[Nfbwv-talk] TECHNOLOGY EXPO AT NFBWV STATE CONVENTION: Spread the Word

[Ed McDonald]

As an added attraction during our upcoming state convention, the National 
Federation of the Blind of West Virginia will present its first ever 
Technology Exposition.  The event will take place on Friday, August 3, 9:00 
AM to 5:00 PM, in the combined Green and Violet rooms at the Holiday Inn and 
Suites, Barboursville, WV.  Five vendors of blindness-related technology are 
currently scheduled to participate.

Between 9:00 AM and noon, there will be a seminar during which all vendors 
will have an opportunity to discuss and demonstrate their products and/or 
services.  Then from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM, the vendors will staff tables in 
the exhibit area where interested individuals can ask questions and get a 
hands-on look at a variety of technologies.

The five participants in the exposition are:

American Foundation for the Blind Technology and Employment Center in 
Huntington (AFBTECH): Darren Burton will introduce a newly-developed 
note-taking application for Apple devices.  He will also discuss and 
demonstrate non-visual access features of the I-Phone, I-Pod Touch, and 
I-Pad.

GW Micro, Fort Wayne, IN: Marc Solomon tells us that he "will discuss and 
demonstrate the latest advancements in computer and digital access 
technology from GW Micro. Come and learn about how to use the new Windows 8 
operating system with the popular Window-Eyes screen reader or how to read 
print materials with the touch screen compatible Readit Wand digital capture 
system.  Have you ever wanted to use Skype to stay in touch with friends and 
family?  If so, you will want to check out GW Micro's free and accessible 
GWConnect application. In addition, at this year's convention, GW Micro will 
be showcasing the ISci Lab Solution, which enables blind students to 
participate in hands-on lab experiments and other scientific classroom 
activities."

Integration Technologies Group (ITG), Falls Church, VA: ITG is--among other 
things--the West Virginia dealer for HumanWare products.  These include the 
BrailleNote and VoiceNote notetakers; the Trekker line of GPS pedestrian 
travel devices, including the Trekker Breeze; and the Victor line of reading 
devices, including the popular Victor Reader Stream.

The Michael Hingson Group, Novato, CA: Michael Hingson will discuss and 
demonstrate the K-NFB Reader; the Blio E-book reading system; and some 
current technology initiatives recently undertaken by the NFB Research and 
Development Committee.  He will also have available for purchase both print 
and audio copies of his best-selling book, "Thunder Dog."

West Virginia Library Commission, Special Services Unit: Librarian Shawn 
Faircloth will discuss and demonstrate the NLS Digital Talking Book Players; 
new access components of NFB Newsline; and other library services.

This event offers an excellent opportunity for blind individuals, parents of 
blind children, VI teachers, counselors, and others interested in assistive 
technology for blind persons to get a first-hand look at some of the latest 
developments in the field.  Plans for this event came together rather 
quickly, and so we have not had a lot of time to publicize it through the 
usual channels.  Therefore, we're asking that you please help spread the 
word to all who may wish to attend.

For more information, contact Ed or Karen McDonald at 304-788-0129 or by 
email at

 karen at eioproductions.com