Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given to our lucky seniors.

Presenters:

Wade Wingler – Director of Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads
Bob Roe - Low Vision Community Guide for the accessABILITYs Older Blind Program

Fred Edwards – Blinded Veterans Association

Lee Martin – National Federation of the Blind & Indiana Coordinator for Newsline

IMAG & Indiana Mobility Accessibility Group
Vision Aid Systems/The Low Vision Store, Amy and Bob Frey — Business Representatives

Indiana State Library —Autumn Gonzalez/Regional Librarian

All are welcome. For more information contact: Jean Brown at 317-362-8306 or jb007@iquest.net

Product Review: VictorReader Stream

Accessibility Reviews, Assistive Technology Products No Responses »

Mar 052010

VictorReader Stream

The VictorReader Stream is a portable DAISY player about the size of a pack of playing cards. It has an SD card for storing books, files, music, voice recordings, and podcasts. You can download your books and MP3s or transport them via USB. The Stream is completely voice-guided for the visually impaired.

Sounds great! Let’s test out some basic functions.

The Stream holds a charge of approximately 15 hours. However, if it isn’t charged you can simply plug it into a socket and use it from there. To turn it on, you need to locate the power button on the left side of the device and hold it down for a couple of seconds. The green light on the front will come on and you will hear a “Beep” followed by a voice greeting. To adjust the volume, use the arrows on the left side, below the power button.

VictorReader Stream side view

To access the User guide, hold down on the 1 button. This guide is helpful in getting started (especially if you cannot see the manual). You can skip through the manual by using the right arrow key, or the 6 button.

Normally you’d press 1 to access the Bookshelf, but since I don’t have any books saved on this device, I’m going to instead learn how to create notes for myself. On the right side of the device, you will notice a button with a red dot (similar to a “Record” button you might see on a VCR or video camera). When you hold down on this button, a voice will say,”Start recording.” You can then record a voice message. When you are finished, you release the button and a voice will say,”Stop recording. Note 1 created.” Each note is given a number which you can find using the 4 and 6 buttons.

If you had a book saved on the device, you can access bookmarks you’ve placed by pressing the little check-mark button on the front of the device. The button with the moon symbol will activate “Sleep” mode, and it will offer to sleep longer the more you press it.

These are just a couple of basic features the VictorReader Stream contains. It is very easy to use once you’ve played around with it a little. I also found this guide to be very helpful.

Try it out for yourself by signing up at our INDATA Loan Library!