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The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the nation, announced today that Mark Anthony Riccobono, a blind executive who directs technology, research, and education programs for the organization, will be the first blind individual to drive a street vehicle in public. Mr. Riccobono will be behind the wheel of a Ford Escape hybrid equipped with nonvisual technology allowing a blind person to drive it independently as part of a historic demonstration scheduled during pre-race activities leading up to the Rolex 24 at the Daytona International Speedway.
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Designer Noam Klopper is aiming to help people who are blind or visually impaired find a more simple way to get around by introducing the Visually Impaired Assistant (VIA). The “VIA” Visually Impaired Assistant is a pair of hand-centric devices to make the day of a visually impaired person a whole lot easier. Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hines VA Hospital has hosted 65 members of the armed forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan – more than any of the nine other VA blind centers across the country. Since 2005, the influx has more than doubled the number of blind or visually impaired 20- to 39-year-olds who stay for weeks at a time or longer to learn important survival skills, from operating a stove to walking unfamiliar streets, such as the stretch in downtown Forest Park. “It gives individuals the self-esteem and confidence to take back their lives,” said Gerald Schutter, chief of the center. It’s not always easy for blind or visually impaired people to use mobile phones, but designer Nikko van Stolk has come up with a concept phone that might be able to solve the problem, dubbed the Tactile. The National Federation of the Blind’s Blind Driver Challenge-an innovative effort to create a nonvisual interface that empowers a blind person to operate an automobile-received the 2010 Application of the Year Award at the National Instruments Graphical System Design Achievement Awards ceremony held during the NIWeek annual conference in Austin, Texas. In response to a challenge issued by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) , students and researchers at Virginia Tech – using National Instruments (NI) technology – developed a semi-autonomous vehicle that allows a blind driver to successfully navigate, control speed, and avoid collision while traversing a closed driving course. Reliance Mobile has announced the launch of Braille Bill service. The Braille Bill service is part of multiple innovative & reliable convenience options that Reliance Mobile is introducing in the Indian market for its over 110 million mobile subscribers. The Braille Bill service is first-of-its kind initiative introduced by an Indian telecom operator aiming to create an enabling and convenient customer service environment for the visually impaired. The service is in line with Reliance ADA Group’s Corporate Social responsibility objectives. Life becomes difficult for the visually impaired, as they have to rely on others as soon as they steps out from their places. Developed by a group of designers, including Pia Weitgasser, Kristina Chudikova, Joe Müller, the “na:vi” is a GPS navigating system that allows the visually impaired to move freely without any help or assistance from others. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan will again take to the streets of Lansing on Thursday, May 20, to protest what it feels is an atmosphere of cover-up, secrecy, and intimidation by Patrick Cannon, director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. After much anticipation, Iron Man 2 flies into action. Jay Forry gives his Blindside Review and tells if the sequel is as good as the first Iron Man. As expected, this film is a lot of fun with a superb cast of characters and some great action scenes. FOX 13′s Tom Curran begins a new series called On the Journey highlighting disabled business owners. His first subject is Lou Fioritto of Braille Works. |
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