From desai1shikha at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 18:43:20 2018
From: desai1shikha at gmail.com (Shikha)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 14:43:20 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
Message-ID: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>

Hey,
I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park?
Thanks 

Shikha Desai
Bachelor of Social Work
Georgia State University  

From rbacchus228 at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 19:18:55 2018
From: rbacchus228 at gmail.com (Roanna Bacchus)
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2018 15:18:55 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
Message-ID: <5b392921.1c69fb81.5b964.4b5b@mx.google.com>

Whenever I go to places like this, it is with my family. You should give it a try and go alone. I am not sure how safe it is. 

On Jul 1, 2018 2:43 PM, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hey, 
> I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park? 
> Thanks 
>
> Shikha Desai 
> Bachelor of Social Work 
> Georgia State University  
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com 

From ayoub.zurikat.nfb at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 21:00:35 2018
From: ayoub.zurikat.nfb at gmail.com (Ayoub Zurikat)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 16:00:35 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Plastic sticker bumps
Message-ID: <1B84B0FB-682D-4BD3-A7FE-38A66FF2D848@gmail.com>

Hello everyone,
Could someone kindly comments or advice. I moved to a new house with my roommates, and everything in this house is basically touch screen. The oven, the microwave, dishwasher, the dryer etc. so I purchased some of those plastic round see-through sticker dots. The ones that stick over a button so that I could feel it when I passed my hand over it. However, it seems that the plastic is preventing some of the touchscreen buttons to work. I think that the skin has to be in touch with the screen for the order or command to be activated. 
Are there any touch sensitive sticker dots? Or otherwise, how do you handle this?
Thank you


From justin.williams2 at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 21:24:00 2018
From: justin.williams2 at gmail.com (Justin Williams)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 17:24:00 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Plastic sticker bumps
In-Reply-To: <1B84B0FB-682D-4BD3-A7FE-38A66FF2D848@gmail.com>
References: <1B84B0FB-682D-4BD3-A7FE-38A66FF2D848@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <0bdf01d41181$d4680ff0$7d382fd0$@gmail.com>

First, with the stove, I'm not sure how you label that; the labels will
melt. Maybe you can find some cooler spaces between the burners.  The way
I'd handle that is to use bump dots on the microwave, and everything else
you can, and  try labeling the part of the stove with the controls.  Use the
back of your hand to see where the burners are when there on; just feel the
heat, then you should be able to measure the distance to put the put on.
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ayoub Zurikat
via NABS-L
Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 5:01 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ayoub Zurikat <ayoub.zurikat.nfb at gmail.com>; il-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [NABS-L] Plastic sticker bumps

Hello everyone,
Could someone kindly comments or advice. I moved to a new house with my
roommates, and everything in this house is basically touch screen. The oven,
the microwave, dishwasher, the dryer etc. so I purchased some of those
plastic round see-through sticker dots. The ones that stick over a button so
that I could feel it when I passed my hand over it. However, it seems that
the plastic is preventing some of the touchscreen buttons to work. I think
that the skin has to be in touch with the screen for the order or command to
be activated. 
Are there any touch sensitive sticker dots? Or otherwise, how do you handle
this?
Thank you

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail
.com



From hstaley at nfbtx.org  Sun Jul  1 21:44:14 2018
From: hstaley at nfbtx.org (Harry Staley)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 17:44:14 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
In-Reply-To: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>
References: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <71FFA44E-A431-455A-952C-ADF6D5D0753C@nfbtx.org>

It is a theme park it is definitely safer than traveling in the city. Go for it and have a great time discovering everything there.the nice thing is that most of the areas have different theme music to them.

Harry Staley
(330) 718-1876
hstaley at nfbtx.org

> On Jul 1, 2018, at 14:43, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hey,
> I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park?
> Thanks 
> 
> Shikha Desai
> Bachelor of Social Work
> Georgia State University  
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hstaley%40nfbtx.org


From desai1shikha at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 22:01:13 2018
From: desai1shikha at gmail.com (Shikha)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 18:01:13 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
In-Reply-To: <71FFA44E-A431-455A-952C-ADF6D5D0753C@nfbtx.org>
References: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>
	<71FFA44E-A431-455A-952C-ADF6D5D0753C@nfbtx.org>
Message-ID: <D5ED3186-1BF6-4E15-874D-2AE7541FFF3F@gmail.com>

Thanks 
Yes i am really excited 
I love Harry Potter 
Thanks 


Shikha Desai
Bachelor of Social Work
Georgia State University  

> On Jul 1, 2018, at 5:44 PM, Harry Staley via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> It is a theme park it is definitely safer than traveling in the city. Go for it and have a great time discovering everything there.the nice thing is that most of the areas have different theme music to them.
> 
> Harry Staley
> (330) 718-1876
> hstaley at nfbtx.org
> 
>> On Jul 1, 2018, at 14:43, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hey,
>> I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park?
>> Thanks 
>> 
>> Shikha Desai
>> Bachelor of Social Work
>> Georgia State University  
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hstaley%40nfbtx.org
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gmail.com


From justin.williams2 at gmail.com  Sun Jul  1 22:46:24 2018
From: justin.williams2 at gmail.com (Justin Williams)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 18:46:24 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
In-Reply-To: <D5ED3186-1BF6-4E15-874D-2AE7541FFF3F@gmail.com>
References: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>	<71FFA44E-A431-455A-952C-ADF6D5D0753C@nfbtx.org>
	<D5ED3186-1BF6-4E15-874D-2AE7541FFF3F@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <0cd201d4118d$57622de0$062689a0$@gmail.com>

Hopefully, you'd be open to sharing some of your tactics with us afterwards.


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shikha via
NABS-L
Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 6:01 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Shikha <desai1shikha at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone

Thanks 
Yes i am really excited 
I love Harry Potter 
Thanks 


Shikha Desai
Bachelor of Social Work
Georgia State University  

> On Jul 1, 2018, at 5:44 PM, Harry Staley via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> It is a theme park it is definitely safer than traveling in the city. Go
for it and have a great time discovering everything there.the nice thing is
that most of the areas have different theme music to them.
> 
> Harry Staley
> (330) 718-1876
> hstaley at nfbtx.org
> 
>> On Jul 1, 2018, at 14:43, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hey,
>> I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending
convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some
advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park?
>> Thanks 
>> 
>> Shikha Desai
>> Bachelor of Social Work
>> Georgia State University  
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hstaley%40nfbtx.org
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail
.com



From mkvnfb94 at gmail.com  Mon Jul  2 01:18:18 2018
From: mkvnfb94 at gmail.com (Mariya Vasileva)
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2018 21:18:18 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
In-Reply-To: <0cd201d4118d$57622de0$062689a0$@gmail.com>
References: <67BDCE45-0E37-4AB3-80B0-5AD0D01AD709@gmail.com>
	<71FFA44E-A431-455A-952C-ADF6D5D0753C@nfbtx.org>
	<D5ED3186-1BF6-4E15-874D-2AE7541FFF3F@gmail.com>
	<0cd201d4118d$57622de0$062689a0$@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <DBC4BE24-98B6-4D8C-BDCD-F272CEE5D2D0@gmail.com>

Well, you use some of the skills that you learned at LCB. Like asking for directions and using the music as clues.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 1, 2018, at 18:46, Justin Williams via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hopefully, you'd be open to sharing some of your tactics with us afterwards.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shikha via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 6:01 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Shikha <desai1shikha at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Traveling at universal studio alone
> 
> Thanks 
> Yes i am really excited 
> I love Harry Potter 
> Thanks 
> 
> 
> Shikha Desai
> Bachelor of Social Work
> Georgia State University  
> 
>> On Jul 1, 2018, at 5:44 PM, Harry Staley via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> 
>> It is a theme park it is definitely safer than traveling in the city. Go
> for it and have a great time discovering everything there.the nice thing is
> that most of the areas have different theme music to them.
>> 
>> Harry Staley
>> (330) 718-1876
>> hstaley at nfbtx.org
>> 
>>> On Jul 1, 2018, at 14:43, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hey,
>>> I am planning of going to Universal studio on Tuesday while attending
> convention. I don't think anyone is able to come with me. I need some
> advice. is it safe? Should i go? Will i get assistance at the park?
>>> Thanks 
>>> 
>>> Shikha Desai
>>> Bachelor of Social Work
>>> Georgia State University  
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hstaley%40nfbtx.org
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
>> 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail
> .com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/mkvnfb94%40gmail.com


From mkvnfb94 at gmail.com  Mon Jul  2 15:27:39 2018
From: mkvnfb94 at gmail.com (Mariya Vasileva)
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2018 11:27:39 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Seeking Volunteers for Exhibit Hall And Beyond
In-Reply-To: <72F8D0B8-CEE2-4CEC-BC25-16491784FF29@gmail.com>
References: <858D5976-5A5F-4793-B540-D74391D40C02@gmail.com>
	<BL0PR04MB4899603BF817673793236555BA770@BL0PR04MB4899.namprd04.prod.outlook.com>
	<72F8D0B8-CEE2-4CEC-BC25-16491784FF29@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <1BE7D2D9-209A-40FC-A192-FBFF980DDE05@gmail.com>

Hi, I am planning to volunteer on all three days with the description of the items or whatever else needs to be done. This is of course in relation to the exhibit hall.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 20, 2018, at 19:23, Shannon Cantan via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Great questions Elizabeth,
> NABS will not be participating in those particular time slots, as for the the request for marshallers at 6PM, we will request volunteers to arrive at least 10- 15 minutes prior to their shifts; however, we may not ask the marshallers to begin until a little before the start of registration. 
> 
> Shannon KS. Cantan
> Board Member | National Association of Blind Students
> Co-chair outreach committee
> (808) 785-5186
> ShannonCantan.NFB at gmail.com
> 
> 
>> On Jun 20, 2018, at 6:23 AM, Elizabeth Mohnke via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello Shannon,
>> 
>> Thank you for posting this message regarding volunteer opportunities for NABS at national convention. I sent an email off list regarding my availability to volunteer for NABS at national convention. I hope you received my email.
>> 
>> However, I have a couple of questions in regards to the volunteer opportunities listed in this email. First, this message states that Marshallers are needed for the NABS business meeting starting at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 4, 2018. However, the agenda for national convention states that registration for the NABS business meeting starts at 6:00 pm. So I am wondering if you would want Marshallers to be in place for when the registration for the NABS business meeting begins.
>> 
>> Second, I noticed the time slots listed to volunteer to work in the exhibit hall does not include the time slot on Friday evening from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and the last lunch time slot on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm. Does this mean these time slots have already been filled and do not need any volunteers? I just want to clarify this for those who may be interested in working these time slots.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Elizabeth
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shannon Cantan via NABS-L
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 7:20 PM
>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Shannon Cantan <shannoncantan.nfb at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [NABS-L] Seeking Volunteers for Exhibit Hall And Beyond
>> 
>> Greetings fellow NABSsters,
>> We are seeking some energetic, reliable, and hardworking volunteers to help us with various events.
>> Firstly, from Wednesday July 4th- Friday July 6, we are seeking workers for the exhibit hall, NABS will be selling some great products and could really use your help.  I will paste the Exhibit Hall schedule at the bottom of this e-mail, we are asking for volunteers to work 2 hour shifts.  
>> The 2nd event we are looking for help with is our 2018 NABS Business Meeting, the meeting will kick off on Wednesday July 4th at 7PM Eastern, but we are looking for Marshallers to begin at 6PM
>> 
>> Lastly, we are looking for volunteers for our 2nd annual NABS Olympics, this event will begin at 8PM on Thursday July 5, but we are looking for  volunteers to be in place by 7:p.m.
>> We will be holding a teleconference this Monday, June 25 at 8 PM Eastern to answer all questions about our volunteer opportunities.
>> 
>> If you have any questions, or are interested With helping NABS with     any of our events,  please email me at ShannonCantan.nfb at gmail.com. Thank you so much, and we will see you at convention.
>> 
>> Exhibit hall schedule in which we are looking for volunteers.
>> Wednesday​11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
>> Thursday​​8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
>> Friday​​Noon to 1:45 PM  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Shannon KS. Cantan
>> Board Member | National Association of Blind Students Co-chair outreach committee
>> (808) 785-5186
>> ShannonCantan.NFB at gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lizmohnke%40hotmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/shannoncantan.nfb%40gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/mkvnfb94%40gmail.com


From nabs.president at gmail.com  Mon Jul  2 16:03:55 2018
From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Kathryn Webster, President,
	National Association of Blind Students)
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2018 12:03:55 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] AGENDA - Annual NABS Business Meeting! (Wednesday 7-9pm)
Message-ID: <008501d4121e$483cf3e0$d8b6dba0$@gmail.com>

Students,

 

We are so excited to see you tomorrow! Below, you will find our annual
business meeting agenda, which takes place from 7-9pm on the 4th of July!
Please let me know if you have any questions, but this year will be
awesome!!


 


National Association of Blind Students


2018 Annual Business Meeting


Building Independence and Unity


 


Wednesday, July 4, 2018


Panzacola Ballrooms F-1 and F-2, Level 1, 7-9pm


I can be successful; you can be successful; but, together, we can change the
lives of blind students across the country one step at a time. We need you!
- Kathryn Webster, President

 

6:00pm    Registration

7:00pm    Call to Order - Kathryn Webster | President, National Association
of Blind Students

7:05pm    Unity Starts Here - Mark A. Riccobono | President, National
Federation of the Blind

7:20pm    Code of Conduct - Kathryn Webster | President, National
Association of blind Students

7:25pm    Celebration of Our Student Leaders

7:35pm    Presidential Report - Kathryn Webster | President, National
Association of Blind Students

7:55pm    Nominating Committee Report - Michael Ausbun | Chair, Nominating
Committee and 1st Vice President, National Association of Blind Students

8:00pm    Elections

8:15pm    Let's Here from Our Finalists - Cayte Mendez | Chair, National
Scholarship Committee

8:35pm    Let's Talk Legal - Valerie Yingling | Legal Program Coordinator,
National Federation of the Blind

8:40pm    Transforming Museums into Meaningful Experiences for the Blind -
John Olson | Co-Founder, 3DPhotoWorks LLC

8:45pm    Experiencing More! - Kevan Woreley | Representative, Aira IO

8:50pm    Treasurer's Report - Cody Beardslee | Treasurer, National
Association of Blind Students

8:55pm    Announcements

9:00pm    Adjourn

 

Love,

Kathryn Webster

President | National Association of Blind Students


From dwiniecki at handid.org  Tue Jul  3 01:06:06 2018
From: dwiniecki at handid.org (Donald Winiecki)
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2018 21:06:06 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] [Nfbnet-students-list] AGENDA - Annual NABS Business
 Meeting! (Wednesday 7-9pm)
In-Reply-To: <auto-000106444646@mailfront2.g2host.com>
References: <auto-000106444646@mailfront2.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <0ACFBBB6-1EF2-44DD-B4F4-38C99CA947D0@handid.org>

Kathryn,

While I will have to miss the beginning of the Wednesday meeting in order to attend another meeting held at the same time, I will be able to attend the networking session on Tuesday evening. 

Is there any agenda for the networking session?

_don

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don Winiecki
Handid Media Systems •  a non-profit company
dwiniecki at handid.org
http://handid.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~iph

> On Jul 2, 2018, at 8:28 PM, Kathryn Webster, President, National Association of Blind Students via NABS-L via Nfbnet-students-list <nfbnet-students-list at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Students,
> 
> 
> 
> We are so excited to see you tomorrow! Below, you will find our annual
> business meeting agenda, which takes place from 7-9pm on the 4th of July!
> Please let me know if you have any questions, but this year will be
> awesome!!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> National Association of Blind Students
> 
> 
> 2018 Annual Business Meeting
> 
> 
> Building Independence and Unity
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Wednesday, July 4, 2018
> 
> 
> Panzacola Ballrooms F-1 and F-2, Level 1, 7-9pm
> 
> 
> I can be successful; you can be successful; but, together, we can change the
> lives of blind students across the country one step at a time. We need you!
> - Kathryn Webster, President
> 
> 
> 
> 6:00pm    Registration
> 
> 7:00pm    Call to Order - Kathryn Webster | President, National Association
> of Blind Students
> 
> 7:05pm    Unity Starts Here - Mark A. Riccobono | President, National
> Federation of the Blind
> 
> 7:20pm    Code of Conduct - Kathryn Webster | President, National
> Association of blind Students
> 
> 7:25pm    Celebration of Our Student Leaders
> 
> 7:35pm    Presidential Report - Kathryn Webster | President, National
> Association of Blind Students
> 
> 7:55pm    Nominating Committee Report - Michael Ausbun | Chair, Nominating
> Committee and 1st Vice President, National Association of Blind Students
> 
> 8:00pm    Elections
> 
> 8:15pm    Let's Here from Our Finalists - Cayte Mendez | Chair, National
> Scholarship Committee
> 
> 8:35pm    Let's Talk Legal - Valerie Yingling | Legal Program Coordinator,
> National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 8:40pm    Transforming Museums into Meaningful Experiences for the Blind -
> John Olson | Co-Founder, 3DPhotoWorks LLC
> 
> 8:45pm    Experiencing More! - Kevan Woreley | Representative, Aira IO
> 
> 8:50pm    Treasurer's Report - Cody Beardslee | Treasurer, National
> Association of Blind Students
> 
> 8:55pm    Announcements
> 
> 9:00pm    Adjourn
> 
> 
> 
> Love,
> 
> Kathryn Webster
> 
> President | National Association of Blind Students
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbnet-students-list mailing list
> Nfbnet-students-list at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbnet-students-list_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbnet-students-list:
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> To unsubscribe from Nfbnet-students-list:
> goto http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbnet-students-list_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org

From sami.j.osborne97 at gmail.com  Tue Jul  3 13:50:37 2018
From: sami.j.osborne97 at gmail.com (Sami Osborne)
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2018 09:50:37 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] [Nfbnet-students-list] AGENDA - Annual NABS
 BusinessMeeting! (Wednesday 7-9pm)
Message-ID: <5b3b7f50.1c69fb81.d19b5.05be@mx.google.com>

Hi Kathryn and all,

Unfortunately I won't be as Convention, so was just wondering 
whether Chris and David will be streaming the meeting with 195 
The Globe.  I would assume they probably are, since they've done 
it in previous years, but I just wanted to confirm so they're 
doing it again this year.

Thanks,

Sami

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Donald Winiecki via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
To: "Kathryn Webster, President,National Association of Blind 
Students via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 2 Jul 2018 21:06:06 -0400
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] [Nfbnet-students-list] AGENDA - Annual NABS 
BusinessMeeting! (Wednesday 7-9pm)

Kathryn,

While I will have to miss the beginning of the Wednesday meeting 
in order to attend another meeting held at the same time, I will 
be able to attend the networking session on Tuesday evening.

Is there any agenda for the networking session?

_don

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don Winiecki
Handid Media Systems •  a non-profit company
dwiniecki at handid.org
http://handid.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~iph

 On Jul 2, 2018, at 8:28 PM, Kathryn Webster, President, National 
Association of Blind Students via NABS-L via Nfbnet-students-list 
<nfbnet-students-list at nfbnet.org> wrote:

 Students,



 We are so excited to see you tomorrow! Below, you will find our 
annual
 business meeting agenda, which takes place from 7-9pm on the 4th 
of July!
 Please let me know if you have any questions, but this year will 
be
 awesome!!





 National Association of Blind Students


 2018 Annual Business Meeting


 Building Independence and Unity





 Wednesday, July 4, 2018


 Panzacola Ballrooms F-1 and F-2, Level 1, 7-9pm


 I can be successful; you can be successful; but, together, we 
can change the
 lives of blind students across the country one step at a time.  
We need you!
 - Kathryn Webster, President



 6:00pm    Registration

 7:00pm    Call to Order - Kathryn Webster | President, National 
Association
 of Blind Students

 7:05pm    Unity Starts Here - Mark A.  Riccobono | President, 
National
 Federation of the Blind

 7:20pm    Code of Conduct - Kathryn Webster | President, 
National
 Association of blind Students

 7:25pm    Celebration of Our Student Leaders

 7:35pm    Presidential Report - Kathryn Webster | President, 
National
 Association of Blind Students

 7:55pm    Nominating Committee Report - Michael Ausbun | Chair, 
Nominating
 Committee and 1st Vice President, National Association of Blind 
Students

 8:00pm    Elections

 8:15pm    Let's Here from Our Finalists - Cayte Mendez | Chair, 
National
 Scholarship Committee

 8:35pm    Let's Talk Legal - Valerie Yingling | Legal Program 
Coordinator,
 National Federation of the Blind

 8:40pm    Transforming Museums into Meaningful Experiences for 
the Blind -
 John Olson | Co-Founder, 3DPhotoWorks LLC

 8:45pm    Experiencing More! - Kevan Woreley | Representative, 
Aira IO

 8:50pm    Treasurer's Report - Cody Beardslee | Treasurer, 
National
 Association of Blind Students

 8:55pm    Announcements

 9:00pm    Adjourn



 Love,

 Kathryn Webster

 President | National Association of Blind Students
 nabs.president at gmail.com


 ---
 This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
 https://www.avg.com


 _______________________________________________
 Nfbnet-students-list mailing list
 Nfbnet-students-list at nfbnet.org
 
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbnet-students-list_nfbnet.or
g
 To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
info for Nfbnet-students-list:
 
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/dwiniecki%40handid.org
 To unsubscribe from Nfbnet-students-list:
 goto 
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbnet-students-list_nfbnet.org
/dwiniecki%40handid.org
_______________________________________________
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NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sami.j.osborn
e97%40gmail.com



From jameyanne at gmail.com  Tue Jul  3 16:33:22 2018
From: jameyanne at gmail.com (jameyanne at gmail.com)
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2018 12:33:22 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] comments and footnnotes in google docs with jaws
Message-ID: <00a101d412eb$8f503580$adf0a080$@gmail.com>

Hello NABS,

I just started a new internship for the rest of the summer, and they use
google docs a lot. I'm using a PC with JAWS and Firefox. I'm wondering if
anyone can tell me how to read comments or footnotes on a document in google
docs with JAWS.

Thanks,

Jameyanne



---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com

From rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com  Tue Jul  3 16:52:40 2018
From: rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com (Rahul Bajaj)
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2018 22:22:40 +0530
Subject: [NABS-L] comments and footnnotes in google docs with jaws
In-Reply-To: <00a101d412eb$8f503580$adf0a080$@gmail.com>
References: <00a101d412eb$8f503580$adf0a080$@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <26387910-0D40-4EAF-B58B-E03560311A6D@gmail.com>

Hi Jameyanne,

Why don't you download the document and then access this stuff in MS Word? If you press alt+shift+f, in the file menu that opens, there's an option to save the document.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 3, 2018, at 10:03 PM, Jameyanne Fuller via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello NABS,
> 
> I just started a new internship for the rest of the summer, and they use
> google docs a lot. I'm using a PC with JAWS and Firefox. I'm wondering if
> anyone can tell me how to read comments or footnotes on a document in google
> docs with JAWS.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jameyanne
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rahul.bajaj1038%40gmail.com


From rob.parso3389 at gmail.com  Tue Jul  3 17:59:41 2018
From: rob.parso3389 at gmail.com (Robert Parsons)
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:59:41 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] VABS Ride Share Raffle Change
Message-ID: <2328ECA1-46A4-4EFB-BE37-D5A545E2F8CD@gmail.com>

Good Afternoon Federation Family and Friends 

It is time for us to get excited. We are at the dawn of the 78th NFB National Convention. As our members pile in to join the festivities, we at the Virginia Association of Blind Students realize that travel delays are customary in the summertime. With that in mind, we have decided to change up our raffle for the opportunity of many more students, members, families, and friends to win a necessary prize. Originally, VABS was running three separate raffles, each with a $50 Uber Gift Card prize. These drawings would take place on July 4th, 6th, and 8th. We are now switching it just a bit. VABS will now be raffling off a $150 gift card for Uber or Lift. The winner will choose which service they would like their gift card for after the winning ticket is drawn on July 7th at 10pm. If you are interested in buying a ticket, they are still the same price, one ticket for $5 and three tickets for $10. We still do accept Cash App and Venmo, along with cash and check. You do not have to be present to to purchase or win. If there are any questions about this raffle, please feel free to contact me at 8048017674.


Blessings

Robert Parsons Jr. 
President, Virginia Association of Blind Students. 

From lily2011a at gmail.com  Tue Jul  3 19:01:39 2018
From: lily2011a at gmail.com (lily2011a at gmail.com)
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2018 15:01:39 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Plastic sticker bumps
In-Reply-To: <0bdf01d41181$d4680ff0$7d382fd0$@gmail.com>
References: <1B84B0FB-682D-4BD3-A7FE-38A66FF2D848@gmail.com>
	<0bdf01d41181$d4680ff0$7d382fd0$@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <64DDEA80-05E9-4F61-870D-E87ACBDB2E3A@gmail.com>

Hello,

Try putting the dot or a little piece of tape onto an empty space around the actual button on the screen.  Cut the tape or the see-through dots into different shapes or sizes to help you memorize and identify the different settings.
All the best,
Liliya 


> On Jul 1, 2018, at 5:24 PM, Justin Williams via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> First, with the stove, I'm not sure how you label that; the labels will
> melt. Maybe you can find some cooler spaces between the burners.  The way
> I'd handle that is to use bump dots on the microwave, and everything else
> you can, and  try labeling the part of the stove with the controls.  Use the
> back of your hand to see where the burners are when there on; just feel the
> heat, then you should be able to measure the distance to put the put on.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ayoub Zurikat
> via NABS-L
> Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 5:01 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ayoub Zurikat <ayoub.zurikat.nfb at gmail.com>; il-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [NABS-L] Plastic sticker bumps
> 
> Hello everyone,
> Could someone kindly comments or advice. I moved to a new house with my
> roommates, and everything in this house is basically touch screen. The oven,
> the microwave, dishwasher, the dryer etc. so I purchased some of those
> plastic round see-through sticker dots. The ones that stick over a button so
> that I could feel it when I passed my hand over it. However, it seems that
> the plastic is preventing some of the touchscreen buttons to work. I think
> that the skin has to be in touch with the screen for the order or command to
> be activated. 
> Are there any touch sensitive sticker dots? Or otherwise, how do you handle
> this?
> Thank you
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail
> .com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lily2011a%40gmail.com


From bluezinfandel at hotmail.com  Wed Jul  4 14:41:58 2018
From: bluezinfandel at hotmail.com (Ben Fulton)
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2018 14:41:58 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] Maps
Message-ID: <DM5PR22MB05530A082419C8A9EDDE6BBDA8410@DM5PR22MB0553.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>


Hi All,

I'm wondering if anyone has any good ideas for being able to read or create
maps. I've heard of something called tactile graphics but I've never used
them. Does anyone know or have any ideas for maps. 

Thanks,
Ben





From rbacchus228 at gmail.com  Thu Jul  5 00:13:52 2018
From: rbacchus228 at gmail.com (Roanna Bacchus)
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2018 20:13:52 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Maps
In-Reply-To: <DM5PR22MB05530A082419C8A9EDDE6BBDA8410@DM5PR22MB0553.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
References: <DM5PR22MB05530A082419C8A9EDDE6BBDA8410@DM5PR22MB0553.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <6EB165F2-D712-404F-AE92-BCCA88EF0C51@gmail.com>

You can use wiki sticks to create maps.

Sent from my iPad

> On Jul 4, 2018, at 10:41 AM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I'm wondering if anyone has any good ideas for being able to read or create
> maps. I've heard of something called tactile graphics but I've never used
> them. Does anyone know or have any ideas for maps. 
> 
> Thanks,
> Ben
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com


From matthewhgip at gmail.com  Thu Jul  5 05:43:49 2018
From: matthewhgip at gmail.com (Matthew Gip)
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2018 01:43:49 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Help Support California Student Division During National
 Convention
Message-ID: <BF6DE7D7-90B2-4ABF-9AFF-13202F49A679@gmail.com>

Dear Fellow Students,

The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement is definitely in the air during our 78th annual national convention in beautiful Orlando, Florida as we are through with two days of our huge family reunion and yet, there is still plenty of other extraordinary and fascinating things to look forward to. As part of our wonderful and proud organization, one of the most important aspects is fundraising to help drive and empower the Federation forward. I am here to announce to all of you that the California Association of Blind Students is asking for your support as we will be selling a gift bag worth $10, which will contain fidget spinners, skittles, goldfish crackers, and hand sanitizers. I will be out selling the gift bags tomorrow along with Vejas Vasiliauskas so come find us or we will find you! You can also contact me if you are interested in purchasing a gift bag and you can find my contact number email at the end of this email. Thank you and the California students will really appreciate your support and generosity. 

Thanks, 
Matthew Gip
President, California Association of Blind Students 
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of California 
Phone: (559) 375-2068
Email: matthewhgip at gmail.com
Live The Life You Want!

From rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com  Fri Jul  6 16:10:11 2018
From: rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com (Rahul Bajaj)
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2018 21:40:11 +0530
Subject: [NABS-L] Learning Braille as a Young Adult
Message-ID: <A66EDD52-FBCC-4DDA-BD09-8BFF58C7CF23@gmail.com>

Hi Everyone,

I am a 24 year old lawyer who happens to be blind since birth. I did
not learn Braille in my younger years, due to lack of availability of
English language Braille tutors and a feeling that this would not have
much practical utility for me, given the advent of adaptive tech.

However, I have recently come to realize that Braille would be very
useful for me for the purpose of being able to read aloud something
verbatim. I find this to be virtually impossible with screen reading
software. Braille might also be useful for referring to my notes in
court as using a screen reader in that context pretty much prevents
you from listening to what's happening around you.

While I have started learning Braille, my reading speed is abysmally
slow, so much so that I doubt I'll ever be able to get to a point
where I'm able to use Braille on a realtime basis in the situations
that I've described above. I was wondering if those of you who are
late Braille learners could shed some light on how I might be able to
get to a point where I'm able to acquire a reasonable speed, apart
from practicing reading Braille regularly. Thank you.

Best,
Rahul


From dandrews at visi.com  Sat Jul  7 02:02:44 2018
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Fri, 06 Jul 2018 21:02:44 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Learning Braille as a Young Adult
In-Reply-To: <A66EDD52-FBCC-4DDA-BD09-8BFF58C7CF23@gmail.com>
References: <A66EDD52-FBCC-4DDA-BD09-8BFF58C7CF23@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <auto-000106652143@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Well, I am not a Braille teacher, but from what I read, and from 
talking to people, it is primarily practice.  For most adults it 
takes at least an hour a day for two years to build up speed.  It is 
possible, but you will have to work at it.

Dave

At 11:10 AM 7/6/2018, you wrote:
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I am a 24 year old lawyer who happens to be blind since birth. I did
>not learn Braille in my younger years, due to lack of availability of
>English language Braille tutors and a feeling that this would not have
>much practical utility for me, given the advent of adaptive tech.
>
>However, I have recently come to realize that Braille would be very
>useful for me for the purpose of being able to read aloud something
>verbatim. I find this to be virtually impossible with screen reading
>software. Braille might also be useful for referring to my notes in
>court as using a screen reader in that context pretty much prevents
>you from listening to what's happening around you.
>
>While I have started learning Braille, my reading speed is abysmally
>slow, so much so that I doubt I'll ever be able to get to a point
>where I'm able to use Braille on a realtime basis in the situations
>that I've described above. I was wondering if those of you who are
>late Braille learners could shed some light on how I might be able to
>get to a point where I'm able to acquire a reasonable speed, apart
>from practicing reading Braille regularly. Thank you.
>
>Best,
>Rahul


---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com



From sandragayer7 at gmail.com  Sat Jul  7 10:49:10 2018
From: sandragayer7 at gmail.com (Sandra Gayer)
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2018 11:49:10 +0100
Subject: [NABS-L] Learning Braille as a Young Adult
In-Reply-To: <auto-000106652143@mailfront2.g2host.com>
References: <A66EDD52-FBCC-4DDA-BD09-8BFF58C7CF23@gmail.com>
	<auto-000106652143@mailfront2.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <CAJcYH69htRRcOBuPQf1u7jtDcjx2Tc=n5R_UKZf2GZHtck2Pcw@mail.gmail.com>

Hello  Rahul, My name is sandra and I teach Braille, (literary Braille
and Braille Music). I use Skype as I live in Europe and the majority
of my students are in America.

Practice is one element of speeding up. Another technique is
memorising, (using short term memory):

Reading two lines before speaking, speaking the first line and holding
the second line in your mind whilst reading the next line. Then you
have three lines
running and keep that gap going while you read. It isn't just a case
of reading faster but digesting the information faster as well. My
personal best is a paragraph difference between speech,memory and
reading to be memorised.

My email address is sandragayer7 at gmail.com if you want to chat off list.

I hope some of this is helpful to you.
Very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 7/7/18, David Andrews via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Well, I am not a Braille teacher, but from what I read, and from
> talking to people, it is primarily practice.  For most adults it
> takes at least an hour a day for two years to build up speed.  It is
> possible, but you will have to work at it.
>
> Dave
>
> At 11:10 AM 7/6/2018, you wrote:
>>Hi Everyone,
>>
>>I am a 24 year old lawyer who happens to be blind since birth. I did
>>not learn Braille in my younger years, due to lack of availability of
>>English language Braille tutors and a feeling that this would not have
>>much practical utility for me, given the advent of adaptive tech.
>>
>>However, I have recently come to realize that Braille would be very
>>useful for me for the purpose of being able to read aloud something
>>verbatim. I find this to be virtually impossible with screen reading
>>software. Braille might also be useful for referring to my notes in
>>court as using a screen reader in that context pretty much prevents
>>you from listening to what's happening around you.
>>
>>While I have started learning Braille, my reading speed is abysmally
>>slow, so much so that I doubt I'll ever be able to get to a point
>>where I'm able to use Braille on a realtime basis in the situations
>>that I've described above. I was wondering if those of you who are
>>late Braille learners could shed some light on how I might be able to
>>get to a point where I'm able to acquire a reasonable speed, apart
>>from practicing reading Braille regularly. Thank you.
>>
>>Best,
>>Rahul
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sandragayer7%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Sandra Gayer DipABRSM.

Soprano Singer
www.sandragayer.com

Broadcast Presenter
www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html

Actor
www.visablepeople.com

Voiceover Artist
www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer


From rob.parso3389 at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 14:49:42 2018
From: rob.parso3389 at gmail.com (rob.parso3389 at gmail.com)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:49:42 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Don't Forget: 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar
Message-ID: <012001d4185d$3ca1f860$b5e5e920$@gmail.com>

Greetings NABSters

 

 

As we wind down from national convention and are midway through the summer.
Please don't forget to consider attending the southeast regional student
seminar. This seminar is targeted towards the states of Florida, Georgia,
Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., but all
students are welcomed to join us at the Jernigan Institute. Registration
ends soon, so please sign up.

 



The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar

 

An opportunity to sharpen self-advocacy, confidence, and social networking
skills for blind students.

Eligibility: Blind High School and college students in the southeast states.
Other interested students are welcomed to attend. 

Activities Include: Engaging workshops with Federation mentors, interactive
confidence-building opportunities, and chances to apply NFB philosophy to
real world situations.

*	When: August 10-12, 2018
*	Where: National Federation of the Blind

The Jernigan institute

200 East Wells St.

Baltimore, MD 21230

To register, please contact Robert Parsons at 804.801.7674.

Registration opens on May 15, 2018 and closes on July 15, 2018.

 

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From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 20:24:20 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 13:24:20 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] AIRA Questions
Message-ID: <1EF70DD1-795B-4427-984B-CE9649365B4F@gmail.com>

Hi All,
At this year's National Convention, learned that the Department of Rehabilitation is beginning to approve and purchase AIRA for its consumers. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck justifying AIRA to Rehab, and how they did so.
I'm also wondering if anyone has succesfully had their school pay for AIRA, as I heard that this is also a possibility.
Thanks,
Vejas Vasiliauskas
Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
Phone: (310) 265-3949
Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com

From president.nmabs at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 21:25:37 2018
From: president.nmabs at gmail.com (kaity ellis)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 15:25:37 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] New Mexico Association of Blind Students Team Newsletter
 for July 2018!
Message-ID: <5b452459.1c69fb81.5cfca.123c@mx.google.com>

Hello, fellow federationists! I hope this email finds you well.  The New Mexico Association of Blind Students is happy to present to you a monthly newsletter; which is attached to this email as a word document. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter! As always here if you need anything.
Let's go build the Federation!
Kaity Ellis,  President of the  New Mexico Association of Blind Students 
Proud Division of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
E: mail: president.nmabs at gmail.com 
 Phone: (575)-694-4299 
Website: www.nfbnm.org
Hit the like button on the NMABS Facebook page:
https://m.facebook.com/NMABS1/
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NMABS_VOICE 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
www.nfb.org
(National Federation of the Blind - Live the life you want.)


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From keribcu at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 21:46:57 2018
From: keribcu at gmail.com (Keri Svendsen)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 17:46:57 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] AIRA Questions
In-Reply-To: <1EF70DD1-795B-4427-984B-CE9649365B4F@gmail.com>
References: <1EF70DD1-795B-4427-984B-CE9649365B4F@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <ee0ff187-6276-272b-a394-42c1ce548086@gmail.com>

Rehab is paying for Aira? This is news to me.


On 7/10/2018 4:24 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L wrote:
> Hi All,
> At this year's National Convention, learned that the Department of Rehabilitation is beginning to approve and purchase AIRA for its consumers. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck justifying AIRA to Rehab, and how they did so.
> I'm also wondering if anyone has succesfully had their school pay for AIRA, as I heard that this is also a possibility.
> Thanks,
> Vejas Vasiliauskas
> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
> Phone: (310) 265-3949
> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/keribcu%40gmail.com

-- 
Keri Svendsen


---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com



From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 22:03:38 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 15:03:38 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] AIRA Questions
In-Reply-To: <ee0ff187-6276-272b-a394-42c1ce548086@gmail.com>
References: <1EF70DD1-795B-4427-984B-CE9649365B4F@gmail.com>
	<ee0ff187-6276-272b-a394-42c1ce548086@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6CC94AB5-3CAA-454D-8730-9E011EEA2CC9@gmail.com>

Hi Keri,
Yes. Apparently this is a very new concept which is still being worked on.
Vejas

Sent from my iPhone

> On 10 Jul 2018, at 14:46, Keri Svendsen via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Rehab is paying for Aira? This is news to me.
> 
> 
>> On 7/10/2018 4:24 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L wrote:
>> Hi All,
>> At this year's National Convention, learned that the Department of Rehabilitation is beginning to approve and purchase AIRA for its consumers. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck justifying AIRA to Rehab, and how they did so.
>> I'm also wondering if anyone has succesfully had their school pay for AIRA, as I heard that this is also a possibility.
>> Thanks,
>> Vejas Vasiliauskas
>> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
>> Phone: (310) 265-3949
>> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/keribcu%40gmail.com
> 
> -- 
> Keri Svendsen
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com


From keribcu at gmail.com  Tue Jul 10 23:30:09 2018
From: keribcu at gmail.com (Keri Svendsen)
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:30:09 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] AIRA Questions
In-Reply-To: <6CC94AB5-3CAA-454D-8730-9E011EEA2CC9@gmail.com>
References: <1EF70DD1-795B-4427-984B-CE9649365B4F@gmail.com>
	<ee0ff187-6276-272b-a394-42c1ce548086@gmail.com>
	<6CC94AB5-3CAA-454D-8730-9E011EEA2CC9@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <41165d25-4a8a-764c-bc89-39f0b9800a90@gmail.com>

I love Aira!


On 7/10/2018 6:03 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L wrote:
> Hi Keri,
> Yes. Apparently this is a very new concept which is still being worked on.
> Vejas
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On 10 Jul 2018, at 14:46, Keri Svendsen via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Rehab is paying for Aira? This is news to me.
>>
>>
>>> On 7/10/2018 4:24 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>> At this year's National Convention, learned that the Department of Rehabilitation is beginning to approve and purchase AIRA for its consumers. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck justifying AIRA to Rehab, and how they did so.
>>> I'm also wondering if anyone has succesfully had their school pay for AIRA, as I heard that this is also a possibility.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Vejas Vasiliauskas
>>> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
>>> Phone: (310) 265-3949
>>> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/keribcu%40gmail.com
>> -- 
>> Keri Svendsen
>>
>>
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
>> https://www.avg.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/keribcu%40gmail.com

-- 
Keri Svendsen



From desai1shikha at gmail.com  Wed Jul 11 05:04:52 2018
From: desai1shikha at gmail.com (Shikha)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 01:04:52 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Don't Forget: 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student
 Seminar
In-Reply-To: <012001d4185d$3ca1f860$b5e5e920$@gmail.com>
References: <012001d4185d$3ca1f860$b5e5e920$@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4D9855E9-119F-47F0-BAFF-FC638712DACE@gmail.com>

I am interested in going. I am in grad school and didn't feel confident at convention. I went to lcb but feel like my confidence has decreased. How much is this event? Is it filled up or is there still some space left? 

Thanks,

Shikha Desai
Bachelor of Social Work
Georgia State University  

> On Jul 10, 2018, at 10:49 AM, rob.parso3389--- via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Greetings NABSters
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> As we wind down from national convention and are midway through the summer.
> Please don't forget to consider attending the southeast regional student
> seminar. This seminar is targeted towards the states of Florida, Georgia,
> Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., but all
> students are welcomed to join us at the Jernigan Institute. Registration
> ends soon, so please sign up.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar
> 
> 
> 
> An opportunity to sharpen self-advocacy, confidence, and social networking
> skills for blind students.
> 
> Eligibility: Blind High School and college students in the southeast states.
> Other interested students are welcomed to attend. 
> 
> Activities Include: Engaging workshops with Federation mentors, interactive
> confidence-building opportunities, and chances to apply NFB philosophy to
> real world situations.
> 
> *    When: August 10-12, 2018
> *    Where: National Federation of the Blind
> 
> The Jernigan institute
> 
> 200 East Wells St.
> 
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> 
> To register, please contact Robert Parsons at 804.801.7674.
> 
> Registration opens on May 15, 2018 and closes on July 15, 2018.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gmail.com


From nabs.president at gmail.com  Wed Jul 11 12:30:34 2018
From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Kathryn Webster, President,
	National Association of Blind Students)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:30:34 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Don't Forget: 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student
 Seminar
In-Reply-To: <4D9855E9-119F-47F0-BAFF-FC638712DACE@gmail.com>
References: <012001d4185d$3ca1f860$b5e5e920$@gmail.com>
	<4D9855E9-119F-47F0-BAFF-FC638712DACE@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <008001d41912$f74ecf70$e5ec6e50$@gmail.com>

Good morning,

This event is free once you arrive at our headquarters, though we work the
affiliates to receive some sort of financial help. That is not on you. So,
ultimately, you are responsible for covering transportation to and from.

I so hope you can come!!

Thanks,
Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shikha via
NABS-L
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 1:05 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Shikha <desai1shikha at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Don't Forget: 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student
Seminar

I am interested in going. I am in grad school and didn't feel confident at
convention. I went to lcb but feel like my confidence has decreased. How
much is this event? Is it filled up or is there still some space left? 

Thanks,

Shikha Desai
Bachelor of Social Work
Georgia State University  

> On Jul 10, 2018, at 10:49 AM, rob.parso3389--- via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Greetings NABSters
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> As we wind down from national convention and are midway through the
summer.
> Please don't forget to consider attending the southeast regional 
> student seminar. This seminar is targeted towards the states of 
> Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and 
> Washington D.C., but all students are welcomed to join us at the 
> Jernigan Institute. Registration ends soon, so please sign up.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar
> 
> 
> 
> An opportunity to sharpen self-advocacy, confidence, and social 
> networking skills for blind students.
> 
> Eligibility: Blind High School and college students in the southeast
states.
> Other interested students are welcomed to attend. 
> 
> Activities Include: Engaging workshops with Federation mentors, 
> interactive confidence-building opportunities, and chances to apply 
> NFB philosophy to real world situations.
> 
> *    When: August 10-12, 2018
> *    Where: National Federation of the Blind
> 
> The Jernigan institute
> 
> 200 East Wells St.
> 
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> 
> To register, please contact Robert Parsons at 804.801.7674.
> 
> Registration opens on May 15, 2018 and closes on July 15, 2018.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gma
> il.com

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.c
om



From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Wed Jul 11 16:06:47 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:06:47 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Don't Forget: 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student
 Seminar
In-Reply-To: <4D9855E9-119F-47F0-BAFF-FC638712DACE@gmail.com>
References: <012001d4185d$3ca1f860$b5e5e920$@gmail.com>
	<4D9855E9-119F-47F0-BAFF-FC638712DACE@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <A68ED75E-9615-4D79-9D8D-3E91C5BB9826@gmail.com>

Hi Shikha,
I'm not from the Southeast region, but I think that sometimes the Department of Rehabilitation can help pay for the event if you justify it.
Vejas

Sent from my iPhone

> On 10 Jul 2018, at 22:04, Shikha via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I am interested in going. I am in grad school and didn't feel confident at convention. I went to lcb but feel like my confidence has decreased. How much is this event? Is it filled up or is there still some space left? 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Shikha Desai
> Bachelor of Social Work
> Georgia State University  
> 
>> On Jul 10, 2018, at 10:49 AM, rob.parso3389--- via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Greetings NABSters
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> As we wind down from national convention and are midway through the summer.
>> Please don't forget to consider attending the southeast regional student
>> seminar. This seminar is targeted towards the states of Florida, Georgia,
>> Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., but all
>> students are welcomed to join us at the Jernigan Institute. Registration
>> ends soon, so please sign up.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> An opportunity to sharpen self-advocacy, confidence, and social networking
>> skills for blind students.
>> 
>> Eligibility: Blind High School and college students in the southeast states.
>> Other interested students are welcomed to attend. 
>> 
>> Activities Include: Engaging workshops with Federation mentors, interactive
>> confidence-building opportunities, and chances to apply NFB philosophy to
>> real world situations.
>> 
>> *    When: August 10-12, 2018
>> *    Where: National Federation of the Blind
>> 
>> The Jernigan institute
>> 
>> 200 East Wells St.
>> 
>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>> 
>> To register, please contact Robert Parsons at 804.801.7674.
>> 
>> Registration opens on May 15, 2018 and closes on July 15, 2018.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/desai1shikha%40gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Wed Jul 11 19:01:10 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:01:10 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] July Conference Call -- CABS
Message-ID: <CABP7S8OCfZFFRs7GpsHs15Zf_34=Z7XEkqb4nGP-YNz01SB+xg@mail.gmail.com>

Hello students!

National convention is now behind us and I hope all of you left it
feeling refreshed and inspired, just like we did. The NFB of
California is preparing for our state convention in November, and we
are so excited to be a part of it. The California Association of Blind
Students (CABS) will be having our July conference call next Monday at
20:00, or 8:00 PM for all you twelve-hour people. You may be exhausted
from convention, work, school, or life in general but guess what?
That's totally fine because you can join us from the comfort of your
very own phone! And it's totally okay if you drift off to dream-land
too, because there's always a handy dandy mute button. Aside from
state convention, we also have some cool stuff in the works as we work
to grow and strengthen our division. Anyway, I'm pasting the event
link below. Even if you can't make it, please pass this link around.
We're always trying to promote our social media pages, and every
little bit of effort helps. Thanks so much!

https://m.facebook.com/events/190825738264032?_rdr

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Wed Jul 11 19:21:09 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket Bidleman)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:21:09 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] July Conference Call -- CABS
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8OCfZFFRs7GpsHs15Zf_34=Z7XEkqb4nGP-YNz01SB+xg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CABP7S8OCfZFFRs7GpsHs15Zf_34=Z7XEkqb4nGP-YNz01SB+xg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <695072F9-A7AC-46AA-88E2-2818BE89F676@gmail.com>

Apologies for the typo... NFB California state convention is in October. Sorry about that!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 11, 2018, at 12:01, Cricket X. Bidleman <cricketbidleman at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello students!
> 
> National convention is now behind us and I hope all of you left it
> feeling refreshed and inspired, just like we did. The NFB of
> California is preparing for our state convention in November, and we
> are so excited to be a part of it. The California Association of Blind
> Students (CABS) will be having our July conference call next Monday at
> 20:00, or 8:00 PM for all you twelve-hour people. You may be exhausted
> from convention, work, school, or life in general but guess what?
> That's totally fine because you can join us from the comfort of your
> very own phone! And it's totally okay if you drift off to dream-land
> too, because there's always a handy dandy mute button. Aside from
> state convention, we also have some cool stuff in the works as we work
> to grow and strengthen our division. Anyway, I'm pasting the event
> link below. Even if you can't make it, please pass this link around.
> We're always trying to promote our social media pages, and every
> little bit of effort helps. Thanks so much!
> 
> https://m.facebook.com/events/190825738264032?_rdr
> 
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021


From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Fri Jul 13 16:47:16 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:47:16 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Off-Topic: Any Deaf-Blind Students On This List?
Message-ID: <5b48d7cf.1c69fb81.f1c06.ec28@mx.google.com>

Hi,
I hope you are all doing well.
The condition which caused my blindness is called the Norrie 
gene.  It leads to a very quick onset of blindness, followed by a 
very slow decline in hearing.
I am currently 21, with mild to moderate hearing loss.  Many 
people with my condition begin losing their hearing even earlier 
than that, though, to the point where it is severe.  I'm still at 
the point where my hearing is good enough that hearing aids 
aren't really that helpful, and I can still listen to music 
easily from both ears.  However, I know that gradual and maybe 
even total hearing loss is a strong possibility.
I would like to get in touch and network with other students who 
are deaf and blind.  As someone who currently really enjoys 
music, I still feel quite unsure about what being deaf is like.  
I'd like to hear your experiences and how you are adjusting.  So 
as not to clutter the email list, if you are interested in 
contacting me, please email me at alpineimagination at gmail.com
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Vejas Vasiliauskas
Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind 
Students
Phone: (310) 265-3949
Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com


From misokwak12 at gmail.com  Fri Jul 13 17:40:03 2018
From: misokwak12 at gmail.com (Miso Kwak)
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2018 10:40:03 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Off-Topic: Any Deaf-Blind Students On This List?
In-Reply-To: <5b48d7cf.1c69fb81.f1c06.ec28@mx.google.com>
References: <5b48d7cf.1c69fb81.f1c06.ec28@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <14F170FC-6AD0-48F6-9BA1-AB7BE84A3557@gmail.com>

Hey vejas, 
You may know this already, but there is a deafblind division within the NFB. I imagine the division has its own listserve.? 
Best, 
Miso


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 13, 2018, at 9:47 AM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> I hope you are all doing well.
> The condition which caused my blindness is called the Norrie gene.  It leads to a very quick onset of blindness, followed by a very slow decline in hearing.
> I am currently 21, with mild to moderate hearing loss.  Many people with my condition begin losing their hearing even earlier than that, though, to the point where it is severe.  I'm still at the point where my hearing is good enough that hearing aids aren't really that helpful, and I can still listen to music easily from both ears.  However, I know that gradual and maybe even total hearing loss is a strong possibility.
> I would like to get in touch and network with other students who are deaf and blind.  As someone who currently really enjoys music, I still feel quite unsure about what being deaf is like.  I'd like to hear your experiences and how you are adjusting.  So as not to clutter the email list, if you are interested in contacting me, please email me at alpineimagination at gmail.com
> Thank you.
> Sincerely,
> Vejas Vasiliauskas
> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
> Phone: (310) 265-3949
> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/misokwak12%40gmail.com


From amieelsabo at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 03:17:53 2018
From: amieelsabo at gmail.com (Amy Sabo)
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2018 21:17:53 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
Message-ID: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>

hello all,
I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
from you all soon!




hugs,
amy


From louvins at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 06:03:53 2018
From: louvins at gmail.com (Joshua Hendrickson)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 01:03:53 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] [Perform-Talk] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CADUoy9sp8UhowBnOhj4ECZD1RHqh=fpG2BqSuZFxU12dQi7qPg@mail.gmail.com>

I have an audible subscription and audible is accessible.  For another
choice of player, I'd recommend the plextalk pocket.  This player can
play mp3 files, NLS bard books, ebooks in formats like .epub, txt,
HTML, and I believe .RTF.  The pocket is also a very good recorder.
If you wanted to read kindle books on either the stream or pocket, I'd
recommend using a program called codex which can convert kindle ebooks
to .epub format.  For audible, it all depends on what kind of
subscription you want.  You could get a plan to pay $14 per month for
one credit which would get you one book, or pay $22 per month for 2
audio book credits.  The plans go up in cost from there.  Good luck.

On 7/13/18, Amy Sabo via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> hello all,
> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
> from you all soon!
>
>
>
>
> hugs,
> amy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Perform-talk mailing list
> Perform-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Perform-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/perform-talk_nfbnet.org/louvins%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Joshua Hendrickson

Joshua Hendrickson


From jrzobek at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 10:31:05 2018
From: jrzobek at gmail.com (jrzobek at gmail.com)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 06:31:05 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <93FA5654-9C42-4540-B7D8-E47CD1036F26@gmail.com>

Hi Amy.

I don’t have an Audible subscription, but another device you can use is the Book Port Plus by APH. It is very similar in both hardware and software to the Plextalk Pocket mentioned previously.  The Blaze ET and Blaze EZ by HIMS also exist. Both of these devices are definitely more costly than the Plextalk Pocket and Book Port Plus, but Blaze ET has an FM radio, podcasts, a color identifier, and a built in camera for OCR reading of paper documents. 

Hope this helps,
Jonathan

Best,
Jonathan

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 13, 2018, at 23:17, Amy Sabo via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> hello all,
> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
> from you all soon!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> hugs,
> amy
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jrzobek%40gmail.com


From louvins at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 13:31:32 2018
From: louvins at gmail.com (Joshua Hendrickson)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 08:31:32 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <93FA5654-9C42-4540-B7D8-E47CD1036F26@gmail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<93FA5654-9C42-4540-B7D8-E47CD1036F26@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CADUoy9vu5dgkK3h-XAmeEs8KzmrjnTDSZK+yoy9Zoe0gNoCKSQ@mail.gmail.com>

Don't waste your money on the blaze ET.  The cost for it is $800 which
is ridiculous in my opinion.  Also, a lot of the features of the blaze
ET don't work that well at all, like the OCR capability which was
supposed to be the main reason why people would buy it.  I think the
plex-talk pocket is easier to use then the bookport plus.  Also, if
you want acapela voices and 8 gigs of internal storage, then get the
lenio pocket which is the updated version of the plextalk pocket.

On 7/14/18, Jonathan via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Amy.
>
> I don’t have an Audible subscription, but another device you can use is the
> Book Port Plus by APH. It is very similar in both hardware and software to
> the Plextalk Pocket mentioned previously.  The Blaze ET and Blaze EZ by HIMS
> also exist. Both of these devices are definitely more costly than the
> Plextalk Pocket and Book Port Plus, but Blaze ET has an FM radio, podcasts,
> a color identifier, and a built in camera for OCR reading of paper
> documents.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Jonathan
>
> Best,
> Jonathan
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 13, 2018, at 23:17, Amy Sabo via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> hello all,
>> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
>> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
>> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
>> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
>> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
>> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
>> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
>> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
>> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
>> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
>> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
>> from you all soon!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> hugs,
>> amy
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jrzobek%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/louvins%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Joshua Hendrickson

Joshua Hendrickson


From jrzobek at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 14:44:32 2018
From: jrzobek at gmail.com (Jonathan Zobek)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 10:44:32 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Braille Products
Message-ID: <7C2B7BD6-88B9-44D3-8763-E6CC4F0249C3@gmail.com>

Hello NABSters!

I have a Focus 40 Blue 5th Generation, and I lvoe it.  It does take up a lot of space while traveling, so I was consideirng a smaller dispay for traveling.  What would everyone recommend?  Focus 14? Braillinat BI 14? HIMS Smart Beetle?  Others?

Also, between the BrailleNote Touch and BrailleSense Ploaris, which notetaker is better?  Is a notetaker even worth the price?

Thank you,
Jonathan

Sent from my iPad

From schoi09 at outlook.com  Sat Jul 14 15:15:54 2018
From: schoi09 at outlook.com (Seyoon Choi)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 15:15:54 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <CADUoy9vu5dgkK3h-XAmeEs8KzmrjnTDSZK+yoy9Zoe0gNoCKSQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<93FA5654-9C42-4540-B7D8-E47CD1036F26@gmail.com>
	<CADUoy9vu5dgkK3h-XAmeEs8KzmrjnTDSZK+yoy9Zoe0gNoCKSQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CY4PR22MB0583C396D44ADB18F6125F79AB5F0@CY4PR22MB0583.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>

Hi Amy,
I’ve been honestly in an effort to ditch dedicated DTB player as of now. I have second gen stream as well, but I found it super inconvenient to carry multiple devices/chargers when I know my iPhone with apps like BARD mobile, audible and VoiceDream Reader could do all the things that Stream can. No, this isn’t anything against those who actually prefer DTB players either. I still have mine and would use it time to time and in fact find it useful when you simply want that dedicated device for throwing yourself into a world of book or just want to be away from your phone. 
As for the subscription for audible, I find it worth the cost. The service is far more mainstreamed, so the availability and quality of the books/narrators are certainly top notch. 

Hope this helps

Regards
Seyoon,

> On Jul 14, 2018, at 8:31 AM, Joshua Hendrickson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Don't waste your money on the blaze ET.  The cost for it is $800 which
> is ridiculous in my opinion.  Also, a lot of the features of the blaze
> ET don't work that well at all, like the OCR capability which was
> supposed to be the main reason why people would buy it.  I think the
> plex-talk pocket is easier to use then the bookport plus.  Also, if
> you want acapela voices and 8 gigs of internal storage, then get the
> lenio pocket which is the updated version of the plextalk pocket.
> 
> On 7/14/18, Jonathan via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Amy.
>> 
>> I don’t have an Audible subscription, but another device you can use is the
>> Book Port Plus by APH. It is very similar in both hardware and software to
>> the Plextalk Pocket mentioned previously.  The Blaze ET and Blaze EZ by HIMS
>> also exist. Both of these devices are definitely more costly than the
>> Plextalk Pocket and Book Port Plus, but Blaze ET has an FM radio, podcasts,
>> a color identifier, and a built in camera for OCR reading of paper
>> documents.
>> 
>> Hope this helps,
>> Jonathan
>> 
>> Best,
>> Jonathan
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jul 13, 2018, at 23:17, Amy Sabo via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> hello all,
>>> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
>>> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
>>> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
>>> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
>>> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
>>> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
>>> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
>>> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
>>> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
>>> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
>>> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
>>> from you all soon!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> hugs,
>>> amy
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jrzobek%40gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/louvins%40gmail.com
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Joshua Hendrickson
> 
> Joshua Hendrickson
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/schoi09%40outlook.com


From dandrews at visi.com  Sat Jul 14 15:31:11 2018
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 10:31:11 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.g
	mail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <auto-000107052868@mailfront2.g2host.com>

The Stream will do all that.

Dave

At 10:17 PM 7/13/2018, you wrote:
>hello all,
>I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
>opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
>stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
>to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
>using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
>use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
>blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
>web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
>get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
>money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
>just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
>from you all soon!
>
>
>
>
>hugs,
>amy


---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com



From hope.paulos at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 15:58:21 2018
From: hope.paulos at gmail.com (Hope Paulos)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 11:58:21 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <auto-000107052868@mailfront2.g2host.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<auto-000107052868@mailfront2.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <E11EA611-9525-4B2B-A324-D3F2470DBB05@gmail.com>

Make sure it’s the second generation stream you have, that will support enhanced audible formats.

Hope Paulos

> On Jul 14, 2018, at 11:31 AM, David Andrews via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The Stream will do all that.
> 
> Dave
> 
> At 10:17 PM 7/13/2018, you wrote:
>> hello all,
>> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
>> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
>> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
>> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
>> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
>> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
>> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
>> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
>> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
>> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
>> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
>> from you all soon!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> hugs,
>> amy
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hope.paulos%40gmail.com


From a.vias at outlook.com  Sat Jul 14 16:20:40 2018
From: a.vias at outlook.com (Armando Vias)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0@BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>

Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this. It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here is the link. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-trunk-fined/story?id=13791380

Sent from my iPhone

From amieelsabo at gmail.com  Sat Jul 14 20:58:49 2018
From: amieelsabo at gmail.com (Amy Sabo)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 14:58:49 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] [Perform-Talk] accessible e-book readers and audiable
In-Reply-To: <CADUoy9sp8UhowBnOhj4ECZD1RHqh=fpG2BqSuZFxU12dQi7qPg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOF1yXFeJ_cKPav0gmBfKn-ZjG7HGGvw8VaCj-dMkJTG67HXZQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<CADUoy9sp8UhowBnOhj4ECZD1RHqh=fpG2BqSuZFxU12dQi7qPg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAOF1yXFKgJ3Tr7UVyQ3tkzb955rRed4AaMz-POVJOeaSagxQog@mail.gmail.com>

hello all,

thanks all for your advice on this topic I greatly appreciate it! as
forgetting asubscription to audiable I will definitely will do that! I
will have to do that asap. as for the book reader I do already have a
victorstream for playing my music but, I also want a another player
for playingmy ebooks. as for the player that someone recommended then
I will use the bookport. I had a bookport many years ago before it
went to it using sd cards and, is it just like thevictor stream in
using the same functions and stuff?  and, how much is it perhaps?  if
not then is the kendall accessible or not and, what kendall should I
use that's not a touch screen feature since I have a hard time with
the touch screen features?  just my thoughts on these ideas... thanks
again all and, I will talk to you all soon!



hugs,
amy

On 7/14/18, Joshua Hendrickson <louvins at gmail.com> wrote:
> I have an audible subscription and audible is accessible.  For another
> choice of player, I'd recommend the plextalk pocket.  This player can
> play mp3 files, NLS bard books, ebooks in formats like .epub, txt,
> HTML, and I believe .RTF.  The pocket is also a very good recorder.
> If you wanted to read kindle books on either the stream or pocket, I'd
> recommend using a program called codex which can convert kindle ebooks
> to .epub format.  For audible, it all depends on what kind of
> subscription you want.  You could get a plan to pay $14 per month for
> one credit which would get you one book, or pay $22 per month for 2
> audio book credits.  The plans go up in cost from there.  Good luck.
>
> On 7/13/18, Amy Sabo via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> hello all,
>> I hope that you all are doing well this evening!  well, I need your
>> opinion and advice on this topic so, here I go... I have a victor
>> stream for playing my music but, I also want a accessible book player
>> to play my mp3 files and e books on it! I want to players instead of
>> using only one player. so, besides the amazon kindell which I cannot
>> use since it's all touch pad since I also have problems besides
>> blindness which ebook player is there out there I can get through any
>> web site out there to play mp 3 files and my e books?  also, I want to
>> get a subscription to audiable is it accessible and, is it worth the
>> money to subscribe to it if you only use a little bit or not?  i'm
>> just curious that's all!  thanks again and, i look forward to hearing
>> from you all soon!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> hugs,
>> amy
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Perform-talk mailing list
>> Perform-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Perform-talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/perform-talk_nfbnet.org/louvins%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> Joshua Hendrickson
>
> Joshua Hendrickson
>


From bluezinfandel at hotmail.com  Sun Jul 15 20:00:37 2018
From: bluezinfandel at hotmail.com (Ben Fulton)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:00:37 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <CY4PR22MB055217762E9FC195115F80E6A85E0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>


I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would start
collecting information about whether the person requesting the ride has a
service animal, so the company could send a driver who is not allergic. The
data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of the cab companies even
ask their drivers about allergies.

A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite accommodating
when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow suit. 

& what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the trunk.
It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is certainly
not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should have had dispatch
send a replacement.



Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID:
	
<BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this.
It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard
about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here
is the link.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-tr
unk-fined/story?id=13791380

Sent from my iPhone

------------------------------



From rob.parso3389 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 15 20:14:50 2018
From: rob.parso3389 at gmail.com (rob.parso3389 at gmail.com)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:14:50 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Last Call: The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar
Message-ID: <002e01d41c78$7c68c040$753a40c0$@gmail.com>

Good Afternoon Students

 

This is the final day for registration for the 2018 Southeast Student
Seminar. Please consider if you plan to attend this greatly anticipated
event and contact me by 11:59pm this evening to secure your spot in the
seminar. All students that can make it to the Jernigan Institute, regardless
of region are invited. Students from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C. are desired for
attendance. 

 



The 2018 NFB Southeast Regional Student Seminar

 

An opportunity to sharpen self-advocacy, confidence, and social networking
skills for blind students.

Eligibility: Blind High School and college students in the southeast states.
Other interested students are welcomed to attend. 

Activities Include: Engaging workshops with Federation mentors, interactive
confidence-building opportunities, and chances to apply NFB philosophy to
real world situations.

*	When: August 10-12, 2018
*	Where: National Federation of the Blind

The Jernigan institute

200 East Wells St.

Baltimore, MD 21230

To register, please contact Robert Parsons at 804.801.7674.

Registration opens on May 15, 2018 and closes on July 15, 2018.

 

Blessings

 

 

 

Robert E. Parsons Jr.

Western Michigan University '21

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology and Anthropology

Iota Phi Theta, Inc. '07

Phi Beta Kappa '15

Alpha Phi Omega, Inc. '17

Alpha Kappa Delta '18

Order of Omega '18

Randolph Macon College '18

President, Virginia Association of Blind Students

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Phone: 804 801 7674

"Without struggle, there is no progress." -Frederick Douglass

 

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From discoduck221 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 15 21:32:16 2018
From: discoduck221 at gmail.com (David Dunphy)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 17:32:16 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] OT: Relive The 18th Annual Showcase Of Talent From This
 Year's National Convention Tonight
Message-ID: <CA+Wnc9TVi=PAc=t=4WyfxEfB_qQu+P-4HGybKJk4sxThruxiKA@mail.gmail.com>

Hi All!
Join us tonight at 8 PM eastern on 195 The Globe, as we replay for you
the Showcase Of Talent from this year's convention, including the
performance that never aired live because of a dead phone battery!
Despite the controvertial nature of the stream this year, we've been
able to combine resources to deliver to you the entire showcase of
talent as it took place during convention, and we at the globe think
you'll enjoy it!
So tune in at 8 PM eastern for the showcase of talent replay after
Positive Hits. The presentation is just about 3 hours in length.
To listen in, visit
http://www.195theglobe.com/index.php/about
You can also
Ask google to play 195 The Globe on Tunein
Use the Tunein app for your smart phone or web site to locate and play
195 The Globe
or put the following into your media player of choice:
http://listen.195theglobe.com:8762/stream
Regardless of how you tune in, I hope you'll enjoy this final dose of
convention fun, as we relive this year's showcase of talent.
Hope to see you all there!
>From David Dunphy


From blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 15 21:37:44 2018
From: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com (Aleeha Dudley)
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2018 17:37:44 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR22MB055217762E9FC195115F80E6A85E0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
References: <CY4PR22MB055217762E9FC195115F80E6A85E0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068@mx.google.com>

As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally inappropriate for a taxi company to collect information about me and my service animal. The law says that allergies and fear of dogs are not reasons a driver can deny someone with a service animal. Airlines also do not require notice of travel with a service animal.
Aleeha 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ben Fulton
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended


I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would start
collecting information about whether the person requesting the ride has a
service animal, so the company could send a driver who is not allergic. The
data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of the cab companies even
ask their drivers about allergies.

A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite accommodating
when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow suit. 

& what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the trunk.
It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is certainly
not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should have had dispatch
send a replacement.



Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID:
	
<BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this.
It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard
about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here
is the link.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-tr
unk-fined/story?id=13791380

Sent from my iPhone

------------------------------


_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blindcowgirl1993%40gmail.com


From catherine.1966 at yahoo.com  Mon Jul 16 08:02:13 2018
From: catherine.1966 at yahoo.com (Catherine Newman)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 01:02:13 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] (no subject)
Message-ID: <mailman.326.1772982286.2863824.nabs-l_nfbnet.org@nfbnet.org>

http://what.smilehelps.com
Catherine Newman



From bluezinfandel at hotmail.com  Mon Jul 16 17:08:23 2018
From: bluezinfandel at hotmail.com (Ben Fulton)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:08:23 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <CY4PR22MB0552BCB770594ABB8DC17C1CA85D0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>



I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do require you
to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - Some of the
webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a service animal.
This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need to
make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the airline
does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open for your dog.
Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room for
your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have flown with
my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.

Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab companies
want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to send. - They are
not collecting information about you specifically, I'm not reading anything
in all of this that says that the person has to give their name, so all that
I'm saying is that the companies know what they are transporting, not the
name of you or your dog. Just if they need space that is suitable for a dog.
Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, and if I
didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't blame them for
it.

The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability need to
be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to accommodate. The
accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they are attempting to
accommodate and failure to communicate results in there being undue hardship
in implementing the accommodations then the person with a disability will
have a more difficult time in establishing that their rights have been
violated.



Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally inappropriate for
a taxi company to collect information about me and my service animal. The
law says that allergies and fear of dogs are not reasons a driver can deny
someone with a service animal. Airlines also do not require notice of travel
with a service animal.
Aleeha 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ben Fulton
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended


I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would start
collecting information about whether the person requesting the ride has a
service animal, so the company could send a driver who is not allergic. The
data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of the cab companies even
ask their drivers about allergies.

A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite accommodating
when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow suit. 

& what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the trunk.
It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is certainly
not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should have had dispatch
send a replacement.



Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
Message-ID:
	
<BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this.
It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard
about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here
is the link.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-tr
unk-fined/story?id=13791380

Sent from my iPhone




From tyler at tysdomain.com  Mon Jul 16 17:17:38 2018
From: tyler at tysdomain.com (Littlefield, Tyler)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:17:38 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR22MB0552BCB770594ABB8DC17C1CA85D0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
References: <CY4PR22MB0552BCB770594ABB8DC17C1CA85D0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <0682e80e-b88d-a016-28e4-6a8012a2d8ad@tysdomain.com>

I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service animal,
but they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They will put
someone in the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and if there's no
room you need to learn how to position your dog properly.

Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They
should legally transport you, and predisclosing this information ahead
of time is a problem. I am, nor should I be required to disclose that I
have a guide dog so that they can try to find a cab driver who will
accept my dog, because that (from experience) takes longer to get a cab.
Thanks,
On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>
> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do require you
> to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - Some of the
> webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a service animal.
> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need to
> make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the airline
> does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open for your dog.
> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room for
> your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have flown with
> my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.
>
> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab companies
> want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to send. - They are
> not collecting information about you specifically, I'm not reading anything
> in all of this that says that the person has to give their name, so all that
> I'm saying is that the companies know what they are transporting, not the
> name of you or your dog. Just if they need space that is suitable for a dog.
> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, and if I
> didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't blame them for
> it.
>
> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability need to
> be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to accommodate. The
> accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they are attempting to
> accommodate and failure to communicate results in there being undue hardship
> in implementing the accommodations then the person with a disability will
> have a more difficult time in establishing that their rights have been
> violated.
>
>
>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally inappropriate for
> a taxi company to collect information about me and my service animal. The
> law says that allergies and fear of dogs are not reasons a driver can deny
> someone with a service animal. Airlines also do not require notice of travel
> with a service animal.
> Aleeha 
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ben Fulton
> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>
>
> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would start
> collecting information about whether the person requesting the ride has a
> service animal, so the company could send a driver who is not allergic. The
> data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of the cab companies even
> ask their drivers about allergies.
>
> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite accommodating
> when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow suit. 
>
> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the trunk.
> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is certainly
> not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should have had dispatch
> send a replacement.
>
>
>
> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID:
> 	
> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>
> 	
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this.
> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard
> about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here
> is the link.
> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-tr
> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com


-- 

Take Care,
Tyler Littlefield

Tyler Littlefield Consulting: website development and business
solutions. <http://tylerlittlefield.me> My personal site
<http://tysdomain.com> My Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield> @Sorressean on Twitter
<http://twitter.com/sorressean>

From blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com  Mon Jul 16 18:03:51 2018
From: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com (Aleeha Dudley)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:03:51 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
In-Reply-To: <0682e80e-b88d-a016-28e4-6a8012a2d8ad@tysdomain.com>
References: <CY4PR22MB0552BCB770594ABB8DC17C1CA85D0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
	<0682e80e-b88d-a016-28e4-6a8012a2d8ad@tysdomain.com>
Message-ID: <5b4cde07.1c69fb81.5c72e.9333@mx.google.com>

Tyler is quite right. I travel by air and by cab all the time, and neither requires that I disclose my service animal. They offer that as a courtesy to those who wish to disclose, but we are not required. Under the law, your dog cannot take up more than your allotted seat space, so airlines do not have to give that to you. I know that some airlines, mainly in Canada, will give an extra seat upon request, but you still do not have to disclose. 
Aleeha Dudley 


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 1:18 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Littlefield, Tyler; Ben Fulton
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended

I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service animal,
but they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They will put
someone in the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and if there's no
room you need to learn how to position your dog properly.

Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They
should legally transport you, and predisclosing this information ahead
of time is a problem. I am, nor should I be required to disclose that I
have a guide dog so that they can try to find a cab driver who will
accept my dog, because that (from experience) takes longer to get a cab.
Thanks,
On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>
> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do require you
> to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - Some of the
> webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a service animal.
> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need to
> make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the airline
> does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open for your dog.
> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room for
> your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have flown with
> my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.
>
> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab companies
> want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to send. - They are
> not collecting information about you specifically, I'm not reading anything
> in all of this that says that the person has to give their name, so all that
> I'm saying is that the companies know what they are transporting, not the
> name of you or your dog. Just if they need space that is suitable for a dog.
> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, and if I
> didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't blame them for
> it.
>
> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability need to
> be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to accommodate. The
> accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they are attempting to
> accommodate and failure to communicate results in there being undue hardship
> in implementing the accommodations then the person with a disability will
> have a more difficult time in establishing that their rights have been
> violated.
>
>
>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally inappropriate for
> a taxi company to collect information about me and my service animal. The
> law says that allergies and fear of dogs are not reasons a driver can deny
> someone with a service animal. Airlines also do not require notice of travel
> with a service animal.
> Aleeha 
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ben Fulton
> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>
>
> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would start
> collecting information about whether the person requesting the ride has a
> service animal, so the company could send a driver who is not allergic. The
> data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of the cab companies even
> ask their drivers about allergies.
>
> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite accommodating
> when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow suit. 
>
> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the trunk.
> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is certainly
> not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should have had dispatch
> send a replacement.
>
>
>
> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID:
> 	
> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelabs.com>
> 	
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for this.
> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have heard
> about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally unacceptable. Here
> is the link.
> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-ride-tr
> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com


-- 

Take Care,
Tyler Littlefield

Tyler Littlefield Consulting: website development and business
solutions. <http://tylerlittlefield.me> My personal site
<http://tysdomain.com> My Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield> @Sorressean on Twitter
<http://twitter.com/sorressean>
_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blindcowgirl1993%40gmail.com


From patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com  Mon Jul 16 23:45:30 2018
From: patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com (patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 23:45:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [NABS-L] Calculator
Message-ID: <F7969D6E6B69A3C7.2f367d7c-3ed8-46e2-8a9a-9ee7f756cc25@mail.outlook.com>

Hello everyone! 




I am mentoring a high school student and she is in need of a ti-84 calculator for school. She currently has a talking version but would rather have one that has an enlarged screen and buttons. Does anyone know of a calculator that has the same functions as a ti-84 but has a larger screen and bottons or knows of a software that she could use? 




Thanks in advance, 




Sarah Patnaude 








From mkvnfb94 at gmail.com  Mon Jul 16 23:55:12 2018
From: mkvnfb94 at gmail.com (Mariya Vasileva)
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 19:55:12 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Calculator
In-Reply-To: <F7969D6E6B69A3C7.2f367d7c-3ed8-46e2-8a9a-9ee7f756cc25@mail.outlook.com>
References: <F7969D6E6B69A3C7.2f367d7c-3ed8-46e2-8a9a-9ee7f756cc25@mail.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <73D59909-F861-4008-9AB5-637E4D1576CC@gmail.com>

You can get a TI84 Orion from APH that is a graphing talking calculator.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 16, 2018, at 19:45, Sarah Patnaude via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone! 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I am mentoring a high school student and she is in need of a ti-84 calculator for school. She currently has a talking version but would rather have one that has an enlarged screen and buttons. Does anyone know of a calculator that has the same functions as a ti-84 but has a larger screen and bottons or knows of a software that she could use? 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance, 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sarah Patnaude 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/mkvnfb94%40gmail.com


From bluezinfandel at hotmail.com  Tue Jul 17 20:52:55 2018
From: bluezinfandel at hotmail.com (Ben Fulton)
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:52:55 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <CY4PR22MB0552995875FDA99F9F5C34FBA85C0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>



I have taken 6 flights so far, and an extra seat has been provided on every
flight. I guess it is because I extended the courtesy to let them know that
I have a dog with me. Also, when ordering a cab, I've never had it take
longer because I told them I have a dog. It hasn't been a problem at all,
and I've never had a cab driver show up and then be unable to provide me
with service. What responsibilities should lie with the person seeking
accommodations in making their request known to the service provider, in a
way that allows the service provider to provide those accommodations.

Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <5b4cde07.1c69fb81.5c72e.9333 at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Tyler is quite right. I travel by air and by cab all the time, and neither
requires that I disclose my service animal. They offer that as a courtesy to
those who wish to disclose, but we are not required. Under the law, your dog
cannot take up more than your allotted seat space, so airlines do not have
to give that to you. I know that some airlines, mainly in Canada, will give
an extra seat upon request, but you still do not have to disclose. 
Aleeha Dudley 


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 1:18 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Littlefield, Tyler; Ben Fulton
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended

I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service animal, but
they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They will put someone in
the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and if there's no room you need
to learn how to position your dog properly.

Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They should
legally transport you, and predisclosing this information ahead of time is a
problem. I am, nor should I be required to disclose that I have a guide dog
so that they can try to find a cab driver who will accept my dog, because
that (from experience) takes longer to get a cab.
Thanks,
On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>
> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do 
> require you to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - 
> Some of the webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a
service animal.
> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need 
> to make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the 
> airline does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open for
your dog.
> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room 
> for your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have 
> flown with my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.
>
> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab 
> companies want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to 
> send. - They are not collecting information about you specifically, 
> I'm not reading anything in all of this that says that the person has 
> to give their name, so all that I'm saying is that the companies know 
> what they are transporting, not the name of you or your dog. Just if they
need space that is suitable for a dog.
> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, 
> and if I didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't 
> blame them for it.
>
> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability 
> need to be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to 
> accommodate. The accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they 
> are attempting to accommodate and failure to communicate results in 
> there being undue hardship in implementing the accommodations then the 
> person with a disability will have a more difficult time in 
> establishing that their rights have been violated.
>
>
>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally 
> inappropriate for a taxi company to collect information about me and 
> my service animal. The law says that allergies and fear of dogs are 
> not reasons a driver can deny someone with a service animal. Airlines 
> also do not require notice of travel with a service animal.
> Aleeha
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ben Fulton
> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>
>
> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would 
> start collecting information about whether the person requesting the 
> ride has a service animal, so the company could send a driver who is 
> not allergic. The data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of 
> the cab companies even ask their drivers about allergies.
>
> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite 
> accommodating when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow
suit.
>
> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the
trunk.
> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is 
> certainly not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should 
> have had dispatch send a replacement.
>
>
>
> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID:
> 	
> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelab
> s.com>
> 	
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for
this.
> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have 
> heard about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally 
> unacceptable. Here is the link.
> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-r
> ide-tr
> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>



From tyler at tysdomain.com  Tue Jul 17 20:59:56 2018
From: tyler at tysdomain.com (Littlefield, Tyler)
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2018 16:59:56 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR22MB0552995875FDA99F9F5C34FBA85C0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
References: <CY4PR22MB0552995875FDA99F9F5C34FBA85C0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <42aba117-3373-fda0-2c14-406541357e4a@tysdomain.com>

I can assure you that I've taken many many more than 6 flights. I can
also assure you that most attendants didn't even pay attention to the
service animal being checked. That said, I can tell you that sometimes I
was given an empty seat if it were available, but that kind of thing was
done at the gate--sometimes, rarely at the counter.

I can also tell you that I am the point of contact for Massachusetts for
the Lyft and Uber guide dog denial work that the NFB is doing. One of
these resulted in a lawsuit, the other resulted in structured settlement
and the NFB is extending resources to pursue this issue. While I am glad
that you have not been denied a cab due to a service animal, I've had it
happen to me many many times, and so have many other blind people. It's
important not to project your luck into these issues by saying that this
doesn't happen, then throw responsibility at the feet of those of us who
have been denied numerous times. I've probably had well over 100 Lyft
denials, and some of those were in cities I've taken flights too, well
over 6 flights as a matter of fact, some of them were in my own home city.

It's also worth note that it is not my obligation, nor my duty to
provide information that I have a guide dog to any cab company.
Conversely, it is my right, and the duty and obligation of the cab
company to follow federal law and not deny me simply because of a
service animal. This said, I have informed many Lyft drivers of the fact
that I do have a guide dog, and many times this concept doesn't sink in
because the drivers that end up denying me are shocked at the idea of a
dog in their car.
Thanks,
On 7/17/2018 4:52 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>
> I have taken 6 flights so far, and an extra seat has been provided on every
> flight. I guess it is because I extended the courtesy to let them know that
> I have a dog with me. Also, when ordering a cab, I've never had it take
> longer because I told them I have a dog. It hasn't been a problem at all,
> and I've never had a cab driver show up and then be unable to provide me
> with service. What responsibilities should lie with the person seeking
> accommodations in making their request known to the service provider, in a
> way that allows the service provider to provide those accommodations.
>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
> Message-ID: <5b4cde07.1c69fb81.5c72e.9333 at mx.google.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Tyler is quite right. I travel by air and by cab all the time, and neither
> requires that I disclose my service animal. They offer that as a courtesy to
> those who wish to disclose, but we are not required. Under the law, your dog
> cannot take up more than your allotted seat space, so airlines do not have
> to give that to you. I know that some airlines, mainly in Canada, will give
> an extra seat upon request, but you still do not have to disclose. 
> Aleeha Dudley 
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L
> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 1:18 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Cc: Littlefield, Tyler; Ben Fulton
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
>
> I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service animal, but
> they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They will put someone in
> the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and if there's no room you need
> to learn how to position your dog properly.
>
> Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They should
> legally transport you, and predisclosing this information ahead of time is a
> problem. I am, nor should I be required to disclose that I have a guide dog
> so that they can try to find a cab driver who will accept my dog, because
> that (from experience) takes longer to get a cab.
> Thanks,
> On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do 
>> require you to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - 
>> Some of the webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a
> service animal.
>> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need 
>> to make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the 
>> airline does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open for
> your dog.
>> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room 
>> for your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have 
>> flown with my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.
>>
>> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab 
>> companies want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to 
>> send. - They are not collecting information about you specifically, 
>> I'm not reading anything in all of this that says that the person has 
>> to give their name, so all that I'm saying is that the companies know 
>> what they are transporting, not the name of you or your dog. Just if they
> need space that is suitable for a dog.
>> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, 
>> and if I didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't 
>> blame them for it.
>>
>> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability 
>> need to be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to 
>> accommodate. The accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they 
>> are attempting to accommodate and failure to communicate results in 
>> there being undue hardship in implementing the accommodations then the 
>> person with a disability will have a more difficult time in 
>> establishing that their rights have been violated.
>>
>>
>>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally 
>> inappropriate for a taxi company to collect information about me and 
>> my service animal. The law says that allergies and fear of dogs are 
>> not reasons a driver can deny someone with a service animal. Airlines 
>> also do not require notice of travel with a service animal.
>> Aleeha
>>
>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>
>> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
>> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Ben Fulton
>> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>
>>
>> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would 
>> start collecting information about whether the person requesting the 
>> ride has a service animal, so the company could send a driver who is 
>> not allergic. The data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of 
>> the cab companies even ask their drivers about allergies.
>>
>> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite 
>> accommodating when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow
> suit.
>> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the
> trunk.
>> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is 
>> certainly not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should 
>> have had dispatch send a replacement.
>>
>>
>>
>> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
>> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
>> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>> Message-ID:
>> 	
>> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelab
>> s.com>
>> 	
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for
> this.
>> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have 
>> heard about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally 
>> unacceptable. Here is the link.
>> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-r
>> ide-tr
>> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com


-- 

Take Care,
Tyler Littlefield

Tyler Littlefield Consulting: website development and business
solutions. <http://tylerlittlefield.me> My personal site
<http://tysdomain.com> My Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield> @Sorressean on Twitter
<http://twitter.com/sorressean>

From kaybaycar at gmail.com  Tue Jul 17 21:51:24 2018
From: kaybaycar at gmail.com (Julie McGinnity)
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2018 16:51:24 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
In-Reply-To: <42aba117-3373-fda0-2c14-406541357e4a@tysdomain.com>
References: <CY4PR22MB0552995875FDA99F9F5C34FBA85C0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
	<42aba117-3373-fda0-2c14-406541357e4a@tysdomain.com>
Message-ID: <CAHox4D+ZQ8M_nPJNxdzFR=fdgYRcchHcPbiQPfO2kJv0yJ-tOQ@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,

Yes, Tyler and Aleeha are quite right on this one.  I have been denied
Ubers before, and the original article that was shared hits home
because one of those Uber drivers actually tried to put my dog in the
trunk.

I have been working dogs for ten years, and fly a few times a year.
Last year I flew every six weeks or so.  There has never been a
problem accommodating my guide dog with the limited space at my feet
under the seat.  I will say that if you fly Fronteer, you may need to
take the middle seat because that will be the best fit.  But even
then, the other passengers were super friendly and chill about having
a guide dog next to them.  For those who feel they need more room, the
bulkhead seats are available.  I don't personally fly bulkhead, but
that accommodation can be requested at the gate.  There is no need to
let the airline know ahead of time that you have a dog.

I would recommend never giving notice to a company that you have a
service animal.  All this does is invite them to discriminate.  They
will choose what seat they think works best for you.  They will find
you assistance you don't need and didn't ask for.  They will give you
all kinds of attention you don't want.  Sometimes, they will deny you
access.  Just don't open yourself up for that headache.  If you need a
large cab because you're traveling with a larger group, by all means
tell them that you have four people and need a four-door vehicle.
These companies should not be given any reason or excuse to
discriminate against us.

You asked about the line between our responsibilities as service
animal users and our rights.  Our responsibilities are to keep our
dogs well-behaved, under control, and well-groomed at all times.  Our
responsibility is to know how our dogs fit under seats, in cars, and
in hotel rooms among others.  If you or anyone else doesn't know how
to fit a dog under an airplane seat, talk to the many handlers who
have done it before.  I am not as cool as this message makes me
seem...  :)  But I routinely fit a 75-pound Labrador under the
airplane seat in front of me.  It's nothing to him at this point.
Many of us on this list have lived in dorm rooms with dogs and fit
them into small classrooms on campus.  These dogs are trained to
handle small spaces for hours at a time.

You are correct that a dog cannot block an isle, so we say goodbye to
the isle seat as dog users.  But honestly, other than obeying the
safety rules like the one about the isle, we have the right to sit
where we want.  I don't like when I am told by someone representing a
business what I should do with my dog.  It is my responsibility to
know where the dog fits and to ensure that my dog's presence doesn't
inconvenience everyone else.  Hope this makes sense.

Julie



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On 7/17/18, Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I can assure you that I've taken many many more than 6 flights. I can
> also assure you that most attendants didn't even pay attention to the
> service animal being checked. That said, I can tell you that sometimes I
> was given an empty seat if it were available, but that kind of thing was
> done at the gate--sometimes, rarely at the counter.
>
> I can also tell you that I am the point of contact for Massachusetts for
> the Lyft and Uber guide dog denial work that the NFB is doing. One of
> these resulted in a lawsuit, the other resulted in structured settlement
> and the NFB is extending resources to pursue this issue. While I am glad
> that you have not been denied a cab due to a service animal, I've had it
> happen to me many many times, and so have many other blind people. It's
> important not to project your luck into these issues by saying that this
> doesn't happen, then throw responsibility at the feet of those of us who
> have been denied numerous times. I've probably had well over 100 Lyft
> denials, and some of those were in cities I've taken flights too, well
> over 6 flights as a matter of fact, some of them were in my own home city.
>
> It's also worth note that it is not my obligation, nor my duty to
> provide information that I have a guide dog to any cab company.
> Conversely, it is my right, and the duty and obligation of the cab
> company to follow federal law and not deny me simply because of a
> service animal. This said, I have informed many Lyft drivers of the fact
> that I do have a guide dog, and many times this concept doesn't sink in
> because the drivers that end up denying me are shocked at the idea of a
> dog in their car.
> Thanks,
> On 7/17/2018 4:52 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>>
>> I have taken 6 flights so far, and an extra seat has been provided on
>> every
>> flight. I guess it is because I extended the courtesy to let them know
>> that
>> I have a dog with me. Also, when ordering a cab, I've never had it take
>> longer because I told them I have a dog. It hasn't been a problem at all,
>> and I've never had a cab driver show up and then be unable to provide me
>> with service. What responsibilities should lie with the person seeking
>> accommodations in making their request known to the service provider, in
>> a
>> way that allows the service provider to provide those accommodations.
>>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
>> Message-ID: <5b4cde07.1c69fb81.5c72e.9333 at mx.google.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> Tyler is quite right. I travel by air and by cab all the time, and
>> neither
>> requires that I disclose my service animal. They offer that as a courtesy
>> to
>> those who wish to disclose, but we are not required. Under the law, your
>> dog
>> cannot take up more than your allotted seat space, so airlines do not
>> have
>> to give that to you. I know that some airlines, mainly in Canada, will
>> give
>> an extra seat upon request, but you still do not have to disclose.
>> Aleeha Dudley
>>
>>
>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>
>> From: Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 1:18 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Cc: Littlefield, Tyler; Ben Fulton
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
>>
>> I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service animal,
>> but
>> they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They will put someone
>> in
>> the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and if there's no room you
>> need
>> to learn how to position your dog properly.
>>
>> Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They
>> should
>> legally transport you, and predisclosing this information ahead of time is
>> a
>> problem. I am, nor should I be required to disclose that I have a guide
>> dog
>> so that they can try to find a cab driver who will accept my dog, because
>> that (from experience) takes longer to get a cab.
>> Thanks,
>> On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>>> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do
>>> require you to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. -
>>> Some of the webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have a
>> service animal.
>>> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they need
>>> to make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, but the
>>> airline does need to know because they keep the seat next to you open
>>> for
>> your dog.
>>> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough room
>>> for your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. I have
>>> flown with my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking about.
>>>
>>> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab
>>> companies want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to
>>> send. - They are not collecting information about you specifically,
>>> I'm not reading anything in all of this that says that the person has
>>> to give their name, so all that I'm saying is that the companies know
>>> what they are transporting, not the name of you or your dog. Just if
>>> they
>> need space that is suitable for a dog.
>>> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know,
>>> and if I didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't
>>> blame them for it.
>>>
>>> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability
>>> need to be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to
>>> accommodate. The accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If they
>>> are attempting to accommodate and failure to communicate results in
>>> there being undue hardship in implementing the accommodations then the
>>> person with a disability will have a more difficult time in
>>> establishing that their rights have been violated.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally
>>> inappropriate for a taxi company to collect information about me and
>>> my service animal. The law says that allergies and fear of dogs are
>>> not reasons a driver can deny someone with a service animal. Airlines
>>> also do not require notice of travel with a service animal.
>>> Aleeha
>>>
>>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>>
>>> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
>>> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Ben Fulton
>>> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>>
>>>
>>> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies would
>>> start collecting information about whether the person requesting the
>>> ride has a service animal, so the company could send a driver who is
>>> not allergic. The data collection is lacking, and I wonder if any of
>>> the cab companies even ask their drivers about allergies.
>>>
>>> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite
>>> accommodating when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to follow
>> suit.
>>> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the
>> trunk.
>>> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is
>>> certainly not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should
>>> have had dispatch send a replacement.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
>>> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
>>> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>> Message-ID:
>>> 	
>>> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangelab
>>> s.com>
>>> 	
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended for
>> this.
>>> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might have
>>> heard about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally
>>> unacceptable. Here is the link.
>>> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog-r
>>> ide-tr
>>> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com
>
>
> --
>
> Take Care,
> Tyler Littlefield
>
> Tyler Littlefield Consulting: website development and business
> solutions. <http://tylerlittlefield.me> My personal site
> <http://tysdomain.com> My Linkedin
> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield> @Sorressean on Twitter
> <http://twitter.com/sorressean>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
Blind Performing Arts Division; First Vice President, National
Federation of the Blind of Missouri


From dandrews at visi.com  Thu Jul 19 02:19:30 2018
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:19:30 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] FW: Used Perkins Brailler for Sale`
Message-ID: <auto-000107303095@mailfront2.g2host.com>


>
>Perkins Brailler for Sale
>Excellent condition. New rubber recently 
>replaced on the roller. Comes with dust cover.
>$280 (negotiable)
>Contact Pam Gowan at 
><mailto:pgowan54 at gmail.com>pgowan54 at gmail.com or 612-616-0585
>
>
>From: Andrews, David B (DEED)
>Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 11:59 AM
>To: Gowan, Pam (DEED) <<mailto:pam.gowan at state.mn.us>pam.gowan at state.mn.us>
>Subject: RE: Used Perkins Brailler
>
>Without knowing the condition of the machine, I 
>would say that is on the high side of normal, so go for it.
>
>Dave
>
>
>
>
>David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer
>Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
>State Services for the Blind
>2200 University Ave West, Suite 240, St. Paul MN 55114
>Direct: 651-539-2294
><http://mn.gov/deed>Web | 
><http://twitter.com/mndeed>Twitter | <http://facebook.com/mndeed>Facebook
>DEED SSB Logo Black and White
>
>
>
>From: Gowan, Pam (DEED)
>Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 11:21 AM
>To: Andrews, David B (DEED) 
><<mailto:david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>
>Subject: RE: Used Perkins Brailler
>
>Great!  Thank you!  I’ll write one up.  Do you 
>think starting at $325 is reasonable?
>Pam
>
>From: Andrews, David B (DEED)
>Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 11:19 AM
>To: Gowan, Pam (DEED) <<mailto:pam.gowan at state.mn.us>pam.gowan at state.mn.us>
>Subject: RE: Used Perkins Brailler
>
>You could send an item to the Editor Gary Wunder 
>at:  <mailto:gwunder at nfb.org>gwunder at nfb.org
>
>If you write up an announcement I can post it on 
>some of the NFB’s lists, you will probably get a taker.
>
>Dave
>
>
>
>
>David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer
>Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
>State Services for the Blind
>2200 University Ave West, Suite 240, St. Paul MN 55114
>Direct: 651-539-2294
><http://mn.gov/deed>Web | 
><http://twitter.com/mndeed>Twitter | <http://facebook.com/mndeed>Facebook
>DEED SSB Logo Black and White
>
>
>
>From: Gowan, Pam (DEED)
>Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 10:55 AM
>To: Andrews, David B (DEED) 
><<mailto:david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>
>Subject: Used Perkins Brailler
>
>Hi Dave,
>A friend of mine has a brailler he want to 
>sell.  I had the rubber on the roller replaced 
>and it’s now in excellent condition with a 
>cover.  Any idea where I can advertise it to 
>sell it?  Someone mentioned the NFB Braille 
>Monitor but I can’t find any info on that site.
>Thanks for any suggestions –
>Pam
>
>


---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com
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From martyschultz at kidfriendlysoftware.com  Fri Jul 20 14:00:53 2018
From: martyschultz at kidfriendlysoftware.com (Blindfold Games)
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2018 07:00:53 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Latest news about the Blindfold Games
Message-ID: <Kp4.12318.16972.1801588.1532095253.8384798.3cG@a2plmmsworker16.cloud.iad2.gdg.mail>

==========

Blindfold Games at AER Reno Conference ( https://sable.madmimi.com/c/12318?id=1801588.25077.1.83ce72b93a8a26b478400309302b542b )
Marty Schultz, 19 Jul 05:35 PM

==========

If you are traveling to Reno next week to attend the annual AER Conference, please let me know.

I’ll be at the conference, and I would be glad to speak with you about our new company – curriculum-based games for pre-K through 12th grade visually impaired students.

If you are an O&M provider, or you work with visually impaired students, please complete this survey.  We’re giving out Amazon gift cards to 50 respondents.

https://sable.madmimi.com/c/12318?id=1801588.25078.1.f7db10728f4571f21888eefc0b81ab95 ( https://sable.madmimi.com/c/12318?id=1801588.25084.1.7fad0840b92c954d1f1de46fc31d0bc2 )

If you are attending AER and would like to help us set our priorities, please reply to this email, and let’s pick a time to meet.

If you aren’t attending, and you have suggestions, please reply to this email, and we can set a time to have a phone conversation.

Thanks,

Marty

Web Version
https://sable.madmimi.com/c/12318?id=1801588.25081-194.1.32a10508dc2e0fc8f1215ccd2895029c&p=eyIlN0IlN0JtaW1pLXNpZ25hdHVyZSU3RCU3RCI6IjE0NjAwNDA4MS05NDQ4MDkzNTUzLWFmNjA0YmI1ZWUwNzI0ODg5MTJmYjAxYTdhOTU1Y2U4ZDJkNTUyZGQiLCIlN0IlN0JlbWFpbElkJTdEJTdEIjoiMTgwMTU4OCJ9

Unsubscribe
https://go.madmimi.com/opt_out?fe=1&pact=1801588-146004081-9448093553-af604bb5ee072488912fb01a7a955ce8d2d552dd&amx=9448093553

Preferences
https://sable.madmimi.com/c/12318?id=1801588.25082-195.1.2e3ee9951fbfef5c89d0f3c1ed785117&p=eyIlN0IlN0JtaW1pLXNpZ25hdHVyZSU3RCU3RCI6IjE0NjAwNDA4MS05NDQ4MDkzNTUzLWFmNjA0YmI1ZWUwNzI0ODg5MTJmYjAxYTdhOTU1Y2U4ZDJkNTUyZGQiLCIlN0IlN0JtZW1iZXItaWQlN0QlN0QiOjk0NDgwOTM1NTMsIiU3QiU3QmVtYWlsSWQlN0QlN0QiOiIxODAxNTg4In0=

Blindfold Games | Miami Beach

From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Sun Jul 22 22:33:53 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2018 15:33:53 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] CABS first annual Bay Area reception!
Message-ID: <CABP7S8OGwQmamcsFuOYkBgJ_C=EZ9GiWH-=PN8Coi5kF8m9x+g@mail.gmail.com>

All of you are invited! We're so excited to be hosting this event.
Please share this flyer widely!

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021
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From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Mon Jul 23 05:07:08 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2018 22:07:08 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
Message-ID: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,

This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
failure... And then some.

So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my
first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is
revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is
a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being
worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access
to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like
that. One particular instance comes to mind.

I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full
of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking
around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself
for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough
disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I
walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by
my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I
realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around
a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got
even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost
too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I
called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and
going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of
campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented
freshmen...

Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid
patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have
been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are
twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main
streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly
accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps
doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing
three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't
step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually
jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me
to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.

Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.

So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage
you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology
consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with
Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own
consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several
podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the
kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)


From carlos.montas at att.net  Mon Jul 23 17:26:44 2018
From: carlos.montas at att.net (Carlos Montas)
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 13:26:44 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <5D021AB4-687A-425D-BA28-4839AB2874F0@att.net>

As a young professional I have been thinking  about Aira. You  make some really good arguments. Thanks  so much for sharing your story. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 23, 2018, at 1:07 AM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
> failure... And then some.
> 
> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
> it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my
> first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is
> revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is
> a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being
> worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access
> to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like
> that. One particular instance comes to mind.
> 
> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
> September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full
> of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking
> around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself
> for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough
> disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I
> walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
> heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by
> my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I
> realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around
> a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got
> even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost
> too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I
> called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and
> going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of
> campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented
> freshmen...
> 
> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
> city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid
> patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have
> been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are
> twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main
> streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly
> accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps
> doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing
> three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't
> step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually
> jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me
> to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
> the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
> 
> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
> 
> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage
> you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology
> consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with
> Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own
> consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several
> podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the
> kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
> will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
> 
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> 
> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlos.montas%40att.net



From hope.paulos at gmail.com  Mon Jul 23 17:45:15 2018
From: hope.paulos at gmail.com (Hope Paulos)
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 13:45:15 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <5D021AB4-687A-425D-BA28-4839AB2874F0@att.net>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
	<5D021AB4-687A-425D-BA28-4839AB2874F0@att.net>
Message-ID: <CF8025F9-BF8B-48EE-BAC4-BBD03FF5576B@gmail.com>

I am an aira coach and explorer. If anyone is interested I can give you a link so you can try it free for a month. It has been so valuable for me  as a student as well. 


Hope Paulos

> On Jul 23, 2018, at 1:26 PM, Carlos Montas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> As a young professional I have been thinking  about Aira. You  make some really good arguments. Thanks  so much for sharing your story. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jul 23, 2018, at 1:07 AM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
>> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
>> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
>> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
>> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
>> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
>> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
>> failure... And then some.
>> 
>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
>> it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my
>> first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is
>> revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is
>> a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being
>> worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access
>> to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like
>> that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>> 
>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
>> September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full
>> of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking
>> around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself
>> for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
>> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
>> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
>> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough
>> disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I
>> walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>> heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by
>> my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I
>> realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around
>> a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got
>> even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost
>> too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I
>> called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and
>> going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of
>> campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented
>> freshmen...
>> 
>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
>> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
>> city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid
>> patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have
>> been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are
>> twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main
>> streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly
>> accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps
>> doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing
>> three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't
>> step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually
>> jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me
>> to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
>> the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>> 
>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
>> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
>> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
>> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
>> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
>> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
>> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
>> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
>> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
>> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
>> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>> 
>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
>> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
>> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
>> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
>> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage
>> you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology
>> consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with
>> Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own
>> consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several
>> podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the
>> kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
>> will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>> 
>> Best,
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>> 
>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlos.montas%40att.net
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hope.paulos%40gmail.com


From janae.burgmeier at gmail.com  Tue Jul 24 00:19:42 2018
From: janae.burgmeier at gmail.com (Janae Burgmeier)
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:19:42 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!
Message-ID: <F16322F4-74F2-40FF-8274-8B349D02D1B8@gmail.com>

Hey students!  We are excited to start our new year of improving the lives of Blind students across the nation. To kick us off, our first membership call will be a meet the board call.  The call will take place at 8 eastern on Sunday, July 29th. 

Nabs Conference line number. 
‭(712) 770-5197
Code 265669‬

Janae Burgmeier 
Outreach Chair 

From sami.j.osborne97 at gmail.com  Tue Jul 24 12:35:12 2018
From: sami.j.osborne97 at gmail.com (Sami Osborne)
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2018 08:35:12 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!
Message-ID: <5b571d06.1c69fb81.4e470.db82@mx.google.com>

Hi Janae and all,

Could you or anyone just post who the new Board members on here 
for people who may not (or still might) be able to attend the 
conference call? I'm just asking because I think the announcement 
of new members usually occurs here on this list, and it's been 
nearly three weeks since NABS elections and still no 
announcements.

Thanks,

Sami

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Janae Burgmeier via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:19:42 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!

Hey students!  We are excited to start our new year of improving 
the lives of Blind students across the nation.  To kick us off, 
our first membership call will be a meet the board call.  The 
call will take place at 8 eastern on Sunday, July 29th.

Nabs Conference line number.
‭(712) 770-5197
Code 265669‬

Janae Burgmeier
Outreach Chair
_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sami.j.osborn
e97%40gmail.com



From nabs.president at gmail.com  Tue Jul 24 17:25:49 2018
From: nabs.president at gmail.com (President, NABS | Kathryn Webster)
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2018 13:25:49 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!
In-Reply-To: <5b571d06.1c69fb81.4e470.db82@mx.google.com>
References: <5b571d06.1c69fb81.4e470.db82@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <41e601d42373$5e45f040$1ad1d0c0$@gmail.com>

Of course!!

The Newley elected board is:
President - Kathryn Webster
1st Vice President - Syed Rizvi
2nd Vice President - Kenia Flores
Treasurer - Dustin Cather
Secretary - Melissa Carney
Board Members - Mausam Mehta, Janae Burgmeier, Tarik Williams, Justin Salisbury

More introductions to come!!

Love,
Kathryn

Kathryn C. Webster
President | National Association of Blind Students
   A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind
(203) 273-8463
Nabs.president at gmail.com | www.nabslink.org

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sami Osborne via NABS-L
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 8:35 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list nabs-l at nfbnet.org
 <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sami Osborne <sami.j.osborne97 at gmail.com>; janae.burgmeier at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!

Hi Janae and all,

Could you or anyone just post who the new Board members on here for people who may not (or still might) be able to attend the conference call? I'm just asking because I think the announcement of new members usually occurs here on this list, and it's been nearly three weeks since NABS elections and still no announcements.

Thanks,

Sami

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Janae Burgmeier via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:19:42 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call this Sunday!!

Hey students!  We are excited to start our new year of improving the lives of Blind students across the nation.  To kick us off, our first membership call will be a meet the board call.  The call will take place at 8 eastern on Sunday, July 29th.

Nabs Conference line number.
‭(712) 770-5197
Code 265669‬

Janae Burgmeier
Outreach Chair
_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sami.j.osborn
e97%40gmail.com


_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com



From janae.burgmeier at gmail.com  Tue Jul 24 18:58:29 2018
From: janae.burgmeier at gmail.com (Janae Burgmeier)
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2018 13:58:29 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Outreach committee
Message-ID: <11A6E95A-C3C6-48B5-9CFE-67766E3ABDD2@gmail.com>

We are excited to roll out the information for this years outreach committee. My name is Janae and I will be the chair. Matt Gip and Elizabeth Scheeler will be my co chairs. On social media, we have Johnna Wright and lastly we have web master Dustin Cather. 

Please join us for our monthly outreach calls that will take place the first Monday of the month at 9 eastern. ‭(712) 770-5197,,265669‬

There is a lot of room to get involved and we are happy to pair people with what most interests them. This year, our biggest projects will be:
Improving our social media presence 
Building more resource based content on the website 
Updating and finding content for our blog
Creating contest for the podcast
Creating informational YouTube videos

Please let me know if you are interested in getting involved with any of these projects. 

Janae Burgmeier 
outreach chair 
Janae.burgmeier at gmail.com

From nabs.president at gmail.com  Wed Jul 25 22:52:24 2018
From: nabs.president at gmail.com (President, NABS | Kathryn Webster)
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2018 18:52:24 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Announcing the 2018-19 National Student Committees
Message-ID: <012d01d4246a$285ace40$79106ac0$@gmail.com>

Students,

 

We are excited to announce our 2018-19 NABS committees, an opportunity for
you to get involved and learn more about our organization, while pushing the
expectations of blind students way up! Please do not hesitate to reach out
to leadership to learn more and brainstorm! We are so eager to hit the
ground running this fall! We also want new and interesting involvement since
new ideas are best fostered by fresh minds!

 


Outreach Committee


First Monday of the month | 9pm eastern

Chair - Janae Burgmeier (Janae.burgmeier at gmail.com); Co-Chairs - Melissa
Carney, Elizabeth Sheeler, and Matt Gip

Web Master - Dustin Cather (cather.dustin at gmail.com)

 


Legislative Advocacy Committee


Third Sunday of the month | 8pm eastern

Chair - Kenia Flores (kenia.flores at furman.edu); Co-Chairs - Rilee Sloan and
Justin Salisbury

 


Fundraising Committee


First Sunday of the month | 8pm eastern

Chair - Kathryn Webster (nabs.president at gmail.com
<mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com> ); Co-Chairs - Harry Staley, Dustin
Cather, and Elizabeth Rouse

 


Special Projects


Routine Meetings

Chairs - Syed Rizvi, Tarik Williams, and Mausam Mehta

 

Love,

Kathryn

 

Kathryn C. Webster

President | National Association of Blind Students

   A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind

(203) 273-8463

 <mailto:Nabs.president at gmail.com> Nabs.president at gmail.com |
www.nabslink.org

 


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 04:34:21 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:34:21 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] CABS event update
Message-ID: <CABP7S8PAvyBXkyuK4QeAsZo3_bT3xb5ppN+rQAeSq4OomW-0Aw@mail.gmail.com>

Hello NABS!

A few days ago I sent out a flyer for the CABS first annual Northern
California reception. Well unfortunately, I missed a couple of bugs in
the code, so here it is for real this time. It's attached as an HTML
file. There's also a link pasted below, if you'd rather view the
version that is now live on the CABS site! I conquered WordPress,
finally!

CABS flyer:
http://www.nfbcal.org/chapters-and-divisions/cabs/2018-bay-area-flyer/

Please also like and share our Facebook page!

https://m.facebook.com/California-Association-of-Blind-Students-CABS-166747930401206/

If there are any problems with these links or the flyer or anything,
let me know and I'll get right on fixing that. Thanks!

Best,
Cricket x. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/attachments/20180725/3b8857fb/attachment.html>

From garywunder at me.com  Thu Jul 26 15:27:54 2018
From: garywunder at me.com (Gary Wunder)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:27:54 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>

What an interesting story. Thanks. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

Hi all,

This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
failure... And then some.

So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my
first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is
revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is
a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being
worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access
to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like
that. One particular instance comes to mind.

I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full
of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking
around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself
for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough
disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I
walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by
my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I
realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around
a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got
even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost
too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I
called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and
going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of
campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented
freshmen...

Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid
patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have
been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are
twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main
streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly
accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps
doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing
three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't
step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually
jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me
to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.

Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.

So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage
you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology
consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with
Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own
consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several
podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the
kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com



From oliver.doug1 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 15:44:37 2018
From: oliver.doug1 at gmail.com (Doug Oliver)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:44:37 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
	<012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
Message-ID: <8fe03fac-4e19-1ea5-10c2-5e186d2cbc2c@gmail.com>

Cricket, wonderful story, I want to know more about aira.  email me off 
list? oliver.doug1 at gmail.com



On 7/26/2018 10:27 AM, Gary Wunder via NABS-L wrote:
> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
> Bidleman via NABS-L
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>
> Hi all,
>
> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
> failure... And then some.
>
> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
> it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my
> first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is
> revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is
> a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being
> worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access
> to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like
> that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>
> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
> September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full
> of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking
> around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself
> for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough
> disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I
> walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
> heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by
> my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I
> realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around
> a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got
> even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost
> too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I
> called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and
> going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of
> campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented
> freshmen...
>
> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
> city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid
> patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have
> been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are
> twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main
> streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly
> accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps
> doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing
> three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't
> step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually
> jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me
> to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
> the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>
> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>
> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage
> you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology
> consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with
> Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own
> consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several
> podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the
> kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
> will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>
> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/oliver.doug1%40gmail.com

-- 
Email: oliver.doug1 at gmail.com



From jldail13 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 16:04:05 2018
From: jldail13 at gmail.com (Jessica Dail)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:04:05 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
Message-ID: <5b59f0fd.1c69fb81.7cae1.28b5@mx.google.com>

Hi Gary,
My name is Jessica.
Can you pease write me off list?
I'd like to do an article for the publiction you write for, but can't think of its name off of top of my head.

Thanks,
Jessica
On Jul 26, 2018 11:27 AM, Gary Wunder via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> What an interesting story. Thanks. 
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X. 
> Bidleman via NABS-L 
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM 
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman 
> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you 
>
> Hi all, 
>
> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the 
> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on 
> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless 
> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.) 
> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't 
> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google 
> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy 
> failure... And then some. 
>
> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here 
> it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my 
> first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is 
> revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is 
> a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being 
> worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access 
> to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like 
> that. One particular instance comes to mind. 
>
> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, 
> September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full 
> of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking 
> around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself 
> for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one, 
> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major 
> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly 
> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough 
> disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I 
> walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high 
> heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by 
> my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I 
> realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around 
> a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got 
> even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost 
> too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I 
> called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and 
> going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of 
> campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented 
> freshmen... 
>
> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like 
> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like 
> city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid 
> patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have 
> been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are 
> twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main 
> streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly 
> accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps 
> doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing 
> three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't 
> step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually 
> jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me 
> to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy 
> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at 
> the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all. 
>
> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of 
> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber 
> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test 
> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was 
> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic 
> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not 
> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You 
> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars 
> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part 
> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once 
> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was 
> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was 
> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description. 
>
> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can 
> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money 
> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise 
> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in 
> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage 
> you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology 
> consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with 
> Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own 
> consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several 
> podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the 
> kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He 
> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative 
> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it 
> will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/ 
>
> Best, 
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers) 
> Stanford University | Class of 2021 
>
> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :) 
>
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> NABS-L: 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com 
>
>
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jldail13%40gmail.com 

From hstaley at nfbtx.org  Thu Jul 26 16:42:42 2018
From: hstaley at nfbtx.org (Harry Staley)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:42:42 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <5b59f0fd.1c69fb81.7cae1.28b5@mx.google.com>
References: <5b59f0fd.1c69fb81.7cae1.28b5@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <1F836F96-19A2-4130-9E85-F39BFC0C46BE@nfbtx.org>

It is the Braille monitor.

Harry Staley
(330) 718-1876
hstaley at nfbtx.org

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 11:04, Jessica Dail via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Gary,
> My name is Jessica.
> Can you pease write me off list?
> I'd like to do an article for the publiction you write for, but can't think of its name off of top of my head.
> 
> Thanks,
> Jessica
>> On Jul 26, 2018 11:27 AM, Gary Wunder via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> What an interesting story. Thanks. 
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X. 
>> Bidleman via NABS-L 
>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM 
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman 
>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you 
>> 
>> Hi all, 
>> 
>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the 
>> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on 
>> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless 
>> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.) 
>> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't 
>> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google 
>> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy 
>> failure... And then some. 
>> 
>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here 
>> it is. I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my 
>> first year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is 
>> revolutionizing instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is 
>> a huge issue for us as blind students and though it's slowly being 
>> worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access 
>> to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or something like 
>> that. One particular instance comes to mind. 
>> 
>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, 
>> September 19 of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full 
>> of people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking 
>> around, trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself 
>> for forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one, 
>> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major 
>> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly 
>> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than enough 
>> disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant, I 
>> walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high 
>> heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by 
>> my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again because I 
>> realized something... I didn't know the campus at all. I walked around 
>> a bit, and then got turned around, and then got lost, and then got 
>> even more lost. There were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost 
>> too, and a bunch of them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I 
>> called AIRA and in five minutes, they had me straightened out and 
>> going in the right direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of 
>> campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented 
>> freshmen... 
>> 
>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like 
>> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like 
>> city blocks? There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid 
>> patterns, they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have 
>> been crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are 
>> twists and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main 
>> streets here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly 
>> accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student. Google Maps 
>> doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was cross-referencing 
>> three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't 
>> step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People actually 
>> jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get me 
>> to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy 
>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at 
>> the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all. 
>> 
>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of 
>> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber 
>> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test 
>> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was 
>> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic 
>> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not 
>> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You 
>> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars 
>> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part 
>> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once 
>> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was 
>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was 
>> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description. 
>> 
>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can 
>> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money 
>> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise 
>> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in 
>> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage 
>> you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology 
>> consultant who has way more experience than me. He's worked with 
>> Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has run his own 
>> consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, runs several 
>> podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty much the 
>> kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He 
>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative 
>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it 
>> will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/ 
>> 
>> Best, 
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers) 
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021 
>> 
>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :) 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________ 
>> NABS-L mailing list 
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> NABS-L: 
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________ 
>> NABS-L mailing list 
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: 
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jldail13%40gmail.com 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hstaley%40nfbtx.org


From valandkayla at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 20:16:08 2018
From: valandkayla at gmail.com (Valerie Gibson)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:16:08 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
Message-ID: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>

Hi,

  I’m going to keep this brief.

  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira higher-ups.

  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.

They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how it can be used in academics.

If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly), I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.  

You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
Valerie Gibson
valandkayla at gmail.com




From dwiniecki at handid.org  Thu Jul 26 20:23:47 2018
From: dwiniecki at handid.org (Donald Winiecki)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:23:47 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>

Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for use
at my university also.

Best,

_don

​
​
​
​
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
*Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
Boise State University, College of Engineering
1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
​



On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hi,
>
>   I’m going to keep this brief.
>
>   My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
> higher-ups.
>
>   I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>
> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of
> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how
> it can be used in academics.
>
> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>
> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
> Valerie Gibson
> valandkayla at gmail.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>

From valandkayla at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 20:26:29 2018
From: valandkayla at gmail.com (Valerie Gibson)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:26:29 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <809445FB-3D21-4EC5-A431-6D178D519A6F@gmail.com>

Oh sorry. 

That is what I meant. Reply to this thread, not to me personally.

Thank you.
Valerie Gibson
valandkayla at gmail.com



> On Jul 26, 2018, at 2:23 PM, Donald Winiecki via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
> were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for use
> at my university also.
> 
> Best,
> 
> _don
> 
> ​
> ​
> ​
> ​
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
> *Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
> Boise State University, College of Engineering
> 1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
> Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
> E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
> WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
> Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
> ​
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>> 
>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>> higher-ups.
>> 
>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>> 
>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of
>> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how
>> it can be used in academics.
>> 
>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>> 
>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>> Valerie Gibson
>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 21:31:08 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:31:08 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <809445FB-3D21-4EC5-A431-6D178D519A6F@gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
	<809445FB-3D21-4EC5-A431-6D178D519A6F@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8PViiawBurbWeV5XvaMkJPSmh0g=nsoWspcXHr4L3eR=g@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Valerie,

Let me begin by saying that I really think this is an awesome idea. I
have a ridiculous amount to say on this topic but I'll try to keep it
brief for you. If you or anyone else has any questions at all or wants
more details, or wants to chat via phone, email me off-list.

A lot of the AIRA videos do have travel elements to them as you
pointed out, which I think is especially important as means of public
and private (or shared private) transportation become more widespread.
However I think one of the most important things to highlight about
AIRA is that, as I said in my last email, it provides instant
accessibility to all areas of life. Academically, this technology
revolutionizes education in a way that I have never experienced
before. In my testimonial, there was a scene where an AIRA agent
helped me find a book in a library. As you know, this can be a huge
challenge for blind students since help is virtually required. In a
quiet setting like a library, AIRA is incredibly valuable, especially
now that users can use it in combination with text.

As I mentioned in my last email, AIRA is hugely important to me when
examining diagrams. As a prospective psychology major who is seriously
considering neuroscience as an option, AIRA has already proven to be
essential. Tactile graphics and three-dimensional models are awesome
but the thing is, sometimes it's still fairly impossible to get
accurate illustrations of things, especially small things. With the
brain in particular, this is extremely obvious. The thing is though,
AIRA  can give me a more accurate picture than any sort of raised or
multi-dimensional model. I can ask about the shape of tiny brain
parts, or the percentages of space that various brain parts take up in
a diagram.

AIRA is also especially helpful in cooking. Normally, though there are
alternative techniques to tell when things are done, it still can be
difficult. This is especially the case with baking and though it's
entirely possible to stick toothpicks in stuff to test for doneness,
doing so repeatedly just makes holes, and that's not especially
appealing. The other day, I used AIRA to help me figure out when a
batch of muffins was done baking. Let me tell you, those were the most
moist, delicious muffins I've ever had. Emphasis on had, because my
friends almost immediately took them all. I have to make more tonight
so that I actually have something for breakfast tomorrow. I've never
been so successful with a baking project as I was this week.

Before this gets much longer, I'll just list some ideas briefly.
Emphasis on some ideas, because I'm already generating tons more.
Collecting data and analyzing graphs can be very difficult,
particularly for STEM subjects. Doing experiments involving human or
animal subjects can be difficult especially from a behavioral
perspective, where close observation is necessary. Reading documents
can be difficult if they're handwritten or blurry, even with OCR apps
etc. Athletics can prove to be a challenge. Looking at things through
a microscope is virtually impossible. Drawing graphs or doing more
creative, visual art projects can be a challenge. All of this is
relatively academic, and all of this is now within relatively easy
reach thanks to AIRA, which I truly believe has the potential to
modernize life for the blind and visually impaired by making equal
access and equal opportunity true possibilities.

Again, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. I've also
copied Gelena, who I know personally. If you need someone to help
write a letter of justification, I am absolutely more than capable of
doing that as well. I wrote tons of scholarship essays, which ended up
in me getting almost $30,000 in grants and scholarships. All that
money is gone now because Stanford is expensive but without it, I
wouldn't be able to be here today. I had to write some extremely
intense letters to get $16,000 in technology from the Department of
Vocational Rehab and if I can manage that, which involves the stingy
government, I can probably manage to justify just about anything. As a
sidenote, I am making good use of all of that technology, so not a
cent of that money is going to waste. Thanks!

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/26/18, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Oh sorry.
>
> That is what I meant. Reply to this thread, not to me personally.
>
> Thank you.
> Valerie Gibson
> valandkayla at gmail.com
>
>
>
>> On Jul 26, 2018, at 2:23 PM, Donald Winiecki via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
>> were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for
>> use
>> at my university also.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> _don
>>
>> ​
>> ​
>> ​
>> ​
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
>> *Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
>> Boise State University, College of Engineering
>> 1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
>> Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
>> E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
>> WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
>> Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
>> ​
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>>>
>>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>>> higher-ups.
>>>
>>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>>>
>>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot
>>> of
>>> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about
>>> how
>>> it can be used in academics.
>>>
>>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>>>
>>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>>> Valerie Gibson
>>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>


From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 21:52:45 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:52:45 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <A1445E22-E09C-4082-AF72-49876FFBB383@gmail.com>

Hi Valerie,
Are you asking your university to fund AIRA? I've heard some universities are starting to do that.
I believe AIRA can also be used as a "Be My Eyes" type tool, where you can ask them what objects are or help you find a physical object you lost.
Vejas

Sent from my iPhone

> On 26 Jul 2018, at 13:16, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
>  I’m going to keep this brief.
> 
>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira higher-ups.
> 
>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
> 
> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how it can be used in academics.
> 
> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly), I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.  
> 
> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
> Valerie Gibson
> valandkayla at gmail.com
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com


From 1008jmd at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 22:34:11 2018
From: 1008jmd at gmail.com (John Dowling)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 18:34:11 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <45DA0744-179E-4683-8804-7C6F4A9B6092@gmail.com>

one time I purchased an apple juice from a lending machine with Aira

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 4:23 PM, Donald Winiecki via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
> were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for use
> at my university also.
> 
> Best,
> 
> _don
> 
> ​
> ​
> ​
> ​
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
> *Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
> Boise State University, College of Engineering
> 1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
> Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
> E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
> WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
> Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
> ​
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>> 
>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>> higher-ups.
>> 
>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>> 
>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of
>> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how
>> it can be used in academics.
>> 
>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>> 
>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>> Valerie Gibson
>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/1008jmd%40gmail.com


From misokwak12 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 23:39:02 2018
From: misokwak12 at gmail.com (Miso Kwak)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:39:02 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <A1445E22-E09C-4082-AF72-49876FFBB383@gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<A1445E22-E09C-4082-AF72-49876FFBB383@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAMe9x_EAUxUP06TnYB3zDTvdQPGni7SM4yPyPo2mFM7gYvB=sQ@mail.gmail.com>

Another important use of Aira that is related to academics would be
having someone assist you when you are making sure that your
powerpoint presentations and/or papers look the way you want them to
to sighted individuals. Aira also can help you navigate various
inaccessible web sites that you may encounter during your studies.

Miso

On 7/26/18, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Valerie,
> Are you asking your university to fund AIRA? I've heard some universities
> are starting to do that.
> I believe AIRA can also be used as a "Be My Eyes" type tool, where you can
> ask them what objects are or help you find a physical object you lost.
> Vejas
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On 26 Jul 2018, at 13:16, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>>
>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>> higher-ups.
>>
>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>>
>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot
>> of the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about
>> how it can be used in academics.
>>
>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>>
>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>> Valerie Gibson
>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/misokwak12%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Miso Kwak
University of California, Los Angeles | 2017
Psychology B.A. | Education Studies Minor | Disability Studies Minor
(909) 660-1897


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 23:50:44 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:50:44 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <CAMe9x_EAUxUP06TnYB3zDTvdQPGni7SM4yPyPo2mFM7gYvB=sQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<A1445E22-E09C-4082-AF72-49876FFBB383@gmail.com>
	<CAMe9x_EAUxUP06TnYB3zDTvdQPGni7SM4yPyPo2mFM7gYvB=sQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8OU6_ebHdgotiHvBDQFu4NNTA+ku5EUwXe1kFYTDOK5mw@mail.gmail.com>

Another use would be that AIRA can log onto TeamTalk and tell you what
website elements look like on a page etc. This would be incredibly
valuable here. There's a computer science course here at Stanford that
uses a thing to teach people the basics of programming. Only problem?
It's basically that you have to program a bot to move around the
screen and perform various actions. For blind people, it's a lot
harder because the part where you watch the bot to make sure it's
doing what it's supposed to is thoroughly inaccessible. If AIRA could
log onto TeamTalk and watch and narrate, which they can, assignments
and projects like that become much easier much more quickly. They can
also help you design resumés and official work documents etc. I sent
another email on this list on this thread that I don't think went
through so I'll send it again. Thanks!

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/26/18, Miso Kwak via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Another important use of Aira that is related to academics would be
> having someone assist you when you are making sure that your
> powerpoint presentations and/or papers look the way you want them to
> to sighted individuals. Aira also can help you navigate various
> inaccessible web sites that you may encounter during your studies.
>
> Miso
>
> On 7/26/18, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Valerie,
>> Are you asking your university to fund AIRA? I've heard some universities
>> are starting to do that.
>> I believe AIRA can also be used as a "Be My Eyes" type tool, where you can
>> ask them what objects are or help you find a physical object you lost.
>> Vejas
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On 26 Jul 2018, at 13:16, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>>>
>>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>>> higher-ups.
>>>
>>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>>>
>>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot
>>> of the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about
>>> how it can be used in academics.
>>>
>>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>>>
>>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>>> Valerie Gibson
>>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/misokwak12%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> Miso Kwak
> University of California, Los Angeles | 2017
> Psychology B.A. | Education Studies Minor | Disability Studies Minor
> (909) 660-1897
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Thu Jul 26 23:52:51 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:52:51 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd:  Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8PViiawBurbWeV5XvaMkJPSmh0g=nsoWspcXHr4L3eR=g@mail.gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
	<809445FB-3D21-4EC5-A431-6D178D519A6F@gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8PViiawBurbWeV5XvaMkJPSmh0g=nsoWspcXHr4L3eR=g@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8Pj2bJS3EDfBZqywYERgHEhn0Fjk_eh8=KVs=Bu9uNzvA@mail.gmail.com>

Here's my message from the first time around. If you can't see
Gelena's email, it's gelena.correia at aira.io. Hope this helps!

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cricket X. Bidleman" <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:31:08 -0700
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Valerie Gibson <valandkayla at gmail.com>, Gelena Correia
<gelena.correia at aira.io>

Hi Valerie,

Let me begin by saying that I really think this is an awesome idea. I
have a ridiculous amount to say on this topic but I'll try to keep it
brief for you. If you or anyone else has any questions at all or wants
more details, or wants to chat via phone, email me off-list.

A lot of the AIRA videos do have travel elements to them as you
pointed out, which I think is especially important as means of public
and private (or shared private) transportation become more widespread.
However I think one of the most important things to highlight about
AIRA is that, as I said in my last email, it provides instant
accessibility to all areas of life. Academically, this technology
revolutionizes education in a way that I have never experienced
before. In my testimonial, there was a scene where an AIRA agent
helped me find a book in a library. As you know, this can be a huge
challenge for blind students since help is virtually required. In a
quiet setting like a library, AIRA is incredibly valuable, especially
now that users can use it in combination with text.

As I mentioned in my last email, AIRA is hugely important to me when
examining diagrams. As a prospective psychology major who is seriously
considering neuroscience as an option, AIRA has already proven to be
essential. Tactile graphics and three-dimensional models are awesome
but the thing is, sometimes it's still fairly impossible to get
accurate illustrations of things, especially small things. With the
brain in particular, this is extremely obvious. The thing is though,
AIRA  can give me a more accurate picture than any sort of raised or
multi-dimensional model. I can ask about the shape of tiny brain
parts, or the percentages of space that various brain parts take up in
a diagram.

AIRA is also especially helpful in cooking. Normally, though there are
alternative techniques to tell when things are done, it still can be
difficult. This is especially the case with baking and though it's
entirely possible to stick toothpicks in stuff to test for doneness,
doing so repeatedly just makes holes, and that's not especially
appealing. The other day, I used AIRA to help me figure out when a
batch of muffins was done baking. Let me tell you, those were the most
moist, delicious muffins I've ever had. Emphasis on had, because my
friends almost immediately took them all. I have to make more tonight
so that I actually have something for breakfast tomorrow. I've never
been so successful with a baking project as I was this week.

Before this gets much longer, I'll just list some ideas briefly.
Emphasis on some ideas, because I'm already generating tons more.
Collecting data and analyzing graphs can be very difficult,
particularly for STEM subjects. Doing experiments involving human or
animal subjects can be difficult especially from a behavioral
perspective, where close observation is necessary. Reading documents
can be difficult if they're handwritten or blurry, even with OCR apps
etc. Athletics can prove to be a challenge. Looking at things through
a microscope is virtually impossible. Drawing graphs or doing more
creative, visual art projects can be a challenge. All of this is
relatively academic, and all of this is now within relatively easy
reach thanks to AIRA, which I truly believe has the potential to
modernize life for the blind and visually impaired by making equal
access and equal opportunity true possibilities.

Again, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. I've also
copied Gelena, who I know personally. If you need someone to help
write a letter of justification, I am absolutely more than capable of
doing that as well. I wrote tons of scholarship essays, which ended up
in me getting almost $30,000 in grants and scholarships. All that
money is gone now because Stanford is expensive but without it, I
wouldn't be able to be here today. I had to write some extremely
intense letters to get $16,000 in technology from the Department of
Vocational Rehab and if I can manage that, which involves the stingy
government, I can probably manage to justify just about anything. As a
sidenote, I am making good use of all of that technology, so not a
cent of that money is going to waste. Thanks!

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/26/18, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Oh sorry.
>
> That is what I meant. Reply to this thread, not to me personally.
>
> Thank you.
> Valerie Gibson
> valandkayla at gmail.com
>
>
>
>> On Jul 26, 2018, at 2:23 PM, Donald Winiecki via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
>> were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for
>> use
>> at my university also.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> _don
>>
>> ​
>> ​
>> ​
>> ​
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
>> *Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
>> Boise State University, College of Engineering
>> 1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
>> Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
>> E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
>> WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
>> Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
>> ​
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>  I’m going to keep this brief.
>>>
>>>  My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>>> higher-ups.
>>>
>>>  I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>>>
>>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot
>>> of
>>> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about
>>> how
>>> it can be used in academics.
>>>
>>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>>>
>>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>>> Valerie Gibson
>>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>


From valandkayla at gmail.com  Fri Jul 27 02:43:23 2018
From: valandkayla at gmail.com (Valerie Gibson)
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 20:43:23 -0600
Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd:  Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8Pj2bJS3EDfBZqywYERgHEhn0Fjk_eh8=KVs=Bu9uNzvA@mail.gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
	<CAD5OMmHDnsXWSP-PdieQAVL36cY2upRk+d-qc5wQGYt3X6Nw6g@mail.gmail.com>
	<809445FB-3D21-4EC5-A431-6D178D519A6F@gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8PViiawBurbWeV5XvaMkJPSmh0g=nsoWspcXHr4L3eR=g@mail.gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8Pj2bJS3EDfBZqywYERgHEhn0Fjk_eh8=KVs=Bu9uNzvA@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <7BDAADA6-833D-4414-A180-1C71E1E678C0@gmail.com>

Hi,
  Yes, I will be compiling this list for my accessibility coordinator at my university.

  I’m currently in the elementary ed program, and when I began using Aira for looking at second grade work, my professors got excited that it was like I had a pair of eyes in the room whenever I needed them.  It also helps, of course, that the agents have to sign a privacy statement to not disclose anything that happens on a call … for the children’s safety and privacy.  

  When I was in a meeting with my access center, I showed them the aira device and explained how it worked. The chair of the Ed department and my professor were there as well because we were discussing next semester, and when I mentioned how universities could have site access with Aira, the chair of the department and my professor immediately jumped on talking how beneficial this could be for all students.
  My coordinator spoke with this supervisor, meetings were had, calls were made, and now he wants a list from students on various way that students are already using this so he can argue paying for it on campus.

There’s the long version.
Valerie Gibson
valandkayla at gmail.com



> On Jul 26, 2018, at 5:52 PM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Here's my message from the first time around. If you can't see
> Gelena's email, it's gelena.correia at aira.io. Hope this helps!
> 
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Cricket X. Bidleman" <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
> Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:31:08 -0700
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Valerie Gibson <valandkayla at gmail.com>, Gelena Correia
> <gelena.correia at aira.io>
> 
> Hi Valerie,
> 
> Let me begin by saying that I really think this is an awesome idea. I
> have a ridiculous amount to say on this topic but I'll try to keep it
> brief for you. If you or anyone else has any questions at all or wants
> more details, or wants to chat via phone, email me off-list.
> 
> A lot of the AIRA videos do have travel elements to them as you
> pointed out, which I think is especially important as means of public
> and private (or shared private) transportation become more widespread.
> However I think one of the most important things to highlight about
> AIRA is that, as I said in my last email, it provides instant
> accessibility to all areas of life. Academically, this technology
> revolutionizes education in a way that I have never experienced
> before. In my testimonial, there was a scene where an AIRA agent
> helped me find a book in a library. As you know, this can be a huge
> challenge for blind students since help is virtually required. In a
> quiet setting like a library, AIRA is incredibly valuable, especially
> now that users can use it in combination with text.
> 
> As I mentioned in my last email, AIRA is hugely important to me when
> examining diagrams. As a prospective psychology major who is seriously
> considering neuroscience as an option, AIRA has already proven to be
> essential. Tactile graphics and three-dimensional models are awesome
> but the thing is, sometimes it's still fairly impossible to get
> accurate illustrations of things, especially small things. With the
> brain in particular, this is extremely obvious. The thing is though,
> AIRA  can give me a more accurate picture than any sort of raised or
> multi-dimensional model. I can ask about the shape of tiny brain
> parts, or the percentages of space that various brain parts take up in
> a diagram.
> 
> AIRA is also especially helpful in cooking. Normally, though there are
> alternative techniques to tell when things are done, it still can be
> difficult. This is especially the case with baking and though it's
> entirely possible to stick toothpicks in stuff to test for doneness,
> doing so repeatedly just makes holes, and that's not especially
> appealing. The other day, I used AIRA to help me figure out when a
> batch of muffins was done baking. Let me tell you, those were the most
> moist, delicious muffins I've ever had. Emphasis on had, because my
> friends almost immediately took them all. I have to make more tonight
> so that I actually have something for breakfast tomorrow. I've never
> been so successful with a baking project as I was this week.
> 
> Before this gets much longer, I'll just list some ideas briefly.
> Emphasis on some ideas, because I'm already generating tons more.
> Collecting data and analyzing graphs can be very difficult,
> particularly for STEM subjects. Doing experiments involving human or
> animal subjects can be difficult especially from a behavioral
> perspective, where close observation is necessary. Reading documents
> can be difficult if they're handwritten or blurry, even with OCR apps
> etc. Athletics can prove to be a challenge. Looking at things through
> a microscope is virtually impossible. Drawing graphs or doing more
> creative, visual art projects can be a challenge. All of this is
> relatively academic, and all of this is now within relatively easy
> reach thanks to AIRA, which I truly believe has the potential to
> modernize life for the blind and visually impaired by making equal
> access and equal opportunity true possibilities.
> 
> Again, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. I've also
> copied Gelena, who I know personally. If you need someone to help
> write a letter of justification, I am absolutely more than capable of
> doing that as well. I wrote tons of scholarship essays, which ended up
> in me getting almost $30,000 in grants and scholarships. All that
> money is gone now because Stanford is expensive but without it, I
> wouldn't be able to be here today. I had to write some extremely
> intense letters to get $16,000 in technology from the Department of
> Vocational Rehab and if I can manage that, which involves the stingy
> government, I can probably manage to justify just about anything. As a
> sidenote, I am making good use of all of that technology, so not a
> cent of that money is going to waste. Thanks!
> 
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> 
> On 7/26/18, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Oh sorry.
>> 
>> That is what I meant. Reply to this thread, not to me personally.
>> 
>> Thank you.
>> Valerie Gibson
>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jul 26, 2018, at 2:23 PM, Donald Winiecki via NABS-L
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Piggy-backing on Valerie's request, it would be terrific if replies to her
>>> were also sent to the NABS-L list.  I could use this to make a case for
>>> use
>>> at my university also.
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>> _don
>>> 
>>> ​
>>> ​
>>> ​
>>> ​
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>> Don Winiecki, Ed.D., Ph.D.
>>> *Professor of Ethics & Morality in Professional Practice*
>>> Boise State University, College of Engineering
>>> 1910 University Drive, Mail Stop 2070
>>> Boise, Idaho 83725-2070 USA
>>> E-mail: dwiniecki at boisestate.edu
>>> WWW: http://opwl.boisestate.edu
>>> Telephone: (+01) 208 426 1899
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~d​
>>> ​
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 2:17 PM Valerie Gibson via NABS-L
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi,
>>>> 
>>>> I’m going to keep this brief.
>>>> 
>>>> My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
>>>> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
>>>> higher-ups.
>>>> 
>>>> I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>>>> 
>>>> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
>>>> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot
>>>> of
>>>> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about
>>>> how
>>>> it can be used in academics.
>>>> 
>>>> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly),
>>>> I will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>>>> 
>>>> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
>>>> Valerie Gibson
>>>> valandkayla at gmail.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dwiniecki%40handid.org
>>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/valandkayla%40gmail.com


From inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com  Fri Jul 27 06:12:39 2018
From: inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com (Roger Newell)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 16:12:39 +1000
Subject: [NABS-L] Aira in academics, again
In-Reply-To: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
References: <E4E346B1-2668-4CE7-AD2E-9693C10F34B7@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAE7Xp2kfi3n+e=R6rq9OMQnZEDyNL1A0=hQvwPi6KBTtThn0qw@mail.gmail.com>

Here's a list of prospective ways Aira can be used in education:
https://aira.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/19000079318-at-school

On 7/27/18, Valerie Gibson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
>   I’m going to keep this brief.
>
>   My accessibility team at my university is looking to get site access on
> our campus, but they’re having a hard time getting in touch with the Aira
> higher-ups.
>
>   I’m going to try to reach out after I send this.
>
> They would like me to compile ways in which students have used the Aira
> service that’s not travel related.  From what they’re able to see, a lot of
> the promos for Aira deal with travel, and they want to know more about how
> it can be used in academics.
>
> If you all could reply to this with ways in which you use Aira (briefly), I
> will compile the list and shoot that off to them.
>
> You will, of course, have my sincere thanks.
> Valerie Gibson
> valandkayla at gmail.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>


From alpineimagination at gmail.com  Fri Jul 27 19:45:25 2018
From: alpineimagination at gmail.com (Vejas Vasiliauskas)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 12:45:25 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams
Message-ID: <5b5b7676.1c69fb81.ad6bb.73b3@mx.google.com>

Hi All,

I am an upcoming junior English major at my school, and would 
really like to gain some experience.  I have seen students act as 
TA's during a professor's office hours.  Therefore, I would like 
to look in to the possibility of helping one of the English 
professors with grading papers and exams or any other 
administrative work.  I'd like to ask these of you who have had 
experience grading, how you did so.
I use three primary devices: a Braillenote Apex (for basic 
writing and as a display for my Iphone), an Iphone and a laptop.  
Any thoughts are appreciated.

Vejas Vasiliauskas
Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind 
Students
Phone: (310) 265-3949
Email: alpineimagination at gmail.cem


From matthewhgip at gmail.com  Fri Jul 27 21:59:08 2018
From: matthewhgip at gmail.com (Matthew Gip)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:59:08 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams
In-Reply-To: <5b5b7676.1c69fb81.ad6bb.73b3@mx.google.com>
References: <5b5b7676.1c69fb81.ad6bb.73b3@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <ED2D5160-103E-4EF8-8803-AB6200FC4E73@gmail.com>

Hi Vejas,

I have a few options that might help you. A couple of the options I have is to use either AIRA or Be My Eyes if you have those as resources. They both can guide you in assisting you in grading papers for your professor. Another option is to possibly see if the professor can email you the papers to grade, so you can grade them electronically and still use either AIRA or Be My Eyes at the same time which would be beneficial. I hope this helps. 

Thanks, 
Matthew Gip
President | California Association of Blind Students 
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of California 
Phone: (559) 375-2068
Email: matthewhgip at gmail.com
Live The Life You Want! 

> On Jul 27, 2018, at 12:45 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I am an upcoming junior English major at my school, and would really like to gain some experience.  I have seen students act as TA's during a professor's office hours.  Therefore, I would like to look in to the possibility of helping one of the English professors with grading papers and exams or any other administrative work.  I'd like to ask these of you who have had experience grading, how you did so.
> I use three primary devices: a Braillenote Apex (for basic writing and as a display for my Iphone), an Iphone and a laptop.  Any thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> Vejas Vasiliauskas
> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind Students
> Phone: (310) 265-3949
> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.cem
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/matthewhgip%40gmail.com


From kmaent1 at gmail.com  Fri Jul 27 22:35:32 2018
From: kmaent1 at gmail.com (Karl Martin Adam)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 18:35:32 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams
Message-ID: <5b5b9e37.1c69fb81.3607c.b43d@mx.google.com>

This would almost certainly be a FERPA violation.  It's also 
completely unnecessary if you could get papers in electronic 
format, though it might, if it were legal, be a (very expensive 
and time consuming) work around for dealing with papers in hard 
copy print.

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Gip via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:59:08 -0700
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams

Hi Vejas,

I have a few options that might help you. A couple of the options 
I have is to use either AIRA or Be My Eyes if you have those as 
resources. They both can guide you in assisting you in grading 
papers for your professor. Another option is to possibly see if 
the professor can email you the papers to grade, so you can grade 
them electronically and still use either AIRA or Be My Eyes at 
the same time which would be beneficial. I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Matthew Gip
President | California Association of Blind Students
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of 
California
Phone: (559) 375-2068
Email: matthewhgip at gmail.com
Live The Life You Want!

 On Jul 27, 2018, at 12:45 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

 Hi All,

 I am an upcoming junior English major at my school, and would 
really like to gain some experience.  I have seen students act as 
TA's during a professor's office hours.  Therefore, I would like 
to look in to the possibility of helping one of the English 
professors with grading papers and exams or any other 
administrative work.  I'd like to ask these of you who have had 
experience grading, how you did so.
 I use three primary devices: a Braillenote Apex (for basic 
writing and as a display for my Iphone), an Iphone and a laptop.  
Any thoughts are appreciated.

 Vejas Vasiliauskas
 Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind 
Students
 Phone: (310) 265-3949
 Email: alpineimagination at gmail.cem

 _______________________________________________
 NABS-L mailing list
 NABS-L at nfbnet.org
 http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
 To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
info for NABS-L:
 
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/matthewhgip%4
0gmail.com

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kmaent1%40gma
il.com


From sweetpeareader at gmail.com  Sat Jul 28 02:21:27 2018
From: sweetpeareader at gmail.com (sophie trist)
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:21:27 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams
Message-ID: <5b5bd329.1c69fb81.2fd8f.a65a@mx.google.com>

Hi Vejas,

Nowadays, many students upload assignments to websites like Blackboard, Moodle, or Canvas. I don't know how accessible the teachers' module for those systems is, but if your prof uses one of them, that's also something you could look into.

Sophie

On Jul 27, 2018 5:35 PM, Karl Martin Adam via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> This would almost certainly be a FERPA violation.  It's also 
> completely unnecessary if you could get papers in electronic 
> format, though it might, if it were legal, be a (very expensive 
> and time consuming) work around for dealing with papers in hard 
> copy print. 
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Matthew Gip via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org 
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org 
> Date sent: Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:59:08 -0700 
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Grading Papers and Exams 
>
> Hi Vejas, 
>
> I have a few options that might help you. A couple of the options 
> I have is to use either AIRA or Be My Eyes if you have those as 
> resources. They both can guide you in assisting you in grading 
> papers for your professor. Another option is to possibly see if 
> the professor can email you the papers to grade, so you can grade 
> them electronically and still use either AIRA or Be My Eyes at 
> the same time which would be beneficial. I hope this helps. 
>
> Thanks, 
> Matthew Gip 
> President | California Association of Blind Students 
> A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of 
> California 
> Phone: (559) 375-2068 
> Email: matthewhgip at gmail.com 
> Live The Life You Want! 
>
> On Jul 27, 2018, at 12:45 PM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L 
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote: 
>
> Hi All, 
>
> I am an upcoming junior English major at my school, and would 
> really like to gain some experience.  I have seen students act as 
> TA's during a professor's office hours.  Therefore, I would like 
> to look in to the possibility of helping one of the English 
> professors with grading papers and exams or any other 
> administrative work.  I'd like to ask these of you who have had 
> experience grading, how you did so. 
> I use three primary devices: a Braillenote Apex (for basic 
> writing and as a display for my Iphone), an Iphone and a laptop.  
> Any thoughts are appreciated. 
>
> Vejas Vasiliauskas 
> Secretary and Treasurer of the California Association of Blind 
> Students 
> Phone: (310) 265-3949 
> Email: alpineimagination at gmail.cem 
>
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
> info for NABS-L: 
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/matthewhgip%4 
> 0gmail.com 
>
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
> for NABS-L: 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kmaent1%40gma 
> il.com 
>
> _______________________________________________ 
> NABS-L mailing list 
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org 
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sweetpeareader%40gmail.com 

From cjmullin225 at aol.com  Sat Jul 28 21:41:41 2018
From: cjmullin225 at aol.com (Connor Mullin)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 16:41:41 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
	<012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
Message-ID: <009a01d426bb$c61f0ad0$525d2070$@aol.com>

Hi Cricket,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would like
to reflect on your story at Stanford.
I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books for
research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label them
tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance is
some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions, even
though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for everyone
to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions
and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed over
when talking about being an independent blind person.
Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome such
hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of asking
authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we should
be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an alternative
to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
Thank you once again for your thoughts.

Connor


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via NABS-L
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

What an interesting story. Thanks. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

Hi all,

This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for nine
months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn Webster
for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little skeptical
because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was
kind of a floppy failure... And then some.

So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it is.
I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year of
college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant access
to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind students
and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary
to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or
something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.

I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September 19
of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I didn't
know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to bump
into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an a
capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and then
a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem
child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more
than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant,
I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high heels,
into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm and
then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something... I
didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were freshmen
everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they had
me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you
disoriented freshmen...

Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city blocks?
There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're in
numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the campus
isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student.
Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so
I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get
me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.

Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them have
ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted to
ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I hadn't
gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken a
nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really nice
about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And
once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was nowhere
near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.

So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will be
integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word isn't
enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog post
by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more experience
than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty
much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success. He
uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)

_______________________________________________
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From inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com  Sat Jul 28 22:27:29 2018
From: inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com (Roger Newell)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 08:27:29 +1000
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <009a01d426bb$c61f0ad0$525d2070$@aol.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
	<012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
	<009a01d426bb$c61f0ad0$525d2070$@aol.com>
Message-ID: <CAE7Xp2kNCveuA0XCFTixewvuoZjPgFsxHgSp0jhJk05v92x+kQ@mail.gmail.com>

I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
good service?

On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Cricket,
>
> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
> like
> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books for
> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
> them
> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
> is
> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions, even
> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for everyone
> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions
> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed over
> when talking about being an independent blind person.
> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome such
> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of asking
> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we should
> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an alternative
> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>
> Connor
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>
> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
> Bidleman via NABS-L
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>
> Hi all,
>
> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for nine
> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
> Webster
> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
> skeptical
> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
> was
> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>
> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
> is.
> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year of
> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant access
> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
> students
> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary
> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand" or
> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>
> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September 19
> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I didn't
> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
> bump
> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an a
> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and then
> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem
> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more
> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
> brilliant,
> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high heels,
> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm and
> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something... I
> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were freshmen
> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they had
> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
> you
> disoriented freshmen...
>
> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
> blocks?
> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
> in
> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
> campus
> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student.
> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so
> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get
> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>
> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
> have
> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted to
> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
> hadn't
> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken a
> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really nice
> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
> And
> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
> nowhere
> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>
> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
> be
> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word isn't
> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
> post
> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more experience
> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty
> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
> He
> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>
> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Sat Jul 28 22:56:35 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 15:56:35 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <CAE7Xp2kNCveuA0XCFTixewvuoZjPgFsxHgSp0jhJk05v92x+kQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
	<012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>
	<009a01d426bb$c61f0ad0$525d2070$@aol.com>
	<CAE7Xp2kNCveuA0XCFTixewvuoZjPgFsxHgSp0jhJk05v92x+kQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8P+xTMLJJn7=FA9uLjkrKuZRCOB_jyjzwZiExYqzPJ+hw@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Connor,

First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.

I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.

As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.

Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021



On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
> good service?
>
> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Cricket,
>>
>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>> like
>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>> for
>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>> them
>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
>> is
>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>> even
>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>> everyone
>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>> directions
>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>> over
>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>> such
>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>> asking
>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>> should
>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>> alternative
>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>
>> Connor
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>> NABS-L
>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>
>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>> nine
>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>> Webster
>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>> skeptical
>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
>> was
>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>
>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
>> is.
>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>> of
>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>> access
>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>> students
>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>> necessary
>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>> or
>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>
>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
>> 19
>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>> didn't
>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>> bump
>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an
>> a
>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>> then
>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>> problem
>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>> more
>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>> brilliant,
>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>> heels,
>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>> and
>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
>> I
>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>> freshmen
>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>> had
>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
>> you
>> disoriented freshmen...
>>
>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>> blocks?
>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
>> in
>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>> campus
>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>> student.
>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me
>> so
>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>> get
>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>
>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>> have
>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>> to
>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>> hadn't
>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken
>> a
>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>> nice
>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
>> And
>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>> nowhere
>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>
>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
>> be
>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>> isn't
>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>> post
>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>> experience
>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>> pretty
>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
>> He
>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>
>> Best,
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>
>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>


From cjmullin225 at aol.com  Sat Jul 28 23:52:33 2018
From: cjmullin225 at aol.com (Connor Mullin)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 18:52:33 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8P+xTMLJJn7=FA9uLjkrKuZRCOB_jyjzwZiExYqzPJ+hw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CABP7S8NhH5UYE7zZhoK6pDhoqMbxNNUMx=q26EpT9OoMLmi1Pw@mail.gmail.com>	<012c01d424f5$39e4cb30$adae6190$@me.com>	<009a01d426bb$c61f0ad0$525d2070$@aol.com>	<CAE7Xp2kNCveuA0XCFTixewvuoZjPgFsxHgSp0jhJk05v92x+kQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8P+xTMLJJn7=FA9uLjkrKuZRCOB_jyjzwZiExYqzPJ+hw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <001a01d426ce$0e407210$2ac15630$@aol.com>

Hi Cricket,

Thank you for your thoughtful response. You are absolutely right that you have the right to say what did or did not apply to your situation. However, you also decided to post it in a public forum, in essence presenting it to be read, evaluated, and potentially discussed. I have no intention to hurt your feelings, but I do feel the need to present a perspective on AIRA that I feel is not getting enough attention.

You ask why we shouldn't use a service that improves our efficiency if it is available, and I would say that it depends. Is it more efficient to just have an experienced reader read for us all of our school materials, for example, or is it more efficient to learn braille? The answer changes whether you are thinking long or short term.

My point being that encouraging the use of AIRA for travel to everyone at large regardless of skill level sends the message, either intentional or unintentional, that relying on a visual aid is easier and more desirable than, say, learning the nonvisual skills necessary to get effective directions and get away from the "over there's" that I agree are given to us all too often.

Connor


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 5:57 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

Hi Connor,

First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.

I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.

As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if someone trained in the information blind people need so they can navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions, being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.

Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021



On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or 
> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly 
> good service?
>
> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Cricket,
>>
>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB 
>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I 
>> would like to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by 
>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library 
>> books for research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing 
>> to then label them tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on 
>> AIRA for travel assistance is some kind of unforgivable sin, I would 
>> caution people from generally recommending using AIRA in the way that 
>> you did at your first day at Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to 
>> approach an RA for directions, even though you knew they would be the 
>> most oriented, because you felt guilty about bothering them. And I 
>> think that is an important hurdle for everyone to reflect on, 
>> recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions and 
>> highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed 
>> over when talking about being an independent blind person.
>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, 
>> overcome such hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched 
>> myself out of asking authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm 
>> simply saying that we should be careful not to inadvertently sell the 
>> benefits of AIRA as an alternative to building peoples' advocacy and 
>> nonvisual skills.
>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>
>> Connor
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via 
>> NABS-L
>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>
>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the 
>> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on 
>> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless 
>> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.) 
>> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't 
>> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google 
>> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy 
>> failure... And then some.
>>
>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here 
>> it is.
>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first 
>> year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing 
>> instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue 
>> for us as blind students and though it's slowly being worked on in 
>> general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access to things. 
>> I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>> or
>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>
>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, 
>> September
>> 19
>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I 
>> didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, 
>> trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself for 
>> forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one, 
>> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major 
>> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly 
>> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than 
>> enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so 
>> brilliant, I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black 
>> dress and high heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way 
>> down the hill by my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again 
>> because I realized something...
>> I
>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got 
>> turned around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There 
>> were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of 
>> them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five 
>> minutes, they had me straightened out and going in the right 
>> direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of campus from where 
>> I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented freshmen...
>>
>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like 
>> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like 
>> city blocks?
>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, 
>> they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been 
>> crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are twists 
>> and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main streets 
>> here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly accessible by 
>> car, much less by some lost blind student.
>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was 
>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on 
>> me so I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. 
>> People actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and 
>> managed to get me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, 
>> by some happy coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I 
>> was rushing at the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>
>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of 
>> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber 
>> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test 
>> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was 
>> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic 
>> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not 
>> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You 
>> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars 
>> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part 
>> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once 
>> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was 
>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was 
>> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>
>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can 
>> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money 
>> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise 
>> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in 
>> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully 
>> encourage you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a 
>> technology consultant who has way more experience than me. He's 
>> worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has 
>> run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, 
>> runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is 
>> pretty much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms 
>> of success.
>> He
>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this 
>> innovative solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I 
>> promise it will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>
>> Best,
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>
>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.c
>> om
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol
>> .com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectro
>> nicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40
> gmail.com
>

_______________________________________________
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From rbacchus228 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 00:07:46 2018
From: rbacchus228 at gmail.com (Roanna Bacchus)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:07:46 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
Message-ID: <5b5d0554.1c69fb81.99794.7a78@mx.google.com>

Hi Connor thanks for your message. I believe that all blind students should learn the nonvisual skills that will allow them to succeed in life. This is why I am currently in the Independent Living Skills program at the Rehab Center For The Blind here in Daytona, Beach, Florida. I survived my first week of the program. Last night I washed and dried my first load of laundry.

On Jul 28, 2018 7:52 PM, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Cricket,
>
> Thank you for your thoughtful response. You are absolutely right that you have the right to say what did or did not apply to your situation. However, you also decided to post it in a public forum, in essence presenting it to be read, evaluated, and potentially discussed. I have no intention to hurt your feelings, but I do feel the need to present a perspective on AIRA that I feel is not getting enough attention.
>
> You ask why we shouldn't use a service that improves our efficiency if it is available, and I would say that it depends. Is it more efficient to just have an experienced reader read for us all of our school materials, for example, or is it more efficient to learn braille? The answer changes whether you are thinking long or short term.
>
> My point being that encouraging the use of AIRA for travel to everyone at large regardless of skill level sends the message, either intentional or unintentional, that relying on a visual aid is easier and more desirable than, say, learning the nonvisual skills necessary to get effective directions and get away from the "over there's" that I agree are given to us all too often.
>
> Connor
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L
> Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 5:57 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>
> Hi Connor,
>
> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>
> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>
> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if someone trained in the information blind people need so they can navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions, being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>
> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>
> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or 
> > using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly 
> > good service?
> >
> > On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >> Hi Cricket,
> >>
> >> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB 
> >> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I 
> >> would like to reflect on your story at Stanford.
> >> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by 
> >> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library 
> >> books for research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing 
> >> to then label them tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on 
> >> AIRA for travel assistance is some kind of unforgivable sin, I would 
> >> caution people from generally recommending using AIRA in the way that 
> >> you did at your first day at Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to 
> >> approach an RA for directions, even though you knew they would be the 
> >> most oriented, because you felt guilty about bothering them. And I 
> >> think that is an important hurdle for everyone to reflect on, 
> >> recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions and 
> >> highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed 
> >> over when talking about being an independent blind person.
> >> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, 
> >> overcome such hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched 
> >> myself out of asking authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm 
> >> simply saying that we should be careful not to inadvertently sell the 
> >> benefits of AIRA as an alternative to building peoples' advocacy and 
> >> nonvisual skills.
> >> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
> >>
> >> Connor
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via 
> >> NABS-L
> >> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
> >> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> >> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> >> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
> >> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
> >>
> >> What an interesting story. Thanks.
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
> >> Bidleman via NABS-L
> >> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
> >> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the 
> >> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on 
> >> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless 
> >> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.) 
> >> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't 
> >> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google 
> >> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy 
> >> failure... And then some.
> >>
> >> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here 
> >> it is.
> >> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first 
> >> year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing 
> >> instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue 
> >> for us as blind students and though it's slowly being worked on in 
> >> general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access to things. 
> >> I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
> >> or
> >> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
> >>
> >> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, 
> >> September
> >> 19
> >> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I 
> >> didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, 
> >> trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself for 
> >> forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one, 
> >> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major 
> >> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly 
> >> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than 
> >> enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so 
> >> brilliant, I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black 
> >> dress and high heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way 
> >> down the hill by my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again 
> >> because I realized something...
> >> I
> >> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got 
> >> turned around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There 
> >> were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of 
> >> them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five 
> >> minutes, they had me straightened out and going in the right 
> >> direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of campus from where 
> >> I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented freshmen...
> >>
> >> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like 
> >> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like 
> >> city blocks?
> >> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, 
> >> they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been 
> >> crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are twists 
> >> and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main streets 
> >> here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly accessible by 
> >> car, much less by some lost blind student.
> >> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was 
> >> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on 
> >> me so I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. 
> >> People actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and 
> >> managed to get me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, 
> >> by some happy coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I 
> >> was rushing at the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
> >>
> >> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of 
> >> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber 
> >> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test 
> >> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was 
> >> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic 
> >> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not 
> >> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You 
> >> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars 
> >> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part 
> >> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once 
> >> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was 
> >> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was 
> >> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
> >>
> >> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can 
> >> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money 
> >> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise 
> >> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in 
> >> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully 
> >> encourage you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a 
> >> technology consultant who has way more experience than me. He's 
> >> worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has 
> >> run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot, 
> >> runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is 
> >> pretty much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms 
> >> of success.
> >> He
> >> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this 
> >> innovative solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I 
> >> promise it will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
> >>
> >> Best,
> >> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> >> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> >>
> >> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.c
> >> om
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol
> >> .com
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectro
> >> nicaaustralia%40gmail.com
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > NABS-L mailing list
> > NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > NABS-L:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40
> > gmail.com
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com

From rbacchus228 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 00:11:43 2018
From: rbacchus228 at gmail.com (Roanna Bacchus)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:11:43 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
Message-ID: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>

Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great things about it.

On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Connor,
>
> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>
> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>
> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>
> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>
> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
> > using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
> > good service?
> >
> > On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >> Hi Cricket,
> >>
> >> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
> >> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
> >> like
> >> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
> >> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
> >> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
> >> for
> >> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
> >> them
> >> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
> >> is
> >> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
> >> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
> >> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
> >> even
> >> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
> >> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
> >> everyone
> >> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
> >> directions
> >> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
> >> over
> >> when talking about being an independent blind person.
> >> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
> >> such
> >> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
> >> asking
> >> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
> >> should
> >> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
> >> alternative
> >> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
> >> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
> >>
> >> Connor
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
> >> NABS-L
> >> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
> >> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> >> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> >> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
> >> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
> >>
> >> What an interesting story. Thanks.
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
> >> Bidleman via NABS-L
> >> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
> >> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
> >> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
> >> nine
> >> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
> >> Webster
> >> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
> >> skeptical
> >> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
> >> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
> >> was
> >> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
> >>
> >> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
> >> is.
> >> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
> >> of
> >> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
> >> access
> >> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
> >> students
> >> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
> >> necessary
> >> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
> >> or
> >> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
> >>
> >> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
> >> 19
> >> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
> >> didn't
> >> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
> >> bump
> >> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an
> >> a
> >> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
> >> then
> >> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
> >> problem
> >> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
> >> more
> >> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
> >> brilliant,
> >> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
> >> heels,
> >> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
> >> and
> >> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
> >> I
> >> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
> >> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
> >> freshmen
> >> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
> >> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
> >> had
> >> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
> >> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
> >> you
> >> disoriented freshmen...
> >>
> >> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
> >> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
> >> blocks?
> >> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
> >> in
> >> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
> >> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
> >> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
> >> campus
> >> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
> >> student.
> >> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
> >> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me
> >> so
> >> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
> >> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
> >> get
> >> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
> >> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
> >> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
> >>
> >> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
> >> have
> >> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
> >> to
> >> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
> >> hadn't
> >> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
> >> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken
> >> a
> >> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
> >> nice
> >> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
> >> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
> >> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
> >> And
> >> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
> >> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
> >> nowhere
> >> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
> >>
> >> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
> >> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
> >> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
> >> be
> >> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
> >> isn't
> >> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
> >> post
> >> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
> >> experience
> >> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
> >> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
> >> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
> >> pretty
> >> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
> >> He
> >> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
> >> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
> >> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
> >>
> >> Best,
> >> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> >> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> >>
> >> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> NABS-L mailing list
> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> NABS-L:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > NABS-L mailing list
> > NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > NABS-L:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com

From logan4447 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 00:33:15 2018
From: logan4447 at gmail.com (Logan Anderson)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:33:15 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>

Hi all,
I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear. I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal? 
 Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
Thank you,
Logan Patterson

 Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great things about it.
> 
>> On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Connor,
>> 
>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
>> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
>> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
>> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
>> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
>> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
>> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
>> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
>> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
>> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
>> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>> 
>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
>> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
>> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>> 
>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
>> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
>> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
>> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
>> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
>> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>> 
>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
>> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
>> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
>> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
>> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
>> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
>> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>> 
>>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>>> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>>> good service?
>>> 
>>>> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Hi Cricket,
>>>> 
>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>>>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>>>> like
>>>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>>>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>>>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>>>> for
>>>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>>>> them
>>>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
>>>> is
>>>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>>>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>>>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>>>> even
>>>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
>>>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>>>> everyone
>>>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>>>> directions
>>>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>>>> over
>>>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>>>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>>>> such
>>>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>>>> asking
>>>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>>>> should
>>>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>>>> alternative
>>>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>>>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>>> 
>>>> Connor
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>>>> NABS-L
>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>> 
>>>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>>>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>>>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>>>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>> 
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
>>>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>>>> nine
>>>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>>>> Webster
>>>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>>>> skeptical
>>>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>>>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
>>>> was
>>>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>>> 
>>>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
>>>> is.
>>>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>>>> of
>>>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>>>> access
>>>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>>>> students
>>>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>>>> necessary
>>>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>>>> or
>>>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>>> 
>>>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
>>>> 19
>>>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>>>> didn't
>>>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>>>> bump
>>>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an
>>>> a
>>>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>>>> then
>>>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>>>> problem
>>>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>>>> more
>>>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>>>> brilliant,
>>>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>>>> heels,
>>>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>>>> and
>>>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
>>>> I
>>>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
>>>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>>>> freshmen
>>>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>>>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>>>> had
>>>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
>>>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
>>>> you
>>>> disoriented freshmen...
>>>> 
>>>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
>>>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>>>> blocks?
>>>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
>>>> in
>>>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
>>>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
>>>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>>>> campus
>>>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>>>> student.
>>>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>>>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me
>>>> so
>>>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>>>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>>>> get
>>>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>>>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
>>>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>>> 
>>>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>>>> have
>>>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>>>> to
>>>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>>>> hadn't
>>>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
>>>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken
>>>> a
>>>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>>>> nice
>>>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>>>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>>>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
>>>> And
>>>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>>>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>>>> nowhere
>>>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>>> 
>>>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
>>>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
>>>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
>>>> be
>>>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>>>> isn't
>>>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>>>> post
>>>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>>>> experience
>>>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
>>>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
>>>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>>>> pretty
>>>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
>>>> He
>>>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>>>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
>>>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>>> 
>>>> Best,
>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>> 
>>>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/logan4447%40gmail.com


From keribcu at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 00:42:17 2018
From: keribcu at gmail.com (Keri Svendsen)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:42:17 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
	<BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <9ca8073a-d1b2-f786-c739-8e45901344a3@gmail.com>

You should get an email when it's been shipped. If you've not yet 
contact support.

As far as scholarships they announce on twitter, news pieces, facebook etc.


On 7/28/2018 8:33 PM, Logan Anderson via NABS-L wrote:
> Hi all,
> I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear. I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
>   Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
> Thank you,
> Logan Patterson
>
>   Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great things about it.
>>
>>> On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Connor,
>>>
>>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
>>> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
>>> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
>>> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
>>> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
>>> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
>>> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
>>> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
>>> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
>>> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
>>> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>>>
>>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
>>> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
>>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
>>> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>>>
>>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
>>> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
>>> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
>>> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
>>> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
>>> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>>>
>>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
>>> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
>>> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
>>> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
>>> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
>>> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
>>> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>
>>>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>>>> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>>>> good service?
>>>>
>>>>> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Cricket,
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>>>>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>>>>> like
>>>>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>>>>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>>>>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>>>>> for
>>>>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>>>>> them
>>>>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
>>>>> is
>>>>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>>>>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>>>>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>>>>> even
>>>>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
>>>>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>>>>> everyone
>>>>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>>>>> directions
>>>>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>>>>> over
>>>>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>>>>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>>>>> such
>>>>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>>>>> asking
>>>>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>>>>> should
>>>>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>>>>> alternative
>>>>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>>>>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>> Connor
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>>>>> NABS-L
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>
>>>>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>>>>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>>>>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>>>>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
>>>>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>>>>> nine
>>>>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>>>>> Webster
>>>>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>>>>> skeptical
>>>>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>>>>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
>>>>> was
>>>>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>>>>
>>>>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
>>>>> is.
>>>>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>>>>> of
>>>>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>>>>> access
>>>>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>>>>> students
>>>>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>>>>> necessary
>>>>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>>>>> or
>>>>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
>>>>> 19
>>>>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>>>>> didn't
>>>>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>>>>> bump
>>>>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an
>>>>> a
>>>>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>>>>> then
>>>>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>>>>> problem
>>>>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>>>>> more
>>>>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>>>>> brilliant,
>>>>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>>>>> heels,
>>>>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>>>>> and
>>>>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
>>>>> I
>>>>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
>>>>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>>>>> freshmen
>>>>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>>>>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>>>>> had
>>>>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
>>>>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
>>>>> you
>>>>> disoriented freshmen...
>>>>>
>>>>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
>>>>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>>>>> blocks?
>>>>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
>>>>> in
>>>>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
>>>>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
>>>>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>>>>> campus
>>>>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>>>>> student.
>>>>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>>>>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me
>>>>> so
>>>>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>>>>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>>>>> get
>>>>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>>>>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
>>>>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>>>>> have
>>>>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>>>>> to
>>>>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>>>>> hadn't
>>>>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
>>>>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken
>>>>> a
>>>>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>>>>> nice
>>>>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>>>>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>>>>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
>>>>> And
>>>>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>>>>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>>>>> nowhere
>>>>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>>>>
>>>>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
>>>>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
>>>>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
>>>>> be
>>>>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>>>>> isn't
>>>>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>>>>> post
>>>>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>>>>> experience
>>>>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
>>>>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
>>>>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>>>>> pretty
>>>>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
>>>>> He
>>>>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>>>>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
>>>>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>>>>
>>>>> Best,
>>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>>>
>>>>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/logan4447%40gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/keribcu%40gmail.com

-- 
Keri Svendsen


---
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From bri.rigsbee96 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 02:10:54 2018
From: bri.rigsbee96 at gmail.com (Brianna Rigsbee)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 22:10:54 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <9ca8073a-d1b2-f786-c739-8e45901344a3@gmail.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
	<BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
	<9ca8073a-d1b2-f786-c739-8e45901344a3@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <67CEDC42-C43D-4D31-927F-C0661BEA187A@gmail.com>

Logan,
As far as scholarships in order to pay for the Aira glasses goes, you can sign up for Learning Ally's College Success program, they have a back-to-school program opportunity. I can provide you with contact information for the College Success coordinator if you would like.

Best,
Bri
Brianna Rigsbee
Secretary | Connecticut Association of Blind Students
E: bri.rigsbee96 at gmail.com
C: (203) 751-0199
"You can't fly unless you let yourself fall."
"You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."

> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:42 PM, Keri Svendsen via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> You should get an email when it's been shipped. If you've not yet contact support.
> 
> As far as scholarships they announce on twitter, news pieces, facebook etc.
> 
> 
>> On 7/28/2018 8:33 PM, Logan Anderson via NABS-L wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear. I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
>>  Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
>> Thank you,
>> Logan Patterson
>> 
>>  Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great things about it.
>>> 
>>>> On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Connor,
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
>>>> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>>>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
>>>> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>>>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
>>>> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
>>>> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
>>>> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
>>>> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
>>>> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
>>>> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
>>>> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
>>>> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>>>> 
>>>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
>>>> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
>>>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>>>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
>>>> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>>>> 
>>>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>>>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
>>>> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
>>>> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
>>>> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
>>>> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
>>>> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>>>> 
>>>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>>>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
>>>> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
>>>> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
>>>> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
>>>> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
>>>> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
>>>> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>>>> 
>>>> Best,
>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>>>>> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>>>>> good service?
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Cricket,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>>>>>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>>>>>> like
>>>>>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>>>>>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>>>>>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>>>>>> them
>>>>>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>>>>>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>>>>>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>>>>>> even
>>>>>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
>>>>>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>>>>>> everyone
>>>>>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>>>>>> directions
>>>>>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>>>>>> over
>>>>>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>>>>>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>>>>>> such
>>>>>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>>>>>> asking
>>>>>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>>>>>> should
>>>>>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>>>>>> alternative
>>>>>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>>>>>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Connor
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>>>>>> NABS-L
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>>>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>>>>>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>>>>>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
>>>>>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>>>>>> nine
>>>>>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>>>>>> Webster
>>>>>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>>>>>> skeptical
>>>>>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>>>>>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it
>>>>>> is.
>>>>>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>>>>>> access
>>>>>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>>>>>> students
>>>>>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>>>>>> necessary
>>>>>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
>>>>>> 19
>>>>>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>>>>>> bump
>>>>>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>>>>>> then
>>>>>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>>>>>> problem
>>>>>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>>>>>> more
>>>>>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>>>>>> brilliant,
>>>>>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>>>>>> heels,
>>>>>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
>>>>>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>>>>>> freshmen
>>>>>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>>>>>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
>>>>>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> disoriented freshmen...
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
>>>>>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>>>>>> blocks?
>>>>>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
>>>>>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
>>>>>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>>>>>> campus
>>>>>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>>>>>> student.
>>>>>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>>>>>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me
>>>>>> so
>>>>>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>>>>>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>>>>>> get
>>>>>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>>>>>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
>>>>>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>>>>>> hadn't
>>>>>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
>>>>>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>>>>>> nice
>>>>>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>>>>>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>>>>>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the way.)
>>>>>> And
>>>>>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>>>>>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>>>>>> nowhere
>>>>>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
>>>>>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
>>>>>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>>>>>> isn't
>>>>>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>>>>>> post
>>>>>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>>>>>> experience
>>>>>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
>>>>>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
>>>>>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>>>>>> pretty
>>>>>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
>>>>>> He
>>>>>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>>>>>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
>>>>>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 02:11:55 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 19:11:55 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <5b5d0554.1c69fb81.99794.7a78@mx.google.com>
References: <5b5d0554.1c69fb81.99794.7a78@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8NL0O=ndw=5NdBb6A5Rrw10FHNXT39-m=4WqaG+4eFu0g@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Connor,

I agree that having effective independence and advocacy skills is
essential, and I would never say otherwise. I also want to point out
that to some extent, AIRA agents are trained to allow each blind
person to be independent. They do not tell you when to cross a street,
and they cannot help you do so. They can tell you what they see, but
they can't baby you in terms of actually doing things for you that you
should be able to do yourself. It already takes some degree of
independence to be able to use it most effectively. I am extremely
fluent in Braille but sometimes things aren't available in a timely
manner. I have very good travel skills, but sometimes the bus drives
right past me, or detours have to be made, or Uber drivers decide they
don't feel like picking up a blind person. I am getting increasingly
better at cooking, but it's still hard to know exactly when pastries
get golden brown, or when onions that are sautéing become translucent.
There's really no way around looking through a microscope without
assistance and if everyone else is busy, AIRA can help in a pinch. I
would never substitute AIRA for independence skills, and I would argue
that it can't replace them at all. AIRA is what you make of it, just
like most things. If you expect them to baby you and let them do so,
then that's on you and not them. I know that I personally do not do
so, and I never will. I would also never recommend AIRA specifically
to someone who doesn't have adequate independence skills because once
again, it's not a substitute. Thanks.

Best,
Cricket x. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Connor thanks for your message. I believe that all blind students should
> learn the nonvisual skills that will allow them to succeed in life. This is
> why I am currently in the Independent Living Skills program at the Rehab
> Center For The Blind here in Daytona, Beach, Florida. I survived my first
> week of the program. Last night I washed and dried my first load of laundry.
>
> On Jul 28, 2018 7:52 PM, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Cricket,
>>
>> Thank you for your thoughtful response. You are absolutely right that you
>> have the right to say what did or did not apply to your situation.
>> However, you also decided to post it in a public forum, in essence
>> presenting it to be read, evaluated, and potentially discussed. I have no
>> intention to hurt your feelings, but I do feel the need to present a
>> perspective on AIRA that I feel is not getting enough attention.
>>
>> You ask why we shouldn't use a service that improves our efficiency if it
>> is available, and I would say that it depends. Is it more efficient to
>> just have an experienced reader read for us all of our school materials,
>> for example, or is it more efficient to learn braille? The answer changes
>> whether you are thinking long or short term.
>>
>> My point being that encouraging the use of AIRA for travel to everyone at
>> large regardless of skill level sends the message, either intentional or
>> unintentional, that relying on a visual aid is easier and more desirable
>> than, say, learning the nonvisual skills necessary to get effective
>> directions and get away from the "over there's" that I agree are given to
>> us all too often.
>>
>> Connor
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cricket X. Bidleman
>> via NABS-L
>> Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 5:57 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>
>> Hi Connor,
>>
>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage you
>> to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology is
>> helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would also
>> encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where self-advocacy
>> didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation had aspects to it
>> that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No one should feel the
>> need to give every detail of everything on a public listserv. The point is
>> that it's useful during travel, and I think that point is muddled a bit by
>> this discussion. I would appreciate if we could drop this discussion here,
>> in order to preserve the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>>
>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of misinformation
>> you can get by asking random people for directions.
>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over there”,
>> and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>>
>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can navigate
>> efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use a service
>> that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day of campus
>> there are a lot of confused people around asking questions, being blind
>> and having access to trained assistance actually gives us a competitive
>> advantage. Keep that in mind.
>>
>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I don't
>> think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my situation and
>> since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the right to say that.
>> Also, please be aware that the way you presented your point was one that I
>> could take very personally and though I'm choosing not to, I would also
>> encourage you to be cognizant f that so as to offend as few people as
>> possible. Thanks.
>>
>> Best,
>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>
>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> > I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>> > using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>> > good service?
>> >
>> > On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> >> Hi Cricket,
>> >>
>> >> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>> >> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I
>> >> would like to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>> >> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>> >> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library
>> >> books for research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing
>> >> to then label them tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on
>> >> AIRA for travel assistance is some kind of unforgivable sin, I would
>> >> caution people from generally recommending using AIRA in the way that
>> >> you did at your first day at Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to
>> >> approach an RA for directions, even though you knew they would be the
>> >> most oriented, because you felt guilty about bothering them. And I
>> >> think that is an important hurdle for everyone to reflect on,
>> >> recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions and
>> >> highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>> >> over when talking about being an independent blind person.
>> >> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day,
>> >> overcome such hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched
>> >> myself out of asking authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm
>> >> simply saying that we should be careful not to inadvertently sell the
>> >> benefits of AIRA as an alternative to building peoples' advocacy and
>> >> nonvisual skills.
>> >> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>> >>
>> >> Connor
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>> >> NABS-L
>> >> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>> >> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> >> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> >> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>> >> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>> >>
>> >> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>> >> Bidleman via NABS-L
>> >> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>> >> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>> >>
>> >> Hi all,
>> >>
>> >> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
>> >> AIRA Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on
>> >> AIRA for nine months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless
>> >> thanks to Kathryn Webster for being instrumental in that process.)
>> >> I'll admit I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't
>> >> think I'd use it. I also knew they had basically repurposed Google
>> >> Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was kind of a floppy
>> >> failure... And then some.
>> >>
>> >> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
>> >> it is.
>> >> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first
>> >> year of college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing
>> >> instant access to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue
>> >> for us as blind students and though it's slowly being worked on in
>> >> general, sometimes it's necessary to have instant access to things.
>> >> I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>> >> or
>> >> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>> >>
>> >> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
>> >> September
>> >> 19
>> >> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>> >> didn't know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around,
>> >> trying not to bump into things, when I mentally slapped myself for
>> >> forgetting that I had an a capella audition, and then another one,
>> >> and then a choir audition, and then a meeting with my pre-major
>> >> advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem child constantly
>> >> asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more than
>> >> enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>> >> brilliant, I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black
>> >> dress and high heels, into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way
>> >> down the hill by my dorm and then I had to mentally slap myself again
>> >> because I realized something...
>> >> I
>> >> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got
>> >> turned around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There
>> >> were freshmen everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of
>> >> them gave me atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five
>> >> minutes, they had me straightened out and going in the right
>> >> direction. Turned out I was on the opposite side of campus from where
>> >> I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you disoriented freshmen...
>> >>
>> >> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
>> >> every sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like
>> >> city blocks?
>> >> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns,
>> >> they're in numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been
>> >> crazy, because this campus is not like that at all. There are twists
>> >> and turns everywhere and though there are a couple of main streets
>> >> here and there, most of the campus isn't even nearly accessible by
>> >> car, much less by some lost blind student.
>> >> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>> >> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on
>> >> me so I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here.
>> >> People actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and
>> >> managed to get me to my audition on time. Part of that was because,
>> >> by some happy coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I
>> >> was rushing at the end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>> >>
>> >> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of
>> >> them have ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber
>> >> because it wanted to ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test
>> >> with a textbook that I hadn't gotten in Braille on time since it was
>> >> my first quarter here. One time an agent was reading Plato's Republic
>> >> to me when I may or may not have taken a nap, and they may or may not
>> >> have had to wake me up. They were really nice about it though. You
>> >> know these people are awesome when they can even pronounce pars
>> >> opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an essential part
>> >> of the brain involved in language processing by the way.) And once
>> >> they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
>> >> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>> >> nowhere near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>> >>
>> >> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
>> >> get funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money
>> >> can go toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise
>> >> you it will be integral as you go through education and life in
>> >> general. If my word isn't enough, and even if it is, I fully
>> >> encourage you to check out this blog post by Jonathan Mosen. He's a
>> >> technology consultant who has way more experience than me. He's
>> >> worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many years has
>> >> run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a lot,
>> >> runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>> >> pretty much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms
>> >> of success.
>> >> He
>> >> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this
>> >> innovative solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I
>> >> promise it will change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>> >>
>> >> Best,
>> >> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>> >> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>> >>
>> >> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> NABS-L mailing list
>> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> >> NABS-L:
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.c
>> >> om
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> NABS-L mailing list
>> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> >> NABS-L:
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol
>> >> .com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> NABS-L mailing list
>> >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> >> NABS-L:
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectro
>> >> nicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>> >>
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > NABS-L mailing list
>> > NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> > NABS-L:
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40
>> > gmail.com
>> >
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
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> _______________________________________________
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>


From cricketbidleman at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 02:16:40 2018
From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket X. Bidleman)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 19:16:40 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
	<BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CABP7S8Na1Av24ujZ4MCOZmM1KrXrYLac1LQj+p8aRgh8OKR4cQ@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Logan!

Excellent questions. Thank you. AIRA is a relatively new innovation so
there won't be as much information as you'd like. I will again refer
you and anyone else to Gelena Correia, whose email is
gelena.correia at aira.io. She will be able to answer your questions
about scholarships and packaging and shipping stuff. I can't
unfortunately. I know that there may be some sponsorships available,
but I don't know the exact details on that yet. I would email her with
questions. Thank you for at least giving this technology a chance
before immediately dismissing it.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Logan Anderson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try
> it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the
> practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my
> college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited
> to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have
> never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will
> actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern
> me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen
> regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear.
> I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
>  Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the
> glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason
> there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
> Thank you,
> Logan Patterson
>
>  Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for
>> the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great
>> things about it.
>>
>>> On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Connor,
>>>
>>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
>>> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
>>> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
>>> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
>>> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
>>> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
>>> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
>>> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
>>> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
>>> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
>>> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>>>
>>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
>>> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
>>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
>>> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>>>
>>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
>>> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
>>> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
>>> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
>>> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
>>> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>>>
>>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
>>> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
>>> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
>>> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
>>> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
>>> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
>>> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>
>>>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>>>> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>>>> good service?
>>>>
>>>>> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Cricket,
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>>>>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>>>>> like
>>>>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>>>>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>>>>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>>>>> for
>>>>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>>>>> them
>>>>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel
>>>>> assistance
>>>>> is
>>>>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>>>>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>>>>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>>>>> even
>>>>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt
>>>>> guilty
>>>>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>>>>> everyone
>>>>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>>>>> directions
>>>>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>>>>> over
>>>>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>>>>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>>>>> such
>>>>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>>>>> asking
>>>>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>>>>> should
>>>>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>>>>> alternative
>>>>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>>>>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>> Connor
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>>>>> NABS-L
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>
>>>>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>>>>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>>>>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>>>>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
>>>>> AIRA
>>>>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>>>>> nine
>>>>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>>>>> Webster
>>>>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>>>>> skeptical
>>>>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>>>>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original
>>>>> form
>>>>> was
>>>>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>>>>
>>>>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
>>>>> it
>>>>> is.
>>>>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>>>>> of
>>>>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>>>>> access
>>>>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>>>>> students
>>>>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>>>>> necessary
>>>>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>>>>> or
>>>>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
>>>>> September
>>>>> 19
>>>>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>>>>> didn't
>>>>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>>>>> bump
>>>>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had
>>>>> an
>>>>> a
>>>>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>>>>> then
>>>>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>>>>> problem
>>>>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>>>>> more
>>>>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>>>>> brilliant,
>>>>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>>>>> heels,
>>>>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>>>>> and
>>>>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized
>>>>> something...
>>>>> I
>>>>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got
>>>>> turned
>>>>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>>>>> freshmen
>>>>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>>>>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>>>>> had
>>>>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was
>>>>> on
>>>>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks,
>>>>> all
>>>>> you
>>>>> disoriented freshmen...
>>>>>
>>>>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
>>>>> every
>>>>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>>>>> blocks?
>>>>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns,
>>>>> they're
>>>>> in
>>>>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because
>>>>> this
>>>>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere
>>>>> and
>>>>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>>>>> campus
>>>>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>>>>> student.
>>>>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>>>>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on
>>>>> me
>>>>> so
>>>>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>>>>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>>>>> get
>>>>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>>>>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
>>>>> the
>>>>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>>>>> have
>>>>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>>>>> to
>>>>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>>>>> hadn't
>>>>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time
>>>>> an
>>>>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have
>>>>> taken
>>>>> a
>>>>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>>>>> nice
>>>>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>>>>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>>>>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the
>>>>> way.)
>>>>> And
>>>>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I
>>>>> was
>>>>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>>>>> nowhere
>>>>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>>>>
>>>>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
>>>>> get
>>>>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can
>>>>> go
>>>>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it
>>>>> will
>>>>> be
>>>>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>>>>> isn't
>>>>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>>>>> post
>>>>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>>>>> experience
>>>>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for
>>>>> many
>>>>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels
>>>>> a
>>>>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>>>>> pretty
>>>>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of
>>>>> success.
>>>>> He
>>>>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>>>>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
>>>>> will
>>>>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>>>>
>>>>> Best,
>>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>>>
>>>>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/logan4447%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
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>


From santiago.blue.hernandez at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 03:41:27 2018
From: santiago.blue.hernandez at gmail.com (Santiago H)
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:41:27 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <CABP7S8Na1Av24ujZ4MCOZmM1KrXrYLac1LQj+p8aRgh8OKR4cQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
	<BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8Na1Av24ujZ4MCOZmM1KrXrYLac1LQj+p8aRgh8OKR4cQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <938C2E09-1C90-4084-BDEA-B993879032B6@gmail.com>

Hi everyone, 
In regards to Connor's point, if you don't have decent skills when it comes to your independence, you won't be getting much out of Aira either. I think it's a common misconception that Aira will help those greatly who have not yet developed orientation and mobility skills and or daily living skills. This, however; is not the case. Agents aren't going to tell you when to cross the street, or when your food seems prepared if you are cooking. They will alert you of what they see, and the choice and responsibility is yours. Yes, advocacy is great, and I encourage it as well, but it's not going to get you far if you were just handed an assignment at the last minute which is not in an accessible format, or when you have to travel to a new location without much further notice. I hope we have been able to clear up these misconceptions about the service. 

Santiago 


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 28, 2018, at 7:16 PM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Logan!
> 
> Excellent questions. Thank you. AIRA is a relatively new innovation so
> there won't be as much information as you'd like. I will again refer
> you and anyone else to Gelena Correia, whose email is
> gelena.correia at aira.io. She will be able to answer your questions
> about scholarships and packaging and shipping stuff. I can't
> unfortunately. I know that there may be some sponsorships available,
> but I don't know the exact details on that yet. I would email her with
> questions. Thank you for at least giving this technology a chance
> before immediately dismissing it.
> 
> Best,
> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
> Stanford University | Class of 2021
> 
>> On 7/28/18, Logan Anderson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try
>> it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the
>> practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my
>> college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited
>> to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have
>> never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will
>> actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern
>> me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen
>> regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear.
>> I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
>> Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the
>> glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason
>> there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
>> Thank you,
>> Logan Patterson
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for
>>> the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great
>>> things about it.
>>> 
>>>> On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Connor,
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
>>>> you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
>>>> I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
>>>> is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
>>>> willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
>>>> also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
>>>> self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
>>>> had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
>>>> one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
>>>> public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
>>>> think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
>>>> appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
>>>> the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.
>>>> 
>>>> I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
>>>> misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
>>>> Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
>>>> Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
>>>> there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.
>>>> 
>>>> As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
>>>> someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
>>>> navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
>>>> a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
>>>> of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
>>>> being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
>>>> a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.
>>>> 
>>>> Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
>>>> that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
>>>> don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
>>>> situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
>>>> right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
>>>> your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
>>>> choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
>>>> as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.
>>>> 
>>>> Best,
>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
>>>>> using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
>>>>> good service?
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Cricket,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
>>>>>> scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
>>>>>> like
>>>>>> to reflect on your story at Stanford.
>>>>>> I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
>>>>>> self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
>>>>>> them
>>>>>> tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel
>>>>>> assistance
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
>>>>>> recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
>>>>>> Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
>>>>>> even
>>>>>> though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt
>>>>>> guilty
>>>>>> about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
>>>>>> everyone
>>>>>> to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
>>>>>> directions
>>>>>> and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
>>>>>> over
>>>>>> when talking about being an independent blind person.
>>>>>> Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
>>>>>> such
>>>>>> hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
>>>>>> asking
>>>>>> authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
>>>>>> should
>>>>>> be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
>>>>>> alternative
>>>>>> to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
>>>>>> Thank you once again for your thoughts.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Connor
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
>>>>>> NABS-L
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
>>>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> What an interesting story. Thanks.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
>>>>>> Bidleman via NABS-L
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>> Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
>>>>>> Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
>>>>>> AIRA
>>>>>> Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
>>>>>> nine
>>>>>> months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
>>>>>> Webster
>>>>>> for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
>>>>>> skeptical
>>>>>> because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
>>>>>> basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original
>>>>>> form
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> kind of a floppy failure... And then some.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> is.
>>>>>> I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
>>>>>> access
>>>>>> to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
>>>>>> students
>>>>>> and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
>>>>>> necessary
>>>>>> to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
>>>>>> September
>>>>>> 19
>>>>>> of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>> know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
>>>>>> bump
>>>>>> into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had
>>>>>> an
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
>>>>>> then
>>>>>> a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
>>>>>> problem
>>>>>> child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
>>>>>> more
>>>>>> than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
>>>>>> brilliant,
>>>>>> I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
>>>>>> heels,
>>>>>> into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized
>>>>>> something...
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got
>>>>>> turned
>>>>>> around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
>>>>>> freshmen
>>>>>> everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
>>>>>> atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks,
>>>>>> all
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> disoriented freshmen...
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
>>>>>> every
>>>>>> sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
>>>>>> blocks?
>>>>>> There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns,
>>>>>> they're
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
>>>>>> campus
>>>>>> isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
>>>>>> student.
>>>>>> Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
>>>>>> cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on
>>>>>> me
>>>>>> so
>>>>>> I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
>>>>>> actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
>>>>>> get
>>>>>> me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
>>>>>> coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
>>>>>> hadn't
>>>>>> gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time
>>>>>> an
>>>>>> agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have
>>>>>> taken
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
>>>>>> nice
>>>>>> about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
>>>>>> pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
>>>>>> essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the
>>>>>> way.)
>>>>>> And
>>>>>> once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
>>>>>> nowhere
>>>>>> near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
>>>>>> get
>>>>>> funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can
>>>>>> go
>>>>>> toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
>>>>>> isn't
>>>>>> enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
>>>>>> post
>>>>>> by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
>>>>>> experience
>>>>>> than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for
>>>>>> many
>>>>>> years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
>>>>>> pretty
>>>>>> much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of
>>>>>> success.
>>>>>> He
>>>>>> uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
>>>>>> solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>> Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
>>>>>> Stanford University | Class of 2021
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/garywunder%40me.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cjmullin225%40aol.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectronicaaustralia%40gmail.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> NABS-L:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NABS-L mailing list
>>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> NABS-L:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rbacchus228%40gmail.com
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NABS-L:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/logan4447%40gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
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>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
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From janae.burgmeier at gmail.com  Sun Jul 29 06:03:52 2018
From: janae.burgmeier at gmail.com (Janae Burgmeier)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 01:03:52 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] Meet the board call today!
Message-ID: <6188628A-C496-4C21-ACC6-72450D946929@gmail.com>

Hey students!
 Join us tomorrow at 8 pm EST on our first Membership Call. We will be introducing the  NABS Board! Come with questions!  Call (712) 770-5197,  access code 265669. You don’t want to miss this call, so come bring your energy and enthusiasm!

From emitchell927 at icloud.com  Sun Jul 29 12:25:42 2018
From: emitchell927 at icloud.com (Emma Mitchell)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 08:25:42 -0400
Subject: [NABS-L] Question about punctuation
Message-ID: <3D37777C-EA35-4A9B-B810-029A73EFE83E@icloud.com>

Hey, everyone—
Is there a way of proofreading a document with voiceover on the Mac? What would you recommend listening for when writing a document like an essay or paper?

Thank you!

Emma Jane Mitchell
emitchell927 at icloud.com
Phone: 202-322-4294
Proud member of The National Association of of Blind Students: a division of The National Federation of The Blind


From schoi09 at outlook.com  Sun Jul 29 15:41:25 2018
From: schoi09 at outlook.com (Seyoon Choi)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 15:41:25 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] Question about punctuation
In-Reply-To: <3D37777C-EA35-4A9B-B810-029A73EFE83E@icloud.com>
References: <3D37777C-EA35-4A9B-B810-029A73EFE83E@icloud.com>
Message-ID: <BN6PR2201MB15089A8AD3162102284DFEDEAB280@BN6PR2201MB1508.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>

Command semicolon should do the trick on most word processing applications. I know adding shift to that combo of shortcuts causes it to pop out a dialog for spelling and grammar Check.

Hope this helps,

Regards
Seyoon,

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 29, 2018, at 7:27 AM, Emma Mitchell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hey, everyone—
> Is there a way of proofreading a document with voiceover on the Mac? What would you recommend listening for when writing a document like an essay or paper?
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Emma Jane Mitchell
> emitchell927 at icloud.com
> Phone: 202-322-4294
> Proud member of The National Association of of Blind Students: a division of The National Federation of The Blind
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/schoi09%40outlook.com

From schoi09 at outlook.com  Sun Jul 29 23:23:10 2018
From: schoi09 at outlook.com (Seyoon Choi)
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 23:23:10 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
In-Reply-To: <938C2E09-1C90-4084-BDEA-B993879032B6@gmail.com>
References: <5b5d0641.1c69fb81.730b1.7263@mx.google.com>
	<BB97EF39-6752-47E4-83F8-81983895F484@gmail.com>
	<CABP7S8Na1Av24ujZ4MCOZmM1KrXrYLac1LQj+p8aRgh8OKR4cQ@mail.gmail.com>
	<938C2E09-1C90-4084-BDEA-B993879032B6@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <BN6PR2201MB15089A1F980835C5EB659E36AB280@BN6PR2201MB1508.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>

Hi Cricket and all,
As I finally had a chance to sit down and catch up on some emails, this story was honestly the one that was worth reading all the way through, and in that regards, I see why Aira might have came so useful. As I had a chance to finally attend my first NFB national convention this year in Orlando and soon enough finding out about the fact that AIRA guest access was available, I was eager to try the service myself. In addition, Aira rep at one point showed up to a program that I was a part of prior to me flying to the convention and I was well educated about the service at that point.  I simply could not believe the excellence and usefulness that Aira provided at the convention during my free usage, from me not getting lost as I try to locate various ballrooms and around hotels… While advocacy and asking for assistance is definitely a skill that should be maintained, I instantly heavily became more and more interested about getting the subscription plan as I begin to prepare my life towards college and for things to come next year. I plan to not only apply for scholarships for AIRA subscriptions but my hope is to get in touch with my VR councilor about my state rehab possibly getting the service for those who requests it.

Seyoon
On Jul 28, 2018, at 10:41 PM, Santiago H via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi everyone,
In regards to Connor's point, if you don't have decent skills when it comes to your independence, you won't be getting much out of Aira either. I think it's a common misconception that Aira will help those greatly who have not yet developed orientation and mobility skills and or daily living skills. This, however; is not the case. Agents aren't going to tell you when to cross the street, or when your food seems prepared if you are cooking. They will alert you of what they see, and the choice and responsibility is yours. Yes, advocacy is great, and I encourage it as well, but it's not going to get you far if you were just handed an assignment at the last minute which is not in an accessible format, or when you have to travel to a new location without much further notice. I hope we have been able to clear up these misconceptions about the service.

Santiago


Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2018, at 7:16 PM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi Logan!

Excellent questions. Thank you. AIRA is a relatively new innovation so
there won't be as much information as you'd like. I will again refer
you and anyone else to Gelena Correia, whose email is
gelena.correia at aira.io<mailto:gelena.correia at aira.io>. She will be able to answer your questions
about scholarships and packaging and shipping stuff. I can't
unfortunately. I know that there may be some sponsorships available,
but I don't know the exact details on that yet. I would email her with
questions. Thank you for at least giving this technology a chance
before immediately dismissing it.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Logan Anderson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
Hi all,
I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try
it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the
practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my
college life easier. I’ve heard great things about the service and excited
to try it out. However, I’m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have
never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will
actually be shipping. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern
me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen
regularly, and I worry that if I don’t know when it comes it may disappear.
I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the
glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason
there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
Thank you,
Logan Patterson

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>>
wrote:

Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for
the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great
things about it.

On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi Connor,

First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage
you to not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology
is helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not
willing to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would
also encourage others to self-advocate, but in situations where
self-advocacy didn't happen AIRA can be very helpful. That situation
had aspects to it that I did not feel the need to detail on email. No
one should feel the need to give every detail of everything on a
public listserv. The point is that it's useful during travel, and I
think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I would
appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.

I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of
misinformation you can get by asking random people for directions.
Many people don’t know their left from their right, including RA's.
Some people will tell you that something is “that way” or “over
there”, and you can end up more confused than when you started.

As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else’s, and if
someone trained in the information blind people need so they can
navigate efficiently is available any time it’s required, why not use
a service that will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day
of campus there are a lot of confused people around asking questions,
being blind and having access to trained assistance actually gives us
a competitive advantage. Keep that in mind.

Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think
that's important to consider as we continue into higher education. I
don't think, however, that what you're trying to say applies to my
situation and since I was the one in my situation, so I do have the
right to say that. Also, please be aware that the way you presented
your point was one that I could take very personally and though I'm
choosing not to, I would also encourage you to be cognizant f that so
as to offend as few people as possible. Thanks.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or
using Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly
good service?

On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
Hi Cricket,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would
like
to reflect on your story at Stanford.
I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books
for
research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label
them
tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel
assistance
is
some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions,
even
though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt
guilty
about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for
everyone
to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for
directions
and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed
over
when talking about being an independent blind person.
Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome
such
hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of
asking
authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we
should
be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an
alternative
to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
Thank you once again for your thoughts.

Connor


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via
NABS-L
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com<mailto:garywunder at me.com>>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

What an interesting story. Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

Hi all,

This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the
AIRA
Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for
nine
months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn
Webster
for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little
skeptical
because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original
form
was
kind of a floppy failure... And then some.

So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here
it
is.
I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year
of
college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant
access
to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind
students
and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's
necessary
to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
or
something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.

I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford,
September
19
of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I
didn't
know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to
bump
into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had
an
a
capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and
then
a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the
problem
child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had
more
than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so
brilliant,
I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high
heels,
into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm
and
then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized
something...
I
didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got
turned
around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were
freshmen
everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they
had
me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was
on
the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks,
all
you
disoriented freshmen...

Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like
every
sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city
blocks?
There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns,
they're
in
numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because
this
campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere
and
though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the
campus
isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind
student.
Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on
me
so
I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to
get
me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at
the
end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.

Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them
have
ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted
to
ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I
hadn't
gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time
an
agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have
taken
a
nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really
nice
about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the
way.)
And
once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I
was
studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was
nowhere
near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.

So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can
get
funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can
go
toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it
will
be
integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word
isn't
enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog
post
by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more
experience
than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for
many
years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels
a
lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is
pretty
much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of
success.
He
uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it
will
change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)

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From bluezinfandel at hotmail.com  Mon Jul 30 14:38:28 2018
From: bluezinfandel at hotmail.com (Ben Fulton)
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:38:28 +0000
Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
Message-ID: <CY4PR22MB0552DAD42DF2D5E6A4B9432FA82F0@CY4PR22MB0552.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>

	
Hi Julie,

You make a good point that it is the responsibility of guide dog users to
ensure that their dog does not inconvenience others. I'm just trying to see
where exactly that line is. If a guide dog user has failed to keep their dog
groomed, and the dog leaves hair and dander in the cab of an allergic
driver, is the guide dog user then responsible for a cleaning fee. - I've
heard that cleaning fees can be rather high, and I think this would also be
discrimination in practice. I'm pretty sure that no guide dog user would
want to find themselves confronted with an invoice for a cab cleaning. I
know I wouldn't.

Regarding Tyler's situation. I'm not sure if my interpretation here is
correct. - Tyler, are you saying that you told the company that you had a
guide dog, at the time you were ordering the ride, and they still sent a
driver that then refused you service because of your dog.

If that is truly the case then I am amazed, and think that it is completely
unacceptable. If you told them you had a dog, and they still sent a driver
that was unwilling to take you and your dog then the company just isn't
interested in accommodating you. Really, if you told them you had a dog,
then dispatch could have done a better job of communicating with their
drivers.

All the best,
Ben

Hi all,

Yes, Tyler and Aleeha are quite right on this one.  I have been denied Ubers
before, and the original article that was shared hits home because one of
those Uber drivers actually tried to put my dog in the trunk.

I have been working dogs for ten years, and fly a few times a year.
Last year I flew every six weeks or so.  There has never been a problem
accommodating my guide dog with the limited space at my feet under the seat.
I will say that if you fly Fronteer, you may need to take the middle seat
because that will be the best fit.  But even then, the other passengers were
super friendly and chill about having a guide dog next to them.  For those
who feel they need more room, the bulkhead seats are available.  I don't
personally fly bulkhead, but that accommodation can be requested at the
gate.  There is no need to let the airline know ahead of time that you have
a dog.

I would recommend never giving notice to a company that you have a service
animal.  All this does is invite them to discriminate.  They will choose
what seat they think works best for you.  They will find you assistance you
don't need and didn't ask for.  They will give you all kinds of attention
you don't want.  Sometimes, they will deny you access.  Just don't open
yourself up for that headache.  If you need a large cab because you're
traveling with a larger group, by all means tell them that you have four
people and need a four-door vehicle.
These companies should not be given any reason or excuse to discriminate
against us.

You asked about the line between our responsibilities as service animal
users and our rights.  Our responsibilities are to keep our dogs
well-behaved, under control, and well-groomed at all times.  Our
responsibility is to know how our dogs fit under seats, in cars, and in
hotel rooms among others.  If you or anyone else doesn't know how to fit a
dog under an airplane seat, talk to the many handlers who have done it
before.  I am not as cool as this message makes me seem...  :)  But I
routinely fit a 75-pound Labrador under the airplane seat in front of me.
It's nothing to him at this point.
Many of us on this list have lived in dorm rooms with dogs and fit them into
small classrooms on campus.  These dogs are trained to handle small spaces
for hours at a time.

You are correct that a dog cannot block an isle, so we say goodbye to the
isle seat as dog users.  But honestly, other than obeying the safety rules
like the one about the isle, we have the right to sit where we want.  I
don't like when I am told by someone representing a business what I should
do with my dog.  It is my responsibility to know where the dog fits and to
ensure that my dog's presence doesn't inconvenience everyone else.  Hope
this makes sense.

Julie



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		</td>
	</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1"
height="1"></a></div>

On 7/17/18, Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I can assure you that I've taken many many more than 6 flights. I can 
> also assure you that most attendants didn't even pay attention to the 
> service animal being checked. That said, I can tell you that sometimes 
> I was given an empty seat if it were available, but that kind of thing 
> was done at the gate--sometimes, rarely at the counter.
>
> I can also tell you that I am the point of contact for Massachusetts 
> for the Lyft and Uber guide dog denial work that the NFB is doing. One 
> of these resulted in a lawsuit, the other resulted in structured 
> settlement and the NFB is extending resources to pursue this issue. 
> While I am glad that you have not been denied a cab due to a service 
> animal, I've had it happen to me many many times, and so have many 
> other blind people. It's important not to project your luck into these 
> issues by saying that this doesn't happen, then throw responsibility 
> at the feet of those of us who have been denied numerous times. I've 
> probably had well over 100 Lyft denials, and some of those were in 
> cities I've taken flights too, well over 6 flights as a matter of fact,
some of them were in my own home city.
>
> It's also worth note that it is not my obligation, nor my duty to 
> provide information that I have a guide dog to any cab company.
> Conversely, it is my right, and the duty and obligation of the cab 
> company to follow federal law and not deny me simply because of a 
> service animal. This said, I have informed many Lyft drivers of the 
> fact that I do have a guide dog, and many times this concept doesn't 
> sink in because the drivers that end up denying me are shocked at the 
> idea of a dog in their car.
> Thanks,
> On 7/17/2018 4:52 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>>
>> I have taken 6 flights so far, and an extra seat has been provided on 
>> every flight. I guess it is because I extended the courtesy to let 
>> them know that I have a dog with me. Also, when ordering a cab, I've 
>> never had it take longer because I told them I have a dog. It hasn't 
>> been a problem at all, and I've never had a cab driver show up and 
>> then be unable to provide me with service. What responsibilities 
>> should lie with the person seeking accommodations in making their 
>> request known to the service provider, in a way that allows the 
>> service provider to provide those accommodations.
>>
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
>> Message-ID: <5b4cde07.1c69fb81.5c72e.9333 at mx.google.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> Tyler is quite right. I travel by air and by cab all the time, and 
>> neither requires that I disclose my service animal. They offer that 
>> as a courtesy to those who wish to disclose, but we are not required. 
>> Under the law, your dog cannot take up more than your allotted seat 
>> space, so airlines do not have to give that to you. I know that some 
>> airlines, mainly in Canada, will give an extra seat upon request, but 
>> you still do not have to disclose.
>> Aleeha Dudley
>>
>>
>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>
>> From: Littlefield, Tyler via NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 1:18 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Cc: Littlefield, Tyler; Ben Fulton
>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L Cab driver suspended
>>
>> I travel a few times a year. airlines ask if you have a service 
>> animal, but they're not asking so they can keep the seat open. They 
>> will put someone in the seat next to you if it's a full flight, and 
>> if there's no room you need to learn how to position your dog 
>> properly.
>>
>> Taxi services -do not- need to ask you if you have a guide dog. They 
>> should legally transport you, and predisclosing this information 
>> ahead of time is a problem. I am, nor should I be required to 
>> disclose that I have a guide dog so that they can try to find a cab 
>> driver who will accept my dog, because that (from experience) takes 
>> longer to get a cab.
>> Thanks,
>> On 7/16/2018 1:08 PM, Ben Fulton via NABS-L wrote:
>>> I am also a guide dog user. So, I can say that some airlines do 
>>> require you to let them know if you are travelling with an animal. - 
>>> Some of the webpages even have a button that asks yes/no if you have 
>>> a
>> service animal.
>>> This makes sense if they are to have your dog in the cabin, they 
>>> need to make sure there is room. I have never been charged extra, 
>>> but the airline does need to know because they keep the seat next to 
>>> you open for
>> your dog.
>>> Not to be on the seat, of course, but because there is not enough 
>>> room for your dog at your feet, and blocking the aisle is a hazard. 
>>> I have flown with my dog several times now. So, I know what I'm talking
about.
>>>
>>> Similarily, when you are travelling with multiple people the cab 
>>> companies want to know how many people, so they know what vehicle to 
>>> send. - They are not collecting information about you specifically, 
>>> I'm not reading anything in all of this that says that the person 
>>> has to give their name, so all that I'm saying is that the companies 
>>> know what they are transporting, not the name of you or your dog. 
>>> Just if they
>> need space that is suitable for a dog.
>>> Like if I was booking a cab for four people, I would let them know, 
>>> and if I didn't and the company sent a two-door hatchback I couldn't 
>>> blame them for it.
>>>
>>> The law is that they cannot deny you, that person's with a diability 
>>> need to be accommodated, but it must be possible for them to 
>>> accommodate. The accommodations cannot create undue hardship. If 
>>> they are attempting to accommodate and failure to communicate 
>>> results in there being undue hardship in implementing the 
>>> accommodations then the person with a disability will have a more 
>>> difficult time in establishing that their rights have been violated.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>> Message-ID: <5b4bbea1.1c69fb81.cad4c.7068 at mx.google.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> As a service animal user myself, I feel that it is totally 
>>> inappropriate for a taxi company to collect information about me and 
>>> my service animal. The law says that allergies and fear of dogs are 
>>> not reasons a driver can deny someone with a service animal. 
>>> Airlines also do not require notice of travel with a service animal.
>>> Aleeha
>>>
>>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>>
>>> From: Ben Fulton via NABS-L
>>> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 4:01 PM
>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Ben Fulton
>>> Subject: [NABS-L] NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>>
>>>
>>> I agree. This is totally unacceptable. I wish that cab companies 
>>> would start collecting information about whether the person 
>>> requesting the ride has a service animal, so the company could send 
>>> a driver who is not allergic. The data collection is lacking, and I 
>>> wonder if any of the cab companies even ask their drivers about
allergies.
>>>
>>> A number of airlines now ask about service dogs, and are quite 
>>> accommodating when given the proper notice. Cab companies need to 
>>> follow
>> suit.
>>> & what about the health risk that dog might experience riding in the
>> trunk.
>>> It seems like the dog might be breathing in more exhaust, it is 
>>> certainly not legal for people to ride in trunks. The cabbie should 
>>> have had dispatch send a replacement.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:20:40 +0000
>>> From: Armando Vias <a.vias at outlook.com>
>>> To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Subject: [NABS-L] Cab driver suspended
>>> Message-ID:
>>> 	
>>> <BL0PR01MB40340D4130120FB7695834AB9E5F0 at BL0PR01MB4034.prod.exchangel
>>> ab
>>> s.com>
>>> 	
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>
>>> Hey guys. I just came across the story. A cab driver got suspended 
>>> for
>> this.
>>> It is about a blind woman and her service dog. Some of you might 
>>> have heard about this. I believe that this is wrong. This is totally 
>>> unacceptable. Here is the link.
>>> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergy/allergic-cabbie-forces-eye-dog
>>> -r
>>> ide-tr
>>> unk-fined/story?id=13791380
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
nabs-l-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: July 30, 2018 8:00 AM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: NABS-L Digest, Vol 141, Issue 22

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Today's Topics:

   1. Question about punctuation (Emma Mitchell)
   2. Re: Question about punctuation (Seyoon Choi)
   3. Re: A technology recommendation for all of you (Seyoon Choi)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 08:25:42 -0400
From: Emma Mitchell <emitchell927 at icloud.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [NABS-L] Question about punctuation
Message-ID: <3D37777C-EA35-4A9B-B810-029A73EFE83E at icloud.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=utf-8

Hey, everyone?
Is there a way of proofreading a document with voiceover on the Mac? What
would you recommend listening for when writing a document like an essay or
paper?

Thank you!

Emma Jane Mitchell
emitchell927 at icloud.com
Phone: 202-322-4294
Proud member of The National Association of of Blind Students: a division of
The National Federation of The Blind



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 15:41:25 +0000
From: Seyoon Choi <schoi09 at outlook.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Question about punctuation
Message-ID:
	
<BN6PR2201MB15089A8AD3162102284DFEDEAB280 at BN6PR2201MB1508.namprd22.prod.outl
ook.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Command semicolon should do the trick on most word processing applications.
I know adding shift to that combo of shortcuts causes it to pop out a dialog
for spelling and grammar Check.

Hope this helps,

Regards
Seyoon,

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 29, 2018, at 7:27 AM, Emma Mitchell via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> Hey, everyone?
> Is there a way of proofreading a document with voiceover on the Mac? What
would you recommend listening for when writing a document like an essay or
paper?
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Emma Jane Mitchell
> emitchell927 at icloud.com
> Phone: 202-322-4294
> Proud member of The National Association of of Blind Students: a 
> division of The National Federation of The Blind
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/schoi09%40outlook.
> com

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2018 23:23:10 +0000
From: Seyoon Choi <schoi09 at outlook.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you
Message-ID:
	
<BN6PR2201MB15089A1F980835C5EB659E36AB280 at BN6PR2201MB1508.namprd22.prod.outl
ook.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi Cricket and all,
As I finally had a chance to sit down and catch up on some emails, this
story was honestly the one that was worth reading all the way through, and
in that regards, I see why Aira might have came so useful. As I had a chance
to finally attend my first NFB national convention this year in Orlando and
soon enough finding out about the fact that AIRA guest access was available,
I was eager to try the service myself. In addition, Aira rep at one point
showed up to a program that I was a part of prior to me flying to the
convention and I was well educated about the service at that point.  I
simply could not believe the excellence and usefulness that Aira provided at
the convention during my free usage, from me not getting lost as I try to
locate various ballrooms and around hotels? While advocacy and asking for
assistance is definitely a skill that should be maintained, I instantly
heavily became more and more interested about getting the subscription plan
as I begin to prepare my life towards college and for things to come next
year. I plan to not only apply for scholarships for AIRA subscriptions but
my hope is to get in touch with my VR councilor about my state rehab
possibly getting the service for those who requests it.

Seyoon
On Jul 28, 2018, at 10:41 PM, Santiago H via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi everyone,
In regards to Connor's point, if you don't have decent skills when it comes
to your independence, you won't be getting much out of Aira either. I think
it's a common misconception that Aira will help those greatly who have not
yet developed orientation and mobility skills and or daily living skills.
This, however; is not the case. Agents aren't going to tell you when to
cross the street, or when your food seems prepared if you are cooking. They
will alert you of what they see, and the choice and responsibility is yours.
Yes, advocacy is great, and I encourage it as well, but it's not going to
get you far if you were just handed an assignment at the last minute which
is not in an accessible format, or when you have to travel to a new location
without much further notice. I hope we have been able to clear up these
misconceptions about the service.

Santiago


Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2018, at 7:16 PM, Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi Logan!

Excellent questions. Thank you. AIRA is a relatively new innovation so there
won't be as much information as you'd like. I will again refer you and
anyone else to Gelena Correia, whose email is
gelena.correia at aira.io<mailto:gelena.correia at aira.io>. She will be able to
answer your questions about scholarships and packaging and shipping stuff. I
can't unfortunately. I know that there may be some sponsorships available,
but I don't know the exact details on that yet. I would email her with
questions. Thank you for at least giving this technology a chance before
immediately dismissing it.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Logan Anderson via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
Hi all,
I have a couple practical questions about the service. I have decided to try
it, because I think my situation it would be useful. I have all the
practical skills to get by without it, but it would make many aspects of my
college life easier. I?ve heard great things about the service and excited
to try it out. However, I?m kind of confused. I signed up for it, but I have
never received anything back from the service about when my glasses will
actually be shipping. I?m not sure if this is normal, but it does concern
me. I live in an area where unfortunately package theft does happen
regularly, and I worry that if I don?t know when it comes it may disappear.
I guess my question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it normal?
Also, how does one find out about scholarship programs to pay for the
glasses and service? I have googled many times, but for whatever reason
there seems to be little to no information about it on the website.
Thank you,
Logan Patterson

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2018, at 8:11 PM, Roanna Bacchus via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>>
wrote:

Hi Cricket thanks for your message. I agree that Aira is a useful tool for
the blind. I have not personally used Aira, but I have heard lots of great
things about it.

On Jul 28, 2018 6:56 PM, "Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi Connor,

First of all, I welcome your perspective. I would, however, encourage you to
not make assumptions as to what I am and am not willing to do.
I mainly said what I did to illustrate the point that this technology is
helpful in many different areas of life. I never said that I am not willing
to self-advocate and I am, very much so, and I do. I would also encourage
others to self-advocate, but in situations where self-advocacy didn't happen
AIRA can be very helpful. That situation had aspects to it that I did not
feel the need to detail on email. No one should feel the need to give every
detail of everything on a public listserv. The point is that it's useful
during travel, and I think that point is muddled a bit by this discussion. I
would appreciate if we could drop this discussion here, in order to preserve
the integrity of what I was trying to say. Thanks.

I also want to point out that there's an amazing amount of misinformation
you can get by asking random people for directions.
Many people don?t know their left from their right, including RA's.
Some people will tell you that something is ?that way? or ?over there?, and
you can end up more confused than when you started.

As blind people, our time is just as valuable as anyone else?s, and if
someone trained in the information blind people need so they can navigate
efficiently is available any time it?s required, why not use a service that
will improve our efficiency. Also, if on the first day of campus there are a
lot of confused people around asking questions, being blind and having
access to trained assistance actually gives us a competitive advantage. Keep
that in mind.

Again, I appreciate the meat of what you're trying to say and I think that's
important to consider as we continue into higher education. I don't think,
however, that what you're trying to say applies to my situation and since I
was the one in my situation, so I do have the right to say that. Also,
please be aware that the way you presented your point was one that I could
take very personally and though I'm choosing not to, I would also encourage
you to be cognizant f that so as to offend as few people as possible.
Thanks.

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

On 7/28/18, Roger Newell via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
I don't see the distinction between asking an RA for assistance or using
Aira. Visual assistance was required, so why not use a perfectly good
service?

On 7/29/18, Connor Mullin via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
Hi Cricket,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on AIRA. As a recipient of a NFB
scholarship, I will also enjoy nine months of minutes. However, I would like
to reflect on your story at Stanford.
I am anticipating using AIRA for tasks that are best solved by
self-directing visual aids, such as reading mail, reading library books for
research projects, and identifying the colors of clothing to then label them
tactilely. Yet, while I don't think relying on AIRA for travel assistance is
some kind of unforgivable sin, I would caution people from generally
recommending using AIRA in the way that you did at your first day at
Stanford. That is, you were hesitant to approach an RA for directions, even
though you knew they would be the most oriented, because you felt guilty
about bothering them. And I think that is an important hurdle for everyone
to reflect on, recognizing that fears of approaching people for directions
and highlighting your blindness is something that should not be passed over
when talking about being an independent blind person.
Now, I'm not saying you never have, before or after that day, overcome such
hesitations, nor am I saying that I have never psyched myself out of asking
authority figures for directions. Rather, I'm simply saying that we should
be careful not to inadvertently sell the benefits of AIRA as an alternative
to building peoples' advocacy and nonvisual skills.
Thank you once again for your thoughts.

Connor


-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>>
On Behalf Of Gary Wunder via NABS-L
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 10:28 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Gary Wunder <garywunder at me.com<mailto:garywunder at me.com>>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

What an interesting story. Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cricket X.
Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 12:07 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman
Subject: [NABS-L] A technology recommendation for all of you

Hi all,

This is long. Please read it anyway. As of last July, I received the AIRA
Back-to-School award. Basically, this gave me free minutes on AIRA for nine
months, the last of which recently ended. (Endless thanks to Kathryn Webster
for being instrumental in that process.) I'll admit I was a little skeptical
because first of all, I didn't think I'd use it. I also knew they had
basically repurposed Google Glass, and Google Glass in its original form was
kind of a floppy failure... And then some.

So Cricket, where's that "recommendation" you promised us? Well, here it is.
I can say, through my own abundant use of the software in my first year of
college, that I sincerely feel that AIRA is revolutionizing instant access
to all areas of life. Accessibility is a huge issue for us as blind students
and though it's slowly being worked on in general, sometimes it's necessary
to have instant access to things. I'd call it "accessibility on demand"
or
something like that. One particular instance comes to mind.

I was incredibly overwhelmed. It was my first day at Stanford, September
19
of last year. My parents had just left me in a dorm full of people I didn't
know, in a place I'd never been to. I was walking around, trying not to bump
into things, when I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that I had an a
capella audition, and then another one, and then a choir audition, and then
a meeting with my pre-major advisor. I really didn't want to be the problem
child constantly asking for help from the RA's who, quite frankly, had more
than enough disoriented freshmen to deal with. So, because I'm so brilliant,
I walked out of my dorm with my cane, wearing a black dress and high heels,
into 90 degree weather. I made it all the way down the hill by my dorm and
then I had to mentally slap myself again because I realized something...
I
didn't know the campus at all. I walked around a bit, and then got turned
around, and then got lost, and then got even more lost. There were freshmen
everywhere, but they were all lost too, and a bunch of them gave me
atrociously  wrong directions. I called AIRA and in five minutes, they had
me straightened out and going in the right direction. Turned out I was on
the opposite side of campus from where I was supposed to be. Thanks, all you
disoriented freshmen...

Let me tell you something about Stanford campus. you know how like every
sane person designing a college campus makes them arranged like city blocks?
There are clear streets, buildings are arranged in grid patterns, they're in
numerical order... Stanford's designer must have been crazy, because this
campus is not like that at all. There are twists and turns everywhere and
though there are a couple of main streets here and there, most of the campus
isn't even nearly accessible by car, much less by some lost blind student.
Google Maps doesn't really help, so my AIRA agent (Emma) was
cross-referencing three different maps while trying to keep an eye on me so
I wouldn't step in a fountain. Yes, that is a possibility here. People
actually jump in fountains for fun. Emma is phenomenal, and managed to get
me to my audition on time. Part of that was because, by some happy
coincidence, I'd left three hours early, but even so I was rushing at the
end. At least I made it, sore feet and all.

Anyway since then, I've had many experiences with AIRA, and all of them have
ended up positive. One time I was chasing down a Uber because it wanted to
ditch me... One time I was cramming for a test with a textbook that I hadn't
gotten in Braille on time since it was my first quarter here. One time an
agent was reading Plato's Republic to me when I may or may not have taken a
nap, and they may or may not have had to wake me up. They were really nice
about it though. You know these people are awesome when they can even
pronounce pars opercularis properly. I can't even do that. (That's an
essential part of the brain involved in language processing by the
way.)
And
once they were able to describe, in extreme detail, a brain diagram I was
studying for psychology. I later got the Braille diagram, and it was nowhere
near as detailed as the AIRA agent's description.

So my point is, please do yourself a huge favor and get AIRA. You can get
funding for it from the Department of Rehab. Or scholarship money can go
toward it, or you can apply for their scholarships. I promise you it will be
integral as you go through education and life in general. If my word isn't
enough, and even if it is, I fully encourage you to check out this blog post
by Jonathan Mosen. He's a technology consultant who has way more experience
than me. He's worked with Humanware and Freedom Scientific, and for many
years has run his own consulting company. He designs websites, travels a
lot, runs several podcasts and a radio station, writes books, and is pretty
much the kind of person many of us aspire to emulate in terms of success.
He
uses AIRA and in this post, talks about how powerfully this innovative
solution has impacted his life. Please give it a read--I promise it will
change your outlook. https://mosen.org/aira/

Best,
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021

P.S. If you have Emma as your AIRA agent, tell her I said hello. :)

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Subject: Digest Footer

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End of NABS-L Digest, Vol 141, Issue 22
***************************************



From matthewhgip at gmail.com  Mon Jul 30 22:07:22 2018
From: matthewhgip at gmail.com (Matthew Gip)
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:07:22 -0700
Subject: [NABS-L] Join Outreach Committee Call
Message-ID: <187E74A9-BA44-4ED0-B71D-9DF54B3CB641@gmail.com>

Hey Students! 

My name is Matt Gip, and I am one of the Co-Chairs for the NABS Outreach Committee. I would like to invite you all to our first committee meeting call next Monday, August 6th, at 9 pm eastern. We will be discussing ways on improving outreach for our division and building membership. 

Here is a list of projects we will be working on this year: 
-Improving our social media presence 
-Building more resource-based content for our website 
-Updating and finding content for our blog 
-Creating content for our podcast 
-Creating informational YouTube videos 

If you are interested in helping out with any of these categories and would like to get involved, we would love for you to join us! We welcome all participation with positive energy, exciting ideas, and eager dedication. 

Call: (712) 770-5197
Access code: 265669 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Thanks, 
Matt 

Matthew Gip
President | California Association of Blind Students 
A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of California 
Co-chair | National Association of Blind Students Outreach Committee 
Phone: (559) 375-2068
Email: matthewhgip at gmail.com
Live The Life You Want! 

From nfbjb at comcast.net  Tue Jul 31 18:32:29 2018
From: nfbjb at comcast.net (John Brown)
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2018 13:32:29 -0500
Subject: [NABS-L] braille and speak cable needed
Message-ID: <auto-000108794381@mailfront1.g2host.com>

Please reply to him directly as he is most likely not on this list.

Dave



My braille and speak is about to die and I cannot 
save it without a USB cable to transfer my 
files.  I do not have the money to replace it 
with a new note taker so please help me if you can.

John Brown

111 McMurray Circle

Nashville TN 37211

Phone: 615 331792
nfbjb at comcast.net
Thank you.


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