Special Offer On Our New i-loview Magnifier

As you might have heard, we launched a terrific new product - our own handheld video magnifier called the i-loview! We partnered with Chris Park Designs to bring you the best video magnifier on the market today.

Not only is it the best, but we're offering it at a reduced price of $645 for our first 200 sales. There's still time to get in on the deal. After those first 200 are sold, the price goes to $695, so strike while the iron is hot! Give us a call at 800-859-0270, go online to make your purchase today, or contact one of our resellers in your area.

In case you don't know what we're talking about or just want some more info...the i-loview is a beautifully designed piece of hardware with unparalleled functionality. In our opinion, the i-loview is easily the best handheld video magnifier on the market today.

We've also got more information online plus there's two great videos for you to watch: a general overview video as well as one that covers its advanced features. Get your hands on one today!

back to top

Facebook Sweepstakes!

Have you been to ZoomText's Facebook page lately? If not, what better time than the present to head over there and "Like" us since we're giving away an i-loview!

Head on over there now - it'll just take you a minute to enter the contest. You've got until October 31st to enter...then this contest turns into a pumpkin. And you certainly can't use a pumpkin to zoom in on all your printed materials, now can you?

back to top

Webcam/CCTV Survey Results

Thanks to everyone who participated in the webcam/CCTV survey from the last ZoomNews issue. Congratulations to Katheryn Puntillo whose name was chosen in the raffle - she won a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate!

So much to go through, it's certainly kept us very busy the last few days. Some very high-level finds:

• The majority of you do not have a webcam but for those who do, the most common type is the one that's just built into your computer.
• On the other hand, 68% of you own a CCTV. The most popularly owned model is the Merlin.
• The top thing to do with your CCTV is sort through your mail. That said, our favorite response might be "To look at bugs my kids find".
• The number one thing you list that you wish your CCTV could do is read text aloud.
• Someone cited "It's as old as a dinosaur" as the worst thing about their CCTV ;)

If you'd like to see the complete details, you can download a PDF document that contains the graphical results, or you can view it as an Excel spreadsheet - there are a bunch of sheets down at the bottom to look through. Read on for another chance to win!

back to top

New Contest

This time around, we're conducting a survey about the ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard. It will just take a few minutes to complete and if you fill it out by November 18th, you'll be entered in the drawing to win a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate!

No better time than the present to fill out the survey! Good luck in the drawing :-)

back to top

Upcoming Training Opportunities

As always, we are running new user online training sessions every week. These are free, but you do have to register for the session you'd like to attend. Head on over to our training page to sign up today!

In addition, we have a couple free tech support webinars coming up in the next two months that go more in depth. The first will be on November 15th from 11 AM to 12 PM EST and is called "Getting Started with ZoomText Express". It's designed to help new ZoomText Express users get started using the product. We'll go over some of the basic tools within ZoomText Express. Sign up today!

The next one will be on December 13th from 11 AM to 12 PM EST and is called "ZoomText Tips and Tricks". It's meant for beginning and intermediate ZoomText users and will cover some helpful tips and tricks for ZoomText, Windows 7, Web browsers and other applications. Sign up today!

back to top

ITN GreaterBoston Transportation

ITNGreaterBoston is a new community-based transportation alternative that enables the elderly and adults who are visually impaired to remain mobile, active and independent. This is an affiliate of ITNAmerica, the first national non-profit transportation network for seniors and adults who are visually impaired. This network brings together families, businesses, healthcare providers and community organizations to weave a strong web of support to help these two groups continue to live independently.

The Greater Boston affiliate will begin with services in core areas of Boston, adjacent communities, and Metrowest towns, with the hopes of gradual expansion as resources, infrastructure and community support grow. Riders' services should begin by late 2011.

Rides are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any purpose within the service area. Rides are provided in private automobiles by trained drivers, who offer companionship and support. Adult 60 years of age and older or adults with vision impairments are eligible to join. Rides may be booked at any time and discounts are applied for shared rides and advance notice. They even offer door-through-door service with help for packages and heavy doors.

If you live in the Boston area, definitely check this out. If you're elsewhere, they may be another affiliate of ITNAmerica right around the corner!

back to top

Spotlight: Blind Radio

Gerry McGoldrick started BlindRadio back in 2003 when he realized that there was a strong need for accessible internet radio, especially since many other media sources are not accessible. Most internet radio sites were and still are difficult to use even using modern software so the concept of BlindRadio is to give 'everybody' access to internet radio - the site is accessible meaning that it is specifically designed to be available to all web users.

You can choose stations based on your location or genre you're interested in. It brings thousands of online radio channels to you with a clear, easy to use menu. If you don't like the colors or text size, change them in the access options - it's that simple. Head on over there and check it out!

back to top

Cool Websites

ZoomText user Kathy Kalaluhi sent in a bunch of websites that she thought other ZoomText users would find interesting and helpful. We liked the idea so much that it's become a regular "column" in ZoomNews! Below are her suggestions and if you'd like to submit any websites for the next issue, please email them to Becca at rproskin@aisquared.com!

• Pick & Zip - a web app that allows you to download photo albums or multiple pictures from Facebook in a zip or pdf file. You can select friends' profiles, groups, or pages you like and either select individual pictures or select all for download.


• Open Signal Maps - this site allows you to locate cell towers and signal strengths for cell phone connection or wifi near your home or work. It's in beta but it will configure the map to correspond to the information you are seeking i.e. cell phone strength, cell tower locations, or wifi.


• DocuSign - a legal site for uploading contracts for digital signatures. Legal in the sense that contracts signed on this site are legally bound. Faster than faxing or mailing via snail mail. Good for small businesses etc. Saves on paper and printing costs.

And a new category of sorts: "Best fruits in the orchard" - the best Mac apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad!

• Find My iPhone - an app for finding your phone should you misplace it, lose it or have it stolen. When activated, it will sound an alarm. Should it be stolen, you can either lock the phone or delete all the content on the phone from remote location.


• Wacom Bamboo Paper - an app for handwritten notes or sketches for note taking. Notes made using this app can be sent via email.


• Skype - Skype is now available for the iPhone for video conference calls.


• FlightTrack - app for the month in September issue of Smart Computing. It's also available for Android based phones. It provides up to the minute information on airlines and airports around the globe. For the premium package, it will provide you with terminal maps for airports as well as weather reports. Will also alert you for any scheduling changes for your flights up to a year in advance.


• FiLMiC Pro - an app for $2.99 that allows for film editing from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Thanks to Kathy for these great suggestions!

back to top

In the News

Godstone dancers waltzing back to happiness - Visually impaired dancers have quick-stepped back to a dance class after the summer break.

Kamloops first in B.C. with ballots for blind - Kamloops is being touted as the first community in British Columbia to offer independent voting to the visually impaired.

Braille app for tablets - Adam Duran has developed an app that turns your Android tablet into touch-screen Braille writer software, potentially eliminating the need for a wireless Braille display.

Seven-year-old brings Braille to shelves of Whole Foods - Joshua Goldenberg suggested that his local Whole Foods in California begin putting Braille labels on their food. They did and his efforts have had far reaching effects - all the way to the East Coast! Aisle by aisle and department by department, the Newtonville store will work through its products and add Braille labels to assist the large visually-impaired community in the area.

Program helps visually impaired navigate NYC - Eighteen-year-old Ker Deng is exploring the streets of Manhattan, learning to use his cane to guide him, as part of his vision rehabilitation training at Lighthouse International.

Seeing the way: Family inspires visually impaired runner to go the distance - Adrian Broca runs marathons, Adrian Broca is legally blind, and Adrian Broca is an Olympic athlete. Most of all, however, Adrian Broca is proof that nothing is impossible.

For the blind, by the blindfolded - Yours Truly Theater put on a unique play where the actors were blindfolded and their audience was either blindfolded if they were normally sighted, or were visually impaired.

World's first national cricket team for blind women scores success off the pitch - Swastika Bhujel and her teammates are gaining fame in Nepal for their success on what they say is the world's first national cricket team for blind women.

UNR video game project to offer exercise for children who are blind - A research project at the University of Nevada, Reno has received a grant to explore how video exercise games can be played without using visual feedback so the visually impaired, especially adolescents, can improve their health through increased activity.

Poland's central bank issues coin in Braille - Poland's central bank has just issued a coin with markings in Braille, as part of a broader initiative by the bank called "Accessible Finance".

back to top

Tradeshow Schedule

As temperatures start dropping here in Vermont, we look forward to getting out to other places in the country (and the world!). Check out our list of upcoming tradeshows - as always, stop by and see us if you're going to be there!

QAC Sight Village London Conference
November 1st - November 2nd, 2011
London, England

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Chicago Conference
November 3rd - November 5th, 2011
Schaumburg, IL
Booth #418

National Ergonomics Conference & Exposition (NECE)
November 29th - December 2nd, 2011
Las Vegas, NV
Booth #608

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference
January 26th - January 28th, 2012
Orlando, FL
Booth #312

California State University at Northridge (CSUN) Center on Disabilities' 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
February 27th - March 3rd, 2012
San Diego, CA
Booth #719/818

"Focus" on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference
March 14th, 2012
Norwood, MA

VISIONS Conference
June 28th - July 1st, 2012
Minneapolis, MN

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Annual Conference
July 9th - July 14th, 2012
New Orleans, LA

back to top