Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind the source for blindness news and information since 1907

Online learning is still relatively new, and up until recently, online courses were limited to people enrolled in a college or university. This is no longer the case. Stanford recently offered a course on Artificial Intelligence, and because it was free, they had over 160,000 students. This is the power of free online learning. To help expand course offerings, Apple has just released a new app called iTunes U, where you can download whole college courses for free.

Since Apple has done a good job of making their native apps accessible, I wanted to check iTunes U out for myself to test its accessibility, but more importantly to learn new things. I’m happy to report that the app is very Voice Over friendly.

I decided to start with a course on Volcanoes offered by the Open University. The course consists of reading materials, videos, audio presentations, and an outline of learning objectives. So far, I’ve had no problem accessing these materials, and the learning process has been fun.

Since the app is so new, there aren’t many courses to choose from, but I foresee colleges offering more and more as the app gains popularity. Here are some of the courses available now: Future Energy, Core Concepts in Chemistry, Ecosystems, Autism and Related Disorders, and Introduction to Robotics. The app is available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad.

This app has huge potential for changing the way people learn. Because the courses are available to anyone with an iOS device, learning can happen anywhere in the world. Higher education is still something that is primarily for the privileged, but this app and the idea of free learning will open the doors to those who didn’t have access before. It is also exciting for people with disabilities because the app is so accessible.

Fancy up regular mashed potatoes with a layer of mushroom duxelle–a sauté of finely chopped mushrooms and shallots. We omitted the traditional butter in the duxelle and added chard for a nutritional boost. Serve this hearty side in place of mashed potatoes at any holiday feast or enjoy it as a vegetarian main dish.

12 servings, about 3/4 cup each
Active Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

3 1/2 pounds potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds cremini or white mushrooms, halved
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 large egg plus 1 large egg white, beaten
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped shallots
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 cups trimmed and finely chopped chard or spinach
1 cup mushroom broth or reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preparation

Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a large pot. Place potatoes in a steamer basket, cover and steam over medium-low heat, replenishing the water as necessary, until the potatoes are fall-apart tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, working in two batches, place mushrooms in a food processor and pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until the mushrooms are coarsely chopped.

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Add butter and mash until chunky-smooth. Gradually stir in buttermilk, egg and egg white and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and beginning to soften, about 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they release their liquid and the pan is almost dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Add chard (or spinach) and continue to cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes. Whisk broth and flour in a small bowl. Add to the pan along with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and rosemary. Cook, stirring, until the mixture bubbles and thickens, about 1 minute.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

To assemble, spread half of the mashed potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch (or similar 3-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle half the Parmesan over the potatoes. Spread the mushroom mixture on top and spread the remaining potatoes over the mushroom layer. Top with the remaining Parmesan.

Bake until hot throughout and the top is golden brown, about 35 minutes.

Nutrition

196 Calories; 5 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 2 g Mono; 26 mg Cholesterol; 32 g Carbohydrates; 8 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 438 mg Sodium; 773 mg Potassium
2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat
Nutrition Note: Potassium (22% daily value), Vitamin A & Vitamin C (20% dv).

Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/mashed_potato_mushroom_casserole.html
From EatingWell: November/December 2009

Special Notices are separated by the ## symbol.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Computer Center for Visually Impaired People (CCVIP) at Baruch College Invites you to a Technology Demonstration featuring accessible PDAs and note taking devices.

Time: 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm

Where: Baruch College 151 East 25th Street, Room 655

What: Join us as we take a look at accessible portable digital assistants (PDAs), or as we have come to know them–notetakers. We will be looking at devices such as the Braille Note Apex, Pacmate Omni, iPad and a netbook loaded with JAWS. We will look at how these devices can be used in academic and professional settings to take notes as well as perform various other functions.

Admission: Free

Reservations: Call 646-312-1420

If you are unable to join us in person, watch it on the web at the

Address below:

www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip-live-event

*Streaming will only be available for the Afternoon Session from 2-4pm

Also mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 19, 2011. In this session we will look at the latest in accessible ebook readers, including the Kindle and iPad. We will also have on hand digital book readers including the Victor Reader Stream, BookSense and BookPort Plus.

We hope to see you!

Lisa F. Saunders

646-312-1420

lisa.saunders@baruch.cuny.edu

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The annual youth and adult writing contests sponsored by the Writers’ Division of the NFB will open January first 2011 and close April first, 2011.

Adult contests, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, are open to all entrants eighteen years and over.

The youth contests are all about Braille and all poetry and fiction entries are required to be submitted in Braille. The age groups are divided into three categories: first through sixth grades, seventh and eight grades, and ninth through twelfth grades.

Prizes for contest winners range up to $100 for adult categories and up to $25 for youth categories.

All contest winners will be announced at the Writers’ Division business meeting during the NFB national convention to be held in Orlando Florida the first week of July 2011. In addition, shortly after convention, a list of winners will appear on the Writers’ Division website, www.nfb-writers-division.org First, second and third place winners in each category will appear in the summer and fall issues of the Writers’ Division magazine, “Slate & Style.”

For additional contest details and submission guidelines, go to the Writers’ Division website, www.nfb-writers-division.org.

President NFB Writers’ Division

Robert Leslie Newman

email– newmanrl@cox.net

Division website

http://www.nfb-writers-division.org

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Computers for the Blind

Here is your chance to have a powerful computer with software allowing blind and visually challenged persons to be able to join family and friends, doing what they are doing.

Each computer comes complete with monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and all associated cables. It also comes with preloaded software. Software includes: Open Office for word processing/book keeping, NVDA screen reader, demo version of Window-Eyes (will function for 30 minutes before computer restart), and 60 day demo version of ZoomText. For only a donation of $100, the Texas Center for the Visually Challenged will send your new computer right to your door. As of this morning, they have sent over 3,600 computers to visually impaired individuals. Computers can only be shipped to the United States or Canada

Subscribe to the internet service of your choice and send a $100 gift and you are ready to go!

Call Lee Mann at 214 340 6328 for full information. Please pass this information on to other people who may need an inexpensive, fully accessible computer.

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Horizons for the Blind, a Crystal Lake, Ill based not-for-profit organization, announces the launch of directionsformeTM (directionsforme.org), an exciting new Internet based service that makes consumer packaging information available in an accessible online format for people who are blind, visually impaired or simply have trouble reading the increasingly small print on packages or labels.

There are limited resources, if any, for visually impaired consumers to access this information. Many websites are not designed to be fully or even partly accessible for text-to-speech screen readers, Braille output devices, screen magnifiers and web-enabled cell phones.

This important information is often ignored because of the difficulty in seeing it. Some of this information is of a convenient nature but drug interaction and allergy warnings could be life threatening. Gaining comprehensive access will foster self sufficiency and allow consumers to lead more healthy and independent lives.

directionsforMeTM was designed specifically for the blind and visually impaired consumer and employs innovative methods to simplify the user experience.

Skip to Main Content: Allows you to bypass repetitive information contained on each web page.

Subject Headings: Lets you go directly to the information you want without wading through content you do not.

Formatting: After consulting and testing with actual users, information on the directions site is set up in the most efficient and understandable way possible.

The Directions website will address a glaring disconnect between consumer product manufacturers and this underserved population.

The easy-to-use format makes directionsforMeTM appealing to a wide range of consumers. With the amount of information on consumer products increasing dramatically and the print size decreasing just as significantly, many consumers, particularly the growing senior population, are having trouble reading the information on packages and labels.

Through a licensing agreement with Gladson, Directions features over 300,000 products in food, health and beauty and general merchandise categories. It provides consumers a consistent, one-stop source for preparation directions, nutrition facts, ingredients, allergy/drug interaction warnings and more.

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Books And Beyond is a show that plays on ACB Radio each weekend. It’s hosted by Bonnie Blose, and we talk to authors, editors, publishers and other creative and interesting people. Sometimes the shows are blindness related and sometimes they’re not. All Books And Beyond shows will be archived at www.accessibleworld.org on The Books And Beyond archives page. You can still call 773-572-3166 and hear them on the phone as they become available. For questions, email Nancy Lynn at freespirit52@charter.net

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Need training or technical support?

The world of assistive technology is constantly evolving. I strive to guide you by sharing what I’ve learned, building on your strengths, and placing the tools in your hands to achieve your goals.

Adapt on Demand

“The help you need when you need it”

816-721-3145

E-mail: adapt@kc.rr.com

My services include work environment assessment, accessibility testing, purchasing advice, computer training, network setup, virus and spyware removal, and general hardware and software technical support by phone or through E-mail at $20 per incident.

I make this pledge. If I haven’t assisted you to your satisfaction I won’t accept payment. I’m in this to help people first.

Invest in yourself! Contact me soon to discover the ways we can work together to adapt technology toward pursuing your dreams.

To navigate between listings, please search for the ## symbol using your browser’s search or find function.

Blind pianist, Stephanie Pieck, is giving a concert to benefit the non-profit organization, Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, in Cassville, NY. Freedom trained Stephanie’s guide dog, Ecko and placed him with her through their Hometown Training program.

This FREE concert is being held at Open Arms Church in Schenectady, NY on Saturday, October 9 at 2:00pm. It will feature the classical works of Beethoven, Chopin and more. Plus, there will be refreshments, and demonstrations with Freedom Guide Dog representatives.

Donations are encouraged and will go toward the training and placement of guide dogs to help the blind and visually impaired.

Pieck is an award-winning blind concert pianist who has performed in the United States, the Czech Republic and Poland. She is a highly successful teacher of both blind and sighted students and sees concerts as an extension of her educational work.

The piano for the event is being provided by Artist Pianos in Latham, NY. You can visit their website at www.artist-pianos.com

For more information contact:

Nicole White

Freedom Guide Dogs

1210 Hardscrabble Rd.  

Cassville, NY 13318

Ph. (315) 822-5132    

Email: nicole@freedomguidedogs.org   

Web: www.freedomguidedogs.org

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In honor of National Guide Dog month I would like  to make the readers aware of my recently written E-book. If you are some one who is considering looking into getting a guide dog this is the book for you. If you are a guide dog handler from any school and maybe would like to get some incite with regard to issues pertaining to you and your dog then this is the book for you. The book is both entertaining and enlightening. It is full of personal experiences and practical advice. So come on and celebrate National Guide Dog Month with this addition to your library. Please visit http://guidedogmanual.weebly.com for more information and articles.

(see my contact info on the website) Note: This website is very accessible with screen readers.

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Don’t STAND 4 Vision Loss — RIDE or WALK!

October 23, 2010 

Double Up 4Vision

Tandem Bike Ride/Walk Fundraiser 2 Fight Vision Loss.  80% of vision loss is preventable or correctable! 

WHO: Lighthouse International 

WHAT: Pairing people with and without sight on tandem bikes to share the experience! 

Single cyclists are welcome. Anyone can walk … Everyone can cheer you on! 

WHERE: Riverside: West 135th – 70th Streets 

WHY: Vision loss touches everyone … Ride for yourself or someone you love 

REGISTER: doubleup4vision.org

LEARN MORE: (212) 821-9688 • tandem@lighthouse.org

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GUIDE DOG DOCUMENTARY TELEVISION SERIES CASTING

Are you or someone you know visually impaired and employing a guide dog in their everyday lives?  Sirens Media, a prominent television production company working in conjunction with a major television network, is casting a documentary television series centering around a fascinating family, small business, or close group of friends where one or more members use guide dogs to help navigate their lives.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, drop us a line ASAP!  We’d love to hear from you!

Please send an email with the following info to:  assistanceanimals@gmail.com

- Your name, age, gender, profession

- Contact information – email, phone, and physical address

- A recent photograph of yourself

- A short biography and description of why you and the people in your life might make great TV

Welcome to the Matilda Ziegler Magazine audio player. To begin listening to the magazine, simply click the “Read more” link below. Once you select the month, an embedded media player will start playing the magazine immediately. While using this player, you can press the control key plus the space bar to pause the current article. To proceed to the next article hold down the control key and the shift key and then press the N key. To go back to the previous article hold down the control key and the shift key and press the P key.

Read more

Welcome to the Matilda Ziegler Magazine audio player. To begin listening to the magazine, simply click the “Read more” link below. Once you select the month, an embedded media player will start playing the magazine immediately. While using this player, you can press the control key plus the space bar to pause the current article. To proceed to the next article hold down the control key and the shift key and then press the N key. To go back to the previous article hold down the control key and the shift key and press the P key.

Read more

Memorial Day, first celebrated as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, was created to honor the soldiers who perished during the Civil War. At that first celebration, future president General James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which some 5,000 people decorated the 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

Since that day, nearly 1.8 million American soldiers have been wounded or killed. Civil War included, that number climbs to nearly two and a half million, roughly the entire American population during the Revolutionary War–or the population of present-day Nevada. Our most recent battles in Iraq and Afghanistan have wounded or claimed the lives of nearly 44,000 American men and women.

So while you enjoyed the (hopefully) nice weather this weekend with family and friends, I hope you took a moment to think about those whose sacrifices lead them into harm’s way, and those who gave their lives to keep us safe.  They are our heroes.

Science Sense is a verbal description and touch tour program for people who are blind or partially sighted and their guests. The content of the tours will change each month and will be announced on the AMNH website in advance. Specially trained Museum tour guides highlight specific themes and exhibition halls, engaging participants through extensive verbal descriptions and touchable objects.

Science Sense tours are available to individuals or groups. Space is limited and advance registration is required. For more information or to register,
please call 212.313.7565 or email volunteeroffice@amnh.org

Books And Beyond is a show that plays on ACB Radio each weekend. It’s hosted by Bonnie Blose, and we talk to authors, editors, publishers and other creative and interesting people. Sometimes the shows are blindness related and sometimes they’re not. I also make the show available each week on sendspace.  For the latest Books And Beyond show, call 773-572-3166 anytime and choose from the menu.  To download the most recent file, go to http://www.sendspace.com/file/u51npp

Blind or Visually Impaired? – Now You Can Learn to Play Chess!
“The Gymnastics of the Brain” or “The Martial Arts of the Mind” feel the “Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat” or just have fun, a great hobby, wonderful inexpensive recreation, playing blind or sighted people alike.

A great way to meet others, take this game of kings to whatever level you like!

Please see the website of the United States Braille Chess Association

http://www.crisscrosstech.com/usbca/

A group of Blind or Visually Impaired Chess enthusiasts who enjoy playing Tournaments or just Friendly Games with those of their own strength and knowledge of this wonderful sport!

Alan Dicey, President

United States Braille Chess Association