Sendero iOS GPS App Updates; An Announcement of Sendero Summer Conference Schedule
Recently, Sendero announced the release of version 3.4 of its iPhone GPS apps. The company stated that this release brings multiple bug fixes for the LookAround mode. Sendero also announced that recent price increases for Google maps and POIs caused the company to remove Google POIs from their apps as of this version. If you are currently using the app, it is necessary to update to the latest version to make sure the app continues to function properly.
Sendero also announced the upcoming summer conferences that it will be attending:
AER International conference in Reno, NV. Sendero will be presenting "Developing an AccessibleIndoor Navigation Application: Perceptions of 785 Legally Blind adults" on Saturday July 28 from 10?11 am in Naples 6.
Envision conference in Wichita, KS. Sendero will be presenting "The Future of Indoor Navigation for the Visually Impaired is Now!" Time and place to be determined, for updates, refer to Sendero's conference website.
Non-Profit Computers for the Blind (CFTB) Has Moved — Physically and on the Web
With the increased need and demand for affordable & accessible computers, Computers for the Blind (CFTB) has moved to make room for more volunteers to refurbish the computers. CFTB has moved from suite 204 to suite 206. Otherwise, the phone number and address remain the same.
Additionally, it has acquired the www.computersfortheblind.org and the www.computersfortheblind.com domains so it can be found easier on the web. Please note that although CFTB still owns www.computersfortheblind.net, those who have bookmarked it may receive a certificate error, and it will not redirect them to the new site. The solution is to click the "Proceed anyway (Not secure)" link. It will take them to the website, or visitors can just type in the new website address www.computersfortheblind.org. CFTB will continue to use .net for its e-mail addresses.
Lastly,CFTB and Freedom Scientific have announced that all new CFTB computers will ship with a copy of Fusion installed. The product is licensed for a year and customers can purchase updates through Freedom Scientific's Home Use program after the first year. For more details, see Bill Holton's article on this partnership in this (July 2018) issue of AccessWorld or see this blog post from Freedom Scientific.
The new address for Computers for the Blind is:
Computers for the Blind
1201 S. Sherman Street, Suite 206
Richardson, TX 75081
www.computersfortheblind.org
Phone: 214/340-6328
American Foundation for the Blind Launches the First Fully Accessible Digital Archive of the Helen Keller Collection
More than 160,000 artifacts can now be viewed in a groundbreaking, fully accessible online archive thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and American Express.
Recently, The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced the launch of the Helen Keller Archive, the world's first fully accessible digital archive collection, comprising more than 160,000 artifacts, dedicated to the fascinating life of Helen Keller.
The Helen Keller Archive is the largest repository of historical content about Helen Keller, whose iconic name is known in every corner of the globe for her groundbreaking work as an author, political activist, and humanitarian who played a critical role in changing public perceptions about people with disabilities.
The Archive was made possible thanks to Keller's close relationship with AFB, where she worked for 44 years. At the time of her death, she bequeathed all of her belongings, including gifts from around the world, to AFB to create the Archive. Due to their fragility, many of these items were unavailable to the public until now. This momentous online project, generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and American Express, is also the first of its kind to be fully accessible to blind, deaf, hard-of-hearing, low vision, and deafblind audiences.
The digitized Helen Keller Archive presents an opportunity to encounter this renowned historical figure in a new, dynamic, and exciting way. For example, despite her fame, relatively few people know that Helen Keller wrote 14 books as well as hundreds of essays and articles on a broad array of subjects ranging from animals and atomic energy to Mahatma Gandhi. The Archive's vast treasure trove of artifacts about Helen Keller includes personal letters, speeches, press clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, photograph albums, oversize materials, architectural drawings, and audio-visual materials.
"Keller was both a product of her environment and a driving force upon it, and few archival collections have the potential of providing historians with so rich a source of information on the history and direction of the United States, and indeed on attitudes to those with disabilities around the globe," said Helen Selsdon, AFB Archivist. "Knowing this, AFB recognized the importance of disseminating this amazing resource that was both underutilized and difficult to access. Digitization was the way to achieve this goal."
Kirk Adams, President and CEO of AFB, agrees. "Beyond the historical value of the collection to a broad audience ranging from scholars to school children, The Helen Keller Archive represents a powerful vehicle for continuing the work begun by Keller and AFB to build a more inclusive world," Adams said. "Harnessing the power of the collection, we can inspire educators, employers, and the public to see beyond a person's disabilities to a more equitable society. This digitization project also presented a fantastic opportunity to show the importance of making digital collections accessible to all users."
"Helen Keller is one of our nation's most inspiring figures," said NEH Senior Deputy Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. "The National Endowment for the Humanities is proud to support efforts to put this valuable archive online so that the records of the life, writing, and achievements of this iconic American are accessible to all."
"American Express has long believed that by preserving the lessons of the past, we can inspire a more promising future," said Timothy J. McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation. "By sharing Helen Keller's miraculous story in a modern and dynamic way, we hope to inspire a new generation to fight for a society where everyone's potential is realized and nurtured."
National Braille Press now offering Braille Me, Low-Cost, 20-Cell Braille Display from Innovision
The National Braille Press is now offering the Braille Me, A low-cost, 20-cell refreshable braille display produced by India based Innovision. The Braille Me has 20 6-dot braille cells and also includes cursor routing keys, page navigation keys, and a braille keyboard. The device can be connected to an iOS or Android phone or tablet through Bluetooth or can connect to a Windows computer using USB where it can be used with the NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader. The Braille Me includes a built in file editor where TXT, BRF, and BRL file formats can be viewed and edited from an SD card. The device has been designed so that magnets are used to refresh the braille cells allowing the device to be provided at a lower cost. The device retails for $515 from the National Braille Press, which includes the handling fee. To learn more about the Braille Me, visit the National Braille Press listing or the Innovision website.
The Paciello Group Announces Acquisition of Accessibility Consulting Firm Interactive Accessibility
It was recently announced that the Paciello Group (TPG) has acquired the company Interactive Accessibility (IA) a consulting firm with a focus on web accessibility. General Manager of the Paciello Group, Matt Ater, had this to say about the merger. "Interactive Accessibility expands the capabilities and expertise of TPG. With our combined strength our enterprise clients benefit from unsurpassed accessibility services and solutions. This is in perfect alignment with our strategy of providing superior accessibility consulting, technology solutions, and services." Kathleen Wahlbin, the founder and CEO of Interactive Accessibility had this to say. "This merger offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen and expand our service offerings for our clients and further advances our position as the leader in providing accessibility solutions. As organizations focus on integrating accessibility, we will be best positioned to support them on that journey. You can learn more about the Paciello Group here and you can learn about Interactive Accessibility here
