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The Latest from TBBC
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At the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC), we know our services are valued. The notes and emails we receive from our members remind us every day just how important and valued our service is to those we serve.
New Device Helps the Vision-Impaired Read Text and Identify Objects
The New York Times published a news story on Tuesday, June 4th 2013 about a new device to help the vision-impaired navigate their environment.
The new, lightweight OrCam device is a small camera that clips onto a person's glasses. It reads "text in the wild" which means that it reads text and recognizes and describes faces, objects and places.
We Honor Memorial Day
TBBC Member's Heartbeat Echoes Throughout our Garden State
TBBC member, Jane Degenshein, is an extraordinary and enthusiastic advocate for those with vision impairment. She opens her arms wide to find New Jersey residents who need her support.
Children and their Parents Love Libraries
The Pew Internet and American Life Project released this month a report on the importance of libraries to children and their parents. The report is titled, "Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading." As librarians, we all know the importance of literacy and reading for children.
Taking to the Skies This Summer? ThisAbled Offers Travel Tips!
ThisAbled recognizes that travelling by air can pose unique travel difficulties for people with physical impairments. So, Javier Robles, TBBC member and CEO and President of ThisAbled, offers 7 helpful travel tips to ease your flying experience.
Assistive Technology Development Rocks at MIT
Assistive technology development is a priority at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The IDEAS Global Competition Project invites anyone to submit a request for addressing or developing an assistive technology need.
TBBC's Beep Baseball Star!
Elvis DeJesus, who provides Newsline support at TBBC, is also a star of Beep Baseball. He makes us all proud as a member of the New Jersey Lightning Beep Baseball team, a member of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA). Beep Baseball allows those with vision impairments to play a game they all know and love.
TBBC is Recording Books! We Want You to Share the Spotlight!
Have you ever desired to have that five minutes of fame? The Audiovision program at the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) wants you to become an audiobook recording star!
TBBC at the Abilities Expo!
TBBC was at the Abilities Expo on May 3rd and 4th. What a crowd!
Support the NJ Lightning Beep Baseball Team!
Do you love baseball? You have not truly enjoyed it until you experience a Beep Baseball game designed for those with vision impairments.
Braille Smartphones at Your Service
Changes in smartphone technology are happening at a rapid pace. Advances in accessibility of these devices is a front and center issue thanks to advocates for people who have vision impairments.
Audio-guided Visual Art for the Vision-Impaired
A team of students at Harvard University is developing an unique product, called Midas Touch. Midas Touch produces 3D printing to create a tactile version of a work of art. 3D printing is not new, but Midas Touch has unique features.
TBBC Celebrates National Volunteer Week
It is National Volunteer Week, April 21st-27th, and an opportunity to thank our volunteers who help TBBC serve the print-impaired in New Jersey.
Karen Carson, TBBC's Volunteer Coordinator, honors several people who generously donate their time to TBBC:
Children of Blind Mothers Excel!
Science Now reported today on an interesting study of communication skills of infants of blind mothers. The study results indicate that not only do the infants develop healthy communication skills, but they may have enhanced communication skills when compared with infants of sighted parents.
Join Audiovision's Trivia Contest!
Audiovision, TBBC’s news reading and feature broadcast, has just added a New Jersey trivia question to its daily broadcast. At the beginning of the Newark Star Ledger broadcast Monday through Friday at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, the news reader will announce the trivia question of the day. The answer will be announced at the end of the Newark Star Ledger broadcast.
Touch Tour at MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City offers monthly touch tours to their vision-impaired guests. These MOMA tours are part of the Art Insight program. This news story interviews one person who attended the tour, Barbara Eppel.
Easter and Passover Celebrations for All
TBBC staff send their best wishes to all celebrating Easter and Passover this week. Here are several ideas on how to make your celebrations more accessible and enjoyable for the vision-impaired:
For Easter:
Pequannock Public Library: Reaching out to the Print Impaired
The Pequannock Public Library is profiled in this news story from the March 20, 2013 issue of Suburban Trends.
Braille is Literacy!
Buddy Brannan, a member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Vice President of the Erie Chapter of NFB-Pennsylvania, wrote a poignant piece for the February 2013 issue of Braille Monitor (Volume 56 Issue 2).
