nrcgsh@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (Norm Coombs) (12/19/90)
Index Number: 12518
The Second International Conference on Computers for
Handicapped Persons was held in Zurich Switzerland between Dec. 3
and Dec. 5. There were participants there from most countries in
Western Europe, some from Eastern Europe, several from the US and
a sprinkling from more distant parts of the world. A significant
minority of the participants themselves were disabled in one way
or another: visually impaired, hearing impaired or motor
impaired. Presentations covered all of these disabilities and a
variety of ways that computers are being utilized to assist such
persons. The presentations are available either in ink print or
on computer disk and, if I recall, cost about $20. There were a
number of exhibits, both hardware and software. Most were
European, but there were some American exhibitors there as well.
The third conference is already scheduled for July of 1992 in
Vienna.
I was fortunate enough to be among those making
presentations and talked about the use of telecommunications in
education as a means to mainstreaming. I found the conference
interesting and stimulating. I would encourage any other
participants who read this discussion group to post any of their
opinions or reports here also.
The shock of the conference was the prices in Zurich.
Coffee often sold for $2.40 a cup. It was good coffee however.
We Americans began to feel as though we come from a third world
country! Aside from cost, Zurich is a very clean, efficient,
comfortable and pleasant city. We all enjoyed our visit very
much.
I will close with one basic impression. The usefulness of
computers to assist persons with a variety of handicaps is being
widely recognized. Work is proceeding steadily in many countries
and on all fronts. My impression is that such a world-wide
movement is here to stay.
Attached is a list of the presentations and the addresses of
the authors. I would be willing to share more as my memory and
my time permit. You could also write the authors for further
information.
Norman Coombs
01 ARATO Andras
Computer Aided Hungarian Contracted Braille
Central Research Institute for Physics,
H-1525 Budapest, POB 49
Tel: +36-1-1699499
02 BRUL John D. A
Workstation for Tactile Graphics
Syracuse University, ECE Department,
Syracuse, NY, 13244, 111 Link Hall, USA
03 CAPREZ Gaudenz
Computer-Aided Neuropsychological Therapy for Brain-Damaged Patients
SUVA Rehabilitationsklinik, CH-5454 Bellikon
Tel: +41-56-969111
04 CLAYTON Colin John
Palatal Tongue Controller
Wolfson Centre, London
WC1, Mecklenburgh Square, GB
05 COLOMBINI Lorella
Bliss for Disabled People and Able Ones
Dipartimento di Elettronica,
I-20100 Milano, Via Ponzio 34/5
Tel: +39-2-23993525
06 COOMBS Norman
Telecommunications, Education and the Handicapped
Rochester Institute of Technology,
Rochester, NY 14623-0887,
One Lomb Memorial Drive, USA
Tel: 716-475-2444
07 COOPER R. J.
Point to Pictures: Early Communication Training Using
Technology with Non-Verbal Severely/Profoundly Developmentally
Disabled Children
Dana Point, CA 92629,
24843 Del Prado, #283, USA
Tel: 714-240-1912
08 DOPPING Olof
Gateway Computers for Enlarging the Contact Area of Deaf Text
Telephone Users
Doppings Frlag KB,
S-18135 Lindig, Barkassvgen 5
Tel: +46-8-7670666
09 FASTEAU Steven
Computers in Special Education of Handicapped Persons: A
Model Community College Program
El Camino College,
Torrance CA, 90506,
16007 Crenshaw Blvd., USA
Tel: 213-532-3670
10 FRUCHTERMAN James R.
Reading Systems for the Blind
Arkenstone Corp.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94089,
540 Weddell Drive, Suite 1, USA
Tel: 408-752-2200
11 GABUS Jean-Claude
Communication of People Deprived of Verbal Language through
Synthetic Voices
Swiss Foundation for Electronic Aids,
CH-2002 Neuchtel, Crt-Taconnet 32
Tel: +41-038-246757
12 GARDNER Lee S.
Designing the Human Computer Interface: A Workstation for
Blind Computer Professionals
Air Force Flight Test Center,
Edwards AFB, CA 93 523,
6521 RANS/TSRCP, USA
Tel: 805-277-2628
13 GILDEN Deborah
Braille Computer Screens: A New Perspective
Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute,
San Francisco, CA 94115,
2232 Webster Street, USA
Tel: 415-561-1665/1620
14 HALOUSEK Jan
The Czechoslovak Modular System of Computer Workstations for
Visually Handicapped Persons
META,
CS-15000 Praha, Ostrovskeho 19
Tel: +42-2-538430
15 HARNER Eleanor
Opening New Horizons for the LD through Computer Technology
University of Arizona S.A.L.T. - Program,
Tucson, Arizona 85721,
Old Main Bldg., Room 101, USA
Tel: 602-621-1242
16 HILTON-CHALFEN Danny
Computer Access for Persons with Disabilities at the
University Level: Several Program Development Models from
the United States
UCLA, Disabled Computing Program,
Los Angeles, CA 90024,
404 Hilgard Avenue, 5628 MSA, USA
Tel: 213-206-7133
17 HINE N. A.
Vocational Training of People with Disabilities in IT Skills-
Conclusions from Practical Experience
Katholieke Universitait Leuven,
B-3030 Heverlee, Tervuursevest 101
Tel: +32-16-216783
18 KEHR Kit
Computer Use for Pre-School and Young Special Needs Children
University of California,
Los Angeles, CA 90024,
1000 Veteran Avenue, USA
Tel: 213-825-4821
19 KENNY Sean
Home Delivered Training
National Rehabilitation Board,
Dublin 4, 25 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Irland
Tel: +353-1-684181/609544
20 KRAUS Lewis E.
Use of Interactive Multimedia for AIDS Prevention for Persons
with Mental Retardation
InfoUse,
Berkeley, CA 94704,
1995 University Avenue, Suite 215, USA
Tel: 415-644-9901
21 KREUTZER Jeffrey
Innovative Uses for Computers in Traumatic Brain Injury
Rehabilitation
Medical College of Virginia,
Richmond, VA 23298-0677,
Box 677, MCV Station, USA
Tel: 804-786-0231
22 MANER Walter
The Design of Human-Computer Interfaces for Blind Programmers
Bowling Green State University,
Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
Tel: 419-372-2337
23 MATRAY Dick J.
Feasibility Study on System Control through Ocular Position
Electrography (SCOPE)
CH-1723 Marly, 21 rte. du Centre
Tel: +41-37-462921
24 MATTISON J. Keith
Computers and the Disabled - A Self-Help Project
University of Cape Town,
ZA, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
Tel: +27-21-650-2279
25 MIDDLETON Teresa
Trends in the Use of Technologies by Handicapped Persons in
the United States
SRI International,
Menlo Park, CA 94025,
333 Ravenswood Ave, USA
Tel: 415-326-6200
26 MHLBACHER Stefan
Reading Device for Visually Handicapped Persons
Forschungszentrum Seibersdorf,
A-2444 Seibersdorf
Tel: +43-2254-80-2809
27 MURPHY Harry
The Technology Group at California State University, Northridge, USA
California State University,
Northridge, CA 91330,
18111 Nordhoff Street, USA
Tel: 818-885-2578
28 PLACOUDIS Nick
Computer Workshop for Cerebral- Palsied Children: A
Experimental Project in Greece
Hellenic Society for Disabled Children,
GR-11634 Athens, 16 Kononos Street
Tel: +30-1-7212780
29 REICHL Franz
Some Future Trends in Education and Training in Information
Technology
Technische Universitt Wien,
A-1040 Wien, Gusshausstrasse 28
Tel: +43-1-58801-4029
30 SAMPSON Lynda
High Tech Means to a High Tech End
NASA Headquarters, Washington,
DC 20546, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, USA
Tel: 202-453-2177
31 SCHNEIDER Arnold
The Impact of Videotex for Visually Impaired People
Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired,
CH-8057 Zurich, Viktoriastrasse 13
Tel: +41-1-3125574
32 SCHREIER Elliot
Trends in Technology for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons
American Foundation for the Blind,
New York, NY 10011,
15 West 16th Street, USA
Tel: 212-620-2000
33 SCHULZ Bertold
Structured Reading of Electronic Books
Universit Karlsruhe,
D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Postfach 69 80
Tel: +49-721-608-2760
34 SUCHANEK Leonard J.
US Federal Government Policy Development and Standard
Initiatives for Electronic Equipment Accessibility
U.S. General Services Administration,
Washington, DC 20405,
18th and F Streets, NW, Suite 7228, USA
Tel: 202-501-0720
35 SUTTER Erich E.
Communication through Visually Induced Electrical Brain
Responses
Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute,
San Francisco, CA 94115,
2232 Webster Street, USA
Tel: 415-561-1620
36 WETZEL Gottfried
Applications of Computers in Austrian Special Schools for
Disabled in Comparison with International Experiences
Institut fur Erziehungswissenschaften, A-5020 Salzburg,
Franziskanergasse 1
Tel: +43-662-8044-4203
37 ZAGLER Wolfgang
Microprocessor Devices to Lower the Barriers for the Blind
and Visually Impaired
Technical University Vienna - FORTec, A-1040 Wien,
Gusshausstr. 27/359/1B
Tel: +43-1-58801-3887