[Blindtlk] HumanWare, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, here we go again

[Peter Donahue]

Good afternoon everyone,

    The folks at Extreme Make-Over, Home Edition are at it once more. This
time they're going to remodel a home so its more accessible for a blind
child. Perhaps I should hold my judgment until I see the show, but the
previous two episodes of this program have done much to reinforce the
negative stereotypes of blindness by misleading the viewing audience to
think we need all kinds of special modifications to the home environment so
we can live independently. Now wouldn't it be nice if they called upon the
services of a blind interior designer to assist in recreating this family's
new home lay-out. I believe there's a gentlemen who is blind and has a T.V.
program on interior design. I heard the name of this program once, but can't
remember what it's called. And wouldn't it be nice if they called upon
George Wortzel, the brother of Fred Wortzel  and a blind carpenter who spoke
during the 2006 National Convention to assist in the reconstruction of this
family's home. And why not invite the blind host of, "Cooking Without
Looking" to show this kid how a blind person can cook and use kitchen
appliances independently after the construction of the new home is complete.

    And when the family finally moves to their new home a blind cane travel
instructor could be a part of the make-over team to assist this kid in
learning his new neighborhood, or how to travel more independently in the
old one. If this were to happen not only would this family get a new home,
but this child would be exposed to successful blind roll models as would the
viewing audience. Minds could be opened to the possibilities of blind
individuals and attitudes about blindness changed for the better.

    I'm sure Humanware did a great thing  by providing this kid the
technology to give him greater access to information, but like the previous
two episodes in which new homes were redesigned for blind individuals we're
in for the same-old same-old. But then perhaps I'll be wrong this time. I'd
like to think so.

Peter Donahue who had a wonderful time in Baltimore at our national center
last weekend.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "HumanWare" <us.news at humanware.com>
To: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:16 PM
Subject: HumanWare Products Star in Extreme Makeover Home Edition


HumanWare
PRESS RELEASE

HumanWare Products Star in Extreme Makeover Home Edition


HumanWare is pleased to announce its appearance on the popular TV show
Extreme Makeover Home Edition, which will be broadcast on February 17 on ABC
in the United States.

In this brand-new episode, the Extreme Makeover Home Edition team comes to
the rescue of the Hughes family and their son Patrick who is blind, whose
determination and courage is truly a source of inspiration. Patrick has
overcome many challenges to become a musician. Therefore, the team will
design the Hughes family home layout based on Patrick's specific needs so
that he can enjoy more autonomy and freedom in his daily life.

To add to Patrick's new accessible environment, the EMHE team called on
HumanWare for its renowned assistive technology products for people who are
blind or visually impaired. Patrick was provided with products courtesy of
HumanWare.  These high-quality innovative products included the Trekker
system, the popular "talking" GPS, a BrailleNote personal assistant and the
Victor Reader Stream, a pocket-size digital talking book player.

"The HumanWare team is happy to help make Patrick and his family's dream
come true," says Gilles Pepin, President of HumanWare. "Our mission is to
empower people who are blind or visually impaired, and this mission is
shared by the EMHE team in this episode."

Tune into this episode on February 17 on ABC in the United States. Consult
your TV guide for local times.


About Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several
opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition. Each episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is
self-contained and features a race against time on a project that would
ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of
designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days
to totally rebuild an entire house -- every single room, plus the exterior
and landscaping.

About HumanWare
HumanWare (www.humanware.com) is the global leader in assistive technologies
for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind
and have low vision and students with learning disabilities. HumanWare
offers a collection of innovative products include BrailleNote, the leading
productivity device for the blind in education, business and for personal
use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook
players, and SmartView Xtend, the first fully modular and upgradeable
CCTV-based video magnifier.


For more information:
HumanWare
800-722-3393
us.info at humanware.com



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