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Emergency alert notification for Deaf Mainers launced

March 24, 2005

AUGUSTA — Earlier this month, John Baldacci announced the launching of a statewide emergency alert notification system for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people.

"This state-of-the-art emergency alert and notification system for deaf and hard of hearing people in Maine is the most sophisticated and comprehensive of its kind in the nation," said Governor Baldacci. "The unique partnership between Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Division of Deafness (DoD) and the Maine Center on Deafness has made this important service a reality. Maine now leads the nation in addressing this problem."

The need for such a service was first identified during the Ice Storm of 1998, when widespread power outages trapped many Mainers in their homes. Hearing individuals were able to obtain information about the storm through their battery-powered radios. Deaf people, however, were isolated in their homes with no way to learn about the seriousness of the storm, how long it was expected to last, and when electric power would be restored.

Last year the Legislature expanded the existing Telecommunication Equipment Program to include emergency alert pagers. Funding for development was obtained with a Homeland Security grant. MEMA, DoD and MCD working with the National Weather Service, Maine Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Maine Turnpike Authority, Bureau of Health and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), developed the alert system. Independent companies such as NorthEast Paging and Cingular also provided their expertise to this unique undertaking.

Depending on where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people are located, either one-way pagers, two-way pagers or NOAA weather alert radios with digital or amplified messages are now being distributed through the Telecommunications Equipment Program. Anyone in Maine with a hearing loss may qualify to obtain equipment. The cost to the applicant is determined by income. Each person receiving equipment also receives training and a resource book with information about how to stay safe during emergencies.

For more information, visit www.mainecenterondeafness.org/emergencyalert.htm.

Kurzweil offers Windows 9 version of 3000 product

March 21, 2005

BEDFORD, Mass. — Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. recently unveiled the Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 9. Kurzweil 3000 is a premier reading, writing and learning software for struggling students.

Kurzweil 3000 is the first software of its kind to offer a feature like License-to-Go, which provides an easy way for network users to access Kurzweil 3000 without being physically connected to the network. Schools can grant licenses "to go" to any laptop on the network, enabling usage of Kurzweil 3000 on that computer in or out of the classroom - whether at the library, resource room or even at home. Best of all, teachers or IT administrators can control the usage of the license by specifying the length of time that the license remains valid, whether overnight, a week, a semester or a year.

In addition to the new License-to-Go feature, both the network and standalone editions of Version 9 include a host of new instructional and learning tools for teachers and students as well as new writing, vocabulary-building and document preparation features, including:

-- Additional Instructional Support with Bubble Notes
Bubble Notes allow teachers to add notes that automatically come up when a user encounters one in a document. With Bubble Notes, teachers have access to a collection of tools to insert multiple choice, true/false, matching, and open-ended text response questions. Teachers can also insert comments that will appear when the student arrives at a particular section of text. By using Bubble Notes, teachers are better equipped to help their students develop specific skills, assess their reading comprehension, guide them through tasks and keep them on track.

-- Additional Read the Web and Online Information Sources
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows now supports the exciting new Firefox browser from the Mozilla Foundation. With its enhanced security features, Firefox is becoming increasingly popular as a browser alternative for businesses, educational institutions, and individual users. Using Firefox, Kurzweil 3000's Read the Web feature has the ability to read text aloud within frames and new windows and supports the use of e-Learning course management systems. Kurzweil 3000 Version 9 also has the added ability to search online encyclopedias and other sources, such as Columbia Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Britannica Concise (also Encyclopedia Britannica and Encyclopedia Britannica Student available by subscription), Wikipedia Encyclopedia (in English, French and Spanish), Bartlett's, and Respectively Quoted Quotations, so students can do research assignments quickly within the software.

-- New Voice Options
Two new fully integrated VoiceText voices from NeoSpeech - one male, one female - offer natural-sounding voices that are easy to comprehend and adjust to the user's reading preferences.

-- Expanded Writing Options
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows now includes more flexible Word Prediction options to meet student vocabulary needs. Students can start with a small, medium or large Word Prediction vocabulary, depending on their writing level, or they can choose to start with only their own specific word lists. Students and teachers can also add additional words to Word Prediction by typing in new words related to a specific subject area or choosing specific word lists from existing Kurzweil 3000 Vocabulary Lists.

-- Enhanced Edit Underlying Text and Zone Editing
The Edit Underlying Text window is now WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), making editing of scanned text easier than ever. Users can now see exactly where they are in the image document when editing and have the option of saving underlying text edits before or after zone editing (ordering the sequence in which blocks of text are read aloud).

For more information, visit www.kurzweiledu.com.

Eureka! offers wheelchair accessible camping tent

March 15, 2005

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Developed in conjunction with BlueSky Designs, the new Eureka! Freedom tent is the first shelter offered for campers with physical disabilities.

The tent's universal design provides people with disabilities a camping tent they can set up and use independently, and provides conveniences for them and their partners not found in other tents. The tent should be available in 2005.

This unique, three-season tent was designed with the top priorities of ease of set up, easy access, and a usable vestibule space for mobility devices. It is a five pole tapered rectangular dome style and sleeps two people. A patent-pending zipper-less vestibule door requires minimal dexterity and reach. It pivots open like a fan, providing quick entry out of the elements and has no zipper noise. Pull handles on the internal door and window zippers provide easy grasp and operation of the zipper. The design allows easy set up from a wheelchair, with continuous pole sleeves originating at the rear corners and one side of the tent. The poles are slid through one end of the sleeve and are captured in pockets on the far end. The other pole end attaches to the tent with posts and grommets.

A large vestibule offers easily accessible and protected storage for gear or chairs, as well as space for sitting, eating and recreation. It can also be used for drying wet gear or a sleeping area for pets. The combination window and side entry doors in the sleeping area allow side transfers onto a sleeping cot while also providing excellent ventilation. The mesh roof increases ventilation and reduces condensation in the sleeping area.

The Freedom tent measures 6'6" x 11'8". The height is 5'2" at the vestibule door and 3'2" feet in the rear. The packed weight is 16 pounds, 8 ounces. MSRP is $574.99.

BlueSky Designs is a product development organization that applies ergonomics and universal design to develop products addressing the needs of people with and without disabilities. Funding for the development of this product and other innovations was provided by the US Department of Agriculture's Small Business Innovation Research program. For more information, visit www.blueskydesigns.us.

According to BlueSky Designs, the tent has a 36" door opening with flush entry, can be set up from seated position, and one can roll in bikes, strollers, or wheelchairs.

Special Olympics visits Sugarloaf in January

January 13, 2005

CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Maine's Special Olympics Winter Games are scheduled for Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 at Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley. Over 450 athletes from 71 communities in Maine converge on Sugarloaf resort to compete in Alpine, Nordic and sit-skiing, snowshoeing, figure and speed skating. The tournament typically includes competitions, a torch lit parade and fireworks, a parade of champions, a community dinner and a victory dance.

Amplified phone with continuous service available

January 13, 2005

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Clarity, a Division of Plantronics Inc., recently unveiled the C600, an amplified telephone specifically designed to ensure continuous service during power outages.

The C600 is a portable telephone that makes phone conversations not only louder, but also clearer and easier to understand, the company reported.

The C600 amplifies incoming sounds up to 30dB and its patented ClarityPower technology shapes high-frequency sounds. Ninety-five percent of people with hearing loss lose the ability to hear high-frequency sounds, Clarity indicated.

A back-up battery pack in the base of the C600 provides stable and reliable communications in the event of an emergency, power outage or electrical disruption.

Clarity believes that the C600 offers telephone users enhanced clarity, reduced interference and increased range of movement through its use of 2.4GHz technology. It also features several modifications specifically for the hearing impaired, including adjustable ringer volume, bright visual ringer in base and handset to alert users to incoming calls, a large lighted dial pad and hearing aid compatibility.

In addition, the C600 was designed with the latest telephone functions and options including: caller-ID with 50 number and name memory, a customizable handset ringer, one-touch emergency key, and redial, flash, mute and page functions. The C600 also includes a belt clip and a one-year limited warranty.

The C600 will be made available through Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), state hearing programs, and special needs distributors. Manufacturer's suggested retail price is $189.95. For more information about Clarity or Clarity Professional products, please visit www.clarityproducts.com or call 1-800-552-3368.

Low vision auto-reading device launched

November 18, 2004

CONCORD, Calif. — Pulse Data HumanWare recently announced the introduction of a new low vision auto-reading device called, myReader (www.myreader.com).

A significant breakthrough in adaptive reading technology, myReader is a compact, transportable device that turns the difficult and frustrating task of reading into an easy and enjoyable one for millions of people with impaired vision.

MyReader was developed to overcome the serious limitations of video magnifier technology and provide people who are visually impaired a comfortable and easy way to read for extended periods of time.

Using proprietary SmartSense technology developed by Pulse Data, myReader captures an entire 8 1/2-inch x 11 3/4-inch page and displays the text so it can be read in much the same way that fully sighted people read. Within three seconds of placing a document or page on the reading table beneath the 'sensor,' the enlarged text appears on the LCD monitor, rearranged like a page from a large print book.

The user then selects one of three reading modes: row, column, or word. In row mode, text appears in a single horizontal line across the screen. In column mode, text displays as a vertically formatted paragraph. In word mode, text appears one word at a time.

When reading in the column mode, for example, the user reads from the top of the screen to the bottom, and then touches a key on the handheld control device to bring up the next page. Depending on the selected magnification size, the original document may be transformed into as many as 30 screens of enlarged text. For hands-free reading, users can select the automatic scrolling feature, which moves text automatically at the selected speed, similar to a TV teleprompter.

MyReader offers many other assistive functions, including the ability to magnify and view photographs in full color. In live video mode - a high magnification option - users can independently accomplish challenging tasks like threading a needle, reading a medicine bottle, writing checks, and composing letters to friends and family.

For more information, visit www.pulsedata.com.

Shalom House to develop 1.3-acre parcel

October 13, 2004

PORTLAND — This week, the Portland nonprofit, Shalom House, announced its plans build 24 subsidized apartments and relocate its headquarters — a $5.5 million project.

The project is planned for the former J. Weston Walch Publishing Co. property on Valley Street, off Park Avenue, across from Hadlock Field, according to reports in the Portland Press Herald.

The project allows Shalom House to be its own landlord. The organization also plans to build a group home for six mentally ill adults and move its art therapy program to the Valley Street location.

Shalom House helps hundreds of people with serious mental illness each year by providing affordable housing. The program's goal is to help people address personal goals, receive services, take medication, and once again become a vital part of the community.

Agency officials are expected to present their proposal to the City Council's housing committee on Oct. 19.

The Press Herald reported that the 1.3-acre site includes the publishing company's former office and warehouse buildings, which cover most of the block that stretches from Park Avenue to Congress Street, and from Valley Street to Gilman Street. The property also includes a former gas station on Park Avenue and two vacant lots.

Access to polling improved

October 3, 2004

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire's towns and cities got a pat on the back Thursday from the Secretary of State and Attorney General's offices for "tremendous progress" in improving access for voters living with disabilities.

"We're just really pleased with the level of cooperation that we're getting," said Bud Fitch, assistant attorney general. "There's been tremendous progress."

"They're really paying attention to the issue," said Thomas Manning, assistant secretary of state.

In January, sheriffs and officials from the Attorney General's Office evaluated each municipal polling place for accessibility. They found something could be improved at every spot.

The problems ranged from simple and inexpensive to fix – such as adding more signs, widening doorways, adding a handrail or moving a parking space – to potholes and broken pavement, which cost much more to repair.

Municipalities were given until Aug. 27 to submit plans explaining how they'd resolve these problems in time for the Sept. 14 primary.

Fitch said so far, so good.

"I skim each letter as it comes in. And every one that's has come in indicates that they are making plans to ensure their polling place will be accessible," he said.

The Department of Health and Human Services is providing a $400 grant to each polling place to help pay for needed changes.

Permanent changes that cost more will have to wait until town budget meetings in 2005, but all polling places will have temporary measures in place in time for the primary, Fitch said.

For example, polling places that haven't installed new ramps yet will make sure employees are available to help people in and out.

So far, Manning and his team have inspected 75 of the state's 309 polling places. He expects to be done by the end of the year.