Guest Post: Research Study

Contributed by Marina Bedny, Ph.D.

Research Study Announcement

The Neuroplasticity and Development Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University is seeking participants for psychology research studies. The purpose of these studies is to uncover similarities and differences in how people with varying lifetime experiences process information. The studies compare cognition in blind and sighted individuals in order to better understand how visual and non-visual experiences contribute to concepts and language.

Participating in our research studies involves listening to stories and sounds, reading Braille and answering questions. Some of our studies involve getting an MRI scan. Each study typically lasts between 2 to 3 hours and participants are compensated $20-$30 per hour for their time. The studies take place at Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore City and the cost of transportation is covered by the laboratory. 

To qualify for these studies you must be a healthy blind adult between 18 and 60 years-of-age. Prior to taking part in any studies participants are asked to complete a pre-screening interview over the phone to ensure that they qualify. The screening interview takes between 15 and 30 minutes and those who take part in the interview are compensated $15. Participants who qualify will be entered into a participant database and contacted to schedule a study appointment.

To learn more, please contact the lab either by calling (410) 870-9895 or emailing plasticity_lab@jhu.edu.

Thank you for taking the time to read this announcement.

Marina Bedny, Ph.D.
Director of Neuroplasticity & Development Lab
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Johns Hopkins University
https://bednylab.com/index-alltext.html

 

 

 

 

 

Tech Tips: The Echo Show

 

Tech Tips: News From Alexa

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

The Echo Show now offers call captioning in English, Spanish, French and

Portuguese.

Alexa Together offers customized alerts and urgent response services for individuals who need additional care, building a circle of support around your loved ones. The Alexa Together feature now allows up to ten caregivers for those in need of constant monitoring.

Shortly, Alexa will also offer Remote Assist, which will allow caregivers to set up routines and reminders.

Alexa now supports Best Buy’s Lively Urgent Response app. Now your loved ones can have 24/7 access to emergency and nonemergency services. If you build a personal profile, including medical conditions, medications and allergies, Lively Agents can offer an extra level of support.

New pharmacy features allow Echo devices to provide prescription reminders and ordering options.

Alexa has integrated Person and Package announcements for individuals with compatible security cameras and doorbells.

Finally, you can ask Alexa to follow your favorite baseball team to be proactively notified about scores, schedules and team news. Just say “Alexa, follow the Baltimore Orioles!”

Guest Post: How to Find Music Materials on BARD

 

Guest Post: Music 

Contributed by NLS Representative

How to find music materials on BARD:

 

On BARD, the NLS Music collection is located in a place different from the general NLS book collection.

 

To find braille music scores and instructional music audiobooks on BARD, navigate to the heading “Music Collection.” It is hyperlinked. Click on the link. It will bring you to a new page with access to the NLS Music Collection. There you can search the music collection or browse through recently added and popular materials.

 

Note: Our audio collection contains a learn-by-ear series and lectures about music. There is no music for listening pleasure/entertainment in the NLS Music Collection.

 

Tech Tips: Alexa Devices Make Braille Fun

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

Your Amazon Echo device offers two skills that can assist in learning braille. Braille Bot, the first skill, will tell you the dots for a particular letter. You can also describe the dots to Alexa, and it will respond with the correct corresponding letter. The second skill is called Braille Dot, which is an interactive, multiple-choice game that introduces uncontracted braille to new learners and reinforces uncontracted braille proficiency. Both skills are free to use and can be activated by asking your Alexa to open the skill. 

Technology User Group Meeting: August 13, 2022

 

Technology User Group Meeting: 

NaviLens and Apple

August 13, 2022

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

On Saturday, August 13th, the Technology User Group (TUG) will do a presentation concerning NaviLens and Apple AirTags.

NaviLens is a revolutionary labeling system that is simple to set up and use, allowing you to easily label and find identified products.  Imagine being able to spot a can of corn from nine feet away or even locate the entrance to a building!

Apple AirTags can help you find anything anywhere.  With an AirTag attached, your iPhone can help you locate items you’ve misplaced.  Are AirTags easy to set up if you are not confident with your iPhone?  Listen to this presentation to help you decide if they are worth the investment.

      

The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994.  You do not have to RSVP for this event.  The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes.

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, August 13th, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2022 and beyond.

If you would like to listen to previous TUG recordings, please click here:

https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

Upcoming TUG Programs:

September 10th, 10 AM, the Pixel Phone

October 1st, 10 AM, iOS 16 & Editing Voice Memos

Follow the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) on: 

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MDLBPD/

On Twitter at https://twitter.com/MDLBPD

On our blog at https://mdlbpd.blogspot.com/

And our website at www.lbph.maryland.gov

For more information about the Technology User Group, please contact Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 or via email at assistive.technology@maryland.gov.

Tech Tips: iPhone Improvements Coming This Fall

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

Every Fall, Apple releases a new version of iOS to correspond with their introduction of new iPhones.  In 2022, they are introducing iOS 16.  This new operating system will offer several assistive technology enhancements.  These enhancements include:

• Over 20 new supported languages and voices will be introduced, including Eloquence, the voice used with Jaws.

• Hey Siri will be able to hang up the phone.

• Siri will be able to turn on the auto answer-on feature.

• Door detection will be available with the magnifier option.

• Live captioning will be available for any sound source.

• Sound recognition will be available for specific sounds.

• Siri Pause Time will allow users to set the amount of time needed to give Siri commands.

• Enhanced notification options will be available for hearing aids and phone speakers. 

Of course, many promises are made every year and few are kept, as the Beta versions can yield difficulties and errors.  As it stands now, though, the future is bright for the next generation of iOS. 

On Saturday, October 1st, LBPD’s Technology User Group (TUG) will demonstrate the new changes to iOS 16 and make users aware of features that have been added, subtracted and/or improved.  You may join this informative presentation at 10 AM by calling 319-527-4994.

 

Guest Post: National Library Service's Braille on Demand

Contributed by NLS Representative

As part of its braille modernization initiative, NLS is launching the Braille-on-Demand pilot project on Monday, June 20, 2022. This project will allow active NLS patrons to request and receive one hard-copy braille title per month, which they can retain for their personal use. If an individual who is not registered as a patron submits an order, NLS will refer the individual to their local network library to begin the process of becoming a patron.

Braille titles will be limited to books that are currently available on BARD, the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download service. At this time, requests are limited to one book per patron per month. Only complete titles will be distributed. Requests for partial titles (for example, volume one of a three-volume book) will result in receiving the entire book.

The form to request a braille-on-demand book can be found linked from https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLSbrailleondemand. Patrons may complete the form themselves or contact their network library for assistance. They may also contact NLS Reference at nlsref@loc.gov for assistance in completing the form.

Collection Highlights: July 2022

  

Collection Highlights: July 2022

Contributed by Jordan Wohlfort, Collection Development Librarian

 July 2021

July is National Ice Cream Month! Cool down with a title about the tasty treat, or learn to make it at home!

Children’s

Ice Cream, by Elisha Cooper

DB 54632

Explains step-by-step how milk is taken from cows and processed in a factory, where lots of things happen to it to produce a carton of flavored ice cream. For grades K-3.

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich, by Ibi Aanu Zoboi

In the summer of 1984, twelve-year-old Ebony-Grace of Huntsville, Alabama, visits her father in Harlem, where her fascination with outer space and science fiction interfere with her finding acceptance. For grades 5-8. 

The Ice Cream Machine, by Adam Rubin

DB 107338

A collection of six short stories in a variety of genres and settings, all featuring the creamy frozen treat. In one tale, a girl and her sister compete in an ice cream eating contest--against an honest-to-goodness pig. For grades 3-6. 

Adult

Ben & Jerry's, the Inside Scoop How Two Real Guys Built a Business with Social Conscience and a Sense of Humor, by Fred Lager

DB 39204

Lager, who headed Ben & Jerry's for eight years, gives the company's history. Childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield led relatively unsuccessful lives until 1978, when they collaborated on creating an ice cream store in a former gas station in Vermont after taking a correspondence course on the topic.

The Martha Stewart Cookbook: Collected Recipes for Every Day, by Martha Stewart

DB 42087

More than 1,600 recipes and adaptations collected from the nine previous cookbooks by the celebrity hostess. Recipes range from simple to involved but are marked for their elegance. In addition to the usual cookbook favorites, such as soups, salads, fish and shellfish, and meats, sections are devoted to potatoes, ice cream and sorbets, wedding cakes, and entertaining crowds.

Chilled to the Cone: Bakeshop Mystery, Book 12, by Ellie Alexander

DB 103535

Pastry chef Juliet Capshaw has the opportunity to launch a pop-up ice cream shop and jumps on it. But just as she's getting ready to open the doors to Torte 2. 0, one of Ashland's most colorful characters, known for his cone-shaped hat, turns up dead.