HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Editorial feelings
Date: 16 Oct 92 04:08:42 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25067

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message to Jim Danley <24 Sep 92 08:25> Bill Koppelmann wrote:

 BK> for the rest of the day.  I
 BK> will certainly try to be patient when
 BK> I can, but there just are gonna
 BK> be times when someone reaches out and
 BK> pets my dog without asking and
 BK> I'm gonna bite their head right off.
 BK> I'm not apologizing for it
 BK> either, that is, in advance, and maybe
 BK> it's just possible that if I
 BK> don't feel sorry about being rude that
 BK> I shouldn't say that I am!
 BK> What think you on this?

Hi, Bill.

First, IMHO, there is no excuse for being rude.  The Golden Rule
comes to mind; if we expect people to be civil to us, we should
do our damnedest to be civil to them.  I recognize that there are
going to be those days wherein one gets up on the wrong side of
the bed and everybody had better stay one hundred meters away if
they don't want to get killed.  But, by and large, IMHO, we
should make the effort to be civil.

Second, this does not mean that we can't be firm in defense of
our space and/or needs.  We need not be subservient in order to
be civil.  But we needn't let people walk all over us.

How to practice this is the $64.000 question; it's often a fine
line between being firm but civil and being rude.  Furthermore,
just because you're blind and are expected to "stay in your
place", there are those who will think you rude for simply
asserting yourself.  Pay them no mind; do your thing.  No one
else is gonna do it for you.

Regards,

Mike Freeman < K 7 U I J >
... ** The blind are no longer willing to be second-class citizens. **
___ CRR QWK 1.40

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From: Stu.Turk@p2.f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: VERSABRAILLE
Date: 10 Oct 92 04:57:58 GMT
Reply-To: Stu.Turk@p2.f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26.2 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24832

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

AS>SURE. A VERSABRAILLE IS COMBINATION CASSETTE RECORDER AND

 ML>  So, am I understanding this correctly, this plastic plate then
 ML> makes the  braille combinations, how big is it?  How many
 ML> characters across is it?  Can you describe it a little bit more?
 ML>  How fast does it change from one  screen to the next?  etc...

  The one I saw looked pretty much like the TDD we use except that
instead of the LED letters, it has 6-dot braille 'cells' moving
across the screen, teletype fashion.  I think the braille cell was
about the same size as our LED letters and the one line display held
about the same number of characters.
   Note that not all deaf/blind people can use a versibraille.  Some
can't feel the braille dots and even many of those who can cannot
read it fast enough because, unlike regular braille on paper were
you set your own reading speed, the versibraille display moves at
the speed of the person typing to you.

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From: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Speech
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:29:31 GMT
Reply-To: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24968

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 AF> about the DecTalk. I am a speech impaired person (can't speak
 AF> at all due to recent illness) and currently have the use of a
 AF> RealVoice portable laptop speaking system. While it has many
 AF> good features the voice is flat - no intonation -and of poor
 AF> quality so that most people can't understand it at first.

Alan,
    Yes, I've been following your messages, and I keep wanting to
respond, but I thought it best I wait and see what a few others said to
you first.

     Ok, ironically, the first real paid for contract I had in this
technology game was putting together a system for a non-verbal person
who likewise was using a RealVoice system.  Unfortunately, its speech
was rather flat, just as you said, but it did have some nice options for
producing quickly those things you most often wish to say.

     Anyways, as I researched the market for what I thought would best
fill his needs, I heard for the first time about a portable Dectalk, and
having been familiar with the Dectalk's excellent speech, I tried my
darnest to get him one!  Unfortunately, this was several years ago, and
although I suspect in fact a portable unit was in the prototype stage, I
wasn't in the position to get my hands on one, so we had to settle for a
lesser synthesizer.

    Well, it is my humble opinion that now that a portable Dectalk,
known as the "Multivoice", is available, you shouldn't be considering
anything else, as it is, I bet, exactly what you're looking for!  Even
without the VOS speech program I mentioned in my earlier message, which
I can't honestly recommend to anyone because of its many limitations,
the Multivoice will produce speech that everyone will understand, you
have a choice of different voices to use depending upon which you think
suits you best, and at about $1600 or so, it is even fairly affordable,
at least for what it produces.  Connect it to a notebook computer, run
whatever speech program suits your fancy, (Try a few of the demos before
you buy!) and write a few macros or something like that for commonly
used phrases, and I think you'd have a system that will suffice quite
nicely!

     Get a listen of all the different synthesizers, and if you don't
agree that the Multivoice is the one that will work best for you, I'll
be very surprised!  EVERYBODY understands its speech if you don't crack
the speed up too high, or at least that's my experience!
                                        Willie

... I always listen!

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From: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org (John Rougeau)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Fast Chairs
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:20:14 GMT
Reply-To: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:132/184.4 - The Bulldog BBS !, Hudson NH
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24771

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message of <Sep 02 11:40>, The Ranger (1:104/477) writes vaguely:

 >        Well my EJ chair with differant motors (To lazy to bend over and
 >try readin upside down right now.) does right at 15mph.  That's when the
 >front tires start to shimmy, if I put a stabaliser on them I would expect
 >20+mph speed.

Terry,

Aw, c'mon.... a stock E&J chair? I think not! My E&J with a 21st
Century conversion might do 10-12mph TOPS! I've blown most chairs
away with it. Even entered and won $100 at a 3K Breakaway road
race.... :-) I beat the E&J by 8 minutes....

>Not to terrably dangerous, except at night in a new
 >location and after a few beer's.  You can't see the pot holes before the
 >foot rests are in a twisted pile and your hanging on for dear life with a
 >suddenly very clear head. <grin>

Yeah, I installed a quarts halogen driving light under my seat!
Speed kills (at night!)....

-John

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From: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Speech
Date: 13 Oct 92 18:18:46 GMT
Reply-To: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.3 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24908

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 AF> list. I can't speak and I am looking for Hardware/Software that will
 AF> produce clear speech for others to hear. I particularly am looking for
 AF> portability. I won't bore you with info I have now - but what do you
 AF> know about this subject and can you help me?

Well, the features of a speech synthesizer that are important for
augmentative communication are a little different than those that are
important for non-visual screen access.  In your case, the most important
factor is whether or not people who don't spend much time, if any, listening
to synthetic speech can understand it and feel comfortable with it.  Fast
speech rates, quick response and ability to "shut up on a dime" won't be
important at all.

Of the speech synthesizers I'm familiar with, probably only the Dectalk and
the Smoothtalker-based units (Doubletalk, Litetalk) would be appropriate for
augmentative communication (there are some other synthesizers specifically
designed for augmentative communication applications, but I'm not real
familiar with them).  The Dectalk is available either as an internal card or
as an external portable unit (called the Multivoice and actually not marketed
by DEC, but they designed it).  The Doubletalk is available as an internal
card or as an external unit.  The Litetalk is similar to the external
Doubletalk, but supports both parallel and serial ports and has an internal
rechargeable battery (the external Doubletalk uses regular 9-volt batteries).

The internal Dectalk costs around $1200; the Multivoice costs around $1500;
the Doubletalk (internal) is $279 or $289, depending on what kind of speaker
you order with it; the Doubletalk LT (external) is $310, and the Litetalk is
$495.

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From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Spouse/nursing care
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:58:31 GMT
Reply-To: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24808

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

KR>I'm doing an article about the pitfalls of spousal nursing care, and if
KR>your spouse has been paid by an insurance company to care for you, or if
KR>you are paid to care for your spouse, I'd like to chat with you about
KR>your experiences...payment amount and timeliness, emotional and physical
KR>stresses and strains, and long-term effects on romance.  If you'd be
  Jeez... what I wouldn't give for my wife to get paid for what
she does for me! I had never heard of an insurance company paying
for this kind of thing. In fact, when my wife and I were first going
out together, and she moved in with me (she didn't do it for $, that's
for sure -- I had none at all), the local Social Security Office (I was
on SSI Disability, not SSDI) told me they were going to start counting
her income as mine, period! It didn't matter whether our finances were
actually separate or not.
                -- Jeff

 * SLMR 2.1a * Member, Off-Road Wheelchair Association

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From: Alan.Fonseca@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Fonseca)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Speech
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:33:32 GMT
Reply-To: Alan.Fonseca@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:153/715 - The BandMaster, Vancouver BC
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24990

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Thanks for your reply. This may seem like a crazy question but any
suggestions where I can try out all these different voice systems?
I am Many thanks for your comments. I will try to hear the various
voice systems but I am not sure that the local A.L.S. Society and
speech therapists in Vancouver are familiar with all the new
technology.(They just bought a new RealVoice). So far I have
identified about 7 different synthesizers companies and even more
software firms. Surely there must be a magazine or some publication
for them to make their products known. I put out a general query to
this effect yesterday. As far as I know the "Multivoice" portable
unit doesn't have a built-in speaker which is a big disadvantage so
I'm considering Transport by Arctic and SmoothTalker by Words+.
Thanks again!

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Internet: Alan.Fonseca@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org
From: Bonnie.Snyder@f93.n128.z1.fidonet.org (Bonnie Snyder)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Scr Rev and Voice Syn Info request
Date: 10 Oct 92 05:03:08 GMT
Reply-To: Bonnie.Snyder@f93.n128.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:128/93 - CSDB BBS, Colorado Springs CO
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24858

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Gary, can any of the speech driver programs (e.g., SoftVert, Vocal Eyes, TinyTalk) be used with the SoundBlaster card to make it interactive speech rather than just a text reader?

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Internet: Bonnie.Snyder@f93.n128.z1.fidonet.org
From: Stew.Bowden@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Stew Bowden)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: comments from syntha-
Date: 16 Oct 92 04:04:15 GMT
Reply-To: Stew.Bowden@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:377/6 - T.A.B.B., Tampa Fl
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25057

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Frank:L well, if you are depending upon IBM to support your
position regarding the graphical interface, you're barking up the
wrong tree. IBM seems to be only capable of making rather large
mistakes, which could result in their demise. There are already
rumors that if their liasson with Apple fails, they could go under.
The OS operating system is a joke, and what IBM diud years ago to
consumers regarding the PC junior is a crime. I like others do not
believe that corporate America intends to buy into windows, because
even with 16mb of ram it is still slow. As far as Microsoft is
concerned, Bill Gates is just playiung both sides of the street.
Case in point dos 6.0 is already being bata tested, so it is rather
doubtful that Gates is ready to abandon the 10 million dos users
who still preferr the command line approach to programing. However,
Frank, to each his own. As for me, I'lol stick to good old dos.
Stew

... Inquiring minds want to know.
=== Via Silver Xpress V3.00

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From: Les.Kriegler@p0.f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Les Kriegler)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Computer Questions
Date: 16 Oct 92 04:10:44 GMT
Reply-To: Les.Kriegler@p0.f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/207.0 - The Recovery Room, Rochester NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25072

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DS> You know that dv has problems with serial synthesizers.

I didn't know that.  I have been working with internal
synthesizers up to this point.  G.W. Micro is coming out with
an external synthesizer, hopefully in the near future, and
that will certainly be something to investigate, as I have
some interest in that device.  Do you know why externals do
not work well with Desqview, and which ones have you test with
it?  Les

... Do what you will with this tagline, just don't bother me about it!

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From: Steve.Brother@p1.f11.n369.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Brother)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: re: Hearing Aids
Date: 13 Oct 92 04:23:59 GMT
Reply-To: Steve.Brother@p1.f11.n369.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:369/11.1 - The Branch Office, Pompano Beach FL
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24885

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

MO>HELLO THERE! I AM NEW ON THIS THING.  I ALSO LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
MO>HEARING AIDS MYSELF. I WEAR TWO HEARING AIDS AND RIGHT NOW THEY ARE
MO>SEVEN YEARS OLD!  SO I AM PLANNING TO LOOK FOR NEW ONES SOON.  SO
MO>ANYBODY OUT THERE GOT SOME PARTICULAR BRAND YOU RECOMMEND?

Since I became Deaf and wheelchair confined from a four car accident in
'89 I found that OCTICON E38P is the best, but you really should go and
talk to ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doc and a Hearing Aid Specailist and see
where you hearing level is at. The E38 is the most powerful hearing aid
that can be worn behind the ear. BUT BE CAREFUL! If your hearing loss is
not profound, then its not for you. Check it out first with the Hearing
Aid Specialist.

                                        -- Deafie.

                                                sk.

 * OLX 2.1 * Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic

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From: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Jerry's Orphans Needs You!
Date: 16 Oct 92 04:00:48 GMT
Reply-To: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/554.0 - Analytical Engine B, Willoughby OH
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25045

    Hi Gary,
    Well I've been called a lot of things before, but never Pandy. Usually my
name is contracted to just Pan. I did run into a girl with the same name that
used the nick name Panda. I'm more the impish type than bearish.
  Well I would go for asking, they may even put you on their mailer that tells
you about new research and stuff. Of course to try and get them to debate and
justify their telethon I don't hold a lot of hope for that since they have
already made their postion on that clear.
  One thing that I wonder about Jerry's Orphans is why the chose Jerry as the
solo scape goat? What about their parents that were more than willing to
exploit and have them exploited, if that's what they feel was done to them.
  Easter Seals sort puts pressure on local chapters to participate in their
telethon. It is done by making it mandantory to receive a percentage of the
money that is corporate donated to the National Easter Seal Society. Any local
money raised is always the locals money, but what is donated to Easter Seals
Nationaly is percentage funded back to those who take part in the National
telethon. Now this doesn't thrill me, but I do understand that the reason
National is doing this and that big corporate bucks come in is because they
get National coverage for their donations, this makes them more willing to put
out. It would be really great of they would just donate the money without
having to get PR promotion and commercials in return, but this just doesn't
happen. I will work with Easter Seals local telethon this year. By working and
participating, I can help assure locally how we (disAbled) are represented and
presented. Yes, there will also be children there. At this point in time the
bulk of the agencies money goes to clients that are children and it would be
very difficult to show the services with out having the participants in-
volved shown. I hope maybe some more people will be willing to work inside the
process to help change things. I don't expect children to be able to under-
stand exploitation, but I do hope that parents that allow their children to
participate will take more of an active and assertive role in the presentation
as well as other adults participating.
                                                      Pan

... Open mouth, insert foot, echo internationally.

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From: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org (John Rougeau)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: spasms
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:52:12 GMT
Reply-To: John.Rougeau@p4.f184.n132.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:132/184.4 - The Bulldog BBS !, Hudson NH
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25013

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message of <Oct 02 23:16>, Alan Hess (1:261/1000) writes vaguely:

 >Life sucks these days (more than usual).  Not only do I have my %$#@^
 >pains  and posture problems to deal with (making using my arms difficult),
 >I also am occasionally having spasms in my abdomen and back.  I'm tight as
 >a drum, and the docs have no idea what medication to give me to either
 >relieve my pain, loosen my muscles, or both.

There is a procedure called a rhizotomy (sp?) which can rid you of pain/spasms.
The surgical (nerve cutting) one is better than the needle (nerve burning)
one.....

<Do not attempt this at home.....> :-/

-John

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From: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Wheel Chairs
Date: 16 Oct 92 03:59:39 GMT
Reply-To: Pandora.Nigh@p0.f554.n157.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/554.0 - Analytical Engine B, Willoughby OH
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25041

 -=> Quoting Robert Schoenfeld to Pandora Nigh <=-

       Hi Bob,
 RS> Watch out for another defect of computer controlled wheel
 RS> chairs, They tend to misbehave when around two way radio devices such
 RS> as cellular phones, cbs, etc. they take off in the most unusual
 RS> directions Bob

Oh, loverly. But it does make sense. So far haven't run into that
problem, but my guy is a ham operator and my chair give him
interferance on 5.14 mgh band I just love it. When he's spending
all night in the basement with his rig and I get sick and tired of
that, all I have to do is just keep going back and forth across the
living room to break up his radio transmittions. Get's him upstairs
everytime.

 RS> PS too bad they dont have lemon laws for wheel chairs as a similar
 RS> problem was had by a friend of mine B

I hope your friend made out all right with that problem and they
have it fixed. You're right they really should have lemon laws
covering them. All they do is have the warrenty on your chair, so
they take it back fix it, take it back fix it and you end up
forever on and off without a chair. Mine is warrented for two years
and at this rate of failure, I'm really worried about what's going
to happen in two years.  My insurance doesn't pay for the repairs,
but they will pay for batteries every year. Great, maybe I can use
that, open a battery store and get the money for repairs. I have
taken off all of the manufactuors decals, and my guy wants to put
lemon stickers all over it.

Thanks for telling me about the possibility of interference comming
my way. I hadn't thought about that, now I'll keep that in mind as
things go bad and see if there is a correlation.

                                          Pandora

... Error Reading Fixeddisk. Use (H)ammer (P)istol (N)uke?

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