Supporting Print Accessibility Through Audio Technology
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Dear IAAIS Members and Friends,
If yesterday was great, today at the IAAIS 2009 Conference was phenomenal!
Conference attendees learned nonstop from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. From self defense to programming to volunteer management and more, everyone walked away from today's sessions with valuable information to make their local audio information service stronger than ever.
If June 3-6, 2010 isn't circled several times in red in anticipation for our next conference in Dallas, you'll be sure to do that as soon as you see what we did today!
Keep learning,
Kim Walsh
IAAIS President |
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| General Session |
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So Much Emerging Technology, So Little Time!
David Noble of Sun Sounds moderated a super sized general session on new and emerging technologies available for reading service delivery.
Digital SAP- RRS-1100
Neil Blank from NCBI-CEPD presented the solution for those who are losing analog SAP TV broadcasts on June 12. The RRS-1100 is a stand alone receiver for stations that will broadcast on the digital equivalent of SAP channels(like 3.3, 9.4, etc.) The device beeps when turned on and when searching for a channel. It can be set to default to the audio information service, but can also get all local television programming audio. For more information go to http://rrs1100.com/
HD Radio- Dice iTR-100A
Chris Cook from Dice Electronics showed off the new, accessible HD radio developed by Dice. Most notably, Dice incorporated the advise of the IAAIS produced StAR Report and is entirely accessible to people with visual impairments. The RRS button goes straight to the local reading service and 6 FM and 6 AM presets can be set up.
PAIS Project
Rich Rarey from NPR Labs gave an update about the IAAIS PAIS (Personal Audio Information Service) Project and how it interwove with the Dice radio and other initiatives.
The project has been likened to be a DVR for radio. As envisioned, reading services would imbed text tags on programs when using HD radio and listeners with radios with Store and Replay capability would be able to tell their radios which tags they would be interested in recording.
Rich and IAAIS President Kim Walsh will give a complete report at tomorrow's morning session.
iBiquity
Kitsa Lee from iBiquity Digital, the developers and licensers of HD radio technology gave a report of the usage of HD radio throughout the country. Over 1000 stations are now broadcasting in HD and a fourth of HD stations are public radio stations.
Solutions Radio
Werner Haan presented his internet radio solution. The product plugs into a telephone or ethernet line or hooks into WiFi and provides access to internet radio streams without a computer. The product is programmable via a remote webpage and can be programmed by the reading service. Audio feedback features are offered and one of the models supports DAISY files. For more information about Solutions Radio, go to http://www.solutionsradio.nl/
FMeXtra
Stuart Holland of Minnesota Radio Talking Book reported that after years of testing, they are ready to roll out the distribution of 25,000 radios to the residents of Minnesota in July. The radios have the capability to access any of Minnesota's SCA broadcasts digitally with a much higher quality than analog and with the same broadcast range as analog. They will have the capability to broadcast multiple channels when they are ready. For more information about FMeXtra, go to http://www.dreinc.com/. |
| Workshops |
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How to Produce and Award Winning Program
Mark Dewitt, Heather Lusignan, Virginia Sung, and Margie Zebell shared techniques and the dos and don'ts of producing great shows. Margie pointed out that the keys to success were Testing, Training and Tools and that the right reader on the right show only increased the likelihood of an award winning show.
MP3 to Podcast
Gary Puckett from www.flypod.com gave attendees of his workshop an insight into the world of podcasting. He pointed out that podcasting is next to free and stations can often host their own files. He cautioned that once you start podcasting that it is possible your files will find their way around the world through the internet and that makes it even more important to have your volunteers or producers put IDs on your shows.
Future of Print Media
Margaret Buchanan of Enquirer Media shared her ideas about where newspapers and print media would be heading next. She acknowledged that newspapers as we know them would not survive. Publishers are embracing on-line and emerging media and further localizing by embracing their readers' ideas through blogs, forums and letters to the editor.
Volunteer Management: Sustenance and Care on-Air: Successful Volunteer Engagement
Certified Volunteer Administrator, Meghan Kaskoun, presented a session about how to get the most out of your volunteers including what to ask when recruiting and how to get them to stay once you have them.
Fundraising in Uncertain Times
James Yunker of Smith Beers Yunker and Co. gave attendees insight into the mind of donors. He stressed the importance of individual donors and relationships with those closest to your organization. He encouraged fundraiser to stay positive in the face of adversity.
Attendees also got to visit Renewing and Relaxing with Yoga and Grant Writing 101. For audio on all of the sessions, visit the IAAIS Program Share soon. |
| Bonus Programs! |
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Courage Based Self Defense
Debbie and Mike Gardner gave a packed room a talk and demonstration about how to protect themselves even in the scariest of situations. The team debunked myths and taught the group on how to focus on simplicity when defending themselves.
Lunch Speaker
Meteorologist Rich Apuzzo from SkyeyeWeather amused the lunch crowd with stories of weather disasters and tornado chasing. He showed the group videos of some of the worst weather disasters he had seen and gave the group tips about how to protect themselves in the face of disaster weather. While taking on this serious subject matter, Rich kept things light and fun. | |
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