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

Sat Aug 2 14:03:27 UTC 2014

Joy et al,
	Your thoughts were exactly some of the ideas discussed (except for
the techmobile)..  We discussed that the State person could provide basics
in instruction or point the individual in the proper direction to get the
help.  Many times an individual doesn't know what he doesn't know and needs
help in getting the "desire" to learn some of the basics.
	You are correct in that we need to share our knowledge, but often
making the connection is the problem.
	Years ago I heard	 the statement that, "You can lead a horse
to water, but can't make him drink".  Then later heard, "Its not your job to
make him drink, but to make him thirsty".
	Lets get our organization stronger by making folks thirsty.
Ted

EDWARD C "TED" ROBBINS
, CEO MBEI, Treasurer NFB of Montana & MANAGER MAB EQUIPMENT PROGRAM
PHONE & FAX:  406 453 6678, CELL:  406 799 6268
104 RIVERVIEW 5 E
GREAT FALLS  MT   59404

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bruce&Joy
Breslauer via Nfbmt
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 4:11 AM
To: 'James Aldrich'; 'NFB of Montana Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] [NFBMT] Fwd: Invitation to BLVS Forum

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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