5 members present and 3 guests, including Tammy Wallace from the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program.
Prior meeting minutes were approved
Financial report was deferred to the next meeting.
Topic: What is SCATP?
The SC Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) is a federally funded program that is apart of a national network of organizations that provide residents of South Carolina with the opportunity to get hands on experiences with various forms of assistive technology.
Some programs hosted by SCATP:
Resource Center: located in Volumbia, you can request a tour and they will show you many kinds of devices. They have devices for individuals with motor impairments, visual impairments and others.
If you are not able to physically go to the resource center, the SCATP staff can come to you. They would request you give them a call and discuss your needs and they can bring items that are tailored to you as an individual.
The Device loan program: you can request a device to try out in places where you would use it. Home, school, work, etc. You are able to keep the device from 2 to 4 weeks. They ask that you provide feedback to them once you return the device.
Equipment Reuse Program: SCATP collected gently used medical equipment and will give it away to folks in need at no cost. They sometimes have CCTV’s as well.
SC Technology Exchange: a website where you can sell equipment or purchase equipment.
Trainings and Workshops: SCATP hosts the SC Technology Expo every year, March 25, 2025.
Tammy offered her contact info:
Tammy.wallace@uscmed.sc.edu
Phone: 803-935-5276
Tammy also came to share some new and upcoming equipment with us.
The .lumen glasses feature:
• Pedestrian Autonomous Driving AI for navigation.
• Advanced Sensors to detect obstacles and provide spatial awareness.
• Haptic Feedback for tactile communication.
• Compact and Portable Design for ease of use.
• Customizable Settings to adapt to individual needs.
These features aim to enhance mobility and independence for visually impaired users.
Be My Eyes
An application that can be used on iOS android and Windows devices. You have the option of using a live volunteer to provide you with information or you are able to use an AI tool to gain information from pictures.
In recent weeks you are now also able to utilize this app with the meta-smart glasses.
Nira Smart Glasses
The NIIRA glasses include these key features:
1. Bone Conduction Audio: Leaves ears free to hear surroundings.
2. 3D Object Perception: Detects shapes, spaces, and aerial obstacles.
3. Two Modes: Tracking (focused view) and Panoramic (wide environmental awareness).
4. Adjustable Distance Range: Detects objects 1 to 5 meters away.
5. Long Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of use.
Hable Easy
The Hable Easy is a smartphone remote controller with the following features:
• Eight Buttons: Simple tactile navigation for calling, messaging, and apps.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Works with VoiceOver and TalkBack on iOS and Android.
• Bluetooth Connection: Easy, low-energy setup.
• Long Battery Life: Operates up to one month per charge.
• Accessible Design: Ideal for seniors and individuals with motor or visual impairments.
After Tammy’s presentation Jennifer discussed updates from the Fundraising Committee.
$200 was sold to tastefully simple and PCB received $40 of the proceedes.
Donations were received in the amounts of $500 and $250.
Palmetto Council gave a basket of Tastefully Simple items to the ACB auction.
There is also an Innerstate auction in March and ideas of various items were discussed with finalized items to be determined later.
The November and December meetings will be on the Third Tuesday and Not the Fourch.
November meeting, elections for the positions of Second Vice-President held by Billy Irwin, Secretary held by Nancy Irwin and Treasurer held by Malaya Reese.
2025 dues are due by February 15, $15. You can make a check out to
Palmetto Council of the Blind, 155 Derby Dr West Columbia SC 29170
Or by Zelle using the information “info@pcbsc.org“
Again, I apologies for the lateness, see you all tomorrow.
Nancy Irwin, Secretary
Nancy Irwin
nancyeirwin@outlook.com
Sent from my iPhone
