The RT News
Newsletter of Division 11
Spring 2002
Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Message from the Chair: The Future: Your Friend or Your Enemy?
In her book The Future and Its Enemies: The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise, and Progress, Virginia Postrel draws a sharp distinction between two views of the future, which she defines as embracing either dynamism or stasism. Postrel asks “Do we search for stasis v a regulated, engineered world? Or do we embrace dynamism n a world of constant creation, discovery, and competition? Do we value stability and control, or evolution and learning?” She describes dynamism as “… not just change but evolution through variation, feedback, and adaptation.”
In a recent issue of The New Republic, Siddhartha Mukherjee, a medical resident at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, echoes this dynamist sentiment:
In the post-September 11 world, it’s tempting to think of curiosity-driven science as an anachronistic luxury. Wars inevitably make nations pragmatic about spending. And so there is already public pressure to funnel billions of dollars into applied research, into research that directly intersects with the dramatic changes in the political sphere. But [Harvard biology professor John Collier] may have cracked the mystery of anthrax toxin precisely because he wasn’t out to curb the threat of bioterrorism. In other words, even in these pressured times, we may be better off leaving such scientists alone to follow their curiosities wherever they lead.The issue of cloning, both therapeutic and reproductive, is one that deserves our attention as well. University of Chicago ethicist Leon R. Kass is chairing the Council on Bioethics, an advisory group composed of philosophers, medical experts, lawyers and theologians that will address those seemingly impenetrable issues residing at the intersection of medicine and ethics.
It is critically important that we in rehabilitation concurrently address these complex questions that reside at the heart of our commitment to human services; indeed, we ignore them at our professional peril. When examining my own responses to such deeply challenging issues, I find it helpful to draw upon those lifespan theories that emphasize the power and possibility of innovation to propel us beyond critical transformation points. Branching theory and chaos theory, in particular, suggest that patterns of change within living systems serve to illuminate the potential to create order from apparent disorder. As these vibrant, chaotic, ever-changing systems approach such transformational junctures, they will - of necessity - branch into higher- or lower- functioning processes as their structures evolve over time. Thus, this cycle compels us to pose some uncomfortable questions to ourselves and to each other: Do we pursue dynamism or are we content to retreat into the safe confines of stasism? Do we perceive such processes as dangerous, or do we embrace the opportunity that they provide for innovative forward movement?
I am confident that our collective conversations will enable us to pursue those higher-branching pathways that accurately reflect our position at the forefront of compassionate human endeavor. To reach those key transformational points, however, it is imperative to read as widely as possible and listen intently to apparently incompatible points of view if we are to lend our distinctive perspective to this compelling contemporary dialogue.
Critical issues within our own profession demand our attention as well. We have asked for your vote on standards for Rehabilitation Teaching Assistants, and will announce your decision at our Division Day meeting in Toronto next July. We continue to advocate for health care reimbursement and support the proposed legislation for Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services (H.R. 2484) and our university approval process is now well established, in accordance with ACVREP requirements.
And so I ask - are you a dynamist? Will you embrace, as Postrel asks, “… the emergent, complex messiness” … of our “magnificently creative era?” I fervently hope so.
Maureen A. Duffy, RTC
Chair, Division 11 2000-2002
SHOPPING
COMMUTER MUG: Beautiful stainless steel commuter mug. Features the motto "Qualiter Signum" (Whatever Works) in black script. Also has our logo and Website address $10.00
NECKCORDS: new design -- white with blue lettering: “Rehabilitation Teaching” and Website address. $3.00
RT T-SHIRT: Cream colored, Hanes polo style t-shirt, with “Rehabilitation Teaching” embroidered in Hunter green over the left chest. Available in medium and extra-large. $20.00
MOUSEPAD: Royal blue with the wording " Rehabilitation Teaching, a profession with a past and a future" SALE $3.00
"RTs Are Really Terrific" pin: Round, white, with dark blue lettering $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00
Please add $3.50 for shipping and handling of all orders. Make checks payable to AER Division 11. Send your orders to: Maureen Duffy, PCO Dept. of Graduate Studies in VI, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027-1598, w (215) 780-1362, maduffy@aol.com
MEET A MEMBER:
Angela Humbertson, RTC
When I was a little girl, I read the story of Helen Keller. I was always fascinated by what Ann Sullivan had done with Helen to teach her eating skills, personal grooming, and mobility. Until I was in college, I thought that mobility and personal management skills were all included in one discipline. I learned from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind that there were two disciplines: Orientation and Mobility and Rehabilitation Teaching. When I did further research I found that RT was closer to what I wanted to do.
How long have you been a Rehabilitation Teacher/vision rehabilitation professional?
I have been working full time as an RT since March 2001. For a year prior to that, I was doing some contract work in RT while completing the coursework for my degree.
Tell us about your current job.
I am currently working as the Rehabilitation Teacher and Adaptive Technology Coordinator for Visual Impairment and Blindness Services in Bethlehem, PA. I spend half my time doing RT and my responsibilities include working with individuals, doing a group class, and conducting group Braille classes. I also evaluate potential students for the computer program we have developed at the agency. I am also planning two computer camps for kids this summer as well as a keyboarding seminar for working adults.
Tell us something special about yourself.
I enjoy reading romance novels. My husband and I are expecting our first child in August.
Why did you join Division 11?
To meet other professionals in the field and to learn new professional skills.
Internet Resources: Health and Medical Sources
Maureen A. Duffy, RTC
(Compiled with the assistance of Keith Lammers, M.A., Director of Library and Learning Resources, Pennsylvania College of Optometry)
Medline
- References to articles from up to 1800 biomedical journals, from the National Library of Medicine Website
- Access to numerous other medical and health databases
The Association of Vision Science Librarians
- Listing of vision-related Websites, frequently updated and screened for accuracy
- Includes links to vision-related newsgroups, newsletters and Listservs
Association of Vision Science Librarians
- Frequently Asked Questions list of eyecare statistics
Union Institute Research Engine - Health Sciences and Medicine
- A megasite; well organized with links to dozens of other medical websites, databases and online reference materials
Medicinenet
- Extensive, well-organized links to short, consumer oriented articles, drug information, links to dozens of other medical websites and newsletters
Martindale - Ophthalmology
- Contains links to online journals, tutorials, handbooks, reference materials and a broad selection of vision science websites and resources
Healthweb - Optometry
- Has hundreds of links to Optometry Association homepages, conference announcements CE courses, Grand Rounds, tables of contents, and online journals
ZD Journals
- Annotated links to dozens of medical search engines, hospitals, online medical journals, drug databases and libraries
- Advice for searching the web and links to Listservs and Newsgroups
Hardin MD
- Includes an extensive list of mostly free online medical journals
University Certification Committee Update
These standards of excellence were identified by Division 11 (Rehabilitation Teaching) and include a code of ethics, standards of practice and a university approval process. The Division 11 membership and the Board of Directors of AER have approved these standards.
The university guidelines for personnel preparation were developed to review and approve university programs in Rehabilitation Teaching. A review and approval process has been established to help guarantee adequate administration, faculty, facilities and curriculum to educate well-prepared Rehabilitation Teachers. The use of the guidelines further assures the competency of graduates and thus assures the provision of quality services to consumers.
Currently four universities are seeking approval for their Rehabilitation Teaching personnel preparation programs: Florida State University, Northern Illinois University, University of Alabama at Little Rock and Western Michigan University. In 2001, Barbara Hunt, RTC, VIST Coordinator at Hines VA Hospital, was asked to Chair the University Personnel Preparation Approval Committee.
In the months following her appointment, Barb solicited volunteers to serve on the four committees needed to review the university programs seeking approval. The members of those committees represent the spectrum of Rehabilitation Teaching: professionals with a great deal of experience, RTs new to the field, university staff members, RTs from state and private agencies. But they have one thing in common-a commitment to our field and to the high standards we set for ourselves.
Since that time the committees have been diligently working to complete their charge. Most of the work has been done through conference calls and e-mail. In some cases, the documentation provided to the committee by the university was complete and appropriate. In other cases, committees needed to request additional supportive material.
At this time, the committees have made the following recommendations:
Florida State University, approved until 3/1/03
Northern Illinois University, approved until 3/1/03
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (approval pending)
Western Michigan University (approval pending)
On behalf of Board of Division 11 and all of its members, I want to thank those professionals who have spent their time and energy serving on the approval committees.
IMPORTANT!
- Bruce McKenzie
- Rising Star
- Certificates of Recognition
DIVISION DAY, July 16 in Toronto
Bruci Hawkins, Chair-Elect, RTC, COMS
9:00 Welcome: Division 11 Chair Maureen A. Duffy
9:15 APH Adult Life Products: hands-on experiences with equipment plus a chance to let them know what new things would be of use to us
10:15 Hadley School: find out what’s new, and how we might incorporate their course offerings into our programs
11:00 RTA Discussion: after the vote, what’s next?
12:00 Catered Lunch: scavenger hunt, Meet the Authors, and Wall of Fame
1:30 Show & Tell: bring something to share that you have developed or discovered
3:00 Division 11 Projects: Oral History and RT Cookbook
4:00 Business Meeting & Auction: Please note: this will be the first of two business meetings, and is open to all whether or not attending the Division Day
6:00 Adjournment: on your own for the evening
There will be a registration fee for this, but we will keep it low to cover costs. We hope you will all plan to join us!
Rehabilitation Teaching - Mobile-ized
Lenore Dillon, RTC
REHABILITATION TEACHING MOBILE-IZED FOR THE 21ST CENTURY was designed to provide specialized training in all aspects of Rehabilitation Teaching. Dr. Patricia Smith from the University of Arkansas led the way by addressing the subject of certification. Lynda Jones and Suzanne Martin from Florida State University provided instruction in how to write a sequential teaching plan. Elaine Kitchel from the American Printing House for the Blind taught us how to tame that large print dragon. Additional topics included low vision, technology, job readiness skills, and leisure time activities. The room was filled with laughter when Dan Dillon, Associate Pastor from Mobile First Church of the Nazarene, shared his experiences working with blind and visually impaired individuals in the area of job placement.
Tyra Hawkins, one of Alabama’s own Rehabilitation Teachers, shared her experiences in teaching “Job Readiness Skills” to job seekers who are blind or visually impaired. The Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind Regional Center in Mobile, and the Mobile Transit Association were proud to promote “Access-A-Ride,” our new transit program.
WHIL Radio Reading Services graciously made each session available for streaming on the Internet. You can listen to the conference audio by logging on to www.alaprint/rtconference.org. Cassette tapes of each session are also available by contacting Jonathan Adler or Brad Martin, Alabama Print Information Center, at (251)-380-4699.
The American Printing House for the Blind has graciously offered to host our next conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
An Invitation from the American Printing House for the Blind
Mary T. (Terrie) Terlau, Ph.D.
University Update
Programmes for Instructors for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Rehabilitation Teaching, Mohawk College
Cheryl Richeson, RTC
In September 2001 we had 12 RT trainees enrolled from across the country. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is sponsoring some of these trainees who will, upon graduation, either be taking positions or returning to positions within the CNIB.
On consecutive Thursdays from November 14 through December 4, 2001, trainees completed their initial job shadow placements at various local facilities, including area district school boards, CNIB offices, and private agencies. For many of our trainees this placement is their first exposure to working with persons with visual disabilities so we really appreciate the cooperation of all the staff, students, and clients at each placement site. Thanks!
This winter term 2002 we have 11 RTs enrolled. On consecutive Thursdays from January 10 through March 28, trainees are doing their fieldwork placements at various local CNIB offices. During the spring term trainees will complete their clinical internship placements at various agency settings across the country, including Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
Anyone requiring information about our RT programme please feel free to contact Mary-Maureen Snook-Hill, Ed.D., Coordinator, at 519-758-6029, snookhm@mail.mohawkc.on.ca, or Cheryl Richesin, M.Ed., M.A., Professor, at 519-759-7200, ext.7127, richesc@mail.mohawkc.on.ca.
Our mailing address is Mohawk College, 411 Elgin Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 5V2.
Missing in Action!
Alabama
Jane M. Bush
Joan Ridgeway
Arizona
Donald Utrup
Arkansas
Neda Simmons
California
Elizabeth Heidhues
Maxine Hulsing
Joyce Lopez
Dr. Sally Mangold
Kristi Spaite
Colorado
Eugene Fleming
Pamela Rice
Connecticut
Sherryl Glinsky
Christopher Jarosz
Carolyn Messier
Florida
Virginia Bescher
Mary Colston
Amy B. Johnston
Melba Kert
Joy Mc Graw
Constance Stolp
Georgia
Janet Barlow
Diane D. Miller
Kristie Shepard
Illinois
Terri Mertz
Virgina Mosler
Alvin Roberts
Indiana
Ramona Copass
Maine
Anisio Correia
Michigan
Bonnie Sue Betz
Song Jo
Alice Raferty
Dr. William Weiner
Minnesota
Diane Grundyson
Montana Mildred Eads
Thirza Thompson
New Hampshire
Jewett O’Connor
New Jersey
Tulia Dragona
Janet Rowley
Joyce Tillman
New Mexico
Laura Miyoshi
New York
Anna Ader
Melissa Blaine
Phyllis Brier
Suzanne Goodemote
LaShawn Jeffers-Green
Zhengping Jiang
Shelia Pearlman
North Carolina
Kathy Stumpfig
Ohio
Patricia Goller
Carolyn Hathaway
Amy Joos
Angela Petro
Pennsylvania
Kendra Farrow
Debra Sokol-Mckay
Puerto Rico
Magdalis Rios
Rhode Island
Jim Wardell
Tennessee
Louise Reynolds
Texas
Ann Bruin
Emily Caird
Shirley Mc Cracken
Virginia
Jayne Meekings
Washington
Keiko Namekata
Wisconsin
Penne Freyberger
Thomas Langham
Canada
Erminia Ko-Choy
Judith Michlowski
Maxine Sawyer
Iran
Hossein Esmacelzadeh
New Zealand
Ian Cox
Spain
Justo Martinez
Call for Nominations
Nominations for Officers
Division 11
Chair-Elect:
- Serves for 6 years (2 years as Chair-Elect, 2 years as Chair, and 2 years as Past Chair)
- Duties include: Oversees Division 11 Conference committee, History Committee, Awards committee and Nominations committee
- Supports actions of chair as needed
- Attends AERLift and other related conferences as needed
- Serves for 2 years
- Duties include: Recording minutes of executive board and other division meetings
- Managing financial records
- Serves on Division 11 bylaws committee
- Attends AER lift and other related conferences as needed
Award Nominations
Bruce McKenzie and Rising Star Awards
Certificate of Recognition
The Executive Board of Division 11, in an attempt to recognize more rehabilitation teachers earlier in their careers, has created a new award: The Rising Star Award.
The nomination criteria for both awards are listed below. If you know of someone who should receive either award or a Certificate of Recognition, please take the time to nominate him/her for the honor.
Bruce McKenzie Award
Purpose:
The Bruce McKenzie award is a biennial award established by Division 11 to honor Bruce McKenzie for his pioneering leadership in the field of rehabilitation teaching. It is the Division’s highest award. The award is given to an exemplary individual for outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation teaching and independent living services.
Criteria:
- A nominee shall be an active or retired rehabilitation teacher/rehabilitation teacher supervisor
- A nominee must have 10 years or more of service in the field of rehabilitation teaching
- A nominee shall have exceptional leadership qualities
- The uniqueness of a nominee’s contribution to the field shall be given due consideration
- A nominee’s contribution shall have been national in scope
- A nominee shall be a member of Division 11.
All nominations must be submitted in writing and should include biographical information, education and training, employment history, leadership qualities, contributions, achievements and professional memberships. If possible, a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae should be attached.
Each nomination must be seconded in writing.
Nominations must be submitted to Bruci Hawkins, Chair-Elect and Awards Committee Chair, by February 15, 2002.
The Division 11 Awards Committee shall select the recipients.
Rising Star Award
Purpose:
The award shall be presented to an individual that exemplifies the potential for exceptional leadership and will most likely provide a unique contribution to the field of rehabilitation teaching.
Criteria:
- A nominee shall be an ACREVP certified rehabilitation teacher
- A nominee should have no more than three years of professional service
- A nominee should have demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to profession of rehabilitation teaching.
- A nominee shall be a member of Division 11
All nominations must be submitted in writing and should include biographical information, education and training, employment, leadership qualities, contributions and achievements. The nomination should be submitted by a supervisor or professional mentor. Each nomination must be seconded in writing.
Nominations must be submitted to Bruci Hawkins, Chair-Elect and Awards Committee Chair, by February 15, 2002.
The Division 11 Awards Committee shall select the recipients.
Product Review:
ClassCo VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW
Talking Caller ID
Rose Angelocci, RTC, CRC, LRC, Rehabilitation Training Specialist
Brandi Darensbourg, Graduate Student
University of New Orleans, Training, Resource & Assistive Technology Center
P. O. Box 1051
New Orleans, LA 70148
(504) 280-5700
E-mail: rangeloc@uno.edu or bldarens@uno.edu.
ClassCo is the manufacturer of the VoiceAnnounce family of Talking Caller ID units. The models vary in price depending on the features available to the user. This product review is based on the ClassCo VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW. This model is available from Full Life Products at $54.95, and from ClassCo at $79.99.
Product Description and Key Features:
The VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW will audibly and visually identify the caller between the first and second ring of the telephone. In order to use a caller ID unit, you must be a subscriber of Caller ID service through your local telephone company. With the VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW, one can also identify Call Waiting callers if one subscribes to the Call Waiting Deluxe service through the local telephone company. A caller’s information is announced over the unit’s built-in speaker and can be announced through a telephone handset or cordless telephone when connected to the unit.
Callers can be identified by their 10-digit phone numbers or by voice labels recorded by the user. The unit does not read the associated text for the incoming call. With the VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW, one can record up to 50 individual voice labels for callers. For example, you could associate a voice label such as “It’s Mom calling.” or “It’s the boss.” with their respective telephone numbers. The VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW also identifies callers who have no information (“Number unknown”) or callers who intentionally do not release their calling information (“Number blocked”).
The name, number, date, and time of each call is stored in a Call Log. Up to 99 calls can be stored. The Call Log can be audibly or visually reviewed. The unit also offers a “dial back” feature for those callers listed in the Call Log.
Additional features of the VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW include the capability of recording up to two outgoing messages for specific callers. Also, subscribers of Voice Mail service provided by the local telephone company may be alerted to voice mail messages through visual as well as audible indicators.
Installation:
The VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW unit comes packaged with a telephone cord, AC adapter, and printed User’s Guide. The printed User’s Guide is not written specifically for a visually impaired audience. Many of the features and operations discussed are presented from the point of view of what appears on the display.
These reviewers purchased VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW units from Full Life Products. Full Life Products has prepared an instructional audiotape for visually impaired users that is available for an additional small fee. The audio guide orients the user to the unit and describes operations in terms of audible and visual cues.
The audio Users Guide provides detailed instructions for installing the unit and orienting the user to the operating keys (Record, Mode/Dial, Reverse/Forward Review, and Clear). The keys on the unit are raised and distinct in shape, size, and location. The back of the unit has three adjacent phone jacks (Line, Phone, and Answering Machine). The tape identifies each phone jack and advises where wires are to be connected.
Operating the VoiceAnnounce 9900 CW:
Once the unit is installed, it is in Standby Mode ready to receive calls. When the phone rings, the caller’s 10-digit phone number (or the recorded message for that caller) is announced. The unit has a high-quality, natural-sounding, male voice that can announce information in either English or Spanish. At the default volume (medium), the unit can be heard over a few rooms in an open area or in adjacent rooms with the doors open. Recorded messages by the user are rather clear but the sound does not carry as far as the unit’s built-in voice. The feature that allows a caller’s information to be announced over a cordless telephone (when connected to the unit) can be a benefit in that the user does not have to be within “ear shot” of the unit to know who is calling. The caller’s information also appears on an LCD display that may be difficult for some consumers with low vision to read.
If you return from being away from home, one can check the unit to see who called. Visually impaired users can hold down a Review key for two seconds and the unit will announce the calls received since the unit was last checked. The number of new calls, the date and time of each call, and the caller’s telephone number (or your recorded voice label) are announced beginning with the most recent call.
To use most of the features provided by the 9900 CW, the user must switch between different modes. The Users Guide discusses five operating modes but there are actually nine different options when one cycles through the menu with the Mode key. The unit does not speak when moving through the different operating modes. Instead, a small “blip” can be heard. To operate, a visually impaired user must memorize the number of times the mode key must be pressed to arrive at the desired function.
The recorded Users Guide describes the modes and discussed how many times the Mode key needs to be pressed to enter the desired mode option. For these reviewers (with little to no vision who are not afraid of technology), sighted assistance was needed for initial confirmation of the steps being taken for more complex operations.
The most basic operations, such as recording voice labels and clearing unwanted calls in the call log, can easily be performed by someone with no vision in the Review Calls mode. With one press of the Mode/Dial key, the user enters Review Calls mode. Then the Review keys can be used to audibly review the call log. Each call is identified by the date and time of the call followed by the recorded voice label or 10-digit telephone number. Reviewing the call log can sometimes be tedious because of the order in which call information is presented. When looking for a particular phone number, one must listen to the date and time information, the area code, and then the number. Pressing a Review key will interrupt the speech and then will announce the next call on the call log.
Once a call is heard, one can press the Record key to record a voice label or press the Clear button to remove the call from the call log. To record a message, one must press the Record key for two seconds. The unit will “beep” once. A message may be recorded. The unit allows a three-second message and will “beep” twice to signal that the recording time is over. The recorded label will be played back immediately after it is recorded.
There is one caution to be noted in creating and using recorded voice labels for incoming callers. Both reviewers experienced a problem when voice labels were made for callers using cell phones or callers from large organizations/businesses where the displayed text is the same for a series of telephone numbers. A voice label was made for a particular caller using a cell phone. A second cell phone caller with a distinctly different telephone number (using the same service in the same city) called and the 9900 CW announced that the initial caller was calling. The reviewer answered the telephone with a special greeting to the caller she believed was calling and was surprised to find out that it was someone else! Personalized voice labels can be made for specific telephone numbers with the same text displays; however, if a call arrives from a different number with the same text display of a previously defined number, the voice label for the last recorded voice label for that text display group will be announced. Therefore, it is recommended that voice labels not be recorded in these situations.
The remaining features (Dial Back, Recording Outgoing Messages, and manually entering telephone numbers) all require the user to be familiar with the various modes. For a visually impaired user, this requires counting the number of times the Mode key is pressed to arrive at a particular function. Once the user has switched to a particular mode, an additional sequence of keystrokes may be required to perform the function. Most of the sequences do not provide audible feedback. Some initial problems were encountered. It should be noted that the audible “beeps” for recording an outgoing message are not consistent with those when recording a caller’s voice label. This inconsistency can lead to confusion when recording outgoing messages. When entering a telephone number manually, there was initial confusion when the first digit of the telephone number was accidentally skipped and all numbers were shifted.
The Custom Set-Up option is where settings are adjusted. It is entered by depressing two keys (Record and Mode). There are eight options to cycle through in Custom Set-Up. Pressing the Mode key moves through each option. Options are again not spoken, therefore, a visually impaired user must rely on memory and counting. As one arrives at an option, audible feedback regarding the status of that option is heard. One “beep” notifies that an option is OFF while two “beeps” indicates that an option is ON.
Summary:
To use the 9900 CW, a visually impaired user would need to memorize the layout of the buttons and steps to complete basic functions. For functions not used every day, instructions in an accessible format or some kind of “cheat sheet” would be beneficial. Keying in an operation must be carried out quickly or the unit will return to Standby mode (after 20 seconds). Therefore, these reviewers read over the instructions for particular functions and then quickly enter the necessary keystrokes. It would not be advisable to enter a keystroke, refer to the notes, and expect to continue the process. There are not enough audible cues to know if you are still performing the initial function.
A visually impaired user needs to be steady handed and be able to memorize a sequence of steps. The limited audible feedback can cause frustration for some. Patience is required.
Most talking caller ID units are useful to persons with vision impairments who recognize telephone numbers of callers. The majority of units do not speak the text associated with the phone number. The 9900 CW compensates for this limitation through the added feature of recorded voice labels.
Households with both sighted and non-sighted members will find this unit useful. Sighted household members begin to appreciate announced calls. They do not have to stop what they are doing to see who is calling.
Overall, these reviewers have enjoyed using the 9900 CW Talking Caller ID. This product may be useful for some but not for all consumers with vision loss. Other Talking Caller ID models are available. For more information on ClassCo VoiceAnnounce Talking Caller ID products, features, and pricing, consult the following sources:
ClassCo
603-225-2990
www.classco.com
Full Life Products
800-400-1540
www.superproducts.com
Maxi-aids Corporation
800-522-6294
www.maxiaids.com
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
It’s Auction Time!
We need your help in collecting donations for this event. We thought it might be fun to have a theme for the auction, thus helping us focus ideas for donations. The theme for this year’s auction will be “Rehabilitation Teaching: Touching all corners of the world.” We hope that this theme will inspire our members to donate regional items and local favorites to this Division 11 fundraising event.
To help coordinate donations and transport them to Toronto, we are requesting that you ship or mail your donations to Bruci Hawkins. If you have any questions please contact Bruci at (607) 277-5436 or BruciHawkins@aol.com.
We need your help in order to make this event a success. Please consider sending an item even if you are not attending the conference. Thanks very much.
REMINDER
Division 11 Officers for 2000-2002:
Chair-elect: Bruci Hawkins, (607) 277-5436, BruciHawkins@aol.com
Secretary/treasurer: Mary Beth Harrison, (708) 447-5765, marydoug@chicagonet.net
Past Chair: Lisa-Anne Mowerson, (412) 635-7318, LASM@worldnet.att.net