News, Links and Commentary
Monday, May 31, 2004
Wearable Computer Helps Blind Navigation
Students at the University of Washington recently tested the Wearable Low Vision Aid (WLVA). The aid detects common obstacles and then projects icons representing these obstacles directly onto the retinas of people who are vision impaired. In the future, the researchers hope to use this technology to directly stimulate neurons so that people may 'see' obstacles even if their photoreceptors do not work. More information can be read in ''Heads-up' display lives up to its name' (EurekAlert, 27 May 2004).
(0) comments |
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Designers of Accessible Web Sites Launch Guild
The official launch of the Guild of Accessible Web Designers (GAWDS) was celebrated last week. News of this development came via Webcredible's Web Accessibility Resources page.
(0) comments |
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Graduates With RP, Stargardt's Ready For More Study and Careers
Twenty one-year-old graduate Cori Crochet plans to make a career selling commercial air time for TV stations. Recently recognised for her contribution to campus life by her university alumni association, Crochet has Stargardt's Disease. Find out more in 'Looking to the future' (Slidell Sentry-News, 24 May 2004).
Jeffrey Lawson is a 44-year-old medicine graduate who now plans to study psychiatry. His wish to join the field was partly due to what he saw as a lack of compassion shown by professionals. He experienced this firsthand when diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Lawson now uses adaptive computer technology, has learnt Braille and has a guide dog. Read more in 'Massaro: Blindness doesn't dim new doctor's vision' (Rocky Mountain News, 27 May 2004)
(0) comments |
Jeffrey Lawson is a 44-year-old medicine graduate who now plans to study psychiatry. His wish to join the field was partly due to what he saw as a lack of compassion shown by professionals. He experienced this firsthand when diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Lawson now uses adaptive computer technology, has learnt Braille and has a guide dog. Read more in 'Massaro: Blindness doesn't dim new doctor's vision' (Rocky Mountain News, 27 May 2004)
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Colleen McCullough Increases Awareness Of MD
Melbourne's The Age newspaper reports ('Author tells of battle with blindness', 25 May 2004) that Colleen McCullough is the new patron of Australia's Macular Degeneration Society. McCullough is well-known for her novels, including The Thorn Birds. She is currently undergoing treatment for hemorrhagic (wet) macular degeneration.
(0) comments |
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Internet Made The Radio Star
VIP On Air is an Internet radio station giving blind and vision impaired people the opportunity to learn broadcast skills. Based in the Scottish city of Glasgow, the station is unique to the UK and Europe because of its accessible studios. More about the station and how Internet radio can benefit people who are vision impaired is available in the May 2004 issue of E-Access Bulletin.
The latest E-Access Bulletin also links to Music Library Services for People with Disabilities. The site is provided by the UK and Ireland branch of the International Association of Music Libraries.
(0) comments |
The latest E-Access Bulletin also links to Music Library Services for People with Disabilities. The site is provided by the UK and Ireland branch of the International Association of Music Libraries.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Women With RP Share Their Knowledge
Andrea Roth from Saratoga Springs in the US is sharing her knowledge and skills with others who have disabilities. Roth, who has RP, recently opened her own counselling business. You can read more in 'Counselor draws from experience' (The Saratogian, 21 May 2004).
Carla Ruschival is host of the new Bella Online Sight Loss Directory. Ruschival also has RP and much experience in teaching and advocacy work.
(0) comments |
Carla Ruschival is host of the new Bella Online Sight Loss Directory. Ruschival also has RP and much experience in teaching and advocacy work.
Vision In Diabetics May Improve With Extra Oxygen
Supplemental oxygen delivered through the nose may improve the vision of people with diabetic macular oedema. A pilot study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the US National Institute of Health. Read more in 'Oxygen Therapy May Improve Vision Worsened By Diabetes' at Science Daily (19 May 2004).
(0) comments |
Running With It
Two runners who have RP recently featured in separate news articles. Both run long distance and have sighted running partners. You can read about Jerry Nealey in 'Runner: I went blind to see' (Florida Times-Union, 19 May 2004) and Dennis Walsh in ''Huge trust' binds guide, visually impaired runner' (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 21 May 2004).
(0) comments |
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Thermostats, Tactile Diagrams and Web Access
TouchGraphics are developers of the Talking Tactile Tablet (TTT). The TTT is a peripheral device that gives students access to talking tactile displays. TouchGraphics are curently working on an authoring tool for teachers. You can help with development by entering the TouchGraphics TTT Contest. There are 75 TTTs, with authoring tools, to be won.
Talking Thermostats Includes audio instructions for set up, as well as giving the day, time, room temperature and temperature settings.
Web Eyes is software to add to Internet Explorer. Web Eyes will increase Web page font sizes up to 144pt. If desired, you can also decrease font size down to as small as 4pts. Web Eyes also eliminates scrolling. A demonstration at the Web Eyes site shows how users can move forward or backwards through a Web page, just as you might by turning the pages of a book, by clicking on easy to read icons.
Web Eyes can be downloaded for a fifteen-day free trial or can be purchased for $19.95 USD. If you are only interested in being able to change font sizes, you might also like to check out the Opera Web browser, which allows Web page content to be increased by up to 1000%.
Thanks to members of the RPList for posting information about these products.
(0) comments |
Talking Thermostats Includes audio instructions for set up, as well as giving the day, time, room temperature and temperature settings.
Web Eyes is software to add to Internet Explorer. Web Eyes will increase Web page font sizes up to 144pt. If desired, you can also decrease font size down to as small as 4pts. Web Eyes also eliminates scrolling. A demonstration at the Web Eyes site shows how users can move forward or backwards through a Web page, just as you might by turning the pages of a book, by clicking on easy to read icons.
Web Eyes can be downloaded for a fifteen-day free trial or can be purchased for $19.95 USD. If you are only interested in being able to change font sizes, you might also like to check out the Opera Web browser, which allows Web page content to be increased by up to 1000%.
Thanks to members of the RPList for posting information about these products.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Bardet Biedl Syndrome Linked to Genetic Cilia Dysfunction
The genetic causes of cilia dysfunction are the subject of research at the University of California. Laurence Moon Bardet Biedl Syndrome, which involves retinitis pigmentosa in addition to kidney problems, obesity and learning difficulties, is one of the human medical conditions that may be caused by cilia dysfunction. More information is available in a University of California news release called 'Genetic links to broad range of human disorders from cilia dysfunctions' (13 May, 2004).
(0) comments |
Speak To Your Phone With Vocally
Vocally - Voice Activiated Dialer is a device that allows people to dial telephone numbers by voice. While the company producing Vocally is based in Israel, the device is available elsewhere through suppliers and through their online shop. I have now added a link to Vocally on my Speech Technology Page.
(0) comments |
Criswick-Schepens Syndrome Search and FEVR
Recently someone searched my site for a condition known as Criswick-Schepens Syndrome (a form of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy - FEVR).
The person entered an incorrect spelling of the name. I hope that by including the correct spelling here, I might be able to help this person's search.
Criswick-Schepens Syndrome is rare and only today did I find the Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy Eye Disease Home Page. The site includes many links to research articles and information on how to cope with the condition. I've now added a link to it on my International RD Organisations Page.
Who Named It? also gives a short and scientific description of Criswick-Schepens Syndrome and research articles on the syndrome can be found using PubMed. For more search results using PubMed, enter "familial exudative vitreoretinopathy" rather than "Criswick-Schepens Syndrome."
Many people enter mispelled terms into the search box on my site. Maybe this is because specialists do not give patients written information about their condition. Or maybe people are searching for information on behalf of friends or family and have only heard the terms spoken. If you're ever unsure about spellings when searching the Internet, it might be useful to use Google for suggestions. Spelling suggestions will appear below the search box and just above the search results. This method isn't perfect but it might give you a bit more to go on.
(0) comments |
The person entered an incorrect spelling of the name. I hope that by including the correct spelling here, I might be able to help this person's search.
Criswick-Schepens Syndrome is rare and only today did I find the Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy Eye Disease Home Page. The site includes many links to research articles and information on how to cope with the condition. I've now added a link to it on my International RD Organisations Page.
Who Named It? also gives a short and scientific description of Criswick-Schepens Syndrome and research articles on the syndrome can be found using PubMed. For more search results using PubMed, enter "familial exudative vitreoretinopathy" rather than "Criswick-Schepens Syndrome."
Many people enter mispelled terms into the search box on my site. Maybe this is because specialists do not give patients written information about their condition. Or maybe people are searching for information on behalf of friends or family and have only heard the terms spoken. If you're ever unsure about spellings when searching the Internet, it might be useful to use Google for suggestions. Spelling suggestions will appear below the search box and just above the search results. This method isn't perfect but it might give you a bit more to go on.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Readability With Textalyser
How easy is it for others to understand your writing? For a Web site to be accessible it must be easily read by visitors. Textalyser is a tool that helps you to decide if a piece of text or a Web page is easy to read. Enter text or a Web address into Textalyser and it will give you information about sentence length, the number of words used and even the average number of syllables per word. Using both the Fog Index and another measure of readability it will also score the text on how easy or hard it is to read.
One problem I experienced while using Textalyser is that it analyses all text on a Web page, including navigation and menu items. Some HTML code was also included in the analysis of my weblogs. Textalyser did, however, make me more aware of sentence length. The longest and shortest sentences are included in the results (ouch!). I will try to write shorter sentences from now on!
Textalyser will not let you know if your page is well-written. Only you and your readers can judge that. Textalyser will simply give you a few clues.
I read about Textalyser in ResearchBuzz (#282 - May 6, 2004).
(0) comments |
One problem I experienced while using Textalyser is that it analyses all text on a Web page, including navigation and menu items. Some HTML code was also included in the analysis of my weblogs. Textalyser did, however, make me more aware of sentence length. The longest and shortest sentences are included in the results (ouch!). I will try to write shorter sentences from now on!
Textalyser will not let you know if your page is well-written. Only you and your readers can judge that. Textalyser will simply give you a few clues.
I read about Textalyser in ResearchBuzz (#282 - May 6, 2004).
Summer Sun Linked to MD
The Archives of Ophthalmology has this week published research that links exposure to sunlight to age-related macular degeneration ('Summer sun can put older eyes at risk, study says' (New York Times, 11 May, 2004).
(0) comments |
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Solutions for Humans and MediView Updates
Keyboard Alternatives and Vision Solutions are now known as Solutions for Humans and have a new Web address. Solutions for Humans provide adaptive technology solutions for people with disabilities.
I've now updated my Adaptive Equipment page with these new details.
At the same time, I added a new link to MediView, a UK company headed by Ian Pyzer that produces filtered glasses for people with vision problems.
(1) comments |
I've now updated my Adaptive Equipment page with these new details.
At the same time, I added a new link to MediView, a UK company headed by Ian Pyzer that produces filtered glasses for people with vision problems.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Facing Computer Vision
Issues facing people who are face blind and progress in the field of computer vision are discussed in 'Facing facts in computer recognition' (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3 May, 2004). Henry Schneiderman, a computer vision researcher at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute gives information about the Face Detector, which will feature next week at Wired magazine's NextFest exhibition in San Francisco.
(0) comments |
Monday, May 03, 2004
Genetic Cause Of RP Affecting South African Families Discovered
The genetic cause of a form of retinitis pigmentosa affecting families in South Africa has been determined by researchers at Saint Louis University in the US. The research was published in the April 27 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and more can be read in 'Biological Cause Of One Form Of Blindness Identified By SLU Researchers' (Science Daily from a Saint Louis University news release, 29 April 2004).
Sunday, May 02, 2004
MD Research Presented At April ARVO Conference
The ARVO (the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) conference was held April 25 - 29 in Florida, USA. Research into forms of retinal degeneration, including macular degeneration, was presented and consequently mentioned in the media.
Inherited macular dystrophy may be affected by dietary intake of DHA, according to researchers at the University of Utah in the US. The researchers studied people whose MD was caused by the deletion of the ELOVL4 gene. More can be read in 'ARVO: Diet May Affect Macular Dystrophy' (Doctor's Guide, 29 April 2004).
Another Doctor's Guide article from ARVO was 'ARVO: Study Finds Link Between Body Fat and Macular Pigmentation' (30 April 2004). The research was conducted in Ireland at the Waterford Institute of Technology. After reading this article, I am uncertain if increased body fat is an advantage or disadvantage when trying to prevent age-related MD - the reporter's summary appears to be inconsistent with what I can understand of the scientific explanations provided. As indicated by the name of the Web site, the articles are written for doctors and not patients, so perhaps that explains my confusion. I'll include the link here for your interest and if anyone can clarify the article for me, please feel free to e-mail.
(0) comments |
Inherited macular dystrophy may be affected by dietary intake of DHA, according to researchers at the University of Utah in the US. The researchers studied people whose MD was caused by the deletion of the ELOVL4 gene. More can be read in 'ARVO: Diet May Affect Macular Dystrophy' (Doctor's Guide, 29 April 2004).
Another Doctor's Guide article from ARVO was 'ARVO: Study Finds Link Between Body Fat and Macular Pigmentation' (30 April 2004). The research was conducted in Ireland at the Waterford Institute of Technology. After reading this article, I am uncertain if increased body fat is an advantage or disadvantage when trying to prevent age-related MD - the reporter's summary appears to be inconsistent with what I can understand of the scientific explanations provided. As indicated by the name of the Web site, the articles are written for doctors and not patients, so perhaps that explains my confusion. I'll include the link here for your interest and if anyone can clarify the article for me, please feel free to e-mail.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Spinach Protein May Help Eye Nerves To Fire
New Scientist reports that researchrs at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories in the US are closer to discovering if spinach proteins added to bipolar and ganglia nerve cells in the eye will help these nerves to fire in response to light. The research may lead to a potential but limited treatment for retinal degeneration. Possible problems with this method of sight recovery and the researchers' progress so far are discussed in 'Spinach pigments proposed as blindness cure' (New Scientist, 2 May, 2004).
(0) comments |
