Verizon

Bryan's Journal

Bryan's Background

As a sighted person I had one career in mind. I wanted to be a mechanical engineer. I worked hard, learned a lot, and loved to draft. From board drafting to Auto CAD I loved it all. It did not matter if it was on paper or computer creating exact representations of objects that could be built was fascinating to me. Once I became blind my dream career was no more. The idea of hiring a blind drafter is a pretty crazy thing to ask for. Ok so even though I most likely could not become a mechanical engineer any more I figured I could still find a career in the technology field.

When I was 18 years old I became blind as a result of a motor cycle accident. This life change came with many hardships, the least of which was giving up my Mechanical Engineering career dreams. Adapting to a new way of life was not easy but I was determined to get back up. The sacrifice of things like driving, reading, watching a movie, and seeing the world around me were all things I took for granted. All I wanted when I became blind was a new way to interact with things I once had access to. I knew driving would not be immediate but probably with advancements in technology this could be once again possible. The next thing on my list was to use a computer again. I heard that computers were usable for blind people with the assistance of a screen reader. This notion of being able to control a computer by listening to a synthesized voice was unbeknownst to me. I mean I had seen the way a computer worked. I had taken them apart, used many applications, changed settings, edited pictures, and even used programs like photo shop. Seriously, how would this be done? From the time I received my first copy of JAWS which is the screen reader by Freedom Scientific for Windows, I never put the computer down again.

There was something there that gave me a sense of power. I again had a sense of hope and promise. I knew that if a blind person could interact with a computer even on a small level, that some day they would be able to interact with other aspects of life on a much bigger level.

Soon after I was reacquainted with the computer I started searching for other devices, tools, gadgets, or anything out there that I was never aware of. My search returned many encouraging results. I learned there were tools for scanning printed material and having it read back to you. I found notetakers for the blind that were portable, compact, and did not even use a screen at all. Probably one of my favorite devices I found and still to this day love was the mobile phone along with a screen reader. The fact that I could once again contact my friends and family via voice call or text message made me feel like I could interact with the real world again. Most people do not or could not imagine what it would be like to no longer have access to their mobile phones. There again a piece of life we take for granted, yet rely on throughout everyday life. There is one other big thing my search returned to me. The door was now open and almost unstoppable in the way that the degree at which a blind person could interact with the world was endless. If there was a device to tell you colors of objects, talking computers and phones, scanners that could read you printed material where did the possibilities end? For me this was all I needed to show me that hope lied with in me and the other blind people in the world. Clearly the sighted world was trying to improve the life of a blind person through technology, but there was something wrong with their developments. They were not blind! To be blind is almost unlike any other disability. In a lot of ways blindness is more difficult than other disabilities since 90 percent of everyday life is visual, but a blind person can interact with society in many other ways.

I began hosting a web site focused on technology, software, and programs that are accessible or inaccessible to the blind. This is my second Word Press blog I have created, managed, and customized independently. I have both done this on a Windows machine using JAWS, and currently on a Mac using Voiceover. The problem came when I wanted to create my own web site. I learned XHTML, and did some studying on CSS, but when it came to the designing and building process I found that this was inaccessible with a screen reader. For a sighted web designer features like dragging and dropping can be used. For a blind user this is not possible. For someone using a third party program like Front Page the lay out is there in a templet. For a blind user Front Page is inaccessible with a screen reader. This was very upsetting and forced me to look elsewhere for a web designer.

I began further dipping my toe in programming so that I could begin to solve these problems. Scripting Jaws can very beneficial for the blind. Here are two examples. JAWS the screen reader for a windows machine comes with a built in script manager. Freedom scientific offers training, a manual, and also Web NRs to teach you how to script for JAWS. I have learned how to write scripts using the script manager. For beginners you can use a very simple and easy to use script manager that allows you to select from a list of functions the script will preform, and also set them to a hot key. The manager builds the script for you and makes sure it is all formatted correctly. For those who are more advanced the manager allows you to simply write your own scripts and compile and run them. This was a great way to make things work for me. I had the ability and the tools to control the way my computer worked for me. I also was able to make some applications work for me. Having the power to expand what was given felt very empowering for me as a blind computer user. The second experience I have dealing with scripting is Apple Script. Where to start with this. Apple Script is its own scripting language and it is very powerful. It comes built in to the Mac operating system. The Apple Script editor allows you to write script, compile the script, run the script, check the script, and also is completely compatible with voiceover the built in screen reader on the Mac. Although Apple script does require you to know the language and to write it in yourself the language is as close to speaking to your computer as it gets. The editor is very helpful in the amount of feedback provided while scripting. If you compile your script and there is an error not only will the error message pop up telling you the error message, but it will also highlight the area of text where your error exists. The accessibility is amazing. The Apple Script Editor is more compatible than most other third party programs that run on the Mac. When I heard about Apple Script I had to try it. I did not know how to write apple script, nor did I know if it would be accessible. After reading a little bit on the language I gave it a try. Wow, I was blown away at how accessible the editor was for me using Voiceover. I was able to access the menu, write my script, read bug reports, edit my code, compile my script, run my script, save my script and assign my script to hot keys. This was seriously a huge accomplishment for me and my use for the Mac operating system. Since then I have begun reading several books on Apple Script and how to write the language. I have successfully written several scripts from a script that tells you your age in months, days, or weeks, to a script that will pull information from an email break it up into event data and automatically place it in iCal as a new event. The power I have with Apple Script is more than I could imagine.

Again I found power and confidence. XXX more on the effect of your life with this power XXX

But I still needed help. Not accessibility, but colleagues! Talking to a friend, I was told about this community workshop HeatSync Labs. HeatSync is an open collaboration workspace for many different kinds of professionals who all work with some kind of technology. When I heard about this place I was thrilled, not only to find a place where I could have my web site built, but also it was literally an all in one stop for someone like me. With web designers out front, and tools like lathes and saws and welders all open for community use. Instantly I knew I had found the right place for what I wanted to do. I knew if there was ever a group of people in one room to assist me in making the technology world accessible here it was.

The first visit I had to HeatSync made me connections, partners, and friends. I met one man who told me he would get me in touch with an organization at ASU who did exactly what I was interested in doing. The very next day I received an email from a man from ASU asking me to come in for an appointment. Here again I found connections, partners, and friends who were all open to assist me with any project I came up with. My next visit to Heat Sync I was introduced to things I never really knew existed! I saw my first ever 3D printer--a device which 'print' functional 3d parts out of plastic!. I learned about a Micro Processor design called the Arduino, a mini computer the size of your palm which could be programmed to sense the environment and react. My first night ever there I sat down with people who were all completely supportive and encouraging while they taught me how to use the micro processor and even gave me some pointers on the code.

The first time I ever used Arduino I not only learned the components of the processor but I programmed it to play the first part of the “Pink Panther” theme song through an add on speaker!

But THIS truly was power to shape my world. I was never closer to achieving all the tools a sighted person has. They handed me technology, expected me to solve my own problems, supported me and excited me!

I decided this is the kind of problem solving I'd been looking for. I contact my disability resource center at Arizona State University to inquire into Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, and computer engineering courses.

After all with the advancements in technology there has to be a way for a blind person to learn and work in a field like software engineering or computer science. I went to Arizona State University and talked to several PHD grads who all had degrees in either computer science, electrical engineering, or software engineering. After talking to each of these people I came to the conclusion that achieving a degree in any of these programs would be very difficult for a blind person. I did meet a student who was partially blind who was getting his degree in Computer science, but he can see well enough to see his computer screen with zoom text. For every other program I was told that it was mostly all using programming interfaces that are incompatible with any screen reader. This was very upsetting and even more frustrating. In my head I felt that achieving a degree in something like computer programming should be very obtainable for a blind person since it is all done in a programming language which is for the most part text based. This is not the case, and for a blind person the hardest part is not just about learning the material. The university did say that they were willing and ready to accommodate me in achieving one of these degrees but how could I really expect to sell myself in the employment market when I would have to demand accommodations to fulfill my job. As competitive as the hiring market is employers are not looking to hire employees who cannot complete the job on time or independently.

LACK OF POWER. This led to one of the biggest disappointments in recent memory as even the disability office, which is tasked with doing whatever it takes to make all degrees accessibly basically told me these degrees were impossible for me to achieve. They explained computer, electrical and mechanical engineering courses simply couldn't be made accessible. Without a tactile representation of the different components and access to the tools needed to interact with these components they couldn't guarantee me a fair playing field.

Still to this day I have not been able to find a degree in what I truly want to do for the reason that access is not yet available for the blind in the technology world.

Proposal Narrative

It wasn't all easy, though. Yes, the Arduino language was very simple to use, they teach it to children to learn basic computer programming and engineering, but the user interface was not accessible at all. Also the hardware isn't designed for the blind to identify or connect components. I knew there was potential for this device for blind people, but some work would need to be done. This device and its programming language could be a huge break through for the blind community if it could just be made accessible. If the micro processor could control robots, access wifi, control cameras, lights, speakers, and lots of other components for the users who use it, why could it not do the same for the blind. There are devices out for the blind that cost hundreds of dollars if not thousands that assist them in measuring water, reading colors, and notifying them of things around them. With the Arduino the blind person could program their own device to do these same functions for a fraction of the cost, or solve NEW problems.

THE PROBLEM I'm left pondering this 'chicken and egg' problem. How can the world be made accessibly by those who don't understand the needs of the blind? How can the blind solve their problems if the tools are not accessible?

It is untenable to expect the sighted world to make all things accessibly for the unsighted world.

The problem is not always that they do not want to help solve the problem, it is just that they do not fully understand what is necessary. How can a company know what kind of information a blind person needs or wants if they them selves are not blind? For example someone who is born blind could fully never understand what a star in the sky looks like.

As it is now a company, business, school, and society as a whole who works with the blind community is left to guess what is needed or be simply reactive.

The future, though, is collaborative. It is wikipedia. Its letting the people of the world solve their own problems. But a giant demographic is currently left out, not able to put their cognitive surplus to work, to build confidence in themselves, and to use those skills and confidence to find employment that enriches both their life and society in total.

THE SOLUTION What we need is to make the TOOLS of life accessible.

With the ability to independently interact with programming tools I, as a blind person could participate in the development and advancement of technology for the blind. What is the best way to solve a problem one is facing in their life? The answer to this question is simple. Give them the tools to solve the problem, teach them the steps it would take to solve the problem, and send them on their way to solve it.

THE PLAN It is finally at HeatSync labs that I have found partners in this endeavor. We intend to open up the tools of engineering to the blind community.

The issue blind people are facing lies in accessibility to tools that would make them productive and competitive in a work force. Due to the inability to access programs such as programming editors, web pages, and applications for web design the blind community is severely hindered in their ability to be competitive in the job market. A blind computer user has access to a screen reader like Jaws for windows, or voiceover for Mac, which allows them to interact with their machine. As technology advances so does the ability to create more elaborate programs and devices. This is where the problem lies for the blind. As developers build better looking, higher functioning, and more interactive applications and web sites they are not taking as much time to properly tag each item which intern disables the functionality of a screen reader. If designers of of web sites, and developers of higher level programs were careful and conscious to properly label and tag their interactive buttons, links, graphics, images, form fields, and drop boxes the screen reader would know how to interact with the content. As a direct result of this improper designing the ability to successfully build, program, and use devices that could be used for measuring liquid, measuring the temperature of their home or food, recognizing colors of items such as clothing, notifying them of lights that are on, and even just to play with in things like robots. A micro processor is a powerful micro computer that can be programed to carry out functions through the use of components that are connected to it. With a computer to program the code, a micro processor to act as the control center, and a component or two to carry out the requested tasks the amount of problems that could be solved are endless. One such micro controller is the Arduino. The Arduino is a low level programming language that could be very useful to the blind with its many possibilities. The code that is written is compiled and ran on a micro processor. This micro processor can control many different components from LED’s, speakers, cirvos, small motors, heat sensors, light sensors, and many other components like a wifi card. Currently the user interface or IDE of the Arduino editor is incompatible with any screen reader, and the hard ware is very difficult to build on due to its compact design. There is very little to no tactile representation found on the processor. No labels of any kind can be interpreted by a non visual user. Although the hardware is made to be small and compact, there could still be modifications made to make it’s usability more accessible for the blind. The users interface of Arduino consists of a work space where syntax is entered, buttons for compiling, running the process, and a menu bar which is home to many options from example sketches, to settings. For a blind user who wants to build on the Arduino must write their code in a third party text editor then copy and paste into the IDE for compiling and running. If there is an error the user will have no access to the bug report that is generated upon an error and displayed on the screen for easy and quick reference. This is very frustrating and discouraging. Our focus is in bring the full experience of the Arduino and the Arduino hardware to the blind. The focus is in making the IDE completely accessible, in that the user will have complete access to menu options, settings, buttons on the workspace, bug reports that may be generated upon an encountered error, and also syntax description that will notify the scriptor of where the error is located. The hard ware will be modified so that the insertion points are easily located and components can be plugged into without confusion. Each component of the processor will be represented by Braille or tactile indicator to accurately build and write the code based on the place at which the component is connected. The hardware will be built so that it is still small and compact but in a way that each connection point is easily located and connected to. On a stock processor there is a blinking LED to notify the user that the processor is connected and receiving signal. There will be a micro motor in place of the LED so that through small pulsating vibrations the blind user can have the same type of feedback. It is our goal to put the power and independence of being able to successfully program, build and use devices like micro processors. This would only be the start of a great revolution for blind programmers. By opening the door to programming at a small or micro level, it will pave the road ahead for blind programmers on larger scale product designing and building. With the ability to use a device like the Arduino a blind person could independently discover a problem, figure out a practical solution, and sit down to program their thought into motion. No longer would they be forced to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on products that do the same thing. This is a way to put the tools into the underserved persons hands and allow them to solve problems independently.

Join us.

Program Participants

The focus of this project is directed towards the blind and/or low vision. For those with full vision or who can have nearly full vision with the assistance of aids such as magnifying glass or screen magnifier does not need such a program or modification in hardware. If the user is blind or unable to see a screen and relies on a screen reader the new interface of Arduino will give them full functionality of the programming tools. Also for someone who cannot accurately detect and make use of the hardware as needed, the new modified hardware will give the representation necessary to build proficiently. As a direct result of the program blind and low vision users who have not yet had equal access to building and programming a micro processor to date will now have complete and unequivocal independence in building and programming.

For Whom Will You Address This Cause Description

Specifically state for whom you will address this cause.

For Whom Will You Address This Cause

The program will directly effect the blind and low vision technology enthusiasts around the world who have never before had access to programming or building on a micro processor. As an open source program the Arduino IDE will benefit blind users around the world with a simple download. The Arduino hardware is a micro processor that is low in cost ranging any where from $30 to $80 depending on the components included.

Providing Service Description

What level of intensity (i.e. frequency of service) and duration (i.e. period in which you provide service for a person) are needed for your approach to deliver results? Once you give the number add your thought on rationale.

Providing Service

The Arduino language has great tutorials found online, along with example scripts found right in the menu of the IDE. For the blind users we will provide a detailed layout and description of the hardware,. Also as a supplement to the description of the hardware we will have Braille or tactile labels for each component of the hardware. There are online forums and mailing lists directed towards programmers of the arduino found online at www.sparkfun.com.

Partners & Organizations

A direct partner for our program should be blind schools such as state schools for the Deaf and Blind, and training centers for the blind as in Colorado center for the Blind. Partners like this could be trained and deliver the training to many ethnic backgrounds, age groups, and genders of the blind community.

Verizon Volunteers

I think this could be useful if we get to a point where we need drivers to locations, assistance in training, or in making calls for feedback and stats.

Mission

HeatSync Labs' mission is to provide the tools, space and the community for students, entrepreneur, artists and garage tinkerers to come together and create their dreams. We are a community workshop which promotes Do-It-Yourself science and education and prides ourselves on application -in addition- to theory.

Our vision is a world where we re-awaken our population and reinstate the knowledge of creation in opposition to our throw-away society. We will empower our population delivering the confidence to once compete on a global scale.

Our Strategy is to empower, one on one, our members with the tools, resources, space, and if possible money to bring their dreams to fruition. The organization itself has no purpose but to support these missions. Beuracracy and overhead are to be avoided. We want to program in cell death so that if we ever lose our focus or have no reason to exist anymore, that we finally die. Apoptosis.

Achievements

Monthly we run a free to attend arduino workshop where we train kids to adults how to program microcontrollers. Hundreds of people, from children to adults have attended our monthly meetings with the goal of empowering themselves with technology to solve their own problems. MORE HERE

Most recently we had been asked to create a workshop series on soldering and programing for UrbanStew another local nonprofit. Again, we wanted to instill the values of creation, having our attendees actaully BUILD the computer they would eventually program. Demystifying these devices which are increasingly becoming ubiquoutous.

We have hosted over 24 free public educational events this year. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday we invite in a speaker to invigorate us, and them. From materials, to tools, to processes we want to empower our people with the knowledge they need to succeed. Topics have included: *Astronomy

• Eagle PCB Layout and Design
• PCB Chemical Etching,Heat Transfer, with FeCl
• Haptic interfaces
• Lock Picking
• Cube.ly 3D printer
• PaperCraft
• Thermoforming
• Idaho Near Space Project Balloon Communications Payload
• High Speed Photography
• Haystack Project
• Working with acrylic
• Glass Working
• Rep Rap made easy
• Teardown party(everyone brings a peice of electronics to tear down for parts in order to understand)
• Lathing for fun and profit
• EL Wire
• Monster plush party (Disassembling plush dolls and sewing them back together with electronics)
• Coffee Science and Arduino
• Arduino and VOIP - Dial-a-Lulz
• CAD/CAM introduction
• Home Brewing

Most recently our community raised $10,000 to aquire a laser cutter in order to further expand our ability to create. For our birthday we hosted a science fair / music show titled the mustache party. Hundreds of attendees, many new to us, came to see what the local mad scientists were up to.

We host weekly 3d printing meetup event where we foster the innovative field of personal manufacturing. These devices are finally realizing the promises of the Star Trek Replicator, creating 3d, multi material, objects before your eyes! Even more intersting is the idea of the machine creating the machine. This is the promise delivering Moore's Law for computer chips (exponential increase as the computer designs the next computer) to the mechanical realm!

• Our members have put a balloon payload into nearspace! A team of XXX People

planned and executed the development of a payload to survive a trip to ~75k feet and safely return. Anyone from the public was welcome to join the team and learn the multidisciplinary fundamentals necessary to launch an object into nearspace! More than 40 people attended our balloon launch, from children to adults, and helped us 'chase' down the landing.

A new team have decided to tackling issues related to solar power generation and storage. The goal is to adapt MIT designs for a solar collector to leverage our location in the Arizona desert to further understand renewable energy solutions and problems.

Throughout this past year we also took time out to coach a pair of First Lego League teams. Our kids, mostly 9r olds, worked throughout 2010 Body Forward Challenge, as the FLL put its to "explore the cutting-edge world of Biomedical Engineering to discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome genetic predispositions, and maximize the body's potential, with the intended purpose of leading happier and healthier lives." They learned computer programming, mechanical engineering and biological engineering concepts culminating in a team presentation and robot competition! The goal, again here, was to empower them to solve THEIR OWN problems. It was entirely discovery learning and the adults were only there to supervise and answer questions. It was the first year for our kids and they had amazing fun. In addition our mentor won best mentor for the season.

Similar Groups

We're most like a traditional academic incubator model mixed with the newer coworking model. Entreprenuers and skilled tradespeople who don't wish to work in an office alone but would rather work side by side with the other brightest minds in the community in order to build their workspace in public

More specifically, we are part of a larger maker/do-it-yourself culture exemplified by Make Magazine. There are spaces are popping up throughout the united states, and globally, all with different visions and goals, but all listing themselves at hackerspaces.org.

Locally we are most like our peer coworking/collaboration sister and landlord, Gangplank. Gangplank, much like us, intends to revolutionize education, community, and collaboration. Hardware and access to tools is on their agenda, but only superficially.

What makes us different from all these is our focus on infrastructure. It has become very vogue to open a space, provide wifi and try to build community around Bring-Your-Own-Computer concepts. These purposely dodge the challenges of infrastructure. Even our schools are pulling out of this area in frustration. We refuse to back down. The infrastructure is indeed the hard part, but it is also the difference. The infrastructure, the safety, training, liability, skills and experience to make these things open to the public are the key to bringing creation back to our throw away society.

Participants

We will utilize our members and connections to the blind community to leverage our technological skills. We are technologists who have several blind in our midst, friends and families. In addition we will utilize our allies within the blind community including XXXX

Intended Outcomes

Empower the blind to solve problems for themselves. Create the tools to open up embedded system design programs across the country for the blind.

Broader Gains?

Our goal is to release all of our work as open source, available for any other people to use and improve upon, meaning this work will only need to be funded and completed once for everyone to begin to see the benefits. Our code will all be accepted in to the main Arduino project.

The design files will be available under open licenses, as well, allowing anyone to take our designs, modify them and have them manufactured.