RMPRO VoIP: What others say.

VoIP: What others say

De Federatie Slechtzienden- en Blindenbelang is een koepelorganisatie van mensen met een (dreigende) visuele functiebeperking. Zij is spreekbuis en belangenbehartiger van alle slechtzienden en blinden in Nederland.

De commissieleden vinden deze manier van vergaderen zeer aantrekkelijk. Niemand had enige moeite om in te loggen tijdens onze eerste virtuele vergadering.

Het grootste voordeel ligt in de besparing op reistijd. Op deze manier zullen we waarschijnlijk wat vaker samen kunnen komen, wat niet alleen het functioneren van de commissie, maar ook de doelgroep ten goede zal komen.

Roel van Houten, beleidsmedewerker ICT

EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) is the premiere provider of online training on accessible information technology.

In the days before iVocalize, we taught courses using the Web and e-mail. Now, with iVocalize, we can deliver course content in real time. In just one conference room, we have successfully taught up to 60 students at the same time. The conference rooms work smoothly and flawlessly. We can push web pages for everyone to see while discussing their content. It's just like having a classroom audience.

Beyond that, with the use of adaptive computer technology, iVocalize is accessible to people with disabilities. An example is the use of the text chat window to insert transcriptions of the instructor's narration.

Prof. Norman Coombs, PhD

De 'Actiegroep Drempels Weg' zet zich in voor een toegankelijk internet in Nederland.

Om vijftien min of meer gehandicapte 'ambassadeurs' eens per maand te laten vergaderen is de iVocalize software een ware uitkomst. Niet alleen wonen de ambassadeurs verspreid door het land, maar velen ervaren reizen toch vaak als een grote inspanning. De iVocalize software maakt het nu toch mogelijk elkaar te 'ontmoeten' en ervaringen uit te wisselen.

Als je je inspant om het internet toegankelijk te maken, dan is het haast logisch om van dit zeer toegankelijke communicatiemiddel gebruik te maken.

Tom Hessels, test coordinator

The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center, located in Pekin and Quincy, Illinois, is a subregional library for people with visual, learning, and physical disabilities.

To facilitate the promotion of "talking books" with these people, we are using iVocalize to hold online continuing education meetings for librarians, activity directors, and other professionals. We are also using iVocalize to have online book discussions and other programs of interest to our patrons.

The iVocalize software is wonderful, and the technical support has been phenomenal!

Lori Bell, Director Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center

Voice-conferencing software recently purchased by Mississippi State is allowing university students with vision impairments to participate in online learning opportunities.

Enabling students to hear their instructors and classroom peers via online chat rooms, iVocalize software was acquired by MSU's Division of Continuing Education in collaboration with the on-campus Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision.

The new online environment, which the division has named "iDeclare," is helping allay a fear that the traditional classroom becomes lost in Internet courses, said Laura Crittenden, manager of credit studies.

"With the advent of voice technology, instructors and students will have one more tool to help them develop more nurturing and positive relationships with each other," she said. Instructions for online access are available at http://www.distance.msstate.edu/ideclare, she added.

Frank Puckett, a faculty member using the software this semester, describes it as "very accommodating to people with visual disabilities." An associate clinical professor in the Department of Counselor Education, Educational Psychology and Social Work, he works with the RRTC.

"I'm using it frequently for conferencing with the American Foundation for the Blind," Puckett said.

Teaching online courses exclusively, Puckett uses iVocalize in a course on the medical aspects of disability. "The software promotes class discussion and enhances review of the material," he said.

To use iVocalize software, instructors and students must have Windows Media Player 9 and a microphone. The equipment also enables students who miss a chat session to record it for later review or re-visit chat sessions for study purposes.

Providing technical assistance in the new effort are Franklin Johnson, RRTC access technology specialist, and Jason Crittenden, technical assistant for the continuing education division.