This past week saw the Macular Degeneration Foundation hold their annual education session in Launceston and Hobart. There was a good turnout at both locations where attendees heard Karolina McLaren discussed risk factors, treatment options as well as management of the disease. Trevor Boyd from Quantum Technology was also kind enough to come down to assist Tasmanian Living Technology demonstrate the Clearview and Compact magnifiers from Optelec. Other speakers included Carelink, Hearing Australia and Guide Dogs Tasmania.

Tasmanian Living Technology will match any price of Adaptive Technology from the mainland suppliers and include local delivery and setup for no extra cost. Most supplies will add a postage of charge of between $30 and $80 to get items to Tasmania, so this should be factored into all prospective purchases. We are Tasmanian agents for Quantum Technology, Humanware, Visitech (Enhanced Vision) and Advanced Digital. We also can source equipment from the RNIB in the UK and the AFB in the US. Call us on 03 63317400 for a quote on any of your adaptive technology needs.

TADAust Connect is an Internet Service Provider that provides Dialup and Broadband connections for People with Disabilities, the Aged and Veterans. Their dialup plan is good value at $6.00 a month as is the broadband at $29.95 a month with no excess data charges. The service is provided exclusively for people who possess a Disability Support Pension, Aged Pension or DVA Entitlement Card. Tasmanian Living Technolgoy can assist with the setup of a broadband service using TADAust Connect as your provider.

I helped a friend purchase a new Samsung LCD TV the other day and was suprised to see that it had Braille markings for certain functions and distinctive tactile markings on some of the smaller buttons. It seems all their TVs and Blu-ray players now include these newer accessible remote controls. Samsung have a history in developing interesting accessible products such as the Touch messenger braille mobile phone. They also run the world's only corporate Guide Dog school in Korea.

The AIR Foundation, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis was announced today at a press conference held during the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2008 National Conference. The mission of the foundation is to promote universal accessibility so that every blind and low-vision person in the world has access to digital information over the Internet and Worldwide Web.