Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

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!

CCTV

WHAT: The Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living (IRCIL) Senior Technology Fair

WHERE: Indianapolis Senior Center, 708 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis IN

DATE: March 25, 2010 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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

PRESENTERS:

Sara Croft – Education and Outreach Coordinator for the INDATA Project

Bob Roe – Low Vision Community Guide for the IRCIL’s Older Blind Program

Lee Martin – National Federation for the Blind and Indiana Coordinator for Newsline

Exhibitors: INDATA, IMAG (Indiana Mobility Accessibility Group), Vision Aid Systems, Business Reps Amy and Bob Frey

To RSVP and for more information contact Jean Brown at 317-362-8306 or jb007@iquest.net

Did you remember to take your pills today?  Whether you’ve got a cognitive impairment or are just plain forgetful, assistive technology can help you stay on track with your medication.  Here are a few adaptive aids we have available at the INDATA Loan Library.

Pill Organizer

Pill Organizer – This tray will hold a week’s worth of medication, up to four doses a day.  Each compartment is labeled both in print and braille with the day of the week as well as the time of day (Morn, Noon, etc).

MedReady Medication Pill Box Reminder – The manufacturers of this handy device have thought of everything!  Not only does this pill tray have 28 different compartments for nearly a month’s worth of medication, it has an alarm!  When the alarm sounds, a little window slides open for you to access your pills.  You can set the alarm to go off once, twice, three times, or four times a day, and the alarm volume is adjustable.

Voicemate – This portable device monitors blood glucose and will also identify insulin vials.  It talks its user through the process of pain-free testing and identifies vial labels.  Very easy to use for those with low vision.

Talking Watch – If you don’t necessarily need a container for your medication, a talking watch is a great reminding tool.  Set an alarm for whatever time you need to take your medication and hear the time announced by a clear female voice with the touch of a button.

If you found these items intriguing, come see what else we have in store for you at the INDATA Loan Library!

We’ve all had it happen to us – you visit a website but you are instantly thrown off by the bouncing advertisement that just won’t seem to leave the screen.  While it might be easy for a person who has no visual impairment to find that tiny “x” and close the ad, those who use screen magnification programs might have difficulty tracking the flying ad down.

You can download plug-ins to your browser that will block these advertisements from popping up on your screen.

For Google Chrome, download Privoxy.  Once you download it, follow these instructions for installation.

If you are a Firefox user, download the AdBlock Plus plug-in.

For those who run Internet Explorer, download the newest version IE7pro, which has many built-in features to block advertisements.  You can read this extensive tutorial on the browser’s ad blocking properties.

Trekker Breeze

Imagine that you are on vacation, visiting a city that you’ve never been to.  You want to leave your hotel and walk around to the local shops and restaurants.  You’re not sure where to go or what to do, but you want to make it an adventure.  And –  you’re blind.

Most people might think that it would be impossible for someone who is blind to navigate around familiar buildings or public areas, let alone places that they have never been before.  Yet advances in technology have allowed for people with disabilities to enhance their independence.

Enter the Trekker Breeze, a GPS system from Humanware.  Breeze can tell you what the street names are at an intersection, how large the intersection is, and names of businesses.  For instance, if you are on a bus, Breeze will tell you what the intersections are when you reach them so you know when it is your stop.

You can also record your own landmarks into the Breeze for routes you take often.  Maybe you want to make a note that there is a bench at an intersection or where bus stops are.

Breeze weighs only 7 ounces and is small enough to fit in your pocket.  It has a built-in speaker with volume adjustment and eight hours of battery life.

Humanware has a great demonstration video that shows a person using the product.   Would you like to get your hands on this device?  Check it out from the INDATA loan library or contact Carol Girt (cgirt@eastersealscrossroads.org or 888-466-1314) for a device demonstration!