Hi Thomas!

Glad to meet you on this list!  It seems we do about the same job, half a
world away...

I work for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind in Boston, a full
service rehabilitation agency. We work with consumers of all ages, child to
senior citizen.

I am project director of the Adaptive Technology Program, a cadre of ten
adaptive technology engineers spread through the state of Massachusetts. Our
main office is in Boston. We provide evaluations, installations, trainings,
and tech support statewide. We deploy screen readers, magnification
software, braille printers/displays, scanners, note-takers, and other
technologies. We also provide computers, desktop and notebook systems. The
program also operates a help desk where consumers can obtain help for
technical problems. Our annual budget is about 1.4 million dollars US.

That's a short summary. I'll be happy to respond to any questions. We've
been very lucky because the powers that be in Massachusetts have been
solidly in support of adaptive technology since living memory.

Personally, I have been legally blind since 1972, which has turned me into
an early adopter of technology. Along these lines, I am a candidate for an
experimental artificial vision system from the Dobelle Institute. The
technology is nothing less than revolutionary.

The Dobelle artificial vision web site is at
http://www.ArtificialVision.com

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind web site is at
http://www.mass.gov/mcb

My personal web site is at
http://www.JoeLazzaro.com

If I can answer any questions, just drop me an email.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Bryan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: Another NZ Introduction


> Hi Brett,
>
> Welcome to the list etc.
>
> You may have  read the email I posted to the list a few weeks ago, however
> if you didn't. I am also in Wellington.
>
> I am employed by the Royal New Zealand Foundation  for the Blind and
provide
> assessment and training in adaptive Technology devices, in conjunction
with
> some Microsoft applications.
>
> We are currently in the middle of constructing an Adaptive Technology
> Training room and hope to be able to offer training early in the new year.
>
> Besides myself there will be one other trainer, who we are currently
> recruiting.  We recently posted an ad and hope to make an appointment by
the
> end of October.
>
> It would be good to catch up sometime.
>
> Please feel free to give me a call.
>
> Regards
> Thomas Bryan
> Senior Adaptive Technology Trainer
> Liaison Advisor Enable Funding Palmerston North
> Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind
>
> PO Box 27177
> Wellington
> Phone 04 380 2160
> DDI 04 380 2140
>
> Mobile 021 436 365
> Fax 04 389 52 54