Forwarded from: Pat Price <[log in to unmask]>

January 5, 2005 Accessible World Symposium

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Living in a accessible world is just a dream for many who must meet the
daily challenges imposed upon them by a variety of physical disabilities.
The monthly Accessible World Symposiums sponsored by Talking Communities
are designed to make that dream a reality

Session 1:  9:00 a.m. (Pacific)John Davin's Business Web Site Startup and
organization Seminar

Follow along online as John Davin takes you through the entire process of
developing a new web site from scratch. Once you are done with this
presentation, you should be able to build your own professional web site
within a few short hours and save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your
own web site.

John will reveal at least 30 tools that will save you time and money
developing your own web site. Examples are plug-n-play automatic web site
forms, discussion forums, shopping carts, photo sections, press release
modules and more. As a bonus, you'll also want to print the business
startup checklist for web sites, and fill in the information about your
business as you go. Items such as your web site host, domain name
registrar, merchant account information and so much more. You'll never lose
important facts and assets about your web site again!
Contact:
John Davin, Owner
My New Office.Com
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
Web:  http://www.mynewoffice.com/

Session 2:  11:00 A.M. (Pacific)
DO-IT:  Research to Practice

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunties, Internetworking and Technology) has
worked for more than twelve years to help individuals with disabilities
achieve success in college and careers. Disabilities represented in the
DO-IT community include learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder,
mobility impairments, sensory impairments, psychiatric disabilities and
health impairments. Computers, assistive technology and the Internet are
used as empowering tools. This presentation will provide an overview of
research regarding successful interventions for increasing the
representation of underrepresented groups in challenging fields (e.g.,
science, engineering, technology) and how DO-IT has successfully employed
many of these interventions with high school and college students with
disabialities. Among them are hands-on academic activities, technology
training, bridge programs, peer support, mentoring, online support, and
work-based learning and research experiences.


Contact:
Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D.
Director DO-IT, AccessSTEM, UW Accessible Technology Svs; Co-Dir, AccessIT
Computing & Communications
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
Web:  http://www.washington.edu/doit/


Session 3:  12:30 p.m.  (Pacific)
Mobile Speak:, Optelec solution for cell phone accessibility.

This is a  software based product that is loaded onto your cell
phone.  Once installed onto your compatible mobile phone, it simply
converts text into speech. It allows blind and low vision  users to have
access to almost all of the functionality  provided by most standard cell
phones today.

Optelec has two blue tooth keyboards that may be used in conjunction with
Mobile speak, one is a Braille keyboard, the other, qwerty. These keyboards
allow for quick and easy navigation of menus as well as fast and easy text
input to be used with your mobile phone.

Contact:
JoAnn Becker
Product Marketing Manager, Blindness Division
Optelec USA Inc.
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
Web:  http://www.optelec.com


Session 4:  1:30 p.m. Eastern
Diabetes, Vision, and Low Vision

Diabetes can have devastating effects on
many parts of the body.  The eye is no exception. Diabetes is the leading
cause of blindness in those of working age in America. Diabetes related
complications and treatment options will be presented. Low Vision devices,
adaptive strategies and equipment will be discussed.

Contact:
Tina R. Mac Donald, O.D., C.D.E., F.A.A.O
Director, Diabetic Optometric Services
Coordinator, Internship and Residency
Programs
Center for the Partially Sighted
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
Web:  www.low-vision.org


**********
The online, interactive symposium begins at 9:00 a.m. Pacific, 10:00 a.m.
Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Central, and 12:00 Noon Eastern time. It is absolutely
free and allows you to join with others around the world from your home,
office, classroom, or wherever you and a computer are located.

All you need to enjoy this live interactive event is to have a PC computer,
an Internet connection, speakers and a microphone. Text chat is available
for those without a microphone.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the symposium,
1)       Go to http://events.talkingcommunities.com/.
2)       Select the link "Enter the Room Here."
3)      Type your name and press ENTER.

A small software applet will download on your computer as you enter the room.


All symposiums are recorded and available soon after the event concludes on
the Talking Communities website at http://www.talkingcommunities.com

For more information, contact:

Pat Price, Events Coordinator
Tel:  317-254-1185
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]