tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564646669660226312024-02-07T21:00:55.479-05:00Dorrie's Sight - Accessible Technology Blog'Vision-Friendly' Technology Is Good For EveryoneDorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-11302898458782711122013-04-04T14:29:00.000-04:002013-04-04T14:29:05.287-04:00I Need Clarity<br />
I am no different than most of my peers -- I need magnification. Today we just expect it. We enlarge the fonts in our phones, we zoom the screens of our computers, we pinch up to make things bigger on our touch screens. It’s not a special feature anymore, it’s pure necessity. <br />
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How I would love to have a stylish little magnifying glass hanging from my key chain or tucked into my clutch. But now, I opt for power over pretty, never quite sure why I can’t have both. My magnifiers today are digital – and although you cannot get these at Prada – you can only get them at Prada prices. <br />
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After resisting for a while, I succumbed. I found a magnifier I like so much – I got two. It fits in my pocket (when most others don’t). I can see just about everything that I could not see without it. I like it so much you’d think it was designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miuccia_Prada">Miuccia</a> herself. <br />
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My magnifier is called the <a href="http://www.optelec.com/en_US/product/electronic-low-vision/compactmini">“Compact mini” by Optelec</a>.. It works really well for me (and everyone else I’ve recommended it to). But still, I found myself wishing for one thing that could make it even better – an app for my iPhone. The idea is far from original. There are plenty of magnifying and zoom apps available for iPhone. Unfortunately, I have yet to find one that actually works the way my “Compact mini” does. <br />
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Imagine my delight, several weeks ago when I received an email informing me that Optelec made my dream come true. Sort of. <br />
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I downloaded the Optelec app immediately into my iPhone. I tapped to open the app and soon realized this one doesn’t work either! There is no focus – it never gets clear. <br />
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On Sunday, in the supermarket, I realized I did not have my “Compact mini” – so I gave the Optelec app another try. Sorry to report – it was useless…just terrible. <br />
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If I can’t count on Optelec for clarity…who can I count on? <br />
Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-42239673891345583322013-03-19T14:04:00.000-04:002013-03-19T14:04:57.455-04:00If You're in the Neighborhood Come to my workshop.<br />
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Thursday, March 21<br />
7-8pm<br />
<a href="apple.com/upperwestside">Apple Upper West Side<br />
</a>Broadway at 67 Street<br />
NYC<br />
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I'll show you how iPhone and iPad accessibility has changed my life.<br />
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Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-87542908185915432562012-01-13T22:12:00.003-05:002012-01-13T22:39:30.505-05:00That Was Easy!On my desk sits an “Easy Button” (from Staples). It reminds me that when things are working well, they’re easy. This pertains to people, it pertains to process, and it pertains to technology.<br /><br />Just imagine if you always had two choices -- the easy way -- or the hard way. Which would you take? Me, I’m opting for easy. I find way more satisfaction accomplishing a task without sweat and anxiety. I love a little Zen.<br /><br />Tonight I hit the easy button, quite accidentally, while downloading a book on<a href="http://www.audible.com/"> Audible.com</a>. I have been buying audiobooks exclusively from the <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/">iTunes</a> Store because they made it simple. I do not venture out looking for free or discounted titles because a cheaper book does not thrill me nearly as much as getting it on my iPod ASAP. <br /><br />This summer I tried out the Kindle on my vacation at the beach. I loved the simplicity of downloading books on to the Kindle and I set up an Audible.com account. The experience of reading (listening) to an audiobook on the Kindle was not nearly as good unfortunately. That is how I ended up with credits on Audible. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and figure out how to download books into iTunes from a source other then the iTunes Store. <br /><br />I logged on to Audible.com several times and could not figure out how to get my downloaded book into iTunes. There were many options, but not one that said simply “download to your ITunes library.” I even Googled “Download from Audible to iTunes” and the results made me dizzy.<br /><br />So finally I broke down and called Audible’s technical support and got ready for the Tech who would start rattling off all the circuitous steps to the eventual resolution of my issue. <br /><br />My Audible Tech told me first I’d have to download some software by going to the very bottom of the webpage and clicking on an obscure little “Software” option. I did that and he asked me if I was on a PC or Mac. I said, “Mac” and he said, “Oh, you don’t need the software, just go to the “My Library” tab and click the “Download” button the title you want. Now Open iTunes.”<br /><br />iTunes opened and my book started to read. That was easy!! With just two clicks I was reminded how technology is supposed to be -- intuitive. I was also reminded why I love my iMac!!<br /><br />It is no coincidence that the book I downloaded is <a href="http://www.audible.com/search">Walter Issacson’s biography “Steve Jobs.”</a>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-83333597651754714042011-12-15T16:58:00.005-05:002011-12-19T12:47:35.125-05:00Grand Central Through My EyesNew York's Grand Central is the largest train station in the world (according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Terminal">Wikipedia</a>). Step inside this terminal and there is no denying it's grandeur, it's beauty, it's history. And sometimes you also must acknowledge --- it's insanity.<br /><br />Last Friday evening during the maddest of Grand Central's rush hours I was joined by three graduate students from NYU's Journalism Institute. Laura Edwins, Tracy Levy, and Nadja Popovich worked like true professionals filming my sometimes awkward journey through the high anxiety of Grand Central --- on low vision. <br /><br />Their objective: to report on an often "under covered or overlooked topic."<br />My objective to bring attention to the little things that could make a big difference --- for everyone! <br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/vKLsBAMUKmk">Watch the video "Grand Central Through Other Eyes" now</a>.Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-1655928434459144122011-12-08T15:48:00.004-05:002011-12-08T16:12:36.468-05:00Get Me to an XboxNever did I think I would be interested in Xbox ---- until now. The New York Times reported Microsoft’s Xbox Live entertainment service will allow subscribers to access television and video content right from their Xbox 3600 console. <br /><br />Okay, so that’s nice, but not enough to get me on an Xbox. <br /><br />I continue to read and learn you can search for the programming you want with Voice Commands. Yes, that’s right; just tell your Xbox what you want to watch – verbally. <br /><br />Apparently I am not the only one having difficulty operating (the now almost archaic) remote control and cable programming guides. The clunky old cable box may soon be an antiquity. <br /><br />“In a demonstration of the technology last week at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Wash., Michael Suraci, director of marketing for Xbox Live, told an Xbox to “Bing Sandra Bullock,” which promptly found “The Blind Side,” “Crash” and several other movies starring the actress that were available through various sources of video on Xbox Live.”<br /><br />“Mr. Suraci also used a sequence of voice commands to switch to an app for Verizon’s FiOS TV, within which he could flip among live channels by using more voice commands or a swiping motion with his hands.”<br /><br />Now I have one very important question. Does it talk back?<br /><br />Read the New York Times article:<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/technology/xbox-live-challenges-the-cable-box.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25">“Xbox Live Challenges Cable Box” </a>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-91402794841236281512011-11-26T11:04:00.003-05:002011-11-26T11:11:00.856-05:00Next Stop SoHoGood things come to those who wait. <br /><br />Apple SoHo is about to host it's own accessibility event.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What: Accessibility Out of the Box<br />Where: 72 Greene Street, New York City, NY 10012<br />When: Tuesday, November 29th at 4pm - 5:30pm<br /></span><br /><br />I'll be there and I will be joining two other speakers to share some of the ways we use Apple's Accessibility in our daily life. <br /><br />See you there!Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-30761123219859067932011-11-18T15:08:00.003-05:002011-11-18T15:25:55.970-05:00It’s Not You George, It’s MeGeorge pointed out to me earlier this week that the formatting of my blog looked strange to him. He mentioned something about a “style sheet” and ‘word wrap,”but I do not know what he is talking about. I call a colleague and ask him what this means and he tells me to tell George it’s not my blog, it’s his browser. As I am about to relieve myself of all responsibility, my colleague calls back to say there is indeed something funky about the way my last blog post (Out of the Box Again) looks. He thinks I may have posted it inside a table. <br /><br />I dread the thought of even looking at it, so I don’t. I go through <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Blogger</a> instead and attempt to edit it. Easier said then done. Copying and pasting does not work, only a few sentences come through. I go back to the original draft and copy it to repost, but this one wipes out all of my carefully embedded hyperlinks. While trying to restore the links I hit the enter key and somehow accidentally publish the messy draft. <br /><br />The erroneous posting is published with no links and with my notes exposed at the end. Each time I edit a post it gets posted to Facebook (and maybe Twitter) over and over again and I have no clue how to stop it. <br /><br />I decided to give it one more go and fixed the post and published it. I hope you'll forgive me George, it still looks different and I'm just going to have to let it be.<br /> <br />Does this have to be so difficult -- really?Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-5352486426326612772011-11-05T09:53:00.008-04:002011-11-18T15:06:38.871-05:00Out of the Box Again (Again)Good things deserve repeating. That’s why <a href="www.apple.com/west14thstreet">Apple West 14th Street</a> last night hosted “Accessibility Out of the Box“ for the second time. This time I was invited to take part in a panel discussion along with Dan Etra, <a href="http://www.rethinkautism.com/">Rethink Autism</a> and Leslie Schect, <a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/District75/default.htm">District 75</a>.<br /><br />In August I wrote the first<a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/2011/08/out-of-box.html"> “Out of the Box” post</a>, moved by the experience and hoping that the attention to accessibility would continue and grow. It has. I’ve heard from <a href="http://www.apple.com/retail/soho/">Apple SoHo</a> that they too are getting in on this good thing and will soon be offering Accessibility Workshops (stay tuned).<br /><br />I see this attention to the needs of special people happening at Apple Stores around the globe. You can help move the process along – go to your friendly neighborhood Apple and ask them to do the same. Get involved in a movement! (No sleeping in tents – I promise.)<br /><br />This is way too good to keep quiet!Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-87330728796149006612011-10-05T23:58:00.001-04:002011-10-06T00:01:48.889-04:00Thank You Steve Jobs<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">When I got home tonight and clicked on to CNN I learned that Steve Jobs died today. I felt the loss of a friend. I certainly didn’t know him personally -- yet it seemed I did. The reports of his health issues prevailed, but I chose to believe he would live forever. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">He said, “No one wants to die, and yet death is the destination we all share.” I recently watched the video of his 2005 commencement address at Stanford on my iPad. My love for Apple began with the iPod, then I became intimately involved with the iPhone. It all synched seamlessly with my iMac, creating my first perfectly integrated relationship. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">None of this is so different from the relationship anyone had with Steve Jobs or with Apple. That is the beauty of it. My experience was like the experience of everyone else...except I could not see the words on the screens of any of these devices. Under the leadership of Steve Jobs, Apple did something no one else had the guts to do -- they gave text the ability to speak with Voice Over.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">He revolutionized a culture and he allowed everyone around him to think of everyone around them. And, I have no doubt that this legacy of inclusion will continue and his powerful spirit will continue to change the world. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In realizing his dreams he also realized mine.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Thanks Steve -- you changed my life!</span></p>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-18414065459626033602011-08-12T16:16:00.007-04:002011-08-13T11:19:48.662-04:00Out of the BoxMy conversion to Apple has been something of a religious experience, and this week my faith was elevated to a whole new level. It happened as I attended “Accessibility Out of the Box” at Apple 14 Street in New York. This event, the first of its kind as far as I know, brought my favorite topic --<a href="http://www.apple.com/accessibility/">Universal Access</a> -- front and center.
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<br />As I listened to the speakers and looked around at the audience I could not help reflecting on how far we have come. Just a few years ago there was not one big mainstream technology product that was fully accessible to me --- not even one. Today Apple delivers everything with full accessibility --- ready to go right out of the box! If you can’t see or hear well, or you have physical or learning challenges – you get the same product at the same price as everyone else.
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<br />The reality of all this brought on a surge of unexpected emotion. I was welling up a little. These were not the tears of misery that technology used to evoke in me --- they were the tears of joy. I realized this was not just about how you see --- it was about how you hear, how you feel, how you think. It was not just about some of us, it was about all of us. Now I really had to fight back the tears! <div>
<br />I was inspired to step out of the box myself and ventured over to the demonstration of accessibility options for Learning and Literacy. There was more good stuff here for me: spotlight search, announced alerts, and text to speech. The gifts keep coming.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>If you have not quite experienced the level of understanding you were looking for at your local Apple Store --- <a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/search?q=don%27t+give+up">Don't Give Up</a>! Today we know <a href="http://www.apple.com/retail/west14thstreet/map/">Apple 14th Street</a> has accessibility specialists – and tomorrow maybe all the other apple Stores will too. Amen.</div><div>
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<br /></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-39259706114051529322011-07-06T18:21:00.006-04:002011-07-06T20:17:44.260-04:00Secret Abilities<strong>The secret is out! There are amazing "abilities" being built right in to our everyday technology. I like to call it the “era of inclusion” and it is beautifully illustrated in this article published today in BusinessWeek.</strong><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“The iPad's Secret Abilities”</span><br /><br />By Rachel King<br /><br />The Apple tablet is helping people with disabilities by reading e-mails, voicing directions, and zooming in on text Jonathan Avila uses his iPad in ways most people might not realize are possible: The device reads e-mail to him while he’s traveling to work, tells him which way to walk when he is lost, and even lets him know if there’s a sidewalk on the other side of the street. Avila needs these features because he’s visually impaired.<br /><br />"Work bought it as a testing device, but I’ve claimed it as my own since it makes me more efficient," says Avila, chief accessibility officer for SSB Bart Group, a firm that helps companies implement technology for people with disabilities.<br /><br />(APL)Apple has added features that make the iPhone and iPad easily accessible, not only to visually impaired people but also to those with hearing loss and other challenges. The iPhone 4 and the iPad 2, for example, come with VoiceOver, a screen reader for those who can’t read print, as well as FaceTime, video-calling software for people who communicate using sign language. Apple has said that iOS 5—due later this year—will contain improvements to VoiceOver and LED flash and custom vibration settings to let users see and feel when someone is calling.<br /><br />More such devices as the iPad and iPhone will make their way into the workplace to assist people with physical challenges in the next five years. Disability and aging go hand-in-hand: As baby boomers work past age 65, companies will increasingly face this issue. The incidence of disability in the workplace is 19.4 percent at age 45 and rises to about 50 percent by age 70, according to Jennifer Woodside, chief executive officer of the Disability Training Alliance. Those disabilities can include vision and hearing loss, issues with mobility and dexterity, and learning and cognitive challenges—as well as communications problems.<br /><br />A Boom in Assistive Technologies<br />The global market for assistive technologies, including those used in the home, is projected to reach $40.9 billion in 2016, up from $30.5 billion this year, according to a report from BCC Research that’s scheduled to be released this month. In addition to Apple, (MSFT)Microsoft, (IBM)IBM, (GOOG)Google, and (HPQ)Hewlett-Packard make workplace technologies that are accessible to people with a range of abilities.<br /><br />"Boomers will demand products, services, and workplaces that adapt to their needs and desires," says Rich Donovan, chief investment officer at WingSail Capital. Crossover technology such as the iPad, which works well both for people with disabilities and the broader consumer market, are the "holy grail" of business and disability efforts and will drive growth in disability-related capital spending, he says. Donovan, who has cerebral palsy, just received his first iPad as a Father’s Day gift. "I love it, it’s simple to use and it’s the ideal accessible technology," he says.<br /><br />Companies such as Apple are motivated, at least in part, to create products that work for people with disabilities because the population is aging, says Dorrie Rush, marketing director of accessible technology at Lighthouse International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting vision loss.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/technology/the-ipads-secret-abilities-07062011.html">Read More...</a>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-78551253948683343282011-06-04T06:33:00.012-04:002011-06-04T07:59:14.925-04:00This is Your Brain on a Cellular Network<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">M</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">y sister instructed my (almost) twelve year old nephew</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Evan to take the phone out of his pants pocket because it may cause</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">sterility. Before that she insisted he keep the laptop off his lap for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">the very same reason.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">We called our favorite pediatrician for advice and he said "there is no</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">literature." Evan asked, "What does that mean?" I said, "I guess it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">means there is no warning as of now, in writing, from the American</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Academy of Pediatrics." He put the phone back in his pocket.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Then my most trusted advisors, <a href="http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/31/anderson-cooper-and-dr-sanjay-gupta-discuss-cell-phone-safety/">Anderson Cooper</a> and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Sanjay Gupta, challenged the very reports that previously gave</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">us a false sense of security. Apparently there is evidence that </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">radiation from a mobile phone pressed up against your ear does have an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">effect on your brain cells. In fact</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> they discovered that the instructions that come with the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Blackberry and the iPhone recommend keeping the phone approximately 1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">inch away from your head when in use. This is printed in black and white</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">right inside of their user's manual --- that no one ever reads! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Anderson, Sanjay, and I have stopped this risky behavior. We are</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">talking only while plugged in to an ear piece. And the phones are no</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">longer in our pants.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">So, now Evan has to move the phone away from his head --- and so does</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">his Mom. And might I suggest...so do you! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-60188933701139454412011-02-21T22:54:00.026-05:002011-02-24T16:50:51.693-05:00Bing GoI was a little devastated, in November, when I learned that my favorite free directory assistance, <a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/2009/08/goog-411-will-set-you-free.html">GOOG 411</a>. was about to be discontinued. What? How could this be? I stuck with GOOG for almost two years and I'd grown to love it.<br /><br />Turns out GOOG 411 had a hidden agenda. Google was using my 'Long Island accent' to develop other, more advanced, speech recognition programs like <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/voice-search/">Voice Search</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laOlkD8LmZw">Voice Input</a>, and <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/voice-actions/">Voice Actions</a> for mobile phones. In order to build a robust speech model they needed to collect thousands of pronunciations, syllables, intonations, and inflections.<br /><br />The discovery that I was a participant in Google's ambitious project to move voice activated computing to a new level turned my devastation into delight. Among other things, maybe this massive collection of utterances will minimize the number of times I hear-- "Sorry I didn't get that," because the program is not processing my manner of speaking. <br /><br />Directory assistance is quickly becoming a thing of the past -- it's demise accelerated buy the ridiculous $2 charge per call. Our phones are smart and the options for free information are abundant. A simple Internet search will deliver the phone number or address you need in less time than it takes to ask.<br /><br />Just as I was learning to live without GOOG one of my best informants hooked me up with <a href="http://www.google.com/cse?ie=UTF-8&cx=000183394137052953072%3Azc1orsc6mbq&q=bing+411]">Bing 411 </a>(compliments of Microsoft). I immediately got into it. Bing 411 will search by city for business listings and can connect to other directories for weather, movies, sports, news, time, travel, driving directions and even cheap gas. I like it.<br /><br />Try it, you might like it too...800-BING 411 (800-246-4411).Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-7231894819738750602011-01-19T12:24:00.007-05:002011-01-19T21:39:07.619-05:00Apple Leads the Way for EVERYONE<div><b>Last Friday I joined Mark Ackermann, Lighthouse CEO, in a phone conversation with Mark Kellner of The Washington Times to talk about the phe-nom that is accessible technology. I'm delighted to report that this journalist really got the point. </b></div><div><br /></div><br /><div> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">KELLNER: Apple leads in 'assistive technology' for the blind</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">By Mark A. Kellner</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">The Washington Times</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">4:44 p.m., Tuesday, January 18, 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">If there's anything that can scare most of us - and with good reason</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">it's the prospect of losing one's sight, or having it severely damaged.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">It's not just total blindness; diseases such as macular degeneration, in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">which damage to the retina causes a loss of vision in the macula, the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">center of vision, often strikes older people, but it can also affect</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">young adults and others.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">(That anxiety is, apparently, widely shared: According to an October</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">2010 poll by Harris Interactive, 82 percent of Americans fear losing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">their vision, the highest proportion among the five senses, and more</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">than 10 times the next-highest fear, loss of hearing at 8 percent.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">The introduction of the Braille alphabet, which lets people "read" by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">touch, has been an advancement, but as then-Gov. David A. Paterson told</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">the New York Times on Dec. 26 of last year, "You can't Braille the daily</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">newspaper."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">How can those with limited vision, or even no vision at all, be</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">mainstreamed in today's tech-intensive world? Mark Ackermann and Dorrie</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Rush have some answers. Mr. Ackermann is president and CEO, and Ms. Rush</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">is director of marketing for "assistive technology" at Lighthouse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">International,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.lighthouse.org/">www.lighthouse.org</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">, a New York-based agency helping those</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">with vision-loss issues.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">The 105-year-old Lighthouse is widely known in New York City, having</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">provided education, job training and living assistance for those who</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">need it. The group has a massive facility on East 59th Street in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Manhattan that has served thousands.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Today's distributed world needs distributed solutions, however: People</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">can live and work just about anywhere, and, as Ms. Rush's example would</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">suggest, even thrive, despite her having Stargardt's disease, which, she</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">writes, "results in progressive loss of central vision."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">But Ms. Rush uses an iPhone and an iPad, both from Apple Inc. She works</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">on a Windows-based personal computer at her office, and an Apple iMac at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">home. She's a blogger (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/">http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">) and an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">enthusiast.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">"I'm 52 years old and I want to be like the other kids," Ms. Rush said</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">in a Jan. 14 telephone interview. Having assistive technology which</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">either greatly enlarges the screen display or reads aloud text on a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">computer screen is vital, she said: "It means I can continue a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">relatively normal life; I can work. It is something that everyone</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">dealing with vision loss fears losing, which is his or her ability to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">work."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">More important, Ms. Rush's iPad and iPhone look just like yours and mine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">would. Instead of carrying something which shouts "I'm using a special</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">product," users can fit in with the crowd, and that's a plus.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/18/kellner-apple-leads-assistive-technology-blind/">Read more...</a><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-87570471634983910642011-01-12T20:10:00.010-05:002011-01-12T23:13:52.344-05:00Verizon Comes to the Party<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Yesterday Verizon made an honest woman of me, finally. I was beginning</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">to doubt my certainty that Verizon would get the iPhone when AT&T's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">exclusive expired. Over and over I assured Verizon customers </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> unwilling to switch wireless carriers (as I did) that the iPhone </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">was coming to Verizon - for sure!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">It was surprising that many Verizon customers were more attached</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">emotionally than contractually. Even in the face of the most popular</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">mobile phone in the world becoming fully accessible to people with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">impaired vision - many customers of Verizon would not budge. It was not</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">as if they had a viable option -- In terms of accessibility no other</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">mobile phone comes close.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Last January I began stating with pure certitude that Verizon's iPhone</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">was imminent. When the first quarter of 2010 came and went I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">repositioned my prediction into Q2. By the third quarter I was so sure I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">was ready to bet money on it. Then in the fourth quarter I realized my</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">best bet was to shut my mouth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Disillusioned, I consulted my reliable sources at Apple and at Verizon -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">their lips were sealed. Clearly I had been outsmarted by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Apple's wildly successful no-hype approach to all launches - SWEAR </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">EVERYONE TO SECRECY!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">So I stopped offering my predictions on the coming of the iPhone to Verizon and I told myself to not to be so sure of things I am not </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">sure of. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">And then the announcement comes - Verizon is indeed coming to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">party!!</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">The news not only pleased me immensely, it also put a "spring" in Jon Stewart's step, as he too apparently had been anxiously awaiting another iPhone option. For his hilarious tribute to AT&T on the Daily Show<a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-january-11-2011/verizon-iphone-announcement"> click here</a>.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-11576067289938159202010-11-27T17:11:00.002-05:002010-11-29T14:03:24.979-05:00Too Many MessagesThere is TMI (Too Much Information) and then there is TMM (Too Many Messages). TMI is when someone shares with you a personal detail about themselves that you wish they hadn’t. TMM is when you have too many open channels on which messages are sent to you and you just can’t manage them all.<br /><br />Have you noticed that messages do not get answered as swiftly as they used to --- if at all. Why are we experiencing more and more lost emails, unanswered voice mail, unread text messages? In an age of constant contact --- our connection often seems completely unreliable. How many times have you asked (or been asked) in an exasperated tone, “Did you get my message?!!”<br /><br />We know that digital messages can destroy relationships and wreck careers. It seems they can also do a fair amount of damage when they are not retrieved. Even a nonresponse has the ability to conjure up devastating scenarios in our heads that may have no basis in fact whatsoever.<br /><br />Did I send the message to the wrong person? Is she mad at me? Was it something I said? Did they find my message disturbing? Have I offended him? <br /><br />It happens, messages slip through the cracks. I have 3 email addresses, 3 different voice mail accounts, and add on that text messages. This is probably pretty average these days. I don’t check everything every day and miss a message here and there and I have been especially negligent with my FaceBook and Twitter accounts. I apologize.<br /><br />Obviously, we all need to learn to manage our messages more efficiently. In this environment it is no wonder people are not getting back to us. The lack of response to your message may not be personal at all – it’s probably just TMM.Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-20419654965985112012010-11-02T20:50:00.006-04:002010-11-08T13:18:51.575-05:00An Error Has OccuredOn Tuesday morning, Election Day 2010, I walked the short block to my polling place to vote. I did not feel any of the nervous anticipation I had in the past and thought about writing a blog post titled,"I Love to Vote!" Unfortunately, my exuberance did not last as I attempted to place my vote using a very uncooperative BMD (Ballot Marking Device).<br /><br />I guess my false sense of comfort in the accessible voting experience was built over the 3 previous elections in which I voted privately and independently using the BMD with minimal fanfare. In fact I was feeling rather smug about my “easy” method of voting since the City of New York switched to a system of paper ballots that have such tiny font size everyone is having trouble reading them.<br /><br />When all goes well I sit at the BMD, plug in my earphones, choose my language, and push a button to adjust the sound. I listen to the choices for each contest, make my selections, and advance through contests and candidates, and press the selection button to cast my vote. Once I have voted all contests the BMD gives me the option to review my selections and mark the paper ballot that is inserted into the BMD.<br /><br />Everyone else is standing at a funny little desk in bad light straining to mark their ballot with a pen.<br /><br />This time things did not go quite so smoothly. Carmen the poll worker who bravely volunteered to help me get started had a bit of trouble figuring out where to insert the paper ballot. We were not off to a great start. Carmen leaned toward me and in a soft voice, as if she was giving me an inside tip, she said, “You know the best way to do this is just to mark the ballot with a pen.” I smiled and told her that if I were able to see the ballot I would not be putting her through this.<br /><br />She now also needed assistance and she called for help from a colleague. Two heads are definitely better than one and together they found the flap that was hiding the slot to feed in the paper ballot.<br /><br />With ballot inserted I plugged in earphones and started to proceed with my voting and waved to Carmen that I could take it from here. Once I got going it all came back and I was able to advance through all contests and place my votes in a relatively short period. After reviewing my choices I pressed the selection button one more time to mark my ballot. That is when I was stopped cold with a message from my BMD that said “An error has occurred. Contact your election official.”<br /><br />Carmen and company came back and heavy consternation ensued, not quite sure even what the error message was trying to tell them. They pulled out the BMD instruction guide and decided to do what we all do when we don’t know what else to do with a temperamental computer --- shut down and reboot.<br /><br />Carmen made another suggestion, “Do you think you could use the magnifier?” She was referring to a sheet of plastic, a weak magnifier, tethered to the “booth” where voters marked their ballot by hand. I answered, “Not unless it magnifies 10 times.”<br /><br />I may have given up and forfeited right about here, were it not for the fact that it had been instilled in me, by both my parents, that you must exercise your right to vote. And, I could not get their voices out of my head.<br /><br />We all persevered. The shut down and reboot took an extraordinarily long time and it felt as if the BMD was testing my resolve.<br /><br />The next attempt was abruptly ended by another message from the BMD, it said, “The ballot you have inserted has already been marked.” Carmen wanted to argue with the machine, but I asked her please to just give me a new unmarked ballot. She agreed.<br /><br />Another few minutes passed as they unregistered my corrupted ballot and reassigned a fresh one. I wondered if I was going to be there all morning.<br /><br />The third try was the charm. I was back in the voting business, this time racing through the selecting and marking process. I pulled the marked ballot out of the BMD and held my breath as I approached the scanner. I hoped for the best and fed the ballot smoothly into the scanner and saw the American flag appear signaling my vote had been counted successfully!<br /><br />I felt victorious and raised both hands in the air. I high fived Carmen and several of her colleagues and I headed for the door --- looking as if I had just won a contest myself!<br /><br />Read my comment on the Wall Street Journal about the new voting system:<br /><a class="tweet-url web" href="http://on.wsj.com/9TKBzJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://on.wsj.com/9TKBzJ</a>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-65980363846329102662010-10-29T16:45:00.007-04:002010-10-29T16:53:57.965-04:00Tandem Technology<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73EdvJBlRgEmlkfN88IVg9d_QFinKwusixKj-m-06c8JYxMbYb5a6c2TJjj-hLLsvjupPn4X7eIe2sTMq1eztlqkwj2n41keVb3k_62Zd1AfoqlFPB0Bj93-hEBej21SLAvMm1Bb34Xw-/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533573978840998882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73EdvJBlRgEmlkfN88IVg9d_QFinKwusixKj-m-06c8JYxMbYb5a6c2TJjj-hLLsvjupPn4X7eIe2sTMq1eztlqkwj2n41keVb3k_62Zd1AfoqlFPB0Bj93-hEBej21SLAvMm1Bb34Xw-/s200/IMG_1094.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div>On October 23 I rode in the Lighthouse’s Double Up 4 Vision Tandem Bike Event with my favorite Pilot Neil at the controls. He guided us briskly down the 3 mile track from 125th Street to 77th along the Hudson River on New York’s west side. Without concern for the road ahead I was completely absorbed by the beautiful scenery.<br /><br /><p>Neil, as if under the impression we were in a race, was busy speeding by our fellow tandem bikers. We got to the finish line way too fast and wanted to go back and start again. We wished for a 10 or 15K ride --- maybe next year.</p><p>The tandem bike is a fabulous piece of accessible technology and it reminds me that impaired vision should not prevent you from connecting with the things that bring you joy. Sometimes you just need a little help from your friends.</p><p>This event supports the work we do every day to help people get back to doing the things they love when affected by vision loss and we thank everyone for the very generous support that made this event a great success.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pJL-ann1fMg-MjiffGDLesgGkO-WDd7wdvb_YT1YnWWasPJffSWxts5Pj7jBGxTcvAiUYQJ58x2rlcDpbsIoyb_WDqLaiDslG3O7ZhnQEiVaRTtja0lJzM3ERwnR8xSmXztPbyHV9kEy/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwJTfrkljC5cgVpAfNxWUSvfw6w4I2qHXe9kW-j7TAs3qIqrxdgopoELfGkh_YESEXPxIf5slVCQK-u1JawSNIqWCcVSH97LgYzgFK40vD-hiCCWsphZkWNXMb87n5RKVPOmdQX4KW1m1/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533572816700716962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwJTfrkljC5cgVpAfNxWUSvfw6w4I2qHXe9kW-j7TAs3qIqrxdgopoELfGkh_YESEXPxIf5slVCQK-u1JawSNIqWCcVSH97LgYzgFK40vD-hiCCWsphZkWNXMb87n5RKVPOmdQX4KW1m1/s320/IMG_1115.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqhNYSHYNYF4Vg7LNVQ9dKJXlmSgtqGcr-GFEp0xdKH1BzACsY6GLq_fjEvPfFIwkkEBZ_VFc-6mOEAApBwQ_IdVlRQsSmrUQzo7QLl8QlAZc-L7d0lEg5Z7Lus4z3jQ4qy2cKBUGkRWM/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533572995181600754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqhNYSHYNYF4Vg7LNVQ9dKJXlmSgtqGcr-GFEp0xdKH1BzACsY6GLq_fjEvPfFIwkkEBZ_VFc-6mOEAApBwQ_IdVlRQsSmrUQzo7QLl8QlAZc-L7d0lEg5Z7Lus4z3jQ4qy2cKBUGkRWM/s320/IMG_1116.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-88773564938572022062010-10-22T16:29:00.001-04:002010-10-22T16:31:14.056-04:00Technology Overload SyndromeWhen it comes to learning new technology my advice is always --- one thing at a time. It is good sound advice, but even I cannot always take it. This booming technological world does not always allow me to be comfortable with my current “one thing” before dropping another right on my head.<br /><br />I am the one who refuses (almost all) software updates because I cannot stand the thought of things changing place on a screen (that I already have trouble seeing). I do not get giddy when the newest version of anything is released, I get nervous. It does not keep me from wanting all the hottest newest things --- I just do best when they come in measured doses.<br /><br />For the last several weeks I have been sometimes overwhelmed with too much new tech, most of which was not my choosing. It is not a good feeling when everything you need to do takes ten times longer than (the five times longer) it usually takes! Progress moves to a snail’s pace and the anxiety mounts.<br /><br />It started out with a budget proposal in Microsoft Excel, a program I had not used to any great extent in years. Well it’s not like riding a bike, I can assure you. The last time I used Excel it was 6 versions ago and my computer screen was not quite so magnified back then. It was unrecognizable and quite difficult to navigate at 8 times larger than norm.<br /><br />It’s a good thing I did not get too cozy with whatever Excel version I was on because the very next week my computer at work was upgraded to Microsoft Office 2010 and all hell broke loose, I mean we were practically leaping from the past into the present. It was a hard landing. Everything in the toolbars looks different --- the drop down lists I had so become accustomed to now look like a lot of cartoon icons I cannot identify. My comfort with Outlook and Word is under siege, but I am certainly not alone in this, all of my colleagues are also adjusting. My adaptation is a little different because when the screen is magnified 8x you can only zoom into about 1/8 of it at a time.<br /><br />My challenges transitioning to Office 2010 were compounded by the prickly and often outright unfriendly nature of assistive technology. ZoomText (software) the lifeline to my PC which gives me the magnification and speech I need was undergoing its own issues adjusting to this new environment. Text was disappearing when magnified (too much) and the speech now had a funny accent and was mispronouncing every few words. Work was becoming hell -- proofreading a total bitch! Now everything was taking me 15 times longer.<br /><br />While all this is going on I have to deal with fundraising for Double Up 4 Vision the tandem bike ride I am participating in to support the Lighthouse. I am participating in tomorrow to support the Lighthouse. It is to be set up online using a program by Convio which is not accessible to people using screen readers --- and not that accessible to anyone else either. Following two sessions guided step by step through the many, many steps required to register and start the fundraising process I discover there are two options for fundraising --- the easy way or the hard way. I choose to minimize the torture on this one and instead of using the complicated Convio system I simplify --- sending email notes with this link to my donation page: <a href="http://lhi.convio.net/goto/Dorrie">http://lhi.convio.net/goto/Dorrie</a><br /><br /><br />To keep your brain healthy and sharp I know it is essential to keep learning, challenging, stretching your mind. But does it have to give you a headache?Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-61864517736045637252010-10-10T19:57:00.002-04:002010-10-11T00:04:38.628-04:00The Field is GrowingToday President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. I have referred to this bill as <a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/search/label/21st%20Century%20Communications%20and%20Video%20Accessibility%20Act%20of%202009">A Field of Dreams</a> (posted on July 25, August 3) and it is safe to say this field is growing into a reality.<br /><br />I love when two parties come together and agree on something very important to me --- and millions like me. Accessibility for all! Let's applaud our representatives in Washington for this one and let's embrace all that it promises to deliver.<br /><br />Here's what I'm looking forward to:<br /><br /><ol><li>Required accessible onscreen cable television menus and program guides.</li><li>Required accessible features for mobile devices.</li><li>Required access to accessible Internet services built into mobile phones.</li><li>Requires a clearinghouse of information on accessible products and services and public education and outreach. </li></ol><br />I wonder if they can get those accessible cable TV menus up and running first --- I need to DVR Oprah!Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-56465291743520702162010-09-29T12:26:00.026-04:002010-09-29T13:31:00.727-04:00Double Up 4 Vision<div style="BACKGROUND: url(http://dorriessight.com/images/letterbg.jpg) no-repeat"><blockquote><p><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Dear Visitors,<br /><br />I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support Lighthouse International by participating in Double Up 4 Vision, a tandem bike ride /walk on October 23rd in Manhattan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">For over a century, Lighthouse International has been helping people of all ages to overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through low vision exams, vision rehabilitation services, a preschool and a music school for the visually impaired and through career, academic and social services, Lighthouse helps clients maintain independence and gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve their potential. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Please help support me in this important fundraiser by contributing generously. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause by making your tax-deductible donation online using the link below. If you would prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Dorrie Rush<br /><br /><strong>To make a donation online,<br />visit my personal page and click on "Support Dorrie":</strong> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><a href="http://lhi.convio.net/site/TR?px=1003062&fr_id=1040&pg=personal" alt="Click here to make a donation online">http://lhi.convio.net/site/TR?px=1003062&fr_id=1040&pg=personal</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong>To mail in your donation,<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">please </span><a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/p/making-donations.html" alt="Click here to see how you can mail in your donation check"><span style="font-family:georgia;">click here</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> for the address.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong>To track my progress and see the donors list,<br /></strong></span><a href="http://lhi.convio.net/site/TR?px=1003062&fr_id=1040&pg=personal" alt="Click here to see who donated and my progress"><span style="font-family:georgia;">click here</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and scroll down to the bottom.</span></p><br /></blockquote></div><p><br /> </p><p><br />Want to know what Double Up 4 Vision is all about?<br />Click on the image below!<br /><a href="http://lhi.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1040&pg=entry"><img alt="Click here to see what the Double Up 4 Vision event is all about" src="http://dorriessight.com/images/logos_mast.gif" /></img></a> </p>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-82599815876469196852010-09-24T13:39:00.008-04:002010-09-28T16:44:31.530-04:00Video Inspiration<a href="http://lighthouse.org/news-events/lighthouse-news/technology-seminar/">Click here</a> to view video clips from our LITE Seminar on August 25 titled “<b>iPad, iPhone, I Vote</b>.” Check out all the videos and MP3s featuring Apple's built-in accessibility features, Zoom and Voice over!<br /><br /><object width="380" height="310"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8ENhP76iT6U?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8ENhP76iT6U?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="380" height="310" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div></div><div>More Videos:</div><div><a href="http://lighthouse.org/news-events/lighthouse-news/technology-seminar/#videos">http://lighthouse.org/news-events/lighthouse-news/technology-seminar/#videos</a></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-49383290664771378632010-09-15T16:43:00.039-04:002010-09-15T17:50:51.607-04:00Getting in Touch with iPad<div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>I wrote this article to encourage people living with age related macula degeneration to get their hands on an iPad. I'm delighted to report that they are trying it and then they are buying it, and loving the iPad as much as I thought they would.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#666666;">Published on <a href="http://www.amdalliance.org/DRush_Getting_in_Touch_with_iPad.html" target="_blank">AMD Alliance</a></span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 25px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 25px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://dorrierush.com/img/quote_left.gif" />There is a beautiful concept in technology today. It’s called universal access, and it’s on fire! This means that what’s good for one is good for all — it is the great equalizer. If you are <img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 25px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 25px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://dorrierush.com/img/quote_right.gif" />visually impaired, like I am, and you wish you could use the same electronic devices everybody’s talking about, your time has come ...</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Read the entire article on:</strong></span><br /><a href="http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/p/getting-in-touch-with-ipad.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://dorriessight.blogspot.com/p/getting-in-touch-with-ipad.html</span></a><br /><br /><br /></div>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-83005928893751751722010-09-14T09:53:00.005-04:002010-09-14T12:38:52.761-04:00Voting Under the MagnifierIt appears that a lot of people voting in New York City’s Primary Elections today may be experiencing something all too familiar to me – the need for magnification. Apparently our new paper ballots are printed in font so small that just about everyone is having difficulty reading them. <br /><br />Is this what we call progress? We moved from the ancient lever system of voting to a paper ballot that has to be marked with a pen while using a magnifier that is chained to the voting booth). <br /><br />It's ironic, I am way ahead in this game. I relish my ability to cast a private and independent vote with the ballot marking device that allows me to listen to audio prompts and make my selection. Today it seems many people could benefit from this option. It <br /><br />It's a clear cut case -- accessible technology is better for everyone!Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356464666966022631.post-34337912577939780452010-08-27T12:21:00.004-04:002010-09-29T13:10:09.876-04:00Don't Give UpThis morning as I walked to work my iPod (in shuffle mode) played a Peter Gabriel song, “Don’t Give Up.” Its title seemed the perfect follow up message to our Lighthouse seminar ”iPad, iPhone, I Vote“ on Wednesday evening. <br /><br />We focused on the universal accessibility in New York City’s new voting machines and in two of Apple’s most popular products. The turnout was impressive and the crowd was interested and enthused. I did however come to the realization that my own mostly joyous perspective on these technological developments was not shared by all. <br /><br />I do understand those feelings, I’ve experienced them myself many times in relation to some of the assistive technology products I have encountered that I found extremely disappointing and obscenely expensive. <br /><br />There is something so lovely and so inclusive about going to my local polling place and being able to cast my vote privately and independently. There is something glorious about texting from my iPhone and searching the web on my iPad – just like everyone else. The positives far outweigh the negatives, removing barriers vision impairment can create.<br /><br />Of course there will be a poll worker who doesn’t know how to plug in the headphones. Don’t give up! There will be someone at the Apple Store who does not know that you can get One to One Training for the iPhone and iPad without the purchase of a Mac. Don’t give up. You would be surprised how you can turn a “no” into a “yes” – if you keep asking. Don’t give up.<br /><br />Universal access is empowerment and the more we use it the better it will get. Don’t give up!<br /><br /><a href="http://lighthouse.org/news-events/lighthouse-news/technology-seminar">For more information on the seminar and links to some very useful references, click here.</a>Dorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16133963339519373373noreply@blogger.com2