----- Original Message -----
From: "Mimi Kessler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2002 11:35 PM
Subject: [ittatc-news] ITTATC Newsletter - June Issue


Information Technology Technical Assistance &
Training Center (ITTATC)

ACCESS E and IT NEWS

***Promoting Accessible IT & Telecommunications***

June 1, 2002  (Vol 2, Issue, 5)


In This Issue:

1.    508 Anniversary Conference and Technology Expo
2.    NIDRR Seeks Comments on Research Priorities
3.    Section 508 Anniversary Web Cast
4.    W3C Comments Solicited
5.    New Caption and Description Authoring Tool
6.    Wireless Technology for People who are Hard-of-Hearing
7.    New Resource for People with Hearing Difficulties
8.    Foreign Language Captioning Beta Testers Needed

*****************************************
1.  508 ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPO
*****************************************
On June 21, 2001, the standards for Section 508 compliance went into
effect.
In recognition of the anniversary of this hallmark, E-Gov 2002 will host
a
variety of special events.  Industry partners are invited to highlight
their
accessibility solutions to over 10,000 government and industry
professionals
by exhibiting in a “high traffic pavilion dedicated to Section 508.”  To
complement the exhibitor kiosks, a Section 508 Lab with representation
from
8 federal government agencies will be showcasing the latest in Section
508
solutions.

For more information, visit:
http://www.e-gov.com/

**********************************************
2.  NIDRR SEEKS COMMENTS ON RESEARCH PRIORITIES
**********************************************
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
issued a notice requesting public comments recommending research
priorities
that are consistent with NIDRR’s Long-Range Plan and President Bush's
New
Freedom Initiative.  (See, Federal Register Vol. 67 No. 96, May 17,
2002).

The NIDRR Long-Range Research Plan addresses priorities in five major
areas:
a. employment outcomes, b. health and function, c. technology for
access, d.
independent living and community integration, and e. associated
disability.

Comments are due by July 16, 2002.  Send comments to:  Joel Myklebust,
U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3422, Switzer
Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645; Fax: (202) 205-8515; E-mail:
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

*************************************************
3.  SECTION 508 ANNIVERSARY WEB CAST
*************************************************
ITTATC will host a free, two-hour Web Cast to examine the implementation
of
Section 508 thus far.  Representatives from industry, federal
government,
and the disability community will exchange information about best
practices
and lessons learned, as well as identify barriers and remaining
challenges
to successful implementation.

**Learn how some federal agencies have structured their procurement
processes to comply with Section 508.
**Hear from the private sector about some successes and challenges in
meeting the demands of Section 508.
**Learn how Section 508 is working for disabled consumers.  **Get real
time
answers to your Section 508 implementation questions.

Register on-line at:
http://www.ittatc.org

************************************
4.  W3C COMMENTS SOLICITED
************************************
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C) invites comments on an updated version of the Requirements
document
for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).

The Requirements document describes the goals of current WCAG 2.0
development, and summarizes working group consensus items to date. The
Requirements document, therefore, provides some perspective on where
WCAG
2.0 is headed and provides an opportunity to comment on needs and
priorities
to be addressed.

Comments may be sent to the email address in the document, available at:
http://www.w3.org/TR/wcag2-req/

******************************************
5.  NEW CAPTION AND DESCRIPTION AUTHORING TOOL
******************************************
MAGpie 2.0 is now available!

A free, do-it yourself caption- and description- authoring tool for
digital
multimedia developed by the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible
Media
(NCAM) is now available.  A public beta version of the Media Access
Generator (MAGpie), NCAM's free captioning and audio-description
software
for digital multimedia, is now ready for downloading and testing.
Funding
for MAGpie 2.0 is provided by the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education, and the
Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).

This tool is intended for multimedia specialists, publishing companies
or
service providers who want to add captions, subtitles and audio
descriptions
to their work.  However, others will also benefit from its use.
Research
performed by WGBH has demonstrated that caption authoring is a valuable
classroom activity.  Children who produce caption files for short video
clips tend to write more, and their writing skills improve rapidly.

MAGpie 2.0 is Java-based. It will run on Windows 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and
XP,
and on Macintosh OS X. There is currently no support for earlier
versions of
the Mac OS.

To download MAGpie 2.0, go to:
http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/magpie2_registration.html

You will be instructed to fill out a brief form, after which you will be
taken to the MAGpie 2.0 public beta Web site.  Here you will find
downloading and installation instructions, a complete MAGpie
demonstration
project containing captions and audio descriptions, documentation about
using MAGpie 2.0, plus a list of new features, a list of known bugs and
problems, and instructions for subscribing or unsubscribing to the
MAGpie
listserv.

Please note:  Screen reader support currently is incomplete.  NCAM is
working on this problem and will announce an update when a new version
of
the software is ready.

***********************************************
6. WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HARD-OF-HEARING
***********************************************
Verizon Wireless announced that it has teamed with HATIS,  to provide
the
opportunity for hearing-impaired consumers to test and own a headset
that
makes it possible to use a wireless phone.

Consumers with a T-coil hearing aid interested in trying the HATIS
Freedom
can visit one of the more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications
Stores
starting May 15, 2002 for free product demonstrations. If the consumer
chooses to order a HATIS communication device, a Verizon Wireless
representative will help the customer facilitate the order, either in
the
Verizon Wireless Communications Store or through the company's online
store.

Customers interested in ordering the HATIS Producer or Freedom models
online
can go to the Verizon Wireless Accessory AccessSM Home page at:
http://www.awpheadset.com/Verizon/hearingaidproducts.asp

Customers can enter the brand and model of their wireless phone and the
site
will display compatible hearing aid products to meet their needs and
phone
requirements.

*********************************************
7.  NEW RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING DIFFICULTIES
*********************************************
The new “Survival Manual for People With Hearing Difficulties,” compiled
by
members of the nonprofit Quiet Corner Self Help for Hard of Hearing
People
Inc., (SHHH) is now available.  This book is a compilation of ideas on
how
to cope better with difficulties of hearing loss. The book includes
frequently asked questions on hearing aids, a comprehensive listings of
resources and myths vs. facts.

For information about how to obtain a copy visit:
http://www.quietcornershhh.org

Congratulations to the Quiet Corner Chapter of SHHH, which will be
presented
with the "BEST CHAPTER WEB SITE" Award AND THE "OUTREACH" Award at the
2002
SHHH International Convention to be held in Seattle from June 21 through
June 24, 2002.

SHHH convention details can be found at:
http://www.shhh.org/convention/schedule.cfm

**************************************************
8.  FOREIGN LANGUAGE CAPTIONING BETA TESTERS NEEDED
**************************************************
HiSoftware's Captioning Product that produces SAMI & SMIL Captioning
1.75
(Beta) will be released soon. The main new feature/enhancement is
language
availability in Spanish (Traditional), French (Canadian), and Italian.
Beta
testers who can provide a valid test in the appropriate languages are
needed.

All Beta Testers will receive free software.... More information on beta
programs can be found at:
http://www.hisoftware.com/betanews/Index.html

**********************************
Welcome to the distribution list for ACCESS E and IT NEWS…Promoting
Accessible Information Technology and Telecommunications…e-news from the
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center
(ITTATC).

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communications to the Newsletter's Editor, Julie Carroll, J.D., Director
of
Government & Industry Relations for ITTATC and Program Associate for the
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center, The University of Iowa College
of
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*     *     *     *     *
This is a publication of the Information Technology Technical Assistance
and
Training Center (ITTATC) which is funded by the National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of
Education
under grant number H133A000405.  The opinions contained in this
publication
do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Education.


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