HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: "blind loyalty"
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:58:31 GMT
Reply-To: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23388

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Chuck Hallenbeck to Jamal Mazrui <=-

CH> Thanks for sharing that article. My only problem is that I do not
 CH> exactly see it as the exposee that you suggested it is. It seemed
 CH> pretty fairly balanced and even-handed as far as I can tell. There have
 CH> been rumors about that article circulating for many months, and some of
 CH> us expected more facts concerning current high salary levels, current
 CH> fund raising abuses, and the like.

Hi Chuck,

Maybe you didn't see such things because she was unable to find
any, and maybe there aren't any such abuses.  You have a pretty
good idea of what I make, and while I am not exactly a pauper I
don't think my salary is out of line with my experience and
responsibilities.

CH> Amy kept most of those issues
CH> relegated to "alleged past offenses." I have seen some investigative
CH> reporting exposees, but I would not describe this article as one. I
CH> guess Amy may have observed the frequent use of law suits by the
CH> organization, and tried very hard to strike a balance in her profile.

There was in fact much discussion of past lawsuits.  She quoted
Ralph Sanders at some length.  What she and he neglected to say was
that Ralph himself hired many lawyers when he was president and
almost bankrupt the organization.

The article did have some good things to say about the NFB but I
wouldn't call it balanced.  There were many more quotes from
enemies than friends.  Much of what it contained was irrelavant.
The staff itself voted to impose a fine on those who spill their
drinks on the carpet.  Besides, who cares, it is the business of
those who work here.  As another example of bias, the article
contained a number of pictures.  Some of them were chosen to not
put those shown in the best light.  A picture of Dr. Jernigan
apparently has the light reflecting off his eyes in a very odd
way.   A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Maurer shows her not looking at
the camera.  The photographer was at the Center for over half a
day, and had to have better pictures than those shown.  I think the
picutres were carefully chosen to not put blind people in a good
light and that reflects on all of us, not just the NFB.

David Andrews

... "I'm not the one that misplaced the Deltivid asteroid belt!" - Q

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From: Bill.Burgess@f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Burgess)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Bike foot pedals
Date: 24 Jul 92 03:11:51 GMT
Reply-To: Bill.Burgess@f401.n229.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:229/401 - The Connection HST!, Oshawa ON

Index Number: 23248

Bill, what you have created is a modification of the conventional
toeclips that I have used for years.  Your rigid design may not use the
strap associated with mine thus allowing exit to the side as well as to
the rear of the pedals, and the weight is required due to the top heavy
design you are using, as a counterbalance.  Hope others find it to be of
benefit.  Creativity adds to lifes pleasures.  Take care. TTYL
Bill

 * SLMR 2.1a * Dogs As Working Guides, OshawaOntario

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From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Turbo Braille Version 3 is ready
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:48:05 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23310

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message of <19 Jul 92  17:57:25>, Daveed Mandell (1:129/89) writes:

 > >David:
 >Can you be a bit more specific on your
 >excitement re the future of braille printers?
 >What new ones are coming out besides the Everest and
 >the Juliet?
 >--Daveed-

Let us just say that I am told by a rep that has seen the
prototype, that one of the big access technology vendors is
preparing a interpoint printer for release late fall this year that
will print 40 characters per second, and will be priced around
$2,100.00.  If that happens it will absolutely change every thing
in terms of Braille printers for personal use.  At that kind of
price, with that kind of speed and being interpoint there will be
no other printer on the market that will be able to touch it.  The
only question will be Braille quality and reliability.

I am sure that if I were looking at Braille printers now I would
wait a few months if I didn't need it immediately.

        D. T.

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From: Keith.Bucher@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Bucher)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Warning!  Beware of Vendor
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:58:07 GMT
Reply-To: Keith.Bucher@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23387

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello Everyone, so you didn't take David home after all?  Well then, if
you don't mind, let's take a trip to Iran.  Hope you don't get held
hostage, but your money might when you buy this OCR for as much
as $5,492, depending on options, and find that you then can't sell it,
should you decide too.  This is a stand alone OCR which includes both a
hard and floppy drive.  These guys are Iranian, and their company is
called Schamex Research, and the OCR is called ReadMan.  So I asked,
"What Character Recognition are you using?" "We aren't giving that
information out." So I asked, "Which scanner are you using, ScanJet or
otherwise?" "An OEM scanner," was all I got.  So Okay, let's scan
something.  And after scanning a document, I said, "Just save it on my
disk, and I'll take it home and read it." They couldn't do that because
they didn't even have the floppy drive in the machine.  In fact, there
was a hole in the box where the drive should have been.  But he
conveniently said, "I can save it on the hard drive and send it to you
after we get back." How about that?  I can't determine what character
recognition they're using.  I don't know what scanner they're using.
And the floppy drive isn't even there. And oh yes, less we forget, their
address isn't even there. On my braille brochure, that is.  Just their
phone number.  So here it is, Schamex Research 818 772-6644  Will these
foreign companies never learn? Even if David and ReadMan are the best
products ever produced, they won't sell as long as Vendors have these
attitudes.  Or maybe they will sell. Would you buy one?  Hope you
enjoyed all the news, both good and bad, or I think I should say good
and revealing, and keep me posted if you too run in too these
companies.  Keith Bucher.

... You could pay mega bucks for mega dots or you could buy Turbobraille

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From: HAG@celio.uvm.edu
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: WP for Visually Impaired
Date: 21 Jul 92 20:34:52 GMT
Reply-To: HAG@celio.uvm.edu
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23220

[This was forwarded from the WordPerfect Corporation Products
 Discussion List by Patt Bromberger.]

By the way, there is an article in this month's WordPerfect magazine
(August 1991) that discusses speech synthesis ("hearing" your
documents instead of seeing them), large print processing, braille
printing, and adaptive technology for the deaf and motor-disabled. It
describes the necessary hardware/software and provides a list of
vendor names and addresses.

Also, some time ago WordPerfect offered it's manual on disk so that
it could be used with speech synthesis hardware/software-- in effect
providing a manual for the blind. I'm sure it's still available.

- Hope Greenberg (HAG at uvmvm.uvm.edu)
From: Greg.Pike@p0.f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Pike)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Os2 and speech
Date: 31 Jul 92 04:37:43 GMT
Reply-To: Greg.Pike@p0.f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/49.0 - Calliope's Den, Garrison NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23460

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 Kimberly,

 KB> Greg, it's people like you that keep me so animated about OS/2 and IBM
 KB> (well, that and the fact that OS/2 is such a great product anyway!)

Why, thank you!  Fortunately we can't really get into a religious war on the
merits of OS/2 versus Windows, simply because they are so completely different.
The war will come when Microsoft releases its NT operating system, which
will provide advanced features similar to those found in OS/2.  Enjoy the
peace while you can!

For those who aren't familiar with what new goodies these new operating
systems will provide, the basic advantages to upgrading are multitasking,
multithreading, and, of course, the graphical user environment.  In a nutshell,
this means that you can run more than one program at a time, the operating
system provides built-in features to design more complex programs, and sighted
users will have lots of pretty pictures to look at, respectively.  A full
explanation of the new features would probably take quite a bit of space and
probably isn't appropriate here.  The point is that there are better and more
powerful things coming than what DOS provides.

 KB> before, IBM included one-finger accessibility right in the base
 KB> package, which I think is pretty cool.  I think IBM is actively
 KB> interested in making their software accessible - if there are
 KB> questions, I'd take Greg up on his offer for information!

I had heard about the one-finger accessibility once, but didn't hear anything
else about it.  I called one of the developers of OS/2 about it, and he
explained to me how to use it.  It seems to me that it's a little awkward
right now, but the developer I spoke to explained why it was done that way and
insured me that it was going to be changed to be a little easier to use.

My offer of information still stands.  I'm not a regular IBM employee and I
only work with the Screen Reader for OS/2 project peripherally, but anyone
who is interested can call me for information.  I have direct access to the
IBM people who are working on the project and I can get answers.  Sometimes it
takes a while, but I'm persistent.  You can call me collect at 914-945-4137.

/Greg

... Harry?  You and me?  Diamonds?

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From: Steve.Bauer@f7.n291.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Bauer)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Modern canes
Date: 21 Jul 92 15:41:20 GMT
Reply-To: Steve.Bauer@f7.n291.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:291/7 - Union Station, Wichita KS
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23192

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Walter,
If it is the same guy I am thinking of who made your canes, he was
retired.  If it is the same one, he passed away last year or early
this year.  A friend of mine had him make a cane special order for
himand it was one of the last ones he made.

Steve

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From: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: nfb bbs censorship?? You
Date: 24 Jul 92 14:01:29 GMT
Reply-To: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/126 - Lawson & Reay, Vancouver WA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23314

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message to Tim Cumings <08 Jul 92 07:08> Joseph Miller wrote:

JM> I have no doubt that
 JM> interested parties will gain
 JM> access to the article.  Nobody here
 JM> has any illusion that its absence
 JM> on NFBNET will keep it from being read
 JM> and spread around. I hope those
 JM> who read it use critical judgment and
 JM> pay close attention to the
 JM> structure of the article. Whatever the
 JM> author's motivation may have
 JM> been, the positive things seem much
 JM> better documented than the negative
 JM> things.
This is true.  The author did not seem very interested in investigating
critically the statements of those who were quoted making unflattering
statements about Dr. Jernigan or the Federation.  These statements seem
to have been taken at face value.  In order, I suppose, to compensate
for the lack of thorough documentation, the author quotes more
anti-Federation people than pro-Federation people.  Far be it from me to
speak ill of her, but it is hard to escape the suspicion that this is a
typical case of "the big lie".  Personally, I think the author was had
by those who would do the Federation ill and did not know enough to see
it coming.

Mike Freeman
 *The National Federation of the Blind is changing what it means to be blind.*
___ CRR QWK 1.40

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From: Keith.Bucher@hnews.fidonet.org (Keith Bucher)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Has anyonShareware?
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:47:10 GMT
Reply-To: Keith.Bucher@hnews.fidonet.org
Organization: The Handicap News, Shelton CT (203) 337-1607
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23307

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello everyone.  I would be interested in hearing from anybody
out there who has tried OCR Shareware.    Since the prices of the
ScanJet scanners has come down, I am trying to discover whether or not
there is any of the Shareware OCR programs which
will work with DOS, not in windows.  Thanks.

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From: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Amount of Traffic
Date: 21 Jul 92 15:29:55 GMT
Reply-To: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:392/26.3 - Star Express, Abilene Tx
X-Fidonet: Amputee Conference

Index Number: 23179

[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Seven ideas:

1. Folks use then when then need it & stop when they no longer need it.

2. Amputees as a group may me more mobile than quads & someother
folks & have a lower felt need for computer use for networking.

3. We haven't provided SYOPS with funds for (a) more hard drive for
TOPICAL FILES,(b)  A SCANNER for newsletters & other printed info
of interested to amputees & their families. and (c) Copies of
Amputee organization newsletters, and a Directory by Type of
Amputation or Interests, such as flying, shooting, spiritual
issues, kids, etc.

4. We users need to identify amputees who might become potential
uses & then introduce them to easy to use computers with a demo in
their or our home. I had computer phobia until I was introduced to
easy to use & now faily low lost Macintosh Classics & a shareware
communications program called MacWoof.

5. Use AMPUTEE as primary communication between support groups all
over North America & else where.

6. Contact major rehab centers such as Texas Institute for
Rehabilitation & Research, Dal;las Rehab Institute, rehab hospitals
nation-wide, Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago, Rehab
Institute in NYC,Scotish Rite PAL program, etc.

7. Volunteer time to accomplish above & other stuff.

Why don't we exchange traffic on this, u

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From: Wayne.Renardson@p0.f14.n116.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Renardson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: If you belive
Date: 24 Jul 92 03:18:01 GMT
Reply-To: Wayne.Renardson@p0.f14.n116.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:116/14.0

Index Number: 23271

Hello Carlos...Just saw your post and thought you might be interested
in a book I just reviewed for the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
It is called You're Not Alone (I dislike the maudlin title) and it
was written by John Sabolich of the Sabolich Prosthetic and Research
Center in Oklahoma City. It has a great introduction on various types
of amputations and prosthetic devices and contains stories from 38
different amputees who have overcome all manner of problems to lead
active lives. The book is very reasonable at $7.95 from Sabolich Research
Center, 1017 NW 10, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Their toll free phone
is 1-800-522-4428. I note you are from Toronto...So am I...Born and
lived on Alton Street near Greenwood Park but now in Nashville TN...Hope
you enjoy the echo...cheers...

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From: Robert.Gilchrist@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org (Robert Gilchrist)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Braille keyboard questio
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:54:02 GMT
Reply-To: Robert.Gilchrist@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:153/715 - The BandMaster, Vancouver BC
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23376

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

To: Lon.Barfield@cwi.nl (L. Barfield)
 On 07-17-92 L. Barfield wrote to All...

 LB> From: Lon.Barfield@cwi.nl (L. Barfield)

 LB> Index Number: 23118
 LB>
 LB> Hello,
 LB>
 LB> I'm writing a bit about keyboards at the moment and I've heard
 LB> occasional references to a braille keyboard and I'm still not too sure
 LB> exactly what one is.
 LB>
 LB> What I am trying to find out is if there is such a thing as a keyboard
 LB> based on the layout of dots in braille. Like a large braille character
 LB> with each dot replaced with a button. Keying in a particular character
 LB> would be done by chording; pressing down at the same time all the
 LB> appropriate buttons corresponding to the pattern of dots for that
 LB> character.
 LB>
 LB> I am familiar with the Agenda and the microwriter these are one handed
 LB> keyboards with a button for each finger and they operate with
 LB> chording.  They use new invented finger patterns for the different
 LB> letters, but as these patterns are already inherent in braille I was
 LB> wondering if there are similar systems for braile writers that use
 LB> this idea.
 LB>
 LB> Any ideas?
 LB>
 LB>    -- Lon --
 LB>
Lon from Rob
There are a number of products that use a braille keyboard to input
Braille. To my knowledge they are no independent keyboards I.E.
keyboards simply manafactured that would plug into an existing keyboard
port. This is a result of thetranslation required. Each of these
products employs a Braille keyboard to input characters into it's
respective system, some examples are Braille N Speak, and Braillemate
both competing hand-held Braille note-takers which use speech. In the
case of Braillemate it also has an 8-dot cell.

I would suggest contacting Telesensory Systems, Inc. one of the
manafacturers of Braille input products at their local number.
(U.S.) (415)960-0920 ask for Mr. Eric Neilsen.

I would be interested in whether this was any help to you.
Rob

... OFFLINE 1.35 * Format another (Y/N)?

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From: Gary.Warren@f5.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Warren)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Health Insurance?
Date: 31 Jul 92 04:31:21 GMT
Reply-To: Gary.Warren@f5.n382.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/5 - Health-Link, Austin TX

Index Number: 23447

Lisa, with the possible exception of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, I don't
think there IS a health insurance company that covers (or doesn't
penalize you) for pre-existing health conditions.  That is the MAJOR
hurdle affecting the disabled in terms of getting health care AND
getting a professional job.  Thus, we have to stay on I and Medicare,
et al, and forget about getting a good paying job, or one at all, or
find that job and hope our health doesn't go downhill until the group
insurance takes effect--sometimes a minimum of 6 to 12 months after
hiring.
glw

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From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: nfb bbs censorship??
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:00:01 GMT
Reply-To: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23392

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Carla Campbell to Mike Freeman <=-

CC> Nah-- what I had in mind when I wrote that I was surprised the article
 CC> was not left for "internal debate" on the NFB BBS was not that you or
 CC> your organization would want to refute it point-by-point, but more
 CC> that it might feed discussion on how to counter (positively, not by
 CC> refuting this particular article) what NFB members say are
 CC> misperceptions of the organization.  Seems to me that a group concerned
 CC> with the image of blind people ought, also, to be able (and interested
 CC> in) promoting its own organizational image to potential members as well
 CC> as to the government, airlines and television networks.  I merely
 CC> thought that a careful study of the way the organization is percieved
 CC> by some (whether the perception is eronious or not) might serve the NFB
 CC> well. Knowing thy enemy and all that stuff.
 CC>
 CC> But then, I have heard from a number of members and ex-members, alike,
 CC> that "internal debate" runs a bit against the grain.  I think that's a
 CC> shame, since, if incorporated and sanctioned, it often makes a
 CC> structure stronger, while it can only weaken if done covertly.

Carla,  Your point of examining the article to learn about what
others think of us is an interesting and good one, although the BBS
isn't necessarily the best place to do that, and certainly isn't
the only place where it can be done.  Believe me that Dr. Jernigan,
Mr. Maurer and others are well aware of what others think and say
about them.  The volume of mail and phone calls guarantees that.

You state that internal debate is not tolerated.  This is a
commonly held view but isn't true from what I have seen.  Once a
matter has been voted upon and a resolution is passed, public
debate is tolerated, but private debate goes on all the time.  Dr.
Jernigan has called me up any number of times, or asked me when I
am in his office, what I thought about this or that.  He does
regularly and systematicly gather opinions on a variety of
subjects.  I was also able to sit in on part of the NFB Board
meeting this past Thanksgiving and I can assure you that things
were debated vigorously and thoroughly.

Like any organization, there are better and worse ways to
accomplish your goals.  You as an employee of Telesensory can't say
or do what you want without impunity.  It is the same for the NFB
or any other organization.  It is possible to disagree, it just has
to be done in the appropriate way.

David Andrews

... deny thy father and forget thy tagline.

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