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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Austin Tapp <<a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, 22 January 2025 10:17 pm<br><b>To:</b> Mosen, Jonathan <<a href="mailto:jmosen@nfb.org">jmosen@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org">ALewis@nfb.org</a>>; Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu">maudette@odu.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org">president@nfbv.org</a>; Walker, Bruce N <<a href="mailto:bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu">bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu</a>>; Bob Crockett <<a href="mailto:bob@haptx.com">bob@haptx.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ>Hi Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ>Could you kindly circulate the below message? Thanks for your help and support!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span lang=EN-NZ>Austin<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-NZ>Hello, my name is Austin Tapp, and I’m reaching out on behalf of our research team at Old Dominion University regarding an NIH National Eye Institute-funded project. The project aims to gather feedback on our state-of-the-art electronic braille and haptic system, which are designed to revolutionize accessibility for the visually impaired community. This study leverages haptic feedback gloves embedded with Braille cell grids on the fingertips. Developed in collaboration with HaptX, a leader in haptic feedback technologies, this system combines advanced tactile actuation with digital Braille and graphical content to create a seamless and accessible experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><u><span lang=EN-NZ>We are looking for volunteers to participate in this study and share their insights</span></u><span lang=EN-NZ>. Participation involves testing the gloves, navigating virtual environments, and providing feedback on their experience. The study must be completed by January 31st, so please do not hesitate to contact us! If you know anyone who may be interested, or if you would like further information, please let me know by email at: <a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-NZ>Thank you for considering participating in our study. Your assistance will help us achieve meaningful advancements in accessibility technologies for the visually impaired community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-NZ>Best regards, <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Austin Tapp, Ph.D.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Postdoctoral Researcher</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>and Michel Audette, Ph.D.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Old Dominion University,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Norfolk, VA.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>; office phone: 757-683-6940. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-NZ>On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 9:21</span><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ>AM Mosen, Jonathan <<a href="mailto:jmosen@nfb.org">jmosen@nfb.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Austin, this technology does sound very interesting.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dave Andrews maintains our NFBNet mailing lists, and if you could provide me with the text of what you’d like to distribute, I am happy to ask him to send it to relevant NFBNet lists.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Also, we have a technology podcast, Access On, where we sometimes communicate interesting items of news. Depending on your deadline, we could run it there as well.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hope that helps.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Jonathan Mosen<br>Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>410-659-9314, extension 2233 | <a href="mailto:%20jmosen@nfb.org" target="_blank" title="mailto: jmosen@nfb.org">jmosen@nfb.org</a></span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><a href="https://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1833in;height:.7916in' id="_x0000_i1038" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1037" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt=Facebook></span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1036" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt=Twitter></span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1035" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt=Youtube></span></a><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Austin Tapp <<a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com" target="_blank">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, 21 January 2025 3:26 pm<br><b>To:</b> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a>; Walker, Bruce N <<a href="mailto:bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu" target="_blank">bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu</a>>; Bob Crockett <<a href="mailto:bob@haptx.com" target="_blank">bob@haptx.com</a>>; Mosen, Jonathan <<a href="mailto:jmosen@nfb.org" target="_blank">jmosen@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Dear all,<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Just a quick follow up on my last message. Is there any opportunity for us to send out a request for volunteers through a mailing list? Thanks for your support!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Austin Tapp<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 7:47</span><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ>PM Austin Tapp <<a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com" target="_blank">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Hi Anil, Tracy, and Jonathan,<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>I hope this email finds you well. Would it be possible for you to distribute a request for participation in the study Dr. Audette described in his previous emails? We are looking for a few volunteers to experience our state-of-the-art electronic braille/haptic system and give their feedback.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>In short, the study uses haptic feedback gloves with braille cell grids embedded in the fingertips. When users navigate a virtual space, they can feel and read the content within that space via the gloves pushing certain braille cells into their fingertips. This is a project done in collaboration with an industry leader in haptic feedback, HaptX (<a href="https://haptx.com/" target="_blank">https://haptx.com/</a>) and we hope it will ultimately revolutionize accessibility for the visually impaired community.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>If you have any questions or would like further information to pass on to potential volunteers, please let me know. <u>We have until the 31st to conduct these studies, so the sooner we can reach out to participants, the better!</u><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Thank you for your time and assistance,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>Austin Tapp<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-NZ>On Mon, Jan 13, 2025 at 8:04</span><span lang=EN-NZ style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ>AM Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>It is probably best if you coordinate this directly with Tracy as NFB of Virginia president. He probably has the ability to reach out to more blind people in Virginia. Of course, I would also be willing to assist if needed.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Also looping in Jonathan Mosen, our CENA executive director. He may also be able to provide some assistance.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Sincerely,<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Anil<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Executive Director </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>(410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 12, 2025 4:35 PM<br><b>To:</b> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a>; austinrtapp <<a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com" target="_blank">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>>; Walker, Bruce N <<a href="mailto:bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu" target="_blank">bruce.walker@psych.gatech.edu</a>>; Bob Crockett <<a href="mailto:bob@haptx.com" target="_blank">bob@haptx.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Hi Anil, </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>I neglected to mention my other collaborators, copied here. One of them is Bruce Walker of GA Tech, while the CEO of Haptx, which makes the gloves, is Bob Crockett. I had intended to copy everyone originally, but somehow mistyped your email address in the first email. I'm told that you and Bruce might know each other. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Cheers, </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Michel</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="m_-1890569686402608823m_343736257194950942m_-2750046126599197065Signature"><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Michel Audette, Ph.D.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Old Dominion University,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Norfolk, VA.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'><a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>; office phone: 757-683-6940. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=1 width="98%" align=center></div><div id="m_-1890569686402608823m_343736257194950942m_-2750046126599197065divRplyFwdMsg"><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 12, 2025 11:39 AM<br><b>To:</b> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a> <<a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a>>; austinrtapp <<a href="mailto:austinrtapp@gmail.com" target="_blank">austinrtapp@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University</span> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Hi Anil, </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Thanks for your kind reply. Yes, precisely. Around Hampton Roads specifically, which includes Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News area if possible. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>I am reachable by email or by phone (either my office number below or my cell 757 470 1279). I am copying my postdoctoral fellow, Austin Tapp. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Best wishes, </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>Michel</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Michel Audette, Ph.D.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Old Dominion University,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Norfolk, VA.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div id="m_-1890569686402608823m_343736257194950942m_-2750046126599197065x_Signature"><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'><a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>; office phone: 757-683-6940. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=1 width="98%" align=center></div><div id="m_-1890569686402608823m_343736257194950942m_-2750046126599197065x_divRplyFwdMsg"><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 12, 2025 9:43 AM<br><b>To:</b> Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a> <<a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University</span> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left style='border-collapse:collapse;box-sizing:border-box;border-spacing:0px'><tr style='height:34.5pt'><td width=9 style='width:7.0pt;background:firebrick;padding:1.25pt 5.5pt 1.25pt 1.5pt;height:34.5pt'></td><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:whitesmoke;padding:1.25pt 3.75pt 1.25pt 11.25pt;height:34.5pt'><p style='mso-element:frame;mso-element-frame-hspace:2.25pt;mso-element-wrap:around;mso-element-anchor-vertical:paragraph;mso-element-anchor-horizontal:column;mso-height-rule:exactly'><b><span style='color:black'>EXTERNAL to ODU:</span></b><span style='color:black'> This email is not from an ODU account. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Michel:</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Looks like you are interested in recruiting people to participate locally. Does that mean in the Virginia area?</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Anil</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>Executive Director<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>(410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p><b>From:</b> Audette, Michel A. <<a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank">maudette@odu.edu</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, January 10, 2025 5:25 PM<br><b>To:</b> Lewis, Anil <<a href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">ALewis@nfb.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:president@nfbv.org" target="_blank">president@nfbv.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> haptics-driven Braille study for visually impaired at Old Dominion University<span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p> <span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>Dear Mr Lewis, </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>Your contact info was given to me just now by Tracy Soforenko of National of the Blind of Virginia. I reached out to him in order to help me recruit Braille readers locally, in conjunction with a project funded by National Eye Institute at National Institute of Health. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>My postdoctoral researcher Austin Tapp is developing software to drive the Braille streaming, which converts written lexical data from a digital source or website. We have something in mind for graphical data as well, as part of the same research, but currently we are concentrating on the lexical aspect: the Braille characters. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>To help you make a decision on the human subjects aspect, the proposal of this funded grant is included here. We are working with the Haptx company, which is supplying specially modified haptic gloves with tactile actuator ("tactor") patterns that support Braille characters. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>I'm reachable on the number below next week if you want to have a discussion on research details. Thanks for your consideration. Best wishes,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><div id="m_-1890569686402608823m_343736257194950942m_-2750046126599197065x_x_x_Signature"><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Michel Audette, Ph.D.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Old Dominion University,</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>Norfolk, VA.</span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#467886;background:white'><a href="mailto:maudette@odu.edu" target="_blank"><span style='color:#467886'>maudette@odu.edu</span></a></span></u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>; office phone: 757-683-6940. </span><span lang=EN-NZ><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></body></html>