This is a test. That is all.

Hi. this is only a test to see if twitter will work. Fingers crossed!

The blog’s brand new twitter and podcast!

Hello everyone!
I hope you all are doing well, and sorry that we haven’t posted anything as of late, due to all of us being busy with college.
Now, on to serious business, and no, not the satelite radio kind. .
I’d like to introduce the Living Blind Blog twitter at www.twitter.com/LivingBlindBlog. This is where all the updates for the blog will go, and where all the posts that we write to the blog will go as well.
We also have started a podcast page. I had suggested to stephie2010 that we start doing audio blogs to go with some of the written ones, especially for the technology days. We have some great things up our sleve soon, and some surprises that we know you’ll enjoy!
The podcast link is: http://youtubeslivingblind.podomatic.com/.
The first podcast that I will put up will just be a test.
Now, before I go, a very happy birthday to the amazing creator of this blog, stephie2010! .
Talk to you all soon, and don’t forget, twitter and podcast greatness!

Math window Braille Geometry kit

Hi everyone! i’m back to finish out the series on graphs. I know I haven’t posted in a while (neither has anyone else) but I assure you that we’ve been working on some really cool stuff. (more in a future blog)
Anyway on to the reason why I’m here. Let’s finish hout this series shall we?
The last thing in this series that I want to talk about is called the math window Braille Geometry kit. For those who don’t know Math window makes all kinds of cool stuff to aid the blind , visually impaired students, and your average student.
With this bored a blind student can solve geometric problems as well as graph. The board is double- sided and has a framed work serfice. According to the website: “This kit contains point markers for locating points and plotting squares to help the student accurately plot points on the graph. Wikki Stix® are used to connect the plotted points, forming line segments and curves, and to illustrate math functions. Tiles are stored on an attachable tile pallet to allow interchangeable use of both sides of the work surface.”
I first encountered this board when I was do an observation. And like the other thing I discovered that is used for graphs I wish they had this when I was in school. It would’ve helped a lot, and saved time and possibly paper.
Want more information about this, or other Math window products? Here you go.

http://exceptionalteaching.net/mawimateto.html

All of the information contained in this blog (except the back ground information) is the property of the website above.
Thanks for reading!

Introducing: havecanewilltravel

Ok so sense I seem to be adding people to this blog a lot lately (not that it’s a bad thing, Right?) I thought I’d add another author.
His user name is havecanewilltravel. He was my cane instructor, sometimes known as an O and M. (sorry if I misspelled that) He’s also a Vision impaired (V. I.) teacher. Though he has never been my vision impaired teacher.
If you don’t know, he is the cane instructor to whom I was referring in my “Getting Lost” blog.
I asked him to become an author on this blog because I felt like we were missing both the vision impaired teacher and the cane instructor aspects here on this little blog.
I enjoyed working with him, and I’m certain that I will enjoy reading his blogs. I hope you will to.
Oh! Random fact havecanewilltravel is the only sighted person on this blog. He should feel special.
I know more about him, but I think I’ll let him introduce himself to you in a future post.
havecanewilltravel like Matt692, Yanagram, and myself has the ability to change the schedule any time he wishes to do so.
Thanks for reading.

I’d Like to Keep All My Fingers…

Welcome, ladies and gents, to what is floating around the Twitterverse as “Page 6 of 366,” or, the sixth of January. I hope you all had a great New Year celebration and have begun all those darn resolutions I never make. Right. Well, onto the first order of business:
I’d like to send a special shout out to the newest member of this blogging team, Matt692. He’s already begun posting and I know his future posts will be just as informative as these have been; he has a lot to say and I’m very glad he’s here!
And now, the post you’ve all been waiting for… What? You haven’t been waiting? Aww drat! Oh well, you’ll get it anyway!
Steph posted a blog a while back about painting her nails, so I believe it’s time to continue with the nail-care saga, eh? But instead of painting them, this, folks, is the story of trimming them. So grab your nail-clippers and let’s go!
If you’ve ever felt frightened about trimming your nails, I’ve come to tell you I’ve been doing it for a while and I still have all nine fingers. Oh…wait..umm… But seriously, it isn’t dangerous, and might even be easier for us than for sighted folks. I say this because we have control over the position of the clippers–by feel rather than sight–as well as a clearer idea of the shape of our nails once they’ve been trimmed–again, by feel. When I trim my nails, it’s almost as if I can guide the clippers to perform the snips the way I want, and then I can file the little rough spots and still shape my nails to be the way I want them to be. I don’t know how sighted people do it, but if they go purely off visual input, I can’t imagine the issue of filing would be as efficient as it is for us who rely mostly on tactile input.
I didn’t begin to trim my own nails until I was around seventeen; before that, my mother or grandmother would do it for me and I’d file them afterwards. Sometimes, my grandma would trim each nail just enough to allow me to pluck off the residual nail myself–*shrugs* I dunno, I had fun doing that when I was little. But as I got older, I became a bit more brave and decided to try it for myself; the first time I did it, the result was not too bad, but of course, it gets better the more you practice.
I’m not sure how to provide a detailed procedure on how I accomplish trimming my nails, but I do have a few guidelines I follow to make the process a bit smoother.
1. I used to sit on a sofa or chair with a trash can in front of me and trim my nails over it. I found, however, that my nails tended to fly every which way, so unless there is something I’m missing, I wouldn’t recommend this method.
2. I would, however, strongly recommend finding somewhere semi-contained, like a corner or something, and sit on the floor with a vacuum cleaner, swiffer, or broom and dustpan close at hand. This way, you can trim your nails and they will fall on the floor, where it is much easier to collect them.
3. When doing the actual trimming, use the blades of the nail-clipper to tell you how far in you are from the tip of your nail. I start on one edge of the nail and try to align the clippers with the curve of my fingertip. I make a cut and then move to the opposite edge of the nail; on most occasions, this will result in a pointy claw-like thing in the middle of your nail, but all you have to do is align the clippers with the curve of your fingertip and cut off that pointy part.
4. I used to have trouble with shaping my nails: sometimes they would end up a bit lopsided. The only thing I can suggest is to keep practicing; eventually, you should gain muscle memory enough to know how the clippers ought to feel in your hands to make a smooth and even shape.
5. Another thing I keep in mind is the shape of the nail on the opposite hand; whenever I trim the nail of my index finger, I try to get the nail of the index finger on the other hand to look or feel the same way. I do this by feeling its shape and trying to get the clippers to form that shape again. I also try to remember the way I positioned the clippers to form the shape.
6. If this doesn’t work, filing your nails after trimming them is always a good thing to do. Filing will help you to get to know the shape of your nails and will give you some control over that shape.
7. It’s always going to feel different when you switch hands to trim your nails; when using your less-dominant hand, you might have to concentrate a bit more to get the clippers aligned the way you want them to and even to squeeze them to make the cut.
8. If you can, try to have one clipper for fingernails and a larger one specifically for toenails–or, more accurately, your big toe’s nail. The larger nail clipper works better for my thumbs’ and big toes’ nails because they are more powerful and can cut through the thicker nail. The smaller clippers work fine for my other toes’ nails, though, because they are thinner and generally don’t grow too long anyway.
Honestly, I’ve found trimming my nails a relaxing process. It’s solitary and doesn’t require much thinking–just like washing dishes or brushing my teeth. Nail-clipping is not the daunting task I thought it to be as a child, and it is just one more thing I’ve learned to do that puts me farther along on the path to independence. I know, it’s a trivial task, and I can’t say why I waited so long to try it for myself, but the point is, it is totally doable, and I encourage anyone who feels nervous, or whose family feels nervous, to go ahead and try it. All you can loose is a finger. Just kidding! It’s not dangerous, I promise!
Well, that’s all for now, folks. I hope you found this a somewhat useful…and if you didn’t, pretend you did. I’ll feel better. *kidding*
(: Yanagram

My Thoughts About SOPA, and Why We Should Care

This is a post written by stephie2010, but I am posting on her behalf as she’s out at her aunt’s. First of all, happy new year all. Now, here’s the entry. PLEASE READ!
Okay I usually don’t do this, but I’m going to make an exception. Sense this will affect blind people as well.
What am I talking about?
SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)
Basically the stupid people (Yes I said stupid) in congress decided that it would be a good idea to create a bill that would allow them to shut down a website that may supposedly contain copy writed material. Even if it’s just a link to something that you don’t own that someone else has posted on your website. Your website can still be shut down.
So let’s give a realistic example shall we? Take this blog. I created it for you guys, so that I can teach you what I know. So that I can learn from you, and so that you and I can learn from others. Because most of my blogs contain links (like this one):

http://cdn3.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/Is%20SOPA%20is%20end%20of%20us%20122811.mp3

In case you don’t know yet, if this bill passes websites like youtube, twitter, and facebook will no longer exist. I don’t know about you, but I want twitter, youtube, and my blog to exist. Okay and I guess Facebook can exist to.
“It must not exist. It hasn’t been in the news.” Honestly I hate it when people say that. Just because something isn’t reported in the news doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. How many cases of abuse and animal cruelty do you think get reported in the news everyday? Not enough, and certainly not all of them. Does that mean they don’t exist? Of course not.
So if this law is so important why hasn’t it been in the news?
There has been a media black out by all of the major news networks.
So who are the supporters of SOPA?
Disney. Woe! Woe! Disney? Yes you read correctly.
All the major news networks such as CNN, ABC, Fox, and CBS.
Warner Brothers
And so on.
Now let’s look at whom exactly provided the tools that we need to be able to pirate.
Why?
Because we have to have the tools in order to pirate materials. (We meaning mostly kids)
Disney is the first one. Wait Disney… again! Exactly. They provided tools to download they’re music. Then you have CBS. They provide tools to download their stuff. There are also others such as AOL. Se (Be a HERO and Help STOP SOPA Now!! I’ll tell you how! This Video that Must Be SHARED!)
If you are a film maker you should really be concerned. Especially if you own your own company.
Why?
Say you want to make a documentary. You use clips from other people’s films and videos. Under Sopa if the person who’s clips you’ve used doesn’t agree with the way you used them, or what you perceive as copyright infringement, they could take down your website. See (A World Without YouTube? Why Film Fans and Filmmakers Should Care About SOPA | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews | indieWIRE)
“I don’t live in the United States. it won’t affect me.” If you think that you’re wrong. This law has arms that reach far out into the internet. Basically if you download… say a song for example under the Great law called SOPA you could be extradited to the United States to face charges. “But it isn’t illegal here.” Under SOPA it will be whether or not it’s legal in your country or not.
What are some countries who may be affected?
Canada. Sense the SOPA bill refers to a domestic domain as belonging to the United States if it is registered with a domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other
Domain name registration in the United States See (The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and what it means for Canadians | The Right Click – Yahoo! News)
“I don’t think I could b brought to the U. S. to do time.” Yeah keep telling yourself that, but if SOPA passes you’ll wish you hadn’t. A great example of this is happening right now. It involves a twenty- three year old college student in Britain. He is a computer student and he made a website that had links (just links) to copy rited material. Now he’s facing Extradition to the United states. See (Be a HERO and Help STOP SOPA Now!! I’ll tell you How! This Video that Must Be SHARED!)
So who exactly announced the SOPA Act?
Rep. Lamar Smith from Texas. Who apparently was a ranch manager, and who’s district covers mostly crop land.
What’s the Justification for such a stupid bill?
Rogue sites. At least that’s Hollywood’s term for nations who allow Copyright infringement to a certain extent. (some are less restrictive then others)
So who is opposed to SOPA?
There are many people (Including me), and “much of the internet industry” See (How SOPA would affect you: FAQ | Privacy Inc. – CNET News)
So how would Book Share and other sites like it be affected?
In all honesty they would all be shut down. In a blog the organization that runs Book share said “Bookshare is legal in the United States because our copyright law includes an exception that allows nonprofit organizations like Benetech to make accessible
versions of books for people with print disabilities without requesting permission or paying a royalty.” The blog also goes on to say that under the current law you have what a “Take down notice” or (DMCA). The blog goes on to say that the organization will then send them (The author) a letter explaining what they do. But under the Stop Online Piracy act they wouldn’t get that privilege because their site will be shut down no questions asked. And I thought it was Innocent until proven guilty. As this blog points out they could file a counter claim “But the big credit card companies are going to stay away from (turning) on pirates.” Taking someone to court and probably fighting a long battle would undoubtedly cost a ton of money. (Beneblog: Technology Meets Society: Why I’m Scared of the SOPA bill)
Is there any way to get around this?
Yeah maybe, if you know the IP address of the site you want to visit. This is assuming of course that the IP act doesn’t get passed.
It is for these reasons and many more that I think this bill is a piece of shit. (and yes I’m aware of what I just said.) These Jackasses (Republicans) and Elephants (Democrats) Aren’t using logical thinking. If they were this bill would already be dead. Instead they’ve got their heads stuck up Hollywood’s ass. So Congress while your heads up Hollywood’s ass consider this:
If you pass this bill how many citizens do you think are going to leave this country for one that is less restricted in it’s copyright laws. Like maybe one that doesn’t have extradition laws. Trust me! If You pass this bill I think that people will flee this country in droves. Not just business people either.
To the members of congress who are against this bill I selute you. Help the rest of us by making this bill die, or at least not get passed. But I’d prefer it if it died.
So what if this bill passes, the president will veto it.
Don’t count on it. He didn’t even veto the NDAA (National Defense Authorization act) like he said he was going to do. In the words of Rep. Joe Wilson “You lie!” Mr. President. (I can say this because I didn’t vote for him then and I’m not going to do so now) So even if you say on national television (which is very unlikely) that you are against SOPA. I still won’t believe you. And while I agree with many people who are against this bill in saying that while the current copyright law does have some flaws, I don’t think SOPA is the solution. Instead why don’t you focus on fixing the “Flaws” in the current copyright laws. (wow! There’s a new solution.) instead of creating a new one.
Works cited… sort of. (just so I didn’t have to post the links over and over again.)
Be a HERO and Help STOP SOPA Now!! I’ll tell you How! This Video that Must Be SHARED!

How SOPA would affect you FAQ

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57329001-281/how-sopa-would-affect-you-faq/

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society: Why I’m Scared of the SOPA bill

http://benetech.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-im-scared-of-sopa-bill.html

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and what it means for Canadians | The Right Click – Yahoo! News

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/right-click/stop-online-piracy-act-sopa-means-canadians-203824882.html

http://cdn3.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/Is%20SOPA%20is%20end%20of%20us%20122811.mp3

A World Without YouTube? Why Film Fans and Filmmakers Should Care About SOPA | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews | indieWIRE

http://www.indiewire.com/article/a-world-without-youtube-why-film-fans-and-filmmakers-should-care-about-sopa?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed

That’s all I have for you today. I hope I’ve at least given you something to think about. Feel free to pass this on in any form you see fit. Because more people need to know about SOPA. Be sure and use at least some of the links I’ve provided, and you can add to my research as well. (just make sure you credit your sources)

Trains, The Good and the Bad

Well hi everyone! I’m back, once again. I’m going to be discussing train travel as a blind person. Please note that Canadian trains are probably different from the US’s, so hope this finds some interest. First time I ever took a train, I didn’t have to transfer at all. It all went pretty smooth, the asisstance was amazing getting from the station to the train, as well as finding the people who were helping me after I got to the other train station. However, the second time, we had to transfer into Toronto. Well, I told the girl that I spoke to when I called the via rail company that I needed assistance. I also told them that I was blind and had never transfered before, she said that someone would help me. No problem. So I get to the station, we get to the Toronto station, transfer starts. By this time, I was starving, and wanted some food. I have never been in the Toronto train station before, and have no idea where to find anything, so I asked the person who was assisting me if they would help me with getting food. She told me that she had to help someone else, and that she would be right back. That’s fine with me. Train came at 17:0 so I had a bit to wait anyway. So I’m sitting on this bench, waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and oh, did I mention waiting? 20 minutes later, she comes back. Oh, sorry, she says, I had to help this person and then I forgot about you. What great service, eh? The last train trip that I took, the transfer went a lot smoother. The assistant helped me find the platform and get my baggage just fine. Luckily, the train was right there, and the time in Toronto wasn’t too long. Thank god for IPhone, skype, and HayTell. Well, I hope you guys have a great evening. God bless.

introducing myself, this madman!

Well, hi everyone on this little blog!

First of all, thanks for that introduction. I figured that I would drop by and say a bit about myself, try to make myself sound decent. Lol But in all seriousness, I look forward to contributing with this blog, and extend a very big thank you.

So, who is this crazy Canadian who just all of a sudden drops down out of no where? Got bord of watching hockey and his pet polar bear did he? Erm, not so much. We don’t have pet polar bears, but hockey is great.

So, let’s really get serious shall we? First of all, I’m Matt. I am from Ontario, and am totally blind. I was born with ROP, or retinopathy of prematurity. I was born 4 months early and weighed about 1 pound and 1 oz.

I atended mainstream schools from junior kindergarten up until grade 11, then did grade 12 and fifth year at the blind school here in Ontario. I might do some writing on that later.

I now attend college at fanshawe college studying radio. This is proving quite difficult, and I will be posting some things on the blog about it for sure.

For computers, I use a 15 inch Macbook pro. I have windows on it so that I can try things with different screen readers. Voicever which is the mac’s built-in screen access program is very different than the windows side of things. I’ll talk about VO later in another post.

I also have an IPhone 4 and many other fun little gadgets, some of which I will also review in do time.

I am also somewhat of a musician. Ever since 1994, we’ve always had a piano of some kind in the house. I love keys, and I find that music is one of my sources for calming myself down. I’ve gone through several keyboards, never owning a high quality one until 23 December 2010 where I got my roland Juno G. More about that stuff later as I don’t want to make you readers fall asleep.

Introducing: matt692

So I intended to finish the series that I started about graphing today, and maybe I’ll do that after I post this blog. But for now I’d like to introduce another author to this blog. His user name is matt692
I am very excited to have him be a part of this blog, and hope he is to.
What I know about him.
He is blind.
He’s from Canada.
I know more about him, but that’s as far as I’m going in this entroduction. It’s safe to say that I’ve known him for a while.
How we met.
We met on twitter (the same place where I met yanagram if you remember) Though I’m unsure of the date we met.
I’m sure he will tell us more in his post.
I’m so excited!
Sorry for the short entro.
Also Matt like yanagram and myself has the ability to change the schedule whenever he wishes.

My thought about the Holidays.

Okay I know I said that I was going to do “Question Wednesday” today, but with the holidays coming up I didn’t think any of the questions that I had written down in my “Ideas for future blogs” document was appropriate for the holidays. So with that in mind Here’s what I have chosen to do instead.
I’m writing this blog on behalf of myself and yanagram. We hope you travel safe, and make it to your destinations in time to celibrate with your families.
I also want to thank our troops again for serving our country and making a sacrifice to be away from your families. Stay safe out there. God bless.
I can’t speak for yanagram, but for me giving presents is more important then recieving presents. It makes me feel good
I also enjoy the time I get to spend with my family. I hope you do to.
Happy holidays everyone.
Thanks for reading!
P. S. I hope this blog doesn’t seem too random. I just wrote down what was on my mind.