VIBUG, the Visually Impaired and Blind User Group, is located in Massachusetts, and serves blind and visually impaired users of computers and other assistive technology. If you'd like to know more about us, you can download our flyer, which is available as a Microsoft Word document, or a braille formatted file. We encourage you to share this flyer with people you think would be interested in our assistive technology users group.
VIBUG membership costs $20 a year and includes the following benefits.
Vibug elections are held annually at every November meeting. Anyone wishing to vote in this election must be a paid member by the end of the October meeting.
For people who join Vibug as first-time members in November or December, their dues will carry over and cover their membership for the following year.
To Become a Vibug member and make a secure on-line payment with a credit card or your PayPal account, select the following PayPal button.
You may also join VIBUG by coming to a meeting and paying your dues by cash or check. All checks should be made payable to VIBUG. If you have any questions, please contact our treasurer Bob Resnick at vibugtreasurer@outlook.com
To join the VIBUG announcements mailing list, fill out the form at the following link.
https://www.freelists.org/list/vibugannounce
Please join us for the third VIBUG meeting of the season. This is a special event by request of our community.
When: Saturday, November 13 , 2021 from 1:00 PM to 3:00PM Eastern Time
Where: online only, no in-person attendance
All persons are welcome to participate online. We are now using a program called Zoom. For details, look for a heading called “Zoom Instructions”.
Please do not post the Zoom information on any social media platform.
Attendees are encouraged to stay on after our meeting to socialize with each other.
Not a member yet? It’s easy to join. Visit our website at http://www.vibug.org
Frank Ventura, vibugpresident@outlook.com
Current Vibug members are welcome to attend VIBUG meetings on-line. VIBUG is using a program called zoom. If you would like to participate on-line, you must download and install the zoom program. There are versions for pc and IPhone, and you can even call in over the telephone if you don't have a computer. We recommend that you initially download the pc version, since it is easier to use than the IPhone app.
If you have an iPhone or similar device, you can search in the App Store for Zoom, and select the "Zoom Cloud Meetings" app for download. Then, pick "Join meeting", and enter the meeting ID, 857 9690 8109.
Once in the meeting, select "internet audio" to turn on your microphone.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
If using a Zoom app, use ID 811 9171 7961 or dial +1-312-626-6799, and enter user ID 811 9171 7961 followed by the # sign.
If asked for an additional password, press # then enter 1113#.
Please contact me with any questions
Jerry Berrier, VIBUG Vice President
I am writing today because I am working to promote a product I thought you might be interested in knowing about.
The device is called Hable 1, and it is a hardware braille bluetooth keyboard for use with smartphones. Think of it as a bluetooth braille display minus the display, and without the price tag in the thousands of dollars.
I have been using one and really like it. With it I can leave my phone charging somewhere, and still use the phone via the keyboard as long as I am within bluetooth range from the phone. I can also leave the phone in my pocket, and control it from the Hable 1, so I don't have to get out the phone while on the go.
The company selling Hable 1 is running a pilot in the U.S. and is currently looking for early adopters to test the device and give feedback on it. Users on the pilot will purchase Hable 1, use it for a period of one month, and have the option to keep the device, or return it for a refund at the end of the trial period. Hable is still working out the pricing, but should be letting you know what it is after they hear from you expressing interest in the pilot.
The trial period is from November 1 to November 30. The last day to purchase the device for the trial period is October 20.
If you are interested in the Hable 1 pilot, visit https://www.iamhable.com/pilot_us
If you have any questions, please email Liliya Varnakova at Hable at liliya@iamhable.com
Send questions or comments about VIBUG to vibugpresident@outlook.com
Send questions or comments about this site to Tim Cumings, our Webmaster.
last updated: Sunday, November 7, 2021