HIMS Announces Polaris Firmware Updates

Polaris and Mini Side by Side

HIMS Inc. announced today a Firmware Update for the Polaris and Polaris Mini. This update includes the following:

Google Drive Integration

“The Polaris was already the most user-friendly notetaker on the market, and it just got better. The Google Drive integration in this firmware release creates a new folder in the File Manager that syncs to your Google Drive account. After signing in, you can copy and paste files into this folder and it will sync to Google Drive automatically. Now all of your files can be up to date on any device.”

Google Search

“Skip the clutter when searching the internet with the all-new Google Search integration on the Polaris. Our interface is easy to use and saves you time. Simply type your search and get results in an easy to navigate list. When you find the result you want, just hit Enter to be taken to that website. It’s just that easy!”

How to Upgrade

You can find resources for updating your Polaris Firmware on the HIMS website by clicking here, or by getting the resources from the links below.

Download the Latest Polaris Firmware
Download the Latest Polaris Mini FirmwareRelease Notes    (.docx)
Get the Latest Polaris User Manual
Get the Latest Polaris Mini User Manual
Upgrade Announcement (.docx)
Visit the HIMS website for all Polaris and Polaris Mini Resources

Meet Rick: President of ATR and licensed Occupational Therapist

Rick Ziller, President of ATR

Rick Ziller is a licensed Occupational Therapist who received a B.S. in Rehabilitative Science and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Concordia University. 

Rick began his career as a school based occupational therapist working with K-12 students with special needs. During that time he quickly realized his knowledge of technology was more than essential in the area of education, occupational therapy, and beyond. His time working in schools paved the way to his role as occupational therapist at ATR. While working the last several years as an occupational therapist for individuals with disabilities, Rick has experience in the following areas:

• Conducting AT evaluations for individuals with high-level special needs.

• Determining options in devices and services to suit clients’ educational, mobility, self-care, accessibility, sensory, and environmental needs.

• Analyzing physical limitation and creating custom solutions for technology access.

• Environmental modification to increase independence.

• Providing occupational, ergonomic, and self-care training.

• Referrals for a list of available solutions sources.

• Energy conservation & work simplification training

Rick is proficient in both Macintosh and Windows computers, has done an ergonomic analyses for a major manufacturer, and has experience adapting equipment to better suit the needs of those using it. Rick has a wide range of experience working with clients who have physical disabilities, visual impairments, and those clients with special needs, such as mobility impairments, cognitive and motor delays, traumatic brain injury, emotional disorders, autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other health impairments. 

Rick trains clients in a variety of software including Microsoft’s suite of productivity applications, Macintosh applications, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software. He teaches groups of teachers and students in the use of adaptive technology. Rick performs adaptive technology assessments, troubleshooting and support for adaptive software and equipment. In addition, he specializes in unique custom solutions to further the independence of others often creating voice access systems that cater to the specific goals of his client. 

“I am humbled every day by the amazing people I am privileged to serve. Getting to know our clients and help them overcome barriers to independence inspires me to reach further in my own life. Seeing what others can accomplish with a little help and encouragement brings a perspective that may have otherwise taken years to experience. We live in a time where technological advancements are plentiful but not necessarily designed for those who need them most, and this where ATR can help. We simply translate technology into a usable form; re-purposing it to allow others to achieve their goals.”

~ Rick Ziller, President of ATR, MOTR/L

Polaris Firmware Upgrades Available

Polaris and Mini Side by Side

HIMS, Inc. has just announced the May 2019 firmware release for the Polaris. This update contains new features that simply cannot be found in any other notetakers.

Google Drive Integration

The Polaris was already the most user-friendly notetaker on the market, and it just got better. The Google Drive integration in this firmware release creates a new folder in the File Manager that syncs to your Google Drive account. After signing in, you can copy and paste files into the folder and it will sync to Google Drive automatically. Now all of your files can be up to date on any device.

Google Search

Skip the clutter when searching the internet with the all-new Google Search integration on the Polaris. Our interface is easy to use and saves you time. Simply type your search and get results in an easy to navigate list. When you find the result you want, just hit Enter to be taken to that website. It’s just that easy!

Upgrade Today!

You can find resources for updating your Polaris Firmware on the HIMS website by clicking here.

The Sky is the Limit!

Jan using Dragon software on her computer

“Hi, I am Jan, and I have a disability. Specifically, I have erosive osteoarthritis, which affects my hands, feet, shoulders, neck, and back (as of right now at least). For someone who has always worked in an office setting, it was rather disheartening to realize that the arthritis was crippling the joints on my fingers making it difficult to do things most people wouldn’t even give a second thought to, including typing. It’s not that I ‘can’t’ type…. it’s just that any length of time spent typing makes the pain in my hands worse, therefore lessening the number of other things I can do later that day with my hands. This definitely led to me feeling down about myself. I want to get a job to provide for my family, but the effects of my disability, especially on my hands, made me feel like I would never be able to help support them, until I found out about all of the benefits I get being on disability.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started working with Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. I was so excited to meet my counselor and to see what DVR had to offer, that would hopefully help me feel successful again. One of the wonderful things that I have gotten to experience since working with DVR is the training that I have received from a company called Adaptive Technology Resources. My trainer’s name is Linda. She is very kind, super patient, and is an excellent teacher. You can’t help but feel good about yourself after having a training session with Linda, which is very important when you feel like you can’t do anything, due to your disability. Linda and I have been working on learning how to use a program called Dragon. I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given through DVR and ATR, but I’m especially grateful for Dragon as it makes me feel like I can do anything again.

What a humbling experience to be able to work with such a program where all I need to do is talk into a microphone. There are commands that I need to learn how to use and memorize but once I do enough practicing, honestly, I feel as though the sky is the limit, and my disability is no longer holding me back!”

Thank you so much to ATR but especially to Linda, for helping me get my confidence back to apply for a part-time job doing what I enjoy!

Jan using Dragon software on her computer

Free Webinar for Polaris and Polaris Mini

Polaris and Mini Side by Side

Free Video Webinar 10/29/18 for Polaris and Polaris Mini

Polaris and Mini

ATR is offering a free educational webinar to describe the uses of the BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris Mini from HIMS for students and teachers and those looking for assistance with personal tasks.  Our specific focus will be the new updates recently released in the HIMS Fall Firmware Upgrade that include additional tools for students.

 

POLARIS MATH: Polaris Math makes creating and adding advanced graphs into the Polaris Word Processor quick, easy, and effective. Graphs can be embossed, saved as braille files, and much more.

 

NOTEPAD: Our new Notepad is our latest text editor that works with text, Braille, EPUB and PDF files with a highly stable and responsive experience. Our updated Word Processor creates DOCX files and can edit both DOCX and DOC, and can view PowerPoint presentations.

 

Betsy Binney will be conducting this webinar on behalf of ATR.

 

The 60 minute Zoom Demonstration will be available on the following date and time:

 

Monday October 29th 12:00 P.M.

 

Registration is required by Thursday October 25th.  To sign up for the webinar, please click here.  You will be sent a response email with instructions on how to participate in the Zoom video conference.

 

For more information Contact Us at info@adaptivetr.com or 800-770-8474 Ext. 106.   Or, refer someone to ATR today online using the Referral Form.

 

 

More About Polaris & Polaris Mini:

For individuals with a visual impairment, BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris Mini from HIMS offer a new standard in blind-friendly applications with the latest in cutting edge technology including:

  • Robust productivity tools, whether you’re in the classroom, at your desk, or on the road
  • Organization and schedule management tools
  • Information and communication in the office, at home, or on-the-go; including special features for Deaf-Blind populations
  • Built in GPS

Advanced features specifically designed for students and teachers include:

  • Sophisticated Calculation and Composition offers fraction calculation, Nemath and UEB Braille code entry into a fully functional scientific calculator.  Teachers and students can share assignments and homework without their teacher needing to learn strange abbreviations and code words
  • Use the Sense Dictionary to ensure stylistic and accurate composition.  Includes Dictionary, Thesaurus, and optional English/Spanish, English/French, and English/Italian bilingual dictionaries
  • Play and navigate DAISY and NIMAS compatible digital talking books
  • Listen to and record FM radio
  • Search for and play videos on YouTube, or stream audio content
  • Certified to use all Google services, including the play store. Thus, users can choose from among the thousands of accessible Android apps and access them via Polaris’s intuitive screen reader.

 

About Betsy Binney:

Betsy received both her MBA and PhD from Marquette University in business, finance and economics.  In 2011, Betsy began providing assistive technology training to ATR clients in both Windows and Mac environments. For over nine years, Betsy had been the Director of Technology for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired in Madison, Wisconsin.

 

Over the years, Betsy has helped blind & visually impaired individuals use computers to enhance their lives and gain employment. Betsy developed distance learning courses for blind users; created & presented classes on Web site accessibility to corporate clients; and designed the Council’s online Sharper Vision Store.  She also served as Chair for the Assistive Technology Review Committee for Microsoft Corporation from 1995 to 2007. In addition, she has worked with blind and visually impaired individuals on basic daily living skills such as home organization, identification of home appliances, personal care, and recreational activities.  She initiated and led more than nine low vision support groups in Wisconsin.

 

 

Free Webinar on BrailleSense Polaris and NEW Polaris Mini

BrailleSense Polaris

ATR is offering a free webinar to describe the uses of the BrailleSense Polaris and NEW Polaris Mini from HIMS.  This presentation, conducted by Earle Harrison, Regional Sales Manager for HIMS, is geared towards applications for individuals in the workforce and those looking for assistance with personal tasks.

The 45 to 60-minute Video Webinar will be available on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, July 31st 3:00 P.M.

Thursday, August 2nd 9:00 A.M. 

Registration is required by Wednesday July 25th.  To sign up for one of the webinars, please click here.  Prior to the event, you will be sent a response email with instructions on how to participate in the Zoom video conference.

BrailleSense Polaris

For individuals with a visual impairment, BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris Mini from HIMS offer a new standard in blind-friendly applications with the latest in cutting edge technology including:

  • Robust productivity tools, whether you’re in the board room, at your desk, or on the road
  • Organization and schedule management tools
  • Information and communication in the office, at home, or on-the-go; including special features for Deaf-Blind populations
  • Built in GPS

Using an Android OS, BrailleSense Polaris and Mini offer an autonomous and intuitive platform for everyone, regardless of whether you have a visual impairment! BrailleSense Polaris & Mini support Google Apps, making it easy to utilize Google services like Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides as millions of others do every day.

Powerful performance & processing includes a Samsung 2.1GHz octa-core processor, 3GB RAM and 64GB storage, expandable storage with the SD card reader and USB host port, and super-fast data transfer and charging with the combination Micro USB and USB 3.0 data port.

Registration is required by Wednesday, July 25th.  To sign up for one of the webinars, please click here

For more information Contact Us at info@adaptivetr.com or 800-770-8474 Ext. 106.   Or, refer someone to ATR today online using the Referral Form.

ATR logo

ATR Open House

ATR logo

In celebration of 23 years in business and its new location, Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc. (ATR) will be hosting an Open House for the public:

Wednesday, August 1st

10am – 3pm

W175 N11163 Stonewood Drive, Suite 232

Germantown, WI 53022

Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc. is a small company that began in 1995.  ATR provides assistive technologies, evaluation and training services to individuals with varying abilities.  These services are provided by Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Software Training Staff, and Low Vision & Blindness Service Professionals.  In keeping with its individuals with disabilities such as blindness and dyslexia.

Join us on August 1st to learn more about solutions such as:

The GrandCare system: a caregiving tool that enables designated family members and caregivers to remotely interact with, care for, and monitor activities and health status of a loved one – it is the ultimate connection when you can’t be there.  Wireless activity and telehealth devices can be added as needed.

Low Vision and Blindness Solutions: from Magnification Devices to Reading Machines to Wearable OCR glasses to Braille Notetakers and more!  ATR has a variety of solutions that can give individuals with no or low vision their independence.  Portable, desktop and wearable solutions to fit the individual needs.

Educational Solutions: from reading and writing tools to note taking solutions for students.

Environmental Control Solutions: control your home by voice, using tools from simple to complex!

RSVP Appreciated!

Contact ATR:

800-770-8474     AdaptiveTR.com     info@adaptiveTR.com

Follow ATR on Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

 

BrailleSense Polaris & the New Polaris MINI

Polaris and Mini Side by Side

Setting the New Standard for Braille Notetakers — Effortless Accessibility + Mainstream Apps & Features

BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris Mini side-by-side

BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris MINI combine the very best of two worlds with industry-leading accessibility and software that schools, businesses and home users have come to know and love. These powerhouse devices for the blind feature HIMS’ popular, paper-like Braille, a built-in OCR camera, and an upgradeable Android Operating System that supports mainstream apps like Polaris Office, Google Drive/Docs/Classroom and countless numbers of other blind-friendly apps from the Google Play Store, as well as our own proprietary apps.

Equal Access for Education, Employment & Enjoyment

polaris mini with user and his family

For the first time in history, people who are blind have easy access to the same tools-of-the-trade as their sighted counterparts without the need to get the IT department involved at all! Surf the web with Google Chrome. Use Polaris Office with Word, or Google Docs/Sheets/Slides to compose and edit memos, reports and homework assignments. Collaborate with colleagues by sharing documents on your Google Drive or syncing your calendar to your employer’s Google Calendar. And when you get home, enjoy a much-deserved break, reading a book from BookShare, BARD, Audible.com and other popular media distribution services.

Not Just Another Notetaker… It’s a HIMS Notetaker!

polaris mini

BrailleSense fans will appreciate that we’ve kept some things the same as they always were. You’ll still enjoy our ergonomic Perkins-style keyboard, traditional computer interface, Quick Browser, Excel Viewer, PowerPoint Viewer, Nemeth & UEB Math, Math Graphs, GPS navigation and Terminal Mode for using the Braille Sense Polaris and Polaris MINI as a Braille keyboard and display with your other devices — we’ve just tucked it all neatly into a new device with even more features. The 32-cell BrailleSense Polaris also has a built-in LCD and screen-casting, Voice Trigger (“Hey Polaris”), wireless charging, touch-enabled cursor buttons and user-definable, touch-enabled multi-function buttons.

Flexible Connectivity & Multimedia Support

Connect BrailleSense Polaris and Polaris MINI to your computer, iOS device, Android device, tablet or phone for easier access. You can even use it as an infrared universal remote, and binge-watch your favorite show using Chromecast to your TV.

Packed with Features, Light on Frustration!

  • User-friendly, upgradeable Android operating system
  • Access to 1000’s of apps on the Google Play Store
  • Built-in 13-megapixel camera for OCR scan, read and save
  • Optimized apps for Google Drive, Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides & APH Nearby Explorer
  • Student Essentials like Math Graphs, Nemeth & UEB Math
  • Connectivity with iOS, Android, Mac & Windows devices
  • Easy portability – BrailleSense Polaris MINI weighs in at LESS THAN 15 ounces!

ATR logo

Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, of Southeastern Wisconsin provides adaptive products and services for clients with special needs, and also conducts professional evaluations by ATP* certified Occupational Therapists.  ATR specializes in educational solutions, including Kurzweil 3000, firefly, Audio Notetaker, and Dragon Naturally Speaking and offers individual and group professional development for a variety of software and hardware solutions.  ATR has been providing low vision rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.

ZoomText 11.7 and Fusion 11.7 are now available!

Greetings ZoomText 11 and ZoomText Fusion 11 users!

The ZoomText development team has delivered a very robust set of version 11.7 updates for ZoomText 11 Magnifier, Magnifier/Reader, and Fusion 11.  These free updates include important design changes in the ZoomText software that improve stability, performance and functionality of ZoomText’s features and tools. These improvements appear in a broad range of applications including Microsoft Office (2010, 2013 and 2016), Adobe Reader, web browsers (IE11, Chrome and Firefox), Skype, Windows File Explorer, Windows apps and utilities, and more. You can learn about all of the changes in the 11.7 update in the ZoomText 11 release notes.

To get the ZoomText 11.7 updates (for Magnifier and Magnifier/Reader)

  • If a previous version of ZoomText 11 Magnifier or Magnifier Reader is already installed on your system, go to the ZoomText 11 toolbar and choose ZoomText > Manage License > Check for Updates. This will launch the update wizard and walk you through the fast update process.

If you need to install ZoomText 11.7 Magnifier or Magnifier/Reader on a new system (where ZoomText is not yet installed), you can download the full installer from the ZoomText Downloads webpage. On this webpage, go to the section titled “ZoomText 11” and choose the installer that matches your license type.

To get the Fusion 11.7 updates

  • Go to the ZoomText Downloads webpage. On this page, go to the section titled “Fusion 11” and choose the installer that matches the language you require.

We hope you are enjoying ZoomText 11 and  would love to hear your thoughts on how to make it better.  Send your feedback to support@aisquared.com.

ATR logo

Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, of Southeastern Wisconsin provides adaptive products and services for clients with special needs, and also conducts professional evaluations by ATP* certified Occupational Therapists.  ATR specializes in educational solutions, including Kurzweil 3000, firefly, Audio Notetaker, and Dragon Naturally Speaking and offers individual and group professional development for a variety of software and hardware solutions.  ATR has been providing low vision rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.

Interested in NuEyes? Up to 50% may be covered by your insurance!

Under the health code V2615 you can get 50% of NuEyes covered!

Here is a link to the details : http://hcpcs.codes/v-codes/V2615/

You must contact your insurance company to see if there is coverage for the device under that particular CPT code. If so, you would purchase the device thorough ATR, receive your complementary training, and submit for reimbursement through your insurance provider. At this time ATR does not work directly with insurance companies for device purchases, but we are excited about this potential option for our customers!

NuEyes Smartglasses Products

NuEyes in partnership with ODG has revolutionized the future of head-worn display technology for the visually impaired. NuEyes Smartglasses allow you to live a much more independent life whether you are inside or outside of your home, at work, shopping, dining with your loved ones or watching a movie.

The Full HD camera in front of the smartglasses act as forward looking eyes, capturing live images and projecting them onto the lenses in front of your eyes. You can easily adjust the images colors, magnification and brightness to what works best for you.

Using hands-free features such as voice commands, voice recognition and Text To Speech, you can interact with your NuEyes glasses without any hassle. Your glasses can be configured to respond to your own individual needs.

 

Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, of Southeastern Wisconsin provides adaptive products and services for clients with special needs, and also conducts professional evaluations by ATP* certified Occupational Therapists.  ATR specializes in educational solutions, including Kurzweil 3000, firefly, Audio Notetaker, and Dragon Naturally Speaking and offers individual and group professional development for a variety of software and hardware solutions.  ATR has been providing low vision rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.