Read Full-Length Books with Email or RSS

Isn't it funny that people can spend hours reading email, online messages, and websites but they can't find the time to read a book?

A website called Dailylit, is offering to send books in bite-size installments to your PDA, handheld device, RSS reader or email everyday. You can read such classic books as Around the World in 80 Days, Anna Karenina, etc via email or RSS. The contents of the books will be split into several parts and sent to registered users.

The site contains a list of around 370 books. Some books are out of copyright so they can be sent free of charge. Other books have a small fee attached. All email and RSS posts are free of advertisements. If you read something that you'd like to share, click the gift buttons and give the gift of reading a book.

Click this link to visit http://www.dailylit.com.

Knifty Knitter

My wife says the problem she has with regular knitting is getting started. With a hat, for example, she has a lot of trouble getting her size just right and having the first row look neat and not sloppy. Knifty Knitters completely eliminates the size problem and allows her to make the first row just as neat as every other row.

Each loom is basically a round circle with pegs on it. Since you are wrapping the yarn on preset pegs, the problem of keeping the stitches the same length is eliminated. There are two sets that you may wish to start with, the round set for hats and the long set, which is mainly for scarves and blankets. Each set comes with four looms. The round set labels the looms by size: baby, child, adult and the largest is either for a big-headed adult or for other projects (like ponchos). They come with directions, which are really easy to follow. As you work, your project starts to build up and hang underneath as you go, which is pretty neat to watch. When it is long enough (the directions tell you how long for different sizes), you use this plastic needle to thread a piece of yarn through the loops at the end and drawstring it tight and then tie. You use a little hook to pop it off.

I totally recommend these for the serious and the totally not serious crafter. They're not expensive and easy to use. Even on your first try, you end up with a really good finished product you can wear or give to someone.

The looms are made for thicker yarns, but if you have tons of thin yarn, you can double it up and use two strands as one (or even three) allowing for a variety of color combinations.

There are other looms from Knifty Knitters that all make different things. They also have pompom and tassel makers and another that lets you make tube scarves.

Click this link to purchase the Knifty Knitter round loom set from Amazon.com.

Finding ATM Machines and Identifying Credit Cards Using Braille

How many times have you been away from home and needed cash? Maybe your paratransit ride let you down and now you need to get a cab? Maybe you found something in a store that you simply couldn't resist? Whatever the reason, this website is here to help.

ATMLocator is a free service from VISA that lets you instantly locate nearby ATM Cash Machines in almost any country worldwide. It's quite straightforward, just select the country from the drop-down menu, enter a city name and a zipcode (optional). ATMLocator will locate nearby ATM machines and list address details for each of them. If you have some vision, you can get a map view for each located ATM.

Click this link to find the nearest ATM with ATM Locator from VISA.

Now that you've found the ATM, you need to find the right card to use. The most innovative braille labeling technique is the use of Dymo tape to mark your credit, ATM, insurance, and airline frequent flyer cards, etc. As long as you do not cover up the magnetic strip and your signature on the card, you should not experience any problems, even using an ATM machine. Never again will you have to resort to asking a stranger to paw through your wallet to select the card you need.

This excerpt is from "101 Ways To Use Braille" by Ellen Waechtler. The article first appeared in the Summer, 1998, issue of the Braille Spectator, a publication of the NFB of Maryland, and is reprinted with special permission from the author.

Accessible Guide to Airline Food

AirlineMeals.net is the world's first and leading site about nothing but airline food. Airline Meals is an excellent community where travelers submit, review and discuss airline meals. Not only can you browse through contributed meal pictures but also get such details as flight date and duration, ticket price and full list of the served meals and drinks. Features include:

• Browse airline meals by Airline name (British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airways, ^DEL). Over 500 airlines in total.
  
• See which airlines offer special meals, i.e. vegetarian, children, seafood, diabetics, medical, and ethnic (helal, kosher, hindu).
  
• See "Meals of the week" item.
  
• Behind the scenes of airline catering: Who, How and Where companies that supply airlines with meals prepare their food.
  
• Get feedback on food in airport restaurants and airline lounges.
  
• Contribute: Add your airline meal and feedback to the gallery.
  
• For those with some sight, there are over 18,821 images from 536 airlines. Meals from the past has meal pictures from the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Click this link to visit AirlineMeals at http://www.airlinemeals.net.

Spot-On LED Screwdriver

Have you ever needed to put a little extra light on something while trying to screw some screws in hard to reach places? The effort might be successful but frustrating to say the least. Kiss those moments goodbye with the Spot-On!

This flat Tip Screwdriver with LED light is the solution for the professional or hobbyist needing more then the available light to get the job done. Especially when you don't have an extra hand! Push the button and the light shines brightly. A long lasting LED spotlight is built into the bit tip permitting you to locate the screw head in dark places. This premium, patent-pending screwdriver also features a contoured sure grip handle for comfort and maximum torque. The hardened and tempered vanadium blade is 4 inches in length. A must tool for those who have low vision and love to work with their hands.

Click this link to purchase the SPOT-ON screwdriver from the Hard to Find Tools Website.

USB Dog Tag

Dog tags have now gone high tech with the Top Tag Pet ID Tag.

Top Tag Pet ID protects your pet or dog guide more than any other pet tag by providing complete care information to friends, vets, kennels, pet sitters and rescuers who may be responsible for your friend's welfare and special needs. With Top Tag you can easily write, organize, store and retrieve ALL of your guide's important care information and it only takes seconds to access Top Tag information on millions of Windows desktop or laptop computers.

Top Tag Pet ID Contains 7 Main Categories and 14 Sub-Categories of Pet Care Information, Including:

• Basic Information
  
• Food & Diet
  
• Behavior/Personality
  
• Words and Commands
  
• Nature's Call
  
• Medical Information
  
• In Memoriam
  
• Photo Album

Top Tag Program Features

• Quick and easy to edit or update information.
  
• All information saved instantly.
  
• Photo Album with photo titles.
  
• Print out individual information pages or the entire Fact Sheet.
  
• Fill out as much or as little as you like.
  
• Contact Info page ensures fast return and proper care of your pet.
  
• Backup and restore capability.
  
• As Easy-to-Use as email.
  
• No Battery Required.
  
• Durable Waterproof Case.
  
• 64MB USB Mini Drive
  
• Size: 1" x 7/16" x 1 7/8"

Click this link to purchase the Top Tag Pet ID Tag: http://www.toptagpetid.com.

TV Volume Regulator

I find the most annoying thing about listening to TV is when companies decide to jack up the volume on their commercials to make us buy their products. I wouldn^D>'t exactly call deafening viewers good advertising, unless of course they^D>'re selling hearing aids

The TV volume regulator is a device that attaches to your TV and allows you to set the volume you like then just sit back and enjoy your show or movie without having to adjust the volume every time a commercial or a quiet/loud scene comes on. It also ensures that you keep consistent audio quality so you don^D>'t get a lot of feedback.

Simply attach the box between your TV and an A/V source such as a DVD player, satellite connection or cable box. It requires no input from you so it^D>'s all very easy to use!

Click this link to purchase the TV Volume Regulator from the Smarthome website.

Talk Directly to A 911 Emergency Operator At the Push of A Button

The 911 Guardian Phone enables you to call "911" in an emergency situation, (accident, fall, illness, or danger) and speak directly to the emergency operator. You talk directly to the emergency operator, not to a call center.

The 911 Guardian Phone requires no monthly subscription or service fee. It works just like a cordless phone on any standard phone line with 911 service and tone dialing. It can be comfortably worn around the neck, clipped on a belt, or carried in a pocket at all times. To avoid accidental activation, the activation button is recessed and must be depressed for a minimum of 1/2 second to turn the phone on.

In an emergency, press the activation button on the 911 Guardian Phone. The pendant immediately calls 911. Within seconds, you speak directly with the 911 operator through the 911 Guardian Phone.

No charging necessary. Replaceable AAA alkaline battery (included) in the pendant lasts up to 1 year in standby or for up to 30 minutes of talk time.

Features :

• No monitoring fees, no services charges, and no contracts ever.
  
• Pendant is splash resistant.
  
• System test and battery test functions
  
• Voice confirmations during dialing, shutdown, system test, and battery test
  
• Included duplex jack allows a second phone to be used on the same phone outlet.

Click this link to learn more or to purchase the 911 Guardian Phone from Gismo City.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio Podcasts

This page includes some of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's most popular programs, including Dispatches ("Go beyond the headlines with correspondents on assignment all over the globe"), Outfront ("documentaries made by real people telling real stories about real life"), and Definitely Not the Opera ("your guide to the fast-changing world of popular culture").

Click this link to visit the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's podcasts page: http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/.

Make a Call, Check Your Microwave

Its not everyday we put our cell phones in the microwave, so I'm not surprised you haven't heard of this little tip. We're not going to cook the phone, we're going to see if your microwave is doing its job.

Power up the phone and place it inside your microwave. Now, give it a ring. The oven is designed to keep microwaves in, so if it rings, you may well be leaking harmful microwaves all over the place and should get it checked. Some ovens have a small gap for waves to escape, but it should at least dramatically limit the signal.

Who knew a cell phone could be so handy in the kitchen!

Better Vision Under Water

Here's something for Fred's Head that we've never talked about. I've shown you several gadgets that weren't designed for the visually impaired but work well for the visually impaired. Now, let's take this idea under water.

The Aqua Light Mask casts a double light into the murky depths. Whether you're at the shore or in the pool, you can play underwater diving games and enjoy nighttime swims. Lights automatically point wherever you turn your head for hands-free operation. Comfortable mask with adjustable strap is perfect for hours of fun. Uses 4 "AAA" batteries, not included. For ages 5 and up. Waterproof up to 35 feet.

With the two attached headlights above the face mask, you get a powerful, double beam of light projecting ahead of you. You shouldn't need to adjust the lights as they cover a wide field of view directly in front of you.

Click this link to purchase the Lighted Swim Mask from the Things You Never Knew Existed website.

Test Of The EBS

This is a test. For the next sixty seconds, this blog will conduct a test of the Emergency Blogging System This is only a test.

This has been a test of the Emergency Blogging System. The bloggers in your area, in voluntary cooperation with Federal, State and local authorities, have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of an emergency.

If this had been an actual emergency, there would be widespread panic and you wouldn't be reading blogs.

Article Source:

http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/test_of_the_ebs/

Are the Dishes in the Dish Washer Clean?

Since most of us are in the habit of rinsing off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, it can be really difficult to tell if the dishes are clean or dirty. Nobody wants to feel dirty plates!

If you have difficulty telling if the dishes in your washer are dirty or clean, you can take a cup and place it upright on the top rack.

When you wash the dishes, water will accumulate in the cup. Now when you open the door, if the cup is empty, the dishes are dirty. If the cup is full, the dishwasher has been run and the dishes are clean.

Don't forget to take the cup out and empty it. Replace it once the washer has been emptied and you'll be ready for the next load.

Walgreens Recruits Employees With Disabilities Through Highly Accessible Website

Walgreens has launched an innovative initiative to hire people with disabilities at its distribution center in Anderson, S.C. and is recruiting through a specially-designed Website.

Walgreensoutreach.com describes jobs available at the Walgreens distribution center and is designed to be accessible by people with sensory, physical and cognitive disabilities. The center has begun pre-hire training and will open in 2007. Initially, Walgreens will hire more than 200 employees with plans to ramp up to more than 600 employees. Walgreens goal is to have at least one-third of the workforce consist of employees with a variety of disabilities working in a fully-integrated team. This "real work for real pay" environment will be competitive employment in which performance standards must be maintained. Job openings at the Anderson distribution center include a number of management positions.

Walgreensoutreach.com provides information to help potential employees understand what work will be like at the distribution center. The site incorporates audio messages, photos, video and a large-print text option to depict jobs and worklife at Anderson. The site also is designed to be accessible to blind and low vision individuals who use screen reader technology.

Knowing the difficult challenges faced by people with disabilities who want to work, Walgreens designed the Web site to address concerns such as transportation, housing and the impact of gainful employment on Medicaid, SSI or SSDI benefits.

Hopefully, this will be a start to Walgreens making their entire employment areas accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. There are many jobs that we can do if given the chance. Walgreens are everywhere and so are blind people. I'm hoping that Walgreens will expand this site to cover all their stores and employment opportunities in the future.

For more information, contact:

Carol Hively
Walgreens Corporate Communications
Phone: 847-914-2923
More information on Walgreens is available at Walgreens.com or Walgreensespanol.com.

Guide to LP Cleaning and Care

Who doesn't love vinyl records? It seems that everybody over a certain age has a stash of them somewhere, and everybody under that certain age is trying to get their hands on that stash. Vinyl LPs have great sound quality, and they're amazingly durable and just plain cool.

As your collection of records continues to age, you'll eventually want to clean them. There are many methods out there and some won't do anything but damage your collection.

The Guide to LP cleaning and care will show you a variety of ways to clean your collection and get the best sound out of the recordings. This site is a great resource for any record collector.

Click this link to visit the Guide to LP cleaning and care web page: http://www.artsandmedia.com/lpclean.html.

Discounts at CurrentCodes.com

Hundreds of well-known online stores like Barnes and Noble, Staples, and Amazon.com have a place within their shopping cart for a "coupon code" that gives a percent or dollar amount off your purchase. If you don't know the code, you can't take advantage of the discount. You can find these secret discount codes and coupon codes listed on many sites across the internet but the problem with these sites is that they're usually personal homepages and they don't maintain their lists!

Currentcodes.com has a full-time staff of trained individuals whose only job is to find new coupon codes and discount codes and verify the accuracy of the existing database.

Click this link to start saving money with CurrentCodes.com.

If you're looking for a site with the latest deals, bargains and message boards, click this link to check out http://www.DealHunting.com.

Special Families Website for Your Special Family

From the website:

• How many times have you felt like you are the only one in a world surrounded by children who seem to find everything so easy?
  
• How often have you come across a problem which seems so difficult to overcome that you never feel you can get over it and move on?
  
• How many of us have been "helped" by those in authority who despite having good intentions, do not have the foggiest idea about what it is really like having a special needs child and the impact this has on other family members?
  
• Who has found out about a service, benefit or befriending service much later than they should, usuallly by word of mouth from another special needs parent?
  
• How many Dads feel disconnected from what is going on or are unable to discuss issues with partners / friends?

Sound familiar? If yes, then this website is for you. Ideas, support and information are the topics waiting for you at Special Families.

Click this link to visit http://www.specialfamilies.org.

Note: This site is based in Great Britain, much of the information about education and accommodations does not yet apply in the US.

The Blog for Internet Explorer Users

Do you use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to surf the web? Yeah, who doesn't? Anyway, there's a blog that you may wish to check out that will keep you up-to-date on the latest changes and bug fixes for this very popular web browser.

The IEBlog discusses issues around what features should be in IE, how features work in IE, the importance of application compatibility in IE, tips and tricks in IE, answers to technical issues, security and extensibility in IE and web browsing in general.

I think the blind should be well represented on this blog, so click this link to visit the IEBlog: http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/default.aspx.

Control Your Necktie with A Tie Clip

A tie clip is a small men's accessory that is used to keep a necktie under control. It attaches to the underlying dress shirt. Tie clips are usually spring loaded at one end so that it slides horizontally across the tie for security. The front of a tie clip can be either plain or decorated with small precious or semi precious stones. Some tie clips even are custom designed to feature a company's logo or other objects that are of interest to the wearer.

You should not confuse tie clips with tie pins or tie clasps. Tie pins have a pin and backing that resemble an earring along with a chain and stem that are placed through the button hole of the dress shirt. Tie pins penetrate the fabric of the tie in order to keep it securely fastened. Prolonged use could lead to damage of the expensive material of the tie.

A necktie is intended to cover the buttons of a dress shirt and also provide a line of contrast and interest. Many fashion experts often suggest that a properly selected necktie conveys the personality of the wearer. Unfortunately, even the most expensive silk necktie cannot compete with wind and gravity and can easily blow out of place with a quick gust of air. An unsecured necktie can also find its way into a paper shredder or other office equipment.

A tie clip should be placed approximately two thirds of the way down the front of a necktie and should keep it secured through most situations.

Decorative tie clips have become popular as gift ideas for shoppers on a budget. There is a wide variety of styles available and one size may not fit all neckties. If you own many neckties, you should invest in functional tie clips for everyday occasions and higher end clips for formal events. Tie clips are often bundled with matching cufflinks.

Swing-Sked Online Radio

Welcome to a great Wikispace, where you will find plenty of swing music! The sites listed here play music in the style of the 1930s through the early-1950s as typified by Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. This one-page site was created because the music of this "swing era" is now a rarity, and the categories "Swing" or "Big Band" are not even listed on most music-locater web sites. The table lists continuous streaming audio sites, schedules of swing music broadcasts by radio stations streaming their audio to the Internet and sources of archived BB broadcasts available for download . Swing-era fans will find great free music that they can listen to any time without logging in, registering or subscribing.

Beneath the Introduction area, you'll find the station table. It's divided into four parts: Station or Program Website, Listen, Start ET, Start PT and Length. The Listen section is what you really want. That's how you can tune in to the stations. But, if you run into any problems getting a station to load, you may want to head over to the station's Website to see if you can get help there.

I've gotten totally addicted to Radio Dismuke, which is a continuous stream of music from the 1920s and 1930s. I also really enjoy how they list the special programming geared toward this type of music throughout the week. You can find that underneath the main set of stations listed.

Beneath the individual days on the table, you'll find the archives. That's where you can find places that have older broadcasts stored so that you can download and listen to them at your leisure!

There are times when I listen to this kind of music and I'm certain I was born in the wrong century. Enjoy listening. I know I will!

Click this link to visit Swing-Sked at http://swing-sked.wikispaces.com.

Email That's Flaming Hot

Have you ever been involved in a flaming match? Not sure how to answer that, because you don't know exactly what it means? Well, allow me to give you a brief description and let's just say, I hope none of you have! According to techterms.com, the term "flaming" is basically "the act of posting or sending offensive messages over the Internet." The actual messages are called "flames" and they can be posted on message boards, sent in emails or even sent through an instant messaging program. Keep reading for all the details!

It's no surprise that discussion forums are the biggest hotspot for flaming. It's easy to start a flame war (also called "pie fights") on a message board, because there are several people using it at once and if someone takes something the wrong way, it could lead to some trouble between certain members. Of course, it's unfortunate that flaming even happens. I mean, most people go to a forum for help, not to listen to a bunch of people insulting one another.

Flaming really puts online forums in a negative light, so if you want to avoid a flame war, you should be considerate of other people's views and keep your comments to yourself. When you're talking to other people over the Internet, it's very easy to misunderstand something someone says, but if you just ignore it and move on, you'll be much better off. The same goes for any flames that may show up in your email or during an IM session. Flaming really isn't necessary when we can all be civil adults instead.

Email That's Flaming Hot

Entertain the Little Ones with Activities for Kids

Looking for something fun to do with your kids this weekend? Here is a really cool, appropriately named site, called Activities for Kids. Type in your state and zip code to find all kinds of activities and events in your area. You'll also find places to visit from museums to miniature golf courses as well as music, dance, and other classes, and day camps and other summer programs that your children might enjoy.

Click this link to visit the Activities for Kids website: http://www.activitiesforkids.com.

How to Properly Wash Your Dog

Dogs should be kept on a regular schedule of washing. This is important to prevent skin and odor problems. It is also important to use a dog shampoo because it is formulated for a dog's skin. Here are some steps to follow when it comes to washing your dog.

Make sure to use a shampoo that is for dogs and if you have a puppy, get a shampoo that is for puppies. People shampoo is just not right for dogs. It can dry out the dog's skin.

For puppies and small dogs, it is best to wash them in the sink or bathtub. Make sure to use warm water and not hot water or cold water. This will be much more comfortable for the dog and make it a more pleasant experience.

If you have one of those massage shower heads on a hose, you can give your larger dog a bath in the tub as well. Most dogs find this just as relaxing as we do.

Brushing or combing prior to the bath will help remove tangles and matts in the dog's hair or fur. Depending on the breed, this will become important because the tangles will be difficult to remove after the bath.

The frequency of washing depends on the climate and breed of the dog. Generally speaking dogs should be washed once a week during the summer, once every two to three weeks in the spring and fall, and about once a month in the winter. This schedule is meant for healthy dogs and may vary if your dog has skin or health problems. It is best to check with your veterinarian if this is the case.

Begin your dog's bath by gradually wetting the dog's coat. Make sure the coat is sufficiently saturated and then apply enough dog shampoo to achieve a good foaming lather.

Gently massage the shampoo into the coat. Only shampoo the dog's head if necessary. Make sure not to get the dog shampoo in the eyes or ears.

Once you have achieved a good lather, rinse the coat very thoroughly and REPEAT with clean water. With your hands squeeze the water out of your dog's coat. Lift or remove your dog from the tub and towel dry. Make sure to comb and brush the hair as it dries especially if your dog has long hair. This will help prevent knots.

If your dog has a strong body odor, try thoroughly washing and rinsing. If this does not resolve the issue, your dog may have a skin problem. If this is the case, you should seek the care and advice of your veterinarian.

Many dog owners are reluctant to wash their dog regularly due to concern over removing natural oils from the skin and coat. Actually, many skin problems come from insufficient washing.

Regular washing is part of a good hygiene program for your dog. Since dogs cannot bathe themselves, it is up to us dog owners to take on this responsibility.

The Different Types of USB Connectors

Today, most computers come with two or more USB ports and it's very unusual if your computer doesn't have at least one.

Right now there are four main types of USB connectors: Type A, Type B, Mini-A and Mini-B. All of these types are supported by USB 1x and USB 2x. Let's go over what these different connectors do in relation to what you do with your USB ports.

Type A

This type is known as the host connector, also referred to as the downstream connector. This is the one that you usually plug into the ports on your CPU or into a USB hub. It's usually rectangular in shape.

Type B

This connector is mainly used for the devices that can be plugged into a port. This one is also known as the upstream connector and is the one that attaches directly to the end of a device (whether that be a digital camera, a printer, a mouse or keyboard, etc). A Type B connector is usually box shaped.

Mini-A

This type of connector was designed to connect with mobile devices. This one can be used without a computer and it can be used with most mobiles, big and small.

Mini-B

This connector was designed to replace the original connector for USB 2.0 because they were too big for certain devices such as a PDA or a cell phone.

Drag and Drop with Windows ClickLock

Dragging and dropping text, windows, or files in Windows XP can prove cumbersome for some people. You have to move the mouse pointer while the left mouse button is held down, and if you accidentally release the mouse button during the drag, accidents can occur:

• Files can accidentally be dropped into the trash can.
  
• Text in a word processing document can appear as a scrap item on the desktop.
  
• Files can be moved to inadvertent folders.

If you find dragging and dropping difficult, Windows XP has a feature called "ClickLock". This feature allows you to drag and drop items without having to keep the mouse pointer held down while moving the mouse. Once turned on, you merely have to keep the mouse button held down a second or two when selecting an item to move. Afterwards, you can release the mouse and move your item. Click once again and the item drops to its destination.

1. First, open Windows XP's Mouse Control Panel. Do this by clicking on the Start Button, Control Pannel, then Mouse.
   
   
2. On the "Mouse Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box that follows, select the "Buttons" tab.
   
   
3. Underneath "ClickLock", click the "Turn on ClickLock" button.
   
   
4. If desired, click the "Settings" button. This lets you adjust the amount of time you must keep the mouse button held down before Windows XP recognizes you wish to drag and drop an item. I recommend not moving this all the way to "Short". If you do, Windows XP may then accidentally think you wish to drag and drop items when you merely click them. However, feel free to experiment.
   
   
5. When done, press "OK" to close the dialog boxes.

Automatically Move Windows Mouse Pointers to Dialog Boxes

Tired of moving your mouse pointer to the center of the screen whenever an application in Windows XP displays a dialog box? Would you rather the mouse pointer just automatically move to the dialog box so you can simply click the left mouse-button to select the default action?

You can enable a feature called "Snap To" that saves you from moving your mouse pointer whenever you wish to click "OK" or "Yes" to confirm an action.

1. First, open Windows XP's Mouse Control Panel. Do this by clicking on the Start Button, Control Pannel, then Mouse.
   
   
2. On the "Mouse Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box that follows, select the "Pointer Options" tab.
   
   
3. Underneath "Snap To", check the box next to "Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box".
   
   
4. When done, press "OK" to close the dialog box.

If you later wish to disable the "Snap To" feature, repeat the above steps but uncheck the box.

Orientation to the Car: You're in the Driver's Seat

This article is intended for general information about driving. You should never get behind the wheel and attempt to drive without proper training. Many states offer driving for the visually impaired, check with your state rehabilitation office for more information.

Have you ever been curious about driving? How do they do it? Is it difficult? Where are the gas and break petals actually located? Let's take a closer look.

Manual Transmissions

In a manual car, there are four or more forward gears which are used for speed control. The most common arrangement is in the shape of an H with 1st being in the upper left; 2nd is lower left, 3rd upper right, 4th lower right, and reverse is far far right and down. New cars may have up to 6 forward gears, look at the knob on the shifter to find the proper shift pattern for that car.

First gear is used to start the car from a dead stop (for example, at a signal), neutral (usually in the center of the shift pattern) is used when you need to have the motor on but don't need to be moving and second gear is used to slow down to make a turn. The last gear is reverse, which is for backing down a driveway or parking spot.

There are three foot pedals. They are, in order from left to right, the clutch, the brake, and the accelerator. The clutch is used when changing gears and is managed by your left foot. Your right foot alternates between the accelerator and the brake.

To make the car move, the driver will press the clutch down and place the shifter into the first gear position. They will lift their foot off the clutch, apply very gentle pressure to the gas pedal and at the same time, continue to raise the clutch until the car starts to move. They say this is the hardest part of driving a manual car. Master this and the rest is easy.

Automatic Transmissions

Simply put, an automatic transmission shifts gears automatically, whereas a manual transmission requires the driver to shift the gears. In an automatic, the driver will select the gear they want and the transmission will shift into higher and lower gears by itself.

Manual transmission vehicles come with a tachometer (located next to the speedometer) which allows the driver to see how hard the engine is working, so to speak. When the engine is pushing harder, the driver will up shift by pushing down on the clutch pedal with their left foot and move the gear selecter to the next gear up. Then they will let off of the clutch. When the engine is working less, the driver will do the same except move the gear selecter handle to the lower gear.

The gear selecter, or shifter, comes up from the floor to the right of the driver. It looks like a stick, which is why manual cars are often known as "stick shifts".

Shoes, Boots and Jackets for Your Dog Guide

Your dog guide takes you all over the country and over a variety of surfaces. Your feet are always protected from the snow, ice, rocks, dirt and salt that covers the surfaces of many sidewalks. What about your guide's feet? What can protect their feet from these items that can be a health risk for your best friend?

At Pampered Pets you'll find a variety of dog shoes, boots and slippers designed to keep your guide's feet Safe & Dry And that Help Prevent Injury From Heat, Cold, Ice, Salt, Stones And Abrasive Surfaces.

To measure your pet for boots/shoes:

While dog is standing, measure from the front edge of the small pads to the back edge of the large pad. (Do not include the nails). If you have some vision, you may want to place the foot on a piece of paper, marking the paper at the front and back of the foot, and then measure between the marks on the paper.

Click this link to visit the Shoes & Boots page of the Pampered Pets website.

All Weather Muttluks

• Available in rain slicker yellow; Made with waterproof coated fabric;
  
• The leather toe cover (available in sizes M-XXL) offers protection and durability for larger dogs; with the Cordura Nylon toe cover available for smaller dogs (sizes Itty-Bitty to Small);
  
• Self-tightening Hook & Loop straps allow for an easy, secure and quick fastening that ensures a snug and comfortable fit;
  
• 3M Scotchlite reflective material on the back of the strap provides safety for dogs by offering nighttime visibility;
  
• The comfortable stretchy cuff is versatile and easily adapted for dogs with short or long legs;
  
• The boot bottoms are made from treated, water and salt resistant leather;
  
• The entire boot is stitched with heavy-duty industrial bonded nylon thread;
  
• Available in eight sizes to fit breeds from Chihuahuas to Great Danes and everything in-between;
  
• Distinctive and reusable cloth mesh packaging can be used for storing or washing Muttluks, or for general storage;
  
• Muttluks come complete with a paw-fitting chart that makes it easy for pets to be sized on the spot and offers strong sales support at retail.

Muttluks Inc.
2360 Midland Avenue, Unit 3
Toronto, ON Canada M1S 4A9
Toll Free: 888-MUTTLUK (688-8585)
Phone: 416-699-6922
Fax: 877-MUTTFAX (688-8329) or 416-699-4161
Email: muttluks@muttluks.com
Web: http://www.muttluks.com

ThermalWear Canine Cooling System

Let your best friend enjoy the dog days of summer without becoming overheated! ThermalWear Dog Vests can maintain a constant 50º F for two or more hours, keeping your canine companion comfortably cool.

Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat to cool off. The Dog Vest absorbs a dog's excess body heat, allowing the canine to work or play harder and longer in extreme temperatures.

ThermalWear Dog Vests have been used professionally by police K9 units and search and rescue dogs, but they're also excellent for your dog guide or unemployed house dog as well.

Click this link to purchase the ThermalWear Canine Cooling System from pet gadgets.

Video Clips Provide Useful Tips for Parents

Are you still having problems teaching your visually impaired or blind child how to tie shoes? Have you ever wondered how students distinguish dollar bills from one another? Is your child still having trouble with color coordinating his or her wardrobe? If so, help is available!

The Washington State School for the Blind has produced a variety of video clips on subjects as familiarizing yourself with a new environment, tying your shoes, labeling clothes, buttons and zippers, folding money, etc. These short clips provide useful tips for parents and teachers to help children who are blind and visually impaired to perform common daily living tasks such as those mentioned above. The clips are available on the WSSB website at http://www.wssb.wa.gov/video.asp.

Gmail in Outlook Express

Are you one of the many who has recently signed up for a Gmail account? Since you've done that, have you started to miss the way you handled email in Outlook Express? Some of you may have gone to Gmail because of the online email storage that comes with it, but would you rather use Outlook Express and go back to a screen-reader friendly way to get email?

To send or receive email from your Gmail account in Outlook Express, follow these steps.

1. First, you need to make sure the POP3 access is activated in your Gmail account. To do this, go to Gmail and click on the Settings link at the top of the page. Choose the Forwarding and POP tab and make sure either the "Enable POP for all mail" or "Enable POP only for mail that arrives from now on" is selected. (You will probably just want to choose the "from now on" option, because all the email that you receive from this point on will go to Outlook Express). Next, you need to choose what you want to do with the email that is accessed with POP. You can either keep Gmail's copy in the Inbox, archive Gmail's copy or delete Gmail's copy. This option is strictly up to you. Once you have chosen that, click on Save Changes.
   
   
2. Open Outlook Express and hit ALT+T or click on Tools, then arrow down to or click on Accounts.
   
   
3. Click on the Add button and choose Mail.
   
   
4. Type in your name and tab to, or click Next.
   
   
5. Enter your Gmail email address. Click, or tab to Next.
   
   
6. Screen reader users will use the tab key to move through the various options on the following screen. You need to make sure that POP3 is selected under the "My incoming mail server is a (blank) server" space.
   
   
7. Type in "pop.gmail.com" (without the quotations) under the "Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server:"
   
   
8. Type in "smtp.gmail.com" (without the quotations) under the "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server:" spot. Click Next when done.
   
   
9. Now, you're going to enter your full Gmail email address under the "Account name" and enter your Gmail password under "Password."
   
   
10. Click, or tab to Next and then Finish.
    
    
11. Now you're going to highlight the new pop.gmail.com account, and choose Properties from there. Screen reader users will tab to the properties button. Go to the Servers tab.
    
    
12. Ensure the line that says "My server requires authentication" is checked under the Outgoing Mail Server section.
    
    
13. Click on, or arrow over to the Advanced tab.
    
    
14. Make sure that the place that says "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" is checked under the Outgoing mail (SMTP): and also under the Incoming mail (POP3): choices.
    
    
15. Once that is all checked, type in the number "465" under the Outgoing server (SMTP): place and make sure "995" is typed in under the Incoming server (POP3) section.
    
    
16. Click OK and Close.

Yeah, that was a lot of steps! Once you get through all of that, everything will be set up and you can start using your Gmail account in Outlook Express and get back to the way you used to do email.

Tactile Poker Chips

Well, if you or your friend already have a deck of Braille Playing Cards, here's something fun to go with them. This one-of-a-kind set comes with 100 chips you can use to keep track of winnings in Poker, Blackjack, or just about any other card game. Whether you're playing with the family or gambling in a real-life casino setting, these painted, all-wood chips can be used by blind and sighted players alike.

As far as I know, this is the only set of poker chips out there that can be used by folks who can't see, because they've taken care in making each colored chip a different tactile shape. In your new set of poker chips, you'll receive a hundred playing pieces: 30 white circles, 30 red octagons, 20 blue squares, 10 green rectangles, and 10 black triangles. In other words, the black triangles are worth more than the white circles - perhaps five times as much. But that's up to you! Of course, This set of poker chips comes in a convenient storage box, also made of wood, so you won't lose any pieces. No more playing with Lego blocks, strawberry mints, or Oreo cookies. Grab a set of these tactile poker chips, and include all your friends in a game of skill and intuition everyone can play!

Click this link to purchase a set of Tactile Poker Chips from Future Aids.

FX Radio

FX Radio is the result of what happens when you load three instances of winamp equipped with crossfaders, then load a ton of high quality sound effects libraries into each winamp, making sure, of course, that everything is randomized.

The sequence of events that happen are rather interesting and strange things can occur as all the sounds are randomized. Have you ever seen a bird driving a car under water, all the while being shot at by a telephone? Perhaps, little kids playing in underwater construction sites? How about frogs that make things explode, sheep making things blow up, or machine guns blasting through a calm cafe, all the while everyone seems to be oblivious to the fact? All these things can and have been known to happen on FX Radio, all sound effects, all the time, 24 hours a day!

To tune in, you will need a streaming media player compatible with AAC+ streaming, such as Winamp (5.1 or higher, except 5.22 which has a bug that breaks AAC streams), VLC Mediaplayer, or Foobar 2000.

Close your eyes, put on some headphones, click this link and get ready for a very strange, and altogether different experience! It's FX Radio!

Shower Curtains with Pockets

These bathroom curtains come as a great help for shower areas that generally do not have any storage space to hold those shampoo and body lotions.

Compartmentalize your messy bathroom necessities into twelve roomy pouches. Transparent, mesh pockets let you view bathing supplies, grooming products, toys and more at a glance. Attaches to standard shower curtain rings. Vinyl and mesh, 70 x 72".

Click this link to purchase Shower Curtains with Pockets from the Get Organized website.

Find Cool Stuff At Swaptree

I was looking through some older movies that I have at home and came to the realization that I'll never watch those things again. I don't want to throw them away or simply donate them to a thrift store. A quick Google search of the net braught me to Swaptree.

With Swaptree's multiple-way trade algorithms, you're instantly shown thousands of items that you could receive in trade for any item. So you don't spend time searching for potential trades, negotiating a trade with another user, or messing with some sort of point system. Just list some items that you want to trade and Swaptree will show you everything you can get for them.

You're not charged for listing or trading items. Your only expense is paying the shipping of your item. Use the post office's Media Mail service and you can send everything for less than $2. Better yet, if you want, they'll try to find a trade for you with a Swaptree member right down the street, or with one of your friends or co-workers, so you can forget about postage and hand your item over in person.

Just enter the UPC or ISBN code that is on the back of every CD, book, video game or DVD, and Swaptree will find the correct item details: edition, release, version, paperback/hardback, normal/widescreen, etc.

You don't even have to worry about going to the post office. you can print accurate postage and perfect mailing labels directly from Swaptree. Don't worry about calculating the weight, or entering the correct shipping or return address, it's all done for you.

Click this link to visit http://www.swaptree.com.

Podcast Notification by Email

Here's another great way to keep up with your favorite podcasts!

http://www.podcastsender.com is a completely free service which can provide you with an e-mail each time a new podcast is ready for download from the publisher. So now you don´t have to download and install an rss reader or podcast aggrigator. You can also listen to your favorite podcasts directly from the site.

Click this link to visit the Podcast Sender website: http://www.podcastsender.com.

WIKI Visual Impairment (Blog)

By Arthur Murphy

The subject of this blog is the development of a wiki: a collaborative environment of resources for blind and visually impaired technology users. Just as Wikipedia is a collaboratively edited resource, this proposed wiki would be a resource for a targeted audience - a wiki created by a smaller set of contributing authors and editors.

Please feel free to use this blog to express your thoughts on the subject: good idea, poor idea? Ways to recruit authors and editors. Suggestions for the major categories of information. Possible sponsors / funding sources. Alternative forms of technology to harness the same information to support the same goals.

Click this link to visit the WIKI Visual Impairment (Blog: http://wiki-visual-impairment.blogspot.com.

Protect Your Child With a Password

By Audrey Okaneko

When we think of password protection, we think of bank accounts, computers, or even voice mail phone systems.

Our children are equally precious to us and need our protection. But how do we protect them?

When my kids were small we established a password, or codeword that only they and I knew. We chose a word very familiar to them, something they could remember, yet not something easily guessed by an outsider.

In the car we would roleplay many situations that might happen and how my children could respond. It was very important that if anyone other than I was going to pick them up at school or from a sports practice or even a girl scout meeting, this person must know our password.

If the person did not know the password, then my children were not to get in their car under any circumstances. There were no exceptions to this rule. Once you start making exceptions young children become confused. Their mother, their father, and their grandmother knew their password and often discussed it with them.

I know our system worked, because one day after her brownie meeting, a friend of mine offered to drive my daughter home, knowing I was home not feeling well. My daughter asked this adult woman if she knew the password. Of course the woman did not. My daughter comfortably looked at her and told her she could not get in the car with her.

I have never been more proud of this very precious little girl.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Okaneko

Backpack with Speakers for Cell Phone, MP3 Player or iPod

Carry your gear in an ultra-cool backpack. Plug your cell phone and iPod into the Skullcandy LINK Backpack, and you'll be able to play your favorite tunes through the amplified 60mm speakers embedded in the upper straps. When you get a call, you can either eliminate the music entirely or simply reduce the music volume with the mid-strap control buttons, which allow you to listen and talk hands-free. Adapters are included for most major mobile phones.

Insert the four included AA batteries to power the amplifier and plug your music player into the player pocket or the larger pocket if you're using a CD player. Set your player's volume to 75 percent, and you'll be able to control the volume from the panel on the backpack strap. Connect your phone to the phone pocket plug using one of the included adapters. The phone answer button on the soft-touch panel works with every mobile phone.

Listen to music through the strap speakers or connect a headset (sold separately) for private listening. CD/DVD holders are built into one of the many expandable pockets, so you won't need to dig through the bottom of the bag to find the one you want. There is even a pocket that will hold up to a 17-inch computer as well as a soft-lined protective sunglasses pouch. Dimensions: 19" H x 12" W

Click this link to purchase this incredible backpack from the Smarthome website.

The Phone Recording Archive

We've all picked up the phone and heard the telephone company's little reminder that we've either dialed the wrong number, the number is no longer in service, or that the party we're attempting to reach has blocked their number. I found a site that has collected these gems and made them available as either MP3 or WAV downloads.

Now you can hear these famous recordings from a variety of phone companies including cellular services. This is a great collection for anyone who collects effects or who might need them for a recording project.

Click this link to visit the Phone Recording Archive: http://www.payphone-directory.org/sounds.html.

Brighten Up Your Patio Table with A Brella Sphere

Your fun summer barbecue doesn't need to end when the sun goes down. Enjoy your outdoor adventures after dark by attaching a battery-powered light to your patio umbrella pole. The weather-resistant Brella Sphere Umbrella Light contains four super-bright white LEDs and simply clamps to your umbrella pole to provide hours of outdoor illumination. No assembly is required! The Brella Sphere Umbrella Light is powered by four C batteries (sold separately).

Unlike many lights, LED lights don't attract most insects, and they last years longer than ordinary bulbs. This patio umbrella light clamps to any pole with a diameter of up to 1 1/2 inches, and a mounting bracket is even included for wall mounting. You'll enjoy multi-directional lighting, thanks to the Brella Sphere Umbrella Light's ability to swivel 180 degrees.

Item Includes:

• Brella Sphere
  
• Clamp
  
• Mounting bracket and hardware
  
• Instructions

Click this link to purchase the Brella Sphere Umbrella Light from the Smarthome website.

The How To Clean Anything Website

One thing about life is that there's always something to clean. From the bathroom to the family car, something needs to be wiped off or deep cleaned. Cleaning can often leave you with questions. How do you properly clean the air conditioner? How do you remove dust from your electronics without causing damage?

These questions and more are answered by the How To Clean Anything website. You will find a menu bar across the top of the page. The sections are: Home Interior, Home Exterior, Pets, Auto, Recreation, Stains, Search Tips and Submit a Tip. If you scroll your mouse over these tabs, you will find that they have a rollover menu that drops down when you mouse over them. This details what is in the section. Speech users will want to press enter on the choice that interests you.

You will also find that there are some great featured articles right on the main page. There is even a Tip of the Day section! While I was there, some of the features were cleaning your keyboard, cleaning up vomit, the skinny on brooms, pet urine and cleaning records. And that's just a handful. Even if you think it's gross, knowing how to clean up vomit will make your life easier, because at some point somewhere, you may just have to do it.

So, if you have something you need to clean and everything you've tried isn't working, you can always check out this site. Or, if you want to know how to clean something before you begin, this site is also great for that.

Happy cleaning!

Click this link to visit the How To Clean Anything website: http://www.howtocleananything.com.

Open The Baby Names Box

Naming your baby is an exciting event for any parent. At Babynamebox.com, they've tried to make it a little easier. The Baby Names Box was established in 2005 as a website to provide information, tips and reviews relevant to all things relating to babies and parenting.

You can search over 15,000 baby names and their meanings. Sub-categories include Disney ,J.R. Tolkien names, Fantasy and Folklore names, and many names from the literary classics.

With the many options you'll find at the Baby Names Box, you're sure to find the perfect name for your new baby.

Click this link to visit the Baby Names Box at http://www.babynamebox.com.

Radio Monitoring For The Visually Impaired

Shortwave listening, scanning, and other forms of radio monitoring are popular hobbies for visually impaired people. The internet and digital radio technology have revolutionized radio monitoring for everyone. For visually impaired individuals, these have had the added advantage of making radio monitoring more accessible than ever before. As technology advances, this accessibility will continue to expand.

This section of Radio Enthusiast looks at radio listening for the visually impaired hobbyist. Here you will find articles tips, and links about making radios and monitoring information more accessible.

Click this link to visit Radio Monitoring For The Visually Impaired: http://www.radioenthusiast.com/visually_impaired_radio_enthusiasts.htm.

Dock-N-Talk: Use Cell Phone Minutes and Plans with Your Home Phone

Having a landline phone is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Lots of folks choose to receive their internet service through their cable TV provider, and with lower-priced local and long distance cellphone plans, it's not worth the price to maintain a traditional home phone.

The patented Dock-N-Talk allows you to dock your cell phone and use your normal corded or cordless phones to make and receive your cell phone calls. This device effectively turns your wireless service into "wired" service while docked. The Dock-N-Talk can be used in your home, office, dorm room, weekend home, boat, RV or any other location where cell service is available.

• Make and receive cell phone calls using Dock-N-Talk with normal wireline cordless or corded telephones;
  
• Get better reception by docking your cell phone in your "hot spot" for strongest signal and talk anywhere in your home;
  
• Gives consumers the choice of cell phone service for the home or office with the same functionality as wireline service;
  
• Universal design supports an unlimited number of handsets with currently over 850 cell phone models supported including some of the most popular phones from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Siemens and more;
  
• Use local number portability to move your land line number to a cell phone and keep using your land line phones;
  
• Charges your cell phone while docked ensuring your cell phone is always fully charged;
  
• Have the convenience and audio quality of a full-sized handset, speakerphone or headset for extended calls;
  
• Utilizes and transfers features such as voice recognition, one-touch voicemail dialback and SMS message alerts from your cell phone;
  
• Place your cell phone in your best area for cell phone reception and use regular corded or cordless phones throughout the house;
  
• Use the free unlimited nights, weekends and mobile to mobile calling plans to their fullest while fully utilizing unused peak minutes;
  
• Bluetooth Module interfaces wirelessly between the Dock-N-Talk and cell phone with no need for a cable;
  
• Sends Caller ID and Visual Message Alert from cell phone to compatible home phones;
  
• Switch an active call seamlessly from cell phone to home phone (and vice versa).

For more information on the Dock-N-Talk, contact:

Phone Labs Technology Company Inc.
Sales Office: 212-481-6166
Fax: 646-472-5160
Email: info@phonelabs.com
Click this link to visit the Dock-N-Talk page of the PhoneLabs website

The Original Tipping Page

Do you ever find yourself lost at how much you should tip someone? Or, even when it is appropriate to leave a tip? I know that I've had that problem in the past. Well, no more! Now, you can find out how much it's appropriate to tip in many different situations.

There are a lot of instances where you are supposed to tip that I didn't even know about. For example, you should tip at the casino, the dog groomer and on a cruise ship.

When the page loads, you have a menu and each link is a category. Click the area you want to learn about. For example, Pet Related Services. Now, you're on the page where you can see the service listed in one column (Dog Groomer) and the correct way to tip and how much to tip in another column. I didn't realize you should tip a dog groomer 15 percent of the bill and an extra couple dollars per dog. Wow!

Some of the categories have sub categories as well. For example, click on Holiday (like vacation) Tipping Guidelines. Once the page loads, you'll see three more categories for you to choose from that could be holiday related: Apartment Building Staff, Health Clubs or Spas and Others. Each of those categories have their own tipping guides attached.

This site even helps you learn how to tip correctly at the hotels you stay at and it will help prevent you from tipping people who shouldn't even get a tip. For example, you are at a buffet and the wait staff only gives you your utensils. Do you really need to tip them for that? No! But, if you're at a buffet and they bring you drinks or food from the kitchen, then yes, you should tip them.

Take the guess work out of tipping and check out The Original Tipping Page for the United States.

Other Resources

• http://www.tipping.org
  
• http://nmcs.stores.yahoo.net/gratuity.html
  
• http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

Microwave Syrup Dispenser

Heat maple syrup in seconds and keep it warm over the course of breakfast with this double insulated microwave syrup dispenser. Plastic dispenser is top rack dishwasher-safe and measures 3.5"dia. x 6.5"H. 12-oz. cap. The syrup will stay warm throughout the meal and has a pointed spout for easy pouring. You can refrigerate leftover syrup in the dispenser between uses.

Click this link to purchase the Microwave Syrup Dispenser from the CHEFS website

No Mess Taco Building With The Taco Taxi

Do you like tacos? Would you like to have an easier way to put them together? If you answered yes to these questions then the Taco Taxi may be in your future.

Homemade tacos are wonderful, but have you noticed that you spend more time passing the fixins around to your family than you do actually eating your own tacos? Someone always needs something that you have, or you need something that's on the opposite side of the table. You have to master the art of holding the taco in one hand while passing a bowl with the other. There has to be an easier way!

Now you can park a taco taxi by each plate, and pass the fixins. These stay-cool steel stands hold three tacos so you can load them up with your favorite taco fixins. They are dishwasher safe and measure 6" x 5" x 3". Set of 2.

Click this link to purchase the Taco Taxi from The Home Marketplace.

Light Your Way With Glow Pebbles

I love bringing visually impaired readers new ways to light up their homes. This is one of the coolest ways to light up small areas like the fish tank, flower pots, garden borders or walkways.

Place these realistic-looking pebbles where they can soak up lots of sunshine, and they'll use that solar energy to continue glowing long after the sun has set! Imagine how pretty your garden and pathways will look as they glow at night! Set of 100.

Click this link to purchase Glow Pebbles from the Harriet Carter website.

The LightSnake USB Intelligent Instrument Cable

Are you a musician? Do you wish there was an easier way to connect your instrument to the computer for easier recording? I've got a cable that you're going to absolutely love!

SoundTech Professional Audio has a product called the LightSnake USB Intelligent Instrument Cable. The cable connects musical instruments such as a guitar, bass, keyboard or other instrument to the PC via a USB port allowing for analog to digital recording.

Using the LightSnake, setting up and recording high-quality digital music is as simple as plugging a guitar into an amplifier.

The LightSnake has a patented "Live when Lit" technology that lights up the cable ends when recording. The sound input is digital quality so no additional sound card is needed. The LightSnake also includes a 1/4" to Mini Adapter, 1/4" Male to Dual and 1/4" Female splitter. the cable works with Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP and Mac OS9 and OS x with no drivers.

Available from a variety of retailers, including Target. Click this link to learn more about the LightSnake USB Intelligent Instrument Cable.

Fill Up with a Turkey Baster

By Jeanine Kane, CVRT

I have found the following technique useful for 2 tasks, for adding liquid fabric softener to a washing machine or for putting water into an iron for steam.

Use a turkey baster to fill the appliances. One full squeeze of the baster is approximately 1/3 cup, so the strength of the squeeze can be altered for less. Squeeze it several times for more liquid. The fingers of the hand not holding the baster can be used to locate the opening for the liquid to be squeezed into.

Filling Air Toys Easily

You are trying to fill up your child's blow up toy and going crazy trying to keep all the air from sneaking out.

You can actually make this easier by grabbing a turkey baster.

Remove the bulb from the end and place the small end into the nozzle for the toy.

Now you simply blow in the large end and you can easily pinch off when you are done.

Three Fun Things to do With Soda Pop (besides drink it)

As a blind parent I am constantly searching for fun things to do with my sighted children. I want them to use their vision and experience all the wonders of the world around them. These three things to do with soda pop are not only fun, but you can explain to your children some scientific concepts. Who knew science could be fun and refreshing at the same time?

Raisin Race

If you're going to serve your family a treat of soda pop, you might want to make it more exciting by first having a raisin race. This game requires clear soda, so forget the Coke or Root Beer. Try Sprite, 7-up or Ginger ale. You will also want clear drinking glasses.

1. Fill each glass with an equal amount of soda. Tip the cup sideways and pour gently to minimize the fizzing. You want all the fizz still in the soda!
   
   
2. On go, everyone drops a raisin into their glass. The raisin will sink to the bottom. After sitting on the bottom for a few seconds, the raisins will quickly rise to the surface. First person's raisin to the top wins!

Now you can fish out the raisin and then drink the soda. Why do the raisins float? Because the carbon dioxide bubbles collect on them and that increases their buoyancy.

Volcano

This experiment uses only soda and salt, but you won't want to drink it when you're done.

1. Pour some soda into a teacup. Set the teacup inside a big bowl or plastic container that will collect the spills.
   
   
2. Quickly dump a teaspoon of salt into the soda. Watch the soda erupt!

Why does this happen? Normally, the carbon dioxide in the soda gradually forms little bubbles which rise to the top of the soda. When the salt is dumped in, the carbon dioxide grabs on to the grains of salt all at once and you have a stampede group exit.

Candy Straws

This one does involve drinking the soda, but it's certainly a little different. Pour soda into glasses and then let your kids drink it through a red licorice straw. Buy the licorice that's like a tube in the middle. Bite off each end and then you have a candy straw for a double treat.

For extra fun, sprinkle in a few Pop Rocks candy and watch them fizzle. Don't put in too many, or you might get an overflowing mess.

ALTAIR for Windows: Text Editor, Web Browser and Email Client for the Blind

the Japanese Society for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities has produced a free self-voicing program called ALTAIR.

ALTAIR is a free program designed for blind, low vision or deaf-blind users. ALTAIR is a text editor, web browser and e-mail client with built-in speech synthesizer and can output to a Braille display. Font size can be enlarged and font and background color can be changed for people with low vision.

With ALTAIR, persons with visual impairments and people who are deaf-blind can read content effectively on the Internet. ALTAIR can import files from Word, Excel PowerPoint and PDF. The program is available in English and Japanese.

Click this link to visit the English homepage of ALTAIR for Windows. You will be asked if you want to install the Japanese language pack for Windows. Simply choose cancel to abort installation.

Making Guitar Picks Out Of Junk Mail

How many useless credit card offers do you get in the mail? I really hate the ones that include a credit card along with all that useless printed material.

I found a great way to recycle the most dangerous part of these junk mails and if you play a guitar, this is for you. Let's turn that useless credit card into a very useful guitar pick.

you will need:

Credit Card
Scissors
Sharpie or braille stylus Guitar Pick

1. Using the guitar pick, trace the shape on the credit card with either the Sharpie or braille stylus. You can also make your own cool designs, try and get as many on one card as you can.
   
   
2. Use the scissors to cut out the new guitar picks.

For best results try sanding and tapering back the edges to make it more flexible. You can also use a holepunch to punch out designs in the body of the new pick to make it more flexible and to increase your grip. It looks cool too!

Catching Ice Cream Spills

Your kids love the ice cream treats on a stick, but you are tired of cleaning up all the little spills that occur.

You can help alleviate most of them by grabbing a round coffee filter.

Poke a small hole through the center and place the stick of the ice cream treat through the hole.

Now the drips will catch on the filter instead of all over your floor and furniture.

Take the "Mystery" Out of Becoming a Mystery Shopper

Many people all over the world are making money as a mystery shopper. Thanks to the Internet, details on how to become a mystery shopper are widely available, taking the "mystery" out of the process.

Mystery shoppers provide a great service to retailers and service businesses. By walking into a business as an unknown - the basic, average, every day customer, mystery shoppers relate their experiences to corporate headquarters. Why would a big corporation rely on people they don't know? Because their opinion counts! Mystery shoppers can get a more accurate look at the day to day operations of a business than a CEO can on a yearly visit. It's a known fact that employees put their best foot forward when their boss is in the building. Mystery shoppers are an effective way for corporate offices to learn about the service, employee attitudes, and cleanliness of a business. If a customer walks into a fast food restaurant and is "greeted" by an indifferent employee and the place is a mess, that customer will likely tell other people. Word of mouth from one unsatisfied customer can kill business. That's why mystery shoppers are so important.

There are many mystery shopper programs that enlist the help of average people every day. Some are scams and others are for real. How do you separate the two? Follow that old basic rule of thumb: If they ask you to pay to work for them, it's a scam.

A legitimate company will not expect you to pay them in order to work for them. You wouldn't expect to pay a doctor's office to let you be a receptionist or a convenience store for the opportunity to be a cashier. Mystery shopping is a job, so there is no difference.

There is a mystery shopping certification available. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association of North America offers such certification. With two certifications to choose from, potential shoppers may test online for certification that proves they have the basic skills needed to be a mystery shopper. A more expensive plan also covers some training for mystery shoppers. It is important to note that certification is not required to be a mystery shopper.

So, if you are looking for a way to make money part time, consider a career as a mystery shopper. Assignments might have you sampling yogurt, going to a movie, or eating out at a restaurant you might not normally go to!

Two websites that provide information on mystery shoppers are http://secret-shoppers.info and http://mystery-shopping-jobs.info.

The Bob Allen Trio: Classic Piano Interpretations

Appearing either as a piano soloist or with his trio, Bob allen has been entertaining central Ohio audiences for more than 35 years.

Bob Allen (Prahin) spent his formative years in Cleveland, where he began studying piano at the age of six. He obtained a bachelor's degree in piano and composition from Capital University in Columbus. His arrangements encompass a wide range of musical idioms, from well-known standards to original compositions. He is noted for the classical touches which frequently adorn his work. Currently, some of his time is devoted to teaching piano improvisation and theory.

The Bob Allen Trio is perhaps most well-known for their twenty-year engagement at the Christopher Inn in Columbus, Ohio. They have performed with symphony orchestras, stage bands, and other ensembles and periodically participate in clinics and workshops.

Click this link to visit The Bob Allen Trio website: http://www.boballentrio.com.

A Hip-Hop Artist Named Braille

We've all heard about the system of six dots that Louis Braille created that blind and visually impaired people use to read. What would you say if I told you there is a hip-hop artist named Braille? The following information comes from his website.

"Helping people understand the things they can't see". Braille has used that one sentence to explain the meaning behind his name for the last 7 years. Before going by Braille, he juggled many other titles such as "Quake", "Reflection" and "Perplex the Cerebration Bizarre" but the name "Braille" has stuck with him since the day it arrived.

In his music he often expresses things of either a "spiritual", "emotional" or "personal" nature. Things we don't always see with our eyes, but we do see the effects. Visual lyrics that paint pictures of the unseen has become a trademark stamp of Braille's style. Another trademark is his passionate and un-structured delivery. These characteristics have almost placed Braille in a category of his own.

Not sounding like other artists, but just standing alone as himself. Nothing more, nothing less. So far in Braille's young and extensive career he has already accomplished a lot. In April of 2005 he was named "one of the next 100" by Urb Magazine. In 2004 he was named "lyricist of the year" by Sphere of Hiphop and his album "Shades of Grey" was crowned "album of the year". In 2005 he also opened concerts for James Brown on several occasions, including performances at the B.B. King Blues Grill in Time Square New York and at the Benidorm Futbol Stadium in Spain. His 2005 tour schedule also placed him in front of crowds in Japan, Germany and the Netherlands. The craziest thing of all is that these shows were booked without Braille even having a formal booking agent. In-fact, although Braille has been in a few working relationships with various small labels and affiliates, most of his progress has taken place as a one man operation. It wasn't until recently when his work load was almost overbearing that the doors opened for him to have a manager (Intrigue Management, summer of 2005).

Beyond being an artist, Braille also runs his own label called "Hiphop Is Music". In 2004 he released his Sophomore solo album "Shades of Grey". The record included contributions from artists such as 9th Wonder (who has also produced for Jay-Z), Rob Swift (former member of the X-ecutioners), Supastition, Pigeon John, Manchild (of Mars Ill), Illmind, Kno (from Cunnin Lynguists) and the list goes on. Out of Braille's catalog of over 500 songs recorded, this is some of his favorite material yet. In the future, Braille hopes to use the Hiphop Is Music label as a platform for himself and other artists to shine and share God's love to a universal audience.

Braille is determined to continue growth regardless of circumstances - destined for longevity in a competitive industry that often forgets about the integrity of the music and the effect it has on the people who buy it.

Hear songs from Braille by clicking this link.

Click this link to visit Braille's website: http://www.braillehiphop.com.

Every Child Can Be An Author at SillyBooks

SillyBooks invites children to submit their written work, either fiction or non-fiction. Submissions may be individual or collaborative efforts. SillyBooks publishes all the writing that it receives, and visitors to the site are encouraged to vote for the writing they appreciate most.

As a powerful motivator, each month SillyBooks turns the best piece of writing it receives into a beautifully illustrated and animated flash book that is read aloud by a professional actor. SillyBooks chooses what it deems to be the best piece of writing from the 3 submissions that receive the most votes.

For most authors, I expect that the cash prize of $25 pales by comparison with the published version of the writing.

SillyBooks has created an accessible, high quality website, with a significant range of attractive and engaging offerings for children. In addition to the material written by children for other children, there are stories and poetry by established authors, catchy animated songs suitable for sing-along, puzzles and games.

SillyBooks is a website with potential to enrich and extend learning and literacy development on many levels. Click this link to visit http://www.sillybooks.net.

Goodwill: Another Great Auction Site

Did you know that Goodwill has an auction site? I have a hard enough time being addicted to eBay!

shopgoodwill.com is an online Goodwill store offering a wide array of antiques and collectibles pulled from Goodwill's vast inventory of donated goods. From unique one-of- a kind items to estate pieces, the depth of resources is enormous. Revenues from auction sales fund education, job training and job placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 182 local, autonomous member organization in the United States and Canada, and 45 international associate members in 34 countries. Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. In 1998, Goodwill Industries International served over 320,000 individuals.

Proceeds from shopgoodwill.com enhance mission- driven services provided by Goodwill Industries.

Click this link to visit shopgoodwill.com.

Women, Vision and Aging

Women are at greater risk for vision impairment than men simply due to time: women live longer than men, and nearly all eye conditions become more prevalent with age.

A report from the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), Women and Healthy Vision, examines common age-related eye diseases and discusses ways to improve vision health and minimize risks for developing eye problems. The report shows that of approximately 3.4 million Americans with visual impairment, about two-thirds are women; additionally, two-thirds of the one million Americans who are blind are women.

The report discusses the importance of maintaining general wellness and everyday health basics to preserve vision including eating a diet rich in fruits, grains and Omega 6 fatty acids. Information about laser eye procedures, vision health for children, suggestions for eye-safe computing, and Top 10 lifestyle tips to preserve eye health are included in the report. For example, wearing wraparound sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection along with UV blocking contact lenses provide an important shield from the sun. The report recommends all women get a complete eye exam by an eye care professional every two years.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/healthywomen/24061/.

For more information and a free copy of Women and Healthy Vision, click this link: http://www.healthywomen.org or call 877-986-9472.

The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is an independent health information source for women. The non-profit organization develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information. Informed women are healthier women.

Accessible Tax forms and Information

U.S. taxpayers can download IRS publications and forms in text or braille from the IRS website.

Click this link to visit the IRS Accessible Tax Forms (in Braille and Text Formats) page.
Click this link to visit the IRS Accessible Tax Publications (in Braille and Text Formats) page.
Click this link to visit the IRS Accessible "Speech-Friendly" or "Talking Tax Forms" in PDF Format page.

The forms on the IRS site can be filled in usingAdobe Reader version 5 or higher.

What Does OS Mean in the Computer World?

Not sure what OS stands for? You hear it mentioned all the time, but you're just not 100 percent positive of what it means. That's okay, no problem. OS is short for Operating System. Windows is the most common operating system, but Linux and Mac OS X are also choices.

Whatever flavor you enjoy, they all do pretty much the same thing. They give you a way to run programs and work with your computer. Whether it be Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, etc., they all basically just let you use your computer, because it surely wouldn't work without one.

So, next time someone is talking about their OS, you'll be able to give the nod of understanding that only comes from knowing your acronyms.

Let PowerPoint Do The Talking

A good voice narration in a PowerPoint presentation delivers the message almost as well as a presenter can. Synchronize the narration with PowerPoint's great visual animations and you have a multi-media stand-alone presentation that can be used effectively when a live presentation is not feasible.

Recording a professional-sounding narration is not an option for most people and a studio voice-over recording is expensive and time-consuming. In any case, a recording has to be synchronized with the visuals and re-recorded in case of changes.

Now, Tuval Software Industries' Speech-Over Studio offers a complete solution: without recording, a PowerPoint user, entering text only, can create a professional, synchronized narration -- quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

This unique software uses a text-to-speech engine to transform the narration script text into a voice sound track that sounds like it was made in a recording studio. Realistic voices, available from vendors in all major languages and regional dialects, speak any text you write. Need to change the narration? Just edit the text.

The resulting multi-media presentation can be experienced with PowerPoint alone.

The software can benefit in many areas

• Converting an important one-time presentation to a narrated stand-alone for people who couldn't attend.
  
• Automating frequently repeated presentations, such as a plant safety orientation.
  
• Adding narration to marketing presentations for Web or E-mail distribution or for trade shows.
  
• Talking educational presentations that help students learn and review.
  
• Building and updating training courses rapidly and easily -- without the professional voice-overs that cost so much time and money.
  
• Sending narrated communications to corporate colleagues to express information, plans or ideas more clearly and effectively.

The Speech-Over Studio platform stores speech for an entire presentation and includes a novel speech editor that can copy and paste speech between screen objects. It can integrate multiple voices in a presentation, and produce alternate narrations for different audiences and different languages. And, if you like, you can record your own voice instead.

The user interface features a speech toolbar based on a familiar text editor paradigm and a speech text display panel.

To learn more about this truly remarkable product, visit the Tuval Software Industries website to view an online demo and download a free trial: http://www.speechover.com.

How To Clean A Silk Tie

If you've ever owned a silk tie, you know that they are difficult to tie and even more difficult to clean. The truth is, silk ties really aren't meant to be cleaned as they are extremely delicate. Even a little rough treatment in simple handling can turn a silk tie into trash.

Having said that, if you absolutely must clean your silk tie, then here are a few tips to make the cleaning process as easy as possible and still have a tie after you're done.

If your silk tie should get a stain, remove it immediately. Waiting any length of time will make removal of the stain virtually impossible. One thing you don't want to do is expose your silk tie to water. Take a soft paper towel and put a small amount of stain remover on it and gently dab it onto the stain. Use another paper towel to gently blot the stain.

Here's another tip that may get that stain out. Hang a soft towel over a hot radiator. Take the silk tie and rest it flat on top of the towel. Use some cold water and evenly spray the stained area, being careful not to soak the stain. Use soft but absorbent bathroom tissue to blot the tie. Leave the tie on the radiator overnight. The next morning when you get up, check the tie. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.

If you should get butter or grease on your silk tie, don't do anything. When you get home lay the silk tie on a flat surface with a towel under it. Get some talcum powder and sprinkle it over the stain. If you don't have talcum powder you can use corn starch. Leave the tie on the towel overnight or for as long as you can. This gives the stain a chance to be absorbed by the powder. Afterwards, take a clean soft cloth or towel and gently brush off the powder. If it is still stained, repeat the process. It can take up to three applications.

Play Music With Your Keyboard

My children always wanted a keyboard. It was a regular stop in the toy stores. They had to press every key and experiment with every feature of every keyboard they saw! I can't tell you the number of hours we spent looking at keyboards.

I finally broke down and baught them a basic keyboard. I needed one with raised buttons for my visually impaired son, and colored buttons for my sighted son. They wanted lots of sounds, so that was a big part of the decision process as well.

They got the keyboard for Christmas that year, I think they played with it for all of about six months tops. After that, it laid in the toybox. If I could have had this program, it would have saved me money, and wouldn't have taken up any space.

Keyboard Music is a program that uses the computer keyboard to play lots of musical instruments. It's so easy to use that anyone can play the instrument he or she likes. It's a great program for kids. Now you can play the piano, violin, guitar, saxophone and more than 100 musical instruments! Best of all, it's screen reader friendly. If you really get good, you can record your work with the built-in sixteen channel recorder.

Click this link to learn more about Keyboard Music: http://www.kbdmusic.com.

Tips For Safe House Cleaning

It's such a great feeling to have the house looking fresh and clean. Make sure you get to enjoy the experience by not getting hurt during the actual cleaning. Implement the tips below for a safe house cleaning.

• Open The Windows - This is especially important when using cleaning products that contain chlorine or ammonia. The fumes these products create should not be inhaled. The best way do avoid any danger is to keep several windows open at all times, or if you are working in a room without windows, leave the door open and consider putting a small fan inside to get the air circulating.
  
  
• Don't Mix Cleaning Products - You have probably heard this before, but it is worth repeating: Don't Mix Cleaning Products. They contain various chemicals that can create dangerous chemical reactions if you combine the wrong products. Stick with one product and get the job done. Usually all it takes is a little soaking and some elbow grease.
  
  
• Wear Gloves - Scrubbing the tub with harsh chemicals can do a lot of damage to your hand if you don't protect them properly. Wear gloves while you clean whenever it is possible. Not only will it keep your hands from drying out and getting scuffed up, it also prevents chemicals from being absorbed through the skin.
  
  
• Be Aware Of Your Surroundings - This is especially important for people who are blind or visually impaired. Most cleaning accidents happen because stepstools or ladders are in the way, floors are wet and slippery, or buckets and rags are left lying on the floor. Be aware of your surroundings while you clean. Pay a little extra attention before you walk across the tile floor and check if it is still wet. Avoid leaving buckets of water sitting around. They are a drowning hazard for a small child.
  
  
• Pace Yourself - You may be tempted to work as fast as you can to get the job done. Make sure you pace yourself and take frequent brakes. Don't let yourself get too tired. If you are exhausted, you are much more likely to get hurt. Stop for the day and pick up where you left off the next day.
  
  
• Safely Store Your Cleaning Products - After a hard day of cleaning, it is very easy to leave a cleaning product out on the counter. It is just as easy for your child (or pet) to get hold of a bottle of bathroom cleaner that has not been stored away. Take a few minutes at the end of your cleaning day and make sure all cleaning supplies are accounted for and back in a safe spot.

Sesame Street Online Workshop

I grew up watching Sesame Street and I'm pleased to see that it is a show that continues to teach children. I learned my ABCs, how to count, tolerance for peoples' differences, how to differentiate what was the same and what was different and what friendship was all about from Sesame Street. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled when I discovered this Website!

Here you will find Sesame Street videos that are free to watch! When you go to this site, you'll see a video of Grover who explains the video player and how to find the hundreds of clips you can watch. The player uses flash, so it must be installed before the videos will play. Currently, their flash player is not 100% accessible to those who use a screen reader, but it can be used with some practice.

The most accessible way for folks who use screen readers to navigate is to click on the Sesame Street character of your choice (this is at the top of the page for those who can see). Clicking these links will load a page that gives you options of clips starring that character. For instance, if you love Cookie Monster (or, if your kids do), you can choose Cookie Monster and watch clips of him. One example video is "C is for Cookie!"

You can also use the search engine located below the video player. Just type in a keyword and see what comes up. Under each video you play, you'll see a list of keywords. Those are what you could have searched with to find that video. That might help you out a little with future searches.

I can't believe I still know the words to these songs! This is a great site for kids and the young at heart alike. I know I'm going to spend a lot of time here watching my favorite clips. Enjoy!

Click this link to visit the Sesame Workshop at http://video.sesameworkshop.org.

APH News: January 2008

APH News

Your monthly link to the latest information on the products, services, and training opportunities from the American Printing House for the Blind.

January 2008

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

Read on to learn about these new products - now available!

• ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Visual Skills
• Braille+ Replacement Items
• MagneTachers Magnetic Labels
• APH Braille Book Corner

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Seeking Field Evaluators for Sense of Science: Astronomy

APH is currently seeking field evaluators for Sense of Science: Astronomy which is intended to complement students' current science curriculum. The kit includes a variety of tactile/print overlays which can be used in combination with APH light boxes to reinforce concepts such as galaxy types, moon phases, relative sizes of the planets, structure of the sun, constellations, the space shuttle, and much more. If you are a teacher who has used Sense of Science modules in the past and currently work with students with visual impairments/blindness in grades 3-8, please consider evaluating the materials included in this new module. Field testing will begin in February 2008 and extend until the end of April 2008. If you would like to be considered for the field evaluation of this product, please contact Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader, at 800/223-1839, ext. 322 or kpoppe@aph.org for more information about this opportunity. Thank you.

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APH's Braille+ Mobile Manager Instruction Now a Hit on YouTube!

As you probably know, APH's Larry Skutchan has presented several webcasts on the APH Braille+ Mobile Manager - with more to come. These sessions are archived on our website.

This very popular product has now found it's way to YouTube, thanks to an ingenious teacher and student.

Chase Crispin, a 5th grade student in Nebraska, enjoys working with his APH Braille+ Mobile Manager, teaching people about computers, and learning about new technological devices.

LeAnna MacDonald is a teacher of students with visual impairments, a low vision therapist, and an orientation and mobility specialist in the Omaha, Nebraska area.

Together, they have teamed up to bring us a series of short training sessions on the Braille+. Chase is the "on-air talent" and LeAnna serves as the "videographer."

By going to the first lesson, you will see the others listed as related videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjQSU88j1kg&feature=related

The sessions available to date:

• (1) APH BraillePlus Mobile Manager: Installing the Battery
• (2a) APH BraillePlus Mobile Manager:Part 1 Buttons & Keys
• (2b) APH BraillePlus Mobile Manager:Part 2 Buttons&Keys
• (3a) APH BraillePlus Mobile Manager: Setting the Time
• (3b) APH BraillePlus Mobile Manager: Synchronizing

Chase is a natural who tells us that after this series is completed he plans to produce additional instructional videos on other APH products - and then work here someday.

You may contact LeAnna at lmacdonald@westside66.org

This information and the link to these sessions will be archived on our site.

THANK YOU LEANNA AND CHASE FOR YOUR EXCITING AND HELPFUL VIDEOS!! We can't wait to see what is next!

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Continuous Improvements for the New APH Large Print Textbooks

The Accessible Textbook Department is pleased to announce new modifications to the new APH Large Print Textbook design. These changes are certain to further enhance textual and aesthetic visibility for students with low-vision.

Improvements will be found in textbook colors, page bars, and text boxes. Two new background fill colors have been implemented which are pearl pink and goldenrod yellow. Pearl pink will be used as a fill color for page bars as it makes the page bars jump off the page so students can locate them faster. In similar fashion, goldenrod yellow has proven to be a good contrasting background hue for text boxes and sidebars. This combination was recently used in the new APH Large Format Atlas.

To provide even greater visual orientation for the student, the page bars will also now feature two original print page numbers, situated at both margins instead of a single number at the left margin.

APH strives to improve the readability and aesthetic appeal of its Large Print products. The Accessible Textbook Department is making major changes to the proprietary software used to create the APH Large Print Textbooks that will allow for even more attractive, reader-friendly textbooks for all. Stay tuned for further updates...

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Fantastic Flea Market Finds!

Yes, you can take advantage of significant savings on selected APH products by visiting the APH Flea Market for January - March, 2008. As always, first come, first served.

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APH's Newest Federal Quota Account:
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLANDS (CNMI) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Please welcome our newest Ex Officio Trustee, Tim Thornburgh, CNMI Public Schools Federal Programs Officer, representing the CNMI Department of Education.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a territory of the United States, is a chain of 14 tropical islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, located just north of Guam. They are very proud of their bright turquoise skies, crystal clear waters, pristine beaches, tropical breezes, and unmatched hospitality.

For more information, visit http://www.pss.cnmi.mp/PSSCentralOffice/index.cfm?pageID=1.

Our gratitude to Mr. Thornburgh and Ms. Kelly Phillips, teacher of students who are visually impaired, for making this a reality.

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APH Charts a Course For Literacy

APH was a proud participant in the eighth biennial "Getting In Touch With Literacy" Conference, held November 29 - December 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Approximately 500 participants were on hand to hear great presentations, many by APH staff, visit the exhibit booths, network with each other and hang out at the beach!

Highlights were presentations by teachers, university personnel preparation program staff and students, international colleagues and others. Items receiving a lot of attention at the APH booth included the revised "On The Way to Literacy" handbook, the new Patterns materials, and the new materials for the Wilson Reading Program.

APH was glad to set sail for the conference, and we extend our congratulations to Kay Ratzlaff, APH Ex Officio Trustee Suzanne Dalton, and the other fine Florida folks for putting together an amazing agenda of presentations and an all around great conference. Ahoy, mates!

Photo: Host of the Banquet and Live Auction, Enrique Oliu, color analyst for the Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Team, and his co-host for the evening, APH's Bob Brasher, have a good time raising money for a good cause...the next Literacy Conference!

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APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

Jonn Paris-Salb, California Department of Education, replacing Rod Brawley.

Jackie Brennan, Overbrook School for the Blind replacing Bernadette Kappen.

Tim Thornburgh, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Department of Education.

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APH Travel Calendar

January

January 5, 2008
New York Regional Braille Challenge;
Westbury, NY

January 8-10, 2008
Work Session with Perkins Teachers on Adaptation of the Wilson Reading System for Braille Users;
Watertown, MA

January 16-17, 2008
NIP Event: Learning to Use the SLK;
North Mankato, MN

January 29-30, 2008
NIMAS Standard Board/NIMAS Implementation Council;
Orlando, FL

January 30 - February 2, 2008
ATIA 2008;
Orlando, FL

February

February 20-22, 2008
New Mexico AER 2008 Conference;
Albuquerque, NM

February 20-23, 2008
International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence;
St. Petersburg, FL

February 28-March 2, 2008
CTEVH;
Los Angeles, CA

March

March 3-5, 2008
Association of Test Publishers: Innovations in Testing Conference;
Dallas, TX

March 3-6, 2008
ATP Test Security Summit (post-ATP Conference);
Grapevine, TX

March 9-13, 2008
Exhibitor 2008;
Las Vegas, NV

March 10-15, 2008
CSUN;
Los Angeles, CA

March 12, 2008
"Focus" On Vision Impairment & Blindness;
Taunton, MA

March 13-15, 2008
Pacific NW AER;
Tacoma, WA

April

April 2-5, 2008
CEC 2008;
Boston, MA

April 21-22, 2008
Power Up 2008 Conference and Expo;
Osage Beach, MO

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Checked Out the Fred's Head Tips and Techniques Database Lately?

APH is excited to announce that we're adding many new records to the Fred's Head Database, and the Fred's Head Companion blog is going through a major update.

Fred's Head is a free-of-charge resource for finding products and services for blind students and adults, as well as tips and tricks to assist in daily living, computer usage, entertainment, and dozens of other topics.

Over two thousand Fred's Head Database records have been recently updated with current web links, contact information, and general information. The Fred's Head Companion blog has recently been upgraded with improved searching and category browsing.

We want your contributions! The success of the Fred's Head comes from the people who use it. If you have a favorite piece of technology, know a way to make a chore easier, or want to brag on an accessible website, let us know. Recent articles include:

• KidSmart™ Vocal Smoke Alarm
• Safely Removing USB Devices From Your Computer
• Talking Computers magazine
• Can You Defeat the Dark Destroyer?
• Baby's First Year: An Online Resource

Visit the original Fred's Head database at www.aph.org/fh/index.html or the Fred's Head Companion blog at http://www.fredsheadcompanion.blogspot.com where articles can be delivered to you via RSS feed or through email. Your suggestions and articles are always welcome, email Michael McCarty at mmccarty@aph.org, or call 502 895-2405 ext. 396.

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NEW! ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Visual Skills

Kit: 1-08152-00 -- $595.00

ToAD Modules:
ToAD Object Cards (set of 168): 1-08152-01 -- $24.00
ToAD Light Source Items: 1-08152-02 -- $93.00
SQUIRE ToAD's Puzzle Book, Large Print Edition: 1-08152-05 -- $26.00
SQUIRE ToAD's Puzzle Book, Braille Edition: 5-08152-05 -- $26.00
ToAD Teacher's Guidebook, Large Print Edition: 7-08152-00 -- $36.00
ToAD Teacher's Guidebook, Braille Edition: 5-08152-00 -- $36.00

Related Products:
ISAVE Visual Field/Acuity Grid: 1-08540-00 -- $49.00
Invisiboard: 1-08541-00 -- $120.00

This set of standardized tools aids in performing functional vision evaluations or visual skills development activities. ToAD does not provide a curriculum--there are several excellent curricula available, including ISAVE from APH. The ToAD kit provides tools, toys, and puzzles that assist the educator as he or she performs assessments or activities.

ToAD components include:

• ToAD Teacher's Guidebook, for use with learners at a developmental level of 2.5 - 5 years
• SQUIRE ToAD's Puzzle Book
• Match 'n Sort Cards
• ToAD Flashlight and Attachments
• String Light with Cricket Attachment
• ToAD LED Keychain Lights
• ToAD Foam Puzzles
• Mylar Pompon
• Tangle Toy™
• Billy Bird Puppet
• Unbreakable Mirror
• Bowls and Balls
• Swirly Mats™
• Slinky™
• Lucite Puzzles
• Cup, toothbrush, spoon, and many other kit materials

Most ToAD materials are designed to be used with APH's Invisiboard and ISAVE Grid in a very softly lit environment.

NOTE: For learners 0 - 2.5 years and those with severe, multiple disabilities, the TADPOLE program is being developed.

WARNING: Choking Hazard-Small Parts. Not intended for children ages 5 and under without adult supervision.

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NEW! Braille+ Replacement Items

Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery: 1-07453-00 -- $39.95
Power Sync Cable with USB-A Connector: 1-07454-00 -- $24.95
AC/DC Adaptor-Charger: 1-07455-00 -- $19.95
Earbud: 1-07456-00 -- $7.95

Braille+ Mobile Manager (mobile manager unit, including the above items): 1-07450-00 -- $1,395.00

Braille+ Mobile Manager by APH is designed specifically for users who are blind or visually impaired. It can be held in your hand like a PDA or used on your lap or desk like a laptop.

• Stay connected by using its web browser, wireless capability, podcasts, RSS, and email
• Manage appointments with its calendar and address book
• Type reports or letters on the word processor
• Record lectures or journal the day's events
• Play your favorite songs or listen to books and movies-it stores thousands
• Transfer files and synchronize appointments with your Windows® PC

NOTE: All of the replacement items listed above are included with the Braille+ unit. You may wish to replace one of these items or purchase additional items--for example, some customers find it convenient to own a second Braille+ battery.

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NEW! MagneTachers Magnetic Labels

For Making Large Print Labels (0.5 inch high, includes two 120 inch rolls): 1-07417-00 -- $14.95
For Making Larger Print Labels: (1 inch high, two 120 inch rolls): 1-07418-00 -- $14.95
For Making Braille Labels (0.5 inch high, two 120 inch rolls): 1-07416-00 -- $14.95
For Making Small Braillable Labels (includes two sheets, 18 labels per sheet): 1-07415-00 -- $14.95
For Making Sherlock Labels (two sheets, 12 labels per sheet): 1-07413-00 -- $14.95
For Making Sherlock Labels, Includes Sherlock Labels (two magnetic sheets, 12 labels per sheet, plus 25 self-adhesive Sherlock Labels): 1-07414-00 -- $36.00

Related Products:
Braillable Labels and Sheets (self-adhesive, not magnetic):
Small Label Pack (10 Sheets, 18 labels (3.87 x 0.95)/Sheet: 1-08872-00 -- $12.00
Assorted Label Pack (5 Large Sheets, 5 Small Sheets, 10 Full-Size Sheets, 30 Pin-Fed Sheets): 1-08871-00 -- $35.00
Sherlock Talking Label Identifier: 1-07410-00 -- $229.00
Additional Sherlock Labels (25 self-adhesive Sherlock Labels only): 1-07411-00 -- $29.00

MagneTachers are magnetic labels that attach to metal objects, are easily removable, and re-attachable! You can create labels in large print, braille, and for the Sherlock Talking Label Identifier (sold separately).

Uses include:

• Create, use, store, and reuse labels for canned goods
• Read, write, order and re-order sets of words or numbers on a classroom magnet board
• Make labels on metal desks and file drawers that everyone can read

MagneTachers for Making Large Print Labels

• Includes two MagneTacher rolls, each 120 inches long, and instructions in print and braille
• Select from two heights -- half inch or inch, depending on the print size you need
• Write directly on the paper side of the MagneTacher, which provides a smear-resistant surface for a bold line pen or marker
• Cut label from the roll and place on metal surface

MagneTachers for Making Braille Labels

• Includes two MagneTacher rolls, half inch tall and 120 inches long, with instructions in print and braille
• Emboss MagneTachers with braille labelers and slates with half-inch wide alignment guides
• Braille on the non-magnetic side of the label; its white vinyl coating helps braille dots stay firm
• Cut label from the roll and place on metal surface

MagneTachers for Making Small Braillable Labels

• Includes two MagneTachers sheets, each holding 18 MagneTachers and instructions in print and braille
• These MagneTachers are magnetic strips only. You can make them braille labels by adhering APH's Braillable Labels: Small Braillable Labels to them (labels sold separately Small Label Pack, 1-08872-00 and Assorted Label Pack, 1-08871-00)
• Small Braillable Labels hold two lines and fifteen braille cells
• Press a completed label onto the non-magnetic side of the MagneTacher and place on metal surface

MagneTachers for Use with Sherlock Labels

• Includes two MagneTachers sheets, each holding 12 MagneTachers and instructions in print and braille
• MagneTachers for use with Sherlock labels include an additional pack of 25 Sherlock labels
• NOTE: You must have the Sherlock Talking Label Identifier (sold separately), 1-07410-00, to use these MagneTachers
• Use, remove, and re-use Sherlock labels on metal objects as often as you like

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APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow approximately 8 weeks for delivery.

The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose
by Arnold Lobel, Braille: T-N1673-90 -- $24.00
Treasury of some three hundred nursery rhymes including "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "London Bridge Is Broken Down," "Sing a Song of Sixpence," "Three Little Kittens," "Simple Simon Met a Pieman," "Old Mother Hubbard," and "Who Killed Cock Robin?" Grades K-3.

Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell, Braille: T-N1646-90 -- $50.00
England, 1870s: Black Beauty, a good-natured and strong stallion, tells of his adventures working with many types of people, some kind and others cruel. Written to encourage better treatment of horses. Some violence. Grades 4-7. *(AR Quiz #8, BL 7.7, Pts. 11)

Margaux with an X
by Ronald Koertge, Braille: T-N1656-40 -- $28.50
Smart but troubled high school student Margaux cannot escape a mother addicted to the home-shopping channel, a gambler father, or a secret from her past. An unlikely friendship with kindhearted Danny, also struggling with the emotional impact of family abuse, helps Margaux confront her feelings. Senior High School. *(AR Quiz #80661, BL 3.8, Pts. 4)

The Bishop in the Old Neighborhood
by Andrew M. Greeley, Braille: T-N1646-50 -- $71.50
Chicago: Bishop Blackie Ryan investigates three murders in St. Lucy's parish, which is headed by Father Mikal Wolodyjowski. Blackie discovers a connection between the current crimes, the 1944 deaths of six college students, and Father Mikal. Some strong language. Adult.

Lewis and Clark through Indian Eyes
by Alvin M. Josephy and Marc Jaffe, Braille: T-N1656-60 -- $56.50
Modern members of the tribes that Lewis and Clark encountered during their 1804-1806 western travels provide nine wide-ranging essays on the impact of the expedition on Native Americans. Contributors, including Kiowa Pulitzer Prize-winner N. Scott Momaday and Sioux professor Vine Deloria Jr., blend familial, tribal, and American history.

Rachel Ray Express Lane Meals: what to keep on hand, what to buy fresh for the easiest-ever, 30-minute meals
by Rachael Ray, Braille: T-N1661-80 -- $69.50
More wholesome, easy-to-prepare meals from the Food Network television show host. Lists seventy basic but versatile ingredients, both nonperishable and frozen, to stock. Recipes supplement these staples with a few fresh items so shoppers can use the express lane. Bestseller.

*Accelerated Reader number, reading level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/

APH News Credits

President:
Dr. Tuck Tinsley
ttinsley@aph.org

Designer:
Malcolm Turner, APH Web Site Coordinator
webmaster@aph.org

Thanks to the following APH staff:

• Cindy Amback, Support Specialist, Field Services
• Sandi Baker, Field Services Representative
• Janie Blome, Director, Field Services
• Scott Blome, Director, Communications
• Tony Grantz, Business Manager, Finance
• Michael Haynes, Prototype Developer, Accessible Textbook Department
• Karen Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader, Research
• Scott Smith, Administrative Assistant, Business Development
• Gwynn Stewart, Support Specialist, Communications

Editor:
Bob Brasher, Vice President, Advisory Services and Research
bbrasher@aph.org

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For additional recent APH News, click the following:
December Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2007adv12.html
November Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2007adv11.html
October Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2007adv10.html

Archive of all previous issues - www.aph.org/advisory/advarch.html

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The APH News is a monthly publication from the American Printing House for the Blind:
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
800/223-1839

Please share this web link or any items that appear in this publication with anyone who might benefit.

Thank you.

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