Greetings. For those that don't know, I'm in the process of applying for a technology instructor job at the state's rehab center in Austin. I just got a call from the person hiring for the position, saying that the list of volunteer hours I sent him is enough, and that he can offer me an interview. I don't know much beyond the proposed day of next Monday sometime. It will probably be a phone interview, but that's fine. I've actually had more phone interviews than I have had ones in person. After that, if they like me, then I would go down to Austin and possibly have another interview in person, and then have to do some in person training on a set topic/software. This is mainly so they can see how I train and present things.
I'll call him tomorrow morning and work out the details. Considering that I applied for almost the exact position two years ago, this is quite exciting. I didn't get the job then because of a lack of experience. However, since I've been at the Assistive Tech Center, I have gained lots of experience, in teaching, developing curriculum, and learning more about work interactions and relationships.
If you can't tell from my writing, I'm getting excited about this pending interview. I'll write more when I know more.
Tuesday, November 8
A Weird Day
Greetings. Today's been a weird day for me. Since I usually work on Tuesdays, I kept waking up every half hour or so after 5am, and thinking that I had to go to work today. I finally got up at 7:15 and thought that I was late for work, and then it dawned on me that I wasn't going to work today.
It's been a little awkward today, with thinking about those things and having those feelings. I did hear from a long time friend from Houston, Ron Graham, who called (thanks Ron) earlier and we talked about what's been going on and other random stuff. That was good and helpful.
I'm going out to dinner later with another friend that I hook up with every week or two, and we'll no doubt talk about what's happened in recent days.
That's about all I have for today. I would normally be getting home right now, slipping into home type clothes, and taking a nap. I've already taken a nap a while ago, so I guess that's out of the way. Its odd to think at various times of the day, where you would be and what you would be doing at those times. This will take awhile to work through, but I'm in no hurry. I've had a couple of friends who are counselors tell me that it can take several weeks to a month to fully work through everything, and that sounds fine to me. As I say, I'm in no hurry. I don't plan on staying home and crying during the month, but I'm sure these moments and memories will come up and I'll deal with them when they do. That's lots better, I figure, than berrying them and acting like they don't exist.
I'll write more in the days ahead as things come up and occur to me.
It's been a little awkward today, with thinking about those things and having those feelings. I did hear from a long time friend from Houston, Ron Graham, who called (thanks Ron) earlier and we talked about what's been going on and other random stuff. That was good and helpful.
I'm going out to dinner later with another friend that I hook up with every week or two, and we'll no doubt talk about what's happened in recent days.
That's about all I have for today. I would normally be getting home right now, slipping into home type clothes, and taking a nap. I've already taken a nap a while ago, so I guess that's out of the way. Its odd to think at various times of the day, where you would be and what you would be doing at those times. This will take awhile to work through, but I'm in no hurry. I've had a couple of friends who are counselors tell me that it can take several weeks to a month to fully work through everything, and that sounds fine to me. As I say, I'm in no hurry. I don't plan on staying home and crying during the month, but I'm sure these moments and memories will come up and I'll deal with them when they do. That's lots better, I figure, than berrying them and acting like they don't exist.
I'll write more in the days ahead as things come up and occur to me.
Sunday, November 6
Church Experiences
Greetings. I wanted to write about some experiences that I had this morning at church. I attend Scofield Memorial Church, on Abrams Road in Dallas. I have really enjoyed my time here since I've been going, which I started going in the spring of last year.
Anyway, everyone that I've come in contact with, has accepted me, with no exception. No one has questioned my abilities, and I haven't had to prove myself to anyone, as in prove myself as a blind person. I've been in situations at other churches where this wasn't always the case.
Well, the first instance happened in Sunday school. The class that I go to is for young singles. At the end of the class, when the leader asked for prayer requests, I said that I had one. It seems that our class never lets out on time, so the leader said that those who wanted to leave, could do so. I quickly said that I wanted those who knew me to stay, and the leader repeated my request and added again that those who wanted to leave could. No one got up. We usually have between 8 and 10 people, but I think we had more than 10 there this morning. It was nearly full in fact. I was quite surprised and pleased that everyone stayed where they were, even people that I had not met before didn't leave. That's part of what I mean by everyone being so accepting of me.
After the class let out, I started to leave, but the leader told me to sit back down. He said that he wanted to pray for me and for my job loss. When one of my church drivers came to meet me and go with me to the main service, once the driver heard that the leader was going to pray for me, that touched me as well. I'm not usually comfortable with someone putting their hands on me during prayer, even though it is in the Bible. However, this time I was glad that he did. It made his prayer more real to me.
The last thing that happened was a song we sang in the main service. The song is called, "Draw me close to You," and goes as follows:
Draw me close to You, never let me go,
I lay it all down again, to hear You say That I'm Your friend.
You are my desire, no one else will do,
Cause nothing else could take Your place.
To feel the warmth of Your embrace.
Help me find the way, Bring me back to You.
Chorus:
You're all I want. You're all I ever needed.
You're all I want, help me know You are near.
Since I first heard this song, it has touched me and seemed like a song that one friend would sing or say to another. It takes on new meaning to me now, especially the first two or three lines, in my recent lay off. When reading it on my Pac Mate this morning, I had to stop singing for a few minutes because tears welled up in my eyes. It was very moving for me.
It's always hard for me to pick my "favorite," but I think this song is my current favorite song to sing in church.
Anyway, everyone that I've come in contact with, has accepted me, with no exception. No one has questioned my abilities, and I haven't had to prove myself to anyone, as in prove myself as a blind person. I've been in situations at other churches where this wasn't always the case.
Well, the first instance happened in Sunday school. The class that I go to is for young singles. At the end of the class, when the leader asked for prayer requests, I said that I had one. It seems that our class never lets out on time, so the leader said that those who wanted to leave, could do so. I quickly said that I wanted those who knew me to stay, and the leader repeated my request and added again that those who wanted to leave could. No one got up. We usually have between 8 and 10 people, but I think we had more than 10 there this morning. It was nearly full in fact. I was quite surprised and pleased that everyone stayed where they were, even people that I had not met before didn't leave. That's part of what I mean by everyone being so accepting of me.
After the class let out, I started to leave, but the leader told me to sit back down. He said that he wanted to pray for me and for my job loss. When one of my church drivers came to meet me and go with me to the main service, once the driver heard that the leader was going to pray for me, that touched me as well. I'm not usually comfortable with someone putting their hands on me during prayer, even though it is in the Bible. However, this time I was glad that he did. It made his prayer more real to me.
The last thing that happened was a song we sang in the main service. The song is called, "Draw me close to You," and goes as follows:
Draw me close to You, never let me go,
I lay it all down again, to hear You say That I'm Your friend.
You are my desire, no one else will do,
Cause nothing else could take Your place.
To feel the warmth of Your embrace.
Help me find the way, Bring me back to You.
Chorus:
You're all I want. You're all I ever needed.
You're all I want, help me know You are near.
Since I first heard this song, it has touched me and seemed like a song that one friend would sing or say to another. It takes on new meaning to me now, especially the first two or three lines, in my recent lay off. When reading it on my Pac Mate this morning, I had to stop singing for a few minutes because tears welled up in my eyes. It was very moving for me.
It's always hard for me to pick my "favorite," but I think this song is my current favorite song to sing in church.
Saturday, November 5
Blogger's Getting Better
Greetings. I saw this referenced on another blog and after I did some reading on it, was pleased that it was done. Blogger is offering a Comments Moderation feature which allows you to choose what comments are posted to the blog before they are actually posted. It will email you with the comment in question, and you can either click on the Publish or Reject links, or go to a comment moderation page and make your selections from there. This is great, since I get lots of spam on my blog, I now have a way of better controlling it and preventing it from ending up on here. It can also be used to stop people from posting off topic comments I suppose. In any case, I'm glad Blogger has introduced this feature. It gives those of us who can't use word verification, a way of combatting spam. Which leads me to wonder if they did it for the blind in part? Whatever the reason, I'm glad they did! Now if we could only solve the other accessibility issues, things would be really great.
Odds, Ins and Some Bitterness
Greetings. I have some reflections on the past day or so, and the events of the week.
First off, my sadness of losing my job is starting to be replaced with bitterness toward the company. Not because I lost my job, but because countless blind and disabled people lost an option for computer training locally. For blind people, there's only one other place in Dallas, the Lighthouse, where they can get computer training from, and in recent years, I have some difference in opinions with the Lighthouse. Several people have suggested that I work there, but frankly, I don't think I want to at this time. For one thing, I've heard that they are in financial troubles of their own, not to mention some of the training techniques that I've heard them using, or not using, in computer classes.
Anyway, the place where I did work, the Assistive Technology Center, was on track to have an evaluation center open up so that blind people could receive evaluations for different technology. In other words, say someone wants to get a Braille display. After they tell their caseworker and complete some of the initial paperwork, the person is sent to an evaluation center, where they can look at several different models and decide which they like best so the caseworker can buy it for them. The Division for Blind Services, the state agency, had been sending people to Austin or San Antonio, to these evaluation centers since there wasn't one locally. If anyone was wanting the center to open, it was the local DBS office, so they wouldn't have to spend money on travel as well as the evaluation for the consumers. Now though, the consumers will still have to go out of town to get evaluations. I'm not saying that the center would have saved the Assistive Tech Center, but it definitely would have brought in lots more business. And yet, the decision was made that the evaluation center might be too much of a risk (speculation on my part, but probably not too far from the truth), and it was closed this week.
In addition, what's going to happen to all that adaptive equipment; all the software and some hardware that was recently purchased in the past few months; all the copies of software, like JAWS, Zoom Text, Magic, Dragon, and others? My guess is that they will either sit in a warehouse somewhere, or maybe be given to the Lighthouse. Even though I'm not as fond of the Lighthouse as I once was, at least they will use the equipment, verses letting it sit and collect dust.
So you can see some of my bitterness. Again, I'm not bitter for myself, and the fact that I no longer have a job, even though that is depressing. Rather, I'm bitter for the closing, and thinking about the people that we might have served in the future by staying open and having this evaluation center. Along with the equipment that might or might not be used, that fills the Assistive Tech Center.
Yesterday was a better day for me. I kept myself busy with phone calls and other activities. I think I'm beginning to heal from all this, though in the quiet moments or the times when I talk with my friends and coworkers from the ATC, I'm sad again. So, I'm not quite there yet, but getting there.
That's about all for now. This is the, "doing ok" Wayne, signing off.
First off, my sadness of losing my job is starting to be replaced with bitterness toward the company. Not because I lost my job, but because countless blind and disabled people lost an option for computer training locally. For blind people, there's only one other place in Dallas, the Lighthouse, where they can get computer training from, and in recent years, I have some difference in opinions with the Lighthouse. Several people have suggested that I work there, but frankly, I don't think I want to at this time. For one thing, I've heard that they are in financial troubles of their own, not to mention some of the training techniques that I've heard them using, or not using, in computer classes.
Anyway, the place where I did work, the Assistive Technology Center, was on track to have an evaluation center open up so that blind people could receive evaluations for different technology. In other words, say someone wants to get a Braille display. After they tell their caseworker and complete some of the initial paperwork, the person is sent to an evaluation center, where they can look at several different models and decide which they like best so the caseworker can buy it for them. The Division for Blind Services, the state agency, had been sending people to Austin or San Antonio, to these evaluation centers since there wasn't one locally. If anyone was wanting the center to open, it was the local DBS office, so they wouldn't have to spend money on travel as well as the evaluation for the consumers. Now though, the consumers will still have to go out of town to get evaluations. I'm not saying that the center would have saved the Assistive Tech Center, but it definitely would have brought in lots more business. And yet, the decision was made that the evaluation center might be too much of a risk (speculation on my part, but probably not too far from the truth), and it was closed this week.
In addition, what's going to happen to all that adaptive equipment; all the software and some hardware that was recently purchased in the past few months; all the copies of software, like JAWS, Zoom Text, Magic, Dragon, and others? My guess is that they will either sit in a warehouse somewhere, or maybe be given to the Lighthouse. Even though I'm not as fond of the Lighthouse as I once was, at least they will use the equipment, verses letting it sit and collect dust.
So you can see some of my bitterness. Again, I'm not bitter for myself, and the fact that I no longer have a job, even though that is depressing. Rather, I'm bitter for the closing, and thinking about the people that we might have served in the future by staying open and having this evaluation center. Along with the equipment that might or might not be used, that fills the Assistive Tech Center.
Yesterday was a better day for me. I kept myself busy with phone calls and other activities. I think I'm beginning to heal from all this, though in the quiet moments or the times when I talk with my friends and coworkers from the ATC, I'm sad again. So, I'm not quite there yet, but getting there.
That's about all for now. This is the, "doing ok" Wayne, signing off.
Blind Cool Tech on Marlaina
Greetings. Fans of the podcast/blog Blind Cool Tech will be pleased to know that Larry Scutchan, who works at the American Pritning House for the Blind in Kentucky, will be interviewed tomorrow night on ACB Radio Mainstream's Marlaina show, which is hosted by Marlaina Lieberg. If you're not familiar with Blind Cool Tech, then I highly suggest you go over to the site and check out the variety of shows. Many of them are of Larry podcasting about technology, what's happening in his life, and other interesting commentary. Recently though, he has accepted contributions from other people on technology reviews, or whatever they had to say. From what I've heard from some people in the blindness community, Blind Cool Tech is beginning to approach the place Main Menu was at several years ago, as far as grass-roots contributions, and good ones, from a variety of people on a variety of topics.
Anyway, Marlaina will talk with Larry in the first hour of her show, which is Sunday evenings at 1 Universal, which translates to 7pm Central Standard Time. The secodn hour will be an open forum. And, its possible Larry will put the interview up on his site in case you miss it. I'm not sure of this, but I wouldn't be surprised. In order to listen, go to the ACB Radio Mainstream, listening page where you can choose the link for your appropriate media player (Winamp, Real Player, or Windows Media). Enjoy.
Anyway, Marlaina will talk with Larry in the first hour of her show, which is Sunday evenings at 1 Universal, which translates to 7pm Central Standard Time. The secodn hour will be an open forum. And, its possible Larry will put the interview up on his site in case you miss it. I'm not sure of this, but I wouldn't be surprised. In order to listen, go to the ACB Radio Mainstream, listening page where you can choose the link for your appropriate media player (Winamp, Real Player, or Windows Media). Enjoy.
Friday, November 4
Unfortunate News
Greetings. I received a call at home a couple of days ago from the CEO of my company, letting me know that everyone in the assistive technology training department of the company was being laid off. There are a lot of thing that I could and might write here, but mainly I wanted to let the readers of this blog know.
The past 2 days have felt like watching a disaster on TV: at some point you want to turn away and do other things, but you can't help going back to it or talking about it. Yesterday was the last day of work for many of us, there were 9 people including me, and that was hard. It would have been easy for me to think that it was no big deal, since from the time I heard on Wednesday afternoon to when I went to work yesterday morning, I was by myself. However, when I went to work and talked with my coworkers, and saw that they were sober and grim about what had happened, that made everything all the more real. I mean, the director was wearing sunglasses, not to look cool, but to hide the red eyes she had from crying much of the previous night.
I've got a job lead I'm working on at the state training center at Austin, basically doing the same thing I was doing, being a adaptive technology instructor, but other than that, I'm not sure what I will do. I've got to make some calls in a little while to cut down some of the monthly expenses I have, like loan payments or payments on equipment, down to their minimum to conserve my money. I will be getting severence pay which will help, hopefully it will last through the end of the year.
I'm starting to come out of my sadness, since the same emotions have been worked through for 2 days, however whenever I think about being let go; of not going to work next Tuesday and seeing some of the people; it all comes back to me. As I say, I might write on this blog of my experiences and possibly some of the things leading up to the lay off, but we'll see. If anything, I can now write of my job search. I've been searching for a job before now, but I was afraid to write of it, afraid that someone from work would read it and I'd get in trouble. But, I guess that I don't have to worry about that anymore.
Two good things that happened yesterday were going out to lunch with Brad, one of my coworkers, and talking with my good friend Tim last night. In true lay off fashion, Brad and I went to Hooters for lunch, and ended up talking for quite some time after we had finished eating. That was good, not only because it was bonding time with a coworker, but we got some of the complaining of what happened and the events leading up to it, out of our systems. And, last night with Tim was good since he helped me work through some of the minor decisions, let me cry, and mainly listened and fulfilled the role of a good, close friend. One of the hardest things that I might very well have to deal with in the immediate future, is letting people buy things for me. I'm one to pay my own way as much as possible, since in growing up and as a young adult, I had people try to buy things for me because they felt sorry for me. I'm not saying that this will happen a lot or even that it will, but this is one of the struggles I'm already going through.
That's about all for now. Until we talk next, this is the sober, jobless Wayne, signing off.
The past 2 days have felt like watching a disaster on TV: at some point you want to turn away and do other things, but you can't help going back to it or talking about it. Yesterday was the last day of work for many of us, there were 9 people including me, and that was hard. It would have been easy for me to think that it was no big deal, since from the time I heard on Wednesday afternoon to when I went to work yesterday morning, I was by myself. However, when I went to work and talked with my coworkers, and saw that they were sober and grim about what had happened, that made everything all the more real. I mean, the director was wearing sunglasses, not to look cool, but to hide the red eyes she had from crying much of the previous night.
I've got a job lead I'm working on at the state training center at Austin, basically doing the same thing I was doing, being a adaptive technology instructor, but other than that, I'm not sure what I will do. I've got to make some calls in a little while to cut down some of the monthly expenses I have, like loan payments or payments on equipment, down to their minimum to conserve my money. I will be getting severence pay which will help, hopefully it will last through the end of the year.
I'm starting to come out of my sadness, since the same emotions have been worked through for 2 days, however whenever I think about being let go; of not going to work next Tuesday and seeing some of the people; it all comes back to me. As I say, I might write on this blog of my experiences and possibly some of the things leading up to the lay off, but we'll see. If anything, I can now write of my job search. I've been searching for a job before now, but I was afraid to write of it, afraid that someone from work would read it and I'd get in trouble. But, I guess that I don't have to worry about that anymore.
Two good things that happened yesterday were going out to lunch with Brad, one of my coworkers, and talking with my good friend Tim last night. In true lay off fashion, Brad and I went to Hooters for lunch, and ended up talking for quite some time after we had finished eating. That was good, not only because it was bonding time with a coworker, but we got some of the complaining of what happened and the events leading up to it, out of our systems. And, last night with Tim was good since he helped me work through some of the minor decisions, let me cry, and mainly listened and fulfilled the role of a good, close friend. One of the hardest things that I might very well have to deal with in the immediate future, is letting people buy things for me. I'm one to pay my own way as much as possible, since in growing up and as a young adult, I had people try to buy things for me because they felt sorry for me. I'm not saying that this will happen a lot or even that it will, but this is one of the struggles I'm already going through.
That's about all for now. Until we talk next, this is the sober, jobless Wayne, signing off.
Wednesday, November 2
BrailleNote Driver and JAWS 7
Greetings. I received this from an email list and thought I'd share for those that might have a BrailleNote and want to use it with JAWS 7. This is particularly notable if you use JAWS on a Windows XP, 2000, or NT operating system. I can only provide the information that I was given, so please direct all questions to HumanWare on this matter. (I still think the PAC Mate rules, but I would be considered bias if I didn't provide some info to HumanWare folk). Please excuse any formatting errors. Enjoy.
Hello all,
I am pleased to be able to inform all of you that there is now a new version
of the Jaws KeyNote driver available for download from the Humanware
website. This will allow people to use the BrailleNote or KeyNote voice
synthesizers, as a speech synthesizer with the Jaws for Windows screen
reader.
People who are running Windows 95/98/ME will not require this driver, as it
can be installed from the Jaws CD. However, folks who are running Windows
NT, 2000 or XP, will require this driver if they wish to use the BrailleNote
as a synthesizer with Jaws.
The new file will allow people with Jaws 7 to also take advantage of the
BrailleNote's functionality. Due to changes in Jaws 7, the old driver would
not function for Jaws 7 users, without some manual configuration.
To download the driver, please go to the following website address:
http://www.humanware.com/Products/Notetakers/braillenote_downloads.asp
Regards,
Dean Jackson
BrailleNote Product Specialist
Humanware
11 Mary Muller Drive
Christchurch
new Zealand
Email:
dean.jackson@humanware.com
Hello all,
I am pleased to be able to inform all of you that there is now a new version
of the Jaws KeyNote driver available for download from the Humanware
website. This will allow people to use the BrailleNote or KeyNote voice
synthesizers, as a speech synthesizer with the Jaws for Windows screen
reader.
People who are running Windows 95/98/ME will not require this driver, as it
can be installed from the Jaws CD. However, folks who are running Windows
NT, 2000 or XP, will require this driver if they wish to use the BrailleNote
as a synthesizer with Jaws.
The new file will allow people with Jaws 7 to also take advantage of the
BrailleNote's functionality. Due to changes in Jaws 7, the old driver would
not function for Jaws 7 users, without some manual configuration.
To download the driver, please go to the following website address:
http://www.humanware.com/Products/Notetakers/braillenote_downloads.asp
Regards,
Dean Jackson
BrailleNote Product Specialist
Humanware
11 Mary Muller Drive
Christchurch
new Zealand
Email:
dean.jackson@humanware.com
TV Program to Watch Friday Night
Greetings. I received the following from one of the NFB's email lists last week, and thought it appropriate to share. It sounds like the show that will aire this Friday evening on NBC will present a more accurate portrayal of blindness, than ABC's Extreme Makeover show last May. As always, please excuse any formatting errors. Enjoy.
Please contact all of your NFB friends or anyone you know who might be interested and encourage them to watch an exciting program, Three Wishes,
on November
4th, 2005 at 9:00 PM Eastern 8:00 PM Central. This is of particular interest to us because it focuses on the NFB helping a blind woman learn skills to
help her take care of her baby daughter.
Additionally, after watching the show, let NBC know how much you appreciated and enjoyed the show.
Please email them at:
nbcshows@nbcuni.com.
If you are interested in the show any further, please visit NBC's website for the show at:
Three Wishes.
Please read below for more information about the episode in Cedar City, Utah.
NFB and NBC's Three Wishes
This fall, NBC premiered a new primetime television program called Three Wishes. This new program has captured the attention and the hearts of television
viewers nationwide. Producers of this program travel to various towns and cities in the United States and grant "Three Wishes" in that community. One episode
of the program was filmed in Cedar City, Utah where a man wished that his blind wife could be more independent in caring for their baby daughter. NBC contacted
the National Federation of the Blind of Utah for technical assistance in granting his wish.
After consulting with Dr. Zaborowski and Dr. Wilson of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the local Utah affiliate of the
National Federation of the Blind sent a team of four blind individuals to provide consultation about blindness to the producers of NBC's Three Wishes and
to provide training that would lead to higher self-esteem and more independence. Each member of the team is a graduate of the Louisiana Center for the
Blind (LCB) in Ruston, Louisiana. The LCB is one of three training centers sponsored and supported by the National Federation of the Blind.
The team members included:
Nick Schmittroth holds a National Orientation and Mobility Certification, is a graduate of the Louisiana Tech University O&M program, and is an employee
of the Utah Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He provided orientation and mobility training.
Karl Smith, President of Axis Technology, an adaptive technology consulting company, provided adaptive technology and training.
Rebekah Jakeman, a blind mother of two children, provided guidance on alternative techniques for caring for children and running a household as a blind
person.
Ron Gardner, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Utah and former Director of the Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University, consulted
with the producers about blindness, provided Braille instruction, and conducted philosophical training to Three Wishes producers and staff to promote a
positive attitude about blindness.
The training was very successful and provided hope and education not only to the blind mother and her family, but also to program producers and the residents
of Cedar City, Utah. Our hope is that this positive image of blindness will be promoted across America through the NBC Three Wishes primetime television
program.
Producers expect this program to air on Friday, November 4 at 9:00 PM Eastern 8:00 PM Central.
Please tune in on Friday evenings to watch Three Wishes!
You will soon be able to find information about the National Federation of the Blind on the NBC Three Wishes web page.
This information can also be accessed at our website also:
http://www.nfb.org/media/threewishes.htm.
Thank you for sharing this with people across your state!
With kind regards,
Joanne Wilson
Executive Director of Affiliate Action
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Please contact all of your NFB friends or anyone you know who might be interested and encourage them to watch an exciting program, Three Wishes,
on November
4th, 2005 at 9:00 PM Eastern 8:00 PM Central. This is of particular interest to us because it focuses on the NFB helping a blind woman learn skills to
help her take care of her baby daughter.
Additionally, after watching the show, let NBC know how much you appreciated and enjoyed the show.
Please email them at:
nbcshows@nbcuni.com.
If you are interested in the show any further, please visit NBC's website for the show at:
Three Wishes.
Please read below for more information about the episode in Cedar City, Utah.
NFB and NBC's Three Wishes
This fall, NBC premiered a new primetime television program called Three Wishes. This new program has captured the attention and the hearts of television
viewers nationwide. Producers of this program travel to various towns and cities in the United States and grant "Three Wishes" in that community. One episode
of the program was filmed in Cedar City, Utah where a man wished that his blind wife could be more independent in caring for their baby daughter. NBC contacted
the National Federation of the Blind of Utah for technical assistance in granting his wish.
After consulting with Dr. Zaborowski and Dr. Wilson of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the local Utah affiliate of the
National Federation of the Blind sent a team of four blind individuals to provide consultation about blindness to the producers of NBC's Three Wishes and
to provide training that would lead to higher self-esteem and more independence. Each member of the team is a graduate of the Louisiana Center for the
Blind (LCB) in Ruston, Louisiana. The LCB is one of three training centers sponsored and supported by the National Federation of the Blind.
The team members included:
Nick Schmittroth holds a National Orientation and Mobility Certification, is a graduate of the Louisiana Tech University O&M program, and is an employee
of the Utah Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He provided orientation and mobility training.
Karl Smith, President of Axis Technology, an adaptive technology consulting company, provided adaptive technology and training.
Rebekah Jakeman, a blind mother of two children, provided guidance on alternative techniques for caring for children and running a household as a blind
person.
Ron Gardner, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Utah and former Director of the Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University, consulted
with the producers about blindness, provided Braille instruction, and conducted philosophical training to Three Wishes producers and staff to promote a
positive attitude about blindness.
The training was very successful and provided hope and education not only to the blind mother and her family, but also to program producers and the residents
of Cedar City, Utah. Our hope is that this positive image of blindness will be promoted across America through the NBC Three Wishes primetime television
program.
Producers expect this program to air on Friday, November 4 at 9:00 PM Eastern 8:00 PM Central.
Please tune in on Friday evenings to watch Three Wishes!
You will soon be able to find information about the National Federation of the Blind on the NBC Three Wishes web page.
This information can also be accessed at our website also:
http://www.nfb.org/media/threewishes.htm.
Thank you for sharing this with people across your state!
With kind regards,
Joanne Wilson
Executive Director of Affiliate Action
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tuesday, November 1
Exciting Promotion from Discover Card
Greetings. Discover Card is experimenting with a new 5% cash back bonus promotion, just for the Holiday season. From November 25 to December 31, you can get 5% cash back on all online shopping purchases! This is in addition to the usual 5% cash back bonus promotions they have on a monthly basis. Considering I have done more and more of my Christmas shopping online in recent years, this is exciting news!
To put it in perspective, consider spending $30 on something and getting $1.50 back (the 5% amount), instead of the normal 1% amount of $0.30. Quite a difference I'd say. Now, consider spending an average of $30 per person you shop for, which in my family is about 5 or 6 people. Those bonuses quickly add up. You are limited to $500 on purchases for this promotion, but that still equals $25 in cash back, and you only need $20 to redeem for an award.
This is an experimental promotion, so the regular restaurant/movie theather/rental promotion for September-November is still in effect until the end of the month, and their will likely be another similar promotion in December. For more information, call Discover at 800-Discover, or 800-347-2683. Or, check the Discover Card website.
To put it in perspective, consider spending $30 on something and getting $1.50 back (the 5% amount), instead of the normal 1% amount of $0.30. Quite a difference I'd say. Now, consider spending an average of $30 per person you shop for, which in my family is about 5 or 6 people. Those bonuses quickly add up. You are limited to $500 on purchases for this promotion, but that still equals $25 in cash back, and you only need $20 to redeem for an award.
This is an experimental promotion, so the regular restaurant/movie theather/rental promotion for September-November is still in effect until the end of the month, and their will likely be another similar promotion in December. For more information, call Discover at 800-Discover, or 800-347-2683. Or, check the Discover Card website.
Media Outlet Breaks New Ground
Greetings. Here's the third in my trilogy of news items. This time on a media outlet that will be heading in a new direction. Being the avid follower of media and technology that I am, this sounds really cool. In an article on MSNBC.com entitled, Coming soon, Nightly News, free and online, NBC announces that they will offer daily streams of their nightly news program. As with the story on the Ford trucks getting mobile offices, here's another concept that will likely spread to the other news organizations, like CBS, ABC, Fox, and the rest. Enjoy.
Another Distraction for Ford Drivers
Greetings. Here's yet another distraction for drivers of certain 2006 Ford models. The company gets points for their creativeness though. The story is from the Associated Press and is called, Ford to debut pickup truck with mobile office at Las Vegas auto show. Its an interesting concept and is one that I think that we'll see more of as time goes by.
Tighter Security for Online Banking
Greetings. If you currently bank online, or if you're concerned about your account's security on the Internet, then read this article from the El Paso Times on Online banking security will go past passwords.
Monday, October 31
Some Free Information Services
Greetings. I've heard of a new fre information source. Its called Free 411, and can be found by calling 800-Free411, or 800-373-3411. They offer nationwide phone number lookup for business, government, and residential numbers. From what I understand, this service that just started, so it may only be a matter of time before they start charging a fee, but its a source all the same. Also, in case you didn't know, you can call 800-555-1212 for free toll-free number lookup, that is if said company decides to list their toll-free number. Finally, for all around information, whether it be news, weather, sports, traffic, and more, try Tell Me: 800-555-Tell (8355). This is a service that you talk to, or you can also enter the first three letters on your phone in order to get to the first level areas (such as 776 for Sports). They are very good and provide accurate weather information, even if you're in a small town. These last two have been around for quite some time but that you might not know of. Enjoy.
Saturday, October 29
Comcast Update
Greetings. My problems with Comcast were solved on the 17th of this month, when the supervisor came out with a technician. Things have been working great since then. So, you ask, "What's the update?" Well, I got a call from Carman Fan yesterday, and found a note in my email box, saying that Comcast had tweaked their network speeds, so that the new speeds for the really high speed service were 8 MB download, and about 768 KB upload. Its times like these when I'm glad that I switched from SBC!
If you're on Comcast Internet and would like to take advantage of this increase in speed, just unplug the modem cable from your computer for 30 seconds (I did mine for a minute just to be sure), and then plug it back in. That's it. That's about the easiest update procedure I've ever had to go through, and that's including software or hardware.
If you're on Comcast Internet and would like to take advantage of this increase in speed, just unplug the modem cable from your computer for 30 seconds (I did mine for a minute just to be sure), and then plug it back in. That's it. That's about the easiest update procedure I've ever had to go through, and that's including software or hardware.
Wednesday, October 26
Job Programs for People With Disabilities Attacked by Senate Panel
Here's a follow up post to my earlier legislative message. This will provide more background on the Randolph-Shepperd program and why it should continue.
Job Programs for People With Disabilities Attacked by Senate Panel
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff © 2005 DiversityInc.com® October 20, 2005
Blind vendors who win government contracts rarely share that success by
employing blind workers. Enormous salaries and lavish perks are being paid
to executives of nonprofit organizations that hire people with disabilities.
Those findings are from an investigation by the Senate Health Committee,
which looked into two work programs and said they inadequately serve
individuals they were designed to help. The findings are contained in a
15-page memorandum obtained by The Associated Press.
"In my opinion, they're performing dismally," committee Chairman Sen. Mike
Enzi, R-Wyo., said of the two federal programs.
The committee scheduled a hearing Thursday to discuss the findings by the
panel's staff, which spent about our months reviewing the Randolph-Sheppard
program for the blind and the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program for people with
physical or intellectual disabilities. The review began after backers of the
programs complained to lawmakers.
In the Randolph-Sheppard program, blind individuals operate snack shops and
cafeterias on government properties. Last year, about 2,500 blind
entrepreneurs participated. It generated $488.5 million in sales, and the
average vendor's earnings amounted to $39,880, government statistics show.
The committee's staff focused on the vendors with contracts to serve 38
military cafeterias, which hire the great majority of workers employed
through the program. Of the 7,122 employees, less than 9 percent had a
disability.
"This is cause for concern in a program designed to create jobs for persons
who are blind," the staff memo states.
But James Gashel, the National Federation of the Blind's executive director
for strategic initiatives, said the concern is misplaced.
"Blind people who have those businesses do employ blind and disabled
people," Gashel said. "Could they do better? Yeah." He said any corporation
could do better.
Gashel said the biggest problem is that the federal government barely does
more than "keep the lights on for it." He said it's almost a
$500-million-a-year business, and the federal government has only four
full-time workers for it.
Enzi said he was "shocked and appalled" by some of the salaries. He said the
nonprofits are supposed to take their profits and put them back into
improving the jobs programs.
"Instead, they're lining the pockets of their executive directors and CEOs,"
he said.
Still, it's the lack of incentives to move people into the mainstream that
has advocates for people with disabilities most concerned.
Robert Lawhead, executive director of a job-placement program in Boulder,
Colo., said he helps place about 200 of them annually into private-sector
jobs.
"People don't want to be segregated because of a particular individual
characteristic," Lawhead said. "They want to be a part of the community."
Each year, only about 2,500 workers in the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program, or
about 6 percent, are "outplaced" to jobs where, for example, they might work
as greeters at Wal-Mart or grocery baggers at Safeway.
"Those sheltered workshops don't help people learn the skills they need to
move out into the community," said Lawhead, who will testify at Thursday's
hearing.
The federal government designates two nonprofits to implement the jobs
program. They in essence broker agreements in which federal agencies agree
to buy goods and services from the nonprofits.
Tony Young, senior policy planner for one of those nonprofits, NISH-Creating
Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities, said it's
important to understand that people in the program have not been able to get
jobs in the private sector.
"This program is often the only way these folks with very significant
disabilities can get into the work force at all," he said, adding that it
focuses on trying to give workers the skills and confidence needed to work
on their own.
"One of the major factors - is that private employers are not willing to
hire people with severe disabilities into their work force," he said.
Young said the government agency that oversees the jobs program is preparing
to issue proposed rules on executive compensation. He cited a letter to
nonprofits, dated Aug. 15, that said the agency "must ensure that we are
both maintaining and strengthening our accountability and transparency to
Congress and to the American taxpayers." (AP)
Job Programs for People With Disabilities Attacked by Senate Panel
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff © 2005 DiversityInc.com® October 20, 2005
Blind vendors who win government contracts rarely share that success by
employing blind workers. Enormous salaries and lavish perks are being paid
to executives of nonprofit organizations that hire people with disabilities.
Those findings are from an investigation by the Senate Health Committee,
which looked into two work programs and said they inadequately serve
individuals they were designed to help. The findings are contained in a
15-page memorandum obtained by The Associated Press.
"In my opinion, they're performing dismally," committee Chairman Sen. Mike
Enzi, R-Wyo., said of the two federal programs.
The committee scheduled a hearing Thursday to discuss the findings by the
panel's staff, which spent about our months reviewing the Randolph-Sheppard
program for the blind and the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program for people with
physical or intellectual disabilities. The review began after backers of the
programs complained to lawmakers.
In the Randolph-Sheppard program, blind individuals operate snack shops and
cafeterias on government properties. Last year, about 2,500 blind
entrepreneurs participated. It generated $488.5 million in sales, and the
average vendor's earnings amounted to $39,880, government statistics show.
The committee's staff focused on the vendors with contracts to serve 38
military cafeterias, which hire the great majority of workers employed
through the program. Of the 7,122 employees, less than 9 percent had a
disability.
"This is cause for concern in a program designed to create jobs for persons
who are blind," the staff memo states.
But James Gashel, the National Federation of the Blind's executive director
for strategic initiatives, said the concern is misplaced.
"Blind people who have those businesses do employ blind and disabled
people," Gashel said. "Could they do better? Yeah." He said any corporation
could do better.
Gashel said the biggest problem is that the federal government barely does
more than "keep the lights on for it." He said it's almost a
$500-million-a-year business, and the federal government has only four
full-time workers for it.
Enzi said he was "shocked and appalled" by some of the salaries. He said the
nonprofits are supposed to take their profits and put them back into
improving the jobs programs.
"Instead, they're lining the pockets of their executive directors and CEOs,"
he said.
Still, it's the lack of incentives to move people into the mainstream that
has advocates for people with disabilities most concerned.
Robert Lawhead, executive director of a job-placement program in Boulder,
Colo., said he helps place about 200 of them annually into private-sector
jobs.
"People don't want to be segregated because of a particular individual
characteristic," Lawhead said. "They want to be a part of the community."
Each year, only about 2,500 workers in the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program, or
about 6 percent, are "outplaced" to jobs where, for example, they might work
as greeters at Wal-Mart or grocery baggers at Safeway.
"Those sheltered workshops don't help people learn the skills they need to
move out into the community," said Lawhead, who will testify at Thursday's
hearing.
The federal government designates two nonprofits to implement the jobs
program. They in essence broker agreements in which federal agencies agree
to buy goods and services from the nonprofits.
Tony Young, senior policy planner for one of those nonprofits, NISH-Creating
Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities, said it's
important to understand that people in the program have not been able to get
jobs in the private sector.
"This program is often the only way these folks with very significant
disabilities can get into the work force at all," he said, adding that it
focuses on trying to give workers the skills and confidence needed to work
on their own.
"One of the major factors - is that private employers are not willing to
hire people with severe disabilities into their work force," he said.
Young said the government agency that oversees the jobs program is preparing
to issue proposed rules on executive compensation. He cited a letter to
nonprofits, dated Aug. 15, that said the agency "must ensure that we are
both maintaining and strengthening our accountability and transparency to
Congress and to the American taxpayers." (AP)
Legislative Update: Blind Vendors
Greetings. I received the following from the NFB of Texas's email list, regarding the measure to preserve the Randolph-Shepperd program for blind vendors. Read more below and if you know a blind vendor or are one yourself, then please do write an email to the address below and support this effort. If you would like a copy of the report that is referenced in this message, then email me through my website, or via comment, and I'll send you one. Thanks.
Dear Fellow Federationists:
We have a deadline before us. We each need to write and send an email before close of business next Monday in support of the oldest job creation
program in America that is specifically for blind persons. Last week an oversight hearing was held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions (HELP). The goal of this hearing was to receive testimony about the Randolph-Sheppard Act as well as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Act.
Our own Mr. Gashel provided the committee with informed testimony about both of these pieces of disability employment legislation. Federationists turned
out in impressive numbers, which made a powerful statement to several senators. The majority of listeners in their large hearing room were Federation
members.
Although I thank you all for your past support of the Randolph-Sheppard program, now is most certainly not the time for us to rest on our past
accomplishments. Everyone of us must respond to the committee report that accompanied this hearing. The staff of the HELP Committee wrote a report that
attacks the Randolph-Sheppard Act and then recommends that the Randolph-Sheppard Act be combined with JWOD
The characterizations of blind vendors and of our program contained in the committee’s report were scurrilous and inaccurate, so we must demonstrate the
positive value of the Randolph-Sheppard program to the HELP Committee. For example, the report asserts that a very few blind vendors get rich under the
Randolph-Sheppard Act while most have nothing. It also asserts that blind vendors hire very few persons with blindness or disabilities to staff their
operations. Those of you who are vendors need to tell your stories explaining the critical role this program has played in your lives. Here are possible
points about which you can educate the committee:
· Tell where you were before you came into the program and contrast that with where you are now.
· Why did you decide to become a vendor?
· Describe in general terms those you employ in the management of your facility. Are any of your employees either blind or otherwise disabled?
· How many employees with disabilities, including blind persons, have you hired over the years?
· For how many of your workers with disabilities was this the first or only job they could find which gave them a chance?
· Do you know any success stories for your employees?
Outdated statistics provided to the committee by the Department of Education indicate that almost no disabled or blind people work for the
blind vendors under the Randolph-Sheppard program. Few doubt that blind vendors could improve in their hiring of disabled people, but they are likely
doing much better than these statistics suggest.
Those of us who are not vendors must also provide comments. Has a blind vendor served as a positive role model for you and, if so, how? Describe benefits
to you from having blind men and women in public contact with government employees. Our presence at the hearing indicated the importance of these issues
to us, and a large number of comments for the committee will continue to show them the importance of the Randolph-Sheppard program to the blind of America.
Your comments are needed. Please send your emails directly to the HELP Committee at
help_comments@help.senate.gov,
and a copy to us to the address the NFB has established which is
vendors@nfb.org.
The deadline established by the Committee is Monday, October 31.
The blind of America are counting on us to provide comments and preserve the Randolph-Sheppard program as a important program for the employment of blind
men and women in valuable opportunities.
Best regards
Jim McCarthy
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore Maryland 21230
Dear Fellow Federationists:
We have a deadline before us. We each need to write and send an email before close of business next Monday in support of the oldest job creation
program in America that is specifically for blind persons. Last week an oversight hearing was held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions (HELP). The goal of this hearing was to receive testimony about the Randolph-Sheppard Act as well as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Act.
Our own Mr. Gashel provided the committee with informed testimony about both of these pieces of disability employment legislation. Federationists turned
out in impressive numbers, which made a powerful statement to several senators. The majority of listeners in their large hearing room were Federation
members.
Although I thank you all for your past support of the Randolph-Sheppard program, now is most certainly not the time for us to rest on our past
accomplishments. Everyone of us must respond to the committee report that accompanied this hearing. The staff of the HELP Committee wrote a report that
attacks the Randolph-Sheppard Act and then recommends that the Randolph-Sheppard Act be combined with JWOD
The characterizations of blind vendors and of our program contained in the committee’s report were scurrilous and inaccurate, so we must demonstrate the
positive value of the Randolph-Sheppard program to the HELP Committee. For example, the report asserts that a very few blind vendors get rich under the
Randolph-Sheppard Act while most have nothing. It also asserts that blind vendors hire very few persons with blindness or disabilities to staff their
operations. Those of you who are vendors need to tell your stories explaining the critical role this program has played in your lives. Here are possible
points about which you can educate the committee:
· Tell where you were before you came into the program and contrast that with where you are now.
· Why did you decide to become a vendor?
· Describe in general terms those you employ in the management of your facility. Are any of your employees either blind or otherwise disabled?
· How many employees with disabilities, including blind persons, have you hired over the years?
· For how many of your workers with disabilities was this the first or only job they could find which gave them a chance?
· Do you know any success stories for your employees?
Outdated statistics provided to the committee by the Department of Education indicate that almost no disabled or blind people work for the
blind vendors under the Randolph-Sheppard program. Few doubt that blind vendors could improve in their hiring of disabled people, but they are likely
doing much better than these statistics suggest.
Those of us who are not vendors must also provide comments. Has a blind vendor served as a positive role model for you and, if so, how? Describe benefits
to you from having blind men and women in public contact with government employees. Our presence at the hearing indicated the importance of these issues
to us, and a large number of comments for the committee will continue to show them the importance of the Randolph-Sheppard program to the blind of America.
Your comments are needed. Please send your emails directly to the HELP Committee at
help_comments@help.senate.gov,
and a copy to us to the address the NFB has established which is
vendors@nfb.org.
The deadline established by the Committee is Monday, October 31.
The blind of America are counting on us to provide comments and preserve the Randolph-Sheppard program as a important program for the employment of blind
men and women in valuable opportunities.
Best regards
Jim McCarthy
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore Maryland 21230
Sunday, October 23
Initial Impressions
Greetings. For all of yesterday and last night, as well as this morning, I was at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas's state convention, which was in Dallas this year. Though this made it easier on travel costs, I ended up paying a lot in total cab fare. Anyway, before I crash for a quick nap before the Cowboy game in a little while, I wanted to give some initial thoughts. I took some notes during the sessions so I'll have other things to write later.
First, one of the big things that will be happening in a matter of months is the Dallas morning News will be added to the Newsline for the Blind service, where you can call a toll-free number (after you register), and hear any one of 200 national/local papers read through computer speech. The best thing about this is that you can read any part of the paper, so there's no more of listening to someone read what they think is interesting. Anyway, the Morning News will be added in a few months, in time for next summer's national NFB convention which will be in Dallas as well.
Second, I was asked by the president of the NFB's Texas student division to participate in another seminar next April. I've been asked to participate in these before and I always enjoy doing it. I don't want to say too much more, mainly because I need to get the details from him about what I'm to talk about, etc. But I will advertise the dates/times and location of the seminar when I know myself.
There's a few other things, but that's about all I feel like writing at the moment. I'm tired. I'm off to bed for awhile. It was a great convention all around.
Hook 'em Horns!
First, one of the big things that will be happening in a matter of months is the Dallas morning News will be added to the Newsline for the Blind service, where you can call a toll-free number (after you register), and hear any one of 200 national/local papers read through computer speech. The best thing about this is that you can read any part of the paper, so there's no more of listening to someone read what they think is interesting. Anyway, the Morning News will be added in a few months, in time for next summer's national NFB convention which will be in Dallas as well.
Second, I was asked by the president of the NFB's Texas student division to participate in another seminar next April. I've been asked to participate in these before and I always enjoy doing it. I don't want to say too much more, mainly because I need to get the details from him about what I'm to talk about, etc. But I will advertise the dates/times and location of the seminar when I know myself.
There's a few other things, but that's about all I feel like writing at the moment. I'm tired. I'm off to bed for awhile. It was a great convention all around.
Hook 'em Horns!
Friday, October 21
Who's Helping Disabled People Find Jobs
Who's Helping Hurricane Katrina's Victims With Disabilities Find Jobs?
By Carmen Cusido © 2005 DiversityInc.com® October 18, 2005
Businesses in New Orleans and in other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina have "help-wanted" ads outside restaurants and even shoe stores that are looking
for employees in a city that now has more jobs than people. Will they hire people with disabilities?
Nancy Starnes, the vice president and chief of staff for the National Organization on Disabilities (N.O.D), is hopeful that some people with disabilities
are going to find more employment opportunities when New Orleans' structures are rebuilt. "Maybe they will follow ADA guidelines," Starnes says of restructuring
the buildings. She says she knows some restaurants are reopening in the New Orleans area, and they are covered under Title Three of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation.
People with disabilities are some of the most loyal assets in the workplace, and perhaps restaurateurs and other New Orleans employers might look to them
for jobs.
The U.S. Department of Labor also is working on helping people with disabilities who are hurricane survivors to find jobs. The Department of Labor (DOL)
announced a new "Pathways to Employment" proposal to help evacuees and survivors of hurricanes Rita and Katrina find jobs and training opportunities It
provides targeted assistance to people based on individual needs through the nationwide network of 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country.
Besides providing individualized counseling and assistance to the hurricane survivors, the DOL will deploy additional Disability Program Navigators, or
DPNs, to hurricane-affected areas. DPNs are trained individuals experienced in working with people with disabilities to make employment connections through
the One-Stop system. They also connect people with disabilities to needed benefits and services through the government or community organizations.
By Carmen Cusido © 2005 DiversityInc.com® October 18, 2005
Businesses in New Orleans and in other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina have "help-wanted" ads outside restaurants and even shoe stores that are looking
for employees in a city that now has more jobs than people. Will they hire people with disabilities?
Nancy Starnes, the vice president and chief of staff for the National Organization on Disabilities (N.O.D), is hopeful that some people with disabilities
are going to find more employment opportunities when New Orleans' structures are rebuilt. "Maybe they will follow ADA guidelines," Starnes says of restructuring
the buildings. She says she knows some restaurants are reopening in the New Orleans area, and they are covered under Title Three of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation.
People with disabilities are some of the most loyal assets in the workplace, and perhaps restaurateurs and other New Orleans employers might look to them
for jobs.
The U.S. Department of Labor also is working on helping people with disabilities who are hurricane survivors to find jobs. The Department of Labor (DOL)
announced a new "Pathways to Employment" proposal to help evacuees and survivors of hurricanes Rita and Katrina find jobs and training opportunities It
provides targeted assistance to people based on individual needs through the nationwide network of 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country.
Besides providing individualized counseling and assistance to the hurricane survivors, the DOL will deploy additional Disability Program Navigators, or
DPNs, to hurricane-affected areas. DPNs are trained individuals experienced in working with people with disabilities to make employment connections through
the One-Stop system. They also connect people with disabilities to needed benefits and services through the government or community organizations.
Thursday, October 20
Google's Doing It Again!
Greetings. I was over at Darrell Shandrow's podcast/blog, Blind Access Journal, and saw much to my amazement that Google, and more specifically their Blogger service, is moving further away from accessibility with their word verification service. Since I wrote about that on Tuesday, I won't go into the explanation again, except to say that instead of moving toward an acceptable resolution of the problem, Blogger appears to be going the other direction. They are now going to implement word verification for people that post to Blogger. Darrell explains their plans better than I can, so I'd highly recommend you download his latest podcast and read the articles he has linked to. This doesn't mean that I won't be able to post to this blog, but it might delay my posts from being posted to Blogger.
After reading this new material I'm very upset by this direction that Google and Blogger insist in going in. Darrell offers a plan to get involved in attempting to talk with Google/Blogger about the problem, and again, I would highly suggest you get involved. I'm doing my part here by informing you, the reader, about the incident. I also plan to put a word up on my website in a little while about this mess, since I'm sure that there are many people that might visit my site but who haven't been to this blog, shame on them. Anyway, another thing that I'm definitely going to take a close look at is moving my blog from Blogger to Live Journal.
In helping my coworker to setup her blog this week, I've seen a little of how Live Journal operates, and based on how they handled their own visual verification process (which I wrote on Tuesday), I'm inclined to support a company that at least makes an effort, verses one that seems to move further away from a reasonable solution. Not only that, apparently various people in the blind community, including Darrell, have attempted to inform Blogger and Google of their shortcomings, but for whatever reason, their words have gone unheard or ignored. Promises have been made which have not been kept, such as an accessibility solution in one or two months, which was made back in July by a Blogger representative. Here we are in October; where's the accessibility?
I don't want to move from Blogger, since they are apart of Google and Google seems to be a trend setter in the online world. Many of the big things that they have done have been noticed by many people. However, that's exactly why this visual verification issue is so important, since Google is such a trend setter, if they start it then other sites are likely to follow.
I'm not sure what needs to be done, but I am definitely highly considering moving my blog away from Blogger over this. So, go to Darrell's blog, listen to his 10/19/05 podcast, and consider what you can or should do.
After reading this new material I'm very upset by this direction that Google and Blogger insist in going in. Darrell offers a plan to get involved in attempting to talk with Google/Blogger about the problem, and again, I would highly suggest you get involved. I'm doing my part here by informing you, the reader, about the incident. I also plan to put a word up on my website in a little while about this mess, since I'm sure that there are many people that might visit my site but who haven't been to this blog, shame on them. Anyway, another thing that I'm definitely going to take a close look at is moving my blog from Blogger to Live Journal.
In helping my coworker to setup her blog this week, I've seen a little of how Live Journal operates, and based on how they handled their own visual verification process (which I wrote on Tuesday), I'm inclined to support a company that at least makes an effort, verses one that seems to move further away from a reasonable solution. Not only that, apparently various people in the blind community, including Darrell, have attempted to inform Blogger and Google of their shortcomings, but for whatever reason, their words have gone unheard or ignored. Promises have been made which have not been kept, such as an accessibility solution in one or two months, which was made back in July by a Blogger representative. Here we are in October; where's the accessibility?
I don't want to move from Blogger, since they are apart of Google and Google seems to be a trend setter in the online world. Many of the big things that they have done have been noticed by many people. However, that's exactly why this visual verification issue is so important, since Google is such a trend setter, if they start it then other sites are likely to follow.
I'm not sure what needs to be done, but I am definitely highly considering moving my blog away from Blogger over this. So, go to Darrell's blog, listen to his 10/19/05 podcast, and consider what you can or should do.
Warning for Parents of Young Adults or Teens
Greetings. I was reading my regular round of blogs, and found this entry from Kim Komando, a host of a weekly computer technology radio show, among other things; regarding knowing what your teens blog about. Unfortunately, in this particular post, she references a sad incident where the parents of a teen didn't know that their daughter blogged, much less what she wrote about, and long story short, the girl was murdered by another sexual pervert. Its things like this that give the WWW a bad wrap, but it also hopefully makes the rest of us a little wiser for what to look out for. So, if you know any parents of teens, or you have teens yourself, then I'd highly recommend you read what Kim has to say, and be vigilent about knowing what your kids are doing online. Remember, this ain't the safe world that we knew a few short years ago.
Welcome, ....
Greetings. I'd like to welcome a new person to blogdom, if that's a word. Anyway, my coworker has joined the ranks of blogging people. I helped this person in finishing setting up their blog today on Live Journal, and now all the world can read what (this person) has to say. Those who know me, or who have been reading my blog for awhile and have been paying attention, know the person of whom I speak. However, (this person) wishes to go by a certain name. So, I'd like to officially welcome Carman Fan #1 to the world of blogging. You can read his/her blog, which entitled, "The Mouth of the South." Knowing this person the way I do, this title is perfect for their blog. (Note to this person: I will attempt to keep your identity hidden, but no garrantees, :) Enjoy.
Tuesday, October 18
A Nice Discovery
Greetings. In helping my friend Donna to set up her own blog on Live Journal, I had a pleasant surprise.
If you've been reading this blog for a long time, or even if you haven't, you might know of the visual verification code that many sites, including Google, are putting in their sign up process. Basically, they put this letter/number graphical code for you to type into an edit box, to attempt to keep spammers from signing up for whatever service it might be. Problem is, many screen readers that blind people use, are not able to detect the graphic, so we're not able to read the code and write it in. Google came under attack from various blind people in recent months for implementing this code but not giving the blind a way around the problem. In helping Donna to sign up for her blog, we found another one of those visual verification code deals on Live Journal. However, the difference here is that Live Journal has an alternative, where you type in "audio" to the edit field where you would put the verification code, and then you're given an audio clip, on the refreshed page, of a man speaking the characters. When Donna played the clip in Winamp, it was very clear to understand. Hotmail's audio clip is garbled and can be hard to understand, so I was really wondering how this clip from Live Journal would be.
I'm pleased that Live Journal has option for those that cannot read the graphical code on their site. It might even get me to switch to their service, but I've seen some things that make me think before making the switch, such as the number of "clickable" areas on their pages. And the fact that I would need to import all of my blog entries from Blogger to their service. I haven't looked at all of what they offer, but so far, it looks like a worthwhile service. And, given my discovery about how they handle the visual verification problem, the following question comes to mind: If Live Journal was able to implement such a simple solution to their service, and if they and Blogger are such close competitors, then how is it that its taken Blogger all summer to realize they had a problem, and then another while to actually fix it? (I haven't read if they "really" have fixed the problem yet, just that they're "working on it.")
If you've been reading this blog for a long time, or even if you haven't, you might know of the visual verification code that many sites, including Google, are putting in their sign up process. Basically, they put this letter/number graphical code for you to type into an edit box, to attempt to keep spammers from signing up for whatever service it might be. Problem is, many screen readers that blind people use, are not able to detect the graphic, so we're not able to read the code and write it in. Google came under attack from various blind people in recent months for implementing this code but not giving the blind a way around the problem. In helping Donna to sign up for her blog, we found another one of those visual verification code deals on Live Journal. However, the difference here is that Live Journal has an alternative, where you type in "audio" to the edit field where you would put the verification code, and then you're given an audio clip, on the refreshed page, of a man speaking the characters. When Donna played the clip in Winamp, it was very clear to understand. Hotmail's audio clip is garbled and can be hard to understand, so I was really wondering how this clip from Live Journal would be.
I'm pleased that Live Journal has option for those that cannot read the graphical code on their site. It might even get me to switch to their service, but I've seen some things that make me think before making the switch, such as the number of "clickable" areas on their pages. And the fact that I would need to import all of my blog entries from Blogger to their service. I haven't looked at all of what they offer, but so far, it looks like a worthwhile service. And, given my discovery about how they handle the visual verification problem, the following question comes to mind: If Live Journal was able to implement such a simple solution to their service, and if they and Blogger are such close competitors, then how is it that its taken Blogger all summer to realize they had a problem, and then another while to actually fix it? (I haven't read if they "really" have fixed the problem yet, just that they're "working on it.")
Monday, October 17
Comcast Update
Greetings. I've got a small, but possibly significant, update on my saga with Comcast. I had a couple of technicians come over a little while ago to look at my Comcast situation. Upon comparing notes with Donna, she said that one was a supervisor. I only talked with one of the two of them, so I don't really know. I do know that they looked at my wiring almost immediately, and found several problems. They did some work on the wiring for the Net connection and the TV Cable outside, and all appears to be working fine now. I've tried to bring up the sites I had trouble with before, and thus far, have not had any trouble in bringing them up. So all appears to be working, finally. They didn't have to do anything with my Comcast Cable modem, so that's good. It appears that all the problems were outside.
It better be because I already called SBC telling them to shut my DSL off ASAP, which they said will take two business days. I even pulled up Winamp and tuned into several stations, which sound really good. I'm not sure if they sound better coming over Cable Internet or I'm just hoping that they do. At any rate, things appear to be working properly now.
And for my email troubles: I tried using Eudora but still got the same error messages from Norton about encrypted connections being detected. I initially switched from Outlook Express to Eudora since I had trouble setting up filters in OE. Now however, I know how to setup filters in OE and can do it without any of the problems I had before (I'm going through the Message menu verses the Tools menu and then Rules). So, since I had to pay for Eudora and that didn't work out, I'm going to get a refund on that and just use Outlook Express.
Bottom line: my Net connection seems to be working, I'm sorting out my email troubles, and maybe I can now get back to normal Net usage, if there is such a thing. Thanks to Donna and all her help in all this.
It better be because I already called SBC telling them to shut my DSL off ASAP, which they said will take two business days. I even pulled up Winamp and tuned into several stations, which sound really good. I'm not sure if they sound better coming over Cable Internet or I'm just hoping that they do. At any rate, things appear to be working properly now.
And for my email troubles: I tried using Eudora but still got the same error messages from Norton about encrypted connections being detected. I initially switched from Outlook Express to Eudora since I had trouble setting up filters in OE. Now however, I know how to setup filters in OE and can do it without any of the problems I had before (I'm going through the Message menu verses the Tools menu and then Rules). So, since I had to pay for Eudora and that didn't work out, I'm going to get a refund on that and just use Outlook Express.
Bottom line: my Net connection seems to be working, I'm sorting out my email troubles, and maybe I can now get back to normal Net usage, if there is such a thing. Thanks to Donna and all her help in all this.
Wednesday, October 12
And the Saga Continues
Greetings. Last I wrote, I was upset from my Sunday Comcast appointment being canceled. On Monday morning, I made another call to Comcast, but this time I had my friend Donna on the line as well in a conference call. Long story short, we were able to reschedule the appointment for today, from 11 to 2. Today though, no one showed up. Someone called from Comcast at 11:15 asking if anyone has shown up yet, and I said no, and this woman (April), said she would contact the technician. Meanwhile, the technician calls my cell phone (which was supposed to be the alternative number, not the main number), to see if I was still having trouble. Bottom line, since he didn't get me he closed my work order. I did not hear of this until 1:45 when I made another call to Comcast, with Donna conferenced in of course, and we learned of the mess up. The first representative we spoke with, wasn't getting what the problem was, for whatever reason, so we asked for a supervisor, who actually made something happen. The not as good, the appointment is rescheduled again but not any sooner than next Monday at the same time frame. However, the good thing is that I was able to get a $20 credit on my account, given all my troubles, and the fact that I'm not even using the Comcast modem right now because of all the trouble it has given me. According to Donna, we got good service, under the circumstances, from this supervisor and things are heading in the right direction. As for me though, I've been here several times, in "hoping" that Comcast will show up or fix things, and it hasn't happened. I have no doubt that the supervisor will shake things up and get some answers of why the screw up happened, but, well, this has happened twice now, and I'm not sure I can trust Comcast. We'll have to wait and see though. I have threatened to leave Comcast several times now over all this, and even Donna, a sworn Comcast user and supporter, has even said that she might leave if the bad service continues. Oh well; we'll see.
Given all the service short comings or quirks that SBC might have, at least their modem is working and I can use all my usual Net stuff, like web surfing, email, streaming audio, and the other things I've come to enjoy. I just hope that Comcast will redeem themselves before all this is done.
Given all the service short comings or quirks that SBC might have, at least their modem is working and I can use all my usual Net stuff, like web surfing, email, streaming audio, and the other things I've come to enjoy. I just hope that Comcast will redeem themselves before all this is done.
Sunday, October 9
Now I'm Mad
Greetings. As you might know, if you've been reading this blog over the past week, I had someone from Comcast scheduled to come out and look at/replace my Cable modem. Well, I just got off the phone with Comcast, asking where the technician was, saying that I thought I had a technician scheduled between 2 and 5 today. The representative said, "Sir, I don't see a technician scheduled for you today." After all that I've been through, in talking with two different technical support people last week, and confirming the appointment with two other people, I'm told that none was set for today? If I didn't know that Comcast had such great service, then I might just cancel it right now, and proclaim that I had had it. However, I've seen and heard of some of their great service from my friend Donna, so I'm willing to give them a little. Not much though, :)
So, this representative starts trying to diagnose the problem and seems like she's going down the path of, "Well, perhaps I can fix it for you." I finally told her, "Look, right now for my current Net usage and surfing, I'm using your competitor's modem, since your Comcast modem has given me too many problems to rely upon." That got her attention, and I got a rescheduled appointment of this Wednesday, from 11-2. She then started to give me the standard line of, "If the Comcast modem is not the problem, then you will owe ...," but I interrupted her and said, "If the Comcast modem is not replaced, I'm canceling my service." I think this got her attention as well.
At one point during our talk, I asked her if she worked at Comcast with other people, implying, "How is it possible that I could have an appointment scheduled and it not be written down somewhere?" Never got an answer on this, just the standard, "I apologize." Great; she apologized. Meanwhile, while I should be enjoying lightning speeds and wireless access with my PAC Mate, I'm using their competitor's modem since the Comcast one has caused too many problems for me to have a happy computing experience.
I suppose that we'll see how all this comes out, but man, I'm still livid over all this mess!
So, this representative starts trying to diagnose the problem and seems like she's going down the path of, "Well, perhaps I can fix it for you." I finally told her, "Look, right now for my current Net usage and surfing, I'm using your competitor's modem, since your Comcast modem has given me too many problems to rely upon." That got her attention, and I got a rescheduled appointment of this Wednesday, from 11-2. She then started to give me the standard line of, "If the Comcast modem is not the problem, then you will owe ...," but I interrupted her and said, "If the Comcast modem is not replaced, I'm canceling my service." I think this got her attention as well.
At one point during our talk, I asked her if she worked at Comcast with other people, implying, "How is it possible that I could have an appointment scheduled and it not be written down somewhere?" Never got an answer on this, just the standard, "I apologize." Great; she apologized. Meanwhile, while I should be enjoying lightning speeds and wireless access with my PAC Mate, I'm using their competitor's modem since the Comcast one has caused too many problems for me to have a happy computing experience.
I suppose that we'll see how all this comes out, but man, I'm still livid over all this mess!
Friday, October 7
Things Starting to Get Better
Greetings. Just a quick note to say that I've got my email troubles sorted out, for the moment. I called Comcast support earlier this afternoon with my friend Donna, and we spoke to a helpful representative that had me set a separate identity in Outlook Express, which has allowed me to send and receive email! Oh the wonders of technology, when it works. We made some minor modifications to the identity setup, but the bottom line is that I'm now able to communicate with email again. Its interesting that when you rely on something for so long, and then it doesn't work, you don't feel the same until it does again. Call me a geek, but this has been my experience this week with email.
On the down side, since there has been many of those down sides this week, I ran into some trouble after installing the new version of JAWS this morning, but I called Freedom Scientific and got another helpful tech support person to get me going again. One good thing from that was that we eliminated much of the background clutter that might have been causing problems for my system in its resources and performance. I can't really notice a difference in speeds, since I think that some of that speed stuff is subjective, but it has improved the time it takes JAWS to start up after a restart.
So, I'm using email again, and I'm also chatting with MSN Messenger 7.5, instead of MSN Messenger on the PAC Mate, which is also good. Hopefully this good fortune will continue on Sunday when the technician comes out. I think I just got a bad modem from Comcast that has caused many of these problems, so I'm going to have him totally remove it, and then totally reinstall the new one. Hopefully that will solve everything once and for all.
So, this is the increasing satisfied Wayne, signing off for now.
On the down side, since there has been many of those down sides this week, I ran into some trouble after installing the new version of JAWS this morning, but I called Freedom Scientific and got another helpful tech support person to get me going again. One good thing from that was that we eliminated much of the background clutter that might have been causing problems for my system in its resources and performance. I can't really notice a difference in speeds, since I think that some of that speed stuff is subjective, but it has improved the time it takes JAWS to start up after a restart.
So, I'm using email again, and I'm also chatting with MSN Messenger 7.5, instead of MSN Messenger on the PAC Mate, which is also good. Hopefully this good fortune will continue on Sunday when the technician comes out. I think I just got a bad modem from Comcast that has caused many of these problems, so I'm going to have him totally remove it, and then totally reinstall the new one. Hopefully that will solve everything once and for all.
So, this is the increasing satisfied Wayne, signing off for now.
Thursday, October 6
Been a Long Week
Greetings. It seems like a long week since I wrote last. Some of my problems have improved and gotten better, like my phone service came back late Monday afternoon, but I'm still having computer problems, which can likely be traced back to the new Comcast Cable modem. I had someone come out and look at it on Tuesday afternoon, the guy from Saturday since he didn't finish the job, but I'm still having the same problems. I had previously scheduled a technician to come this Sunday afternoon, and given all my troubles, I think I'll keep that appointment.
Donna, my coworker, has been great about helping me to try to get to the bottom of these problems. I will talk with her tomorrow and see if we can make some more headway, but I'm afraid that I might need to get a total modem replacement. I talked with someone from Comcast tech support tonight, and they basically came to the same replacement conclusion, which she put in her notes at my request.
My fan is still not up, but thankfully, fall has finally come to the Dallas area. Today, the high was in the sixties, for the first time in months. Yesterday it was in the 90's, and today in the 60's. Just proves the age old saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it will change." I don't think we'll be seeing 90 degree days for awhile yet. It looks like it will be in the 70's during the day over the weekend. After that we'll have to see.
Not much else to report. My apologies if I haven't responded to any emails that you might have sent me. This Comcast thing has thrown many of my daily services on my computer, like email, out of whack.
That's about all for now. I just wanted to give a brief update. Enjoy the upcoming weekend, and "Hook 'em Horns!"
Donna, my coworker, has been great about helping me to try to get to the bottom of these problems. I will talk with her tomorrow and see if we can make some more headway, but I'm afraid that I might need to get a total modem replacement. I talked with someone from Comcast tech support tonight, and they basically came to the same replacement conclusion, which she put in her notes at my request.
My fan is still not up, but thankfully, fall has finally come to the Dallas area. Today, the high was in the sixties, for the first time in months. Yesterday it was in the 90's, and today in the 60's. Just proves the age old saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it will change." I don't think we'll be seeing 90 degree days for awhile yet. It looks like it will be in the 70's during the day over the weekend. After that we'll have to see.
Not much else to report. My apologies if I haven't responded to any emails that you might have sent me. This Comcast thing has thrown many of my daily services on my computer, like email, out of whack.
That's about all for now. I just wanted to give a brief update. Enjoy the upcoming weekend, and "Hook 'em Horns!"
Monday, October 3
JAWS 7 Released
Greetings. As promised from Freedom Scientific, JAWS version 7.0 was released today! Read more about it and pick it up from the FS home page on the first link in the Software section. Now, if I can only get all my problems worked out, perhaps I can download it, :) I could get it on the SBC connection, but I'm going to wait and see how Comcast works out; plus, it will give all the "I got to have it now," people through so the rest of us can get it. After all, its no fun downloading the newest version over a broadband line, at dial up speeds. Something about that doesn't seem quite right.
Nonetheless, JFW 7 is out, so if you are one of the "got to have it now," people then you can have it now, or however long it takes to download on your Net connection. Note that if you can't download it now for whatever reason, since 7.0 is a major upgrade, FS will be mailing a CD version out as they have done with all major upgrades, toward the end of October.
Nonetheless, JFW 7 is out, so if you are one of the "got to have it now," people then you can have it now, or however long it takes to download on your Net connection. Note that if you can't download it now for whatever reason, since 7.0 is a major upgrade, FS will be mailing a CD version out as they have done with all major upgrades, toward the end of October.
I Want a Do Over
Greetings. Well, where to begin. This was supposed to be a weekend where I was set free from SBC Global. I had decided some weeks ago to move from SBC to Comcast Internet for many reasons, but big among them is that Comcast is a month-to-month service, verses the contract that you're locked into with SBC. My intent was to have my SBC DSL modem disconnected and back in its box by now, but it apparently had other ideas.
To begin with, when the Comcast technician came over on Saturday, the site that I needed to use to register with Comcast and get my email address, password, and encryption key for the wireless modem, was down. The site didn't come back up until 4 or 5 hours later. I was able to get my Comcast email address (which, for those that know my SBC email, my Comcast address is the same, except it ends with @comcast.net), but I didn't complete the registration process and get the encryption key. This has caused no end of problems for the email program I use, Eudora, along with my web browsing. I spent nearly an hour on the phone with a Comcast tech support guy last night, and though we got a working solution, I'm still having problems. Long story short, I called the technician from Saturday, this morning, to see if he could come by this afternoon and make sure everything's working all right. We'll see how that goes. For the moment, since Comcast Internet isn't working as good for me, I've got my DSL modem plugged in, until I get all this sorted out.
It probably goes without saying, but if you're trying to email me this week, pardon me if my reply is a few days late, given my email troubles.
Other not so good things that happened this weekend or are going on now: I accidentally locked myself out of my efficiency, not knowing that there was a latch on the screen/storm door, and having to wait nearly an hour outside for my older brother to come by and open it.
My phone is having trouble. I left to go grocery shopping this morning, and when I came back and picked up the phone, I heard nothing, no dial tone, nothing. I'm not sure what the problem might be.
And, I've been without a working ceiling fan for nearly three weeks, which isn't much fun in the summertime here in Texas heat. But, that's a whole other story with lots of frustration, which I won't get into now.
So, there's my weekend. I want a do over; can I have one? Please? Please? Please?
To begin with, when the Comcast technician came over on Saturday, the site that I needed to use to register with Comcast and get my email address, password, and encryption key for the wireless modem, was down. The site didn't come back up until 4 or 5 hours later. I was able to get my Comcast email address (which, for those that know my SBC email, my Comcast address is the same, except it ends with @comcast.net), but I didn't complete the registration process and get the encryption key. This has caused no end of problems for the email program I use, Eudora, along with my web browsing. I spent nearly an hour on the phone with a Comcast tech support guy last night, and though we got a working solution, I'm still having problems. Long story short, I called the technician from Saturday, this morning, to see if he could come by this afternoon and make sure everything's working all right. We'll see how that goes. For the moment, since Comcast Internet isn't working as good for me, I've got my DSL modem plugged in, until I get all this sorted out.
It probably goes without saying, but if you're trying to email me this week, pardon me if my reply is a few days late, given my email troubles.
Other not so good things that happened this weekend or are going on now: I accidentally locked myself out of my efficiency, not knowing that there was a latch on the screen/storm door, and having to wait nearly an hour outside for my older brother to come by and open it.
My phone is having trouble. I left to go grocery shopping this morning, and when I came back and picked up the phone, I heard nothing, no dial tone, nothing. I'm not sure what the problem might be.
And, I've been without a working ceiling fan for nearly three weeks, which isn't much fun in the summertime here in Texas heat. But, that's a whole other story with lots of frustration, which I won't get into now.
So, there's my weekend. I want a do over; can I have one? Please? Please? Please?
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