“Total Access” Product Promotion

Filed under: Themes, Blind Visionaries

Intel is doing its part to help people with sight or reading disabilities enjoy the written word.

The company announced on Tuesday the debut of the Intel Reader, a handheld text-to-speech device that can read any printed text aloud to those who are blind or have difficulties seeing or reading.

The Atom-powered device uses a high-resolution camera to capture images of any printed text, which it then converts into digital format to read out loud. The Reader can be used as a standalone device to snap pictures of text. But paired with Intel’s Portable Capture Station, which can hold the Reader in place, the device can grab huge amounts of text, such as an entire book, according to Intel.

“We are proud to offer the Intel Reader as a tool for people who have trouble reading standard print so they can more easily access the information many of us take for granted every day, such as reading a job offer letter or even the menu at a restaurant,” said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel’s Digital Health Group, in a statement.

A check at some of the retailers selling the Intel Reader revealed its base price to be $1,499, with the Portable Capture Station an additional $399.

Weighing one pound, the Reader is the size of a paperback book. The tactile buttons and voice-operated menus that control the device have been designed so sightless people can use it, Intel said. Individuals with poor vision can also zoom in or out of the display and increase the font size of its text.

The 5-megapixel, autofocus camera can … Continue reading about this and watch a corresponding video on news.cnet.com

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Campaign Watch

SolarAid:
A solar-powered hearing aid that costs less than $100.

By comparison:
The least expensive retail model sells for about $500.

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Filed under: Themes, Blind Visionaries

According to Orbit Research promo materials:

Orbit Research recently announced the introduction of the iBill, billed as “the world’s first affordable Talking Banknote Identifier for the blind and the visually impaired.” Priced at $99, the 1.5 ounce iBill is pager-sized. It enables the blind and the visually impaired community to achieve independence in the everyday necessity of using paper currency, which sighted people take for granted.

Measuring just 3 inches by 1.6 inches by 0.7 inches, the ultra-slim and compact design allows it to be carried unobtrusively in a pocket, purse, clipped to the belt or attached to a keychain or lanyard. Among the features that set it apart from other such devices are the extremely high accuracy (better than 99.9%) and the near-instantaneous speed (less than one second in most cases) with which it identifies banknotes.

The iBill is designed with the sole purpose of providing the simplest, fastest and most accurate means to identify U.S. banknotes. Its unique ergonomic design permits easy and intuitive use without the need for any training or practice. Upon insertion of a banknote into the device, its denomination is identified at the press of a button. Based on the user’s preference, the denomination is announced by a clear and natural voice, or by tone or vibration for privacy. The unit identifies all U.S. banknotes in circulation and recognizes them in any orientation. Banknotes in poor physical condition are indicated as unidentifiable and are not misread. The unit is also upgradeable to recognize new banknote designs.

The iBill achieves all of this while operating on a single, commonly available AAA battery which lasts for over a year with typical use. Its durable construction and sealed design ensure trouble-free use. The unit is backed by a one-year warranty from Orbit Research, and toll-free customer support.

Samples of the iBill are available for evaluation now and Orbit Research is accepting orders.

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For further information visit orbitresearch.com

Or call: 1-888-606-7248

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Filed under: Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

“TiLite wheelchairs are designed by engineers who use wheelchairs. The company TiLite—based in Kennewick, Washington—evolved from the simple idea of developing a superior class of manual wheelchairs that would combine orthoses-like customization with the most advanced materials. A TiLite wheelchair is handcrafted by Titanium Experts exactly to the user’s unique dimensions—just like orthoses. The founders of TiLite believe that these attributes help users remain independent longer, experience reduced body stress, and incur fewer posture-related problems. Since the first chair was designed over a decade ago, TiLite has developed a full range of titanium and aluminum wheelchairs that cater to the unique requirements of each user. Their goal is that each new design further advances the performance function and style of manual mobility.”

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To watch a video segment about TiLite Wheelchairs from John Ratzenberger (aka “Cliff Clavin” on the hit sitcom Cheers)’s Made in America TV series—CLICK HERE!

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Learn more at tilite.com

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Filed under: Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board, Irked Videos

Until recently, wheelchairs couldn’t provide access to nature’s most beautiful spots. Parks and beaches . . . sand, gravel, lightly-packed snow . . . oceanside, lakeside, national parks, cobbled botanical gardens. The Landeez all-terrain wheelchair promises to change all that. Ideal for traveling by car, it can be disassembled and placed in the trunk in seconds after removing two pins in the rear wheels. The sporty Landeez can be equipped with optional accessories that make using it more enjoyable in the great outdoors, including a colorful beach umbrella, a reading stand, a handy drink holder, and a latch for binoculars.

With the Landeez all-terrain wheelchair, you can enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Visit landeez.com

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Filed under: Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board, Irked Videos

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A cool BBC TV segment from 2007:

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Visit trekinetic.co.uk

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Filed under: Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board, Irked Videos

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Video of a man cruising through the sand and surf in his amazing TracAbout IRV2000:

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Visit tracabout.com

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Filed under: Themes, Blind Visionaries, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos

Last week, we told you about HumanWare’s very groovy Trekker Breeze handheld talking GPS for people who are blind and visually impaired. But the company makes MANY cutting-edge, disability-friendly products! Check out these two BBC videos about another one of HumanWare’s groundbreaking devices—The DeafBlind Communicator (DBC), conceived by Washington state’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, built by the Canadian company HumanWare and perfected with feedback from members of Seattle’s deaf-blind community, consists of a Braille note-taker linked by Bluetooth to a mobile phone:

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Filed under: Themes, Blind Visionaries, Irked Videos

The Trekker Breeze, designed and manufactured by the company HumanWare, is a handheld talking GPS for people who are blind/visually impaired that “can be controlled by one hand” and is ”as simple as your TV remote.” It costs $895USD, and here’s what it can do: It verbally announces names of streets, intersections and landmarks (including stores, public services, etc) as you walk. No need to stop passersby to know where you are… simply press a button and Breeze tells you your location on the spot. When you are in a vehicle, Breeze announces all intersections, allowing you to exit when you want. If you get lost, you can easily retrace your steps—simply push a button. You can record the routes when you learn them with sighted people so that you can use them later without assistance, and also save landmarks for later use (i.e. favourite restaurant, friend’s house, bank, park bench, etc).

Two awesome videos…after the jump!

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