HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Debbie.Hazelton@f66.n369.z1.fidonet.org (Debbie Hazelton)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Bread Baker
Date: 15 Dec 92 17:56:13 GMT
Reply-To: Debbie.Hazelton@f66.n369.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:369/66 - Serendipity, Deerfield Beach FL
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26775

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 BG> that also.  The Panasonic has a great advantage for
 BG> blind people:
 BG> The settings beep when being used,a which means that, if you're timing
 BG> something to be ready in the morning, you work the control which beeps
 BG> every ten seconds from the beginning of the setting.
 BG> The book explains this in some detail anyhow.  When

I understand what you're saying about setting the timer and knowing
by the beeps when things are done.  Are you also saying that
somehow the beeps let you set it precisely to when you want it to
bake?  I've heard also that with some recipes, you have to be
careful that the eggs and milk won't go bad if they sit there for
several hours, if you want it to bake to be ready when you get up
in the morning.  It's interesting to learn about the different
brand names.  I think, if I am given one, it will be a "Well Built"
brand.

 BG> Association for the Blind, in Brookline, Mass.,
 BG> brailled the book for me, which makes it quite easy to
 BG> refer to recipes and trouble-shooting explanations.
 BG> But before the braillin;g was complete, a friend of
 BG> mine put directions and a few recipes on tape, so I

Any way I could get a hold of either the book or the tape?  Some
recipes have been posted in a recipe echo I get from another
network.

Sounds neat and like you're having good fun with it.  That's what I
hear from everyone who has one.  Thanks for the info.  Take care.

--
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Internet: Debbie.Hazelton@f66.n369.z1.fidonet.org
From: eeltw@marlin.jcu.edu.au (Lloyd Walker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Best alarm for disabled/aged person
Summary: What do you suggest is the best pager for disabled/aged?
Keywords: Pager, alarm, aged, disabled
Date: 15 Dec 92 15:58:40 GMT
Reply-To: eeltw@marlin.jcu.edu.au (Lloyd Walker)
Organization: James Cook University
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26740

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!                )
>\-----------------------------------------------------------------------/
From: Susan.Duncan@f403.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Susan Duncan)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: CSFAC BBS
Date: 15 Dec 92 22:20:51 GMT
Reply-To: Susan.Duncan@f403.n163.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/403 - Akasha's Bubble Bat, Ottawa ON
X-Fidonet: Abled Athlete Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26834

[This is from the Abled Athlete Conference]

Currently the Canadian Sport & Fitness Administration Centre BBS isn't
hooked up to Fido, but I am <grin>.  I'll be trying to pass along info
as I get it.  I'm sure that CFSOD (sports organization for the disabled)
has some kind of newsletter.  I know I helped produce the program for
olympics (I wrote a database program for them).  I'll check with the
various organizations within the building and see what kind of stuff
they produce.

I've been trying to convince the admin types at the office that a link
to Fido and possibly internet would be a good thing.. but so far all
I've got is "it's still in a pilot phase".  We're working on it though.

I know we produce a SKED (sport schedule) which lists all the events
(disabled and otherwise) during the coming months.

.

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Internet: Susan.Duncan@f403.n163.z1.fidonet.org
From: dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: big problem
Date: 12 Dec 92 12:32:53 GMT
Reply-To: dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26720

It's probably time to do the velcro thing as was suggested earlier in
these mailings.  The day when your cane fell down for the first time was
probably when enough of the tip had worn off with use to eliminate a
possibility for enough flat surface for the cane to continue standing.

jude <dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil>
From: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carol Ashland)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Embossers
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:34:05 GMT
Reply-To: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/319.0 - Mostly Mail, Aloha OR
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26822

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 LK> A potential option if money is a concern is the Braille Blazer
 LK> sold by Blazie Engineering, the same company who puts out the
 LK> Braille and Speak.

My only objection at all to the Braille Blazer is that it only takes
8.5-inch wide paper.  If it took the wider paper, I'd have snatched one
up ages ago.

Incidentally, on another subject, the Commission here is probably not
going to sponsor me to go to the IBM programming course, because the
people are so disorganized and haven't any equipment that I can use, and
because the Commission is skeptical that it would definitely lead to
full-time employment.  Kind of a bummer.

Carol

... Dogs come when called; cats have answering machines.

--
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Internet: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: an1223@anon.penet.fi (Joe Schmukytelli)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Money-grubbing American doctors
Date: 15 Dec 92 02:19:48 GMT
Reply-To: an1223@anon.penet.fi (Joe Schmukytelli)
Organization: Anonymous contact service
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26735

Well, I just got the ol' shafteroo from  my eye doc of many years.
He abruptly retired. No warning,  no notices mailed to patients,
nothing.  The guy who was supposed to  be taking over  his practice
left the  state so quickly  that the hospital where  he was on  the
staff  still doesn't know  he is gone.  His sec claimed they put
"an ad in the paper". What the hell good is THAT?

I have multiple  handicaps, one of which is glaucoma.  I need
regular pressure monitoring and  medication. I have insurance,  but
the asshole they  wanted to transfer  my records  to is  a
"non-participating" doctor  - translation:  he charges far above
what the insurance companies will permit, so I have to cough up all
HIS money in advance, then get  back what I can from insurance. Do
they submit claims?  F**k, no! So what  do I look  like, a bank? I
carry insurance (and lucky to get it) to PAY this sort  of thing
because I CAN'T. What do I do now, resort to non-standard
therapies? Steal? Go blind? Eat shit and die?

This is just another  example of the medical system we have here
in the USA - it is  in reality nothing more  than a
revenue-enhancement system  for doctors and screw the patients. One
more legacy  from George Bush and his band of rich Republicans.
Now,  instead of taking care  of people here, King  George has us
well on  the way to another  foreign military escapade disguised
as a "relief effort" in Somalia.

Will Clinton be any better? Hold your breath waiting and see!

Geez, do I sound bitter?

Too right!
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From: Doug.Coyle@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Doug Coyle)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: All my children
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:13:50 GMT
Reply-To: Doug.Coyle@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:377/6 - T.A.B.B., Tampa Fl
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26778

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

DR>Has anyone seen where they have made Natalie blind in All My Children?
DR>I don't mind them portraying blind people in the show.  They are trying
DR>to show her as a "poor, brave, dear), courageous Natalie.
DR>I don't mind that. As far as it goes.  But if they are going to show
DR>some person losing their sight why don't they make it a little more
DR>realistic.  They have her counting all her steps everywhere. Why don't
DR>they show her knocking herself black and blue when she is off and
DR>running into the wall.  Boiling her hand when she tries to pour hot
DR>coffee into a cup for the first 10 thousand times.  The problems of
DR>carrying a new infant through the house and being scared you'll bump
DR>it's delicate head into a wall.

Better yet, show her overcoming those very problems which is what
we all have to do.  Sounds from your description like they're
trying to reinforce every sighted person's fear of going blind.
That's just what we need.  More fear out there.

===

 * SLMR 2.1a #2361 * Cows wear bells because their horns don't work!

--
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Internet: Doug.Coyle@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org
From: Carol.Ashland@f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carol Ashland)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Doggie Disasters
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:17:37 GMT
Reply-To: Carol.Ashland@f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/56 - The Overworked Drag, Portland OR
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26800

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Your story about the dog/person team having so many problems is,
unfortunately, not so uncommon.  And it certainly isn't confined to any
school.  I would say that Shepherds seem to create more problems than the
other breeds, at least so far as aggression is concerned.  I've seen teams
from lots of different schools, including the one I go to, with big
problems.  Mostly I think it's the person who didn't learn what they should
have, or is too high-strung, or something.  Occasionally a bad dog slips
through, even at the best schools.  All schools have problem teams
occasionally.  All schools also have really bang-up good teams, too.  I gor
my first dog from a little school.  She wasa Shepherd.  I was too young 0 in
junior high/high school.  It didn't work out, partly due to my own
inadequacies, partly due to the nature 9of the dog.  For one thing, she
developed the propensity to get car sick all the time.  A disaster for a dog
guide, as I'm sure you can see.  I decided at that time that I would never
get another dog (I retired my dog to petdom in our own home after a year and
a half).  Then, several years later, I saw a friend who had a dog that
worked like a charm for her!  The dog happened to come from Seeing Eye, but
a well-trained dog from any school would have done well with Pam, she's just
a good handler.  Sparky was a Black Lab, and a wonderful dog!  They worked
so well together.  I began to think about getting another dog.  When I wend
down after my dog, I was so terrified that my mouth was dry on the first
walk, and my teeth were chattering, and I was shaking so badly I could hadly
walk.  It was awful!  A few days into the training they sent an older, wiser
trainer along with me, to see if he could calm me down.  He did, and I
settl4ed down and learned what I was there to learn.

Today I had to go into the Commission for a conference.  I didn't take Sony,
because he was having some diarrhea, and I didn't want to have to jump off
the bus in the middle of the trip for him.  My mother happened to be here,
so I left him home with her, and took the cane.  It was no problem at all.
In fact, the trip went very smoothly.  I am a good cane traveler, as well
as, I think, a good dog user.  I'm just a chicken when it comes to
traveling, that's all.

I learned today that the Commission is not going to sponsor me to go to
school, because the organizers of the program are so disorganized and
haven't any equipment, or anything.  We do have an appointment to talk with
the instructor of the program though, and we'll ask him some very hard
questions.

This has gotten rather long.  Talk to you later.

Carol

--
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Internet: Carol.Ashland@f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Comebacks
Date: 15 Dec 92 22:23:11 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: 26854

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Joe Chamberlain <26 Nov 92 22:41> Keith Jones wrote:

 KJ> I read For Whom the Bell Tolls in high school. May have been a bit over
 KJ> my head then. I found it rather dry and pointless. I do remember that
 KJ> he was impotent and maybe I should read it now just to see how he dealt
 KJ> with it. I don't find much time to read now.

He received a severe leg wound in that war which left him with a
limp.  He was in love with a nurse, but it is speculated that he
never really consumated that love.  The big point of the book was a
political statement on the war.

You can get talking books from the Library for the Blind and
Physically Disable just by calling their toll free 800 number and
telling them you're a quad.  You could listed to the book while in
your standing table or on the john.  I do most of my pleasure
reading this way.  They have all the old classics and the most
modern best sellers.

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Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org
From: Paul.Guido@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Guido)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Petting Guide Dogs
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:14:35 GMT
Reply-To: Paul.Guido@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26780

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 MR> saying Don't pet her she's working. It's funny Becky can go the
 MR> length of a hall being petted all the way and never turn her
 MR> head. I guess it's all in what the dog is used to.

my first dog was that way but my second dog is the complete opposite.
he looks for attention.  i never said don't pet him and no when people
ask to pet him as i do now.  your lucky indeed but in general petting in
harness is can do harm.  i have seen what it can do first hand. what a
relief it was when he started to ignogre people.

Paul

... You asked ...I just answered!

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Internet: Paul.Guido@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
From: Mike.Freeman@f107.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Advice
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:32:52 GMT
Reply-To: Mike.Freeman@f107.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/107 - Don't Panic, Vancouver WA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26811

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message to All <09 Nov 92 18:21> Bonnie Snyder wrote:

 BS> I have a student who just recently
 BS> lost her vision.  She's a highschool
 BS> senior and while she is getting
 BS> braille training from her BOCES teacher, we
 BS> are looking at some other technology
 BS> that she could use satisfactorily in
 BS> high school and in college.  We are

[...]

 BS> be compatible with TinyTalk.  What
 BS> would any of you recommend for an
 BS> external speech synthesizer that wouldn't
 BS> cost an arm and a leg, but would have
 BS> acceptable speech quality? Could you
 BS> also include an estimate of cost?  Thanks!

Hi, Bonnie!

First, don't count out Braille.  The student would do well to
become extremely proficient in both reading and writing Braille,
especially writing with a slate and stylus, even if this means
taking a semester off between high school and college for this;
the skills will stand her in good stead as she works here way
through college.  Good Braille skills would also allow her to use
a Braille 'N Speak (a very small notebook-computer-like device
with Braille keyboard input and voice synthesizer output).  In
the interest of fairness, however, it should be said that a "Type
'N Speak" is now coming out with a typewriter keyboard.

But you were speaking of a laptop which would fulfill some of the
note-taking requirements (though I think the student will find it
a bit much to carry around these days).

Now that I've said this (and undoubtedly alienated many other
BlinkTalkers -- I don't want to start up the BNS vs. laptop
debate of this summer, which I probably inadvertently have), I
would recommend the Doubletalk (around $250) or it's
battery-operated little cousin, the LiteTalk (around $350).
They're made by a company known as RC Systems in Bothel, WA.  If
you freq the latest copy of the NFB in Computer Science Update
newsletter from NFBNET (1.261/1125, magic name Computers, I
believe), you'll find a review of the DoubleTalk.

There are synthesizers that run from $120 to $1500 or more; bear
in mind, though, that beatutiful, human-sounding speech may be
desirable and of paramount importance in the beginning but will,
for most people, become secondary to responsiveness and speed of
speech of the synthesizer as time goes by.

Hope this helps.

Mike Freeman
    CRR QWK 1.40

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From: Marvin.Rush@f10.n3817.z1.fidonet.org (Marvin Rush)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Petting Guide Dogs
Date: 15 Dec 92 17:55:14 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26766

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi I was thinking about the petting dog guides and I guess I'm a
very lucky person. I am a teacher for the visually impared and I
travel to 7 schools from elementry to high schools. As most of us
know when you are walking down the hall with about 40 or 50 little
yard apes you would spend all of your time saying Don't pet her
she's working. It's funny Becky can go the length of a hall being
petted all the way and never turn her head. I guess it's all in
what the dog is used to.

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Internet: Marvin.Rush@f10.n3817.z1.fidonet.org
From: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carol Ashland)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Dogs and Escalators
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:33:59 GMT
Reply-To: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/319.0 - Mostly Mail, Aloha OR
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26821

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DH> technique.  I thought I heard that San Rafael teaches it.  There may

No, they don't, or at least didn't as of a year and a half ago, when I
was there getting Sony.  They felt that it was just too risky.  I'm not
criticizing anyone for doing it - it would certainly be handy at times,
and furthermore, (silly, childish me), I love escalators myself <grin>,
and miss not using them.  I certainly won't try to teach Sony to use
them though.

Carol

... All power corrupts, but we need electricity.

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Internet: Carol.Ashland@p0.f319.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: armrests
Date: 15 Dec 92 22:22:58 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: 26852

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

AH>Don't ask me - apparently swing-away armrests aren't made for actual
AH>electric wheelchairs, only manuals.  Stupid, in my opinion.  My
AH>back is getting worse because I have more trouble reaching
AH>things.  Just what I needed.  And I still haven't found a
AH>scoliosis reducing brace.  Life sucks.  I have this intense
AH>desire to run over the bare feet of doctors with my chair.  *adh*

  Are you talking about armrests that swing out to the side, or
are you including ones that swing up and back? There a zillion
now that swing up and back on electrics. I've had it on mine for
years.

Jeff

 * SLMR 2.1a * Take two green M&Ms, and call me in the morning.

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Internet: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Sanfilippo@p0.f102.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (John Sanfilippo)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Flash cards.
Date: 15 Dec 92 17:53:59 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
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26757

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I would like to design and produce flashcards for teaching music
to persons with vision impairement.  The cards would have large
print symbols and the equivalent braille symbols.  If anyone
knows where these might already exist, would you please let me
know.  Or, if you know of an inexpensive way of producing these
with reasonable durability please share that with us all.

Many thanks in advance.

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