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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 19 Aug 1992 18:00:54 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2890
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2890

                         Wednesday, August 19, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                               Fried Death !!!
                               Re: Wheelchair
                               Re: Your books
                           Re: Unique Hand Control
                          Grand Canyon in a Chair ?
       Call for Papers: CSUN '93 Technology and Disability Conference
                               Re: Wheelchair
                              TALKING software
                     Post-Polio Syndrome Info Requested
                        Special Education Conferences


                                ******


To subscribe to the Handicap Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


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Compuserve: 73170,1064

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



------



Subject: Fried Death !!!
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <03 Aug 92 21:58> Curtis Oglesby wrote:

 CO> I try to eat "sensible" and I blow up like a basketball because I
 CO> can't "increase the releases."  Really painful.  The quad irony.

A study by Craig Hospital was written up in NEW MOBILITY's summer
issue and reports that 'gastric dilation' (stomach expansion) which
can life threating.

 CO> Antihistimines provide relief from sinus drainage but relax the
 CO> bladder muscles.  The quad irony.

They also can cause kidney and liver damage.

 CO> Maintenance dosages of antibiotics fend off infections but are
 CO> hard on the stomach.  The quad irony.

Maintenance doses of any antibiotic should be avoided because they
weaken the bodies natural defences.  In addition, when you do get
an infection while taking a maintenance drug, the infection is
often harder to get rid of.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Wheelchair
From: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Robinson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/15 - Writers' Block BBS, Raytown MO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

I just ordered a Titanium folding chair made by Quickie.  It was the
lightest folder I could find (16lbs. w/o the wheels), but is several
thousand dollars.  Quickie, Rolls, Avanti, E&J, and several other
companies all make light weight folders, and you need to visit your
local retail outlet (Abbey Medical or someplace like it) to see them for
yourself.  If you don't have access to someplace like that, call
directory assistance in Denver (Area Code 303) and ask for the number of
Wheelchair House.  Pat Cody should recognize my name, and would probably
send you some flyers.  Good luck!
   Yours etc.,

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!280!15!Kevin.Robinson
Internet: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Your books
From: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Robinson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/15 - Writers' Block BBS, Raytown MO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Thanks for asking Sam.  My two published mystery books are SPLIT SECONDS
and MALL RATS.  You might have to ask for them at your local bookstore
or library, or you can order them from several mystery book stores like
The Rue Morgue (1-800-356-5586) or Mystery Lovers Bookshop
(412-828-4877).  They are also available directly from the publisher at
1-800-AT-WALKER.
   Yours etc.,

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!280!15!Kevin.Robinson
Internet: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Unique Hand Control
From: rperry@atqm.advtech.uswest.com (Roy Perry)

In L-HCAP  Issue # 2858, spgreg@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (Greg Macrae)
responds that the manual twist-throttle hand control has been
manufactured by Wells-Engberg for several years now, and moved away
from power-assist due to reliability concerns. In actuality, this
type of unit can only be offered Driving Aids Development
Corporation, since they hold the patent on the power-assist
twist-grip concept.

A conventional manual twist-throttle requires that the driver twist
the grip with enough force to overcome a substantial throttle
return spring, causing fatigue and wrist problems during extended
use. Simply replacing this with a weaker spring has been has been
strongly discouraged by the automobile manufacturers and insurance
companies because of its effect other critical operations, such as
cruise control, and foot pedal operation.

The DADC hand control was developed to alleviate this problem, by
exactly matching the spring's force through air pressure. This unit
actually improves reliability over others. Critical parts are built
to micro-tolerance (.0001 inch) aerospace specifications (including
xray examination). The unit is failsafe, and operates as a manual
twist-grip upon loss of engine vacuum. The unit is approved by the
V.A. and FDA, and meets or exceeds all requirements of SAE J1903
JUL89.

Best of all, DADC operates under a non-profit philosophy, charging
only enough to defray costs, as a service to the  handicapped
community. This is why this advanced unit is offered at around
$350, while other manual units cost up to $600.





------



Subject: Grand Canyon in a Chair ?
From: mgoodfel@netcom.com (Michael Goodfellow)
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

I'm going to be visiting the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas
in a couple of weeks.  Does anyone know of any accessible things
to do ?  I was there a year ago, but all I managed was portions
of the rim trail.  Even that gets a bit too steep for me in places.
I'd like something that gets you lower down in the canyon, but
I'm not sure there is anything.  Also, is Bryce canyon in Utah
at all accessible ?

Michael Goodfellow
mgoodfel@netcom.com




------



Subject: Call for Papers: CSUN '93 Technology and Disability Conference
From: CSMIDHC%UCLAMVS.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (Danny Hilton-Chalfen)

 This call for papers is from Harry Murphy of the
California State University, Northridge:


 ------------ Text of forwarded message ---------------

CSUN Announces Call for Papers
for Eighth Annual, International Conference,
"Technology and Persons with Disabilities"

A Call for Papers is available from CSUN for their Eighth Annual,
International Conference, "Technology and Persons with Disabilities,"
to be held at the LAX Marriott Hotel, March 17-21, 1993.  Papers
are due on or before October 15.  Decisions will be made in early
November. All presentations are one hour in duration.

CSUN's conference is a potpourri across all disabilities and all
applications.  Papers are especially solicited for two special
"mini-conferences" which were big hits in 1992: (1) Virtual Reality
and (2) Speech Recognition.

The 1992 conference drew 2,200 participants, 276 speakers and
102 exhibitors.

Please address on e mail to HMURPHY@VAX.CSUN.EDU or send to
Dr. Harry Murphy
CSUN
18111 Nordhoff Street - DVSS
Northridge, CA 91330
Phone:  818 885 2578
FAX:     818 885 4929




------



Subject: Re: Wheelchair
From: weave@bach.udel.edu (Ken Weaverling)
Organization: University of Delaware

This is a bit off the topic of the current thread, but still
related to wheelchair use.

My girl friend is a C5 quad with a motorised chair.  Sometimes it
is a bit of a pain when we go to places like museums, etc, to
constantly bend down or squat to talk to her.  In order to be more
at eye-level with her, I came up with the idea that I'd just use
her manual chair sometimes.

I had some serious discusion with her before doing this. I didn't
want to make a mockery of using a wheelchair.  There are also other
weird considerations to think about.  For example, at the Inner
Harbor Science Museum in Baltimore, there is a small stair lift for
chairs.  Should I just stand up and walk the chair up the stairs,
or consume an employee's time as he has to operate the lift for me
as well as her. (I decided to stay in the chair, since observers
might not understand.)

I enjoy it because I can be next to her at eye level, and it gives
my arms a good workout, which I constantly need, since I carry my
girl friend and transfer her quite a lot (I want to get good enough
so I can take her to a dance club, pick her up, cradle her in my
arms, and dance a slow dance with her and last the entire dance!)

One funny note. Once we went to a store with a downstairs section
that was innaccessible to wheelchairs (no elevator, etc).  After
bitching to store personnel, who offered to bring us up anything we
wanted, a small crowd developed. I said "Forget it, I guess I'll
just have to carry her down there."  I then leaped out of the
manual chair, carried it down the stairs, came back up, and carried
my girl friend down the stairs and deposited her in the manual
chair.

The onlookers freaked out. One woman kept screaming "Oh my gawd, oh
ma gawd" It was great! :-)

(Of course, we knew the store's downstairs was not accesible before
we went in and I discussed the "scene" we would make beforehand.
I'd never just do something like that and 'manipulate' her body
like that without her permission...)

--
Ken Weaverling (Delaware Tech College) weave@dtcc.edu -or- weave@bach.udel.edu

"Is it too late to change the way we're bound to go? Surely one of us must know"
			-- Sandy Denny,  1948-1978




------



Subject: TALKING software
From: MBITETTO%SNYESCVA.BITNET@uunet.uu.net (Professor M. Bitetto)

[This was forwarded by Dr. Bob Zenhausern on the Altlearn mailing
 list.]

Hi!

        Enclosed is a very interesting piece of literature that I've
scanned for anyone interested in looking into this piece of software.
        This piece of software sounds faciniating and I would like to
find out if anyone on the network has ever used it.



                                ******
*********

                                ******
*********

TALKING Version 1.2.2.  INFORMATION INK, LTD.
Copyright (c) 1984,  1986,  1990,  1991,  1992
All Rights Reserved


What is TALKING?

What hardware is it compatible with?

What software is it compatible with?

How much does it cost?


     TALKING is a program that converts digitally stored data
into  speech; however, unlike any of the other commercially
available speech software, TALKING does not run on only one type
of computer platform and also does not run as a terminate and
stay resident program (a primitive operating systems version of
a device driver i.e. Micro Soft DOS). Consequently, this program
is not limited in its size and flexibility (it can take
advantage of such modern operating systems features as demand
paging and frame page management).

     In terms of hardware compatibility, TALKING will work with
computers that range from XEROX 820, Apple Macintosh,
I.B.M. Compatible, DEC VAX, I.B.M. RS-6000, Kaypro 1 through 10,
NEXT P C, I.B.M. A.S. 400, Silicon Graphics workstations, NIXTOFF
systems, Data General workstations, H.P. 3000-9000 workstations,
full line of Sun Micro Systems SPARC based workstations, full
line of A T and T 6000 based computers, A T and T 3B1, full line
of A T and T 3B2 family of computers, full line of Commodore
AMIGA's, I.B.M. 3090 family of computers, full line Control Data
family of computers, full line of Cray computers and the complete
line of SPARC compatible workstations that are made by more than
200 companies.
     Additionally, this program will function on almost any
speech synthesizer that operates via a serial, parallel, or, S C
S I port (it will not function with any internally base speech
synthesizers and any of the T.S.I based speech synthesizers).

     When it comes to software compatibility, TALKING will
operate with almost any application that runs under VAX V.M.S.,
Ultrix, O.S. 400, C.D.C. NOS, A T and T UNIX, Berkeley UNIX,
M.A.C.H. (pronounced MOC and is an operating system developed at
C.M.U.), Digital Research Concurrent DOS, Digital Research Multi-
user DOS, Commodore Amiga DOS, Macintosh MIX, SUN O.S., I.B.M.
O.S. 400, I.B.M. C.M.S., V MOS, MINOS, and Coherent O.S.

     Most significantly, TALKING only cost 15 U.S. dollars (only
within the continental U.S. and only for five and a quarter
inch diskette technology in generic disk format) per copy
and a user support fee of only 12 U.S. dollars per year
(only within the continental U.S. and is offered only by audio
cassette). This is in sharp contrast to the other commercially
offered speech programs that range in cost from 600 to 1000
U.S. dollars each and are only capable of functioning on either
Macintosh Computers running Mac O.S., or, I.B.M. compatible
running Micro Soft DOS (a primitive C.P.M. like operating system
for 8 bit and 16 bit Intel based personal computers).

          Why is TALKING so inexpensive?

     The reason for TALKING's relatively low cost results from
the fact that, INFORMATION INK, LTD. has adapted the philosophy
of the FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION.
     This philosophy simply states that any financial gain gotten
from software, can only be gotten for user support of that
software (software alone forms the basis of an incomplete
solution); hence, anyone interested in making money from
any of INFORMATION INK, LTD's software, can do so  provided they
only charge for user support.

               History Behind TALKING

     In 1983 I received my first personal computer, a Radio Shack
Pocket Computer 2 modified with 24 kilobytes of RAM and 16 kilo-
bytes of ROM (RAM - Random Access Memory, ROM - Read Only
Memory) and using a Mini 9 cassette recorder. This first
preliminary version was called MICI (Morse code Information
Conversion Interface). This program slowly evolved into the SPEAK
program that ran on the DEC-100 C.P.M. based personal desk-size
computer using 8 inch flexible disks and a VOTREX speech
synthesizer built from the VOTREX speech kit (this was in 1984).
This version of the speech program (this was late in 1984) than
evolved into TALKING version 1.0.0 and ran on a Kaypro 4 (a
computer equipped with two 1200 r.p.m. 5.25 inch mini-floppy
drives and one 10 megabyte fixed drive and also equipped with a
6 megahertz Z80 microprocessor) using the CONIX operating
system (a Z80 based version of UNIX). Finally, TALKING evolved
into TALKING version 1.2.2.
     This ultimate version has incorporated technology that was
developed to allow TALKING to function in a user programmable
mode via a shell scripting language and also function in an
E.B.T - T.B.T mode (Electronic Book Technology - Talking Book
Technology). Moreover, this refinement allows TALKING to
additionally speak in more than 200 different languages (this is
done with the aid of TOPOV - Textual Oriented Phonetic Output of
Voice) and comes in both a SLATTACH-able version and a non-
SLATTACH-able version.

     For computer systems and operating systems other than
Digital Research Multi-User DOS, Coherent O.S., V MOS, MINOS, and
Berkeley UNIX, there exists a porting fee. For more information
about the porting fee, or, technology training seminars
call (718)278-8191.

                         For more information,
                         write to:

                         INFORMATION INK, LTD.
                         2542 49 Street
                         Long Island City, N.Y. 11103

                         PHONE: (718)278-8191




------



Subject: Post-Polio Syndrome Info Requested
From: jill@prodigal.psych.rochester.edu (Jill Gallipeau)
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

Hello, I am posting this on behalf of my sister, who does not
have access to the net.  She is 37 years old and for the past
5-7 years has experienced various degrees of lower muscle
deteriotion.  Three doctors have examined her, and she has
had a bunch of nerve conduction tests, along with MRI.  Two
of the doctors believe she has Post-Polio Syndrome, and
the other says maybe Juvienal Muscular Dystrophy.  Since she
has had both the Sabin, and the Salk vacinations as an infant,
she has been told it is possible she contracted a mild case
of Polio as a baby, which was treated as simply a bad cold or
flu, and then 30+ years later started to suffer long term
consequences.
   She is curious to hear from others who may know about Post-
Polio symptoms, the progression of the disease, and just general
coping with her body's new limitations.
   Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Jill




------



Subject: Special Education Conferences
From: leigh@unibase.unibase.sk.ca (Leigh Calnek)

[Note from Bill McGarry: forwarded to me from Patt Bromberger.]

Patt....I am planning to host a number of real-time
interactive conferences this year, and one of the topic sets
I am looking at is special education.

The real-time conferences will be delivered through unichat,
some software that we have developed for network wide
intereactive conferencing.  It permits an unlimited number
of users at a single site to join in an interactive
conference with users at other sites which are running
unichat.  Conference participants can be subdivided into
smaller groups, and can hold smaller, multi-member
discussions, again with participants from anywhere across
the network.  If you are familiar with IRC, this works in a
similar manner, but we think has a smoother user interface.
I liken it to a large conference hotel that can accomodate
an unlimited number of users in an unlimited number of
separate discussion areas/rooms.

As UNIBASE is accessible through the Internet, I feel that
we can invite presentations from a wide range of expertise
across North America.

The target audience is teachers at the K-12 level here in
Saskatchewan, and specifically, teachers who are in schools
which are either on uniNET (my educational network), or
those who have access to UNIBASE, the main uniNET host.
Currently, UNIBASE may be accessed via Datareach (a
Saskatchewan communications netowork), Datapac (a Canadian
communications network) or as I have indicated, Internet.
There are currently 8 schools, 1 library and 3 smaller
education counsellors that have full networking access to
uniNET.  Collectively, we have a capacity to bring around 70
users off uniNET together for interactive conferencing.  In
addition, we should be able to handle between 15 an 20 users
from the other networks (Datareach and Datapac) and another
10 to 12 from the Internet (one our link between unichat and
IRC is complete, the number from the Internet will be much
larger.

As you can see, there is a potential for as many as
100 participants to be brought together for conferencing on
a particular topic.  I do not expect that many to
participate in the special education discussions, however I
do think we could expect to find 20+ participants at the
initial conferences, and the number could grow depending
upon how successful we are in establishing a viable venue
for meaningful participation.

The current planned venue is to identify a topic for
discussion, and run the conference ove a 2 -3 week period.
The conference would be introduced by an interactive session
with all participants invited.  A short "presentation" would
be made by someone with "expertise" in the topic area,
followed by participants joinging smaller discussion groups.
In the small groups, participants would explore and identify
a number of discussion threads they would like to see
pursued over the following weeks.

Following the interactive session, the participants would
pursue these topics/threads using non-interactive
conferencing (computer mediated communication) for the next
several weeks.  We would use our own cmc software for this.
It distributes postings to all uniNET hosts (we use Usenet
News for distribution).  In addition, participants not on
uniNET would be able to receive the discussions using our
listserv software.

I would expect the cmc part of the conference to run over
two to three weeks.  It would be followed at by hosting a
second interactive session which would be used for winding
down.  At that time, short submissions could be made to the
sub-groups, and also to a plenary.

The final task would be to have all verbage, from both
intereactive sessions and the cmc sessions edited, and
brought together in an edited form of a "Conference
Procedings" book.  This would be available to participants
and others who were interested in the topic.

I have described the plan for you at some length, and would
be interested in a number of comments from you.  What do you
think of the idea?  What concerns do you see (logistics
etc)?  Would you be interested in participating?  Do you
know someone who would be a potential keynote/resource
person for this kind of conference?  Are there some topics
which you feel would be good ones for addressing in this
manner?

I would appreciate any thoughts you would have on this, and
look forward to hearing from you.

--






------






                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2890 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU