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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Tue, 15 Dec 1992 14:15:22 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3067

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3067

                         Tuesday, December 15, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                               Demographics...
                     Best alarm for disabled/aged person
                          Customized cars for weak
                          Pc or mac -- what do i bu
                         PC or Mac -- What do I buy?
               Re: Disabled people on aircraft (long flights)
                                HISTORIC PWDs
                                  Cushions
                          Nasty weather navigation


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Demographics...
From: CXLNVD%RITVAX.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU (Chris Lehfeldt)

[Note from Bill McGarry - this is from the DEAF-L mailing list]

Deaf-L readers:  For your information, here are some facts to
keep in mind when offering one's perspective.  Thanks.  These
facts are quoted from various census sources, the U.S. Census
Bureau, and for more detailed info. contact Gallaudet Univ.
Ctr. for Assmt. and Demo. Stds.


        1.  350,000 profoundly deaf children and adults in the
nation.  Of these, 65,000 are children.

        2.  19,500,00 adults who are hard of hearing.

        3.  990,000 children who are hard of hearing.

        4.  Over 80% of these school aged children are being
educated in the public school system.

        5.  90% of the profoundly deaf have parents who have
normal hearing.

        6.  In the Annual Survey of Hearing Impaired Children
and Youth (1990-1991 school year) conducted by the Center for
Assessment and Demographic Studies, Gallaudet College, 39% of
those surveyed (N=47,973) used auditory/oral as their primary
mode of communication; 58% used total communication and only
1.3% used sign language alone.

        7.  21,000,000 total individuals with some degree of
hearing loss in the nation.

Thanks!

Chris Lehfeldt DDS




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Subject: Best alarm for disabled/aged person
From: eeltw@marlin.jcu.edu.au (Lloyd Walker)
Organization: James Cook University

Dear Netland,
        I'm crossposting this across several groups in an effort to get
a range of ideas & possibly even some research findings.  I've been put
in to head a research/development project here in Aus to produce a new
alarm/alert system for disabled/aged people to live independently in
their own homes.  I know this has been done before but due to ever
growing problems with the ones available here we've been asked to fully
revamp the whole idea (to production in 6mths!).
        To outline the system quickly.  The client wears a pendant/pager
that if they get into trouble they can squeeze/press etc and that will
activate a base station in the home that will dial out to a central
control unit which will open a voice connection and if possible clarify
the situation (we're still thinking about the possibility of the voice
connection all the way to the pendant!) and then send appropriate
assistance (police, ambulance, doctor, fire etc).  My major query at the
moment is what is the most reliable way for the aged/disabled population
to activate an alarm pendant/pager the size of a matchbox.  Push button
(what size?), squeeze the box (what pressure & size?), pull the box
against its neck chord (?possibility of accidental activation), other
ideas?
        I'd welcome any input on these parameters as well as areas that
you would really like to see included in a new design of one of these
systems (particularly from those who've used or monitored this sort of
gear).
        Thanks for your ideas and advice in advance.
        God Bless,  Lloyd.
>/

------

-\
>( Lloyd Walker,  PhD          : Internet: L_Walker@trout.jcu.edu.au    )
>( Faculty of Engineering         :   or      eeltw@marlin.jcu.edu.au    )
>( James Cook University of North Qld:                                  )
>( Douglas                       :                      ._   /\         )
>( Queensland                   :                      /  \_/ *\        )
>( AUSTRALIA     4811          :                       (         )      )
>( Ph  (077) 81 5410       : Fax +61 77 251 348        \_.--.__/        )
>(---------------------------------------------------          V         )
>(            AUSTRALIA - Has to be seen to be believed!                )
>\

------

-/







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Subject: Customized cars for weak
From: Bill.Wise@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Wise)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/3 - Nerd's Nook, Rocky River OH


ML>years of typing.  I can drive old GM cars, i.e. my Citation,
ML>because it was designed with a very easy power steering mechanism.
ML>All the new cars require much more of an effort to turn the wheel.
ML>Someday I'll need to replace my car.  I've asked mechanics about
ML>adjusting the power steering, but even if they could, which they
ML>doubt,there are apparently legal problems with doing it.  There
ML>must be ways that handicapped people get around this.  Has anyone
ML>had their car customized, what is involved, and how much does it
ML>cost?  Thanks.

ML>Mark London
ML>MRL@NERUS.PFC.MIT.EDU

Mark,

While I'm not an expert on Driver Rehab, I can tell you that there
are several adaptions that will reduce the effort needed to steer.
These are all power assist devices that while reducing force, also
reduce the feedback you get through the wheel.  Some high quads use
'zero effort' steering.  Contacting a custom van modifier that does
handicapped or wheelchair lift equipped vans should get you pointed
in the right direction.  They will know of the optiona available
for you car.

Bill \\'ise
===
 * DeLuxe 1.1 #8809 * Murphy was an optimist!

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Subject: Pc or mac -- what do i bu
From: Bill.Wise@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Wise)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/3 - Nerd's Nook, Rocky River OH


JR>From: jradue@SANDCASTLE.COSC.BROCKU.CA (Jon Radue)

JR>Index Number: 25429

JR>A very good friend of mine, with advanced MS, has recently decided
JR>to 'go with technology' and purchase a computer. But what does he
JR>purchase? He has trouble using his fingers and would like voice
JR>input to help with his job as treasurer of the local MS Society,
JR>and to type letters (Dragon Dictate appears to be too expensive).
JR>He also does not know how the disease will progress so he needs a
JR>computer that can readily be adapted for his next requirement
JR>(maybe controlling some of his environment, or turning book pages,
JR>etc.). My problem is that I am a Mac fanatic, using Macs for all my
JR>teaching and research, but I believe that there is greater
JR>selection of hardware and software for the PC.

Knowing that most responses you get will be from PC users, I want
to tell you that the Mac is not a bad choice.  I use both platforms
with my disAbled clients (I'm a rehab engineering specialist).  The
Mac has several advantages.  The largest is that the system
software includes sticky keys, mouse keys, and screen enlargment
features that ARE FULLY compatible with all (over 95%) Mac
programs.  On the PC side, these features are available from
several 3rd party sources and compatibility is a LARGE issue.  Also
you need separate solutions for DOS & Windows. Voice input is not
as advanced for the Mac as the Dragon system, but is less costly.
I beleive the program is Voice Commander.  I have not used it, but
have heard that it is useful.

Having said all that, most of my clients wind up using DOS based PC
systems.  This removes the need to deal with the mouse, which is
the hardest part of computer access for most physucally handicapped
users. This is a question for which there is no single correct
answer.  The place I start is 'What do you need to accomplish'.  I
pick the software that is needed, then chose system and adaptive
software to accomadate the need.

Good luck!!  I would be glad to chat with you about the options for
your friend.  I lurk in the disAbled, SCI, and CP conf's on fido
net. you can reach me via this route.

Bill \\'ise
===
 * DeLuxe 1.1 #8809 * Murphy was an optimist!

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Subject: PC or Mac -- What do I buy?
From: Eric.Averink@f119.n244.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Averink)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:244/119 - Gatehouse, Hamilton ON


*** Quoting Jon Radue to All dated 11-05-92 ***
> From: jradue@SANDCASTLE.COSC.BROCKU.CA (Jon Radue)
>
> Index Number: 25429
>
> A very good friend of mine, with advanced MS, has recently decided
> to 'go with technology' and purchase a computer. But what does he
> purchase? He has trouble using his fingers and would like voice
> input to help with his job as treasurer of the local MS Society,
> and to type letters (Dragon Dictate appears to be too expensive).
> He also does not know how the disease will progress so he needs a
> computer that can readily be adapted for his next requirement
> (maybe controlling some of his environment, or turning book pages,
> etc.). My problem is that I am a Mac fanatic, using Macs for all my
> teaching and research, but I believe that there is greater
> selection of hardware and software for the PC.
>
> Can anyone out there help me decide?
>
> Jon Radue
>

Hello.....  I can relate....  Last year I was in the same
situation, and I went with the PC....  There are many software and
hardware packages available for the PC...  Much more so, I think,
than the Mac....  I also looked into Dragon Dictate....  The price,
as with all equipment for the disabled, is unbelievable....
Strangely enough, I attend school part time across the street from
Brock, at NPCC.....  Will say more later...

Eric

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Subject: Re: Disabled people on aircraft (long flights)
From: Douglas.Zachary@f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:137/10 - The Above Board, Sarasota FL


 JS> From: silverm@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Jeff Silverman)
 JS> Organization: Boeing Computer Services, Seattle
 JS> Index Number: 25081

 JS> I was on soc.culture.jewish and somebody was flaming El Al
 JS> because of the problems disabled people have with airplanes.

 JS> 1) I'll bet this problem has already received a lot of thought.

   Yes but mostly by the people with the problem.

 JS> 2) Do disabled people have troubles on board airplanes and going
 JS> through the loading/unloading process?

   Yes, it would be very helpful if the outer arm of isle seats were
removeable for transfers or could drop down to seat level.

 JS> So far, the best idea I've come up with is to put a folding
 JS> seat on the drink carts so a disabled person can get wheeled to
 JS> the bathroom.  This idea got flamed by somebody who wants me to

   The manouverability of such a device is questionable. What about
the problem of feet dragging?  How would the other passengers feel
about the drink cart being tied up for this purpose?

 JS> design a folding wheelchair.  The problem with the folding
 JS> wheelchair is that it takes space and weight and these are at a
 JS> premium (there are guys here who'd kill their mothers to save 5
 JS> pounds).

   A properly designed folding wheelchair made from titanium would
not weigh much more than that and folded it would take up very little
space.

Douglas Zachary
1777 18th St. #112
Sarasota, FL 34234
(813)366-4287

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Subject: HISTORIC PWDs
From: Douglas.Zachary@f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:137/10 - The Above Board, Sarasota FL


   A while back someone was asking for info on historical people with
disabilities but I don't remember who it was. Anyway, I heard of one and
thought I'd pass it on.  Major John Wesly Powell, an obscure Union officer
in the war between the states, lost an arm in the battle of Shilo. After
the war the Major, a self taught geologist decided to map the only unmapped
area in continental USA, the Colorado plateu. He was the first to float the
entire length of the Grand Canyon.  Powell went on to survey the Colorado
plateu and later became the Director of Geology. Present day geologists
are amazed at the accuracy of his geological findings without sophisticated
equipment.

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Subject: Cushions
From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV


LC> >   I was under the impression your "sit down place" was hurting
LC> > worse _after_ your wheelchair jaunts, irrespective of your
LC> > operations. Right? Wrong?

LC>Right.  If I'm not sitting on the couch with the egg carton mattress,
LC>I'm going to have increased tailbone pain.

  This just means the pillows aren't good enough, and you really
do need a good cushion.

LC> >   While I can understand the one for the back, I just can't see a
LC> > pillow helping much with sitting (of course, I'm used to sitting
LC> > 16 to 30 hours at a stretch! <g>).

LC>I can only sit a few hours at a time without much discomfort.  The
LC>pillows give me an alternate way to arrange myself and I get to
LC>sit in a booth so I can put my legs up at the bowling alley.

  With proper cushioning, I can sit 30 hours without discomfort
on my tush. My back starts getting a little sore before that,
though. Oh, and I do mean a _little_ sore, not anything requiring
aspirin, much less what yours goes through.

LC>Went grocery shopping last night and this morning I have a large
LC>increase in neck pain.  I'm having second thoughts now about
LC>trying to get myself my own wheelchair.  I have a sneaky
LC>suspicion that maybe I've herniated a disk in my neck and it
LC>worsens when I "wheel" myself around. I can't have an MRI, and
LC>I won't have another myelogram yet.  I'll live with it until
LC>it's time to change the batteries in the SCS.

  You might want to try out a tall Jay back. Your local dealer
can show you a picture of what it looks like. A good distributor
might even have one in stock or could get one for you to try. If
you have a large increase in neck pain, that could be from simply
having used an improperly-fitting seat on a manual or electric
chair, or you really might need an electric chair, no matter what
your pride says about it (with a proper seat). Some people can do
some serious damage to themselves with the wrong kind of
exertion, and manual wheeling can be one of those things! Some
wheelchair athletes, etc are now having major shoulder and neck
pain and some disablement from overexertion.

-- Jeff

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

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Subject: Nasty weather navigation
From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV


WB>In that case, do not plan on coming out here just now.  I had to stay in and
WB>use my ski-track to get my exercise at noon as there was too much snow for
WB>me to find my way around, but tonight it was not too bad as most people had
WB>their walks cleaned.

  Something just occurred to me. You have made mention of braille
compasses, and other ways of getting around. Have you heard about
the navigation sattellites that can be used to pinpoint your
location anywhere on the earth?  Well, in the boating catalogs,
they have handheld receivers (now 6 channel ones) that can do
that. They usually let you set a starting point, and up to maybe
100 setpoints or waypoints, whatever. Those are intermediate
points on your journey, usually in a boat, that you can keep
track of if you want to for any particular reason. I know there
computer programs that can take this data and automatically apply
it to online computer maps in order to keep a running
visualization on the screen of where you are.

  It should be possible to build something to take that data and
instead of presenting it visually, present it audibly or in
braille (not so good in cold weather). That way a visually
impaired person could reliably walk anywhere rain or snow, etc
(don't you hate me?) or a very enterprising person could even go
on cross-country hikes with little chance of getting lost. You
could even set up groups for contests of best hiking ability,
that have specific places you have to go to pick up flags, etc,
and the first person to get to the finish point would win. I
can't remember what that kind of contest is called, but I would
think it would be fun.

-- Jeff

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

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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 3067 of the Handicap Digest

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