blind_html Fwd: Fred's Head Companion - American Printing House for the Blind
- From: Nimer Jaber <nimerjaber1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: blind_html <blind_html@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:50:37 -0400
Please take a look at the articles at the bottom regarding the
televisions. At least, those are the ones that grabbed my interest.
Thanks
nimer J
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fred's Head from APH <fredshead@xxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:37:07 +0000
Subject: Fred's Head Companion - American Printing House for the Blind
To: nimerjaber1@xxxxxxxxx
Fred's Head from APH
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Big Cell for Braille
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 12:51 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/I_xFZJ4Tlms/that-sure-is-big-cell.html
Enlarged plastic braille cell model that allows a blind person to examine
the shape of a braille cell. Helps beginning slate users learn where to put
the stylus for various dot positions.
Big Cell:
Catalog Number: 1-08820-00
Click this link to purchase the Big Cell from APH.
Click here to purchase this item through our Quick Order Entry page:
http://shop.aph.org/quickentry.asp
If you need assistance, click this link to read the Fred's Head Companion
post "Purchasing Products From The APH Website Is Easy".
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Touch and Tell Helps Teach Braille
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 12:46 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/d5TnCG10A9Q/touch-and-tell-helps-teach-braille.html
Classic set of braille reading readiness books. Consists of three volumes
with tactile pages and regular type instructions. Volumes I and II
introduce embossed hands and geometric forms, while Volume III introduces
braille dots. Recommended ages: 5 to 6 years.
Touch and Tell:
Catalog Number: 6-44670-00
Instruction booklet only:
Catalog Number: 8-44660-00
Click this link to purchase the Touch and Tell series.
Note: The Form board with Removable Hands (Catalog Number 1-03700-00) is a
good precursor to Touch and Tell. Tactual Discrimination Worksheets
(Catalog Number 1-08810-00) provide additional practice.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Tactual Discrimination Worksheets
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 12:33 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/quxawWyoc5w/tactual-discrimination-worksheets.html
Beginning braille students of all ages can benefit from these consumable
tactual discrimination worksheets.
Four-part set of consumable worksheets for braille reading readiness.
Included:
Twenty geometric form sheets
Twenty-six line sheets
Twenty angular figure sheets
Twenty braille code character sheets
Examples of tasks include: finding the figure which is different in a row
of figures, finding the two figures in a row of figures which are the same,
finding a figure that matches the first figure in each row, etc.
Instruction manual in regular type. Recommended ages: 4 or 5 years and
other beginning braille readers of all ages.
Tactual Discrimination Worksheets:
Catalog Number: 1-08810-00
Extra Worksheets only:
Catalog Number: 1-08800-00
Click this link to purchase the Tactual Discrimination Worksheets.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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The Peg Slate
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 12:28 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/yDG0TWEMGEA/peg-slate.html
Paperless device designed to help teach beginning users of the braille
slate. A frame is mounted with pegs that represent the braille dots in 10
braille cells. A finger is used to push the pegs down. The frame is then
flipped over to read the braille message. Made of black plastic with white
plastic pegs for high contrast. Instructions in print and braille.
Recommended ages: 6 years to adult.
Peg Slate:
Catalog Number: 1-08830-00
Click this link to purchase the Peg Slate from APH.
Click here to purchase these items through our Quick Order Entry page:
http://shop.aph.org/quickentry.asp
If you need assistance, click this link to read the Fred's Head Companion
post "Purchasing Products From The APH Website Is Easy".
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Braillewriting Dot by Dot
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 12:13 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/-VozJAsJA6A/braillewriting-dot-by-dot.html
Most programs teach braille reading; this kit focuses on beginning writing
skills with braillewriters and slate and stylus. Recommended Ages: 9
years-adult.
Included:
Teacher's Manual with ten basic lessons in each writing method and
three "Beyond the Basics" lessons
Exercise Cassette with dictation exercises
Alphabet Etc. - a braille reference sheet
Peg Slate and Big Cell teaching devices for the slate
Braillewriting Dot by Dot:
Kit with Braille Teacher's Manual:
Catalog Number: 5-17400-00
Kit with Print Teacher's Manual:
Catalog Number: 7-17400-00
Items available separately
Teacher's Edition:
Braille:
Catalog Number: 5-17401-00
Print:
Catalog Number: 7-17401-00
Exercise Cassette:
Catalog Number: C-17401-00
Peg Slate:
Catalog Number: 1-08830-00
Big Cell:
Catalog Number: 1-08820-00
Alphabet Etc.:
Catalog Number: 5-17402-00
Click this link to purchase the Braillewriting Dot by Dot Kit.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Learn Braille With The Swing Cell
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 11:18 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/psIXQcrQvq4/learn-braille-with-swing-cell.html
Message: I am looking to help a friend with learning Braille. I am totally
blind, and have known it all my life it seems, but my friend is having
trouble recognizing the dots. My idea to assist him is to use a peg board
to make letters and shapes, because I remember doing similar activities
when I was in elementary school.
Where might i be able to find something like this? I picture a light bright
without the light.
Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.
location: Ohio
I think you are on the right track with your thoughts on how to teach your
friend braille. The American Printing House for the Blind has a device
that you may have used as a child.
Swing Cell
Introduce beginning braille users to the braille cell using this teaching
device. Two rectangular blocks are hinged on the top and mounted on a
wooden base.
Pegs can be inserted into the blocks to represent braille dots, three pegs
per block. With the blocks in the vertical position, the pegs form the
braille cell. With the blocks in the horizontal position, the pegs show the
position of the keys on a braillewriter. Recommended ages: 5 years and
older.
Swing Cell:
Catalog Number: 6-78040-00
Click this link to purchase a Swing Cell from APH.
Swing Cell Compact
Similar to the Swing Cell, but without the base. Smaller and lighter than
the original. Helps students understand the relationship between the
braille cell and the keys on a braillewriter. Internal storage of pegs.
Recommended Ages: 5 years and older.
Swing Cell Compact:
Catalog Number: 6-78041-00
Click this link to purchase a Swing Cell Compact.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Quick Pick Braille Contractions
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 11:10 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/mGbGsiGvbY8/quick-pick-braille-contractions.html
The latest in the Quick Pick series of educational games. Quick Pick
Contractions includes two cases of fifty cards with each case
representing a cross-section of braille contractions. On both sides of
the cards, a braille contraction is on the top and four uncontracted
answer choices are across the bottom.
To play, read the contraction, pick the uncontracted choice that
matches, put the wooden tool in the corresponding hole for the answer,
and try to pull the card out of the case. If the card slides out, the
answer is correct. If incorrect, the card will not slide out -- "Quick
Pick" as many cards as possible!
Quick Pick Braille Contractions:
Catalog Number: 1-03576-00
Click this link to purchase Quick Pick Braille Contractions.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Weekly Reader: Special Print/Braille Editions
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 10:51 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/A2wqhUHQT4o/weekly-reader-special-printbraille.html
Weekly Reader Large Print Format Is Now in Full Color!
APH offers several editions of Weekly Reader in both large print and
braille. The large print format is now in full color. We offer: 2nd Grade,
3rd Grade, Senior (Grades 4th, 5th, and 6th), Current Events, and Current
Science.
Weekly Reader Teaches Braille
Fun and educational publication for print readers who want to learn more
about the way kids who are blind read and write. Lively cartoon characters
help you learn about the braille code, Louis Braille, braille equipment,
large print, Talking Books, and adapted computers. Regular print
publication with samples of braille. Recommended ages: 8 years and older.
Up to five copies available free on request by phone. Sold individually.
Weekly Reader:
Catalog Number: Z-SMWR97
Click this link to purchase the Weekly Reader: Special Print-Braille
Edition.
For costs and subscription information, please contact APH at 800-223-1839.
Note that unlike the accessible formats of Reader's Digest and Newsweek, we
do not offer Weekly Reader free-of-charge.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Fun with Braille
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 10:31 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/BGqcua3r8h4/fun-with-braille.html
Braille Practice with a Difference -- It's Fun!
This book of entertaining activities is designed to provide additional
practice for adults and children who are already familiar with the braille
contractions. The activities can be done in any order and can be chosen to
practice a specific problem contraction or just for fun. A list of
contractions and the activities in which they appear is included for
reference. An answer key is provided in the back of the book.
The print edition includes selected activities in simulated braille so that
print users learning braille can practice their skills. A complete print
transcription of the simulated braille is included for non-braille readers.
Fun with Braille
Braille:
Catalog Number: 5-00110-00
Large Print:
Catalog Number: 7-00110-00
Click this link to purchase Fun with Braille.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
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Using Braille Abbreviations On Games
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 09:58 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/ABj1z1Gyf9g/using-braille-abbreviations-on-games.html
Number signs are often omitted on games. In order to make the braille more
uniform in length, the letter x may be used instead of 10 or the number
sign may be used with numerals 0 through 9 and omitted before numerals 10
and larger. Suits and other necessary words are abbreviated.
Here are some examples of how a regular deck of cards might be marked:
gh--seven of hearts
ic--nine of clubs
fd--six of diamonds
es--five of spades
ac--ace of clubs
kh--king of hearts
qd--queen of diamonds
bc--two of clubs
xs--ten of spades
jo--joker
Braille playing cards, Bingo cards and a number of other braille games are
readily available, or you may use a slate and a stylus to braille your own
favorites.
Reprinted from Read Again: A Braille Program for Adventitiously Blinded
Adults, by Hilda Caton, Eleanor Pester, and EddyJo Bradley. 1990 by the
American Printing House for the Blind.
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Pop-A-Cell to Practice Braille
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 09:46 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/1aMfCB1c2Oo/practice-braille-while-you-pop-cell.html
A large-scale braille cell is presented on a card measuring 2 5/8 x 4 1/4
inches. Pop the durable plastic cell dots up or down to create various
braille characters. Set of four - red, green, yellow, and blue - and a
Braille Alphabet and Numbers Card.
Pop-A-Cell (4-pack):
Catalog Number: 1-17002-00
Click this link to purchase Pop-A-Cell.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
///////////////////////////////////////////
Braille Contraction Cards
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 09:35 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/PUumK4P5blg/braille-contraction-cards.html
Flashcards for drilling on the braille literary code. Includes in both
large type and braille:
Alphabet and numbers
Punctuation and composition signs
One-cell whole-word and part-word signs
Two-cell contractions
Short-form words
There are 247 cards, measuring 3 1/2 x 2 inches. The first 26 cards contain
the braille alphabet on one side and large type on the other side.
Remaining cards contain Contracted Braille on one side and both
Uncontracted Braille and large type on the other side. Eight blank cards,
30 indexing cards with tabs, and a storage box are included. Recommended
ages: 6 years and older.
Braille Contraction Cards:
Catalog Number: 1-03561-00
Click this link to purchase the Braille Contraction Cards.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@xxxxxxx
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org
///////////////////////////////////////////
Portable Digital TV
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 08:29 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/LI2KA4QM-yg/portable-digital-tv.html
Blind and visually impaired people love portable TVs. Everyone I know has
at least one that they've been using for years. We don't care that the
screen is black and white or that it's only two inches. What we want is
great sound and the portability.
Now that the switch to digital TV has occured, many of us have useless
portable TVs. That relyable TV is now ready for the trash.
Portable digital TVs are being talked a lot about lately. We have had
several requests for information about portable digital TV sets, where to
find them,
and if old portable analog TVs can be used after the transition.
Portable Digital TV sets became easier to find as the transition
approached. Manufactures are including some cool features, digital picture
frames and MP3 players can be actived when the TV is not in use.
Features to look for when choosing a portable Digital TV:
STC tuner (to receive the digital signals)
16:9 widescreen or 4:3 standard display
Built in antenna
Built in speaker
Internal or external battery pack
120 VAC adapter (house current)
Ear phone jack
A/V inputs for connecting other devices
Click this link to learn more about Portable Digital TVs, including links
to various models.
Click this link to learn ways to use your old portable TV with a converter
box.
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TV Converter Box Coupon Program
Posted: 12 Jun 2009 07:59 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FredsHeadCompanion/~3/bEmtvkwNk_Q/tv-converter-box-coupon-program.html
Have you purchased your digital converter box yet? Are you confused as to
which one to purchase that will allow you to listen to descriptive video?
You have four options to get a coupon to help purchase a converter box:
Apply online
Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline: 888-DTV-2009 (888-388-2009).
Hearing-impaired consumers can use the TTY service by calling: 877-530-2634
Mail a coupon application to:
PO BOX 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000
Click this link to download a Coupon Application in PDF.
Fax a coupon application to 877-DTV-4ME2 (877-388-4632).
The TV converter box coupon application requires that you provide your
name, household address, number of coupons requested (maximum of two) and
whether
you subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay television service.
Coupons look like plastic credit cards or gift cards used widely in the
retail industry. There is nothing on the card to distinguish it from a
credit card, so watch your mail carefully if you are blind or visually
impaired. Unlike gift cards, TV converter box coupons will carry no
stored value and can only be used towards the purchase of eligible TV
converter boxes. Each household can request a maximum of two coupons. Each
coupon may be applied towards the purchase of a single converter box. The
coupons can be ordered one at a time or both at the same time.
For more information on the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, visit their
website at https://www.dtv2009.gov.
Another site that may be of help is DTV Answers: http://www.dtvanswers.com.
Video Description and Converter Boxes
Now that you've signed up to receive a coupon for a converter box, what
converter should you purchase? Mary Watkins, Director of Communications and
Outreach for Media Access Group at WGBH did some research and found the
following:
WGBH's Media Access Group has tested two of the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration/NTIA-certified coupon eligible converter
boxes and has determined that you can indeed receive and hear video
description from a broadcast digital TV signal that properly includes it.
We tested two boxes:
Insignia from Best Buy
- Digital Stream from Radio Shack
We tuned in two different PBS kids programs broadcast on WGBH's digital
channel and heard the descriptions coming through.
Even better news is that both boxes have both CC and SAP (or audio) buttons
on the remote controls that allow you to access the various caption signals
and alternate audio channels without having to go through the set-up menus.
You will find discrepancies in the on-screen menus when you use the two
different methods for controlling the alternate audio:
both boxes display "English 1" and "English 2" in the on-screen menu when
you use the SAP or Audio button on the remote control. Use English 2 for
accessing the video description (or Spanish if you are looking for that).
in their set-up menus, both boxes display "English/Spanish/French" as the
options in the pick list in those menus.
and, of course, neither of the boxes have audible/talking menus for control
of the set up and control of the boxes.
The broadcaster must be properly tagging and sending the alternate audio in
order for the boxes to pick up those signals and present them to the viewer.
The WGBH - Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible
Media (NCAM) has published a new Outreach and Policy Paper, Digital
Television and Video Description: Service Continues, Consumer and Industry
Efforts Required
NCAM previously published an overview of problems confronting deaf or
hard-of-hearing people trying to access captions via DTV or through a
converter box. The "DTVCC" paper can be found on NCAM's Web site listed
below.
This paper focuses on challenges facing blind or low vision viewers who
rely on video description to enjoy and fully understand television
programming. Topics covered include:
Set-top Converter Boxes
Accessible Menus
Tips for Finding Video Description in DTV
Troubleshooting
and a Technical Note about PSIP (or Program and System Information Protocol)
This paper, along with much more information about the DTV conversion from
a variety of resources, can be found at NCAM's DTV Access site,
http://dtvaccess.org or http://ncam.wgbh.org/dtv.
NCAM has established a one-way email address, dtvaccess@xxxxxxxx, as an
aggregator of complaints and problems related to the DTV rollout. If you
send a report about a DTV access problem to this address, you will receive
an automatic response that says that your report has been received and that
they are gathering information but cannot respond to your inquiry, and that
they will pass along common issues to relevant parties.
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Thanks
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