<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML lang=en><HEAD><TITLE>AccessWorld Extra August 2009</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16890" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY style="COLOR: #000000; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=accessworld@afb.net href="mailto:accessworld@afb.net">AccessWorld
Editors</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=afbweb@afb.net href="mailto:afbweb@afb.net">AFB
Subscriber</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 31, 2009 3:36 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> AccessWorld Extra August 2009</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=10 rowSpan=3></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD width="90%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 280%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; COLOR: #000065; PADDING-TOP: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">AFB</TD>
<TD
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 120%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; COLOR: #000065; LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; PADDING-TOP: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><A
title="link to American Foundation for the Blind home page"
style="COLOR: #000065; TEXT-DECORATION: none"
href="http://www.afb.org">American Foundation<BR>for the Blind</A>
</TD>
<TD><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: 430%; COLOR: #000065; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD
style="FONT-SIZE: 39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: 430%; COLOR: #000065; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica,sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: none">TM </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></SPAN></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR style="BORDER-TOP: #be8a02 2px solid">
<TD
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 75%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; COLOR: #000065; PADDING-TOP: 3px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"
colSpan=2>Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss</TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P>
<H1>AccessWorld(R) Extra<BR>A bi-monthly e-mail newsletter of additional
AccessWorld® content</H1><BR>Volume 9, Number 4<BR>August 2009<BR><BR>"Remove"
instructions at bottom <BR><BR>Contents<BR>1. From the Editor<BR>2. Readers'
Corner<BR>3. Coming Soon in AccessWorld<BR>4. What's New<BR>5. Contact
Us<BR><BR>Note: This material is copyright © 2009, American Foundation for the
Blind and may not be reprinted or reproduced electronically without permission.
AccessWorld® is a registered trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind.
<BR>=================<BR><BR>
<H2>1. From the Editor</H2><BR>=================<BR><BR>Dear AccessWorld Reader:
Welcome to the August 2009 edition of AccessWorld Extra, the e-mail newsletter
produced by AccessWorld staff members six times per year. <BR><BR>We are in the
midst of a transition here at AccessWorld. AFB will soon be undertaking a search
for a new editor of AccessWorld who will build on the excellent work carried on
for the first ten years by Jay Leventhal. Jay has for years charted the course
of our online magazine with skill and dedication, and we will miss his
stewardship. <BR><BR>AccessWorld is built on a foundation of comprehensive
product evaluations, detailed reporting on new technologies, user-friendly
explanations of services, along with tips and techniques on how to do many
different activities. AccessWorld has achieved tremendous growth in readers and
we know that you expect a commitment to high standards of editorial integrity
and quality in our reporting. And, we also know that information and
communications technology changes rapidly and you are trying to keep up with
those changes. As we look to the future of our reporting on technology of
interest to people with vision loss, we want your ideas about how to balance
comprehensive and detailed analysis with the need for immediate information.
<BR><BR>We are enlisting your help in guiding the future direction of
AccessWorld. We want to know what you value most from what we’ve been providing,
and what new information you’d be most excited to have us provide in this
technology news source. Your input is very important to helping us chart the
future. <BR><BR>We hope that you will take time to complete the survey, and
encourage others to do so as well. And, remember, your comments are always
welcome. What do you think of the articles in the current issue of AccessWorld?
Do you have any technology questions that you'd like us to answer for you?
Perhaps you have a comment on one of the news stories in this
issue.<BR><BR>AccessWorld Extra is designed to be easy to read for everyone.
Items are numbered, and you can search for the beginning of the next item, since
each item is preceded by a line of equal signs.<BR><BR>Send your comments to <A
href="mailto:accessworld@afb.net">accessworld@afb.net</A>. This e-mail
newsletter is meant to provide more of what you have told us you want--more of
AccessWorld. We hope you will love it, but if you decide that you want to be
taken off the distribution list, please e-mail us at <A
href="mailto:accessworld@afb.net">accessworld@afb.net</A> and let us know. If
your e-mail address changes, please also contact us at that address and we will
add your new address to the distribution list. If someone forwarded this issue
to you, and you would like to be added to our distribution list, please contact
us at the same address.<BR><BR>We encourage you to forward AccessWorld Extra to
a friend, relative, teacher, or someone else who may benefit from the news and
information in AccessWorld. Please help us spread the news that AccessWorld is
free for all to read. Just be sure to forward the entire issue, including the
copyright notice. <BR><BR>Paul Schroeder<BR>Acting Editor-in-Chief<BR><BR>
<P><BR>=================<BR></P><BR>
<H2>2. Readers' Corner</H2><BR>=================<BR><BR>Here's your forum for
talking to us and to each other. This month, we hope you will take time to
carefully and deliberately respond to our survey which is designed to gather
your wishes for future directions and content for AccessWorld. To answer this
survey, go to the AccessWorld home page <A
href="http://www.afb.org/accessworld">www.afb.org/accessworld</A> and select the
link "Take our survey on future directions for AccessWorld." If you are not
comfortable answering surveys on the web, you can answer the survey below and
e-mail your response to
us.<BR><BR>=================<BR>Survey<BR>=================<BR><BR>Help Shape
the Future of AccessWorld<BR><BR>We are enlisting your help in guiding the
future direction of AccessWorld. We want to know what you value most from what
we've been providing, and what new information you'd be most excited to have us
provide in this technology news source. Your input is very important to helping
us chart the future.<BR><BR>1. How interested are you in reading about the
following products or services in AccessWorld?<BR>Telecommunications (cell
phones, telephones, etc.)?<BR>Scale: (place an "X" in front of your choice.
Please choose only one.)<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a
little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>2.
Mainstream PDAs (Blackberry, phone, etc.)?<BR>Scale: (place an "X" in front of
your choice. Please choose only one.)<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat
interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested
at all<BR><BR>3. Assistive technology (accessible PDAs, screen readers, video
magnifiers, etc.)?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>4. Computer
operating systems (Windows, Mac, etc.)?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat
interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested
at all<BR><BR>5. Computer applications (MS Word, Outlook, Firefox, etc.)<BR>Very
interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very
interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>6. Web sites and web
accessibility?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>7. Online
learning technologies (Blackboard, Moodle, etc.)?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat
interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested
at all<BR><BR>8. Office equipment (printers, copiers, fax machines,
etc.)?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>9. Way-finding
technologies (GPS, talking signs, audible traffic signals, etc.)?<BR>Very
interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very
interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>10. Strategies and ideas for
providing training?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>11. Home
entertainment?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>12. Home
appliances?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>13. Medical
devices?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat interested<BR>Only a little
interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested at all<BR><BR>14. Other
(please specify):<BR><BR><BR>15. How interested would you be in receiving
breaking news items quickly, even though<BR>there would be less detail than we
normally include in a full AccessWorld article?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat
interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested
at all<BR><BR>16. If AccessWorld chose to post breaking news items immediately,
how interested would<BR>you be in continuing to read our bi-monthly AccessWorld
magazine with detailed articles?<BR>Very interested<BR>Somewhat
interested<BR>Only a little interested<BR>Not very interested<BR>Not interested
at all<BR><BR>17. Thinking about the past several AccessWorld product
evaluations you have read, what do you think about the amount of detail in the
articles? Was there: (choose one)<BR>A lot more detail than I needed<BR>A little
more detail than I needed<BR>Just the right amount of detail<BR>A little less
detail than I needed<BR>A lot less detail than I needed<BR><BR>18. Which of the
following best describes you? (select all that apply):<BR>User of assistive
technology<BR>Assistive technology developer<BR>Technology trainer<BR>Family
member or friend of someone with vision loss<BR>Employer interested in
technology used by people with vision loss<BR>Other (please specify
below)<BR>None of the above, I am best described as:<BR><BR><BR><BR>20. Please
provide a few comments about what topics or features you would like to see in
future issues of AccessWorld.<BR><BR>21. How important to you are each of the
following AccessWorld features?<BR>Product evaluations:<BR>Scale:<BR>Very
important<BR>Somewhat important<BR>Neither important nor unimportant<BR>Somewhat
unimportant<BR>Very unimportant<BR><BR>22. How important is it to feature
articles about the following types of information technology in
AccessWorld?<BR><BR>Assistive Technology products designed for the blind or
visually impaired such as accessible PDAs (note takers) and video <BR>magnifiers
<BR>Scale:<BR>Very important<BR>Somewhat important<BR>Neither important nor
unimportant<BR>Somewhat unimportant<BR>Very unimportant<BR><BR>23. Assistive
Technology products that facilitate access to mainstream technology such as
screen reading and screen <BR>magnification software <BR>Scale:<BR>Very
important<BR>Somewhat important<BR>Neither important nor unimportant<BR>Somewhat
unimportant<BR>Very unimportant<BR><BR>24. Mainstream technology products such
as blood glucose meters, home appliances, and cell phones<BR>Scale:<BR>Very
important<BR>Somewhat important<BR>Neither important nor unimportant<BR>Somewhat
unimportant<BR>Very unimportant<BR><BR><BR>25. I use the information in
AccessWorld to: (select all that apply) <BR><BR>Guide purchases <BR>Help make
decisions about technology used in my organization <BR>Improve my use of
technology <BR>Help others use technology better <BR>Other (please
specify)<BR><BR><BR>=================<BR>End of e-mail Version of
Survey<BR>=================<BR><BR><BR><BR>In June, we focused on television
since the US converted to digital TV. We wanted to know about how you access
information about television programs and how you access your TV controls. We
received 57 responses.<BR><BR>We asked:<BR><BR>How do you receive television
programming?<BR>Cable 31<BR>Satellite 12<BR>Over-the-air using a digital TV
converter box: 12<BR>Over-the-air broadcast with an HDTV: 3<BR>On the web:
2<BR>Other (please specify) 5<BR><BR>I have a CD player with TV bands in my
kitchen. There was no information on being able to convert this unit from
analogue to digital TV bands. Also, there has been no catalogue for the Blind
that is selling a digital unit for TV bands as far as I know.<BR><BR>VERIZON
FIOS<BR><BR>I no longer have TV access since I have put off getting either a
converter box or cable/satellite. I have never watched much, but now I don't
even have the choice unless I find a box I can use or pay for the
privilege.<BR><BR>I used to use a TV radio: 2<BR><BR>What kind of remote control
do you use for TV?<BR>The control that came with your TV or set-top box: 48<BR>A
mainstream universal remote: 3<BR>An accessible remote: 3<BR><BR>If you answered
"accessible remote" in the last question, please indicate which one<BR>you
have.<BR><BR>I use both an Accessible Large Button Remote from Time Warner Cable
and the Remote that came with my TV.<BR><BR>Innovage Jumbo Universal
Remote<BR><BR>Surfboard<BR><BR>How often do you watch TV shows with video
description?<BR>Every day: 1<BR>A few times a week: 2<BR>Less than once a week:
3<BR>Less than once a month: 19<BR>Never: 32<BR><BR>Until June 12, video
description was delivered over an audio portion of the analog<BR>channel known
as the Secondary Audio Program (SAP). Have you tried to access description since
June 12?<BR>Yes: 6<BR>No: 50<BR><BR>If yes, did the digital transmission of
video description work:<BR>Better than SAP: 3<BR>Just as well as SAP: 1<BR>Not
as well as SAP: 1<BR>Not at all: 5<BR><BR>Do you have difficulty adjusting any
of the following functions independently on<BR>your current television? Check
all that apply.<BR>Selecting channels: 13<BR>Controlling volume: 4<BR>Selecting
video description: 34<BR><BR>How do you find out about TV program
schedules?<BR>From friends or family: 29<BR>On the web: 21<BR>NFB Newsline:
14<BR>Other (please specify) 11<BR><BR>Channel surfing: 3<BR><BR>I do not know
how to find described programs each day. I would love some
suggestions.<BR><BR>The on screen guide from Cox Digital Cable.<BR><BR>Channel
13's weekly email<BR><BR>I don't know how to find out what is on the channels
and how to select them.<BR><BR>I don't know where to find out what is on
television.<BR><BR>Ohio Telephone Reader (which is like the NFB
Newsline)<BR><BR>I tend to watch the same programs, so don't worry about program
guides much.<BR><BR>Comcast online program guide<BR><BR>I mostly watch cable
news channels. I just watch whatever is on or pick another
one.<BR><BR><BR>=================<BR>
<H2>3. Coming Soon in AccessWorld</H2><BR>================= <BR><BR>We hope you
are enjoying the <A href=" http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp">July 2009
AccessWorld</A>, featuring:<BR><BR><A
href=" http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw100402"><BR>Navigating by
Phone: A Review of Wayfinder Access GPS and Mobile Geo, Part 2 </A><BR><A
href=" http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw100405"><BR>Lowering the
Price of Braille: A Review of the Seika Braille Display </A><BR><A
href=" http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw100404"><BR>Good News on the
Home Front: An Update on Appliance Accessibility </A><BR><A
href=" http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw100406"><BR>Even More Ways to
Communicate: A Review of Twitter and Google Voice </A><BR><A
href=" http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw100403"><BR>Are You on BARD?
The Long-awaited Switch to Digital Talking Books </A><BR><BR>You can read the
issue for free or download printer-ready or braille-embosser-ready files at <A
href="http://www.afb.org/accessworld">www.afb.org/accessworld</A>. Don't miss
the September 2009 issue, coming soon. This issue will bring you:<BR><BR>A much
awaited report by Darren Burton on the access features built into the new
iPhone;<BR><BR>A review by Deborah Kendrick of the book “Using The Accessible
iPod,” by Anna Dresner;<BR><BR>A description of the Lexmark Accessibility
Solution, a web-based interface for using the copy, print, fax, scan, and e-mail
features of many of their multifunction machines.<BR><BR>And, Brad Hodges
conducts a thought-provoking interview with noted tech expert Jamal Mazrui.
<BR><BR><BR>=================<BR><BR>
<H2>4. What's New?</H2><BR><BR>Twenty-first Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act Introduced in Congress<BR><BR>On June 26, Rep. Ed Markey
(D-MA) introduced the "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
of 2009" (H.R. 3101). This comprehensive measure would modernize disability
accessibility mandates in the Communications Act, bringing existing requirements
up to date to cover TV and phone services deployed over the Internet and ensure
access to television through accessible interfaces and video description.
<BR><BR>The bill would:<BR><BR>require that mobile and other Internet-based
telecommunications devices be fully hearing aid compatible, have accessible user
interfaces, and offer people with disabilities use of a full range of text
messaging and other popular services that are currently largely
inaccessible;<BR><BR>provide people who are deaf-blind with vital but costly
technologies they need to communicate electronically, establish a process for
the provision of real-time text capability, and clarify existing relay-to-relay,
Lifeline and Linkup service requirements to ensure their relevance to the real
world communications needs of people with disabilities;<BR><BR>restore the
Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) modest video description rules and
unambiguously establish the Commission's current and ongoing authority to expand
such regulations; <BR><BR>require emergency announcements and similar
information to be accessible to people with disabilities through audible
presentation of on-screen alerts; <BR><BR>ensure that video programming offered
via the Internet will be both captioned and described, and call for all devices
that receive and playback video programming to employ accessible user interfaces
and allow ready access to captioning and description; and <BR><BR>strengthen
consumers' ability to enforce their rights to communications and video
accessibility through the establishment of a clearinghouse of information about
service and equipment accessibility and usability, a meaningful FCC complaint
process that holds industry accountable for their accessibility obligations, and
judicial review of FCC action to ensure the Commission's own
accountability.<BR><BR>The principles for this legislation were developed by the
Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), a new coalition of
over 240 national, regional, state, and community-based disability
organizations. AFB is a leader of this coalition. COAT was developed to advocate
for legislative and regulatory safeguards that will ensure full access by people
with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and other Internet
Protocol (IP) technologies. More info about COAT can be found
at:<BR>www.coataccess.org.<BR><BR>=================
<BR><BR>=================<BR>
<H2>5. Contact Us</H2><BR>================= <BR><BR><STRONG>Editor in Chief
(Acting)</STRONG><BR>Paul Schroeder <A
href="mailto:pws@afb.net">jaylev@afb.net</A><BR><BR><STRONG>Contributing
Editors</STRONG><BR>Founding Editor: Paul Schroeder: <A
href="mailto:pws@afb.net">pws@afb.net</A> <BR>Senior Features Editor: Deborah
Kendrick: <A href="mailto:dkk@afb.net">dkk@afb.net</A> <BR>Darren Burton: <A
href="mailto:dburton@afb.net">dburton@afb.net</A><BR>Crista L. Earl: <A
href="mailto:crista@afb.net">crista@afb.net</A><BR>Mark M. Uslan: <A
href="mailto:muslan@afb.net">muslan@afb.net</A><BR><BR><STRONG>Managing
Editor</STRONG><BR>Elizabeth Neal: <A
href="mailto:lneal@afb.net">lneal@afb.net</A> <BR><BR><STRONG>Marketing
Manager</STRONG><BR>Sharon Baker-Harris: <A
href="mailto:sharonb@afb.net">sharonb@afb.net</A><BR><BR>Web site: <A
href="http://www.afb.org/accessworld">www.afb.org/accessworld</A><BR><BR>General
e-mail: <A
href="mailto:accessworld@afb.net">accessworld@afb.net</A><BR><BR>AccessWorld®,
AFB's premier technology publication, is a free, web-based magazine. It offers
multiple options for reading and sharing content, including a braille
embosser-ready file, a printer-friendly version, and an "e-mail this article to
a friend" option. <BR><BR>To advertise, contact the AFB Press Advertising
Department; phone: 212-502-7652; e-mail: <A
href="mailto:sharonb@afb.net">sharonb@afb.net</A>. <BR><BR>To submit an article,
question for the Questions and Answers column, or Letter to the Editor, contact:
<BR><BR>Paul Schroeder; e-mail: <A
href="mailto:accessworld@afb.net">accessworld@afb.net</A>. <BR><BR>AccessWorld
Extra is published bi-monthly by American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn
Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001. Products included in AccessWorld Extra are
not necessarily endorsed by AccessWorld® or AFB staff. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2009, American Foundation for the Blind. <BR><BR>AccessWorld® is a
registered trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind. <BR><BR>
<P></P>"Remove" instructions<BR>You are receiving this message because you are
an AccessWorld reader. To be taken off the distribution list, please reply to
this message with the word "remove" in the subject line, and we will remove you
at once. (If you do not wish to read AccessWorld and you have received this
e-mail in error, we sincerely apologize).
<P>
<HR>
<P></P><BR>No virus found in this incoming message.<BR>Checked by AVG -
www.avg.com <BR>Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.72/2337 - Release
Date: 08/31/09 05:50:00<BR></BODY></HTML>