[nfbwatlk] FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: Offer for Orientation and Mobility specialists and a discount for all of ys

Thu Aug 14 20:35:38 UTC 2014

I think the offer is nice. I do not think it's an O&M instructor's
responsibility to teach technology and that skills without technology
should take priority. However, I was speaking to an O&M instructor
just yesterday who didn't even know that OneBusAway is accessible on
the iPhone. It would be cool if O&M instructors could have a bit
better of an idea of information tools out there since many blind
people receive services from O&M instructors but do not necessarily
interact with other blind people. Of course, this in of and itself is
another issue, but I am consistently floored at the lack of
information provided O&M instructors about accessible information
tools. I know they are inundated with heavy case loads, but I feel
like some simple introductory trainings or at least news about cool
new tech tools would be great for them to fit in to their schedule so
they can pass the information on to clients.

Cindy

On 8/14/14, Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR) via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Damn. How did we get along before technology? I'm sure mobility instructors
> want their blind students to learn how to get around independently. Does
> this get us independent, or merely self-reliant? Or isn't there a
> difference?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbnet-members-list [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of David Andrews via Nfbnet-members-list
> Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 11:38 AM
> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: Offer for Orientation and Mobility
> specialists and a discount for all of ys
>
>
>>
>>The following announcement comes from Rob Nevin <rob at u-r-able.com>
>>
>>
>>FREE copy of BlindSquare GPS for Orientation and Mobility Specialists
>>
>>Attention All Orientation and Mobility Specialists,
>>
>>I have exciting news to announce about BlindSquare, the popular
>>accessible GPS-app developed for the blind and visually impaired.
>>BlindSquare GPS, an iOS application reasonably priced at $29.99, is now
>>available to Orientation and Mobility Specialists/Instructors for FREE.
>>
>>Wouldn't it be Awesome to have a GPS application tell you how the
>>intersection you are stand at works? In this initiative, WE as
>>Orientation and Mobility Specialists, now have the opportunity to
>>utilize our skills of intersection analysis and share that information
>>with the entire BlindSquare User Network.  Imagine, traveling to a new
>>city and having this information available in advance!
>>
>>But more!  BlindSquare is Much More than Just your Normal VoiceOver
>>Accessible GPS App for the iPhone
>>
>>BlindSquare describes the environment, announces points of interest and
>>street intersections as you travel. In conjunction with free,
>>third-party navigation apps it is a powerful solution providing most of
>>the information blind and visually impaired need to travel independently.
>>
>>BlindSquare gives real time, valuable information to Visually Impaired
>>and Blind Users while traveling independently. BlindSquare can be
>>utilized as an instructional tool to teach cardinal directions,
>>time/distance, cognitive mapping skills, residential, small business,
>>and business districts, as well as assist users in planning, saving,
>>and implementing a travel route. BlindSquare will tell you your
>>currently location thus eliminating the need to change apps and ask
>>Siri "Where am I". BlindSquare will also allow you to orientate
>>yourself to your current location utilizing its Look Around feature.
>>Simply point your phone in any directions and listen as BlindSquare
>>tells you cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), the next
>>street over, as well as how far away the targeted street is (feet). If
>>you are not good at cardinal directions change the settings to utilize
>>information your students maybe more familiar with. BlindSquare will
>>allow the user to change the Style of Directions given by allow the
>>user to choose between cardinal directions, Proportional, Degree, and
>>clock face directions. You are also able to change the Distance Unit
>>Spoken to feet, meters, or yards. While traveling a given route to your
>>destination, BlindSquare will assists the Visually Impaired or Blind
>>Traveler by continuously spatially updating the traveler by announcing
>>your current location as well as alert you to the next upcoming street
>>and your distance from it. This information can also be controlled in
>>the settings to change the distance in which the announcement takes
>>place from long, medium, or shorter distances from the intersections.
>>This is a great instructional tool as your student becomes more of an
>>independent traveler the amount of prompting about the next upcoming
>>street can easily be reduced. While traveling a route, setup non-visual
>>landmarks by marking your position or saving places (i.e. McDonalds is
>>a landmark for everyone and "Sighties"  utilize visual cues to give
>>directions SO can you).
>>Get personal and create or track your own routes to be saved.
>>
>>BlindSquare also uses information from other iOS applications like
>>FourSquare.  Imagine when planning a route that includes a restaurant
>>as the destination unlocking crowd-sourced information and be able to
>>review both patron ratings and the menu in advance!
>>
>>With Aftershokz headsets, fully control the BlindSquare app by touch
>>while your iOS device is in your pocket or backpack.  Turn by turn
>>directions while retaining street sounds thanks to the Aftershokz
>>bone conduction headset.   Buy Aftershokz, for a limited time, for
>>10% off and free shipping using our discount code "yourtsvi".
>>www.aftershokz.com
>>
>>Come and collaborate, share data of intersections you have analyzed,
>>and participate or help build my new BlindSquare classroom at
>>www.yourtsvi.wikispaces.net.
>>
>>To get your Free copy of BlindSquare and participate in this new
>>exciting collaborative team contact:
>>
>>Andrea Bodnari
>>Assistive Technology Specialist, M.S., TVI, OM, LVR yourtsvi at gmail.com
>>www.andreashead.wikispaces.com
>>(717) 278-1795
>>
>>
>>Special Thanks to These Contributing Sponsors!!!!
>
>          David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
> E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>
>
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-- 
Cindy Bennett
Treasurer of the Greater Seattle Chapter and of the National
Federation of the Blind of Washington
Affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind

clb5590 at gmail.com