HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Les.Kriegler@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Les Kriegler)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Braille N Speak Compl
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:08:49 GMT
Reply-To: Les.Kriegler@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/207 - The Recovery Room, Rochester NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23771

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DK> hmmmmmm, very interesting.  well for a couple of hundred more, i can get a
 DK> lap top and a braille display from humanware and sounds like probably thats
 DK> the way i'll go. dan

The B.N.S. 640 sells for around $1250.  The disk drive is
another $500.  A braille display alone would will run well in
excess of that, and you have not thrown in the laptop yet.  My
guess is that you will have to spend well in excess of $4000
to get the kind of system to which you referred.  You are not going to
get a laptop and braille display for $200 over the price of
the B.N.S.

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Internet: Les.Kriegler@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Slimware Window Bridge
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:13:25 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23819

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message of <04 Aug 92  13:48:16>, Bill Mcgarry (1:141/420) writes:

 >I talked to Synthavoice about a month ago to get some of their
 >demos to have on the BBS here.  When I asked about a demo of
 >the Window Bridge, I was told that there was no need for a demo
 >since blind people do not have Windows so why have a demo?
 >
 >Great logic, huh?
 >
 >Bill
 >

Well, I am going after their newest MS DOS version tonight.  the
new version 2.1 is now available for download and they have
established a download file area for Window Bridge on their board.
Checked the area out briefly from work this afternoon and saw that
the Window Bridge manual is there for download.  According to
David, when I talked to him today, he says that if you know how to
use the latest version 2.1 of their MS DOS release you will already
know 90% of the operating process of Window Bridge.

Somehow I have a feeling we will be seeing a Window Bridge demo
sooner than they are saying.  I just have a feeling that they are
getting a lot of demand for it and I would encourage people to call
their 800 number and keep bugging them for it till they come out
with one.

That's what they think, blind people don't have Windows!  I know
several people who have computers in their home who can't use them
because the rest of the family is using Windows, but since they
can't they just can't use the computer.  I also know that there are
a lot of conservative agencies for the blind who are not about to
spend what little funding they have for a product that they can't
be sure will do the job after they get it.

In addition, a lot of new computer systems are coming with free
copies of Windows packed with them, but the blind guy who gets one
of these can't use it except to reformat the disks for another
use.

So keep calling and asking for a Window Bridge demo everybody and
lets see if a bit of pressure changes their minds.  There is no
reason that they can't tell a person who calls in for support of a
demo version of the software that they only give technical support
to registered users.  Plenty of producers of software for the
sighted world do that and with plenty of justification.

        D. T.
        I lost my speech cursor to a hungry mouse!!!

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!168!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Speech and Punctuation pausing
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:07:27 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23761

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

David, I believe you were the one who originally asked about
pausing for punctuation without saying it and you mentioned Dectalk
and Jaws.  I took a few minutes today and experimented with setting
Jaws 2.2 for MultiVoice up so that there was a pause of 2 for
commas and a pause of 6 for periods.  I then turned off all
punctuation being pronounced and it sounded really good.  I tried
reading several text files using Ralph the Reader and it was so
nice I think it could easily be used that way for reading talking
books for RFB, and probably would be more interesting than some of
the live readers on some of their tapes.

I have not had time to try this with other speech programs, but I
am sure that there has to be at least one or two others that would
do equally as well.

        D. T.

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Internet: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck Hallenbeck)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: general stuff
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:23:12 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: 23866

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 KB> Chuck, I think, what you're getting is 20 characters per second
 KB> on each side of the page, thus 40 CPI which include both sides
 KB> of the page.  Nearly like two rB-20s.

Hi, Keith.
Portia says the single-side speed of the Juliet is 28 CPS, which is a
little better than half the interpoint speed of 40 CPS. The Everest
drops from 100 to 50 CPS for single sided printing, according to Chuck
Wright.

 KB> Is Porcia Hunley your salesperson?  I
 KB> don't have her card here in front of me, so may have her name
 KB> spelled incorrectly, but she was in Phoenix and, if I'm not
 KB> mistaken, serves at least some of the midwest.  Enabling has
 KB> some maps, so you might want to get them to or your salesperson
 KB> to send a couple to you, one done on the Romeo, t e other the
 KB> Juliet.
     Yes, Portia Huntley is one of six national reps, and she has a
pretty big territory. She is very sharp,  and has been with them a long
time.

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Internet: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: slw@icd.ab.com (Shoshana Wodzisz)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Medical Insurance Questions/Woes
Date: 21 Aug 92 05:09:57 GMT
Reply-To: slw@icd.ab.com (Shoshana Wodzisz)
Organization: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.

Index Number: 23968

(I couldn't find an 'insurance' newsgroup - if there
is some newsgroup which is more appropriate than this,
please let me know.  This has been posted to misc.handicap
and sci.med)

My sister is having 'fun' with Community Mutual Blue Cross.
Her employer gave her 3 days notice before they switched
her insurance to this plan.

The problem is that her daughter (my niece) has Apert Syndrome
and has been getting specialized treatment, therapy, and
surgery at the Cleveland Clinic for ~2.5 years.
She will continue to have surgery etc. for many years to
come.  She has had 10 surgeries in 2.5 years and almost
went to heaven twice.

This plan (Community Mutual) will not authorize treatment at
the Cleveland Clinic even with a referral from my nieces
pediatrician.  They said flat out 'NO'.  They also said that she
can't appeal, because they don't have an appeal process for
authorizing treatment outside their list of facilities (only for bills
you think they should have paid).

Has anyone had any experience with Community Mutual Blue
Cross ?  Any advice ?

Thanks in advance.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Shoshana L. Wodzisz @ Allen-Bradley Company, Cleveland Ohio
  ... !{cwjcc, uunet}!icd.ab.com.slw
From: Laurel.Gealt@f201.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Laurel Gealt)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: DEAF CULTURE - PART 2
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:28:24 GMT
Reply-To: Laurel.Gealt@f201.n273.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:273/201 - US Telematics, Yardley PA
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 23892

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

I have three main things to say about your messsage.  (1)I do not
feel threatened by the deaf.  I myself am physically deaf (though
not culturally deaf) -- and I know from my own experiences that it
is a HORRIBLE handicap -- and the born deaf do not feel the
terrible loss that I feel simply because they do not know any
better -- they have no idea what they are missing.  (2) When I said
the "human animal", I was not referring to deaf people as animals.
It is a common expression that you must not have enccountered --
and it is used simply to accept the fact the human beings have
instincts just like dogs and cats. (3) About deaf people not
rushing to get cochlear implants -- I have heard the story of a
teenage girl who really wanted to get a cochlear implant, but all
of her deaf friends threatened to stop speaking to her if she did
-- So much for the great tolerance of deaf people.

--
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Internet: Laurel.Gealt@f201.n273.z1.fidonet.org
From: Chris.Bazzie@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org (Chris Bazzie)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: checkin out the colors
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:06:29 GMT
Reply-To: Chris.Bazzie@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:277/101 - House Of Pancakes, Morgantown WV
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23754

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

BK> You see, I knew you'd find something interesting to say on the

I couldn't help myself....(insert innocent expression here)

BK> subject.  Speaking of which, I was talking with a total the other day
BK> who has done Psychedelics and specifically asked him about the
BK> colors, and he told me that he didn't see any.  Ah, too bad.

Hmmmmm, that raises an interesting question, how does a perception
altering drug affect a blind persons perception?  It seems
(although I've never tried any of the hippy drugs myself) that most
people experience visual changes...would a blind person experience
auditory or tactile changes?

 Hmmmmm.

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Internet: Chris.Bazzie@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org
From: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: DIAL 711 for RELAY SERVICE
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:37:32 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: 23933

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi Jack!  Just wanted to let you know we have a form letter going
around here in DFW and I've lined up quite a few folks to sign
it and mail it to the FCC.  Hope all of this will convince them
we need the 711 numbers.

Thanks for letting us know and hope all is well with you and Ret.

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!2120!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Sanfilippo@p0.f102.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (John Sanfilippo)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: music help
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:02:06 GMT
Reply-To: John.Sanfilippo@p0.f102.n2603.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/102.0 - The Event Horizon, Bay Ridge NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23726

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Sorry, I should've put it in right away.  Why not deal direct:

Magnetic Music
647 W. Orange Grove
Pomona, CA     91768
(714) 865-0407

A word of advice: Your speech software should be able to track a
specified ASCII cursor: It happens that if you want to do any
detailed editing, Texture uses an enhanced control P and control
Q to surround bits of midi data being edited. These are always
direct screen writes for speed which will not be spoken unless
the speech can report what it finds between these specified
characters.

Good luck
jjcs

... Help stamp out, eliminate and abolish redundancy!

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Internet: John.Sanfilippo@p0.f102.n2603.z1.fidonet.org
From: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Pike)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Screen Reader
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:00:25 GMT
Reply-To: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/49 - Calliope's Den, Garrison NY
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23714

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DT> So, why is it that having used speech for 10 years I
 DT> find it difficult to want to use a speech software
 DT> given to me that was the most expensive speech package
 DT> I own.  I want access, and I want it now, not after I
 DT> spend a couple of weeks or months learning a
 DT> programming language.  There are some good things to be
 DT> spend a couple of weeks or months learning a

Again, you don't have to use the programming language.  Install the
software and play with it.  Take the time to learn the standard
functions and just forget that you can actually customize it to be
more to your liking.  You don't have to program one byte of code to
use Screen Reader.

 DT> said for including a macro language in a speech
 DT> software, but don't hang all the power of the package
 DT> on a person's ability to program or write macros.

That's nonsense, all the power of the package doesn't hang on a
person's ability to program or write macros.  That's just being
silly.

As usual, those are just the facts.

/Greg

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Internet: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org
From: Ted.Filteau@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Filteau)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:17:27 GMT
Reply-To: Ted.Filteau@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA

Index Number: 23839

 KR> because my friend Vixen and I are taking a 10 day trip to New
 KR> England and I thought it would be very nice to spend one night
 KR> in an expensive motel on the tip of Cape Cod overlooking the
 KR> ocean.  Because of the flat out disregard for guide dog laws, I
 KR> was robbed of the chance to enjoy a nice stay at Cape Cod (All
 KR> the other affordable motels are full up, these were the only
 KR> two I find vacancies in).

Hi Kris,
As a Massachusetts resident, I am surprised to hear about this sort of
treatment of you and Vixen.  I don't use a dog myself, but the only
kind of establishment I have observed a problem with guide dogs are
chinese restaurants.  I think that part of your problem may be that this
is prime time for tourists on the Cape.  I think once you get into this
area, you could find a place, as the local economy isn't doing that
well.  If you want to have some assistance with filing a complaint, I
suggest you contact Charles Crawford who is the commissioner for the
local state agency for the blind, and is a dog user.  You can leave him
a message here, as he checks in on occasion, or call the Massachusetts
commission for the Blind BBS at (617) 451-5327.
Good luck, and I am sorry and surprised to hear about this incident.
Ted

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Internet: Ted.Filteau@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org
From: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Blind Educators
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:18:14 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

Index Number: 23843

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

To: Phillip@hikssrv.lib.purdue.edu (Phillip)

In a message to All <17 Jul 92 18:36> Phillip wrote:

 Ph> I would like to get in touch with
 Ph> blind public school teachers.  A
 Ph> blind student who is graduating this
 Ph> summer from Purdue University
 Ph> needs some encouragement about the
 Ph> possibilities for employment in
 Ph> the public schools.  She will have a Master's in English
 Ph> Literature, and I would say is one of
 Ph> the most intelligent students
 Ph> I haver known.  She tells me that she

Hello, Philip.

Have her contact Pat Munson.  She is the President of the Division of
Blind Educators of the National Federation of the Blind.  I do not have
Ms. Munson's address/phone-number handy but you or the student can get
these from the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind at
1800 Johnson Street; Baltimore, MD 21230; Telephone (410)659-9314.  I
think your student will gain much encouragement and receive a wealth of
information, ideas and leads to other teachers with which she can talk
from Ms. Munson.  In other words, she will have a glorious chance to
"network" -- we sure can massacre the English language by turning nouns
into verbs, can't we <grin>.

Does the student have the ED courses needed to teach?  That may be part
of her problem getting jobs if she does not.  It's quite likely, though,
that she's running into the usual discrimination against the blind.
Tell her to have heart; there have been many successful blind teachers
for forty years (though some still have to fight like hell to win the
chance to prove themselves).  She'll make it with the right attitude,
skillful use of alternative techniques of blindness and talent.

Mike Freeman
... *The National Federation of the Blind is changing what it means to be blind.*
___ CRR QWK 1.40

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Internet: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Jim.Brown@f98.n374.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Brown)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Patching Into Phone Lines
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:34:29 GMT
Reply-To: Jim.Brown@f98.n374.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:374/98 - The SCAM, Rockledge FL
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 23920

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

DL>  But wouldnt ADA provisions now in effect require Hotels etc to have to
DL>  accomodate you?

DL>    If they DONT, they are then in hot water.
True, but it is going to take time to retrofit every phone in every
hotel room.  And you KNOW some hotels are going to take the "Make me"
attitude.  My way works "now" and will until all comply.
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Internet: Jim.Brown@f98.n374.z1.fidonet.org
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Screen Reader
Date: 12 Aug 92 19:09:05 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23773

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message of <03 Aug 92  01:44:50>, Gary Petraccaro (1:2610/12) writes:

 > > > >     What's the word on a Screen Reader demo?
 >

Gary,

In defense of IBM  two problems exist that would make a demo of
Screen Reader for (S2 a bito of a problem.

1. this is also part of the reason I casn see that Slimware Window
Bridge demo would not tell a person much.  Since the demo is
primarily for use with a new operating system that you won't know
how to use a demo with a time limit of say 30 minutes per try isn't
going to give you much time to a. learn to use the operating system
and b. to realistically evaluate the speech software all at the
same time.  This is even more true with Screen Reader since I don't
believe that Screen Reader 2 is designed to actually be used in an
MS DOS environment.  At least with Window Bridge the one software
is suppose to operate in both the MS DOS and Windows environment so
you could learn basic operation of the speech software in a
familiar environment prior to booting up Windows.

2. One of the great advantages of IBM Screen Reader has always been
its' use of a separate keyboard for entry of speech commands.  The
contention is that it keeps down the problem of having keyboard
conflicts between the speech commands and whatever software
application or emulator you may be using.  If IBM did a demo of
Screen Reader you would not have the keypad to use the software
demo with so you would only be experimenting with a portion of the
power of Screen Reader. The separate key pad is an important
feature to be considered when evaluating the Screen Reader software
and one which I didn't think I liked in the beginning, but is one
which I now believe could be a very valuable tool if it were
configured properly for use with the kind of screens we are going
to have to read with OS2 or Windows.

Now, before someone tells me that Screen Reader can be used with
commands from the keyboard instead of the separate keypad I will
say that I know that but that it is far from the preferable way to
use the software and even IBM says it may not work correctly under
terminal emmulation.  I don't fault them for that though as the
same problem exists to one extent or another with virtually every
speech product out there.

        D. T.

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From: Shari.Messner@f10.n300.z1.fidonet.org (Shari Messner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: General Interest
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:26:33 GMT
Reply-To: Shari.Messner@f10.n300.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:300/10 - Aztec Maximus, Tucson Az

Index Number: 23882

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hi to all of you.  Just started getting this echo.  Don and I have a
friend that has just gone thru amputation - below the knee right leg.
This has recently occured, June of 92.  He is doing well but has TONS of
phanthom pain.  He is 80 yea, really a neat guy.  He was a golfer and
worked upwards of 40 hours a week.  His attitude is positive with
reservations, (I think normal?).  He is hoping to golf again in time.
Since he doesn't have the opportunity to be on the system, I decided to
do my own thing to maybe help and ask questions.  He just got fitted for
the temp prosthesis (sp?) so has that road to travel.  The pain is the
biggest problem.  Any suggestions, length of time for relief etc.
Looking forward to making new friends on here as the other echos I am
chatting with are so helpful and friendly.
Shari

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From: kiser@taronga.com (Jim Kiser)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: WANTED: Advice re: airline wheelchair practices
Date: 19 Aug 92 04:31:52 GMT
Reply-To: kiser@taronga.com (Jim Kiser)
Organization: Taronga Park BBS
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23958

In article <23645@handicap.news> dlc@ais.org (David Claytor) writes:
>Index Number: 23645
>
>Subject line says it all.  On earlier experiences, I have
>transferred to a boarding chair at the gate and my E&J was
>collapsed and taken to the hold.  Now, however, I'm using a rigid
>frame Quickie.  The footrests, armrests, and cushion are all
>removable, and the wheels are quick-release -- but unless the chair
>will be stowed somewhere in the cabin, I'm really reluctant about
>sending a disassembled rigid-frame to the hold.
>

I have an Arrow by Invacare which also is rigid, due mostly to the
motors, etc.  I have had no problems flying regardless of the airline.
They are familiar with the fact that some chairs do not fold and can
handle them as easily as folding chairs.  Be sure you follow the
recommended procedure of getting there early so they are prepapred
and can load you first.  This gives the baggage handlers time to
get your chair to the hold and do any rearranging necessary to make
room for your chair.

--
      "Never send a bunny to do a duck's job."  - DW