NEW QBraille XL from HIMS, Inc.

QBraille XL User

In case you haven’t heard, the QBraille XL is one of the hottest braille products available right now and people are taking notice.  A Unique Blend of a Perkins Keyboard and QWERTY Function Keys! QBraille XL represents an entirely new type of 40-cell Braille display. The QBraille XL replaces the need for special keystrokes with the intuitively placed function keys found on all QWERTY keyboards. With the QBraille XL, closing an application means simply pressing the dedicated and familiar Alt+F4 buttons.

Don’t take our word for it… Read the NFB Review: The Best of Both Worlds: The QBraille XL Almost Perfectly Blends a Braille Display and a USB Keyboard

Don’t have a QBraille XL yet?  If you think the QBraille XL might be the braille display you are hoping for but want to learn more, email us at Info@AdaptiveTR.com or call 1-800-770-8474 ext. 106 for a free demonstration.

QBraille XL User

Quality Quest: 

HIMS has just announce the latest firmware release for the QBraille. Several quirks were quelled, including Mac Quick Nav Commands. Quickly check out the details. I’m sure you won’t have any qualms. Updates:1. Improved support for Mac computers, including: connectivity, Caps Lock commands, keyboard layout, and arrow key combinations.2. Pressing Escape will now function the same as pressing Escape on a keyboard in Windows. Pressing Mode + Escape will toggle between computer braille and your chosen grade.3. Added One-Handed mode.4. Improved usability of several Windows key combinations. To update your firmware, please follow these instructions:1. Extract the zip file and copy the folder and files to the root of an SD card.2. Place the SD card in the QBraille and connect to USB power.3. Long press the Power button to perform a complete shutdown.4. Long press the power button again to boot the unit.5. The unit will automatically upgrade and reboot once more. 
Here are your download links: https://www.hims-inc.com/brailleproducts_06/

ATR’s Betsy Binney On the New HIMS BrailleSense Polaris

BrailleSense Polaris

“These are a few of my Favorite Things”… On The New HIMS BrailleSense Polaris

By Dr. Betsy R Binney, MBA, Ph.D.

Betsy Binney has been providing assistive technology training to visually impaired individuals for ATR since 2011. She received both her MBA and PhD from Marquette University in business, finance and economics. For nine years, Betsy was the Director of Technology for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired in Madison, Wisconsin. There, she helped blind & visually impaired individuals use computers to enhance their lives and gain employment. Betsy also 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 at the request of Bill Gates from 1995 to 2007. Betsy was diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes when she was four years old. In February of 1993, she lost most of her useful vision to Diabetic Retinopathy. She has no vision in her left eye and a very small amount of residual vision in her right eye. The following are Betsy’s comments and review of the new Polaris notetaker from HIMS.

Battery Life

The HIMS flyer says the Polaris has 18 hours for battery life, which is phenomenal in its own right. On my initial test of the device I got 20 ½ hours using a Bluetooth keyboard and Wi-Fi! I was really impressed with this. I have a BrailleSense U2 and using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi I get about 12 hours.

Size

The BrailleSense Polaris has 32 cells of adjustable braille height, which is the same as the BrailleSense U2. However, the Polaris measures 9.66 x 5.66 x 0.39 inches! It’s only about 1/3 of an inch thick! It’s super lightweight at 1.65 pounds.

Display

Why on earth would a Braille Device have a display on it? Inclusion, Inclusion, Inclusion! The BrailleSense Polaris has an LCD high contrast screen on it so that it can be read by the sighted. It also has an HDMI port to hook into a monitor allowing the user to play presentations using the PowerPoint Viewer or Google Sheets.

Productivity

Preinstalled Apps include Polaris Office (Word, Slides, Sheets, E-mail), Web Browser, Terminal for Screen Reader, DAISY, File Manager, Schedule Manager, Address Manager, Calculator, Calendar, Media Player, Time & Date, Alarm, Stopwatch, and FM Radio. Optimized Apps include Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive. These Apps can be synced with your existing Google accounts.

Apps

You can use the Google Play store to download additional apps. This can be done by going directly to the store from the Polaris. The Polaris links to iOS devices and Android devices. Touch gestures are also part of the BrailleSense Polaris. A user can use swiping and tap gestures right on the Polaris. This makes navigation a breeze.

Extras

Deaf-Blind clients will love the feature of using either a USB or Bluetooth keyboard to communicate with the hearing and sighted world. If you connect a keyboard with the BrailleSense Polaris, any person can communicate with the user. The BrailleSense Polaris supports conventional Braille in grades 1 and 2, Nemeth code, computer Braille and the latest Unified English Braille (UEB).

 

In summary, The BrailleSense Polaris is the missing link in mainstream schools that will allow students with a visual impairment to interact with other classmates. It will be a very useful tool for students and Vision Teachers alike.

 

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.

 

Attention All Vision Professionals in Wisconsin!

The Wisconsin Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired along with Vision Professionals of Wisconsin will be hosting the 2nd Annual Collaborative Vision Conference in Stevens Point, WI on April 24th and 25th.

ATR’s own Gabe DeLeon will be there exhibiting our line of Low Vision and Blindness Products, including the OrCam and NuEyes wearable products.

To learn more or buy tickets for this event, click here.

To learn more about the devices or services we can provide to patients with low vision or blindness, contact Gabe DeLeon at 800-770-8474 ext. 108 or email Gabe@adaptivetr.com with questions.

ATR is a Southeastern Wisconsin based company that has been providing low vision rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.

Release of Sense Notetaker V8.5 Patch

HIMS is pleased to bring you this highly anticipated patch firmware release for the Braille Sense V8.5 firmware. This will be the final firmware release for the Braille Sense PLUS, Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY and Braille Sense OnHand.

This firmware fixes problems accessing and sending e-mail for many popular providers, significantly improves YouTube access, adds a special Exam Mode for students taking standardized tests, and gives you the ability to connect to both a USB and Bluetooth device simultaneously in the Terminal For Screen reader.

Please review the release notes (MS Word DOCX File) for a detailed list of all the enhancements and fixes in this patch. For more details and instructions for updating your notetaker, visit the appropriate section in our resource center:


Braille Sense OnHand:
https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-onhand

Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY: https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-plus-qwerty

Braille Sense PLUS: https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-plus

Braille Sense U2: https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-u2

Braille Sense U2 QWERTY: https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-u2-qwerty

Braille Sense U2 MINI: https://hims-inc.com/resource-center/braille-sense-u2-mini

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

Sense Notetaker v8.2 Just Released! Packed with Features YOU’VE Asked For!

Braille Sense Notetakers made history by being the first to include Nemeth code support, native access to Excel and PowerPoint files, proprietary YouTube, Dropbox, Quick Browser and social media apps and HIMS is about to make history again. Sense v8.2 was officially released today and includes several trail blazing new features that we know customers will appreciate.

Awesome New Features in v8.2 Include:

Facebook Client – For the first time ever, people who are Blind have optimized access to the most popular social network in the world directly from their Braille Notetaker. Post on time lines, accept friend requests, comment on posts and more right on your Braille Sense U2 product.

Macro Manager – Save time by automating your own commonly-used or complex key sequences into just a couple of key strokes to make your own handy shortcuts.

Record in DAISY – Take better notes in class or at work by recording right into a DAISY format where you can easily insert headings, marks, phrases and pages. Finding and using recorded information becomes infinitely easier when stored and organized in this format.

Edit Two Documents at Once – You can now have a second instance of the word processor open and switch between two documents without stopping to save or close the first.

Password Protected Start-Up – Secure your notetaker just like you do you phone or other devices. Set your notetaker to require a password on start-up or when waking from sleep mode.

CSV Support – Now you can import and export CSV files directly from your Braille Sense Notetaker. This new feature combined with our excel viewer makes Braille Sense the most capable notetaker for spreadsheets and databases.

Unique Features Already Included in
Braille Sense U2 Notetakers:

It’s easy to see why the Braille Sense U2 line of notetakers have quickly become a favorite go-to product for student and professionals. Reliable hardware combined with common-sense design and mainstream-compatible features have made HIMS Braille Notetakers. The unique features below are just a small sampling of the capabilities that have been standard to Braille Sense U2 Notetakers since the release of Sense v8.0 and v8.1.

Best-In-Class Nemeth Support for performing advanced calculations and showing your work using standard mathematical symbols and not abbreviations or code like the competition uses.

PowerPoint Viewer that lets you open PPT and PPTX files directly on your notetaker with no modification.

YouTube™ streaming for accessing educational videos and finding homework help.

Dropbox™ access for sharing files with peers, parents, teachers and students.

Bookshare™ Direct Download for fast, easy access to classic and contemporary literature. Excel™ Viewer for math and career training.

Exclusive HIMS Quick Browser for faster surfing and almost instantaneous Google™ Search and RSS results — Up to ten times faster than our previous browser!

Full Screen View on VGA Monitors so teachers and parents can interact to help check grammar and syntax.

RSS Reader for fast access to content school website content, news feeds and podcasts.

Google Talk with Voice Chat for peer-to-peer collaboration.

Learn more about all of the new features and fixes included in this update in HIMS’s resource center.

Call ATR today at 800-770-8474 or visit www.AdaptiveTR.com to learn more about Braille Sense U2 Notetakers and to find out if this could be the right device for you, your clients or your students! 


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.

 

iPads and E-bot portable video magnifiers with OCR!

Join HIMS and ATR Adaptive Technology Resources for an exciting and informative webinar! 

iPads and E-bot portable video magnifiers with OCR are changing the way students and teachers use AT in the classroom!

Learn how the new E-bot portable reading, writing and distance magnifiers with OCR text-to-speech are changing the way students view assistive technology and making it easier than ever for teachers to prepare more flexible lesson plans.

When: May 29, 2014 at 8:00 AM Central Daylight Time

We will host a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q & A period when we will stay on the line to answer any related questions you may have.  We will cover:

  • How pairing a video magnifier with an iPad motivates even initially reluctant students to embrace assistive technology in their classroom
  • Ways to quickly and easily accommodate low vision students for upcoming Common Core standardized tests – without the help of an aid or special testing materials!
  • Ways teachers can create more flexible lesson plans and reduce the amount of time spent creating accessible materials for low vision students
  • How familiar touch-screen gesture controls make learning and using the advanced features of E-bot as easy as handing an iPad to a toddler
  • When and why you should choose a joystick-interface with motorized camera for your students
  • How appropriate use of OCR text-to speech can make study sessions easier and more comfortable for visually impaired students.

Register right away!

>> Click Here to Register Now!

If you are unable to make this date/time, please use the link above to register and we’ll be sure to send you the audio recording after the session.


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.

Visit ATR at Eye Care Specialists CEC Conference, May 18th, Wauwatosa, WI

Find out what’s new in low vision technology solutions!

Come see our booth at the Eye Care Specialists’ bi-annual Optometric Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conference at the Radisson Hotel – Milwaukee West – on Sunday, May 18th from 7am to 3pm.  Gabe DeLeon of Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, will be presenting some of the latest technology available for low vision, and these products will be available for hands-on demonstrations.

For more information on the events of the day see the Eye Care Specialists website.

Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc., ATR, is a Southeastern Wisconsin based company that has been providing low vision rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.

To learn more on the devices or services we can provide to patients with glaucoma or low vision, contact Gabe DeLeon at 800-770-8474 ext. 108 or email Gabe@adaptivetr.com with questions!

 

Wisconsin’s Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired Conference

The Wisconsin Chapter of  the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (WAER) will be holding its annual conference at the Radisson Milwaukee West hotel in Wauwatosa, WI October 24-25, 2013.  Scott Hegle, of Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc., will be exhibiting the latest technology and products for the Blind and Visually Impaired including Braille Displays, Book Readers, Screen Readers, Portable Devices and more.  Visit ATR’s booth on Friday, October 25th between 8am and 3pm.  Conference details, registration and schedule can be found at http://waer.aerbvi.org/conference.htm.  The Radison Milwaukee West is located at 2303 N Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI.

Adaptive Technology Resources, Inc., ATR, is a Southeastern Wisconsin based company that has been providing low vision and blindness rehabilitation services and devices to individuals with low vision since 1995.

To learn more on the devices or services we can provide to patients with glaucoma or low vision, contact Scott Hegle at 800-770-8474 ext. 402 or email Scott@adaptivetr.com with questions!

 

Sense Notetaker v8.0 Release

HIMS is proud to announce the release of the much anticipated v8.0 firmware for the Braille Sense and Voice Sense notetakers.

This release features several new programs and major enhancements to existing applications.

·        Our new Quick Browser will significantly enhance your web experience.

·        Follow your favorite websites, news feeds, and podcasts with our RSS reader.

·        Share your files with other devices and other people with our new Dropbox application.

·        Learn a new skill or listen to a live performance by your favorite musician with our new YouTube application.

·        Easily navigate and analyze complex spread sheets with our Excel Viewer.  (Note: YouTube and Excel Viewer are available only for the U2 and U2 QWERTY.)

This release also features major enhancements to Twitter, the ability to share files over a network and the ability to set font type, size, and attributes in the Word Processor. In addition, the notetaker has a whole new look and feel with our reorganized menu structure. And that’s not all. Please see the Release Note for details on all the new features, enhancements and fixes in this release.

http://www.hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Release-Notes-for-Sense-Notetaker-version-8-0.docx

For more information about the Sense Notetakers and other blindness products and services provided by Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, please call 800-770-8474 or visit www.AdaptiveTR.com

Adaptive Technology Resources, ATR, of Southeastern Wisconsin provides adaptive technology solutions for the blind and visually impaired including software, cell phone applications, Braille displays, notetakers and reading devices. We feature products from leading manufacturers such as GW Micro, KNFB Reading Technologies, Code Factory, and Cambium Learning Technologies. As users of the technology they train in, Betsy Gruba and Scott Hegle, Blindness Product Specialists for ATR, have had years of experience training individuals on software and hardware for the visually impaired.