HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: renee@tso.uc.edu (Renee Alper)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: X-10 Devices: Stay Away!
Date: 5 Sep 92 05:29:43 GMT
Reply-To: renee@tso.uc.edu (Renee Alper)

Index Number: 24404

I'm building a house with computer automated interface, and a
friend and I have been looking into different systems for the
hardware and software.  We were hoping to use X-10 devices for some
of the simpler things, since they are cheaper than some of the
other methods we are considering. But, when my friend called the
company, they were extremely unfriendly. They are not up-to- date
with Macintosh systems (they're still on 6.0.3), and they refuse to
even guarantee it will work. They have no plans to update it,
either. Also, they are not willing to support anyone trying to do
their own software.  My friend recommended that I put a warning out
on this listserv to anyone who might be thinking of using this
product; they are not amenable to the needs of the disabled.

        Anyone know of a good alternative?
                                       Renee
From: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Prosthetic & Limb Deficient Support
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:21:39 GMT
Reply-To: 34AEJ7D@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu (Bill Gorman)
X-Fidonet: Amputee Conference

Index Number: 24365

On 9/03/92 Wayne Briggs <Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org> said:
>[This is from the Amputee Conference]
>
>Some possible contacts for you are PALS, Prosthetic & Limb Deficient Support,
>2222 Welborn,  Dallas, Tx  75219. 214/559-7430.  Current President  is Brenda
>Staples  ,1003  Stell  Ave.,  Mansfield,  Tx  76063,  817/477-2968.  This  is
>primarily for kids,  teens, college age & parents. A  Scotish Rite or Masonic
>Hospital  O.T.  &  Scia  Work  Dept. might  be  another  source.  PLEASE  TRY
>PARACHUTING; BUT NOT  HORSES! Another gal who also was  born without arms and
>was  very active  made  a fatal  mistake  in trying  the  dangerous sport  of
>horseback ridding and was accidently killed. PALS does have a video about her
>that you proably could borrow.
>...

Now hold on  there a sec, Wayne.  I think you're giving somebody  a bum steer.
Sure, accidents can happen anywhere, but consider:

First, horseback  riding is one of  the least dangerous sports  available. You
might care to  check the fatalities/100 participants  statistics available for
these, and many other sports from places like the National Safety Council.

Second, horseback riding  does NOT depend on  the use of ones  limbs nearly as
much as balance.

Third, horseback  riding for  the disABLED, known  as "Therapeutic  Riding" or
"Therapeutic Horsemanship" is  a nationally recognized form  of recreation for
the disABLED. As  such there are classes with certified  instructors and quiet
horses  available in  communities  all  across the  country,  even those  with
populations as small as 10,000 - 20,000.

Having  had some  personal experience  with the  business end  of a  parachute
myself,  I can  tell you  that  there are  a  lot more  "bounced" students  in
skydiving  than  in   horseback  riding.  From  my   experience,  more  FBNOs,
(Fly-By-Night-Operations), too.

If someone  really wants accurate information  in this area, I  suggest asking
the people on the EQUINE-L list <EQUINE-L@PCCVM.BITNET>.

W. K. (Bill) Gorman
From: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: speech and text games
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:36:44 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

Index Number: 24483

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 LC> enjoy  text adventure games but some games don't read the text to the
 LC> screen and having to go into a screen review mode all the time can be a
 LC> pain.  Does any one know of any other sollutions?  Thanks.

Most modern screen readers can let you set up areas of the screen that will
automatically get read when they change, even if the program did a direct
screen write (the screen reader simply takes a peek at the screen a few times
a second, and reads it if it changes).

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Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Michael Rooney)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Pain
Date: 9 Sep 92 16:41:31 GMT
Reply-To: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:106/737 - AirBoat OnLine, Houston TX

Index Number: 22411

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

MF>medication for pain, anti-inflammatories (which I had a bleeding ulcer from
MF>and thought I may die!).  I went through a spine center pain clinic in
MF>Oklahoma City this past year and the only new thing I learned was that
MF>"again" there was nothing that can be done to help.  Well, for someone
MF>reluctant to leave a message, I have left a book...  Now, I take 150 mg
MF>elavil to help with the pain and go to sleep, although I cannot sleep for
MF>long.  My doctor now says that  pain medication is too addictive to
MF>prescribe;
MF>some days are extremely difficult.  Especially if I sit at the computer
MF>very long - so goodbye for now.  Thanks for listening.
MF>                                                         Mary Frost

Mary, not all anti-inflammatories are stomach tearing. Some are quite
a bit gentler than others and when I have taken the stronger one's
the doctor has prescribed cytotec to counteract the stomach reaction.
Fortunately nothing seems to bother me which is fortunate. There are
also various pain medications which are non-addictive and are somewhat
effective depending on your level of pain, but any relief is better than
none. Talk to your doctor and if he is unwilling to help find another
doctor. You didn't say if you were going to a specialist and if not do.
There are also some pain medications that, although they can be addicting
over the long term, can be used successfully on a short term basis
without any problems. I have been very fortunate in that when things
have gotten very bad I have been able to take strong pain killers
without any addictive effects. And believe me, as a recovering alcoholic
I am very much aware of this as is the doctor, and it just takes a
little more care and frequent doctor visits to keep a close watch on it.
Sorry I can't remember the names of all the drugs I talk about but it's
quite a long list that I have taken over the years.
Take care of yourself, Mike...

 * SLMR 2.1a * When in Doubt, stay at the luxurious Doubt Hotel!

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From: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org (Kathleen Mcintosh)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
Date: 9 Sep 92 16:41:16 GMT
Reply-To: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:264/181 - Les's Corner BBS, Richmond VA

Index Number: 22410

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 [BD] What exactly is bio feedback?  What does it cost?
 [BD]
 [BD] Bob
Biofeedback is a method of learning to control certain functions
such as heart rate and relaxation by means of a feedback device.
The device is usally a tone that changes as, for instance, your
heartbeat, moves towards the desired level.  Because you can hear
the change in tone, you know when you are doing what you want.  It's
surprizing easy to do.  I would get so relaxed doing this that I
felt as if I was floating.  It seemed that I could feel sun rays and
sound travel through my body.  A trip without drugs!  The main thing
is, you can learn to relax anytime and thus reduce stress symptoms.
I did this at the health center of the university I was attending
and the cost was $25 per session.  Most of that was waived because
of my (lack) of income.  I don't know what it would cost anywhere
else, but I felt it was definitly worth it.

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Internet: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org
From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Punctuation and Speech
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:43:20 GMT
Reply-To: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/5.18 - Pontchippi, New Orleans LA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24513

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 RG> She should have no problems in instructing her speech package not to
 RG> speak punctuation. The pausing between words in lieu of punctuation
 RG> should be easily accomplished, at least it is in either soft vert or
 RG> vertplus. There is an item in the "Verbal Options Menu" which eals with
 RG> punctuation. One of the choices is "punctuation marks ignored and pause
 RG> inserted".

She can't accomplish that with jaws.  At least you can't with the
accent.  With the accent and jaws, as soon as you turn off the
punctuation off, you loose the inflection that you get with it on.
This one thing that I wish could be changed with jaws.  I like to
read with punctuation off, but I would like the inflection to
work.  Unfortunately, I can't have both.

Walter

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From: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Fast Chairs
Date: 10 Sep 92 13:49:45 GMT
Reply-To: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 24458

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

AH> JL> Well, if you want a chair that will go 10 mph, climb steps, cost
AH> JL> $2,600. and make you feel like you are in a tank, get an ACCESS.

AH>$2600?  That's cheap for an electric chair.  But it doesn't
AH>sound like what I would like, judging from your reaction.
AH>*adh*

It is $26,000.
Frank.
___
 X SLMR 2.1a X This message was produced using speech technology

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From: Robert.Gilchrist@f715.n153.z1.fidonet.org (Robert Gilchrist)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Punctuation and Speech
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:37:45 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: 24487

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 On 07-23-92 David Andrews wrote to All...

 DA> I got a call from a woman the other day who was looking for
 DA> advice.  She has a KPR and uses its DEC-Talk for speech with her
 DA> computer.  She has tried both Artic businessvision and JAWS.  She
 DA> doesn't like the way it reads.  She says it doesn't sound
 DA> natural.  She doesn't want to pronounce the punctuation marks,
 DA> period coma, etc., but she does want the system to pause
 DA> noticably, breaking up things into sentences.  Any ideas would be
 DA> appreciated as I am sure that some of you gurus are more expert
 DA> on specifics than I.

David from Rob
She should have no problems in instructing her speech package not to
speak punctuation. The pausing between words in lieu of punctuation
should be easily accomplished, at least it is in either soft vert or
vertplus. There is an item in the "Verbal Options Menu" which eals with
punctuation. One of the choices is "punctuation marks ignored and pause
inserted". This option is frequently used when I am initially
demonstrating the software so that customers can see how natural the
speech sounds. This would be especially true with a speech-synthesizer
as good as dectalk.

I can't include our number since she is well out of our particular
teritory, but if she is interested, and can't have her present software
adjusted I will get an appropriate rep. to call her. By far the easiest
is to simply adjust the software.
Robert Gilchrist
Aroga Marketing Group

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

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From: Marvin.Rush@f10.n3817.z1.fidonet.org (Marvin Rush)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Windows access maybe
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:35:05 GMT
Reply-To: Marvin.Rush@f10.n3817.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3817/10 - InSight BBS, Leesville La
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24476

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Well I guess we all have our thoughts. about this subject. I like
the software and will keep using it. If I have a need to use
windows I'll get windows bridge. As to syntha-voice problems I am
sure that there was a few. But I have never had any problem geting
support for my slimware when I had a problem with a aplication.
Infact Dave called my bbs and gota program that I was having
problems with and helped me work them out. marvin

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From: dorsieh@atlastele.com (Dorsie Hathaway)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: TENS
Date: 9 Sep 92 16:39:47 GMT
Reply-To: dorsieh@atlastele.com (Dorsie Hathaway)
Organization: Atlas Telecom Inc.
X-Fidonet: Chronic Pain Conference

Index Number: 22408

I am an RN and used to work for a TENS company.  I've experienced
chronic back pain for over three years, and get very good results
with TENS and a combination of meds and activity.

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.  TENS
is available with a prescription from your treating physician.
If you go to PT regularly, you may ask if they will let you try one.

TENS is a palliative treatment for pain.  It will not CURE the
problem that causes the pain.

Someone on the net mentioned that the pain hits them hardest
after removing the unit.  This is because you have turned the
stimulation off and your nerves are no longer receiving the
electrical impulses that helped to block the pain.

TENS can work very very well for a variety of pain problems,
but it will not work if you do not have good education or
support in the first place.  Most 'failures' with TENS stem
from a lack of teaching in the first place and are not the
fault of the patient or the unit.  It is a complex therapy
that requires persistence and practice and some experimentation
with placement and stimulation modes for best result.  This
requires usually more than one visit to a practitioner for
help/suggestions.

I have found that an acupuncture chart was an invaluable aid
in locating good sites for stimulation.

If you use TENS and wish to avoid the 'rebound' (for lack of
a better term) effect when you turn it off, try taking your
usual pain meds 30-45 minutes before you will turn the unit off.
This will allow the meds to reach therapeutic levels in your
bloodstream and keep your general comfort level manageable.

I have found the key word in chronic pain management is
management.  If you use all the tools at your disposal, such
as relaxation, pacing your activities, assistive devices or
people, medications, TENS, hydrotherapy, PT, rest, activity, etc.
it is EASIER to keep on top of the elephant called pain.

It's much easier to keep on top of the elephant than to get
on top of it after it's got it's foot on your chest.

Dorsie Hathaway, BSN, RN
AOL:  DorsieH
From: Paul.Nobrega@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Nobrega)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: slimware window bridg
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:43:07 GMT
Reply-To: Paul.Nobrega@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.0 - Vision, Ottawa ON
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24512

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

can't agree with your use of words tandy. from personnal experience,
syntha-voice has delivered excellent products which myself and others on
this conference have been and are using.  why the need to bring up
tinted information having to do with something that happenned some four
years ago. i invite you to read the last message from david kostyshn
that i uploaded, messages from kelly ford and david tanner pertaining to
window bridge. i think it is very serious to call someone a crook
particularly when one has no experience to base one's statement on and
even then. i wish you all the best  tandy,
paul

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From: Warren.King@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org (Warren King)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Schedule
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:24:18 GMT
Reply-To: Warren.King@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:275/429 - HandiNet B B S, Virginia Beach VA
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference

Index Number: 24371

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

The following comes from THE COMMUNICATION BRIDGE of the Virginia
Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

August 5-8, 1992 - Fourth International Conference on Theoretical Issues
in Sign Language Research, San Diego, CA.  Contact Lena Hartman
(619)534-4220.

September 18-20, 1992 - Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
(VRID) Convention at Va. School for the Deaf & Blind, Hampton, VA.
Contact Teresa Corbett (804)482-7097.

October 3-4, 1992 - Seventh Annual Conference on Issues in Language and
Deafness: "The Use of Sign Language in Educational Settings; Current
Concepts and Controversies" at Boys Town in Omaha, NE.  Contact
(402)498-6728 V or (402)498-6328 TDD.

November 12-14, 1992 - The Hispanic Deaf Experience co-sponsored by the
National Association of the Deaf.  San Antonio, TX.  Contact Angel
Ramos, (214)324-7053 TDD or (214)324-7065 V.

 * JABBER v1.1 * Shareware it only works if you pay.

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From: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Dubois)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Synthavoice Another Opinion
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:38:12 GMT
Reply-To: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.666 - Vision, Ottawa ON
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24489

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 >         No, I have never owned Syntha-Voice products of
 > my own, but I have worked in the access technology field
 > for 8 years and have used their products and have had plenty
 > of experience talking with clients who have been burned
 > by the company in question.
You can catch flies with honey, you can catch flies with vinegar,
but you can catch even more with a dead fish.
 > Far to many people both
 > in Canada and the U. S. have plenty of bad experiences to
 > tell of about the company to believe that all this happened
 > five years ago.
Did I ever say anything about five years ago?
Nope.
Have I not trashed this company for the release of SLIMWARE version
1.0 which, in my own personal belief and conjecture was a beta release,
was promised to be the end all?
Yes, I have.  And this version was not 5 years ago.  It was February
of 1990.
It took one month to sort out all the problems.  And they were sorted
out. Similarily, there were many people using version 1.0 of this
product who, but this is third hand, were unhappy.

I was very uptight about the length of time I was down, and I am willing
to give this company the lumps they deserve, when they deserve them.
However, by the same token, I am also willing to argue that assumptions
and conclusions should not be drawn on this company by person's who
do not or have not used their products.

I would do this for Syntha-Voice, I would do this for Artic, hell,
I did it last week for Eric's Tinytalk, which incidently, I haven't
used.  The reality is, though, that the person condemning Eric's product
as being quote just a shareware release unquote could have benefitted
had this product not been recommended.

 >         If we are to believe that Syntha-Voice is so great
 > then I wish those same people would quit criticizing TSI
 > and Artic.

There are more Artic configs on this system than there are for Syntha-

Voice products.
Have I, even once, been critical of a product, apart from Syntha-Voice,
that would bring the validity of my statements to you into question?
Nope, in fact, you'll find that I am most critical of Syntha-Voice
products, but I use them out of choice.

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From: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org (Warren Figueiredo)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Lavender Braille
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:39:22 GMT
Reply-To: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3800/6 - CompuChurch (tm) IH, Baton Rouge LA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24494

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hall Braillers go back to 1892. Frank Hall was the Superintendent of
the Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind. In fact it was
the high tech gizmo at the conventions one hundred years ago.

Warren

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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Book
Date: 9 Sep 92 18:08:47 GMT
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 24447

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi Karen,  Ret wanted me to tell you again how much she enjoyed
reading your SHHH Convention reports.  Even though she was at
the convention, she couldn't do everything (NOBODY could).  Your
reports added greatly to her, and my, enjoyment.

The other day while waiting for Ret at the library I was browsing
their "withdrawn" books which were on sale for 25 each.  There
was one - "Personal Computers and the Disabled" by Peter McWilliams -
which I had looked at before (and was not impressed).  But I decided
it was worth a quarter - just to keep it from falling into the wrong
hands - so I bought it.

Riffling through it, I confirmed my prior opinion.  It's still not
a very good book, however I did find one real gem.  There is an
interview with Henry Kisor which is a beauty.  One excerpt:

 McW.  - How have computers changed your life, if indeed they have?

 Kisor - For the first time in my life I am able to roll up as large
         a phone bill as my wife does.

You might want to read the interview.  If your library doesn't have
it I can mail you my copy.  Or maybe I'll try scanning the interview
and see if I can get the OCR working :-)

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