Here is an excerpt of the 2006 [NFB](http://www.nfb.org) banquet including the annual keynote banquet address given by Marc Maurer, President. The excerpted recording is 1 hour and 18 minutes.
[tags]National Federation Of The Blind, blind, civil rights, justice, social justice, NFB, visual impairment, speeches, 2006[/tags]
In this 2 hour and 2 minute show from Jacksonville, we walk through parts of the ACB convention exhibit hall. The exhibit hall contains a variety of assistive technology, as well as high and low tech items that may be of interest to people who are blind or have low vision. Vendors also display gifts and other items of a general interest and/or having been produced with universal design principles. A number of products are checked out during this 2 hour walk through. Some of the products reviewed more thoroughly include the new ID Mate, the soon to be released Level Star Icon PDA, Optelec devices that interface with phones and pdas, interface between RFB&D and Book Port, difficulty getting the film industry to put movies with DVS on DVD, and an atomic clock with a wireless outdoor temperature thermometer from MaxiAids that sells for $44. The podcast also presents much of the ambiance in the exhibit hall, and gives you a feeling for the experience. The podcast ends as I ascend in the elevator back to my room to drop off the products I have bought.
[tags]American Council Of The Blind, blind, assistive technology, accessibility, universal design, atomic clock, PDA, braille, descriptive video service[/tags]
The 2 hour and 17 minute audio recording show has been removed, per the request of Earlene Hughes, BITS President, removed as of 07/16/2006.
Show Notes For Monday July 10, 2006 Show 1
In this podcast we provide an audio replay of much of the
[BITS](http://www.acb.org/bits/)
Technology Vendor Showcase
which took place at the
[45th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind](http://www.acb.org/convention/prog2006.html)
The following represents a list of the vendors for which I have noted a web site, and in some cases comments about the presentation.
1. [Recording For The Blind & Dyslexic](http://www.rfbd.org/)
announced that the cassette book will be phased out in favor of digital media content. Users of the
[APH Book Port](http://sun1.aph.org/products/bp_bro.html)
can call RFB&D at 800-221-4792, and request product id number RM106
in order to obtain a key needed to read RFB&D content on the Book Port. RFB&D has a number of other promotions on digital players. RFB&D members, including grandfathered members, also should be aware that you must periodically sign a copyright agreement. This can be done at the booth or by calling the above 800 number;
2. [Optelec ](http://www.optelec.com)
Portable braille writing device, free copy of Mobile Speak with purchase of a braille device;
3. [LevelStar](http://www.levelstar.com)
Tel: (800) 315-2305
Produces a new PDA called an Icon which also has a docking station;
4. [Capital Accessibility](http://www.screenlessphone.com/)
Tel: (240) 715-1272
Screenless Phone (Owasys 22C)
Supports sms, and has private hearing of the caller id data. Able to view all the call lists.
Easy to use, the phone appeals to both new and power users.
The price is $199.95 with a 2 year TMobile agreement, or
retail $499 and you can use Cingular or another GSM cell provider. Also the phone could be mmanufactured to support United States CDMA based carriers such as
[Verizon Wireless](http://www.verizonwireless.com)
although this would require some lobbeying of the company to accept this telephone on its network. The telephone runs Linux, and additional applications could be written;
5. [HumanWare](http://www.humanware.com)
Presentation by
[Jonathan Mosen](http://www.mosenexplosion.com)
of various HumanWare products such as BrailleNote, Maestro, Mobile Speak Pocket and Mobile Magnifier
See the HumanWare web site. Extensive programming and drawing at the convention;
6. [Beyond Sight](http://www.beyondsight.com) Variety of products, and they offer some used products for reduced prices. Over 1,000 different products, and has been in business since 1989;
7. [AI Squared](http://www.aisquared.com)
8. [Freedom Scientific](http://www.freedomscientific.com) Presentation by Eric Damery of various FS product updates such as Jaws, PacMate, Open Book, and new line of CCTV devices. Extensive convention participation, training, and product drawing;
9. [Dolphin Computer Access](dolphinusa.com)
Pocket HAL screen reader for PDA devices $495. They are working on incorporating Elloquence speech synthesizer voices in to the product. Other screen reading and related products;
10. [All In Play](http://www.allinplay.com)
A variety of computer based card games that can work with screen readers, or alternately
the web site provides a self voicing application allowing a user to play the internet based games via voice even if the pc is not running a screen reader.
Free 15 day trial then $8 a month. Also this company offers a variety of organizationally sponsored online poker tournaments;
11. [PLUSTEK](http://www.mybookreader.com)
View Plus Book Reader software. The package is $699 and includes a scanner and OCR software;
12. [Enabling Technologies](http://www.brailler.com)
Provided an update on Enabling Technologies braille embossers. Some embossers may now or in the future support USB and ethernet network connectivity out of the box. Also a small version of an embosser was described;
13. [Sighted Electronics](http://www.sighted.com)
Described companys line of Index braille embossers which feature Win Braille software that essentially provides a Windows based Grade 2 translator that will emboss braille from any Windows application without third party software or configuration. The company also offers a money back satisfaction guarantee on its embossers;
14. [GW Micro](http://www.gwmicro.com)
Presentation providing an update on Window Eyes screen reader, Small Talk Ultra mini Windows XP computer, and other GW Micro products;
15. [Kurzweil Educational Systems](http://www.kurzweiledu.com)
Provided a live demonstration of the new KNFB portable reading machine, which is a PDA camera based OCR reading machine that weighs less than one pound. The device sells for about $3,500. The main benefit of the device is the portability for reading documents from almost anywhere. Key limitation is it will not read white print on black currently. Also brief update on Kurzweill 1000 OCR software;
16. [Guerilla Technologies](http://guerillatechnologies.com)
Demonstrated an OCR reading appliance called an Extreme Reader. There are three models of the reader. Also described what seems to be an innovative locating device that could be used, for example, to locate luggage. The transmitter and receiver are interchangeable so that each component can serve either as the finder or the item to be found. Set of 5 of these costs about $150;
17. [Triumph Technology](http://www.triumphonic.com)
AT dealer selling a variety of products.
18. [Sendero Group](http://www.senderogroup.com)
Provided an update on BrailleNote GPS, as well as the Trecker GPS. Also other products such as I.D. Mate, Mini Guidee, cell phone screen readers, etc. Pioneer in the company, Mike May, may be thought of as the founder of GPS technologies for use by persons who are blind. Company also has a blog.
[tags]blind, assistive technology, blindness, American Council Of The Blind, ACB[/tags]