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

Sat Aug 2 15:41:03 UTC 2014

Right on the mark Ted!

On 8/2/14, Edward Robbins via Nfbmt <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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Dan Burke
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