BULLETIN BOARD

A Newsletter of the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Winter 2006
Volume 23, Number 3

News from Newsline, the nationwide service providing daily newspapers over the telephone.

As of September 30, 2005, Newsline has 52,809 registered users nationwide compared with 48,165 a year ago. In September, the service set a new record for number of minutes delivered in one month, 2,142,514. This compares with just less than 1.6 million minutes of news a year ago. The summer edition of Talking Book Topics, circulation over 750,000, included an excellent description of the NFB-NEWSLINE magazine service on page one. On September 19, NFB-NEWSLINE presented a plaque to the Albany Times Union commemorating their participation as the 200th newspaper on NFB-NEWSLINE. The first newspaper was USA Today and the 100th newspaper was the Atlanta Journal Constitution. As of September 30 there were 209 newspapers plus three magazines for a total of 212 publications on NFB-NEWSLINE. Every day the NFB-NEWSLINE service sends just over 100 newspapers in DAISY format to Bookshare.org. These publications can then be downloaded to an audio or Braille DAISY compatible device. More newspapers continue to be added to this service, all NFB-NEWSLINE publications should be available on Bookshare.org within the next year. Every week NFB-NEWSLINE includes new content from two radio reading services, AudioVision in New Jersey and CRIS Radio in Connecticut. The NFB-NEWSLINE service plans to add other radio reading partnerships during 2006. Spanish language menus also should be available in 2006.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to ask our Braille readers to check their homes for books to return and braille mailing boxes to return. We currently have none of the vinyl maillers with the velcro closures--only the old black boxes with straps.

Sprint has announced its voice dialing service, Sprint PCS Voice Command, is available for free to customers who are blind, visually impaired or physically disabled. The free service, which allows calls to be dialed by speaking the desired contact or phone number, also includes 10 free directory assistance calls per month. Sprint PCS Voice Command is currently available to Sprint customers for five dollars a month. To take advantage of this program, customers should contact Sprint to obtain an application form. The form requests basic customer information, in addition, customers are asked to have their doctor or ophthalmologist sign the form certifying the customer's eligibility. For more details about this offer, please visit, http://www.sprint.com/accessibility, or to obtain an application, contact Customer Solutions at, 888-211-4727.

RESOURCES

WB View, the National Library Service supported software package for managing and viewing Web Braille files, has been significantly updated. Version 2 point 0 has many new features, including an improved, fully accessible installation procedure and an easy to use search function that allows users to search the National Library Service catalog for Web Braille books. Searches can be conducted by author, title, subject, word in the annotation, or any combination of these. Once their book has been found, registered users can view or download part or all of a Web-Braille book from within WB View. Fifteen different line lengths can be optionally selected so that WB View can be used to format a file to fit any size Braille display. The many powerful features from previous versions are still part of the program, including a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily move among multiple volumes or titles, a bookmark that automatically sets the last-read position, the ability to set up to ten additional bookmarks, variable rate auto scrolling, and a comprehensive user manual and keystroke list in text and formatted braille versions. WB View is now being distributed by its developer, Softools, Incorporated, as trial ware. Users can download a fully functional package and try it for a period of fifteen days. After the trial period, the program can be purchased online securely by credit card. Interested persons can find more information at, http://www.wb-view.com.

BrailleInk is a new nonprofit organization that publishes existing popular children's books in a new format that is easier for Braille and print readers to share. Sample pages of their first two books may be seen online. Guess How Much I Love You, with uncontracted Braille, is at, http://www.brailleink.org/Guess_How_Much_I_Love_You_(sample).pdf, and, The Dot, with contracted Braille, is at, http://www.brailleink.org/The_Dot_(sample).pdf.

Reduced vision is a leading cause of falling. The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, http://www.stopfalls.org, has prepared a list of tips on reducing the risk of falling. Milwaukee's Interfaith Partners in Aging has made it available at, http://www.interfaithmIlw.org/Partners/catch_yourself.pdf. Regional Library users without computer access may phone the library for a large print copy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY, Macular Degeneration.

Here are some recent books about macular degeneration available from the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. You may phone us with the numbers of the books you want, or order though our online catalog at, http://wmbph.mpl.org/opac/.

MEDICAL BOOKS

Mayo Clinic on Vision and Eye Health, ed. Helmut Buettner, 2002, RC 55997.

The Macular Degeneration Handbook, Natural Ways to Prevent and Reverse It, by Chet Cunningham, 1999, RC 48616.

Macular Degeneration, The Latest Scientific Discoveries and Treatments for Preserving Your Sight, by Robert D'Amato and Joan Snyder, 2000, RC 53425.

The Aging Eye, by Sandra Gordon, 2001, RC 54126.

Macular Degeneration, The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, by Lylas G. Mogk and Marja Mogk, 1999, RC 48615. The second edition will also be available soon.

Coping With Macular Degeneration, A Guide for Patients and Families to Understanding the Living With Degenerative Vision Disorder, by Ira Marc Price and Linda Comac, 2000, RC 56630.

Living Well with Macular Degeneration, Practical Tips and Essential Information, by Bruce P. Rosenthal and Kate Kelly, 2001, RC 52530.

Overcoming Macular Degeneration, A Guide to Seeing Beyond the Clouds, by Yale Solomon with Jonathan D. Solomon, 2000, RC 51826.

Macular Degeneration, Living Positively With Vision Loss, by Betty Wason with James J. McMillan, 1998, RC 47973.

PERSONAL NARRATIVES.

My Friend, You Are Legally Blind, A Writers Struggle with Macular Degeneration, by Charles Champlin, 2001, RC 53279.

Twilight, Losing Sight, Gaining Insight, by Henry Anatole Grunwald, 1999, RC 49236.

Sight Unseen, by Georgia Kleege, 1999, RC 48328.

BULLETIN BOARD is published four times a year by the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. It is available in large print, Braille, and audiocassette editions. The Wisconsin Regional Library makes no recommendations or endorsements concerning any products or services which may appear in this publication.

Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
1-414-286-3045 (in Milwaukee)
1-800-242-8822 (in Wisconsin)
1-414-286-3548 (TDD)
1-414-286-3102 (FAX)
lbph@milwaukee.gov (e-mail)
http://wmbph.mpl.org/opac (on-line public access catalog)

For questions about this information, contact Shiela A. Pollock (608) 224-5395

Last updated on 2/28/2008 8:52:02 AM