[Nfbmt] [NFBMT] Fwd: Invitation to BLVS Forum

Sat Aug 2 10:10:47 UTC 2014

There are plenty of places on the web to learn about what technology is out 
there, including the vendors themselves: Freedom Scientific, Humanware, Hymns, 
others.  There are publications like Access World and web sites like 
www.flyingblind.com, as well as The Braille Monitor and the NFB web site.  I 
don't know that BLVS or any one entity can be expected to be the one-stop shop 
for all things accessible technologically.  JAWS and Window-Eyes have training 
and tutorials on their web site, some of which is free.  Even Apple has some 
help on their web site.  Many devices have built-in tutorials and explanatory 
built-in manuals, some of which are better than others.  There are even 
demonstration videos on YouTube.  Jim A., you yourself have often been a 
resource for many things technological for many of us.

One of the founding principles of the NFB in my opinion is that if you don't 
know how to do something and I do, I can show you what I know, and vise versa.

Because Montana is so far flung geographically, one person can't be everywhere 
at once.  Each office has a rehabilitation therapist, and part of their 
training and expertise is to teach technology.

Maybe one of the ways that the technology person in Helena could be of help to 
us is to schedule webinars on topics of interest, or maybe we could figure out 
how to do that ourselves.  There have been webinars put on by companies such 
as Freedom Scientific for teaching certain specifics about JAWS, for instance, 
and many companies and other interested parties have podcasts available for 
download.

I remember a few years ago someone from Freedom Scientific came out here and 
put on a week long seminar about JAWS at the Great Falls College of 
Technology, and I think they also came to Missoula at least once.  Maybe 
arranging something like that periodically would be helpful.  I remember 
Sheila talking about attending the PILS program in order to learn skills that 
would be useful in living on your own.  Maybe something like that could be 
done again.  I have often thought it would be cool to have a technomobile that 
would periodically go around the state and stay somewhere for a week and 
demonstrate technology to those who were interested, and maybe hold classes.

The technoperson in Helena is just a phone call away.  He may not know all the 
answers, but if he doesn't he will try to find them out and get back to you.

Just some thoughts.

Joy

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James Aldrich via 
Nfbmt
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 8:29 PM
To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] Fwd: Invitation to BLVS Forum

Hi Rik and all,

I believe this tech conference was a trial balloon! Perhaps this is more my 
interpetation of it but all of us who participated felt this was a big step in 
the right direction for BLVS. We keep saying we need to know more about what 
technology is available and we need to learn how to use it! This was evident 
when this conference took place! Ted Robbins, our treasurer and myself managed 
to get into the conference.
Beverly Berg, Bruce Breslauer, and Jim Marks from BLVS participated in this 
first conference! I appologize if i missed anyone! I know of two others who 
attempted to join the conference but couldn't for any number of reasons.

Ted Robins joined by phone and I managed to get on the State of Montana's 
Webex client.  I probably was bumpped off three times or so but that could 
have been due to a setting in my PC or Webex itself. Ted and I discussed the 
technology we normally use and all of us came to the conclusion BLVS wasn't 
doing anything to inform us about what technology is available or providing 
adequate training for anyone to learn how to utilize the technology they have. 
Many of us would like to procure some technology through BLVS.

Beverly Berg inquired  whether it would be beneficial for their technology 
person to visit each office for a day so we would have access to this person! 
We felt this wouldn't be beneficial since we would need to go to the office 
and once there, it would be doubtful we could get quality technology training 
from this person!

It was suggested that more time be made available for people to connect prior 
to the conference!  Perhaps if people could phone or go on Webex an hour 
before the conference, more people might have time to ask myself or any others 
about the number to call or how to connect to Webex. Perhaps more would be on 
the conference! The hour before the conference wasn't mentioned but a time 
prior to the conference was suggested for people to learn how to go onto Webex 
or phone in!

As I see it, hats off to BLVS!  This is a step in the right direction!
I'm hoping we'd get a longer notice period prior to the conference!
The Victor Stream and perhaps other players were mentioned as well.
This may have happened during my down time!

I'm looking forward to the next technology conference through BLVS.

James Aldrich
President
National Federation Of The Blind Of Montana (406_ 698-3729 
jkaldrich at samobile.net

Original message:
> So sorry!
> I would very much have liked to participate.
> Late to the dance is what I was.
> Maybe if I had had just a bit more time. As it is with all family
> visiting, and so on, no way could I have made it anyhow.
> Sorry.

> How much time is there for the commenting process?
> Thanks.
> Rik

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Marks via Nfbmt
> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 10:51 AM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
> Subject: [Nfbmt] Fwd: Invitation to BLVS Forum

> Please join this form to provide BLVS direction on its technology
> services.  Note the date is coming up fast.

> Jim Marks
> blind.grizzly at gmail.com

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Invitation to BLVS Forum
> Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:30:55 +0000
> From: Marks, Jim <jimmarks at mt.gov>
> To: 'blind.grizzly at gmail.com' <blind.grizzly at gmail.com>

> *BLIND AND LOW VISION*

> *FOCUS FORUM REGARDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY*

> Blind and Low Vision Services is sponsoring a Focus Forum about how
> assistive technology services are provided.   The meeting is scheduled
> for *July 30 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. via Web-Ex or telephone.
> * Individuals with visual impairment or blindness are encouraged to
> participate.

> Participants are asked to respond to the following questions:

> * What is BLVS's role for assistive technology?

> *What assistive technology needs related to computers, notebooks,
> netbooks and smart phones are not being met by BLVS?

> *What suggestions do you have for BLVS to meet those needs?

> To participate via Web-Ex go to
> https://hhsmt.webex.com/hhsmt/j.php?MTID=m506894e660aa9711927fe9106d8db68f.
> The password is "*BLVS*".

> To participate via teleconference call *1-877-668-4490.*  The access
> code is *570 606 309*.

> If you have questions or wish further information contact Beverly Berg
> at (406) 444-4178 or 877 296-1197.

> -----

> Jim Marks

> Administrator of Disability Employment and Transitions Division

> Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services

> PO Box 4210

> 111 North Last Chance Gulch

> Helena, MT 59604

> jimmarks at mt.gov

> (406) 444-2591

> FAX 406.444.3632

> http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/

> "The legitimate purpose of society and its governments is not to
> govern people and to promote the good life for them, but to empower
> them to govern themselves and to provide the good life for themselves
> and their fellow humans."  Justin Dart

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