Hello again. It's been a while, but I'm back for another update. This will probably be my last entry before I make my way down to sunny Florida.

I can't believe it's my last week working at CTEP. It seems like only a month or two ago I was moving down here, starting my new job, and learning a new city. It's been a really fun year though, and I've learned a lot, and met a lot of cool people.

I'm just wrapping up work at my site. I'm still helping out with the homework center at Dayton's Bluff library, and helping out with computer questions and training. I've also held a few workshops for library and Metro State staff on assistive technology, which went really well. The first session went well, but only one person showed up. This was probably due to the short notice before that session. I presented the workshop three more times and have a good turnout for all of them. It was quite interesting each time too because people asked different questions each time. I think it went well, and hope everyone learned something new.

I haven't done too much work with the assistive technology workstation here at DB, but I'm working with staff to come up with some recommendations and do some research on assistive tech for the computer. I wish I would have gotten a chance to do more with the computer and get some more outreach going, but hopefully my research and other projects will help in the future. I've learned a lot though from working in the homework center, and helping out with the different classes Riley is doing like the video and photo clubs, as well as our basic computer training. I've learned a lot about digital photo and video, but know I have so much more to learn.

I've also been trying to finish up the toolkit and video project the Accessibility and Usibility committee is doing. We have most everything done now. It's mainly a matter of putting the video into the toolkit, and burning the CD's. That should be done by this week before I leave.

I've also read another book for the CTEP book club. This one was titled To the Left of Inspiration by Katherine Schneider. This was another disability related book I found on the Bookshare website. It's interesting to see many people's takes on the subject, and find out how some of this information can help people. This book described a visual disability from a variety of topics from the author's perspective. It was rather funny at times, and she makes some good points. I liked the section talking about schooling. I do think it's important for people with disabilities to go to public school. Some specialized classes may be necessary, but I think residential schools can sometimes limit the experiences and exposure to regular life. the other sections were good too and rather entertaining. A lot of the suggestions and tips I felt I've heard before though from reading similar books.

Besides work, I've mainly been preparing for my move to florida, which is approaching very soon. I'll probably be leaving in less than a week now. It's been kind of a headache figuring everything out because I'm not moving directly to my new apartment. I'll be living in a condo for a few weeks till an apartment becomes available, which means I can't just have movers pick up all my stuff and deliver it right to my new place. I think we've gotten everything straightened out now. It's just a matter of making the final arrangements and paying for everything. Hopefully that will all be done within the next day or two.

I'll be taking the train to florida which will be pretty cool. I've been on a train twice before for a spring break trip a few years ago. I liked it except for one thing... I can't sleep in those coach seats. If I'm really tired, I can doze off every now and again, but that's about it. I'm sure I'll be dead tired when I finally get to Florida, especially considering it will take 2 full days. I'm excited for the job to start, but I'll be glad when the whole moving process and settling in is done.

Nothing much else has been going on lately either. I'm glad the temperature has finally cooled off recently. We had our end of year CTEP BBQ last Friday, and that was pretty fun. I've actually been to a few BBQ's now over the past few weeks, which is great because I love grilled food. I've also been playing more multiplayer FEAR with a couple friends of mine, and that's been a blast. The great thing is we all now have Skype, a headset, and copy of the game, so we can still play pretty easily when we all live in different places. I love the Internet... Hopefully tonight or tomorrow I'll head out with a couple CTEPPers to catch a movie.

That's about it for now. Until next time, or a new blog...

Hello again. I think this will be a rather quick update. There hasn't been a whole lot of anything new going on. I'm still working at the library, trying to get a few projects completed before I'm done. I did have my first two workshops on assistive technology last Monday and Wednesday. They both went very well, and it sounds like more people will be coming to next week's sessions. I'm still hoping that the library will get the various software before I leave so I can help install it and get it set up for public use.

I'm done with my Masters class though, and that's a good feeling. Yay, no more papers for a while... I'm mainly concentrating on work, and figuring out stuff for moving. I still haven't found an apartment, and I have to figure out how I will get myself and all my stuff there. I do think I might finally have a good lead on an apartment that is in a good area and will actually be open.

I haven't really been doing much of anything new for fun either. Just playing a little more Oblivion and FEAR online when I get the chance.

Hopefully I'll be able to have more good news on the whole moving process. I can't wait till that's all figured out.

Hello again. It's been busy as usual this past week. I've been working more with the assistive technology here at the library, and helped a couple of customers learn more about various programs. It's good to see customers from Lexington come over here to still use the technology. I'm glad it's been useful. I also held my first assistive tech training workhsop this morning, and it went really well. We only had one person show up, but she was really interested in the technology and asked a lot of good questions. I'm hoping the lack of people was due to the short notice, and that the next 3 will be more popular. I'm also trying to get more done on the AU toolkit so we can combine the video and toolkit together soon. I've gotten a lot of it done, but there's still a lot of information to add. still, I can start to see the end now.

The great news is I'm finally done with my Masters course. One less thing to worry about... It was an interesting class, and I got to learn more about some other classes in the degree. Some sound quite fun, like the multime and games classes. My only concern with these is if we have to make multimedia. Generally speaking, these authoring programs aren't what I'd call majorly accessible. Still, I'll find a way to make it work.

I'm also still scrambling to figure out my housing situation for Florida. I don't know the area, and what places would be good. the one I was really interested in turned out to maybe not be such a good idea after someone checked it out. I have a couple other prospects in the works, so hopefully one of these works out. I so can't wait till all this moving crap is done. Finding a place, finding movers, packing and unpacking, transferring accounts to new addresses.... Still it will be worth it.

Not much going on for fun either. I'm basically concentrating on work, school, moving, and everything else. Oblivion is still consuming a few hours on the weekend. I just hope it cools off soon because this weekend was aweful, and makes me really wonder about living in Florida sometimes.

Well, I'm a little late with this week's entry, but a lot has been going on. Work is still going well. I'm really trying to work as much as possible to get my hours in by the time I have to leave for my new job. I've been doing a lot of research projects, as well as helping in the homework center and with computer classes. Hopefully things will pick up more with the actual assistive technology at the library. The last couple weeks have been a little odd because of the holiday in the middle of the week, and stuff like that. I'd really like to have something in place and working for the customers by the time I leave.

As for the new job, I've been looking for apartments, filling out forms, and other misc. moving related things. I still don't know how I'll be getting to Florida, or getting all my stuff down there, which will be interesting because I have a lot of stuff. I'm also looking for apartments because I'm not so sure I'll be taking the apartment recommended to me because the rent is quite a bit higher than I'd like. There are cheaper 1 bedrooms, but they're not currently available. $755 just seems like way too much to spend on rent, but then again, I'm cheap and think my $525 is kind of expensive. Still I like where I'm living now, and if I can find something comperable in Florida, I'll be fine.

I'm also trying to finish my masters class. It's actually the last week next week. Thank God! I like the class, but I have so much going on right now it will be one less thing to worry about. Until then though, I have to lead online forum discussions, and write a paper which I still haven't done any writing on. I've gotten lots of sources and reference materials, so I think I have all the information I need, and then some, but I just have to sit down and write the paper now, and of course source it, goody...

I also have been reading for the CTEP book club again. This time I didn't read about disabilities or assistive technology. Riley recommended a book to me, so I gave it a read this weekend. For this month I read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. this book was a study on how people making minimum wage actualy survive. the author worked in several cities throughout America, doing several different jobs to see how well she could live on what little wages the poor are expected to live on. She held everything from cleaning jobs, to food service, to retail at a Twin Cities Wall-Mart. It was an interesting read. We all know places like this aare out there, but it's always disturbing to read how businesses are more interested in making it look like work is getting done, than actually doing good work, like her cleaning job. The other one that was rather nasty was the food service job where everyone wasn't even using utencils to prepare food, and the place was a dump. It's just one of those things I prefer not to think about when going out to eat...

None of this was really that surprising though because I know people who work these kinds of jobs. This kind of thing just makes me angry. I could go on a long rant here, but I don't want to get political and things like that here. I'll just say it makes me really angry to see these huge corporations' management make billions of dollars while they treat the people who make the business work like crap. I specially feel for the farmers, since pretty much everything goes back to agriculture, whether it be the food we eat, clothes we wear, etc. I grew up on a farm and know the crap small farm owners go through only to see everyone else get the profit because my dad is a farmer. I'll just end it there.

So things are very busy now, and they don't appear to be slowing down at all. I still have a lot of hours to put in for CTEP. I want to get a bit more done on the AU Toolkit and a lot more done at my site. I'm also secretly hoping my proposal for some extra hours I completed for my accessibility project gets accepted because that will really help with my overall hours count I have yet to complete. Only one more week of class, and then I can really concentrate on the move and new job preparation.

Till next time.

Hello. I'm back again. Things have just got a lot more interesting lately.

First, the exciting news is I have been offered that job in Florida I'd applied for a while ago. I just got the call this morning. I'm almost certain I'll be taking the job. The pay isn't bad vs the cost of living, and the job itself will be really fun. I think I described it a little in an earlier entry, but here's a little more info. I'll be working as an assistive technology teacher, doing one-on-one trainings, presentations and workshops, evaluating new technology, and helping in a new computer lab. Sounds good to me... Another cool thing is I should be able to get an apartment right on the bus line, and maybe even within walking distance to work. The city is also excellent for public transportation and for just being visually impaired I guess. It should be an interesting experience. I only wish I knew someone down there.

As for my current job at CTEP, things are also going well. I'ts been a little slower toward the beginning of the week ,but I've been helping out more in the homework center and helping people learn to use the computer. Riley and I did a intro computer class this morning. Sadly not many people showed, but it still went really well. I helped someone create a resume for an interview he had today, and we both helped another guy get an E-mail address and learn more about the Internet.

the interesting part is going to be to see just how many hours I have left to complete my 1700 hours of service, especially since the job starts on the 21st of August, earlier if possible. And I'll need to get down there a few days early to figure out where things are and get the very basics situated. I hope I've caught up the last few weeks on hours because I'd hate to find out that I needed to work 60+ hours a week to finish in time. I really want to finish my projects, and especially get my education reward. That would really really really help out a lot. I could probably have my student loans completely paid off over the next year, year and a half total with this new job. Yeah! Stupid debt...

I'm also busy with my Masters class. I really need to start working on my paper, and finding sources for APA format because I haven't a clue how that stuff works. I can easily write 5 pages worth, but sourcing will be the pain. Hopefully I'll get something accomplished with that this weekend, along with more work on the toolkit.

Last weekend was pretty fun too. Friends from Crookston came down, and we hung out some. We didn't do as much as I thought we would, but it was still fun, and a nice break. Even better, I made it to the Dell store, and even better still, my monitor I wanted went back on sale. So I finally bought it and had it delivered Tuesday. It's sweet... 20.1 inch widescreen ultrasharp with hight, tilt, and other controls. Best of all I can finally use my DVI output on my video card, and wow does FEAR and Oblivion look awesome now. I'm still hooked on Oblivion, but hardly have time to play lately. Hopefully I'll get a little time this weekend after I get some work done. I've also started playing FEAR multiplayer with a friend of mine, and it's been a lot of fun.

That's about all this time. Tons of stuff is going on, and the next couple of months will probably be just chaos, but great. I'm SOOOOO glad I will have a job, not have to not work for a period of time, and I don't have to keep up this crazy job hunt going. Yes!

Hello again. this week has been pretty interesting. I've started working at Dayton's bluff Library now full time for CTEP, and things are going pretty well. I've had a couple of meetings with staff on the assistive technology, and I'll be starting to do some presentations to library and university staff soon. A lot of people seem pretty interested in these trainings/presentations, so that's pretty cool. I only wish I could demo Dragon, but we don't have that on the computer yet. I'll probably be demoing much of the technology with my laptop, at least in the beginning.

We're also working on updating the computer with new versions of the software they already have, as well as getting a couple other pieces of assistive tech. I'm really not sure how this is going yet, but hopefully something will happen with it soon. right now, I'm planning the presentations for the staff, which will be a little different since I'll be using my laptop, and some of the technology won't be demoed. People have expressed interest in learning specific things already about different programs, so I'll be able to demonstrate that. I'll also be able to show off Web Adapt, since I can probably put that on this library's computer, since it's through the university, and not the city. There's been some interest in the Bookport too, so I might put that in the demo. I think it's a good idea especially since it's a college setting. It's nice to be able to bring books with you.

A couple of us are also going to a demonstration of the Freedom box at MCIL this afternoon. I'm not sure who will all make it, but it will be interesting. I'm curious to see what other library staff think of the software. I think it might work pretty well in a library or university setting.

I've also been working on my Masters stuff again. I got my presentation done. It probably could be better, but it should work, especially for the time I had. Now I just have to keep up with the online discussions and write my other paper. Writing the paper is fine, but we have to use APA format, which is actually quite annoying. Personally, I hate reading sourced text because all the long sourcing breaks up the information, and it doesn't read well. A bibliography page is fine, but I hate putting stuff right in the text. Plus I know nothing about APA right now, so this will be fun...

I also have my Skype video interview for the Florida job tomorrow, which I'm really excited about. I really have to nail this interview because I really want this job. It sounds like a sweet job, and then I wouldn't have to keep looking. I'm getting sick of job hunting. I just want to work.

Haven't been doing much for fun lately either. I haven't had time. I play a little DS from time to time, and I'm still loving my DS Lite. It's so much better. I also play a little Oblivion off and on, and the game is just getting more amazing and fun. I think it will take me at least a year of off and on playing to finish this one, and I still probably won't see everything. this game's huge!

I'm pretty excited though because friends from Crookston are coming down later today for the weekend, and so we'll have lots of fun. Who knows what we'll do, but it will be a nice break.

Well that's about it again for this week.

Hello, I'm back again for another extra update. I've been doing a little more reading for the CTEP book club, and will talk a bit about the book. This month I've read Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making electronic Resources Accessible to All by Barbara T. Mates.

The first thing I'll mention is that some of the information in this eddition is rather outdated because the book was published in 2000. I was still interested in reading the book because I thought it might have a good general overview of accessibility and assistive technology.

The book started out talking about public computer and Internet access for people with disabilities. It also addressed some common mis-conceptions people had about the disabled using computers and the Internet. The main one is that people with disabilities mostly don't use technology, and the ones that do are such a small group it doesn't pay to invest in so much technology. This isn't true at all. In fact public technology centers are great places for people to go to use the computer and Internet, especially if they can't afford a computer, let alone all the assistive technology they need to use said computer. It's also important to have resources available for introductory training, or at least enough to get people started. Computers in general and assistive technology can be a bit intimidating for some users, so it's helpeful to have someone available that can help get them started. Having thousands of dollars worth of technology is useless if no one uses or is able to use it.

the book then went on to talk about website accessibility, as well as various types of assistive technology people use. The content was pretty well done, and I liked how the information was divided into each disability type, and then by type of assistive technology, like screen magnifiers and then screen readers.

The only real problem I had with the book is some of the information was pretty outdated. Even for being published in 2000, the book often referred to Windows 95 and technology around that time. Many of the hardware and software mentioned is still available in newer versions. Some of the limitations of the technology are a bit outdated though, like how screen readers aren't able to read tables very well. This has gotten a lot better.

There is still some good information in here for someone new to assistive/adaptive technology though, and some of the accessibility tips and principles still apply. Maybe there's a newer edition of the book by now too.