The FINAL issue of The Bulletin for 2003 was prepared by Deb Lewis (Co-ordinator, Statewide Vision Resource Centre).
Well! If you didn’t come, you missed an excellent EXPO!!!
There was a lively and constant hum of voices as teachers, aides, parents, children and visiting teachers explored the latest in technology for students with vision impairments. Visitors took the opportunity to look at books on audio tape and CD-ROM from Bolinda and other options were demonstrated by staff member Phill McKenna. Graeme Shiels from European Eyewear brought along a dazzling display of the latest in low vision magnifiers and Mimio – for capturing material from the whiteboard to your computer – was put through its paces!
Pulse Data Australia, Quantum Technology and VisTech had a wide array of adaptive devices including CCTVs (video magnifiers), note takers, braille devices, speaking software and other such gadgets. One product that we saw for the first time was ‘ScannaR’, a compact flat bed scanner that will automatically scan text, then read it aloud. The user can either read letters, brochures, newspapers, reports, books or other print materials, or save them for future reference. ScannaR can also be used to capture print materials for the BrailleNote or VoiceNote by simply transferring the saved files across using ActiveSync as with a PC. ScannaR features only seven buttons with tactile markings needed to perform all of the functions and can store up to 500,000 pages of text at any time. I have a PowerPoint show and an audio file describing ScannaR, kindly emailed by Ramona Mandy, Pulse Data Australia. Please email me (deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au) if you would like a copy.
The SVRC EXPO was an excellent event, and one which we will continue to host – so if you didn’t make it this year, put it in your diary for next year – Thursday 2nd December 2004 – and if you did, we’re sure to see you again!
We have squeezed in a couple more professional development sessions to our very full program for 2004. They are:
BrailleNote and ScannaR Demonstration – Thursday 20th May from 10am to 12noon
Window Eyes Workshop – Monday 2nd August from 9.30 to 10.30am load the demonstration software on to your laptop for a 10.30am to 12.30pm workshop. BYO laptop.
Both of these sessions will be with Ramona Mandy, Pulse Data Australia. Please remember to phone us with your RSVP.
For the full SVRC PD program, please see: http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/PD2004.html
See: http://www.brl.org/ebae/index.html for English Braille: American Edition, 1994
Ok, it’s a USA based website but if you happen to be online, it may be a quick reference point for those braille symbols and contractions, rules and information. Just remember that some of the braille may be different to the codes we use in Australia – especially anything to do with Maths.
For example, you can find the braille symbols for French, Spanish, Italian, Greek and Latin accented and special letters: http://www.brl.org/ebae/appendixb.htm
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
RVIB Employment Services assist people to achieve career goals at all employment stages, from identifying goals, to accessing tertiary education, locating suitable employment and obtaining the necessary adaptive technology. The majority of the team have vision impairments and therefore insight into the needs and support requirements of their clients. Information sessions are run twice a month.
For more information: (03) 9520 5555, 1300 55 9987 or employment.services@rvib.org.au
Employers Making A Difference (EMAD) - www.emad.asn.au - provides information, advice, and support to organisations to assist them in recruiting people with a disability.
EMAD makes it easier for organisations to employ people with a disability by advertising vacancies on the website, offering a national pool of over 20,000 jobseekers with a disability. The website also provides people with a disability an opportunity to view positions with employers who promote diversity in their workforce.
The Victorian equivalent, Diversity@Work, lists jobs targeted at people with disabilities across Australia. Go to: http://www.work.asn.au
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
This list is for people to discuss fashions, current and old, and for exchanging information on putting outfits together, accessories, colours, and so on. To join send a blank email message to: blind-fashion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Siblings Australia has created four new discussion groups – three for siblings of different ages (children, teens, and adults), and one for professionals who provide family and sibling support. These discussion groups are a way for siblings to interact with others who share similar experiences.
SibChat4Kids, TeenSibChat, SibChat, and SibServices can all be accessed via their website: http://www.siblingsaustralia.org.au
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
NICAN’s database has information on recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disabilities. Each entry contains contact details, opening hours, fees, age groups served, facilities, resources available and activities offered. The information service is free and can be accessed by phoning 1800 806 769 or the website: http://www.nican.com.au and search using the Information Database.
There are many recreation programs and resources for people with vision impairments available in Victoria – below are the contact details for various groups and associations:
Blind Bowlers Victoria - Bernice Stevenson 9723 4875 (H)
Blind Sports Victoria (BSV) - Maurice Gleeson 9822 8876 (W)
Carpet Bowls Knox/Outer Eastern - Peter Best 9761 0028 (H)
Carpet Bowls, South Western - Maureen 9749 6025 (H), Kevin
King 9749 2624 (H)
Disabled Watersports, Victoria Inc - Kevin Murfitt 5222 1623
(H)
Driving at Geelong - David Blaik 5224 1649 (H)
Driving Days at Sandown - Peter Watts 9844 1242 (H)
Goalball Melbourne - Rob Crestani 9568 5485 (H)
Goalball Geelong - Richard 9528 2206 (H)
Indoor Bias Bowls - Neil Maxwell on 9576 1469
RVIB Ski Club - Alan Bates 9523 7869 (H)
RVIB Tandem Club - Lindsey Holland 9581 4714 (W)
Sailability Victoria Inc - Peter Donalson 9597 0066 (W), 0428
514 058
Swish Victoria - Terry Carlson 9885 8419 (H), Brent Franklin
9263 2444 (W)
Ten Pin Bowling Social Groups:
Hazel Hockley 9725 8039 (H) - Box Hill
Peter Best 9761 0028 (H) - Boronia
Jenny Hyland 9733 4453 (H) - Mooroolbark
Rita Moore 9787 6066 (W) - Outer South East
Victorian Blind Bowlers Association (VBBA) - Tom Perkin 9801
9445 (H)
Victorian Blind Indoor Bias Bowls Association - Neil Maxwell
9576 1469 (H)
Victorian Blind Cricket Association (VBCA) - Bob Hodder 9802
2301 (H)
Victorian Blind Golfers Association (VBGA) - Doug Sloane 9284
3111 (W), John Capes 9532 5179 (H)
Victorian Goalball Association - Nancye Kimmenade 9735 4218
(H), Hamish MacKenzie 0412 537 516
Vision Impaired Sailing - Roy Jewel 9753 6228 (H)
Vision Impaired / Low Vision Tennis - Natasha Brake 9520 5555
(W)
Another useful website to obtain information about blind sports is the VBGA website: www.blindgolf.org.au
Garry Stinchcombe, Deputy Manager RVIB Education Services, gave a paper at the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI) Conference in January 2003.
A full copy of his paper is available from the link at: http://www.rvib.org.au/publications/download.shtml
Future Reflections is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. It is published quarterly by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).
Future Reflections covers the issues surrounding blind children as they grow from birth through college. Each issue provides resources and information for parents and teachers as well as a positive philosophy about blindness. Articles from teaching blind infants to discover and explore their surroundings to campus issues such as access to braille and recorded textbooks offer answers to many of the common questions asked by parents and provide solutions to common problems. It also includes articles about successful blind adults to serve as role models for blind children and their parents.
The following articles can be requested from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre in print or can be accessed via the NFB website:
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
The Kickstart Program will again be run by RVIB during January.
Where: RVIB, 201 High Street, Prahran
When: 27-30 January 2004
Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm
Who: Current and prospective blind or vision impaired tertiary
students are welcome
What: The program includes
To register: contact Joanne Webber, Tertiary Education Consultant on 9520 5555, or freecall 1300 55 99 87 or email joanne.webber@rvib.org.au
Registrations close: Friday 16 January 2004. Places are limited so it is recommended that you register early.
VisTech tell us that they are now selling superseded Rainbow Reading Machines. There are eleven machines left which are now priced at $1,995 – down from $7,000.
Contact VisTech at:
201 High St, Prahran 3181
Tel (03) 9520 5588
Source: Minutes of Australian Braille Authority Victorian Subcommittee meeting, 15 September 2003
The Department of Family and Community Services has publicly released a summary report (10 pages) of the review of these two programs. The report can be accessed on the Department’s web site at: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/content/blind_review_report.htm.
Print copies and alternative formats are available by phoning (07) 3005 6031. The ABF understands that the Department aims to implement changes to the programs through the 2004/05 Budget.
Source: Minutes of Australian Braille Authority Victorian Subcommittee meeting, 15 Sept 2003
Emilie Butcher, formerly Braille Transcriber, Statewide Vision Resource Centre, recently spent a week in East Timor with Frances Gentle and Nigel Herring as part of the Braille Literacy Project. The primary focus was a train-the-trainer program, concentrating on braille writing with slate-stylus and the Perkins Brailler. They also looked at sighted guide techniques, use of a cane, and low vision aides, as a lot of good equipment had been supplied by Timor Aid. The recipients of the 5 day training program were the Director and teachers of Taibessi School for the Disabled and a staff member of Catalosa, an organisation providing counseling services to people with disabilities and their families.
This project has been a great step forward as there previously was no braille or education for vision impaired children in East Timor. Matters are complicated greatly by the mix of languages used in East Timor: Portuguese, Indonesian and Tetan. The teachers receiving training volunteered their own time during holidays and were very keen and grateful for the training.
The Australian Braille Authority Victorian Subcommittee is holding a forum on the future of Braille Codes in Australia. The purpose of the forum is to discuss options for future Braille codes to be used in Australia. This will also give guidance to the Australian Delegation attending the Third General Assembly of the ICEB (International Council on English Braille) in March, 2004. The format of the forum is as follows:
Input from braille users, transcribers, proofreaders and teachers is sought. The ABA is keen for this forum to be an inclusive consultation process involving many braille readers. There is no cost and refreshments will be made available.
When: Saturday 7 February, 2004, from 2-5 pm
Where: The Day Centre at Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Road,
Kooyong (entry to the building is through the red doors at the top of the roundabout)
Public transport: via the 69 tram or train to Kooyong station.
RSVP: Leona Holloway for catering purposes and also if you
would like a copy of the paper ‘Braille Codes at the Crossroads’
on (03) 9864 9701 or leona.holloway@nils.org.au
Source: OzBrl Discussion List
Diana Braun has put together a collection of recipes that she calls Never Fail Recipes in Braille. They are designed especially for people who have learnt Grade 1 (uncontracted) braille, and who want to use it in their everyday activities. The recipes are in double-spaced Grade 1 braille and are available free of charge from St Edmunds School in Sydney.
For information: contact Francis Gentle on (02) 94871044 or vision@stedmunds.nsw.edu.au
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
Here it is! The list for people who want to be cooks. It doesn’t matter if you are a gourmet chef or just learning to boil water, this list is perfect for you.
Mouth-watering recipes will be shared along with eye-opening tips, kitchen
products that work for people who are blind or vision impaired and a whole lot
more! If you need some help figuring out how to do something? Ask how and get
an answer.
To join send a blank e-mail to: Cookinginthedark-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You don’t need sight to make dinner tonight.
Source: LiveWire, December 2003. Article by Trevor Boyd – Quantum Technology Southern Office
When I was asked to write an article on the new version 7 of OpenBook, I found this subject could easily fill our entire newsletter. So I have simply focussed on a few major features.
For those who are not so familiar with OpenBook, it is a computer program to scan, read, edit and manage a whole range of printed material. One of the best features is that you don’t need to be a computer genius to work it.
For those who are familiar with OpenBook, here’s a bit about new features added in this upgrade. This OpenBook upgrade allows you to send and receive faxes and is compatible with fax machines as well as computers that have faxing capability. Another great new feature is the photocopy feature. To do this, choose photocopy from the launch menu to send the scanned and processed document to a printer for as many copies as you need.
A new synthesiser called RealSpeak is now included. RealSpeak is a natural, human-sounding voice that helps enhance your reading experience. You still have access to ViaVoice as usual, which provides practical and efficient speech for editing or skimming documents.
Installing OpenBook 7 is a breeze! I put the OpenBook CD in the drive and waited for the install to start. The whole process took about 3 minutes. There are a couple of choices during the installation: the first is whether you would like the computer to talk through the install process and also if you would like the new RealSpeak speech.
If all you want to do is read some printed material, just place it on the scanner and press the insert or the F4 Key. The ease of use is one of OpenBook’s best features. OpenBook will then scan the printed page, then recognise the text, display it on the screen and read it out loud.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a scanner; the one used for this test was well under $200 and worked very well scanning a page in about 20 seconds. OpenBook took about 10 seconds to recognise the scanned text. In total, the whole process took 30 seconds.
If you would like some extensive information on the various scanners, it can be found at http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_support/OPENBookSL5.asp
OpenBook has an excellent library system so that scanned documents can be stored in logical folders in the computer. Making it easier to find recipes, pamphlets or those dreaded bills. These can be explored just by using the arrow or cursor keys.
OpenBook also comes with a Braille translation program so documents can be translated into contracted Braille and embossed or sent to a Braille note-taker. Documents can also be saved as MP3 or WAV sound files to be listened to with portable players while travelling.
If you would like a free trial CD or more information, please contact Quantum Technology.
Source: LiveWire, December 2003
Stay tuned to the Quantum website for information regarding the upcoming Freedom Scientific/Quantum Technology Scholarship Program 2004. Details about the exciting program will be released early in the new year.
E-text is text that is presented to students in electronic format. It is text that can be copied and pasted into Word (for example) and edited. It is useful for students who find print difficult to use due to size requirements. E-text can appear on your computer screen in whatever font or size you like. Some students find it easier to read using the Windows High Contrast settings, with a black background and white text. More students are using e-text text books and requesting e-text for their study materials, exams etc. One of the advantages of e-text is that students do not have to carry enlarged books with them. For more advantages, see the e-text page on the Vision Technology website: http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/etexts.htm
When presenting a text or exam as e-text, some changes need to be made to make it easier for students to access. Sighted students can glance down to the bottom of the question to see how many marks are available, and how many lines there are as a guide to the length of their answer. When text has been enlarged, three lines of underscores can become ten, making it confusing for students to guess how much to write.
The following instructions were prepared by Lea Nagel, Visiting Teacher, Eastern Metropolitan Region with one particular student (Erin) in mind – they may need adaption if you plan to apply them for use with your student.
*Often, space for answers appears on the test page as a series of underlines. When enlarged, these underlines can extend to a very large number of lines. Remove all underlines, and note [in square brackets] the number of lines that appear in the print copy, as a guide for the length of the answer. Proof read carefully, and for exams, proof read with someone else.
1.
2 marks
Who does Celine live with?
[1 line]
2.
3 marks
What type of house is it? How many rooms are there?
[2 lines]
3.
5 marks
List some of the features of this house: [4 lines]
4.
4 marks
State the period and amplitude of y = sinx
[1 line]
Sketch a graph for one complete period.
[axis has vertical line at the far left of the horizontal line]
Some mathematical terms have been re-typed and re-formatted, as they originally appeared in graphics boxes, and do not show up using Erin’s preferred computer settings.
In Microsoft Word, symbols such as theta, pi and square root can be found in the Insert - Symbol menu.
The following was prepared by Denise Probert, Visiting Teacher, Northern Metropolitan Region
What will they think of next? Dick Tracey meets USB port!
Helen Caldow has been snooping again and has found a watch at Dick Smith for $99 (or if you order through the SVRC, $90) that is also a 128 MB mass storage device. Braille transcriber Maria’s husband Jim has lent one to the SVRC for your perusal on request, until the end of this year.
DataSPY is a handsome analogue watch with reasonably large, silver numbers and white arrowheads on the hands on a black background. To plug in to your computer, detach the small USB plug from the wrist band, and plug it in. Windows XP onwards will automatically recognise it as a USB mass storage device. It also comes with an extension cable.
Why carry huge volumes of text books, when you can store them all in your DataSPY Wrist Drive?
Source: RVIB Client Newsletter & Group Programs, November 2003
Former DE&T Visiting Teacher Service student, Nick is one of six Victorians who are legally blind who have been awarded Personal Achievement Awards. The awards were presented for excellence in the fields of art and entertainment, business and enterprise, sport and recreation, adaptive technology, and community service as part of RVIB’s annual ‘4 Sight Week’.
Nick was honoured in the category of adaptive technology.
Sandra Groves, psychologist for the Statewide Vision Resource Centre, has successfully sought work elsewhere – she’ll be with us till then end of the year – and her position will be advertised early in the new year. We thank her for her dedication and interest and wish her all the very best in the future.
Deb Lewis (who can be emailed at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au).