HIMS Releases New BrailleSense Polaris Firmware

using polaris

BrailleSense Polaris

HIMS has announced their third upgrade for the BrailleSense Polaris, the first and only Google certified Braille tablet without a screen. This upgrade features many fixes and enhancements in response to customer feedback and suggestions. This includes major improvements to the Word Processor, e-mail, improved access to Web portals like airports and hotels, better consistency and connection between the BrailleSense and Android side, and more. For those who have made the transition to UEB, there is no need to ever use Computer Braille on BrailleSense Polaris. Whether you’re writing an address in the web browser, entering an email address, writing in Google Docs … Computer Braille is gone. For people who are not using UEB yet, Polaris continues to support older braille codes.

using Polaris

BrailleSense Polaris supports creating and editing of Nemeth and UEB math right in the word processor and instantly displays the results correctly for sighted teachers. Coming soon! HIMS will be releasing another Polaris update which will have a treasure trove of features including support for creating and editing graphs.

Click Here for more information about this firmware release and for upgrade instructions.

 

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.

APH and Freedom Scientific partner to make JAWS and MAGic Student Edition.

From Freedom Scientific for Immediate Release:

American Printing House for the Blind and Freedom Scientific Partner to Make JAWS and MAGic Student Edition Available on Quota

(Louisville, Kentucky – May 9, 2016) – American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and Freedom Scientific have partnered to make a “JAWS® and MAGic® Student Edition” available to students who are blind and visually impaired in primary and secondary school in the U.S. using Federal Quota Funds. See “What is Federal Quota?

American Printing House for the Blind now offers “JAWS and MAGic Student Edition” for purchase with Federal Quota funds. These licenses are sold exclusively by APH as annual subscriptions and will allow students who are visually impaired to install full versions of the popular screen reader software JAWS® and/or the screen magnifying software MAGic® on any computer they use, including computers at home. This will allow students to have 24 hour, 365 day-a-year access to their computers at both school and home. The annual subscriptions are an exceptional value at $300 per student. Read details about the products and how to order at APH Shopping Site.

Eric Damery, VP Software Product Management, Freedom Scientific and Dr. Craig Meador, President, APH announced the unprecedented JAWS and MAGic student licensing offer at the Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, CSUN 2016.

About the American Printing House for the Blind

The American Printing House for the Blind is the world’s largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Under the 1879 Federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level. APH manufactures textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats. APH also creates hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products. Visit www.aph.org.

Media Contact:
Roberta Williams
Email: rwilliams@aph.org
Phone: 527-899-2357
www.APH.org

About Freedom Scientific

Freedom Scientific is a leading worldwide provider of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, with offices in Switzerland. The Company’s products have been translated into 24 languages and are available in more than 70 countries.

Freedom Scientific® and its products are trademarks and registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

We invite you to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Brad Davis
Sales: info@FreedomScientific.com
Phone: 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com

NEW! Eye-Pal Ace Plus Version 2.0

If you have not already heard, the Eye-Pal Ace Plus version 2.0 was released on November 1st!  The Eye-Pal Ace Plus features all the Eye-Pal Ace functions PLUS the ability to communicate via email, and download books and news!  An easy to use solution for all people!

The New Ace Plus software version (2.0) features:  

  • Improved document management system for saving, emailing and recalling documents
  • Ability to stay on top of the news by downloading your favorite publications from NFB Newsline®
  • Option to plug in USB keyboard for character entry

More great reasons to check out this versatile solution:

Computer Alternative: This truly unique combination of a creative hardware design and software features bundled together in one portable, battery-operated and lightweight personal assistant. It is a simplified alternative to a computer for people who are computer averse or simply not ready to use it.

Solution for many: The new Eye Pal Ace Plus addresses the needs of a broad spectrum of people: those who are blind or deaf-blind; those with low vision; seniors, as well as working-age people for whom this device could be a convenient and comfortable-to-use addition to the use of a computer.

Ease of Use: Its “guide-like” structured environment provides for simple repetitive actions that do not change while using different modules unlike the tricky, often confusing and periodically changing environments of tablets, such as ubiquitous IPADs.

Stay in Touch: The simplified e-mail module, coupled with the NFB Newsline® and Bookshare modules, promotes communication among friends, family and caregivers. It also allows people with visual impairment to stay relevant, be socially aware and involved. In short, it promotes independent and fulfilled lives in contrast to depression, idleness and isolation.

Online Reader: Daisy navigation of the NFB Newsline® is easy and also provides those who are deaf-blind accessibility to publications. Use of the Daisy arrow buttons help to read newspapers and periodicals by section, story, or paragraph. Anyone already familiar with the Victor Reader Stream device can quickly learn to navigate local and national publications. Many end-users remarked how excited they felt to be able to read once again their local paper.

Customizable to each user: Trainers like the ability to customize the menu options to match the skill level of the end-user. Persons with memory issues can start with a simple menu and build skills and confidence. Later, add another menu module to master additional functions. This allows for positioning the product to a wide range of people and abilities. In addition, trainers like the modularity of the menu because it helps them to document student performance.

Connects to a Braille Display: Ace Plus connects to a  Braille display and can be customized to enable easy, individual-dependent training.

Affordable: The ICANConnect grant, FCC-enabled Deaf-Blind National Distribution Program will pay for the Eye-Pal Ace Plus, since it opens the door to e-mail communication. Users can send e-mail messages through a recorded voice attachment and receive a text reply that will be read aloud, displayed on the device’s 10-inch screen or accessed through a refreshable Braille display.

Order online at http://www.adaptivetr.com/eye-pal-ace.  For a free on-site demonstration, Contact ATR today at 800-770-8474 ext. 106 or Email at info@AdaptiveTR.com .

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.

eye-pal-ace-plus-email

June 1st, 2012 HIMS Releases v7.0 Upgrade for Braille Sense and Voice Sense

HIMS is excited to announce the long-awaited release of v7.0 firmware upgrade for Braille Sense and Voice Sense products!!

Keeping ahead of the competition, v7.0 is the second firmware upgrade released in 2012.  But, don’t be surprised if HIMS releases a third firmware upgrade for Braille Sense and Voice Sense models in 2012.  Consumers keep offering suggestions and our technical staff has even more new ideas.

The FREE firmware upgrade policy is a key reason why consumers keep buying, schools keep purchasing for their students and rehab counselors keep buying for their clients! Not only does HIMS offer user progressive upgrades, but they save them money!!

Upgrade links and instructions will be available on the Resource Center section of the HIMS website in the next few days. If you are in need of assistance upgrading to v7.0, please feel free to contact Jenny via email jenny@hims-inc.com or Michael via email Michael@hims-inc.com or by phone (512) 837-2000.

 This release features two new and exciting applications:

  • Google Maps
  • Direct Bookshare Search and download application

Additional features include:

  • Support for IMAP email and an EML viewer in the File Manager, allowing direct viewing of email messages from the File Manager
  • Password Protected Files, the ability to create password protected files
  • View formatting of Word documents in the Word Processor
  • Read/Write support for French, Italian and German languages ,as well as support for the Italian and French bilingual dictionaries
  • Supports Nemeth Braille entry in to the calculator and the ability to perform fractional arithmetic.

***V7.0 fixes several issues with email and web browsing, as well as various other minor fixes and additions.***

GW Micro & HIMS Announcement from ATR

Dear Friends of ATR,

There has been a recent announcement that GW Micro, formerly the North American Distributor for the Braille Sense, Voice Sense and BookSense Products, will no longer be selling these items but they will be coming directly from the manufacturer, HIMS.

Please note that ATR will continue to sell and support all of these products as a distributor of HIMS.

We will also be continuing our relationship with GW Micro as a Window-Eyes distributor here in the state of Wisconsin.

If you have any questions regarding this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Wishes,

Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc.