HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Glen.Sepke@f2.n348.z1.fidonet.org (Glen Sepke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Windows access maybe
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:14:16 GMT
Reply-To: Glen.Sepke@f2.n348.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:348/2 - Man-Net-EC, Winnipeg MB
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23823

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

KB> .I ask you, Marvin, if Synthavoice has such good products,
where are their U.S. users?  And why don't I hear all of them
talking about it?

Hi Keith,

I am a Canadian, who took offense at this statement.  Regardless of
the correctness of your analysis of SLIM WARE (which I agree with
BTW) implying that if U.S. folks don't use something, it probably
is substandard is a very self-centered view of the wourld.

KB>   A few years ago I read an article in Technology Update that
talked about even the Canadian Government having problems with
Synthavvoice.  The fact is, Slimware cannot compete with all our
screen readers and synthesizers. It may sell in Canada, but too
many people down here have seen too many broken promises from this
company.

I again adree with your view of the company in question, but
painting Canadians as being unaware of options, or willing to
accept substandard products and service, so they buy SLIM WARE
bothers me a little.  That would be like me saying all Americans
have a self-centered view of their access technology.  I feel we
should discuss the attributes of the product, and yes the company
that provides the product, but let's please stop short of drawing
sweeping generalizations dependant on the company's country of
origin.  - Glen -

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From: Donald.Roberts@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Type and speak.
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:01:49 GMT
Reply-To: Donald.Roberts@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:377/6 - T.A.B.B., Tampa Fl
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23724

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello All,

I am wondering if Blazie has given any more specifics about the
Type and Speak., ie. price, release date etc.  I have a Braille and
Speak and really like it but would prefer to use a Qwerty keyboard
rather than a Braille keyboard.

I got to play with a Braille mate recently; and, although the
Braille and Speak is a much better value because of Braille Mate's
expensive storage cards and also its $500 higher price tag, I did
rather like that braille cell and also felt that the speech of the
Braille mate was somewhat superior to the Braille and Speak.

I would appreciate comments from others who have had an opportunity
to compare the two.

Don Roberts

... My hard disk is full! Maybe I'll try this message section thing.
=== Blue Wave/QWK v2.10

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From: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck Hallenbeck)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Braille N Speak Compl
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:12:47 GMT
Reply-To: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23797

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, Keith.
You made some terrific points with Willy on the BNS thing. However, you
shouldn't have subtracted the floppy cost from the notebook, you should
have added $500 to the BNS price, since that is what Blazie wants for
one. ... Cheers. ... Chuck.

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Internet: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: Steve.Richards@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Richards)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Accent Dictionary.
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:08:41 GMT
Reply-To: Steve.Richards@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:277/101 - House Of Pancakes, Morgantown WV
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23770

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Don, I decided not to quote your message, but here goes with the
answers.  I copied your address, and since I had already promised a copy
if you were interested in the dictionary I'll mail it to you as soon as
you let me know if a 360K 5.25-inch floppy would be ok.  That's the only
size I have to spare, and few of those, until a newly ordered batch of
disks arrives.  You asked about my phone number.  It is (304) 292-1033
but I only answer this number from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Eastern time
weekdays, since I'm the only one to man the phone and I spend much of my
time working with my writing career.  Since I must visit the post
office, bank, etc, I can't always be here during those hours either, but
I usually am.

RE your question about writing a program to cause radio station call
letters to be spoken as characters...  Well, it wouldn't be impossible,
but there are problems.  Perhaps the biggest is that most of the
stations in the East have call letter sequences starting with the letter
W, and there's an awful lot of four-letter words that begin with that
letter.  Those starting with K wouldn't be so bad, but C would be as bad
as W, or worse.  There's a simple solution, at least from a programming
standpoint.  Provide an option with all screen readers that
automatically spell any character strings in all caps, but 1: how would
one convince all screen reader producers to do this, and 2: it ain't
really a good idea since normal text might sometimes be written in all
caps for emphasis.  Still, with the option defeatable it isn't a
horrible notion.  An independent program doing this wouldn't be worth
it, in my opinion.  You would necessarily have to preempt the screen
reader's screening of characters written via the BIOS, or worse the data
written directly to the video RAM, or else intercept the character
strings sent from the screen reader to the synthesizer which may have
had their case altered and might contain character sequences specific to
a certain synthesizer.  Anyone going to all that trouble might as well
write a screen reading program.  I'm exaggerating a bit there, but it
would be a fair amount of work, and any program that would slow the
processing of speech output and cause potential conflicts with the
speech software if not written just right...  Well, you get the idea.
Steve R.

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From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Oregon Plan
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:58:21 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: Able News Conference

Index Number: 23699

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

In a message to Patricia Bregman <06 Aug 92 10:22> Earl Appleby wrote:

 EA> of the choices and, more profoundly, the basis of the choices
 EA> that the Oregon TABs propose that CURE and other disability
 EA> rights advocates object to.

The Oregon Plan will pay $250,000 for the liver/kidney transplant
procedure for a non-alcoholic.  They will not pay the same amount
for a new born with a gestation period of only 22 weeks and a 15oz
birth weight.

 EA> Robert Pear, a veteran reporter on medical issues for the New
 EA> York Times, describes the Oregon plan as assigning a higher
 EA> priority to medical services that improve quality of life than to
 EA> those that safeguard life.

First, let me make it perfectly clear that I am a supporter of the
Medicare and Medicaid programs.  However, I do not believe that we
should fund every procedure and medical cure that comes down the
pike.

The obvious reason is that our country is in the midst of an
economic crisis.  It not only can not afford to fully fund every
medical procedure, but it also cannot afford to fund many of the
thinggs which it is already funding.  The government must stop
spending more than it takes in if our country is to retain
autonomy.  Therefore, without raising taxes significantly, it
absolutely must find ways to cut things that are already being
funded.

Aside from being financially impossible, I believe that Oregon is
better suited to determine the level of services available at the
state level.  At least they have a plan to curtail their soaring
medical costs.

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From: Donald.Roberts@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Accent dictionary.
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:01:41 GMT
Reply-To: Donald.Roberts@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:377/6 - T.A.B.B., Tampa Fl
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23723

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for your prompt response following my inquiry about
the Accent dictionary.  I would very much like to obtain that file
about which you spoke in your response.  Although I have PC
pursuit, I am more than willing to make a long distance call to any
number you specify so I can get that file.  Please just say how and
where.  Incidentally, for the record, I am using the Accent PC.

On a related matter, as you undoubtedly know, many blind persons
have an interest in various facets of radio.  I wish to challenge
the programmers on this echo to come up with a system whereby radio
station calls would be spelled out.  Most synthesizers attempt to
make words out of any call sign which contains at least one vowel,
and some try to make words of combinations which contain no vowels
whatsoever.  The dictionary facilities both in Vocal Eyes and in
Soft Vert are much to limited to write a series of entries of three
and four letter words beginning either with K or C and encompassing
all possible combinations.  I think most modern screen readers will
spell ham calls; but, of course, the key to that is that the call
sign contains one numeric with three or four alpha characters.

So I guess, all that I ahve done is to identify the problem in
hopes that someone might come up with a feasible solution.  Would
it be possible to write some sort of external utility telling the
screen reader to spell every three or four letter word beginning
either with K or C and then including some exceptions which would
be pronounced rather than spelled?

Thanks for your thoughts, Steve.

Incidentally, if you would prefer that I not call for that file, my
mailing address is: 1292 Palmetto Avenue, Chico California, 95926.
Thanks.

Don Roberts

... The last thing I saw was this Big Blue Wave!
=== Blue Wave/QWK v2.10

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From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Braille Manuals
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:14:27 GMT
Reply-To: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23824

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I would of course prefeered a Braille manual with the Blazer, although
the tape I got was fine.  Further, the built-in speech does faciliitate
easy use by a blind person.  I have also received a number of
expensive, (very expensive) refreshable Braille displays without
manuals in Braille.  Now that is unforgivable.

David Andrews

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From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Lavender Braille
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:04:31 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: 23741

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Warren, I still have a sony 105 that worked the last time I tried
it out, and I also have and old wolensak t1500 tape recorder which
was a real workhorse.  I just sold a lavendar braillor about a year
or so that still worked fine.  The only time that it quit working
was when someone dropped it, but they fixed it to work fine.  Of
course they don't work like a perkins, but neither is the price the
same.

I remember those old talking book machines.  I thought that blind
services took them out of existance by now.

Walter

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From: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Deaf Culture
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:36:20 GMT
Reply-To: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/2120 - Fingers Talk, Irving TX
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 23929

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

*** Quoting Jim Brown to Ann Stalnaker ***

 JB> I have been puzzling over this topic since I first asked about the
 JB> difference between deaf and Deaf.  I am not hearing impaired so I
 JB> thought I must be missing something.  I truly do not understand why Deaf
 JB> want to set themselves aside from the rest of the community.

Jim, they do it because they want it that way.  I feel like you do,
especially since the minority is those from the Deaf Culture, that
we all should be just one group.  In fact, why have groups?  It
is our place to mingle and educate those who are not familiar with
hearing impairments.

Even though I am profoundly deaf, I've always been a part of the
hearing world and have never felt left out or isolated.  I've never
felt I had to belong to a group but I do enjoy belonging to SHHH
because I feel they have so much to offer us and they have no
barriers like some other organizations do.

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From: Betsy.Fenti@f650.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Betsy Fenti)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Magic Wand Keyboard
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:57:15 GMT
Reply-To: Betsy.Fenti@f650.n260.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/650 - School Board, Hornell NY

Index Number: 23691

I have been flooded with email about this keyboard.  So here's an
answer to everyone.

The keyboard's typing area is about 3"x7".  It has a stylus attached
to it that can be used with either hand or mouth.  It requires no
pressure to type.  The user should have fair amount of accuracy.  There a
model that can be used on the IBM and one for the Macintosh or
Apple //GS.  The Mac version costs approx. $1400, the IBM is about
$200 less.  The address for more information is:

In Touch Systems
c/o Susan Crouch
11 Westview Road
Spring Valley, NY 10977
914 354-7431

For more specifics ask me or call Susan Crouch.

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From: Shari.Messner@f10.n300.z1.fidonet.org (Shari Messner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: General Interest
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:26:54 GMT
Reply-To: Shari.Messner@f10.n300.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:300/10 - Aztec Maximus, Tucson Az

Index Number: 23884

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

SS> > the temp prosthesis (sp?) so has that road to travel.  The pain
SS> > is the
SS> > biggest problem.  Any suggestions, length of time for relief
SS> > etc.

SS>What is he taking for the pain, how long has it been going
SS>on and is he currently under treatment at a pain clinic?

The phanthom pain has occured since the amputation in June.  His doc had
him on tylenol 3 with codene but doesn't want him addicted and I don't
know what sleeping pill he was taking and same thing, so he now just has
just extra strength tylenol or something similar.  After all "the pain
really isn't there so how can it be treated"  or so says so many.....
He has tried 1 or 2 sessions of acupunture but to no avail.
shari

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From: cfwpm@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Bill McGown)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Wanted - Van with Chair lift
Date: 19 Aug 92 04:37:04 GMT
Reply-To: cfwpm@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Bill McGown)
Organization: Eastern Illinois University
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23966

Pardon the intrusion into this news group by an outsider but we are
in need of a van with a wheel chair lift and lockdowns. The ideal
van would be a 86-87 or newer in the southeast US but we can be
flexible on both price and distance to pick it up (obviously the
two are related). We would prefer a side lift. The van will not
need to be set up for wheel chair user to drive since it will be
driven by someone else at all times. Many thanks for any assistance
you might be able to give on this request.

Because this is a personal request e-mail to me is prefered. Others
wishing to know what responseI receive may contact me and I will
forward replys.

Many thanks.. Bill.

--
**************************************************************
W. P. (Bill) McGown                     Eastern Ill. Univ
cfwpm@ux1.cts.eiu.edu                   Psychology Department
                                        Charleston, Il. 61920
From: Hugues.Blanchet@f136.n167.z1.fidonet.org (Hugues Blanchet)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Wonderful!!!
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:36:08 GMT
Reply-To: Hugues.Blanchet@f136.n167.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:167/136 - Ab.'s Place, Montreal PQ
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 23928

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Dearest Laurel....

LG>Before I lost my hearing, I was a music lover, and sometimes I think
LG>of the outdoor summer concerts in Philadelphia's Robin Hood Dell.  I
LG>think of the warm summer nights and the Philadelphia Ochestra and
LG>David Oistrakh playing Beethoven's violin concerto, and I cry.  Then
LG>I think of the sound of the rain on the roof and the wind in the
LG>treetops and the surf on the beach, and I cry again.  Then I pick up
LG>a magazine and I read some idiot telling me what a wonderful
LG>"culture" it is to be deaf..

Absolutely MARVELOUS Laurel!!!  I've VERY RARELY read something that
EXPLAINS SOO PERFECTLY, IN SUCH meaningful WORDS, how I feel about the
Deaf Culture also!!!

The exact truth comes out of those who KNOW what BOTH are about!!! Those
who are only hearing don't know about deafness (and it's a GOOD thing
for THEM!!!) and Deaf people (the born deaf) don't know ZILCH about
sounds (hearing).  As for US, we have lived BOTH, and it is therefore
absolutely VERY LOGICAL that WE are the ones that REALLY know the value
of DEAF CULTURE.

I'm Deaf... but NEVER will I be part of the Deaf Culture because it
would be just the same as to accept LESS of life (it's DEGRADING!) and I
will NEVER accept less of my present and futur life even though I'm
Deaf!!!

Thanks Laurel for an absolutely FANTASTIC post!!!

Tres grande amitie,

Hugues

LG>--- TMail v1.30.4
LG> * Origin: U.S. Telematics, Yardley PA (215)493-5242 (1:273/201)

 * SLMR 2.1a * NOTHING is as soothing as deliverance.......
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From: tetley_j@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Screentyper
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:13:09 GMT
Reply-To: tetley_j@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23683

I saw your name on a posting on Usenet concerning software for the
disabled and I was wondering if you had any information concerning
the following:- I am a disabled student completing a degree in
Zoology.  For my studies I have been using MacIntosh computers to
enable me to store notes, write essays etc. Originally I started
off with a Mac Plus using a device called Personics Headmaster
which is a headset that takes over the operation of the mouse ie
the direction I move my head is the direction the arrow follows.
In conjunction with this I have been using a desk accessory called
'screentyper'.  This brings up a small keyboard on the bottom of
the screen and I just point to the letters and click to confirm
them.  I have been using this since 1987 and in this form it is
slightly out of date.  The keyboard is basic ie has no escape key,
arrow keys or control key.  I also wish to update to System 7.01
and the 'screentyper' is not compatible with this.

Does you know of any product which may remady this situation or of
any contact addresses of Companies who produce this type of
software?

Thanks in advance.
tetley_j@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
P.S I am now using a Mac IIcx 5/100.
From: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org (Warren Figueiredo)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Lavender Braille
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:00:41 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: 23716

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I have actually been cleaning out my office and I'm throwing away quite
a bit of junk that I don't need.

It's an assortment of dead Speech Plus calculators, broken low vision
aids, interface cables to forgotten devices, software packages for the
Apple II, bits and pieces of transcriptions, seems like hundreds of
tests for my mainstreamed students, etc. etc. Actually it's kind of fun
and I'm glad to do it.

But there are some things I will not throw away. I've got a talking
book machine vintage 1938 that still works. It takes victrola needles.
I've got samples of Moon Type and New York Point and a few odd
braillewriters--a Hall and a machine that wrtes on paper tape.
I also found a Lavender Braillewriter and the thing still works.
That's rare considering that most of them didn't work when they were
new.

Anybody else got old stuff hidden in a closet? How about old
technology?

I've even got a SONY 105 that's in good shape.

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