VIDEO IN DEAF EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE - The Fourth
Conference on Videoconferencing and Emerging Video Technologies in Deaf Education
will again be held on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington DC, on April
18th, 20th, 2004. This conference will continue explorations into applications of video
technology in deaf education and business environments. It is designed for everyone
interested in current and future video technology and its applications in the deaf
community. Presentations will include applications of videoconferencing and curriculum
development and accessibility at the K-12 and post-secondary levels, as well as general
applications in the deaf community and beyond. This conference has become one of the
most eagerly awaited technology conferences in the field. Register soon. Seating is
limited to the first 200 registrants. Visit the conference web site for more information and
the registration form: http://academic.gallaudet.edu/videoconf2004/ You may register
before payment is made.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY - The new Kurzweil 3000 is a scanning, reading, and
writing solution for people with learning disabilities or reading difficulties. Kurzweil
provides two versions - one for the Windows environment and one
for the Macintosh Here's what it includes:

* A Virtual Printer
* Powerful Study Tools
* Writing Tools
* Web Access and Online Books
* Dual Highlighting
* Bilingual and Foreign Language Benefits
* Decoding Tools
* Human Sounding Speech

All are designed to extend the essential learning process by reinforcing mastery
of subject material through repetition, definition, outlining, and annotation, and by
allowing users to work as efficiently and independently as possible. For more about
Kurzweil 3000 see: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/

SIGHT FOR THE BLIND - A pair of goggles called "the Jordy" is changing the lives
of an estimated 18 million Americans who suffer from impaired vision. This
sophisticated piece of technology views the world through the lens of a camcorder,
then enhances and displays the images on two tiny screens in front of the wearer's
eyes. Other tools, like screen readers, transform the web and emails into speech -
and talking PDA's are now being produced that can be worn around the neck. Next
innovations for the blind will be handheld reading devices that can be passed over
a page to convert the text to speech. For more information about technology for the
blind see: http://www.parade.com (Parade, 7 Sept 03)