ACB Radio Logo

Contents


Search Site


Announcements

Live Broadcasting of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Annual Convention May 16 - 18, 2008

Posted by: darrell on 05/16/2008 08:24 (Read: 6)

The FCB convention will be streamed live on ACB Radio World this weekend.

  • On Friday May 15, 2008 at 1:30 P.M Eastern time we will stream the annual FCB legislative session. This will go until 2:45 P.M Eastern. Then we will stream the awards dinner at 6:30 P.M to 8:00 P.M eastern.
  • On Saturday we will stream the following:
    • 8:45 A.M to 10:00 A.M eastern we will be streaming the transportation pannel.
    • 10:15 A.M to 11:15 A.M we will be streaming the library users forum.
    • 11:20 A.M to 12:20 P.M we will be streaming the advocacy workshop.
    • 1:30 P.M to 3:00 P.M eastern we will be streaming the annual town hall meeting with the division of blind services.
    • 7:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M we will be streaming the banquet and concert.
  • On Sunday from 8:30 A.M to 12:00 P.M we will be streaming the FCB business meeting.
All these times are in eastern time. We will have to allow for any meeting that may run slightly over, so streaming may begin early to ensure the best possible broadcast.

Read More

Petition Asks Yahoo! to Reasonably Accomodate the Blind by Adding an Audio CAPTCHA

Posted by: darrell on 07/29/2007 08:03 (Read: 2373)
Right now, Yahoo!'s graphical visual verification prevents full independent access by the blind and visually impaired computer user to many of the company's services. Pictures can't be interpreted or automatically conveyed using Braille or speech access devices. Until an accessible alternative is made available, people with vision loss can't see the code to be entered into the box to be granted admission. Tell Yahoo! you want them to provide an alternative way for blind users to verify their human status. If you close your eyes, don't get caught by the CAPTCHA! Please visit www.BlindWebAccess.com and sign the Yahoo! Accessibility Improvement Petition today!
Read More

New Promotional CD On Website

Posted by: mhorspool on 05/31/2007 03:20

The 2007 ACB Radio Promotional CD is now on the website for Streaming and downloading.

The files called when streaming the CD are encoded at 24 KBPS, 22.05 KHz, Mono MP3, so they are suitable for listening by both broadband and modem users.

The downloadable version is a zip file, just under 600 MB, which contains the nine tracks of the CD in WAV files.  The WAV files are encoded at 44.1 KHz, 16 Bit, Stereo, and are therefore suitable for burning to a CD.

There are a fair few updates in this CD:

  • The Mainstream track (2) has been expanded a little.
  • A number of new promos have been added to the Interactive track (3)and some have been removed to conform to the current schedule.
  • A track has been added to promote ACB Radio World (track 6). Subsequently, tracks 6, 7 and 8 are now tracks 7, 8 and 9.
  • The track concerning the ACB Radio Tuner has been completely re-recorded (Track 6 on old, 7 on new).
  • A few other minor updates.

Happy Listening!

Tune into ACB Radio World with the brand-new ACB Radio Tuner!

Posted by: darrell on 04/30/2007 11:53 (Read: 3320)
Get the brand-new ACB Radio Tuner!
Read More

Home

Welcome to ACB Radio

ACB Radio showcases and nurtures the creativity and talents of the blind/low-vision community from many parts of the world. ACB Radio is heard by a global audience via the internet, and has visitors from over seventy countries. If you are a first time visitor, listen to the ACB Radio Promotional CD or read an introduction to ACB Radio and our broadcast services.

Blind and sighted People from many walks of life and a variety of backgrounds regularly tune in to ACB Radio using free software on their computer's. The chances are that you already have the software you need and you can start listening to ACB Radio immediately! You can use most media players including: Real Player, Winamp and the Windows Media Player to hear ACB Radio channels and archives. If you do not have a compatible player visit our downloads area to get a free player.


The
ACB Radio Tuner lets Windows users switch easily between our services directly from the Windows desktop. All four ACB Radio channels can also be heard via the telephone, courtesy of PhoneAnything.com. To listen, callers should dial their international access code followed by +44 845 333 0855.

Visit our
on-demand section to hear archives of your favourite ACB Radio mainstream shows.

Need help or want to know how to keep up-to-date with ACB Radio? Our Support Centre provides answers to many frequently asked questions and allows you to sign-up for our free Announcements and Friends email groups.

Once again, a very warm welcome to ACB Radio. We sincerely hope you enjoy your stay and visit us often!

Updated on 2007-04-30 23:11:31 by darrell  Printable Version

ACB Radio Listener Poll

Which is your favourite ACB Radio Service?
Main Stream
The Cafe
Treasure Trove
Interactive



[View Result]

Votes: 945

Assistive Technology News


Guide Dog News


Blind Sports News


Blind Arts News


ACB Radio Blog

ACB Radio Blog
Live Broadcasting of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Annual Convention May 16 - 18, 2008


The FCB convention will be streamed live on ACB Radio World this weekend.


  • On Friday May 15, 2008 at 1:30 P.M Eastern time we will stream the annual FCB legislative session. This will go until 2:45 P.M Eastern. Then we will stream the awards dinner at 6:30 P.M to 8:00 P.M eastern.

  • On Saturday we will stream the following:

    • 8:45 A.M to 10:00 A.M eastern we will be streaming the transportation pannel.

    • 10:15 A.M to 11:15 A.M we will be streaming the library users forum.

    • 11:20 A.M to 12:20 P.M we will be streaming the advocacy workshop.

    • 1:30 P.M to 3:00 P.M eastern we will be streaming the annual town hall meeting with the division of blind services.

    • 7:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M we will be streaming the banquet and concert.


  • On Sunday from 8:30 A.M to 12:00 P.M we will be streaming the FCB business meeting.


All these times are in eastern time. We will have to allow for any meeting that may run slightly over, so streaming may begin early to ensure the best possible broadcast.

Coming up on Main Menu for the week of May 14 - GoldWave Enhancements, Handy Address Book and Our Panel of Experts
Hello Everyone, 
 
Coming up on this week's Main Menu, our first hour is prerecorded and our second hour is live!  During the first hour, Rick Harmon tells us all about what is new in GoldWave 5.22 and the available updated JAWS scripts for that sound editing software.  Darrell Shandrow demonstrates the accessible Handy Address Book from Beiley Software.
 
In the second hour, it's all wide open forum with our panel of experts: Darrell Shandrow, Jeff Bishop, Rick Harmon, Cory Martin and Kevin Jones.  Feel free to contact us using e-mail, MSN (Windows Live) Messenger or by phone with your burning technology questions from a blindness perspective.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:        
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org        
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.        
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:        
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.        
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:        
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of May 7 - J-Say Pro 6.1, J-Tunes 3.2 and Say-Magic from T&T Consultancy
Hello Everyone,
 
Coming up on this week's Main Menu, we have a two hour recorded presentation from T&T Consultancy.  They will be giving Main Menu an exclusive first preview of the many new features within the upcoming release of J-Say Pro version 6.1.  While in many cases J-Say provides the ability to control a computer by voice, people who can use JAWS with the keyboard will also find the demonstration contains some innovative and exciting new ways in which a computer can be used in this release. The J-Say segment will form most of the presentation as there are so many new features to explain and demonstrate. They will also focus upon Say-MAGic, which is a product soon to be released enabling low vision users to work with the computer using the human voice. Finally, J-Tunes version 3.2 will be demonstrated, linking JAWS for Windows together with iTunes.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:       
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org       
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.       
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:       
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.       
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:       
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Congressional testimony to be carried live on ACB Radio World
Today May 1, Sergeant Major Jesse Acosta will testify on behalf of the
American Council of the Blind (ACB) in front of the
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet of the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce regarding the 21st Century Telecommunications and
Video Accessibility Act.

ACB Radio will be carrying this event live on ACB Radio World from
approximately 13:30 UTC, 09:30am Eastern, 06:30am Pacific today Thursday 1
May.

To listen to the stream, visit http://www.acbradio.org/world or click the
following link: http://radio.acb.org:8000/world.m3u

Your feedback on this broadcast would be very much appreciated, and we
apologize for the short notice.

Chrissie Cochrane
Managing Director
ACB Radio

Where your Listening is our Business

Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 30 - Apple Macintosh Update with Darcy and Holly
Hello Everyone,      
 
Coming up on a one hour live show, we hear from AccessWatch about the latest JAWS 9.0 update, then Darcy and Holly bring us up to date on the latest happenings with the Apple Mac platform. If time permits, we may also open the phones for discussion of all technology related topics from a blindness perspective.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:      
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org      
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main
Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.      
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:      
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.      
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:      
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
The Relationship Connection, Daring to march to a different drum!
Can you remember a time when people around you assumed you were like
them, or to behave in a certain way, and yet you knew that what they
expected wasn't really who you knew yourself to be?

Perhaps this is also a question.
the world says we are blind, incapable, poor, unable, limited, and
whatever else they say. Do you accept that? Do you sit back and let
that be true? Is it true? Or do you find the courage to stand up and
say first, "no, I am not that." I am far more than you see or
understand. Let me tell you who I am!"

What is it like to find the courage to dare to be more, perhaps
different than what the world says? What is it like to find the words
to make a statement so challenging to most of the world? Do you do it?
Have you ever done it? Can you imagine the courage it takes?

And what if, being who you really are would mean changing every
relationship, every assumption others would have about you in order to
bring such a change about?

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to be this late with what's on tonight's show. I just got in from
being in school all day. But tonight, we have our own chrissie
Cochrane. Many of you know herwearing several hats with ACB Radio. She
is a friend to many,.
tonight she is willing to share her own personal story Some of you may
have heard it before. I hope, even if you have, that you will come back
and tune in for what may be an even deeper perspective.

Call in, skype, messenger, email.
Skype: debbie_hazelton
888 476-4616, 407 413-9336
messenger: healinghands4u@bellsouth.net
email: dhazelton@acbradio.org

It's ACB Radio Mainstream
http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream
2:00 UUTC. That's Saturday, beginning at 10:00 EDT Friday in the US,
7:00 Pacific, replaying every 3 hours throughout the broadcast day.

Hope to see you there!


All the best!
Debbie Hazelton:
helping people feel better, one person at a time!
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 23 - Talkr.com, GW Micro SenseView and Ultracane Demo
Hello Everyone,     
 
Coming up this week on a one hour prerecorded Main Menu, we hear from Jamie Pauls with AccessWatch all about Talkr.com, then we play two final CSUN 2008 presentations: GW Micro's SenseView and one more demonstration of the UltraCane.  Stay tuned for new live content in upcoming weeks of Main Menu.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:     
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org     
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main
Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.     
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:     
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.     
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:     
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 15 - LevelStar, ITEX, Bookshare.org and Ultracane
Hello Everyone,    
 
Coming up this week on a one hour prerecorded Main Menu, we hear from LevelStar, ITEX, Bookshare and Ultracane.  This concludes our 2008 CSUN coverage.  We thank Marlaina for her efforts this year.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:    
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org    
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.    
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:    
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.    
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:    
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Blind Congressional Candidate on the next Marlaina Program
"I'm a concerned citizen running for office, and I want to hear from you! We
in New Jersey's 5th Congressional district need to work together to bring
about real change and a return to common sense."

Now, those words may not seem much different from what we are hearing around
the United States these days during this year of fascinating politics. So,
why do I quote them? Because the person who speaks them is totally blind.

On the next Marlaina, meet Dr. Dennis Shulman, a psychologist and ordained
rabbi from New jersey who is running for a seat in the Congress of the
United States of America.

Dennis Shulman, renowned author, educator, and clinical psychologist, has
dedicated his life to serving all segments of the community.
Blind since childhood, he has overcome significant obstacles to earn an Ivy
League diploma and rise to the top of his profession - and become an
ordained rabbi.
Dr. Shulman is running for Congress in New Jersey's Fifth Congressional
District because he believes fundamental change is needed in Washington.
"I am running for Congress not as a career politician, but as a concerned
citizen,"
says Shulman. "I believe that Congress could use more candor and more people
with diverse life experiences. We keep sending career politicians to
Washington and what do we have to show for it? A big mess. It may very well
take a blind man to show Congress the light."
Dennis has spent his entire life confronting challenges - and surmounting
them. Growing up working class and losing his sight at a young age, some
predicted that Dennis would never graduate high school. During high school,
Dennis worked in a toy factory to help his family pay the bills. However,
neither he nor his parents accepted that anything would keep him from
achieving the American Dream, and Dennis' success in high school led to
acceptance to college.
He graduated from Brandeis in the class of 1972 Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta
Kappa.
That same year Dennis' volunteer activities on behalf of the developmentally
disabled earned him a Special White House Commendation for Outstanding
Humanitarian Service and The David Aranow Award for Outstanding Achievement
in Social Welfare.
Dennis next moved to Harvard University to begin work toward a Ph.D. in
Clinical Psychology and Public Practice. Just two years into the program
Dennis won a Training Fellowship from the National Institute for Mental
Health and married his college sweetheart, medical student Pam Tropper. He
also began what has become an extended series of teaching positions,
professional publications, postdoctoral studies and speaking engagements.
Graduating from Harvard, Dennis began his career as a clinical psychologist
and as an educator, including more than a decade at Fordham. In 1997, Dennis
founded the National Training Program in Contemporary Psychoanalysis at The
National Institute for the Psychotherapies, which he continues to serve.
In 2003, Dennis was ordained as a Rabbi. That same year he published his
book, The Genius of Genesis: A Psychoanalyst and Rabbi Examines the First
Book of the Bible.
In addition to continuing to treat patients in his psychological practice,
Dr. Shulman currently serves as the Associate Rabbi of Chavurah Beth Shalom,
a synagogue in Alpine.
Dr. Shulman has lived in New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District for more
than 25 years. He has been married to his wife, Pam, an obstetrician, for 33
years. They are proud parents of two adult daughters, Holly and Julie.

I have known Dennis since 1968, when we spent a summer together at the
Carroll Rehabilitation Center just outside Boston in a summer youth program.
some of you got to know Dennis through his speech at ACB's recent
legislative conference. On the next Marlaina, Dennis will spend time with
us, and will respond to your questions and comments. Believe me when I tell
you, Dennis is a vibrant, warm and caring person whose perspective on life
is like a breath of spring air.

The Marlaina show is heard on ACB Radio Mainstream.
It all starts on Sunday night at 9 PM Eastern, 6 Pacific, which is Monday
morning at 1 Universal. The program will replay for 24 hours, and of course,
is available via podcast from the ACB Radio replay page. As always, we'll
take your calls at our toll-free number, 866 666 7926.

Please save this message and either click the link below, or paste it into
your browser directly on Sunday at 9 PM Eastern, 6 Pacific or Monday at 1
Universal to listen.

Feel free to distribute this message to others whom you think may be
interested.

As always, thank you so much for your continued support of my ACB Radio
work!

Marlaina

To listen to the show, just click this link or paste it into your browser
http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=8&MMN_position=14:14

Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 9 - CSUN 2008 Discussion and Dolphin Product Updates
Hello Everyone,   
 
Coming up this week on a two hour Main Menu Live, we bring you discussion and product updates from the recently completed CSUN 2008 assistive technology conference.  In the first hour, Jamal Mazrui, Mika Pyyhkala and Pratik Patel join us to discuss their impressions and takeaways from CSUN 2008.  In the second hour, Dave Williams updates us all on the latest from Dolphin on Hal, Supernova and the rest of the company's product line.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:   
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org   
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.   
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:   
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.   
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:   
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 2 - GW Micro BrailleSense and Independent Shopping
Hello Everyone,  
 
This week on a two hour prerecorded Main Menu, we bring you the first two items from the recently concluded CSUN 2008 conference provided by Marlaina.  First, GW Micro demonstrates the new features in the updated BrailleSense note taker.  Second, a research team from Arizona State University tells us all about an independent shopping project.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:  
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.  
 
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org  
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.  
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:  
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.  
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:  
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 19 - AT&T Wireless Accessibility
Hello Everyone,
 
This week on a one hour Main Menu Live, we hear from Susan Mazrui with AT&T Wireless all about the company's accessibility initiatives for delivering screen readers and smartphones into the hands of blind and visually impaired customers.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
 
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The
MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 5 - Reading Machines Seminar
Hello Everyone,
 
This week, we bring to you two hours of new prerecorded content while our roving correspondents are busily working away at the CSUN conference to bring you additional exciting announcements and reports in the very near future. The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired presented a Reading Machines Seminar discussing electronic devices that give the blind and visually impaired access to print documents by means of magnification or Optical Character Recognition. We bring this program to you, which was first broadcast live on ACB Radio World.
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Reading Machines Seminar Broadcast Live on ACB Radio World
Reading Machines Seminar
March 7, 2008,  
Panel Presentations: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, PST
 
Please join us at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, for the fourth in our series of technology workshops, to discuss electronic devices that give the blind and visually impaired access to print documents by means of magnification or Optical Character Recognition.
 
Are you tired of waiting for days to have your mail read?  Would you like to be able to read books and magazines by yourself without having to rely on someone to produce them in an accessible format?  If so, it may be time for you to get a reading machine.
 
The Reading Machines Seminar will be broadcast live on ACB Radio World at 21:00 UTC, Friday, March 7.  You are invited to listen by following this link:
 
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 5th - Window-Eyes Scripting and Cane Travel
This week on Main Menu, during the first hour we hear from Doug Geoffray and
Aaron Smith from GW Micro all about the exciting new upcoming Window-Eyes
version 7.0. This release offers many new features, most notably its new
scripting capabilities. Doug and Aaron come on to Main Menu and discuss
with all of you all of this new exciting technology. In addition, we will
have a very special announcement about some future presentations on Main
Menu for those that are interested in learning scripting. Come find out
more about this exciting new release and get your questions answered.

In the second hour we will not be live and will be presenting a review of
the Ultracane.

Here is how to participate in the show:

The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.

You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The
MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org

Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:

main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com

Come join an already lively group of users.

Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:

Main Menu - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenu
Main Menu Live - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenulive

Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific,
and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream
channel.

Follow this link to listen to the show:

http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=8

Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team

Coming Up on Main Menu for the Week of February 27 - Bookshare and Apple's MacBook Air
Hello Everyone, 
 
This week, we bring to all of you another two hours of brand new live content.  In the first hour, we are honored to hear from Jim Fruchterman, Benetech President and CEO, talking with us all about Bookshare, NIMAC and other projects from a blindness perspective.  In the second hour, Darcy and Holly join us to discuss Apple's new MacBook Air laptop computer from an accessibility point of view.
 
Here is how to participate in the show: 
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org 
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users. 
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are: 
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel. 
 
Follow this link to listen to the show: 
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming Up on Main Menu for the Week of February 20th - J-Say, J-Tunes, SayMagic and more
This week on Main Menu, we have a two hour live programme where we will be
discussing products and services from T&T Consultancy Ltd in both the United
Kingdom and Australia, together with Next Generation Technologies Inc from
North America.

The companies will be discussing with us:

* The latest version of J-Say Pro which links together JAWS for Windows V9.0
and dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional V9.5. This includes access by
voice and speech feedback with Windows Vista and Office 2007.

* The companies will reveal exclusively to Main Menu the many new upcoming
features of J-Tunes version 3.2, providing access through JAWS to the iTunes
music management program.

* SayMagic is a brand new product which will be demonstrated at the
forthcoming cSUN conference and exhibition, linking together the Magic
screen magnification program with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional.

* The two companies will discuss the launch of T&T Consultancy PTY in
Australia, the relocation of T&T Consultancy Ltd in the UK to new office
premises, plans for cSUN 2008 and the J-Say training class which takes place
just prior to cSUN.

Some of the products listed above will be demonstrated live.

Anyone is very welcome to contact the programme to discuss with the
participants the above topics or any of our other products and services. It
will be a very packed and hopefully informative programme.

Here is how to participate in the show:

The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The
MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org

Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.

Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:

Main Menu - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenu
Main Menu Live - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenulive

Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific,
and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream
channel.

Follow this link to listen to the show:

http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=8

Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow

ACB Radio World: Scheduled outage
Due to the need to perform a software upgrade on one of our servers, ACB
Radio World will be off the air for a short period some time between 10 and
12 GMT today, that's between 5 am and 7 am US Eastern and 2 am and 4 am US
Pacific time. No other ACB Radio or ACB services should be affected, and
we apologise for any inconvenience this outage may cause.
ACB Presidents' Meeting and National Legislative Seminar Broadcast on ACB Radio World
On February 9 and 10, the annual ACB presidents meeting was held in Washington, DC.  Among topics discussed were effective ways to do fundraising, recruit younger people to your affiliate, and a town hall meeting with all ACB officers on the Board of Directors.
 
You can hear the proceedings in their entirety starting Friday, February 15, at 18:00 UTC, that's 2 PM Eastern, 11 AM pacific in North America.  If you are interested in helping your affiliate grow, or hearing first-hand how ACB's elected officers respond to questions posed by the presidents, do take time to listen.
 
Following the Presidents meeting, ACB held its national legislative seminar. Here, ACB set forth its legislative priorities for this legislative year. These included access to the web, quiet cars, and the conversion of analogue tv to digital.  A highlight of this seminar was hearing from Dennis Shulman, a candidate for Congress from New jersey who happens to be blind.  Dennis was our luncheon speaker, and if you miss his presentation, you'll miss a lot.
 
The broadcast of the President's Meeting and Legislative Seminar can be heard at 18:00 UTC, Friday, February 15 on ACB Radio World, which is directly available at the following link: http://www.acbradio.org/world
Coming Up on Main Menu for the Week of February 13 - K-NFB Reader, HumanWare VictorReader Stream and Serotek
Hello Everyone,
 
This week, we deliver two hours of brand new live content.  In the first hour, Earle Harrison from Handy Tech North America and Jim Gashel from KNFB Reading Technology present and discuss with us all about the new K-NFB Mobile Reader.  In the second hour, Gerry Chevalier from HumanWare and Mike Calvo from Serotek tell us all about the new features in the upcoming VictorReader Stream and its integration with the System Access Mobile Network.  Time will be made available during each hour for all of you to speak live with our guests.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team

Category: Uncategorized

More Feeds


Main Menu Blog

Main Menu Blog
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of May 14 - GoldWave Enhancements, Handy Address Book and Our Panel of Experts
Hello Everyone, 
 
Coming up on this week's Main Menu, our first hour is prerecorded and our second hour is live!  During the first hour, Rick Harmon tells us all about what is new in GoldWave 5.22 and the available updated JAWS scripts for that sound editing software.  Darrell Shandrow demonstrates the accessible Handy Address Book from Beiley Software.
 
In the second hour, it's all wide open forum with our panel of experts: Darrell Shandrow, Jeff Bishop, Rick Harmon, Cory Martin and Kevin Jones.  Feel free to contact us using e-mail, MSN (Windows Live) Messenger or by phone with your burning technology questions from a blindness perspective.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:        
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org        
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.        
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:        
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.        
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:        
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of May 7 - J-Say Pro 6.1, J-Tunes 3.2 and Say-Magic from T&T Consultancy
Hello Everyone,
 
Coming up on this week's Main Menu, we have a two hour recorded presentation from T&T Consultancy.  They will be giving Main Menu an exclusive first preview of the many new features within the upcoming release of J-Say Pro version 6.1.  While in many cases J-Say provides the ability to control a computer by voice, people who can use JAWS with the keyboard will also find the demonstration contains some innovative and exciting new ways in which a computer can be used in this release. The J-Say segment will form most of the presentation as there are so many new features to explain and demonstrate. They will also focus upon Say-MAGic, which is a product soon to be released enabling low vision users to work with the computer using the human voice. Finally, J-Tunes version 3.2 will be demonstrated, linking JAWS for Windows together with iTunes.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:       
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org       
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.       
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:       
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.       
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:       
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 30 - Apple Macintosh Update with Darcy and Holly
Hello Everyone,      
 
Coming up on a one hour live show, we hear from AccessWatch about the latest JAWS 9.0 update, then Darcy and Holly bring us up to date on the latest happenings with the Apple Mac platform. If time permits, we may also open the phones for discussion of all technology related topics from a blindness perspective.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:      
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org      
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main
Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.      
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:      
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.      
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:      
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 23 - Talkr.com, GW Micro SenseView and Ultracane Demo
Hello Everyone,     
 
Coming up this week on a one hour prerecorded Main Menu, we hear from Jamie Pauls with AccessWatch all about Talkr.com, then we play two final CSUN 2008 presentations: GW Micro's SenseView and one more demonstration of the UltraCane.  Stay tuned for new live content in upcoming weeks of Main Menu.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:     
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org     
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main
Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.     
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:     
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.     
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:     
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 15 - LevelStar, ITEX, Bookshare.org and Ultracane
Hello Everyone,    
 
Coming up this week on a one hour prerecorded Main Menu, we hear from LevelStar, ITEX, Bookshare and Ultracane.  This concludes our 2008 CSUN coverage.  We thank Marlaina for her efforts this year.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:    
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org    
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.    
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:    
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.    
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:    
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 9 - CSUN 2008 Discussion and Dolphin Product Updates
Hello Everyone,   
 
Coming up this week on a two hour Main Menu Live, we bring you discussion and product updates from the recently completed CSUN 2008 assistive technology conference.  In the first hour, Jamal Mazrui, Mika Pyyhkala and Pratik Patel join us to discuss their impressions and takeaways from CSUN 2008.  In the second hour, Dave Williams updates us all on the latest from Dolphin on Hal, Supernova and the rest of the company's product line.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:   
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.   
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org   
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.   
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:   
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.   
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:   
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of April 2 - GW Micro BrailleSense and Independent Shopping
Hello Everyone,  
 
This week on a two hour prerecorded Main Menu, we bring you the first two items from the recently concluded CSUN 2008 conference provided by Marlaina.  First, GW Micro demonstrates the new features in the updated BrailleSense note taker.  Second, a research team from Arizona State University tells us all about an independent shopping project.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:  
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.  
 
You may email your questions to:
mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is:
mainmenu@acbradio.org  
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.  
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:  
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.  
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:  
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 26 - Dueling Operating Systems
Hello Everyone, 
 
This week on a two hour Main Menu, we bring you a prerecorded presentation from the 2008 CSUN conference entitled Dueling Operating Systems, where blind users are given tasks to accomplish on Linux, the Macintosh OS and Windows using a screen reader of their choice.  The outcomes of the tasks are judged.
 
Here is how to participate in the show: 
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333. 
 
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org 
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users. 
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are: 
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel. 
 
Follow this link to listen to the show: 
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 19 - AT&T Wireless Accessibility
Hello Everyone,
 
This week on a one hour Main Menu Live, we hear from Susan Mazrui with AT&T Wireless all about the company's accessibility initiatives for delivering screen readers and smartphones into the hands of blind and visually impaired customers.
 
Here is how to participate in the show:
 
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
 
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The
MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Coming up on Main Menu for the week of March 5 - Reading Machines Seminar
Hello Everyone,
 
This week, we bring to you two hours of new prerecorded content while our roving correspondents are busily working away at the CSUN conference to bring you additional exciting announcements and reports in the very near future. The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired presented a Reading Machines Seminar discussing electronic devices that give the blind and visually impaired access to print documents by means of magnification or Optical Character Recognition. We bring this program to you, which was first broadcast live on ACB Radio World.
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
 
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
 
Follow this link to listen to the show:
 
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team
Reading Machines Seminar Broadcast Live on ACB Radio World
Reading Machines Seminar
March 7, 2008,  
Panel Presentations: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, PST
 
Please join us at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, for the fourth in our series of technology workshops, to discuss electronic devices that give the blind and visually impaired access to print documents by means of magnification or Optical Character Recognition.
 
Are you tired of waiting for days to have your mail read?  Would you like to be able to read books and magazines by yourself without having to rely on someone to produce them in an accessible format?  If so, it may be time for you to get a reading machine.
 
The Reading Machines Seminar will be broadcast live on ACB Radio World at 21:00 UTC, Friday, March 7.  You are invited to listen by following this link:
 
Allison's Notes on Jim fruchterman's Main Menu Interview
We profusely thank Allison from Benetech for her wonderfully written
summarization of Jim Fruchterman's Main Menu interview held on February 26,
2008 on ACB Radio Mainstream. Her message is below:

Hello Everyone,

I just finished listening to an interview of Jim fruchterman on ACB Radio.
I found it very informative. I realize that the audio format may not be
accessible to everyone, particularly deaf and blind individuals. I took
notes during the meeting, and would like to share them with others. I
believe I got down most of the important information. If you have questions
or comments, E-mail me at allisonh (at) benetech.org.

Jim fruchterman Interview.
ACB Radio
Tuesday, February 26, 2008.


* Bookshare.org is a legal website where people can download accessible
digital books.
* Jim got the idea from his son using Napster in the 90s.
* Bookshare has several formats including Daisy, BRF (Braille), HTML, and
XML.
* 90% of books on Bookshare are donated by members.
* Bookshare books are text and not human narrated.
* VR Reader Soft does not yet work with Mac computers.
* Mac users can use Win or K1000 to use Daisy books. There are also hardware
options.
* Bookshare memberships cost $75 for the first year and $50 for each year
after that.
* There are free memberships for students paid for by the department of
education.
* Benetech is hoping to reach 100,000 students over time.
*Most textbooks will be available to all members except for NIMAC K-12
books.
* NIMAC stands for National Instructional Material Accessibility Center. New
laws are requiring publishers to provide NIMAC quality books for all K-12
textbooks.
* Bookshare is beginning to add NIMAC books to the collection. These books
are only available to K-12 students.
* Jim said that he and several people advocated for other individuals, such
as blind parents, to have access to NIMAC books, but the publishers
resisted.
* If one sends a book to Bookshare, we will scan it with a turn around of
approximately 3-4 weeks.
* Benetech is working on a partnership with a major book publisher that will
allow a user who is looking for a certain book to click a link on the site,
request the book, buy it, the publisher will scan it, and send to Bookshare
where it will be ran through OCR. Approximately 6-9 months in the works.
*Most of the books on Bookshare are "trade books."
* Bookshare has literature, best sellers, and nonfiction books.
* we have a growing collection of textbooks for both college and K-12
students.
* Several thousand new textbooks will be made available over the next couple
of years.
* One can download newspapers and magazines from Bookshare. There are
currently 150 papers available.
* Bookshare is working on developing a collection of reference books.
* The Harper Collins books are available world-wide.
* WE are currently adding books from Harper Collins to the collection. We
have so many that we aren't able to get synopses uploaded with each one.
* Bookshare does not want to hold back on publishing books before a synopsis
can be written.
* Bookshare is working on a system in which a book's synopsis can be
automatically included with a book through one providing the book's ISBN.
This is not an option yet, but in the works.
* We are working on adding book synopses. If you would like to suggest a
synopsis for a book, E-mail it to allisonh@benetech.org. Note that synopses
from Amazon and other websites are not permitted.
* Individuals can sign up to volunteer for Bookshare by submitting or
validating books. To learn more, visit our website or E-mail
volunteer@bookshare.org.
* One does not need to be disabled in order to be a volunteer.
* Jim says that this year is a year of transition as we are adding new
books, new members, and new assistive technology.
* There are two Bookshare E-mail lists that interested individuals can join.
Visit the Bookshare website or www.freelists.org to learn more.
* Jim encouraged everyone to sign up for Bookshare by visiting

www.bookshare.org.

This concludes my summary of the ACB Radio Jim fruchterman Interview. I
tried to record all the information, but it is possible that I have left
something out. If you have questions or comments, please contact me using
the info provided at the bottom of this message.

Best,

Allison Hilliker
Benetech (Bookshare.org).
E-mail allisonh (at) benetech.org
www.bookshare.org

The Benetech Initiative - Technology Serving Humanity - A Nonprofit
Organization