We hope to hear what other groups are doing.
--- May 1998 ---
The VIPACE meeting for Friday May 15, 1998 was brought to order by the
VIPACE coordinator Chris Hunsinger, and a roll-call was taken with 19
people in attendance including our guest speaker.
Treasurer's Report:
Previously, the sum was $274.25, expenses were $15 towards Consumer
Provider Council, leaving $259.25 as the total. Dues collected in
1998 were $130 (which is 26 paid members for this year). VIPACE has 50
members and associates in all.
New Business:
Upcoming programs and events include:
1. A trip to the USX Corporation's Computer Systems on the South Side is
scheduled on Friday, June 12 to learn how VIPACE member Mike Zaken uses
Windows 95 on the job. A separate June meeting may also be scheduled as
well. Further info will be posted later;
2. a VIPACE picnic is in the works for either the month of July or August.
The tentative plan for the picnic is going to be held at Southpark. The
program coordinator Gene Rossi is working with Access to pick-up groups of
people and return them from the Pitt Student Union for both events, the June
USX visit and the summer picnic;
3. if you are interested in self-defense lessons please phone Sam Willard
at 412-681-3310 for further information. Schedules may have changed so
please call him for the details.
4. Dr. Yang Cai (also known as Doug) briefly spoke to us. Doug is
affiliated with the Computer, Automation, and Robotics Group at Carnegie
Mellon University (CMU). His interests lie in developing new assistive
technology and equipment for the visually impaired, and may pursue a
research grant for this goal. Thank You Doug!!
Agenda:
Dave Noble, the acting Program Manager for the Radio Information Service
(RIS) of Pittsburgh, addressed our group on future broadcast methods. Mr.
Noble explained that currently RIS broadcasts in two ways: through an
F.M. sub-carrier provided by WDUQ and through cable television. Dave
relayed that RIS had received a grant allowing them to purchase equipment
to record programs in a digital format. This method would permit RIS to
broadcast over the Internet, utilize CD-ROMs, and purchase a dial-in
telephone newspaper service such as Newsline in which blind people could
hear the newspaper over the phone through high-quality synthesized speech.
VIPACE members welcomed the new broadcast methods, and also stressed
the importance of maintaining the existing services for those desiring
it, plus to be used while the progress was being undertaken.
Also, Dave Noble informed the group about a convention to be held in June
of the National Association of Radio Reading Services in Cleveland, Ohio.
The primary focus of the meeting is on future broadcast methods which may
be used by Radio Reading Services across the country. If you would like to
contact Dave Noble at RIS for further info, phone 412-488-3944 or send him
email at [log in to unmask]
Thank You Dave Noble for the exciting new updates and sharing the
technical advancements with us! Stay tuned for further VIPACE
announcements and hope you can attend next month's events.
Sincerely,
Jim Vaglia
VIPACE Secretary
JV
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