An add on to Dan Flasar's message.

While on the subject of information access, here is a free program that
makes audible all Internet text information or other electronic documents. I
think all public library access computers should have a bookmark or favorite
to DocMorph at

 http://docmorph.nlm.nih.gov/docmorph/default.htm


What is DocMorph? It is a free document reader that is available over the
Internet. It makes common word processing documents and other computer files
audible. So if you have a computer, a sound card and Internet access you're
able to send documents to DocMorph; DocMorph will return your documents as
audio files, readable with DocMorph's free speech engine.

Because DocMorph is freely available over the Internet, access to
information for those who accept information in computerized voice, is
greatly expanded. Those individuals are not limited to a computer with
screen reading software. For example, most public libraries, have Internet
access, Doc Morph can be used by individuals to listen to many word
processing documents or other DocMorph compatible files.

Even more important, information that needs to be listened to without delay
while in the presence of the person who is knowledgeable and would be able
to answer questions can be made available with DocMorph. What comes
immediately to mind is when a person needs a thorough understanding of a
document such as when in the office of a doctor, lawyer, pharmacist or other
professional. If that professional has a computer, sound card and Internet
access, DocMorph can be used, allowing the individual to listen to the
information at their own pace.

In academia, DocMorph can expand student access to faculty information. Of
course, both students and faculty can use DocMorph for audible information
access to university information.

At our library we use DocMorph to read documents for people without a
computer who need information immediately and will accept a mechanical
voice. We hook up a cassette player to the computer speaker and let
DocMorph's synthesized voice to read the material. We then mail the tape to
them or duplicate it to send to hundreds.

It's not ideal but it is another weapon in the arsenal of accessing
information.

How do you use it?

Your browser must be Internet Explorer 5. DocMorp's computer assisted
reading function does not work with other browsers at this time. You need to
download the speech engine and install it on your computer. You only install
it once.

All new users need to submit a one-time free registration. You will want to
have an easily remembered password handy. (Microsoft will remember it for
you for future use but only use this function when using your own computer.)

To Start Morphing choose the "Reading Room" function and begin. (DocMorph
does chores other than speech.) You may submit word processing files, text
files, rich text format files, HTML files among others.

You select the "Upload File" button to submit your job. Wait for the
conversion to finish. It will normally take about twenty seconds if you
submit a text file or word processing file. Save the file to a disk and it
will automatically start reading an introductory page.

You will want to bookmark DocMorph and build a folder full of readable
documents on your computer. Librarians and individuals finding this program
helpful should become proficient in its use. You want to be capable of
explaining installation and usage to colleagues, friends and other that
don't have a screen reader but have access to DocMorph!

Richard J. Smith, Ph.D.
Director
Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
P.O. Box 387
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0387
573-522-2767
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PS Morph's definition:

morph 3 [mawrf ] (past morphed, past participle morphed, present participle
morph·ing, 3rd person present singular morphs) vti

1. transform from one image to another: to transform one graphic image on
screen into another or others, through the use of sophisticated computer
software, or to be transformed in this way
2. transform quickly: to cause something to change its outward appearance
completely and instantaneously, or to undergo this process

From:
Encarta(r) World English Dictionary [North American Edition] (c) & (P) 2001
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
http://dictionary.msn.com/




Richard J. Smith, Director
Wolfner Library
573-522-2767

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Dan Flasar [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Sunday, March 31, 2002 2:46 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: FWD -- new contact info  (DOL)

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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
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Bill,
   Because your request for info is of general interest to all people losing
or having lost their vision, I think it is worthwhile to post suggestions to
the list.
      Each state has different agencies offering help to the blind, some
offering more help than others.    A city hall or librarian can help finding
these agencies.  Most local phone companies will provide free directory
assistance with proof of blindness, so access to listings is  generall
available, though celphone companies, as far as I can see, do not provide
this service, charging as much as .99 per request.
     Of course, there is the Talking Books program available through your
state library redistributor for the LIbrary of Congress.  Books are provided
via cassette these dats, with a promised changeover to randomly accessible
CD-ROm-like media sometime in the net 10 years.   Players are provided by
the
participating library at no charge. AGain, verification of visual status (or
disability) is required for participation. Another organization, Readings
for
the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD) does make a one-time initial charge of $50.
Their mission is to tape books not already covered by the Library of
Congress
Taking B ooks project.  They use volunteer readers rather than professional
readers like the Library of Congress, but you can get textbooks, technical
works and less massmarket appeal readings. They will also read a  book for
you if you provide two copies, both of which are returned, at no charge (as
far as I know).  There is an annual fee of $25, very much worth the cost.


     The Library of Congress also provides through the Taling Books program
such magazines as National Geographic, ATlantic MOnthly, American Heritage,
National REview, Outdoor LIfe, The WRiter and many others, with new titles
added each year.  These are also frees, the requested magazines on cassette
come to your door monthly via US mail.
     Most journals and many magazines are availalbe over the World Wide Web
in plain text versions.   A screen reder for your computer can read these
articles aloud to you.   The software is not free, but some states will pay
for the license.  Some states will provide computers and equipment. AGain,
check with your local blind services agency.  I should mention that most of
these benefits are provided as part of a program to eitehr keep or gain
employment.     It takes time to learn the program, but it's worth it.
    Some other programs, like Open Book (Freedom Scientific) and Kurzweil
2000 can read a book to you by using a scanner to scan in the books pages
and
using Optical Character REading software to translate the scanned page image
into readable text, which the software then does.

     There are also sites on the internet, like Project Gutenberg, which
provide text versions of out of print books. These books were typed in by
hand by volunteers over the last 20 years or so to preserve books from
disappearing forever once they are no longer published.    You can download
these books for free and your screen reader can read them.    There is no
charge for this service  but the managers of Project Gutenberg, all of whom
are volunteers, will gladly accept contributions to provide new equipment
and
the like.
       There are other sites on the web that provide scanned-to-text
versions
of all kinds of things like historical documents.   I am compiling a list of
these and plan to put them up on a website one of these days.  By the way,
anyonw of who knows of sites that provide free access to full-text documents
regionally and locally, please send a private email to me at
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     Furtyher, Newsline is a national service that offers access to
newspapers via the telephone in most of the country, with more newespapers
added each month.   Almost all the mamjor national newspapers (USA Today, NY
Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, etc.) are available, as are the
local big city and many  mid-city newspapers.   Look up Newsline on the
internet for further details.  If you are a member of the Talking Books
program already and Newsline is available in your area, you are already
eligible. If not, you'll need to provide proof of your impairment.
Further,
most newspapers will provide full texts of at least part of their content
locally, which, again, can be read by your screen reader.

     Finally, I suggest seeking out blind people who are doing the things
you'd like to do and get to know them.  One of the best ways to do this is
to
join an organization fo blind folks.  I belong to the National Federation fo
the Blind but there are many more, all of whom provide mentoring and who
include many, many dynamic and successful blind people who are very willing
to share their strategies with you.
     If your sister would like to communicate with me, I'd happy to answer
andy questions she may have and to provide more reverences to resources she
might be interested in.   She can reach me at the email cited int his post.

    Hope this helps.   Blindness is certainly inconvenient.  Losing vision
can be vbery frightenning but it sure isn't the end of your life.   There
are
so m any resources today and so many blind people are living full lives that
the future is bright even for those who can't see hwo bright it is.

Dan Flasar
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