[Njtechdiv] Njtechdiv Digest, Vol 81, Issue 3

Sun Apr 15 15:10:32 UTC 2018

For victor stream please contact Brian mackey or Anne Marie Cook. Angela
Perone 

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Today's Topics:

   1. Researchers develop autonomous vehicles to help the blind
      (Mario Brusco)
   2. assistance needed with a victor reader problem (Janie Degenshein)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2018 16:04:19 +0000
From: Mario Brusco <mrb620 at hotmail.com>
To: "njtechdiv at nfbnet.org" <njtechdiv at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Njtechdiv] Researchers develop autonomous vehicles to help
	the blind
Message-ID:

<CY1PR0301MB2011496DAAF7347ECC3C5C5F86B30 at CY1PR0301MB2011.namprd03.prod.outl
ook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Researchers develop autonomous vehicles to help the blind
https://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/text/Technology/2018/0413/Researchers-d
evelop-autonomous-vehicles-to-help-the-blind

By Jason Dearen, Associated Press | April 13, 2018

In 2012, Steve Mahan, who is blind, climbed into the driver's seat of a
self-driving car and rolled up to the drive-thru of a Taco Bell in a video
that's been viewed more

than 8 million times online.

The piece, produced by Google, captured the potential of autonomous-car
technology to change the lives of the visually impaired.

"It was my first time behind the steering wheel in seven years and was
absolutely amazing," Mr. Mahan said.

Self-driving-car advocates say that in addition to helping the disabled, the
vehicles will allow people to do other tasks while driving and make roadways
safer by

removing human error.

But six years after Google's viral video, national advocates for the
estimated 1.3 million legally blind people in the United States are worried
the industry is not

factoring their needs into the design of the new technology, a mistake they
say will make the cars more expensive and harder for them to access.

"Although we have been held up as obvious beneficiaries of the technology in
conversations and presentations, this will have just been exploitation if
the systems

are not accessible," said Anil Lewis, executive director of the National
Federation of the Blind's Jernigan Institute.

"How about instead of Taco Bell, we demonstrate a blind person independently
operating an autonomous vehicle, dropping off his/her kids at school on the
way to

work, and maybe stopping by a Starbucks on the way?"

The concerns are fueling new research outside the auto industry to develop
data and software meant to help ensure the needs of the blind are met when
autonomous

cars become commonplace.

In a University of Florida study, blind people are using experimental
software that could be easily installed in cars and peoples' phones.

On a recent sunny winter day in central Florida, Sharon Van Etten eased into
the backseat of an SUV and began speaking to a computer screen in front of
her.

"Where do you want to go?" the computer's voice responded.

Ms. Van Etten, who is legally blind, said "Kmart," and off the car sped, the
computer's voice intoning, "Central Christian Church on the left" 
and other landmarks as

they coasted down the street. When the driver pulled the car up to the
store, the voice told Van Etten which side to exit from and mentioned some
of the obstacles

she'd face between the car and the store entrance.

University of Florida researcher Julian Brinkley developed the program,
which he has named "Atlas." Using data he collects from users like Van Etten
and others

through collaboration with the Florida Center for the Blind in Ocala, he's
figuring out the specific needs blind people have using self-driving cars,
and using his

software to solve problems.

"If I'm a visually impaired person and I don't have the ability to verify
visually that I'm at the appropriate location, how do I know that it's not
dropping me off in a field

somewhere?" Mr. Brinkley said. "In the case of autonomous cars, hopefully
accessibility will be moved to the forefront by some of the research."

Brinkley doesn't have access to a self-driving vehicle so instead uses a
process developed by Stanford University researchers in a specially
configured conventional

vehicle. Participants interact with vehicle-control software in what appears
to be a self-driving vehicle, and the vehicle's driver, hidden behind a
partition, uses

instructions from the software to drive to the right place.

Participants don't know that a human driver is at the controls.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Texas A&M
University, and the US Army Research Laboratory also are working on
accessibility issues for

driverless vehicles for blind and other people with disabilities.

At Waymo, Google's self-driving-car company that started nearly a decade
ago, officials say visually impaired employees contribute to design and
research.
While no specific system for blind riders has been completed, the company
says it's developing a mobile app, Braille labels, and audio cues.

Spokespeople for General Motors Cruise AV group, Nissan North America Inc.,
and Toyota Research Institute all said the companies are committed to
accessibility in

general but offered no further comment.

Mahan, the man famous for the YouTube video who still consults with Waymo,
said he's cautiously optimistic.

"Autonomous vehicles aren't being designed for blind people; we're one of
the beneficiaries of the technology," he said from his San Jose, Calif.,
home.
"They're working on it. I don't push. They expose me to what they're working
on, and so I'm patiently waiting."

Autonomous-car industry analysts say the needs of disabled people are being
discussed as designers figure out how users will interface with the cars,
but there are

many competing demands.

"They're trying to figure out what way to interface with these vehicles for
riders, and to build a sense of trust about what the vehicles are doing,"
said Sam

Abuelsamid, an analyst with Navigant Research in Detroit. "But right now, I
don't know if anyone has all the answers."

In the meantime, advocates for the blind have turned to Florida's Brinkley
and other researchers to push development forward. Back in Ocala, Cinzhasha
Farmer

giggled nervously as the Atlas voice spoke to her.

She was eager to participate in Brinkley's study so she can one day drive
without relying on others.

"It's one of my goals, and I don't know how I'll ever accomplish it ? 
but that car may do it," she said with a smile.

Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics, and
related links.
https://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2018/0413/Researchers-develop-autonomou
s-vehicles-to-help-the-blind

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:55:44 -0400
From: "Janie Degenshein" <jdegen16 at comcast.net>
To: "new jerseytechdiv" <njtechdiv at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Njtechdiv] assistance needed with a victor reader problem
Message-ID: <B753904F3FE740959BB5EF0BE52D9A6F at JanePC>

received this from tech div board member Annemarie Cooke.
Can anyone assist her?
thanks friends

-----Original Message----- 
From: Annemarie Cooke
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2018 10:54 PM
To: Janie Degenshein
Subject: Re: Fw: Archive NFBNJ: Technology Division Minutes Monday, March 19

and Agenda Monday, April 16, 2018 at 8 PM

Hi there, my dear Tecchnology Diva! Wondering if you can post this
question in advance of Monday's meeting just in the off chance that
someone else has shared my experience.

Out of the blue,I have a weird  problem with both of my Victor Stream
New Generation. On the keypad, both the pound key and the star key no
longer work. This means I cannot search for the Internet in a new
location nor select one I have used previously.

Has anyone else had this issue? I will call Humanware on Monday  to
see what they can tell me.

Thanks in advance, dear Janie!

Annemarie
On 4/13/18, Janie Degenshein <jdegen16 at comcast.net> wrote:
> Hey guys
> Get outside this weekend and enjoy a beautiful Saturday and then you will 
> be
>
> ready to share in our great technology division conference call this 
> Monday
>
> night, April 16 at 8 PM
> woo hoo
> See you all then friends
>
> From: joe ruffalo
> Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2018 9:23 PM
> To: Jane Degenshein ; joe ruffalo ; ELLEN SULLIVAN ; Anna Kresmer ; Mary 
> Jo
>
> Partyka
> Subject: Archive NFBNJ: Technology Division Minutes Monday, March 19 and
> Agenda Monday, April 16, 2018 at 8 PM
>
> Anna, please archive.
> Jane and Mary Jo, thanks for the minutes and agenda for Monday, April 16.
> Ellen, as acting secretary for the affiliate,when you receive from me,
> please forward to all chapter/division presidents.
> It is our policy to share the minutes and agenda with all 
> chapters/divisions
>
> presidents in NFBNJ.
> I will do so with a separate email for the following and copy you and you
> can save the email addresses for future use.
>
> Joe
>
> **
> Hello All
> Hoping you have had a beautiful holiday season and are ready to get back
> into our technology division  with info to share or questions to ask!
> Below, you will find the minutes/agenda and I hope to see you on our next
> tech conference call.
> Use the number: 1 515 604 9570
> Code: 612068 POUND
> ***
>
> National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
> NJABTU New Jersey Association of Blind Technology Users
>
> Minutes from our tech div meeting Monday, March 19  2018 at 8 PM
> Welcome remarks
> Jane thanked all for being on this call and also recognized Misty Hagan 
> for
> making her reminder calls.
> 1 Roll Call
> There were 32 in attendance
> Officers
> Jane Degenshein President
> Tony Santiago Vice President
> Mary Jo Partyka Recording Secretary
> Misty Hagan Corresponding Secretary
> Lydia Keller Treasurer
> Board
> Mario Brusco, Annemarie Cooke
> Membership
> Rebecca Bryant ,  Pat Bunce ,  Les Cameron , Samson Carr, Fannie Davis, ,
> Linda Deberardinis,
> Lori  De Marco , Alice Eaddy, Laura Falk, , Chris Franz,   Renee Freiling,
> Anne Marie Harris , Phil Harrison, , Ken Lawrence, Marian Lee, , Brian
> Mackey,
> Brian McGrath , Linda Melendez, Angela Perone
>
> Guests:
> Julius Braimah , Alisha Hawkins, Leroy Nash, Ali Hassain, Jimmy
> Vonderlinden, Andy Smith
> 2 Secretary's Report: Mary Jo Paartyka
> Mary Jo asked if all received the minutes
> Motion: Linda De Berardinis
> Seconded: Linda Melendez:
> Discussion and all voted favorably.
> 3 Treasurer's Report: Lydia Keller
> Lydia stated that the beginning balance was $647.56 and that $10.00 was
> taken out for the PAC Plan.
> The ending balance is
> $637.56.
> Motion: Brian Mackey
> Seconded: Phil Harrison:
> vote called and passed.
> 4 Friendly reminder sent out for those that have not paid dues
> Just to let all know that there are still several of you that need to send
> in your dues .
> Send in your $5 dues to Lydia Keller as soon as possible friends.
> 5 Update CBVI/State Convention
> Jane let everyone know that Governor Murphy assured those who attended a
> meeting concerning the status of the Commission for the Blind and Visually
> Impaired (cbvI) indicated that the agency would remain intact as it
> currently stands and will not be incorporated into a different division.
> Dan
> Frye's job was posted and Joe knows
> ofat least three peoplewho applied for it.
> The State convention will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Iselin from
> November 1 through November 4. Joe will send out information, concerning
> the
> hotel shortly and specified that Access Link passengers must ask for the
> Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge, not Iselin. :
> 6 Guest slot: Tony Santiago
> Tech tip time with Tony
> Yes he is ready and raring to go on this tech tip time regarding the
> seeing ai app and all it does for FREE!
> Tony Santiago discussed the Seeing AI app which was produced by Microsoft
> and explained the various channels where people could go to have short
> texts
> and documents read. The app can also identify products, colors,
> handwriting,
> , money, when a light is on or off, and recognize faces if the correct
> pictures are taken. he app is free and Microsoft is working to make
> itworkable for everyone. In order to get to the channel you want, you must
> flick up and down Seeing AI is available for those who use Android phones.
> You must have WIFI to use the app.
> Tony also talked about another app called Dictation Bridge  that he got
> from
> the weekly top tech tidbits sent out by Janie Degenshein
> With this app, you can dictate your email and give verbal commands The app
> is free and dictated material will be present on the Notepad. The built-in
> microphone works well but you can buy a separate microphone if you want 
> to.
> Dictation Bridge works with Dragon dictation. Old/New Business: All
> Jane talked briefly about the Code of Conduct which was developed by the
> National office of the NFB. It deals with topics such as sexual 
> harassment,
> and ways that people should behave while representing the NFB. 8 Round the
> Phone: All
> Come ready to share your findings or ask for assistance as well.
> Tony Santiago talked about the Itech group which the Capital Chapter
> sponsors each month. He would like to see other chapters work together to
> help people with technology questions.
> Fannie Davis said that Microsoftr is encouraging people to use Microsoft
> Edge as their screen reader but Tony said that the Edge has not been fully
> developed at this time.
> Anne Marie Cooke said that her computer doesn't have enough space for her
> needs. It was suggested that she put some of her information on the Cloud
> where it will be saved.
> Ken Lawrence told the group that Out ofsight. net answers technology
> questions on Tuesday nights and that there is an iPhone Members Anonymous
> group which meets on Sundays. 9 Adjournment
> The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 PM
> The next meeting of the tech division will be held on Monday, April 16 at 
> 8
> PM
> ***
> Agenda for our tech div meeting Monday, April 16 at 8 PM
> Dial: 1 515 604 9570
> Code: 612068 Pound
> 1 Welcoming remarks
> 1 Roll Call
> 2 Secretary's Report: Mary Jo Partyka
> 3 Treasurer's Report: Lydia Keller
> 4 Dues Reminder: Jane Degenshein
> 5 Guest speaker: susan Vanino from CBVI
> Discussion on  senior/tech programs availaable and how to access them.
> 6 State convention update: Jane Degenshein
> 7 Old/New Business: All
> 8 Round the Phone: All
> Come ready to share your tech tips or ask a question and get answers by 
> the
> membership
> 9 Adjournment
>
>
>
> Respectfully submitted by ,
> Jane Degenshein President and Mary Jo Partyka  Recording Secretary
> Keep Smiling,
> Janie Degenshein
> Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have!
> Facilitator of ECHO (Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
> state affiliate board member
> President of the senior division of the National Federation of the Blind 
> of
> New Jersey
> President of the Technology division of the National federation of the
> Blind
> of New Jersey
> NFBNJ Newsline co-ordinator
> jdegen16 at comcast.net
>

-- 
Annemarie Cooke 

------------------------------

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