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Welcome To The
Flying Blind, LLC Home / News Page
In this installment of the EyePod Technocast we showcase NetECHO, a web application developed by Internet Speech (http://www.internetspeech.com/).
What distinguishes the NetECHO application from any other web browser today is that it does not require a PC or mobile phone, web browser, or screenreader in order to use the application. Amazed? I was. NetECHO delivers a variety of web content through any telephone, land-based, LAN-based, or cellular. The user simply subscribes to the service, dials a number, enters a user name and password, and then utilizes the self-voicing application either by issuing voice commands to NetECHO, or by driving its performance via the telephone keypad.In this podcast demonstration Flying Blind, LLC's founder, Larry Lewis, takes us on a tour of NetECHO, and illustrates, step-by-step, how this solution makes it possible to browse the internet, perform web searches, and send and receive e-mail, all without a PC or accessible mobile device. This innovative new technology now makes web content available to millions of users who would prefer, or have a specific need to, access web content via a telephone, a device both widely available and ubiquitously familiar. Finally, if after hearing the podcast you decide that NetECHO might be the right choice for you or your organization, Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer its customers the ability to purchase monthly subscriptions to NetECHO using the following link: http://www.internetspeech.com/signup.htm Alternatively, you may also e-mail netecho@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 to ensure that you are purchasing the best option to meet your specific web-browsing needs. You may click on, or forward, either of the following links to download: EyePod TechnoCast Volume 8: Flying Blind, LLC Introduces You to NetECHO, An All New Internet Access Alternative!, in either MP3 or ZIP Format (26.6 MB @ 96Kbps) MP3 Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast8.mp3 ZIP Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast8.zip We offer the ZIP format as a courtesy to anyone that might wish to download the podcast without the interference of their installed media player. Once downloaded, simply extract the enclosed MP3 and enjoy. Or you can subscribe to the EyePod TechnoCast Feed using the RSS link provided below!
In this edition of the EyePod Technocast, Flying Blind, LLC’s founder, Larry Lewis, discusses the entire product line of Massachusetts-based ABISee (http://www.abisee.com), the creators of an entire product portfolio designed to provide audio, low vision, and tactile access to hardcopy print.Optical Character Recognition, or OCR Solutions have been available to vision impaired customers for over 30 years, but ABISee is the first company to combine state-of-the-art mainstream hardware with software know-how to produce a complete range of products for print-impaired individuals of all ages. 
Mr. Lewis demonstrates the Eye-Pal, an OCR solution designed to interact with a PC. A camera mounted on a specially designed, collapsible stand is connected via USB to a PC whereby the user may capture images of a variety of hardcopy materials and then read the contents of those materials on their PC. Lewis describes how he uses this solution in a variety of settings, and provides suggestions for how to best optimize such an innovative approach to accessing print in a variety of settings.Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to announce that we will now be offering the entire line of ABISee OCR Solutions. For more information on which ABISee OCR product might be right for you, please e-mail OCR@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107. You may click on, or forward, either of the following links to download: EyePod TechnoCast Volume 10: Introducing Eye-Pal, Where A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!, in either MP3 or ZIP Format (16.7 MB @ 96Kbps): MP3 Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast10.mp3 ZIP Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast10.zip We offer the ZIP format as a courtesy to anyone that might wish to download the podcast without the interference of their installed media player. Once downloaded, simply extract the enclosed MP3 and enjoy. Or you can subscribe to the EyePod TechnoCast Feed using the RSS link provided below!
Well, it’s that time of year again. Amongst all the chaos of the NCAA’s "March Madness", California State University, Northridge presents CSUN 2010, this industry’s premiere Adaptive Technology Conference, and Flying Blind, LLC is both privileged and honored to conduct several presentations at this event which is being hosted by the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego!On Tuesday, March 23rd, Flying Blind, LLC Founder, Larry Lewis, will be conducting a pre-conference workshop titled, "Accessible Non-Visual Access to GPS Applications", in which he will provide a historical overview of GPS Technology as well as the present challenges experienced by persons who are vision impaired in accessing these solutions. Mr. Lewis will then present three distinct accessible GPS solutions for persons who are blind or low vision by involving members of the audience in each demonstration. Visit the BLV-1083 link below for this workshop’s start time, location, and to register for this spirited workshop! BLV-1083: Accessible Non-Visual Access to GPS Applications Mr. Lewis will also be conducting a general session titled, "How Far Have We Come with OCR", in which he will be discussing how the history of Optical Character Recognition has evolved over the past 30 years, as well as promoting the future of access to the printed word by demonstrating three of today’s leading OCR solutions which meet the needs of three distinct market segments. Visit the BLV-1036 link below for session start time and location, and to register to attend this presentation. BLV-1036: How Far Have We Come with OCR Until next week, have a safe trip out to sunny San Diego, and may you all have a wonderful CSUN 2010 Conference Experience!
Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to kick off 2010 with a double header of EyePod Technocasts.Many of you know that I’ve been an avid user and strong proponent of the Mobilespeak Screenreader Software developed by Code Factory (http://www.codefactory.es/). This company’s innovative approach to providing access to hundreds of mobile solutions has changed the lives of thousands of us who are vision impaired, and their latest product offering, Mobilespeak 4, does not disappoint. In EyePod Technocast 9A, we focus on the enhanced text to speech capabilities present in Mobilespeak 4 and illustrate how MobileSpeak 4’s forward thinking regarding these functionalities solidifies its position with competitors who use familiar, but dated, status quo software. In EyePod Technocast 9B, we shift gears and compare Mobilespeak 4’s newly implemented access to mobile handsets with touch screens, and the innovative approach that Apple has taken in providing access to the iPhone. We discuss both the accessibility and limitations of each approach. If you have questions about any of the material covered in either podcast, please feel free to contact me. I hope you will find this information both useful and informative as we continue to work together to provide those of us who are vision impaired with the most comprehensive access available. You may click on, or forward, any of the following links to download these audio podcasts: EyePod TechnoCast Volume 9A: An Exploration of the Enhanced Text to Speech capabilities present in Mobilespeak 4 MP3 Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast9A.mp3 (12.3 MB @ 96Kbps) ZIP Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast9A.zip (12.2 MB @ 96Kbps) EyePod TechnoCast Volume 9B: Mobilespeak 4 vs The iPhone: Which Offers Greater Accessibility? MP3 Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast9B.mp3 (15.8 MB @ 96Kbps) ZIP Format: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast9B.zip (15.6 MB @ 96Kbps) You may also subscribe to the EyePod TechnoCast Feed using the following RSS link: http://www.flying-blind.com/feed.xml. Warmest Regards, Larry L. Lewis, Jr. larry.lewis@flying-blind.com President & Founder Flying Blind, LLC
On November 3rd Povidi NZ LTD announced the availability of the SoundPost Orientation System for customers who live in North America.SoundPost is the first orientation solution of its kind offering vision impaired customers an unparalleled means of safely identifying a desired location while traveling throughout their community. SoundPost consists of a hand controller that the user holds to locate strategically placed base stations which can be mounted to doorways, light posts, ambiguous bus stops, etc. As the user travels within the vicinity of a base station, the hand controller emits either a vibration, a tone, or a spoken word to orient the user to the base station. The end result is that SoundPost completes the solutions that other orientation and mobility devices do not by actually enabling the user to effortlessly find desired locations in real time. Check out this video which shows SoundPost in action: http://www.povidi.com/SoundPost_Demo.html Povidi has partnered with Flying Blind, LLC to provide access to this solution throughout North America. Povidi's founder, Darryl Sherwood, and Flying Blind, LLC's founder, Larry Lewis, have a rich history of bringing innovative solutions to market, as evidenced by within their past collaborations at Pulse Data International. "We're ecstatic to be bringing such a life-changing, affordable solution to the North American continent," comments Sherwood. "SoundPost will enable tens of thousands of individuals who are vision impaired to independently locate those hard to find places throughout their neighborhoods at a price point far less than one might expect." "I am both humbled and privileged that Darryl asked for my assistance with SoundPost," states Lewis. "Darryl has a real passion for creating solutions that make a tangible difference to those of us who are blind." Povidi is currently working to introduce SoundPost into a number of educational and corporate settings, in addition to meeting the needs of those individuals that might wish to integrate this solution into their own neighborhoods. The SoundPost Orientation Base Station and Hand controller run on off-the-shelf batteries, and the batteries on the base station only require changing every nine months. For more information about the SoundPost Orientation System please visit http://www.povidi.com, which has a wealth of information about SoundPost as well as its initial launch in New Zealand. To purchase a SoundPost Hand Controller, Base Station, or a Kit which includes 1 Hand Controller and 2 Base Stations, just select the appropriate "Add to Cart" button below. North American customers may also e-mail soundpost@flying-blind.com to receive additional information about purchasing, receiving, and installing this solution throughout their respective environments. SoundPost Base Station Price: US$195.00 SoundPost Hand Controller Price: US$175.00 SoundPost Kit (1 Hand Controller and 2 Base Stations): US$545.00
PRESS RELEASE: Monday, May 11, 2009 Flying Blind, LLC (http://www.flying-blind.com) and Optelec BV (http://www.optelec.nl) are pleased to announce the release of "In Touch with ALVA: A Guide To Unleashing the Power of Your ALVA Braille Controller, Version 1.0", a Flying Blind, LLC publication. This comprehensive tutorial has been designed for users of Optelec's ALVA Braille Controller, as well as both sighted and vision impaired service professionals responsible for training users in how to integrate this life-changing technology into their adaptive technology journey. Both Larry Lewis, founder of Flying Blind, LLC, and Optelec enjoy a rich history with refreshable Braille technology. Lewis attributes his educational, professional, and personal successes largely to the advent of refreshable Braille, a technology that Optelec's founder pioneered in the late 1970s. The ALVA Braille Controller, the sixth generation of ALVA Braille terminals, began shipping in July of 2008, and has been embraced by users as more than just a traditional Braille terminal. The ALVA Braille Controller not only allows users to interact with their PC and accessible mobile devices via a Braille display, Braille keyboard, and optional audio input/output via either USB or Bluetooth connections, but it's built-in system and flash file storage options enable the user to portably manage information as well as host a Screen Reading session directly from the ALVA Braille Controller when connecting to a PC that does not have a Screen Reader installed. "We are excited to have assisted Optelec with this necessary effort," states Lewis, whose company developed the tutorial. "The ALVA Braille Controller's vast degrees of functionality offer users many flexible, powerful, and above all, accessible options for use within the classroom, workplace, and throughout their community. A tutorial such as this will enable both users and trainers to fully realize the potential of this exceptional solution." "We are most pleased that such an innovative, unique product like the ALVA Braille Controller now has such a succinct, yet comprehensive tutorial to provide guidance to its customers." stated Ivar Illing, International Product Manager, Optelec BV. "Such a resource mirrors Optelec's commitment to provide responsive post-sales support to its end users, as well as to those who train them in the utilization of this device." The "In Touch with ALVA" Guide is comprised of lesson plans which will guide both the user and the service provider through:
Graphical representations and coded illustrations have also been integrated into the early sections of the tutorial to provide visual affirmation to sighted service professionals. This Tutorial has been designed to become an evolving and dynamic resource intended to compliment the ALVA Braille Controller as new features and functionality are implemented, and future lesson plans will be updated accordingly.Anyone wishing to download Version 1.0 of "In Touch with ALVA: A Guide To Unleashing the Power of Your ALVA Braille Controller", may do so by clicking on one of the following links: Optimized for Web Reading / Viewing (764 K): http://www.flying-blind.com/pdfs/In_Touch_With_ALVA_Guide_V1.0W.pdf Optimized for Printing (6.33 MB): http://www.flying-blind.com/pdfs/In_Touch_With_ALVA_Guide_V1.0P.pdf The above links offer the "In Touch with ALVA" Guide in PDF format for easy access. If you do not have the free Adobe Reader software already installed, the most current version can always be downloaded and installed using the following link: http://get.adobe.com/reader/ For detailed specifications on the ALVA BC640, click the following link: http://www.visioncue.com/ALVABC640.html For an audio overview of ALVA features, you may download Flying Blind, LLC's EyePod TechnoCast, Volume 6, titled: "The ALVA Braille Controller: A New Generation of Refreshable Braille Solutions" here: http://www.flying-blind.com/ept/EyePodTechnoCast6.mp3 For those interested in comprehensive distance or on-site training, please e-mail training@flying-blind.com and you will receive a response within 24 hours of your request. Contacts: Larry L. Lewis, Jr., President, Flying Blind, LLC larry.lewis@flying-blind.com Ivar Illing, International Product Manager, Optelec BV iil@optelec.nl |
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