Notes from the Editor
New Director Carolyn Adams (Charleston)
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Ms.
Carolyn L. Adams was named Director of Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
effective February 14, 2010. She is the facility's first female director.
Prior to her appointment at Charleston VAMC, Ms. Adams was appointed
Director of the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC, Salisbury, NC effective April 1,
2007. Ms. Adams received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky. She completed her Masters
in Allied Health Education with a nutrition emphasis, also at Eastern
Kentucky University.
Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC)
Paul Whitten - Chief
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The ABRC lost a lot of staff last year due to the deployment
of the Visual Impairment Continuum of Care and/or opening of 55 new
Outpatient Low Vision programs nationwide. The following are some of the new
staff hired in the past year: Ava Carruth, Living Skills/CAT, Debbie Bower,
Living Skills/Cat, Shelley Johnson, Manual Skills, Jenny Luttrell, Manual
Skills, and Adia McDuffey, Visual Skills.
Herman Jefferson, Manual Skills/CAT Instructor was selected to fill a newly
created Supervisory, BR Specialist/Assistant Chief position last fall. Some
of his philosophy for the inpatient program are:
- Shorten the length of stay for CAT instructions – from 35 to 21 - 25 days
- Encouraging patients the flexibility to eat at the Main Dining hall or
canteen area for a better variety of meals
- Modify rooms to be more dormitory like instead of being more like a
hospital stay
- Plans to meet with the inpatient veterans on a regular basis to discuss
environmental issues, safety, and quality of instruction
- Implement the opening of the Manual Skills department after duty hours
These are just a few improvements for inpatient care. Mr. Jefferson is open
to suggestions for bettering inpatient care.
TCF Program: The Augusta Blind Rehab Center was approved by VA
Central Office to receive Technical Career Field (TCF) Interns. These
internships were created by Central Office, Blind Rehabilitation Services to
assist in filling newly created vacancies for the 55 new Outpatient Low
Vision programs and the 3 new BRC’s that will be built by 2011. This program
is a 2 year program and each student is expected to acquire enough education
and skill to be certified in a blind rehabilitation field so they can assume
a position in VHA. In addition the ABRC has benefitted from this program as
it filled two of its vacancies through this program (Jenny Luttrell and
Lindsey Crunkleton). The ABRC currently has 7 TCF Interns working and have
received funding to hire 6 more for next year. The following are the current
TCF Interns and where they are focusing their studies and training: Holly
Harris, Living Skills/Manual Skills, Farrell Matthews, BROS, Mark Armstrong,
VIST/Living Skills, Richard Skuse, Manual Skills/CAT/Visual Skills, Ben
Smith, O&M/Living Skills/Visual Skills and Rebecca Munjak, O&M/BROS recently
was placed at the Waco BRC to finish her internship and assume a position.
The ABRC also received funding to support stipends for BROS training
students through affiliated university programs.
The ABRC opened an additional eye lane in November 2009 to assist in
providing more access to low vision services. The ABRC received support of
another optometrist from the Downtown Division Eye Clinic to support this
new initiative. The second eye lane is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
New Room Assignments for Administrative Offices and Staff
1A-224 – Dr. Lindsay - Optometrist
1B-107 area offices (within Blind Rehab Ctr) - Tim Johnson, Glenn Benson,
Optometry Tech Lane and Visual Skills training area
1C-101A - Paul Whitten – Chief, Blind Rehab Ctr
1C-101C – Carolyn Eastman – Program Support
1C-101D – Lillie Williams – Secretary to Chief, Blind Rehab Ctr
1C-101 area - Chuck Genoe and Rachelle Hansen – O & M Instructors
1D-101 – Dr. Richard Logan – Nurse manager
1D-152 – Todd Turansky and TCF Interns – VIST Coordinator(s)
1D-152B – Laurie Hallman – Polytrauma BROS
1D-152D – Genevieve Patterson – BROS
The Fisher House -
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The long awaited Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Fisher
House, to be located at the Uptown Division of the Charlie Norwood VA
Medical Center, is finally over. The event took place on December 9, 2009,
in spite of inclement weather which caused the ceremony to be moved inside.
The clouds did not dampen the spirits of the over 200 attendees as they
listened to Ken Fisher speak about the proud history of his family's
involvement in initiating the Fisher House Foundation. Mr. Fisher also
pointed out the incredible respect he had for a community such as Augusta to
come together and raise over 1.8 million dollars for the house. Most of all,
he expressed his love and respect for this country and the men and women
that risk everything to protect it.
Another inspiring moment during the ceremony and a true example of the
reason that Fisher Houses are needed was SSG Elias, a drill instructor,
sustained an injury on June 3o, 2009. While on a field training exercise at
Ft. Benning, GA. His injury was caused by a simulator grenade which exploded
in his right hand. The hand was amputated at Eisenhower Army Medical Center,
Ft. Gordon, GA in July. SSG Elias was transferred to the Active Duty
Rehabilitation Unit at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center a few days
later for therapy and prosthesis fitting and training. Mrs. Elias was
proactive in his care and a positive support system during his
rehabilitation. Luckily, she was able to stay at a Fisher House located at
Ft. Gordon. SSG Elias credits a major portion of his determination and
ability to be successful in his rehabilitation was having his wife and young
son close. "That's what Fisher Houses do; they keep families together during
some of the most trying times in your life," stated Elias.
The Fisher House represents a home away from home for the families of
veteran patients and active duty personnel. The construction of the home
will take approximately 18 months.
(The Augusta Pulse – Spring 2010)
Blind/Low Vision Devices Available
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NOTE: Some of
these devices are not new this year but they should be mentioned to each
veteran as being available at your local VA or by the Blind Rehabilitation
Center (s)(Augusta, GA or Birmingham, AL). NOTE: This is not a complete
listing of devices offered. Ask your VIST Coordinator, Terry Thorne, Vicki
Stoughton, or Todd Turansky. Each product is under area of interest. View
our website (www.scbva.com) for more details on each item.
Visual Skills
Staff Members -
Laurel Tucker and Kathy Cole
CCTV’s -
Merlin LCD Color
Merlin LCD Color has
all the features of
the Merlin Color CCTV
plus a flexible light
weight LCD panel.
The panel is mounted
on an adjustable
arm that can be
easily moved to a position
convenient for your viewing pleasure.
The Merlin LCD has three screen
sizes 17", 19" and 22". Color select
comes as a no charge feature in
the LCD model. You have Color,
black and white, high contrast
positive, high contrast negative
and color select as well as
contrast control.
AcroBat LCD Video Magnifier
The most flexible 3-in-1 video magnifier is ideal for near,
distance and self viewing. By rotating the camera, you can read, write,
groom, and magnify images at any distance. The Acrobat offers a complete
system for those at work, school or home.
Key Features
• 3 in 1 camera technology with memory for favorite settings
• Arm slides to the right and pivots to the front for a full inline position
offering an optimal viewing experience
• Dual keypad for easy to access controls
• Detachable camera rotates 340 degrees
• 5ms high resolution 19" LCD monitor
• Auto focus
• Seven (7) viewing modes
• Up to 65x adjustable digital magnification
• Rolling carrying case for easy transport (sold separately)
• Set-up is easy - just plug and play
• Computer toggle capability
• 2 year warranty
• Line markers, object locator, remote control and more.....
Video Magnifiers – Not all portable video magnifiers are
"handheld" devices. The Nemo, Amigo, Opal, Quicklook, Quicklook Zoom,
FarView, and Compact Plus may be managed as "handheld" with both hands. The
Traveller and Fusion are somewhat bulkier and work better at a desk or table
top rather than just in the user's hands. The Fusion, Prisma, Acrobat, and
Liberty Solo have two or more components and need a desk or table top. To
evaluate all video magnifiers are numerous and depends on the individual's
goals, needs, and personal capabilities. This year we will show the Amigo:
(For low vision users) The Amigo, your Desktop Magnifier on
the Go is simple to use-just place it directly on the material and adjust
the magnification by a turn of the dial. This innovative product allows you
to adjust the magnification without moving the Amigo away from the reading
material. Read prices tags, restaurant menus, ingredients and directions no
matter where you are with this new high powered video magnifier.
Key Features
Portable
Slim (less than 2")
3.5 to 14x Adjustable Digital Magnification
Light (Approximately 1 lb)
Tilts for Optimal Viewing Angle
Large Viewing Screen (6.5 inches)
Freeze Frame takes a temporary picture
Six (6) viewing modes (including 2 Color Select options)
Removable standard battery with internal charger (spare battery included)
Connects to TV for increased magnification
Separate External Charger Included
Writing Stand
Carrying Case
Two (2) year warranty
Orientation/Mobility
Staff Members –
Chuck Genoe/Rachelle Hansen
There are several other audible devices are the Trekker Breeze and the
Braille/Voice Note.
(To
be trained at Birmingham, AL (BRC)
GPS/Trekker –
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Trekker helps guide the visually impaired through their
environment. It complements existing aids (white canes and guide dogs). It
does not replace them. Sleek and discreet, Trekker provides information in
the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and
written notes.
WCIB Alum Rigid Cane Curved/Straight Handle
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Heavy duty, yet light, rigid aluminum canes. This model has a putter
balance, rubberized grip handle. These are white canes with the standard red
band at the base. They come in 2 inch increments from 36 to 60 inches.
Living Skills
Staff Members –
Ron Worley, Jan Eagle, Holly Harris, Ava Carruth, Debbie Bower (for both
blind and low vision users)
ICON
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Introducing the Icon™ plus Docking
Station —the revolutionary leap in fully-loaded mobile manager and notetaker
for the visually impaired. Engineered with a two-part design, the Icon can
be in your hand like a PDA, or, when plugged-in to the Docking Station, it
can be on your lap or desk as a notetaker. Either way, it's super-powerful,
packed with applications and has a 40GB hard drive to store thousands of
digital books and songs and dozens of your favorite audio books.
TEMO talking microwave models 87106 (black) and
87108 (silver).
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Both units speak out digits in English or Spanish, and
announce food categories as they are selected by touch. While simply novel
in most homes, this unit is being particularly well received for its
usefulness in promoting independence in the blind community.
Its features, with the exception of its voice, are comparable to most
microwave ovens in this category. Medium-sized, the TEMO offers 0.9 cubic
feet of cooking space and produces 900 watts of quick-cooking microwave
power. Eight preset functions make it easy to prepare commonly microwaved
foods. Single servings can be quickly prepared using the five one-touch
settings. Five custom memories allow older children to safely and easily
prepare their own favorite foods.
Milestone 311 Voice Recorder/MP3 Player
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Easy use and Accessible Voice Recorder/MP3 Player
The Milestone 311 is a tiny credit card size unit which enables you to have
a Digital Voice recorder and MP3 player all in one, best of all, it is
completely accessible.
Exciting features of the Milestone are:
1. Record those notes you need in a hurry
2. Play your favorite MP3 music and PodCasts
3. Easily transfer files with the provided USB cable
4. Label the folders of the unit with your voice
5. Easily play, delete and manage the files and folders on the unit
The Milestone is furnished with:
1. Rechargeable batteries and an AC Adapter
2. A cloth neck strap
3. Internal speaker
4. Built-in microphone
5. 3.5MM earphone/external Microphone jack
6. Only six keys for complete navigation.
Recordings are saved in MP3 format, at 192 Bit Per Second and 44.100 Hz.
The Milestone provides voice feedback while you maneuver around the unit, in
a clear female voice.
The Milestone has an internal memory of 256 Megabytes, (2 hours of
recording) but has the opportunity for use of a Secure Digital Card up to
two (2) Gigabytes, (140 hours of recording).
Polytrauma Blind Rehabilitation Occupational Specialist (BROS)
Staff Member -
Laurie Hallman -
NEW PROGRAM
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-
Combat in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
has resulted in new patterns of polytraumatic injuries and disability
(Brain/eye). Recognizing the specialized clinical care needs of these
individuals, VA has established a Polytrauma System of Care composed of
Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRC), Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network
Sites (PNS), and Polytrauma Support Clinic Teams and Polytrauma Points of
Contact at selected VA facilities. The BROS serves as a member of the
interdisciplinary teams (IDT) at the PRCs and PNSs, contributing their blind
rehabilitation expertise to the provision of comprehensive rehabilitation.
Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans. Each patient must have a coordinated and
integrated interdisciplinary plan of care that includes all required
disciplines and reflects the goals of the patient and family. The treatment
plan addresses the veteran’s goals and is individualized to meet the
veteran’s needs relevant to lifestyle, age, level of capability, and future
plans.
Interdisciplinary Care Delivery. Treatment team members continually evaluate
performance results during the veteran’s rehabilitation program, as they
relate to expected outcomes, in order to determine the appropriateness of
the treatment being provided. Any revisions to the treatment plan are made
with the veteran’s involvement. Revisions are based on demonstrated
strengths, changing needs, and expected outcomes in order to ensure that
goals are achievable and meaningful to the person receiving services. Team
meetings are held when needed to monitor progress and update the care plan
to reflect progress and new patient goals.
There are 4 Polytrauma Centers (Palo Alto CA, Tampa FL, Minneapolis MN,
Richmond VA). Augusta is among the 21 Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network
Sites. Augusta is different in that we have the only Active Duty Rehab Unit
that integrates the VA with the MTF (Military Treatment Facility) as a part
of the SERMC (Southeast Regional Medical Center) at Fort Gordon, GA.
As a part of the Polytrauma team, Laurie Hallman treats not only patients
who have visual impairment and blindness but also the visual dysfunction
that results from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) to include difficulties with
eye movements, focusing and eye teaming (binocular) vision problems and
visual processing issues.
Manual Skills
Staff Members –
Herman Jefferson, Shelley Johnson, and Doug Roebuck
This program area provides the veteran who has little or no vision with the
means to develop and improve organizational skills, awareness of the
environment, safe and efficient work habits, spatial relationships, and an
understanding and mastery of tactual ability. The manual skills training
focuses on the sequential development of skills and builds confidence.
Training is generally presented to the veteran in several areas, and may
include (but is not limited to) handcrafts, home mechanics, woodworking,
metalworking, leatherwork, weaving and ceramics.
The initial training area consists of hand crafting objects in order to
develop the individual’s confidence in their non-visual senses. The home
mechanics training is an introduction to the tools and organizational
techniques that allows an individual to perform simple repairs and assembly.
Advanced training focuses on the use of adaptive measuring devices, hand
tools and power equipment typically used in woodworking.
The manual skills training is not vocational, although some veterans have
developed vocational interests or hobbies after participating in this
training. Manual skills training may enable a veteran to resume performing
home repairs or other related activities at home, further adding to the
person's self-confidence and motivation. Veterans who enter blind
rehabilitation with minimal abilities in manual skills or those who are
slightly skilled in aspects of mechanics or woodworking find this training
very beneficial.
65th National Convention
August 24–28, 2010
Washington, DC
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The renowned Korean War Veterans Memorial is one of dozens of potential
historic sites of interest at the disposal of blinded veterans and their
families who will attend the historic BVA 65th National Convention in the
Nation’s Capital August 24-28, 2010. The Memorial was authorized by the U.S.
Congress in 1986 and dedicated on July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the
Armistice that suspended open hostilities of the conflict. Photo courtesy of
Ana Fitzpatrick.
Hotel:
Marriott Crystal Gateway
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
For hotel reservations, call 800-266-9432. Convention official dates are
August 24-28. Please add a 10.25 percent room tax to the following room
rates:
$149 standard room single/double occupancy room
$169 triple occupancy
$189 quadruple occupancy
Hotel Parking:
• Onsite parking fee: $10 hourly, $21 daily
• Valet parking fee: $27 daily
Exhibitor Information: Please send an email to Christina Hitchcock,
chitchcock@bva.org. This year the Exhibit Hall will be open August 24-25.
Both the convention and hotel pre-registration deadlines are July 14.
Individuals who make their hotel reservation and submit their convention
registration to BVA by June 14 will be automatically entered in a drawing to
receive five complimentary hotel nights during the official convention
dates. The drawing will be held during the Saturday evening Awards Banquet.
Potential winners must be present at the banquet.
Final convention and hotel registration deadlines are July 14. Due to the
anticipated popularity of this year’s convention, BVA encourages early
registration. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted only if
openings are available.
Refund Policy: A $35 administrative fee will be charged to all refund
requests.
Cancellations: A full refund minus the administrative fee will be honored if
a request is received by August 2. No refund will be honored after that
date.
The Washington, DC, area airport closest to the Crystal Gateway Hotel is
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Other area airports are
Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Northern Virginia and
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).
Reagan National Airport
• Hotel direction: 1 mile northwest
• Courtesy phone available
• Alternate transportation: Metrorail (subway), fee $1.35 one way (non-rush
hour)
• Airport shuttle service on request, complimentary
• Estimated taxi fare: $7.00 one way
Dulles International Airport
• Hotel direction: 28 miles southwest
• No shuttle service to hotel
• Alternate transportation: Washington Flyer, fee $45.00 one way,
reservation required
• Estimated taxi fare: $55 one way
BWI
• Hotel direction: 55 miles northeast
• Alternate transportation: Super Shuttle, fee $61.00, reservation required
• Estimated taxi fare: $65.00 one way
In addition to the aforementioned under each airport listed, other ground
transportation options include Greyhound (station is approximately five
miles from the hotel) and Amtrak (Union Station is approximately four miles
from the hotel). Both stations are Metrorail accessible. The Crystal Gateway
is connected to the Crystal City Metrorail station.
Looking for a Job?
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BVA was a participant at recent Veterans Unemployment Round Table hearing
last week, and the unemployment rate for disabled is about 58% now
and for even non-disabled returning veterans from the two wars it averages
15% or higher. Some Army National Guard units are reporting 35% unemployment
rates.
Job Opportunities for Disabled American Veterans (JOFDAV.com) a
disABLEDperson Inc. organization is proud to be part of an innovative video
based virtual job fair June 17, 2010 for Disabled American Veterans. Job
Search Television (JSTN: myjstn.com) has graciously partnered with
JOFDAV.com to provide their virtual job fair technology platform to
disABLEDperson Inc. for this important event. “We are extremely thankful to
JSTN for partnering with us that we can connect disabled veterans with
proactive employers, a service that we believe is vital for the
re-acclimation of the veterans who have returned from war” says Diana Corso
, disABLEDperson Inc. Executive Director.
If you are a veteran with a disability, come and register for Job
Opportunities for Disabled American Veterans Virtual Job Fair June 17, 2010.
Attend a job fair form the comfort of your home, a public service to our
disabled veteran community. Register by going to website: www.myjstn.com/vcf/ad/jofdav.
All members of the disabled veterans community will be provided an
opportunity to create a free Video Introduction of themselves through JSTN's
proprietary technology giving putting them ahead of the competition. To
obtain this code, go to www.JOFDAV.com and click on the words Video
Introduction Code at the top of the page. Good luck in your job search!
(Diana Corso, Executive Director, disABLEDperson Inc, Job Opportunities for
Disabled American Veterans)
Computer News
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How to Check and Read Your Email With Zoomtext
Checking Your Email Click on the Outlook Express Icon on your desktop.
Make sure that the Inbox folder to the left of the screen is highlighted.
If you have e-mail waiting, Outlook Express will retrieve your messages and
will display the new messages in your Inbox.
Double click on the message you wish to read. In order for Zoomtext to read
the message,
You need to:
A. Highlight the bottom section in the From: Subject: box.
This
area should turn navy blue when highlighted.
B. Place cursor in the message area of the message
C. Press all three keys at the same time
SHIFT + ALT + A, You are looking for a red square on the first word of your
message.
4. Press ENTER to start reading message.
NOTE TO REMEMBER: Zoomtext can only read “Text” not images or pictures.
IF YOU ARE USING
WINDOWS 7 OPERATING SYSTEM, OUTLOOK EXPRESS IS OBSOLETE. MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
2007 CAN BE USED.
Software Product - GUIDE
GUIDE is an all-in-one computer package (software), for people who are blind
or partially sighted. It has been specifically designed to be easy-to-use
and easy-to-learn. So it doesn't matter if you've never used a computer
before, GUIDE will help you to achieve the results you want.
GUIDE has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the text on
every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own in-built screen
magnifier, so you can enlarge the text on every screen, whether you are
writing a letter or surfing the Internet.
And what's more, GUIDE requires very little training, so most people can
easily teach themselves how to use it. This is because GUIDE uses
easy-to-follow menu options for each task, which are controlled via the
keyboard and displayed on uncluttered screens. If you are stuck, a Help Page
can be accessed from any screen, to give you extra advice and support.
GUIDE is available as a CD to be loaded onto an existing computer, or as a
complete computer package, all setup and ready to be used. Ask your VIST
Coordinator for more details.
Augusta Blind Rehabilitation Center has stepped up and if the veteran just
can’t get Zoomtext or JAWS, is willing to do another re-assessment for this
software. Ask your VIST Coordinator to sign you up for this re-assessment
through the Blind Rehabilitation Center.
If you wish to have a 30 day free trial of GUIDE software, write me and I
will issue you one. There is no obligation very easy to install and stop
struggling. If you can read or hear, you can do this.
Features with GUIDE
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Large Print and Spoken Help:
Each screen in Guide has its very own help page, explaining about that
screen and what options are available on it. The help pages can be
magnified, spoken out by Guide's voice or printed in large print.
Please also see the links on our main navigation menu that cover frequently
asked questions and testimonials from some of our many happy customers.
Write letters and documents:
Write, edit, save, retrieve, spell-check and format all letters and
documents. Guide takes you through the whole process of writing letters and
documents, using clear audio instructions and reading out text as it is
typed. Text can be formatted in the normal ways, such as aligning left,
centre and right, making it bold and changing its color and size. The
on-screen text can be magnified and, in addition to Guide reading out text
as it is typed, your document or letter can be read back as a whole or in
smaller word, sentence or paragraph portions. Your letter or document can be
saved and finish another day, or it can be printed out automatically in
large print. Guide can print on may different paper sizes and also includes
a function to automatically print envelopes.
Spell-Checker, Dictionary and Thesaurus:
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Guide includes two spell-checkers and a 250,000 word dictionary and
thesaurus! The first spell-checker checks the spelling of words as you type
them. If Guide detects a spelling mistake it instantly makes a sound, so you
know to go back and correct the last word. The second spell-checker is a
full spell-checker that will check every word in your letter, document or
email, etc. When a spelling mistake is detected a list of suggested
corrections is displayed, for you to pick one from. You can also type a
correction manually or choose to ignore the word altogether. Both the
spell-checker, Dictionary and Thesaurus can all be used anywhere in Guide
where you are typing text.
Scan and read books and documents:
This feature turns your computer into an easy-to-use Reading Machine.
Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and are then both spoken
out by Guide's voice and magnified on the screen. The reading speed can be
adjusted, and with the press of a button, words, sentences or paragraphs can
be repeated. For reading bank statements and other similar documents, Guide
has a special column mode, that ensures the text is read out clearly and
logically. After reading, documents can be edited, saved and printed out in
large print.
Magnify Handwriting, Diagrams or Pictures:
Images, hand written letters, diagrams or just about anything placed on your
scanner can be magnified on screen. Simple controls allow the images to be
zoomed in and out, and moved left and right and up and down. Different
colouring combinations can be applied, so you can turn black writing on an
white page into yellow writing on a black page! Many other colour
combinations are also available. Your zoomed image can be saved, altered and
printed.
Print or edit photos from your digital camera
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Plug in your camera to your USB port and instantly view and magnify the your
photos. Zoom and crop your images on screen, then print them out on plain or
photo quality paper. It really couldn't be easier!
Send and receive emails:
Send, receive, reply to, edit, forward and save emails. Guide makes sending
and receiving emails unbelievably easy! Guide automatically connects to the
Internet and retrieves any new emails awaiting delivery. The new emails are
put in a list where you can pick which ones to read. The Guide voice will
speak out the selected email, as well as showing it in large print on the
screen. If photographs or other images have been attached to the email,
Guide can magnify them instantly at the touch of a button! After reading the
email you can reply to it, delete it, print it in large print, forward it to
someone else, save or view any attachments or just save the whole email to
read again later.
When writing a new email, you can select someone from your address book or
simply type in the email address. Guide then asks you to type the subject of
the email, then asks you to type the actual message. When complete, your
message can be spell-checked then sent. Guide automatically connects to the
Internet, then tells you if it's been sent successfully. All the emails you
send are saved in a separate list, so you can read them again if you
require.
Surf the Internet:
Do your grocery shopping, find bus timetables, book train tickets or just go
surfing with our amazing new web browser. With just three keys on your
keyboard you can read any page! Simply use the left and right arrow keys to
move about a page and the enter key to follow links. It's that easy!
As you move about the page with the arrow keys, Guide highlights and reads
out each piece of text. Each page can also be magnified if required. To
further aid reading, pages can be optionally switched to a text only view
that displays the page in your preferred Guide colours.
Use the arrow keys to move about the page, as you move Guide highlights and
speaks out the text
Magnification can be Increased or Decreased
Any page can be switched to a text only version if preferred
Keep contacts in an address book:
Store postal addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and notes for all
of your contacts. The address book can be searched to quickly find a
particular contact. Once found, you can browse or print their details, print
and envelope, send them an email, write them a letter or have Guide actually
dial their telephone number. As with all other parts of Guide, the address
book can be magnified and the Guide voice clearly speaks everything out.
Calendar and Reminders:
Enter appointments in a calendar and choose to be reminded of important
events. View your calendar month by month, day by day or hour by hour.
Filter your calendar to show just free or just busy times.
Play CDs and MP3s:
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Play a normal CD with your computer. Guide will get the CD title, artist and
title of all the tracks automatically from the Internet and show them on
screen where they can be spoken out or magnified. On-screen controls allow
you to play, start, stop, pause, skip-forward or skip backwards through the
tracks. You can leave the CD playing, while you go and use other parts of
Guide. If you have downloaded an MP3 or you have a CD with MP3s on it, Guide
can now play these as well!
Memo Recorder:
Using your computer's microphone and speakers you can record and playback
spoken memos. The memos are kept in a list, so each one can be easily played
back. A recorded voice memo can also be emailed to someone and played back
on their computer! (The recipient does not need a copy of Guide to play it
back).
Calculator:
Use the calculator for basic or scientific calculations! The calculation and
answer can be magnified and, as normal, Guide speaks everything out.
News Reader
Guide includes two news readers. One for reading Internet news, the other
for reading UK news supplied on CD from TNAUK (The Talking Newspaper
Association of the UK). News headlines are shown in a list, with more
details displayed at the top of the screen. All headlines can be both
magnified or spoken out with the Guide voice.
NEW DEVICE –
Guardian Alert 911
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Whether you are a senior
living alone, a baby-boomer,
or an adult with aging parents, emergency alert systems are simply a
must-have. A simple fall or sudden illness can cause tremendous harm for
anyone who cannot help themselves in the event of a fall or becomes ill and
needs immediate assistance.
Features & Benefits
• No monthly fees, no long-term contracts
• Two-way system allows you to talk directly to 911 operator
• Runs up to one year on a single AAA battery
• Splash resistant – take it to the shower with you!
• Feel secure in knowing that the system works by simply pressing the test
button anytime
• Includes a lanyard and a belt clip
• Recommended by doctors, healthcare providers and experts across North
America
Columbia VAMC
Contact Scott Johnson (BROS) (803) 776-4000 ext 6184 for an evaluation. If
the need is warranted, then the BROS will refer the device to be ordered.
Augusta, GA
For veterans whose Primary Care Team is with Augusta, GA VAMC, the veteran
need to contact his/her Primary Care Team/Provider for an evaluation. If the
need is warranted, then the medical physican will refer this device to be
ordered.
(https://www.guardianalert-911.com/?x=bab)
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR…
.Back to top
Hi everyone! I really enjoyed creating this publication for you. I tried not
to forget anything. I am on a lot of committees for the veterans – so I feel
it is my job to inform you. If you have any suggestions, comments or
questions on any of the information contained within this newsletter –
please don’t hesitate to write/call or email me. I am an advocate for
blinded veterans everywhere. Keep it real…
Cheryl Gajadhar
3830 Davies Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 754 6764
clgajadhar@aol.com
