LiveWire - Low Vision, August 2006

A newsletter for people living with low vision

Welcome to our latest edition of LiveWire Low Vision. We hope you find it enjoyable and informative!

ClearView+ A New Generation of Electronic Magnifiers

Earlier this year Quantum introduced the ClearView+ range of magnifiers into Australia and New Zealand. ClearView+ are recognised as the most innovative electronic magnifiers for seniors on the market. The ClearView+ range will magnify anything placed under it from 2 to over 50 times its original size, always maintaining perfect focus. They also feature a specially designed high quality monitor that can be adjusted to a height that suits each individual user. Best of all, the entire system can be controlled with a single button.

One Button Control

• Increase or decrease magnification.
• Change from photo mode to black and white, as well as reverse.

With this one button you can set up and control the ClearView+ for all your reading needs. This is very comforting to users who are not technically minded and cherish simplicity.

Always-in-Focus (AIF™)

Using AIF technology the ClearView+ automatically focuses on whatever you place under it and ensures objects are always in crisp, clear focus.

Customized High Quality Monitors

ClearView+ displays are specially selected and tuned for maximum sharpness, brightness and contrast – this is no off-the-shelf monitor or TV. Each monitor is selected and tested by low vision experts to provide the best possible image.

In addition, each display can be tilted and positioned for maximum comfort. A range of sizes and styles are available to suit individual needs. Magnification: 2x – 50x on a 17” screen (other screen sizes also available).

Innovative Lighting Design

Two light sources, located on either side of the camera provide even distribution of light across the object viewed, eliminating glare and shadowing.

Models Available for Connection to Computer.

Call us today for more information or to arrange an appointment or demonstration.

Mel’s Marvellous Eclipse

Mel Radford is a spritely 86 year old living independently in Brisbane. She has recently purchased an “Eclipse” electronic magnification unit which she uses daily.

In 1979 she was diagnosed with retinal pigment epithelial detachment leaving her with low vision. Mel’s Eclipse enables her to read all her correspondence as well as many other items necessary for her daily living. She says "I hope that anybody who is thinking of buying an Eclipse is as happy with it as I am. I read with it every day".

Mel uses her Eclipse for her mail, which she gets a lot of. She also writes cheques, inspects the instructions on packets of frozen food, tablet bottles, everything that she needs to read.

Her doctor was recently visiting and was impressed with her Eclipse and how she was able to read medication labels with it.

Mel is also a keen numismatist (coins) and philatelist (stamps) who can still enjoy both pastimes with the help of the Eclipse. So it is not only useful for everyday things but also helps with hobbies.

If you would like information on the Eclipse please contact us.

MaxTV glasses!

For relaxed television viewing the MaxTV glasses magnify your TV screen 2.1 times. These light weight and affordable telescopic spectacles allow you to enjoy a magnified view of your favourite programs whether they are the news, sport, documentaries or films without the need of sitting right in front of your TV.

FUSIONM

Fusion is an exciting new design and represents a new generation of portable electronic magnifiers. A trendy looking device, it weighs only a fraction over 1 kg making it truly portable, yet has a 7 inch display.

You can use the Fusion in 2 ways.

First, simply open the case and roll the Fusion over your reading material. Rollers underneath the Fusion make this simple and easy to do.

Or, secondly, you can detach the camera unit from the Fusion case and use it like a mouse, moving the camera over the reading material or object you wish to view. This feature is great for reading surfaces that are not flat, like a thick telephone directory or labelling on bottles.

The Fusion has a magnification range of 6-16X and works in colour, positive and negative modes. For people who are sensitive to glare you can also choose different colour combinations such as yellow text on a blue background.

A writing mode also enables you to do simple writing tasks such as signing a cheque or filling out a crossword.

The Fusion has a battery life of three hours and can be plugged into the power supply for extended use if required. The Fusion is an excellent example of where product functionality and design combine to enhance your reading experience.

The Opti Laptop

The OPTi is a perfect solution for laptop PC’s and is ideal for someone who wants to be able to read while they are on the move. Its compactness makes it ideal to carry in a bag while travelling and the OPTi mouse camera makes even the binds of books accessible. It consists of a mouse camera with USB interface and the OPTi software for the PC.

The OPTi derives its power from the laptop and an internal battery. The internal battery provides the majority of the OPTi’s power, and can be recharged using the power supply provided. This makes it ideal for the portable user and helps ensure that the OPTi does not drain the computers’ battery.

SARA Reads to Robert

Robert Hinds is a proud owner of a Scanning and Reading Appliance (SARA) which he purchased from Quantum in October 2005.

Robert has had retinitis pigmentosa (RP) since he was 14 years old. He is in his early 70’s now and an active member of his community. He receives a lot of written correspondence and now has a SARA to read it to him.

"I am very impressed with SARA; it helps me tremendously. I am very active in committees and receive a lot of written correspondence. I used to have someone come to read it to me, but now I am independent".

Robert certainly is busy; he is the coordinator for the Vision Impaired group in the Harbord/Manly district, the President of the Manly Music Circle and was also the Past Chairman of Manly Access Committee.

Robert is thrilled with the SARA as it has opened a great deal more possibilities for him. He says “I cannot praise it enough”. He uses his SARA many times daily and does not have paper piling up around him any more. He independently reads his literature, decides whether he wishes to keep it on file or read and discard it. He often goes back to retrieve a previously scanned piece of correspondence to reread it.

Robert is full of praise for his SARA and stresses the fact that he is now independent and "can read at any time".

Quantum’s New Faces

Erik Draganovic
Low Vision Consultant
Victoria

I’m proud to say that I am the new Low Vision Consultant at Quantum in Victoria. Beginning only 1 month ago, I have comfortably settled in and am ready to embark on the journey this new position has to offer.

Prior to Quantum, I have undertaken numerous adventures which I feel have shaped a well-rounded and down to earth individual. Beginning 3.5 years ago, I graduated with a Bachelor of Orthoptic & Ophthalmic Sciences degree. From there I worked as an Orthoptist for 6 months before starting my new career as a Surgical Microscope Consultant with Carl Zeiss. That proved to be quite interesting. The following year I packed up and moved to Japan for 1.5 years to teach English. Heading back home last year, with a mind full of eastern ways, I became the Field Coordinator/Research Orthoptist at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, conducting a study with the elderly. Upon completion I worked casually as an Orthoptist again, through an agency, which brings us to now.

Outside of work, I spend my time mainly working on short films and documentaries, designing and constructing sets with an amateur theatre company and attending a lot of live shows, be it rock, pop, dance or stage.

Jeannette Potts
Customer Service

Jeannette started at Quantum in November 2005 initially in a receptionist role. Within a month Jeannette's understanding and enthusiasm shone through and she moved to a Customer Service role. Her duties now include Customer Service, Sales support and Reception relief.

One of Jeannette's many qualities is that she has a caring nature. This is a great asset and really helps us to ensure that the needs of our customers are met.

Before joining Quantum Jeannette spent two years, working with mature women in need, as a community service worker for St Vincent de Paul. Jeannette also attended TAFE, attaining a Certificate in Business Administration achieving a High Achiever’s Award for her effort.

Jeannette lives locally and has three children and several grandchildren. She is an active member of community committees and clubs and enjoys lawn bowls, walking, reading, surfing the net and meeting new people. "I love my work, my colleagues are wonderful and I look forward to meeting more Quantum customers".

Stephen Wagner
Receptionist - Sydney

Hello, my name is Stephen Wagner and I am the Receptionist in our Sydney office. I have been here since mid February 2006 and am really enjoying my role.

I was formerly employed by the Northcott Society where I was the Receptionist/Assistant to the Facility Services Manager for 16 years and helped serve people with physical disabilities. I live with my Dad and sister and have a Jack Russell Terrier named Basil and a Galah named Bubsy. My hobbies are Fishing, Lawn Bowls and watching all forms of Motor Sport and Archery.

Working here at Quantum will be a big challenge for me as I get my self familiarized with the various hardware and software available for people who are vision impaired.

I look forward to speaking with you on the phone and assisting you with your enquiries.

Victorian Office Expands

Our Melbourne office has expanded and we now have a much larger showroom with a full range of products for people with low vision, who are blind or have other print disabilities, such as dyslexia. Please phone us to make an appointment.

MAGic

MAGic is a leading software product providing access to computers for people with Low Vision. It magnifies any information on the screen and can also provide speech output when you tire of reading and want to have information read to you. MAGic Version 10 is the latest version and some of the new features and highlights are described below.

The MAGic 10 cd includes over 2.5 hours of Daisy formatted reading material, in addition to the MAGic User's Guide and the extensive on-line help system.

Magic 10 includes a more powerful and responsive speech engine. Some of the new features include:

• Punctuation control allows you to choose between speaking all punctuation, most punctuation, some punctuation, or none.
• Quicker typing echo.
• Better support for SAPI 4 and SAPI 5 synthesizers.
• Faster detection of SAPI engines.
• Customizable spell rate, separate from the reading rates.
• Typing echo by characters, words, or both characters and words.
• Announcement of uppercase letters, either by increasing the voice pitch or by saying, “Cap” before the letter.
• Ability to indicate capitalization while using document navigation commands by character, word, or line.
• MAGic can now announce when a menu has a submenu and notifies you when you select an unavailable command on a menu

If your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to perform a variety of useful MAGic commands such as:

• Hold down the MAGic Key while rolling the mouse wheel up to increase the current magnification level.
• Hold down the MAGic Key while rolling the mouse wheel down to decrease the current magnification level.
• Hold down the MAGic Key and click the mouse wheel (or middle mouse button) to switch from the current magnification level to 1x magnification. Perform this command again to switch back to your previous magnification level.

To download a MAGic 10 demo or to read more on "what is new" you can go to http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_downloads/magic.asp Launch of ADAPTECH Solutions in the Hunter region NSW

Stephen Belbin, a long time customer and friend of Quantum Technology, has now opened his own business - ADAPTECH Solutions.

The business is based in the Hunter region of NSW and will provide more localised support opportunities for people in the area, as a provider and trainer of adaptive technology.

Stephen brings with him a wealth of knowledge about adaptive technology from his own personal experiences as someone with a vision impairment, along with fifteen years experience working with the education department.

According to Steve "It is a passion of mine to be able to advise people as to which product might best suit them. And Given my background in Adaptive Technology and Training, I saw an opportunity to work closely with Quantum in providing a more localised service."

ADAPTECH Solutions will service the Newcastle and Hunter region.

An official launch event for ADAPTECH Solutions will take place at the end of September, and boasts a veritable who's who of local personalities with members of parliament, media and representatives from Vision Australia already on the guest list.

Everyone is welcome to attend, so please contact Stephen for further information on:

Tel: 02 4987 7877
Fax: 02) 4987 1155
Mobile (Anytime): 0409 000 100
E-mail:
Nelson Bay Low Vision Mini-Expo

ADAPTECH Solutions and Quantum will be holding an information seminar and display of low vision products at the Nelson Bay RSL on 31 August 2006. The session will be open from 10.00am till 1.00 pm and is open to anyone interested in Low Vision.

Macular Degeneration Foundation—On the Road!

The Macular Degeneration Foundation has established itself as the leading source of information on Macular Degeneration and living with Low Vision in Australia. They are a small but highly active and committed team that are helping thousands of Australians each year understand their eye disease and how to live with it successfully.

As evidence of the incredible job they are doing the following lists the proposed educational seminars they will be conducting throughout Australia in 2006/07. Of course, you will need to contact them directly for more detailed information (contact details below).

August	Sydney 6 sessions
September	NSW Central WestSessions
October	Victoria Regionalsessions Murray & Riverina6 Sessions
November	Tasmania 4 sessions NSW South Coast6 Sessions Canberra 3 sessions
January	SA South East 9 sessions
February	NSW North Coast 6 Sessions QLD South West8 sessions
March	Western Australia 10 sessions NSW Hunter6 sessions
April	SA South West4 sessions NSW So. Highlands5 Sessions
May	Melbourne 4 sessions NSW Snowy Region 3 sessions QLD North Coast 8 sessions
June	Outback NSW 2 sessions Northern Territory 2 sessions

Please contact the MD Foundation directly:
Macular Degeneration Foundation Limited
Suite 302, 447 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000
Helpline: 1800 111 709
Direct: 02 9261 8900
Fax: 02 9261 8912
http://www.mdfoundation.com.au

Freedom Scientific and Quantum Technology have pledged to make life a little easier for eight lucky students who will make the move into tertiary study in 2007!!!

Do you know any students who are blind, vision impaired or who have a learning disability such as dyslexia, and are contemplating going to higher education? If you do, please let them know about the Quantum/Freedom Scientific Scholarship Program.

Applications for this year's scholarship are now open, so it's time to get behind this worthy initiative.

If you would like more information on the scholarship please call us on 02 8844 9888 or e-mail » email this page | download PDF | printer friendly version