The State of Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired is hiring. We are hiring a Rehabilitation Specialist for the Blind which could include someone who is certified
in any of the vision rehabilitation fields or someone who is not certified with some great experience with people with vision loss.
NOTICE: This E-mail and any attachments may contain confidential information.? Use and further disclosure of the information by the recipient must be consistent with applicable laws, regulations
and agreements.? If you received this E-mail in error, please notify the sender; delete the E-mail; and do not use, disclose or store the information it contains.
?
Tech companies: Deadline TODAY for hands-on session to highlight your products at SOMA O&M conference October 2024
Hi everyone!? Just a reminder to tech companies that today is the deadline for submitting your proposal to do a free session to showcase your product(s), as described below.? If you already submitted your proposal, you sent it to the wrong link, please send it to the link below.? If you want to apply but can't do it today, let me know and we'll work it out.
?
Sent March 26:
We are inviting companies with technology that helps blind people navigate (GPS, apps to help with street-crossing, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Electronic Travel Aids, etc.) to apply for a one-hour spot at the SOMA pre-conference Tech Saturday at our O&M conference in Huntsville, Alabama on October 27, 2024.? We are expecting about 100 O&M specialists to be participating that day.
We are looking for sessions that:
have learning objectives that our O&M participants can apply to their instruction (other than learning about the features of your product);
have at least one presenter who is a blind user and one who is an O&M specialist (these presenters can join by zoom)
are hands-on (there are traffic signals and sidewalks within a 5-10-minute walk from the hotel).
The deadline for the call for papers for the Tech is Saturday, April 13.? Please use the form at
Information about the conference and program are at - meanwhile, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.? Thanks!
?
-- Dona
-------------------------------
Dona Sauerburger, COMS
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist?
SOMA O&M conference Huntsville, Alabama October 26-29, 2024 - check it out!
Hi everyone!? We're really excited about this year's SOMA conference program, emphasizing hands-on / interactive sessions to get you thinking and inspire you with new ideas!?
?
We are still filling in some gaps and have about a dozen sessions that have not yet been posted, but you can , and the .? Registration and hotel information are on our ??
?
While you're in Huntsville, you can take advantage of the reduced-price tickets and transportation we've arranged to complete a "mission" and experience space simulation at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp (where many of our blind students have gone) and go to the home where Helen Keller grew up and see the water pump where she learned her first word.
On Wed, Mar 27, 2024 at 3:46?PM Chris Tabb <chris@...> wrote:
There are also there varieties of the original Soundscape that are also called Soundscape avaiable on the app store. They may contain the same tutorials that the original did.?
On Mar 27, 2024, at 5:15?PM, Amy Downard <adownardtvi@...> wrote:
?
Hi Friends,
I am trying to find any How To resources on using the travel app Voice Vista, but there seems to be very little. I know it was Soundscape in the past. I like the major features of current location, what's ahead, etc, but I wanted to use it to build a route and also to learn the breadcrumbs. I set some markers and they sometimes pop up. I'll keep experimenting, just wanted to check with?my crew on more resources. On a great note I am finding Apple Maps seems to be really good these days with walking navigation.?
There are also there varieties of the original Soundscape that are also called Soundscape avaiable on the app store. They may contain the same tutorials that the original did.?
On Mar 27, 2024, at 5:15?PM, Amy Downard <adownardtvi@...> wrote:
?
Hi Friends,
I am trying to find any How To resources on using the travel app Voice Vista, but there seems to be very little. I know it was Soundscape in the past. I like the major features of current location, what's ahead, etc, but I wanted to use it to build a route and also to learn the breadcrumbs. I set some markers and they sometimes pop up. I'll keep experimenting, just wanted to check with?my crew on more resources. On a great note I am finding Apple Maps seems to be really good these days with walking navigation.?
On Mar 27, 2024, at 5:15?PM, Amy Downard <adownardtvi@...> wrote:
?
Hi Friends,
I am trying to find any How To resources on using the travel app Voice Vista, but there seems to be very little. I know it was Soundscape in the past. I like the major features of current location, what's ahead, etc, but I wanted to use it to build a route and also to learn the breadcrumbs. I set some markers and they sometimes pop up. I'll keep experimenting, just wanted to check with?my crew on more resources. On a great note I am finding Apple Maps seems to be really good these days with walking navigation.?
I am trying to find any How To resources on using the travel app Voice Vista, but there seems to be very little. I know it was Soundscape in the past. I like the major features of current location, what's ahead, etc, but I wanted to use it to build a route and also to learn the breadcrumbs. I set some markers and they sometimes pop up. I'll keep experimenting, just wanted to check with?my crew on more resources. On a great note I am finding Apple Maps seems to be really good these days with walking navigation.?
Aloha,
Amy
Yikes! CORRECT link for Tech companies -- call for papers for SOMA O&M conference October 2024
Uh-oh!? I can't find the responses for the form I sent!? The correct
form for the Tech Company Call for Papers is
- I'll make that correction below too.? Sorry about that!
On 3/26/2024 12:43 AM, Dona Sauerburger
wrote:
Hi everyone!? We are inviting companies with technology that
helps blind people navigate (GPS, apps to help with
street-crossing, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Electronic
Travel Aids, etc.) to apply for a one-hour spot at the SOMA
pre-conference Tech Saturday at our O&M conference in
Huntsville, Alabama on October 27, 2024.? We are expecting about
100 O&M specialists to be participating that day.
We are looking for sessions that?
have learning objectives that our O&M participants can
apply to their instruction (other than learning about the
features of your product);
have at least one presenter who is a blind user and one who
is an O&M specialist (these presenters can join by zoom)
are hands-on (there are traffic signals and sidewalks within
a 5-10-minute walk from the hotel).
The deadline for the call for papers for the Tech is
Saturday, April 13.? Please use the form at
Information about the conference and
program are at - meanwhile, please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions.? Thanks!
-- Dona
-------------------------------
Dona Sauerburger, COMS
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
Tech companies -- call for papers for SOMA O&M conference October 2024
Hi everyone!? We are inviting companies with technology that
helps blind people navigate (GPS, apps to help with
street-crossing, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Electronic Travel
Aids, etc.) to apply for a one-hour spot at the SOMA
pre-conference Tech Saturday at our O&M conference in
Huntsville, Alabama on October 27, 2024.? We are expecting about
100 O&M specialists to be participating that day.
We are looking for sessions that?
have learning objectives that our O&M participants can
apply to their instruction (other than learning about the
features of your product);
have at least one presenter who is a blind user and one who is
an O&M specialist (these presenters can join by zoom)
are hands-on (there are traffic signals and sidewalks within a
5-10-minute walk from the hotel).
The deadline for the call for papers for the Tech is
Saturday, April 13.? Please use the form at
Information about the conference and
program are at
- meanwhile, please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions.? Thanks!
-- Dona
-------------------------------
Dona Sauerburger, COMS
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
--
-- Dona
-------------------------------
Dona Sauerburger, COMS
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
FW: [DBS] looking for deafblind academics to interview
Are you a PhD researcher or working as a postdoctoral researcher?
Do you use (tactile) sign language to communicate??
YES to all this? I hope you want to consider participating in my study!?
I am a deafblind PhD candidate from the Netherlands. I am focusing on deafblind communication and space in international settings. As part of my PhD studies, I am exploring how a deafblind researcher navigates their work in academics. What are deafblind researchers’ experiences in academia, and what strategies are used to navigate academia??
To answer these questions, I need YOU. I hope though, that it can also be useful to you, as it should provide insights for all of us in academia.?
I’m trying to find answers to these questions through interviews with deafblind researchers. The interview can be done in English, visual International Sign, or tactile communication, by email, in chat, in a video call, or meeting physically. The interview may take about 30 minutes to one hour.?
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DeafBlind Studies" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to dbstudies+unsubscribe@.... To view this discussion on the web visit .
Not exactly recent, but maybe helpful. Cannot remeber where I found these; had used them for a presentation years ago and made the accessble versions for those who could not access the PDF’s as pictures (seems that’s how they were originally saved).
--
Sent from iPhone
Chris Tabb
chris@...
512.660.2750
On Mar 25, 2024, at 10:45?AM, Sara Reuss via groups.io <S-sreuss1@...> wrote:
?
Greetings,?
I am searching for current resources and articles based on rural travel instruction. Any assistance would be greatly?appreciated.?
Not exactly recent, but maybe helpful. Cannot remeber where I found these; had used them for a presentation years ago and made the accessble versions for those who could not access the PDF’s as pictures (seems that’s how they were originally saved).
Different tools for different people is my motto. There are pros and cons to each.
?
On the plus side for the StellarTrek:
?
One handed use that leaves your cane/guide dog hand free
Everything in one place with a user interface that is coherent (different apps on the phone use different UIs)
Doesn’t need Internet connectivity
Virtual map browsing (you can “walk” around anywhere in the world from the comfort of your living room, useful to do before a trip to somewhere new)
Open area mode
Ability to record routes
Detailed intersection description, not just the street name but also if there are traffic light, stop signs present, etc.
?
Also, the Stellar is $1595 USD, not $2000.
?
?
If you’d like to know more, feel free to reach out to me!
?
Mathieu
?
?
20+ hours battery life of usageFrom:[email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of aasc.s.payne via groups.io Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:42 PM To:[email protected] Subject: Re: [OandM] StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
?
EXTERNAL EMAIL
- Be vigilant with attachments and clickable links.
COURRIEL EXTERNE - Attention aux pièces jointes et aux liens cliquables.
I would like to know how your $2000 device is different from free Seeing Ai and OKO software on an iPhone?
Thanks
Sharon
--
Sharon H Payne COMS, CLVT
Rehabilitation Services Manager
Lift Vision Services c/o Able Services, Inc
Maryland, USA
I would like to know how your $2000 device is different from free Seeing Ai and OKO software on an iPhone? Thanks Sharon -- Sharon H Payne COMS, CLVT Rehabilitation Services Manager Lift Vision Services c/o Able Services, Inc Maryland, USA
No to toot our own horn, but the pedestrian crossing detection feature has been in beta for a couple months and we’ve done some demos in the field and the feedback has been pretty amazing.
From:[email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Dona Sauerburger via groups.io Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 1:53 PM To:[email protected] Subject: Re: [OandM] StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
?
EXTERNAL EMAIL
- Be vigilant with attachments and clickable links.
COURRIEL EXTERNE - Attention aux pièces jointes et aux liens cliquables.
<gasp> this sounds amazing!
— Dona
—————————
Dona Sauerburger, COMS
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
On Mar 12, 2024, at 1:34 PM, Mathieu via groups.io <Mathieu.Paquette@...> wrote:
?Hi everyone!
Just a quick word to announce the release of the 2.1 software of the StellarTrek today!
This new update brings tons of new features to the device, such as :
Pedestrian crossing detection with anti-veering technology:
When you arrive at an intersection, enter this application (found alongside all the other apps like the quick reading, barcode reading, etc) to scan your environment and locate where the pedestrian crossing (also called crosswalks, zebra crossings,
etc) is. While crossing, maintain your device in front of you, and if you are veering too much to the left or to the right, the device will give instructions to correct course.
Offline map installation:
Maps can now be downloaded from a computer to a USB-C stick. Plugging that USB-C stick to the Stellar will prompt you to install all the maps installed. Note that whatever is on the USB-C stick will override what was on the device. For example,
if you had STATE A and STATE B installed, and on your stick you have STATE C, then it will REMOVE State A and B as they’re not present on the USB-C stick, and install State C. This however will allow configuring multiple units at once easier and without having
to use wifi.
STOP signs integration:
2.0 brought in traffic light information in the maps, now with 2.1, we also added STOP signs (as provided by HERE Maps data, can be more or less reliable depending on where you are).
Disable unwanted applications:
In the settings menu, you can now personalize your StellarTrek further by disabling certain apps. For example, never use the color recognition? Disable it! This way, it will stop showing up in the application menu (up arrow). If you do decide
to bring it back, you can re-enable it later. This is also now a step in the initial setup.
Low light conditions verification:
For all apps that use the camera (quick and detailed reading, address recognition, barcode, color recognition, pedestrian crossings), if the light conditions are insufficient, the StellarTrek will give you a warning.
Route time ETA:
In pedestrian mode, get your estimated time of arrival when pressing the WhereAmI key.
Invalid POI reporting:
If the What’s Around feature reports a business that is now closed or moved, you can report it. Reporting it will hide it from future queries of What’s Around, and it will also send HumanWare a report that it is an invalid POI, which we will
gather and submit to HERE Maps for future map corrections.
Cycling and pedestrian paths are now available as a route option:
Turned off by default. If you turn it on, the StellarTrek will now take into account bike and walking paths to create routes. This is a feature mainly for EU as those are more prevalent there but can be used everywhere.
Import/export all configurations at once:
There is now a menu to export all of your configurations (except Bluetooth) at once and reimport it on another device. Like offline maps install, this will help when trying to configure multiple devices at once, you could configure just one,
export it and import the config on other devices.
Have questions about the StellarTrek? Feel free to post them here or send me an email at mathieu.paquette[at]humanware.com !