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</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The meeting of the Historic Fredericksburg<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapter of the NFB was called to order by the
president, Holly Frisch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members in
attendance included Chris, Jodi, Traci, Dick and Sue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minutes of the previous meeting were included
in the Crier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dick gave a treasurer’s
report indicating a balance of $5,032.00 in the checking account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Holly needed to leave early, we moved
right on to the day’s program.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Technology overview –There is a large and growing number of
old and new tech devices, programs, and websites available for the BVI
community. I mentioned a few at the meeting. The descriptions below are short
so if you have questions, please contact me. I will share whatever I know.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>COMPUTERS – I use
some Apple<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but I never had Mac. I am
Windows based. I started using Zoomtext at work 15 years ago and still do. I
never learned JAWS. The company that produced Zoomtext merged with Freedom
Scientific the maker of JAWS. The programs have been combined into a new
product called FUSION.I have not tried it.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other main
software I use is Microsoft Office, Excel and Word.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Websites include
basics like Amazon, AOL mail, and banking sites. If you get audiobooks through
the Library of Virginia and the Library of Congress, you might greatly prefer
downloading via LOC.com and BARD. Much easier to use.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After talking computers, we moved to
smartphones. Apple has long led the way in accessibility. Others are improving
but the iPhone leads the way in the BVI community. I have an iPhone 7.
Depending on where you buy a phone and the carrier, a 7 or 8 might be less than
$400. Even a 10R could be close to that. If you get a phone, get at least 32
GB.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next we talked
APPs. I started with the BeMyEyes app. It is a free APP with over 2 million
volunteers to help a person see when needed. I used the APP and a lady
answered. I said it was a demo and she gladly helped. A totally free APP. This
app can also be used to contact major companies like Microsoft, Google, and I
believe Apple, with other companies possibly joining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will use your camera to look at your
computer problem and help you fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have not tried this but it could be very useful.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other APPs are
for banking, shopping, and a whole lot more. Podcasts and BlindAbilities also
have APPs along with NFB Newsline. I cannot forget the BARD APP. This is from
the Library of Congreess. It allows you to download books a magazines to your
phone or iPad.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, Amazon
ECHO devices. If you have the internet andWiFi, you can have an Echo.dot and
Echo.plus. They can play radio stations from far away or music or podcasts. One
example would be to say – Alexa enable BlindAbilities. Then you could play any
of their Podcasts from their most recent to their first.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brittany has
some productivity APPs that we can share at a later date. Remember contact me
if I can help you with what I know.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Holly mentioned that several chapters in the state had had
some problems with their bank accounts and procedures for using them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the next state convention there will be a
mandatory training program for chapter treasurers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By doing this we hope to eliminate errors
made accidentally or because of lack of information.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
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</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Dick Byrne<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">rtbyrne@aol.com<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
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