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Powered-up notetaker Beyond Sight, a manufacturer of products designed for blind and visually impaired persons has announced a new technology solution for blind individuals. Appropriately named LapTalk, the products is, in essence, a screenless laptop computer with an integrated text-to-speech application that enables non-sighted users access to the same information that sighted people can view on a monitor. LapTalk boasts 256B of RAM, and 20GB of storage. In addition, compatibility is insured because the user will be working in an actual Windows environment, rather than the proprietary Operating Systems currently used on most notetakers. Jim Misener, President of Beyond Sight, who is blind himself says, "This machine will be running Windows XP, offer complete Internet access through either the built-in modem or network port, and will have full versions of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. We are also adding a Microsoft Office compatible word processor, spreadsheet, and database applications. To my knowledge, there is nothing like this out there." LapTalk is light, weighing in at a mere 2.6 pounds, and its physical dimensions are 11 7/8 inches long, 9 7/8 inches deep, and only 1 inch high. LapTalk also includes an integrated version of Window Eyes by GW Micro Corp., a well-known player in the field of adaptive technology
Pricing for the LapTalk is $1,895. For more information, contact Beyond Sight, 5650 S. Windermere St., Littleton CO 80120; Phone 303-795-6455; Fax 303-795-6425 E-mail < jim@beyondsightcom >; Web site < www.beyondsight.com >.Braille display Pulse Data HumanWare has announced partnership with Handy Tech of Germany to distribute the Braille Star 40. For the first time, the Braille display has been unplugged from the personal computer. The new Braille Star 40 is the first of a new generation of Braille displays designed to work with or without a personal computer. The Braille Star has the Handy Tech ergonomically designed Braille display, as well a 10-key, dual-purpose Braille keypad that enables easy-to-remember mnemonic commands when on-line using a screen reader, as a Braille writer when in the off-line or "unplugged" mode. Braille Star even has a plug-in "QWERTY" keyboard for users who prefer alphanumeric keyboard input. Unlike any other Braille display, the new Braille Star 40 incorporates a "scratchpad" text editor hat let's you keep working on the go, with or without a PC. The Braille Star has an internal document storage capacity of 4MB - equivalent to about 4,000 pages of text - and can operate on batteries for up to 20 hours. Braille Star provides an ideal way to access a computer by day and read books by night.
Price for the Braille Star 40 is $5,995. For more information, contact Pulse 'Data HumanWare, 175 Mason Circle, Concord CA 94520; Phone 800-722-3393; FAX 925-681-4630; E-mail < usa@pulsedata.com >; Web site < www.pulsedata.com >
Speech software Kent Barrett's father was a salesman all his life, but over a period of a few months, he lost his voice and was forced to give up his business. He was diagnosed with ALS and was told he would never speak again. Kent decided to do something about it. Kent wanted his dad to be able to talk and use the telephone again, so he wrote a computer program called Speaker to make that possible. Speaker, now at version 1.5, does just that. Speaker combines several methods of inputting words into a "Speech Box" which will then speak the text at the push of a button. Speaker also has "Speak Now" buttons which will speak commonly used words instantly. Speaker was designed to be used by people with even a minimum of motor control. Speaker has screens of words, which can be clicked on to add them to the Speech Box Words may also be selected from pop-up menus. A general dictionary is provided and a user-defined word list is also available for keeping specialized terms or favorite words handy for easy use. Price: Speaker is shareware. You can download a fully functional copy for evaluation. If you decide to keep it the
price is $47. For more information contact
Braille notetaker Freedom Scientific Inc., a producer of assistive technology products for people with sensory impairments and learning disabilities, is shipping the Type Lite notetaker, with POP3 e-mail capabilities via an external 56K modem at no additional cost. In addition, new features are continually being added to this next generation of notetakers including the ability for users to specify how words are pronounced, word echo options, countdown timer, battery life gauge, user controlled clipboard, datebook, stopwatch and an hourly announcement alarm. The Type Lite, with its typewriterstyle keyboard and 40-cell Braille display, includes a full word processor with spell check, phonebook, appointment calendar and advanced file management capabilities. Along with 12MB of internal memory, the Type Lite has virtually unlimited storage and backup capacity when used with its CompactFlash port and SanDisk removable memory cards. Complement the accessibility of your work station by connecting the Type Lite to a PC to function as a Braille display. You will be able to navigate and transfer files with The exclusive WinDisk transfer reature. With compact design, Type Lite can easily move from work station to work station. Connect your Type Lite to a printer or Braille embosser, and the internal speech synthesizer has a fully adjustable rate, pitch and volume. As an added value, each Type Lite comes with Connect Outloud Web Access software for your PC.
Pricing for the Type Lite is $5,995. For more information, contact Freedom Scientific Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group, 11800 31st Ct. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33716; Phone 800-444-4443; Fax 727-803-8001; E-mail < scottm@freedomscientific.com >; Web site < www.freedomscientific.com >.
Specialized, mouse and joystick The QuadTrac Trackball, designed by a person with C4-C5 quadriplegia, allows people with C4-C5 and below quadriplegia to use computers with ease and alacrity, without the difficulty of having to simultaneously move the pointer and click mouse buttons. It accomplishes this with a very simple, but extremely effective, idea of two large remote buttons that perform the same function as the buttons on the trackball. In other words, when you need to click, you don’t have to use the buttons on the trackball. Instead, you use your other hand to click the remote buttons. This becomes possible for quads to move the trackball with one hand and click with the other.
Pricing for the QuadTrac is $145.
Also from GPK, is the QuadCommander Joystick. The QuadCommander is the first and only joystick that allows people with C4and below quadriplegia, to experience the full delight, fury, and realism of today's PC game software. The QuadCommander can be used without any handgrip, strength. It is designed to meet the needs of both novice and advanced gamers. For those just starting out, the QuadCommander is a simple four-button joystick with which they can shoot Asteroids, play Quake 11, or fly a Cessna. The QuadCommander is the first and only joystick that allows people with C4-C5 and below quadriplegia, to experience the FULL delight, fury, and realism of today’s PC game software. The QuadCommander, or simply QC, is the world’s first and only joystick whose sole purpose in life is to provide quads with some serious fun and excitement. Space age controls allow you to shoot Asteroids, play Quake II, or fly a Cessna. All literally without having to lift or move a finger. And, because you can’t stop and peck a keyboard in the middle of a heart pounding star fight, it can even be programmed to emulate up to twelve keyboard commands. This is the product for people who believe living life to its fullest means following their fantasies.
Priceing for the Quadcommander is $275.
For more information, contact G' Micro, 725 Airport Office Park, Ft. Wayne IN 46825; Phone 260-489-3671; Fax 260-489-2608; E-mail < clarence@gwmicro.com > Web site < www.gwmicro.com >. And Macromedia, Inc. 600 Townser St., San Francisco, CA 94103; Phone 415-252-2000; Fax 415-626-0554; e-mail < pr@macromedia.com >; Website < www.macromedia.corn >
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