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October - November 2008 – Volume 7 Issue 4 – @Freedom Scientific Newsletter

@Freedom Scientific is a free newsletter packed with the latest information about Freedom Scientific technology. Please feel free to send us your feedback.

  1. Freedom Scientific Introduces SAPPHIRE Portable Video Magnifier
  2. JAWS 10 Adds Remote Assistance and Easier Web Navigation
  3. Users Say JAWS Tandem is Another Freedom Breakthrough
  4. Creating Accessible Forms in Microsoft Word
  5. Pursuit Of Excellence in Education Means Computers and WYNN for All Full-Time Students
  6. Vision Awareness Days - A Seminar You Don’t Want to Miss
  7. FSCast Episodes Spotlight the SAPPHIRE, JAWS-scripted Tools, JAWS 10, JAWS Tandem, and More

 

Freedom Scientific Introduces the SAPPHIRE™ Portable Video Magnifier

Freedom Scientific recently announced the newest in its line of versatile low vision solutions - the SAPPHIRE™ portable video magnifier.

Compact and lightweight, the SAPPHIRE magnifies from 3.4x to 16x on a bright seven-inch LCD display. Its flexible, hinged design allows the SAPPHIRE to read just about anything including documents, small print on bottles or jars, and signs posted on the wall. The built-in writing stand helps when filling out checks and other forms.

“As with our other low vision products, we’ve made the controls on the SAPPHIRE highly visible, completely accessible, and easy to use,” said Brad Davis, Vice President of Freedom Scientific. “The sliding fingertip zoom control is right up front, so SAPPHIRE users can raise or lower magnification without taking their eyes off the item they need to see. The magnification is continuous, so they can zoom to the precise level that is best for the task at hand.”

One button turns the SAPPHIRE on and off, and one button switches between different viewing modes – full color and up to 22 configurable high contrast color combinations to make text more readable for various eye conditions. Press another button to freeze an image, for instance product labels and price tags that are not at eye level.

For even higher magnification, the SAPPHIRE comes with a cable to connect it to a television. The SAPPHIRE can magnify from 10.2x to 48x on a 21-inch TV screen.

"The SAPPHIRE has been designed as a true on-the-go companion,” said Davis. “The rechargeable battery provides over four hours of continuous use. Close it up and it automatically shuts off to conserve power while protecting both the camera and the display in a high-impact plastic housing.”

The SAPPHIRE is priced at $1,895 and comes with a two-year warranty.

For more information about the SAPPHIRE, visit the SAPPHIRE product page on the Freedom Scientific Web site. The page includes a PDF data sheet with full specifications. You can also contact Freedom Scientific at 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000 for information.

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JAWS 10 Adds Remote Assistance and Easier Web Navigation

Users of all experience levels will be thrilled with this year’s SMA release of JAWS® version 10 – available now for download from the Freedom Scientific Web site. New features include Auto Forms mode, JAWS Tandem™, and RealSpeak™ Solo Direct.

"Our team is extremely proud of JAWS 10," stated Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management. "Our beta testers have provided great feedback during the development and testing cycles, and users - from beginners who are just learning JAWS to the most experienced professional users - have shared their enthusiasm for all the great new features.”

Listen to our August and September FSCast podcasts, hosted by Jonathan Mosen, to hear Eric demonstrate the enhancements in JAWS 10.

"Clearly the new JAWS Tandem will provide great value for many customers. Technical Support staff, consultants, trainers, dealers, and knowledgeable friends now have a simple and powerful tool to assist JAWS users from a distance," said Damery. "Beyond Tandem, users will find Web sites easier and more intuitive with Auto Forms Mode. They will also love all the new, more responsive Nuance® RealSpeak Solo Direct languages and voices.”

Samples and downloads of 43 voices in 19 different languages are available on Freedom Scientific’s new RealSpeak Solo Direct Web page.

“We’ve also added new training material for JAWS 10,” Eric said. “Users will appreciate the 17 DAISY training titles found in the JAWS 10 Help Menu, under Training. They can simply press Enter to launch updates and choose a book or books to download and install them automatically.

All SMA customers will receive the JAWS 10 English CD by mail no later than November 15.

JAWS 10 users can refer to the Web Resources located in the Help Menu for quick access to the RealSpeak voices and languages. There is also an updated Surf's Up - Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic® covering the new Auto Forms Mode, and all the advantages of using JAWS and MAGic® screen magnification software together.

JAWS Tandem and the Quick Start Guide are located in the Utility Menu.

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Users Say JAWS Tandem is Another Freedom Breakthrough

JAWS 10 now allows users to remotely control another computer that has JAWS 10 installed. With such control, JAWS users can take a giant step forward in technical support, writing and distributing scripts from a distance, and conducting remote training.

Two users with JAWS 10 can connect to the Internet and request an online Tandem session between their two computers, designating one as the “target” and one as the “controller”. Once the session starts, both users can work on the “target” computer at the same time - and it is all completely accessible. The JAWS speech and braille output is sent to both users simultaneously. Either person’s keyboard or mouse inputs to the one computer. Customers who need some help from a trusted friend or a technical support person can get just the help they need. A limited time free introductory offer makes it easy for anyone to try JAWS Tandem.

To show the power of JAWS Tandem, we asked three users to share their experiences:

  1. Jose Tamayo, an IT specialist, has used Tandem to work remotely with three separate people and sees an opportunity to make money by providing remote technical support.

  2. Bruce Toews, a braille proofreader, is excited about the technical support implications.


  3. Scott Erichsen characterizes JAWS Tandem as nothing less than “a breakthrough feature in the AT industry”.

Jose Tamayo

Tamayo recently described helping a friend who frequently calls with computer issues. “Typically, I take him through the steps of configuring whatever he is working on through the phone,” Jose said. “This time, I asked him to download the public beta version of JAWS 10. He asked, ‘Why do I have to install JAWS?’ I said, ‘Well, because I want to show you something. Trust me.’

“When I connected and he heard JAWS on his computer talking (or Eloquence, that is), he was truly impressed. He said that I could use this to help many customers over the phone. He understood the use for the tool right away. He said that he had a contract … and a potential use for this technology with some of his clients.”

Using Tandem, Tamayo also helped his sister with a computer problem.

“Being in IT for well over 16 years now, I used to help her when my vision was good enough to do it.” He decided to give it another try with Tandem. “Her exclamation was, ‘I did not know you could do this!’ I was able to connect and resolve her problems using JAWS Tandem. Even with different versions of Tandem between the two systems, I was able to get her system issues resolved, and it was a pleasure to feel that I was at her desktop.”

Bruce Toews

Bruce Toews envisions Tandem reducing the need to send in a computer for repair – or to wait for a repair technician to arrive.

“I've found Tandem to be immensely useful for allowing one user to truly see what is going on with another's computer from that computer's perspective. The implications are tremendous both for Freedom Scientific tech support and for friends who want to help friends. The ability to experience a problem remotely without requesting that a machine be sent in is just one more feature which puts JAWS light-years ahead of the competition.”

Scott Erichsen

Scott Erichsen is impressed by the possibilities for training.

“JAWS Tandem is a breakthrough feature in the AT industry,” he said. “When I first used it, I could see the huge potential it could offer clients with sorting out a problem, or users wishing to help other users. But the big winner I find with this feature is training! You could train the user in using a certain program from the most basic to the most advanced topics. You can even script an application for the user, without having to travel long distances, saving costs to you and the client. I see this feature only getting better. As JAWS grows, let Tandem grow with it!”

To learn more about JAWS 10 and JAWS Tandem, visit our Web page for What’s New in JAWS 10.

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Creating Accessible Forms in Microsoft Word

Recently, Freedom Scientific’s Senior Trainer Dan Clark teamed with Professor Norm Coombs to present an online workshop on Making Accessible Forms in MS Word. Professor Coombs represents Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI).

If you missed the webinar, you can still access the step-by-step instructions for creating accessible Microsoft Word forms in our library of training materials.

Among the subjects covered are:

Visit the Training Headquarters to keep up with all the latest training news.

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Pursuit of Excellence in Education Means Computers and WYNN for All Full-time Students

There is a lot to attract students to Meredith College, a private women’s college in Raleigh, NC: a focus on excellence in education, a breathtaking campus, small class sizes, and a mentoring program. The college’s contribution of a free laptop computer to all full-time students just sweetens Meredith’s attraction.

This year for the first time, the free student laptops come pre-installed with productivity software, including Freedom Scientific’s WYNN™ literacy software, a benefit that students who need assistance with reading effectively will certainly appreciate.

“The software is helpful for any student who finds reading difficult, time consuming, or boring,” says Jill Triana, Disability Service Coordinator for Meredith College. “This tool will help us meet the need of this generation of students.”

WYNN Wizard was selected by the college based on the software’s powerful and unique benefits to students:

Meredith College previously offered WYNN Wizard software in computer labs, primarily for use by students with disabilities. Recognizing the educational benefit to these students, the college evaluated other software offerings, instituted a pilot program with more than 50 students, and then selected WYNN Wizard. Due to the success of students using WYNN during the 2008-2009 academic year, Meredith has developed a partnership with Freedom Scientific to expand the program campus-wide

“We are delighted that Meredith College understands that all students learn differently and that WYNN has been chosen to help students be more productive,” said Roberta G. Brosnahan, Vice President and General Manager of Freedom Scientific, LSG. “This technology assists all students to use their individual learning style to achieve success both at college and in 21st century jobs.”

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Vision Awareness Days - A Seminar You Don’t Want to Miss

Attendees at Freedom Scientific’s Vision Awareness Days seminars learn about issues related to living with vision loss and get “hands on” with a broad range of assistive technology for those that are blind or low vision.

Debra Valenzuela from the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services attended Vision Awareness Days in Corpus Christi and described her reaction. “I don’t remember a time that I’ve been so pumped about adaptive technology. I cannot wait until the workshop returns to Corpus Christi again. Vision Awareness was a lot of fun. After all, we all want a piece of the PIE," she added, referring to the acronym for the workshop’s mantra of Productivity, Independence, and Empowerment through assistive technology.

Texas isn’t unique in its warm reception of the free one- or two-day assistive technology educational events. On request, the seminars have made stops throughout the US and Canada over the past year.

“What makes these events so popular is they are entertaining and informative presentations by people who actually use and need to use the technology,” said Charlie Madsen, who presents the low vision segments and is low vision himself. His partner for many workshops is Freedom Scientific Product Manager Ron Miller, who is blind.

“The workshops are intended to make people aware of all the technology that is out there to help live full daily lives,” said Charlie. “People like the way it’s an interactive, energetic presentation - and it’s fun. Ron and I tell our own stories about how the products have helped us succeed. We can because we’ve had real life experience with them.”

Several months ago, Chelsea White of The Seeing Eye dog guide school, began joining the Freedom Scientific team at many workshops. “What Chelsea brings to the audience is a focus on mobility and the benefits of dog guides,” said Charlie. “One of our primary goals is to get people to work or to go out into their communities. If you can’t get people out, the technology still has value, but the benefits are more limited.”

Attendees receive an overview of assistive technology products, get their questions answered, and have the opportunity to try a wide range of products including:

“In our audiences, we get people who have been professionals in training and teaching for many years,” Charlie said. “We also get people who have never been exposed to a screen reader or video magnifier. Whatever their level of knowledge, they all leave with a better understanding of access technology that can help them achieve their goals.”

Alana Manrow of the South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind elaborated, “Not only was the event of great value to our own staff, it was a perfect opportunity to educate our community about assistive technology and vision loss. The Freedom Scientific staff is incredibly knowledgeable and their presentation style is enthusiastic and interactive. We look forward to hosting another Vision Awareness Days program next year!”

“The Vision Awareness Day presented by Freedom Scientific was one of the most informative and entertaining seminars that we ever held at our center,” said Dr. Bill Takeshita, Chief of Optometric Services for the Center for the Partially Sighted in Southern California. “Teachers, doctors, technology specialists, consumers, and administrators from throughout the city came to learn about the wide variety of adaptive technology that helps people who are blind, visually impaired, and also the print impaired. It was absolutely fantastic!"

The seminars are free and open to the public. Upon demand, they continually tour North America. Lunch is provided for all attendees

To register for a scheduled session in your area, visit the Vision Awareness Days Web page.

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Don’t Miss In-Depth News – Subscribe to FSCast

If you’re not subscribed to Freedom Scientific’s FSCast podcast, you’re missing the best of in-depth news and interviews about Freedom Scientific access technology and product developments. In September, host Jonathan Mosen featured Eric Damery presenting a detailed preview of JAWS 10, the new JAWS 10 Tandem support and assistance tool, and new iTunes® accessibility with JAWS. In the October FSCast, Brad Davis joined Jonathan to discuss the SAPPHIRE™ portable magnifier for low vision, and Brian Hartgen and Sue Martin from T&T Consultancy introduced J-Tools, a set of scripts that enhances JAWS functions when working with word processing, e-mail, calendar, and the Internet.

You can still get in on the news by visiting the FSCast archives to download FSCast episodes in MP3, but, if you want to get your news as soon as it becomes available, subscribe to FSCast today.

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Freedom Scientific's mission

To develop, manufacture, and market technology-based products that provide equal access to information and computing for those with vision impairments or learning disabilities.

@Freedom Scientific is published by
Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com

Do you have hardware or software technical support queries? Address them to our Support Department.