Smile and Say "IRIE!"

Our cheeks are still hurting from all the smiling we did in the last two weeks. IRIE-AT was lucky enough to have Freelance Photographer, Philippe Axelsson fly over from Sweden to take thousands of Index, Kapten, and Alva pictures, as well as record a series of guided product videos.

With unseasonably warm weather, we were able to take the photo shoot to the Oregon State University Campus and quaint downtown area to capture great images of some of our products, such as the Kapten Mobility GPS device and UltraCane in action. You could see the look of curiosity of passers-bye as we made our way through Corvallis with these units, we even got asked if the UltraCane was a light meter!

The best part of the shoot was definitely when we got to bring the kids in for their modeling session. They thoroughly enjoyed playing with the TactiPad, Braille Coach and Swell Form graphics. I think the adults had a lot of fun doing silly things to make them smile and laugh too!

We have to give a BIG thank you to all of those that volunteered their time to be a part of our photo shoot. It was a very memorable experience and made our first official photo shoot very special.

The pictures turned out better than we could have dreamed and we look forward to sharing them soon. Also, keep watch for the release of our guided videos which will benefit customers getting started with their Index Embossers!

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Fall Into Accessibility

Summer has come and gone and the Fall is now upon us. Schools are in session, teachers are busy and resources are needed for education professionals and their students. And IRIE-AT is thrilled to carry products that accommodate those needs.

The INDEX V4 embossers are a COMPLETELY different embosser from previous Index versions. Though the appearance may be similar to past INDEX units, the speed, functionality and cost, make these units the most desired embossing solution. The Braille Box is quickly taking off, becoming the preferred choice for production style 300 CPS braille printing, at a fraction of the cost of similar embossers. As always, the Everest D V4 cut sheet embosser and Basic D V4 tractor fed embossers offer quality printing at 100 CPS and provide a more portable solution.

ALVA Braille Display's have recently had a temporary price cut, allowing users to obtain a high-end quality product, with Bluetooth wireless capabilities, note taking functionality, 4GB of memory, and smart phone integration at a competitive price. 

KAPTEN Mobility GPS devices have gained momentum, keeping people on the move with a touch of a button or via voice commands, providing freedom through accessibility. These highly portable, light-weight devices make it easier to navigate through cities with options such as Points of Interest, K-tags, the "where am I" feature, Public Transport mode and on-board entertainment with the included MP3 player for Music and Audiobook playback.

With something for everyone, it's easy for customer's get access to affordable and efficient products. And to continue providing the BEST customer service, IRIE-AT will be offering more FREE Webinar's to help kick off the school year. Check out our website for more information!




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Summer Shows Are HOT!

ACB 2012 Convention

IRIE-AT was pleased to attend NFB and ACB this year. Both shows proved to be a success with high interest in the latest products that IRIE has to offer, such as the new V4 Index Braille Embossers, the ALVA Braille Display series and the Kapten Mobility GPS device.

First time attendee and IRIE-AT Product Manager, Alex Axelsson, was pleasantly surprised by the quality exhibits and sessions the conferences had to offer. Though the shows differed in attendee type, each delivered a variety of products and presenters and this made for a very busy booth!

NFB 2012 Convention

"Attending NFB and ACB for the first time was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people from all walks of life, and they were very excited about our products. I truly believe we are offering product solutions that improve everyday life through braille access and reliable GPS devices, and attendees seemed to appreciate the technology. It’s a small industry and it was great to meet so many end users and see them interact with our products. We like to meet all potential clients, from teachers to decision makers, but it’s rare to get so many personal meetings with actual with end users. I am looking forward to going back next year", said Axelsson.

The high interest, particularly in the ALVA Braille Displays, prompted Optelec and IRIE-AT to offer a temporary price decrease on the ALVA BC640 and ALVA BC640 with Feature Pack, allowing customers to get a great deal on a high-end product before the school year starts.

Representatives are now busy following up with interested parties, but this is a welcomed task. IRIE-AT's next stop is the Blind Veterans Association conference in Galvestin, Texas where we hope the product heat wave continues!

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Second FREE Webinar: Duxbury Braille Translator

Known as one of the most robust braille translation software applications, the Duxbury Braille Translator is the preferred solution among braille users. Our BANA Certified Transcriber, Mike Sivill will provide another comprehensive and informational Webinar, Thursday July 19th at 10AM Pacific Time.

The Duxbury Braille Translator is the second FREE Webinar in the three part Webinar Summer Series offered by IRIE-AT to promote product knowledge and awareness. We encourage all who can attend to do so, and why not, it's free!

Those interested can easily register here. Space is limited to 98, and access is provided on a first come first serve basis. However, anyone that is unable to attend will receive access to the recorded session when it becomes available on our YouTube channel.

For more information about our Summer Session Webinar series, visit IRIE-AT Webinars.

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Easy as Dots 1, 2, 3

Mike Sivill- Presenter

Last week IRIE-AT kicked off our webinar summer series with our first webinar, ALL ABOUT BRAILLE. BANA Certified Transcriber, Mike Sivill, offered an easy to follow training, perfect for the braille beginner. Covering braille origination, codes, languages and dot pattern differences, Sivill allowed attendees to gain quick knowledge and instill confidence for those just learning braille. This is especially helpful to those that are preparing to assist students requiring braille in the upcoming school year. 

Sivill also demonstrated one of the most commonly used braille translation software, the Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT). By showing the audience how easy it is to create a braille document within existing software, such as Microsoft Word with the use of a DBT add-in, Sivill was able to lift the intimidation one might feel when preparing to produce braille for the first time.

Attendees were also provided with a list of resources to further their knowledge of braille or obtain braille materials. Understandably not all that were invited were able to attend. However, IRIE-AT was able to record this session and provide this for free through our YouTube channel. 

To view the webinar, visit ALL ABOUT BRAILLE VIDEO. We would like to thank all of those who attended and hope to have more of you join us in our upcoming FREE webinars this summer. For more information on how to attend, visit FREE WEBINARS.  

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The Complete Solution for Accessible Navigation

While traveling in Japan in 2006, Kapsys creator Aram Hekimian found himself wishing he had a device that would communicate his surroundings without having to carry a native language dictionary to navigate streets, buildings and other landmarks.

Motivated by this challenge, he began working with his travel companion and several other creative partners in 2007. Kapsys began their development journey to create voice activated GPS devices for those who desired easy and accessible city navigation—thus became the Kapten GPS devices.

In early 2012 Kapsys refined their design and product features and have now released their latest GPS device—the Kapten Mobility, an updated version of the Kapten Plus.

IRIE-AT assisted Kapsys in the testing of the unit with a small controlled group of individuals in the AT Industry, and they found the unit to be much more intuitive and easy to use than other accessible GPS devices -- including the Kapten Plus.

The voice controlled Kapten Mobility GPS device not only offers real time audio navigation of your location, preferred sites,  area description and transport routes, but it also has a variety of embedded maps, multiple data input methods  and includes an MP3  & Daisy player for music and audio books -- all at an extremely competitive price.

This small, handheld device offers much more than accessible navigation and entertainment. IRIE-AT is excited to see the response to this handy little tool as it provides something much more important for the user—confidence and freedom!

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Launch of the Webinars!

The sunshine and warmth is quickly approaching as we move into the summer season. School is almost out and while students will enjoy the summer break, many educators will continue expanding their knowledge. This goes for educators using assistive technology or preparing to teach a student that requires braille or other accessible devices, as well.

With this in mind, IRIE-AT has created a series of FREE webinars that include topics on beginning braille, translation software utilization and braille display usage.

June 7^th is our official kick-off for the first webinar, ALL ABOUT BRAILLE. Perfect for the braille novice, this webinar will be hosted by a BANA Certified Braille Transcriber who will explain the history of braille, how it is used, different codes and braille creation.

In July, we will feature a webinar dedicated to using the DuxburyBraille Translation Software. And in August, attendees will get the opportunity to learn more about utilizing the product features of the Alva BrailleDisplays. 

Visit http://irie-at.com/content/public-webinars for more information about how to register for these FREE webinars!

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Not For Display Purposes Only

Long range wireless Bluetooth connectivity, PC functionality and Smart Phone compatibility in one ergonomic and portable device. Sounds like a state-of-the-art gadget but the reality is this is an Alva Braille Display by Optelec.

Optelec, formerly known as the Tieman Group, developed their first refreshable braille display in the 1980s. Over the last two decades they have continued building upon their technology to capture the preferred dot for avid braille readers.

But Optelec didn’t stop at the braille cells. They wanted to provide an all-inclusive solution and allow their users the freedom to access mainstream technology like PC’s, Smart Phones and PDA’s -- so they developed the Braille Controller Series BC640 & BC680, and an optional Feature Pack.

When used alongside the BC640, the Feature Pack transforms the unit from a braille display, into a braille writing tool and note-taking device with storage capabilities for documents and books.

Though the display models and options vary, the ability to receive high-resolution braille is a function that all versions provide. 

With cell count options ranging from 40-80 characters and 4GB flash memory and note-taking capability, these displays offer one of the most robust product options in the AT Industry.

IRIE-AT is confident that the competitive price, variety of features and training options available will make Alva Braille Displays by Optelec the standard for braille displays.

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Braille Learning Made Easy!

IRIE-AT enjoyed our first official staff trip to the annual CSUN conference in San Diego this past February. By attending the conference, rather than exhibiting, we received a fresh perspective that allowed us to appreciate the abundance of technology available in the AT industry.

Among the CCTV’s, mobility devices, software and learning aids, we came across a Connecticut-based company called Proxtalker. Our staff was greeted by two friendly gentlemen, Chris McCann, US Sales Account Manager and Glen Dobbs, President of Proxtalker.

They were showcasing the Logan Braille Coach. This device was originally designed to be a communication tool for those unable to verbally communicate, such as Glen’s son Logan -- who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two. Glen, an engineer, features this story on their website www.proxtalker.com. It’s an inspiring account of the realization that his son was experiencing communication challenges and how Glen made it his mission to give him a voice by creating the Logan Proxtalker device.

The Logan Proxtalker includes ready to use tags that when pressed against a button on the device, trigger an audio description. This allows his son and others with similar communication challenges to verbalize their needs and wants in a simple manner, empowering them and bridging the communication gap.

During the journey of product promotion, Glen discovered that by applying braille to the tags, blind and low vision students could use this as a braille learning aid. This is now known as the Logan Braille Coach and is becoming one of the most desired tools for VI teachers. Many find that they can leave the fun and interactive device with their student for studying purposes, allowing them to work and excel at their own pace.

Another added bonus of the Braille Coach is the ability to customize tags by recording your own information and adding braille to the same tags by using a braille labeler. This allows the teacher to set a curriculum for their student for advancement.

With an assortment of innovative products in the AT Industry, it is always exciting to find one that offers such an intuitive approach to learning Braille -- like the Logan Braille Coach. IRIE-AT is excited to feature this product on our website and will be hosting a Logan Braille Coach product webinar in the near future.  Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information!

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Irie-AT Blog now available!

It has been an exciting and eventful year for IRIE-AT, Inc with the addition of several new product lines and partnerships. By expanding our product range and focusing on creating solution packages, we will provide the best options for everyone -- from the beginning braille user to the world traveler!

One of our most exciting announcements is that we are now the exclusive dealer for INDEX Braille Embossers, Alva Braille Displays by Optelec-- two of the highest quality and most widely recognized brands for braille output devices. In addition to Index and Optelec, we are also carrying Proxtalker Braille Coach, UltraCane, Kapsys Kapten GPS and Duxbury products.

With such a wide variety of options we are sure to have a solution to fit the needs of anyone requiring braille, tactile graphics, navigational or mobility tools! 

Because IRIE-AT is comprised of individuals with a deep commitment to customer service, we will also be hosting frequent webinars for assistive technology users and educators.  These presentations will focus on increasing product usability knowledge and provide awareness about available technology.

Irie also plans to host product showcases alongside other AT vendors, around the US. These invitation-only events will be located at specific sites, allowing hands-on product demonstrations to individuals that do not have the access or ability to attend tradeshows. 

With all of these great opportunities, we are delighted to contact our customers and start providing the best products and solutions available. We hope you will continue to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to this blog, which will be your resource for a variety of topics on usability, products, events and industry news. 

We also encourage you to check out our new YouTube channel, which will serve as a resource for product demonstrations and tutorial videos.

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