On Saturday, February 23, we had a Rotary literacy project volunteer update, technology demonstration, and book signing. Visitors had a chance to look at Rotarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus' new book (Creating a World Without Poverty) in both hardcover and in digital format that the computer read aloud.
Among the visitors, we had Kirk Reed, our assistant district governor. Other guests included parents, several disabled individuals, and professionals.
Visitors had hands-on demonstrations of technology that reads books, magazines (even the Rotarian), and Internet text aloud, as well as other assistive technology (tools for access). Visitors also had the opportunity to see the multiple ways in which our projects will provide digital (computer-readable) materials so that those who struggle with reading can have the same opportunities to read and learn as their peers.
If you missed this event, several more will be scheduled over the next few months. Stay tuned...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Accessible LiteracyTechnology Demonstration and Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Literacy Project Update
Meet local Rotarian and author Dr. Jeanne Beckman
What: Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Literacy Volunteers Project Update, Book signing, Technology Demonstrations
When: Saturday, February 23, 2008 11-3
Where: One Northfield Plaza, Suite 300, Northfield, IL
Special for spreading the Rotarian spirit: Bring a copy of either Muhammad Yunus book (Creating a World Without Poverty or Banker to the poor: micro-lending and the battle against world poverty) and get a free digital copy for your computer to read aloud.
Find out about
- Technology that reads any book aloud (text to speech)
- Technology that types whatever you say (voice recognition or “Dragon”)
- Technology that speaks for those with delayed, difficult to understand, or absent speech
- Technology that helps you keep track of appointments, assignments, and other important information
- How to get technology to meet your individual needs
- How to share technology for literacy through local and international Rotary literacy projects
- 10% of book sales during open house will be donated to Winnetka-Northfield Literacy Project
Audience: Information for all ages
- For more information, email Dr. Beckman at techpsych@techpsychologist.com
Excerpt from Tech Psychologist’s Guide
As you read this book, I also ask that you consider how you might impact others’ lives if you only had the time. It is my hope that this book will help you and your family find ways to access learning so that you will have time to more fully participate in the community, both at the local and global level.
Making our world a better place
Challenging barriers is not a pleasant stroll in the park. It drains families of energy we could spend making our world a better place. When families work together, the likelihood of creating change increases significantly. When you work together with other families and find some successes in leading change, who knows how far you can go? Maybe you can create changes outside your own communities. Can you help other families find funding sources for technology? Can you share your techniques for bringing about changes with other families?
A final thought on my own attempt at ripples of change
In my book, I challenged readers to “pay it forward” by finding ways to share what they’ve learned. My own attempt to pay it forward is that I will donate a percentage of the profit from this book to the Winnetka, Illinois Rotary Club literacy project. This project loans text-to-speech software and scanners to local public libraries, so library patrons can access all of the books within their library as well as have fully accommodated access to the Internet and digital media. We intend to have this project “paid forward” to other Rotary service clubs throughout the United States and internationally. Each of those clubs will be asked to pay the project forward to three other Rotary clubs, and so on.
For information about the project
Please contact Dr. Jeanne Beckman at 847-446-1251
or email her at techpsych@techpsychologist.com
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