The Hadley School for the Blind will offer three new, online courses designed to improve access technology skills for users of screenreaders. The two-part courses will be available in 2011.
Bookshare, the online library of over 100,000 digital books and periodicals for people with print disabilities, recently released Read2Go, a $19.99 app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Read2Go lets you instantly download books and immediately read them on your device. It features its own text-to-speech function for reading materials from Bookshare, or you can use VoiceOver. Learn more about the app at the Read2Go website.
Code Factory has announced the American release of its new software application, TV Speak.
TV Speak uses speech output and magnification to allow people who are blind or have low vision to use the most common functionality of digital terrestrial television in a fully accessible way. The application is compatible with Windows-based computers (Windows 7, Vista, or XP) that are equipped to receive a digital television signal.
The deadline for the Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology Scholarship from the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is fast approaching. The Roeder Scholarship is a $2,500 grant made to an individual who is blind and interested in pursuing a career in access technology.
The scholarship is named in memory of Joe Roeder, who served as senior access technology specialist at the NIB from 1997 until his death in 2010.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has launched a free mobile application to assist the blind and visually impaired denominate U.S. currency. EyeNote is a mobile device app designed for Apple iPhone (3G, 3Gs, 4), and the 4th Generation iPod Touch and iPad 2 platforms.
En-Vision America has announced a new program to aid the blind and visually impaired in obtaining accessible prescriptions using ScripTalk Station. ScripTalk Station uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) and text-to-speech (TTS) technologies to provide information access to those who cannot read their prescription labels.
Povidi NZ Ltd., a technology company that develops solutions that really matter to the vision impaired, presents YourTube, an accessible web interface for YouTube. YourTube allows you to enter search terms for audio and video and provides browse-able results in the form of headings. Once you find what you're looking for, you can access the easy-to-use player controls. Alternate color settings are available for those who have some functional vision. Povidi offers this interface free of charge to everyone.
On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, news broke confirming the rumors that Verizon Wireless will soon be carrying the iPhone. Reports say that they will be carrying the iPhone 4, and it will include the same VoiceOver screen reader, Zoom magnification, and other accessibility features built into the iPhones that have been available from AT&T.
Check out the 1.7 update for the AccessWorld app! We've added a new color scheme and enhanced menu features. The new color scheme is taken from the AFB AccessWorld logo and adds a predominantly blue color to the interface. The "Current Issue" menu now displays the month of the most recent AccessWorld issue, and the "Back Issues" menu has been enhanced to include information about which back issue you are viewing.
To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States the opportunity to win one of thirty national scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. See the NFB scholarships website for the rules on eligibility, requirements for documentation, and an online application form. Membership in the NFB is not required.