HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: transportation
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:57:45 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: 24804

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

KB>In looking for a minivan for my son's chair, they claim a VW Eurovan is
KB>ok as is.  It was the only minivan I saw at a show that would take his
KB>chair without customization. (A tilt Quickie with a insert and headrest)
KB>The floor drops behind the driver's seat. As minivans go they are expensive
KB>but should not need any lowering of the floor or raising of the roof.

Maybe so, but, my god, ther is NO maneuvering room in "them thar
things". I like a long-wheelbase Ford, preferably an Econoline 250
so you can carry a little cargo when you go places. Right now, we
have a 1979 Ford Econoline 350 (1-ton van) with a 460 gas engine in
it with twin air conditioners, and the minimum 8500 pound GVWR.
Hauls just about anything we ever need on a vacation, and with the
monster engine and radiator, we can operate both air conditioners
at full blast idling in city traffic in 110 degree weather without
overheating (I have to have AC handy in the summer so my trach
doesn't dry out and send me into uncontrollable coughing fits).

One thing you woudn't like about the 460 engine on a 1-ton van, tho
-- spare parts are more expensive, the repair labor can be higher,
and the gas mileage is terrible (about 8 to 10 mpg depending on
load, wind, and hills).

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

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Internet: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: S.i.g.n.s.
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:50:37 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25002

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 SB> True, but remember all PSE and SEE is based upon ASL. ASL is
 SB> the true sign language. PSE and SEE techinally are not sign
 SB> languages.

I suppose that may be the viewpoint of NAD and some narrow-minded
Deaf cultists, Steve.  However, that doesn't make it correct.  Why
do you say that PSE and SEE are "techinally" (sic) not sign languages?
Can you support that statement?

PSE and SEE are based on ASL (plus a whole lot more).  ASL is based
on LSF.  LSF is based on the Latin alphabet.  Saying that a language
is not "true" because it is based on another language is ludicrous.
Every language I know of contains elements of other languages.
By your standard there would be no such thing as a true language.

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Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Wheelchairs
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:21:06 GMT
Reply-To: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24777

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to All <12 Sep 92 15:23> Linda Cummings wrote:

 LC> Does anyone know the guidelines for requesting and getting a

Call and get a copy of the MEDICARE HANDBOOK.  Then contact at
least two local vendors for information on how the procedure
works.  I had to pay up front and then Medicare reimbursed me 80%
after months of delay.

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Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org
From: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: IBM to Mac
Date: 7 Oct 92 15:43:17 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: 24713

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 BK> By the way, do you know if it is possible to have a program that puts
 BK> things in a macintosh format?  Sounds True uses macs and I would love
 BK> to be able to put my materials in their format if it were possible.

The newer models of Macintoshes are capable of reading IBM-compatible 3.5"
disks.  Of course, the individual files have to be in a format that the
appropriate software can use.

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Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p3.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: person@plains.nodak.edu (Brett Person)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Blind Pirates
Date: 13 Oct 92 04:05:39 GMT
Reply-To: person@plains.nodak.edu (Brett Person)
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing Network
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24869

Hey!  Every priate I ever saw in the movies had at least one eye
patch.  So I guess that piracy must be a natural thing for blind
people to do.
I'd like to interject in all of this that all software companies have
associated costs with their swoftware.  From the cost of paying the
programmers, to printing the manuals, to the price of the physical
distribution media and whatever else they need to provide.
All of this costs money.
* Cost to develop the software - salaries for programmers etc.
* Cost to print, braille, and record the manuals.
* Cost of continued support for the product via phone, disk/manual
updates.

--
Brett Person
Guest Account	
North Dakota State University
person@plains.nodak.edu || person@plains.bitnet
From: Neil.Ohlenkamp@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Neil Ohlenkamp)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Paralympic results
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:40:57 GMT
Reply-To: Neil.Ohlenkamp@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL
X-Fidonet: Abled Athlete Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24738

[This is from the Abled Athlete Conference]

In case anyone is interested competition results from the
Paralympic Games in Barcelona is available directly from the US
Olympic Committee via their BBS.  Results are updated daily and
other info such as team listings and biographies are available.
The USOC BBS can be reached at 719 632 9885 in Colorado Springs.
The info is in ASCII text files for downloading.

By the way, the blind judo team (my sport is judo) has won 2 silver
medals and a bronze medal.  Excellent for a 6 man team and better
than the single medal won by the US in Judo in the Olympics.

 # Origin: ADAnet(tm) NetHub Birmingham, Alabama (205)854-9074  (94:94/1)

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Internet: Neil.Ohlenkamp@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org
From: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: More mda mysteries
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:42:57 GMT
Reply-To: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24748

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

ABLEnews Reprint

from the disABILITY NEWS-letter (11/91, II:1)
with permission from the publisher

             MDA withholds cooperation to disabled journalist
                      critizing financial activities

        As a result of her columns criticizing various budget
allocations by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a California
journalist with advancing multiple sclerosis faced more than just
architectural stonewalling.
        The November 1991 WASHINGTON JOURNALISM REVIEW's story,
titled "Dystrophy Group Stonewalls Columnist," reported Dianne
Piastro's efforts to find the organization's top salaries and other
financial information for her five-part series for her syndicated
column, "Living with a Disability."
        Piastro's column installments during August reported that
most of $109.7 million raised in 1990 through public donations
funded increasing employee salaries and benefits.
        MDA spokespersons rebuted the allegations by saying Piastro
misinterpreted the budget figures she acquired from the Illinois
attorney general, which keeps all of the non-profit association's
records.
        Piastro countered that her calls to the national MDA office
were unanswered.

                        STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT

disABILITY NEWS-letter is owned, written and published by Gary
L. Warren, 3306A Moss Court, Midland, Texas 79707, (915) 520-2923.

With a tip of our ABLEnews hat to Gary Warren,

...For further information, contact CURE, 812 Stephen Street, Berkeley
Springs, West Virginia 254511 (304-258-LIFE/5433).

 * SLMR 2.1 * ABLEnews...beyond the headlines. (1:275/429.4)

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Internet: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
From: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org (Warren Figueiredo)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: mega dots
Date: 13 Oct 92 18:22:42 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24931

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Walter, most of the files I work with were typed by someone else in
some other word processor with varying amounts of logic. With MegaDots
I get help from the file importer and I can instantly see the result in
braille. I don't have to maintain three files, a print original, a
coded file for brailling, and a final file for output as in HotDots.

MegaDots lets me translate and view the file as it will appear on the
braille page. previous programs may have allowed this to some extent
but not with the same ease of MegaDots. Editing is much much easier. I
save paper because what I print on the first run with MegaDots has been
edited more thoroughly that a preliminary paper copy done in the past.

You may be satisfied with HotDots just as others prefer Turbobraille or
Duxbury. It all depends on what you need and what you like.

Warren

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Internet: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org
From: Donald.Breda@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Breda)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Computer Questions
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:27:30 GMT
Reply-To: Donald.Breda@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24953

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 LK> I'm glad it's working for you.  Actually, Desqview is working
 LK> reasonably well for me on my home system, but not so at work.
 LK> I'm using Vocal-Eyes on both, the only difference is with the
 LK> speech synthesizer, and more recently, Fax software which I
 LK> have loaded.  There is a patch for that software which I need
 LK> to obtain.  Every time something is added, potential problems
 LK> are created.  It's great once everything is working, but
 LK> getting to that point can be a nightmare.  I'll keep plugging
 LK> along; I'm sure it will eventually work out, it's just getting
 LK> the time necessary to refine everything.  Regards, Les

Hi Les; Well adding fax software can certainly cause problems since fax
software usually  runs as if it is the only piece of software you should
evwer run in your PC.
Secondly you did not mention your synthesizer at home but loading the
driver outside of Desqview and loading the "ve" program in each window
can significantly reduce conflicts and lockups.
Hope this helps.
P.S. what is the fax software you just got and what does the patch do?
I am very interested in fax software myself and have tried bitfax and
zfax from zyxel.

Donald Breda

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Internet: Donald.Breda@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org
From: Bob.Moffatt@f94.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Bob Moffatt)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Doctors
Date: 7 Oct 92 14:29:31 GMT
Reply-To: Bob.Moffatt@f94.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/94 - Big Bob's BBS, Portland OR
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24709

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

> I know how you feel, Bob.  So, tell me, how's the Optifast thing work and
> how much does it cost (or are you lucky enough to have your insurance pay
> for it)?  I sure do need to drop a few myself, but just don't have the
> willpower.

It is going okay if I would quit cheating.  It is real hard, I am
so use to eating and eating quite a bit at each sitting.  It is all
Liquid and is basically like a fast for me it will take about 5 or
6 months of drinking the stuff they give you and nothing else.  I
am lucky, insurance is paying for it and thats why I feel guilty
about cheating.  I have been told by other people that it cost them
$100+ per week.  Its very spendy.  Its really suppose to be a good
program and I diddn't cheat the 1st week and dropped 8.6 pounds.
Then I cheated the 2nd week and gained 2.5 pounds back.  I cheated
once this week and am praying that I lose.  They probably won't
tolerate gaing too many weeks, hahahah.  Well Linda, I need to get
this sent so I can go play Global Wars, never thought I would be
hooked on that but now I am, you take care and I will TTYL.

                                      Bob

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Internet: Bob.Moffatt@f94.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Dubois)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Holy Rollers.
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:32:49 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24985

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I honestly believe that people are entitled to believe in whatever
they choose, provided they do not impose their own views on others.
I happen to be agnostic, and quite frankly, if someone came to my
door claiming to be Jesus I'd tell him there was a sale on nails at
the hardware store.
That being said, I have a story about a run in with a holy roller.

Last summer, I was coming home from the Canadian National Institute
for the Blind on a beautiful sunny summer day.  I'm sitting on the
147 Elmvale, an Ottawa city bus, winding it's way through the south
Ottawa burbs, minding my own business, when this guy across from me
in the bus says:

"It's tough being blind."

I just ignored the fellow, knowing full well that any kind of response
from me would send him into a whirl wind of questions.  The way I
figure it is that I stand out well enough, thank you very much, with
my dog tucked in at my feet, without some guy yelling his queries
about blindness across a bus aisle.
You would have thought that that by ignoring him he would have just
left me alone.  Nope, no siree Bob, this guy was on a mission from
God.

"Yup," he said, "I was blind myself for 47 years.  Forty seven years
of life in the dark and finally the good Lord Jesus came into my life
and I saw the light."

Of course I ignored him, but still he persisted.

"I could show you too," he persisted, "Jesus can open up your eyes!
 Forty seven years of blindness and the good Lord Jesus opened up
my eyes."

I blush when I get angry, and I felt the blood rushing to my face.

"Listen buddy, the good Lord Jesus may have opened up your eyes, but
if you don't get off my goddamned back, I'm gonna go over there and
close them back up for you!"

He never said another word and as the bus pulled to a halt on the
next stop along the route, he exitted the bus muttering something
about sinners and damnation.
The bus driver actually turned around and said "Way to go." and a
lady sitting next to me agreed with a comment back to the driver.
I didn't acknowledge either of their remarks, and the bus ride was
amazingly quiet for the remainder of my trek home.

I'm not sure what the answer is when you're dealing with holy rollers
imposing their views on you as a blind person, and I certainly do
not want to offend anyone who is religious, because people are entitled
to their own views on such issues.  But I have found a very successful
method of dealing with those who choose to impose their views.
It's amazing how quick the conversation ends when you say "Christ
died for nail makers".
Take care,
Jeff

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Internet: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org
From: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: 2 meters
Date: 16 Oct 92 04:08:19 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: 25066

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message to Steve Gomes <22 Sep 92 21:14> Pat Hornell wrote:

 PH> why doesn't somebody get Kenwood in
 PH> touch with a company like TSI or DEC
 PH> or some other speech synthesis
 PH> company and arrange for a
 PH> text-to-speech chip to be made for these rigs?

Hi, Pat!

I have seen both Kenwood and Icom gear that *did* have voice
chips incorporated into them, although the chips used digitzed
speech rather than synthesized speech.  Kenwood's R5000 receiver
had a voice readout available, I believe, as did a
2-meter/70-centimeter mobile rig of about eight years ago, the
model number of which escapes me at the moment.  The Icom 6000
has voice readout including announcement of functions such as LSB
and USB.

My point is that these companies *already* have the technology;
it is for us, the users, to make it worth their while to put such
technology into their ham gear.  We cannot do this on the basis
of numbers alone, IMHO, as there aren't enough of us but perhaps
we can appeal to the good sense and self-interest (in terms of
good P.R.) of these companies.

I have communicated with the gurus at ARRL HQ and suggested that
in reviewing ham gear they should always get voice readouts if
they are offered; they were quite responsive.  This all came up
when I asked them a question about a QST review last year in
which a rig had a voice readout; they (that is, Russ Heeley)
happily answered my questions.

BTW, for those with GEnie or Internet access, ARRL HQ personnel
are accessible via E-Mail and the response is super-quick.

73!

DE Mike Freeman K 7 U I J
___ CRR QWK 1.40

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From: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Van
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:56:18 GMT
Reply-To: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.13 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24794

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 AH>> P.S.  The state won't pay to adapt my van for driving,
 AH>> since I'm unemployed.  They have the money, and they would
 AH>> have paid to put in a lift, tiedowns, and lower the floor
 AH>> regardless of job status, but since I already have that,
 AH>> I'm SOL.  So stupid.  I guess independence isn't important.
 AH>> *adh*

 KJ>  Alan, what exactly do you need if you have all that stuff?

 AH> The equipment I'd use to drive.

 You mean hand controls? A power seat? What? It is really a shame if you
 have a lift, tiedowns and a drop floor that you cannot get the small
 amount of money (at least in comparison to that stuff) needed to put in
 hand controls and a power seat.

-Keith-

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From: Al.Manning@f41.n243.z1.fidonet.org (Al Manning)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: International Deaf
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:44:11 GMT
Reply-To: Al.Manning@f41.n243.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:243/41 - The SugarBush, Gloucester ON
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24753

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

Hi Sheila and other deaf users

Just a short note to pass on a report I heard last night on CJOH,
the Ottawa CTV station, that they have now completed the testing
required and will now start closed captioning all locally produced
shows.  The announcement was accompanied by a short but clear
demonstration of what closed captioning is and does for the deaf
and hearing impared.  The announcment was accompanied by open
captioing and/or a sign interpreter.  To make the point the normal
sound faded a couple of times and cut out completly once or twice.
It was a very effectine demo for those with normal hearing.

Take Care
Yours Aye  Al

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Internet: Al.Manning@f41.n243.z1.fidonet.org
From: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Sam Troia)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Codes on Status Line in WordPerfect
Date: 10 Oct 92 05:02:04 GMT
Reply-To: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/203.4 - The Shop Mail Only, Flushing NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24852

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, All,

     Well, once again WordPerfect is about to release its V6.0 in January.  A friend and I have been discussing the fact that certain attributes, when turned on, do not appear in a way which is friendly to blind users on the status line.  These features are:

1.  center
2.  bold
3.  underline

My friend and I have both called WP and asked if it might not be possible to have the legends (bold), (cen) and (und) appear on the status line when any of these features are turned on, much in the way that (typeover) and (block on) and (control block) already do.

     If you think that this would be useful to you as a user, I would urge you to give WP a call and make your sentiments known.  As I have said two of us have already called but obviously the more people showing interest in this matter, the more likely we are to succeed in having these changes implemented.  Thanks--Sam

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Internet: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org
From: Jeff.Dubois@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Dubois)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: AI Squared
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:28:50 GMT
Reply-To: Jeff.Dubois@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.0 - Vision, Ottawa ON
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24963

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

AI Squared, the makers of Zoomtext, Zoomtext Plus, and InFocus have
relocated to offices in Vermont.
The new address is:

AI Squared,
P.O Box 669,
Manchester Centre, VT
05255-0669

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