LiveWire Braille A newsletter with a focus on Braille Issue 1, December 2009 LiveWire welcomes Braille If you are a Braille user and would like to share with us how technology enhances your life we would love to feature you in one of our next editions of LiveWire Braille. Please contact us on any of our office contact numbers or email your story to info@quantumtechnology.com.au. We hope you enjoy this edition of LiveWire Braille. Focus 40 Blue by Freedom Scientific Sometimes technology moves slowly ahead. Sometimes it leaps ahead! Here is an example of a really major leap in Braille displays, which is also cheaper than all of its competitors. Freedom Scientific are proud to announce the release of the Focus 40 Blue, the new generation of the Focus Braille Display family. Not simply a redesign of the precious model of Focus 40, the Focus 40 Blue is a much smaller device and includes Bluetooth technology for 100% wireless operating. The Focus 40 Blue features include 40 cell Braille display, 9 key ergonomic keyboard, WHIZWHEELS for navigation, rechargeable battery via USB or AC Charger, included drivers for Jaws and other screen reading technology. With two connection options for the user the Focus 40 Blue is a more diverse unit than others currently available. Connecting to your PC via the USB will also charge your unit as you work. The Bluetooth option is great for when you're on the move or away from your desktop unit. The Focus 40 Blue has two modes of operation when used with JAWS: navigation mode and direct Braille entry. When the unit is in navigation mode it allows all the controls including the Braille keyboard to be used for navigation. Braille entry mode allows you to type directly into any part of Windows using grade 0 Braille, or contracted Braille. The Focus 40 Blue comes with drivers which allow the unit to work with the Talks screen reader software, for mobile phones. Having this ability allows users to see what is on the screen and navigate through the phone. Why Braille? Braille = Literacy When children with vision loss are learning to read, Braille is the best way for them to develop skills in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Audiotapes and computers that "speak" a text through a voice synthesizer program provide access to all sorts of written materials, but they fail to give new readers the tools that they need to read and write for themselves. Braille = Employment Several studies have shown that people with vision loss who know Braille are far more likely to be employed than those who rely on voice synthesizers. This is true today and is certainly going to be true years from now. Braille = Choice There is a clear need to Braille to children with vision loss at a young age. Children who are denied Braille are denied an equal chance to be literate. Excerpt from http://www.cnib.ca/ A little winner: Kyren Andrews Quantum annually hosts a National Braille Literacy Award. In 2009, 3 year old Kyren Andrews was awarded the Gillian Gale Award for Braille Literacy. Recently we caught up with Kyren's mother Raewyn to hear about his progress. A little background on Kyren; Kyren is now 4 years old and is starting at his local primary school next year. Kyren is the only blind preschooler in the Northland region of New Zealand however is exceptionally supported by his parents and educators. Born with Congenital Retinal Dysplasia; Kyren enjoys playing the drums, trampolining, music, and trips to the farm and beach with his family. QT: How has Kyren used the Mountbatten over the last year? RA: Kyren uses his Brailler everyday, not always sitting down to learn, but just playing with it on his own trying to make sounds and listening to it repeat over and over; he also loves playing with the paper lever. QT: In what ways has the Mountbatten made a difference to Kyren's learning? RA: Having the Mountbatten at home helps to reinforce all the hard work that is being put in by Kyren and his teaching staff toward his Braille literacy skills. Being able to use the Mountbatten when he gets home and show his father and I what he is learning is a great asset to his continuing confidence and independence with his education. QT: What do you think are some of the barriers facing other families with blind or vision impaired children across the country? RA: We have found that some people don't really know how to react to meeting a blind child; most feel sorry for him thinking that this is the end of his life. I work at an Ophthalmology eye clinic and I hear a lot of our patients that their worst fear would be to go blind and their life would end. I try and tell them that there are worse things in life than being blind. I guess the biggest barrier for a blind person is people thinking that this disability is the end of life. QT: What is the role and importance of Braille for Kyren? RA: Braille for Kyren is and will continue to be a huge part of his life. It is just the same as writing and reading for the sighted, it is a vital skill for life. QT: What advice would you give to other parents about the best options for their blind or vision impaired child? RA: Don't be afraid to ask for help and assistance, make sure your child has all the support agencies available to them because these people will be your rock. And don't be afraid to push past the boundaries for your child and don't give up, no doesn't always mean no. Be his/her advocate. And don't be afraid to let your child live their life; don't wrap them up in cotton wool, let them explore and learn their boundaries. Like us, you might find you have the next extreme adventurer on your hands. Pac Mate Omni What is the Pac Mate? The Pac Mate Omni is a mobile computer for the blind. It uses Windows Mobile 6 operating system and a modified version of Jaws to provide screen reading capabilities. It allows users to work in the same environment as their peers, using the same programs and applications. The unique detachable Braille display provides incredible versatility as a standalone display for a PC. What can Pac Mate do? The Pac Mate Omni comes with the following Windows Mobile applications; - Office Mobile: with Word, Excel and Power Point - File explorer - Internet Explorer - Calculator - Calendar - Contacts - Notes - Tasks - Windows Media - Active Synch Freedom Scientific, makers of the Pac Mate Omni range have also added the following programs to enhance the functionality of the Pac Mate Omni: - FS Calculator (a fully scientific calculator) - FS Edit (a word processor which can load and save several file types including Braille files) - Stopwatch What is unique about the Pac Mate? - Internet explorer on the Pac Mate has no limitations on page size and can handle images and graphics. - Can natively read HTML emails without having to convert them back to text. - Can read PDF files. - Can read office 2007 files. - Pac Mate can display its screen visually on another computer. - Pac Mate can be controlled from the other computer. - The Pac Mate is available in 6 different styles. Call us to arrange a demonstration. Looking for a Braille Bargain? There are various pieces of Braille equipment on our website under our ex-demonstration stock. Check out www.quantumtechnology.com.au/ex-demos and grab a bargain Need a quote? Quantum technology staff are always available to assist and advice you on the most appropriate product for your needs. From Braille writers to embossers, note takers and software, call your local office and speak with a product specialist today! Scholarship Opportunities Gillian Gale Award for Braille Literacy. The 2010 Gillian Gale award is open to children in Australia and New Zealand who are between ages 3 - 10 years. Applications must be supported by a professional and detail the childs' need and use for Mountbatten Learning System. Freedom Scientific/Quantum Technology JAWS Scholarship The 2010 Jaws scholarship is open to all Australian residents of any age. Application must describe the need for the software and applicants must be involved in education or employment. For more information and application forms please visit www.quantumtechnology.com.au JAWS 11 is here! With any release of technology new tricks, tips and exciting developments take place. We look at a few from the latest version of JAWS. Research It is a new feature that provides quick access to information while also making it easy to return to your primary task. Use just a few key strokes to look up information and display salient data in the Virtual Viewer. When you have finished researching, press another keystroke to return to the task you were performing before the research started. All that is required to use Research It is an Internet connection. JAWS 11 Program DVD combines both 64-bit or 32-bit Windows and then installs the appropriate JAWS version for your operating system. The additional space available on the DVD also lets us provide you with several RealSpeak Solo Direct English and Spanish voices, a free and full functioning DAISY book reader, a number of basic training audio files in DAISY format, and a demo of MAGic screen magnification software, which can be run together with JAWS. FSReader 2.0, Jaws 11 now ships with a full version of FSReader. The full version will plan any DAISY book you have, including the Freedom Scientific DAISY Training material and even protected DAISY books. Jaws 11 will install the full version of FSReader, creating an FSReader sub-menu under "All Programs" in your start menu. An FSReader 2.0 desktop icon so that FSReader can be easily accessed. What's new full list For the full list of What's New in JAWS 11, please see http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/Jaws/JAWS-whats-new.asp Quantum Comes to You Quantum is committed to providing the best service possible to our clients. We make a point of coming to your home, school, local community group or whatever location you prefer. We also loan you our products to use at home prior to purchase, to ensure they meet your needs. Our Contact Details: NSW/ACT Rydalmere NSW 2116 02 8844 9888 Victoria Cheltenham VIC 3192 03 9545 4100 Queensland Spring Hill QLD 4000 07 3831 4894 LiveWire Braille Issue 1, December 2009