[NFBSea] Join us for the 2018 Microsoft Soundscape Paddle Palooza on Lake Sammamish!

[Nightingale, Noel]

From: Amos Miller <Amos.Miller at microsoft.com>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2018 12:43 PM
To: Jessica Rafuse (CELA) <jrafuse at microsoft.com>; Adreon, Mark (DSB) <mark.adreon at dsb.wa.gov>
Cc: Microsoft Soundscape Feedback <soundscapefeed at microsoft.com>
Subject: RE: Join us for the 2018 Microsoft Soundscape Paddle Palooza on Lake Sammamish!



Come participate in a fun kayaking adventure at Lake Sammamish state park on August 8th, 2018 at 10:00am. The event has been organized by a group of Microsoft employees as part of the Microsoft annual hackathon, in partnership with Outdoors for All<outdoorsforall.org>. We are creating a kayaking experience for people who are blind / low vision with 3D audio markers on the lake using a hacked version of Microsoft Soundscape<aka.ms/soundscape>.

The game design requires two people per kayak; the primary participant (the Boat Captain) will row in the rear seat and will be the driver/navigator.  We will provide a sighted rower in the front seat to help avoid collisions and provide visual information (if needed on the spot), but they will not be using Soundscape to locate the virtual beacons. Remember, you will be the captain of the kayak and the primary player. There will also be experienced kayakers on the lake who can provide guidance as needed.

The technology includes a phone and stereo headset and is designed to allow you to set an “audio beacon” to various virtual markers on the lake, thereby letting you know where they are and allowing you to row towards them. Details on game rules will be provided on the day of the event.

You will be given guidance on how to use the Soundscape technology in conjunction with rowing the kayak, and you will be given a period of practice before you will be invited to join the main area of the game. You can expect a competitive and fun nature to the game.

The entire session will last approximately 2 hours and there will be about 20 other participants in total. It’s sure to be a fun and rewarding experience. 😊

We have limited places, so to register or to find out more please e-mail us at soundscapefeed at microsoft.com<mailto:soundscapefeed at microsoft.com>.

Warm regards,





From: Jessica Rafuse (CELA)
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 7:49 PM
To: Adreon, Mark (DSB) <mark.adreon at dsb.wa.gov>
Cc: Microsoft Soundscape Feedback <soundscapefeed at microsoft.com>
Subject: Fwd: Join us for the 2018 Microsoft Soundscape Paddle Palooza on Lake Sammamish!

Hi Mark,
Microsoft is celebrating One Week with our annual Hackathon. This year, one of the teams is creating an accessible kayak event and we would love to invite some members of our local blind community to join in the fun. Do you mind sharing this invitation?

If you or others are interested, please email Emily at soundscapefeed at microsoft.com

Hope to see you on the lake!

Jessica


________________________________
From: Amos Miller <amos.miller at microsoft.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 5:59 PM
To: Jessica Rafuse (CELA)
Cc: John Lord; Kelsey Spiel; Emily Greene (Aerotek US)
Subject: Join us for the 2018 Microsoft Soundscape Paddle Palooza on Lake Sammamish!

Hey Jessica

Wow what a hacking week. Here’s our invitation email to the Kayaking event. We can have 4 to 5 participants. Emily will be the contact for registration. Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything else you need.

Thanks for your help, this is exciting
Amos

==========

Comeparticipate in a fun kayaking adventure at Lake Sammamish state park onAugust 8th, 2018 at 10:00am. The event has been organized by a group of Microsoft employeesas part of the Microsoft annual hackathon, in partnership withOutdoors for All<https://outdoorsforall.org/>. We are creating a kayaking experience for people who are blind / low visionwith 3D audio markers on the lake using a hacked version ofMicrosoft Soundscape<aka.ms/soundscape>.

The game designrequires two people per kayak; theprimary participant (the Boat Captain) will row in the rear seatand will be the driver/navigator.  We will provide a sighted rowerin the front seat to help avoid collisions and provide visual information (if needed on the spot),but they will not be using Soundscape to locate the virtual beacons. Remember, you will be the captain of the kayak and the primary player. There will also be experienced kayakers on the lake who can provide guidance as needed.

The technology includes aphone andstereo headset and is designed to allow you to set an“audio beacon” to various virtual markers on the lake, thereby letting you know where they are and allowing you to row towards them. Details on game rules will be provided on the day of the event.

You will be given guidance on how to use the Soundscape technology in conjunction with rowing the kayak, and you will be given a period of practice before you will be invited to join the main area of the game. You can expect a competitive and fun nature to the game.

The entire session will last approximately 2 hours and there will be about 20 other participants in total. It’s sure to be a fun and rewarding experience.😊

We have limited places, so to register or to find out more pleasee-mail us at soundscapefeed at microsoft.com<mailto:soundscapefeed at microsoft.com>.

Warm regards,
The Kayak hack team

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