Additional Resources

Vista Center Internet Café

In recent years there have been many exciting developments of computer hardware and software to assist blind and visually impaired persons.

Through a donation, we have available two Pentium 4 computers with accessible software and hardware.

One computer is equipped with JAWS, a screen reading program.

The second computer is equipped with ZoomText, a magnification program which allows a person with low vision to have the screen enlarged from 2x to 16x or use its speech capability.

A scanner is attached to one of the computers which has software called OpenBook. You can place your reading material on the scanner and have the item read aloud and displayed in large print.

You may bring in your mail and scan it to listen to or read more easily. For privacy purposes there will be headphones provided for both computers.

A computer instructor will be onsite on designated days to provide guidance as needed. If you are interested in the new Internet Café service, please contact Chris at 831-458-9766 for more information.

Below is an extensive list of links to valuable resources:

Links to Additional Information:

Site		Description





Alliance for Technology Access		Technology information/referral, networking site.



Alternative Web Browsing		A collection of pointers to alternative web browsers.



American Council of the Blind		Information and resources; legislative and other social-impact activities.



Area Agency on Aging and Seniors Council



Books On-line		17,000 plus books on line.



Braille Institute		Adaptive products; information/resources; services.



Department of Justice ADA		What are your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA.



Department of Justice Disability Rights page		Know your legal rights.



Eye Dog Foundation



Freedom Scientific		Vendor that produces talking software applications including JAWS.



Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.



GW Micro		Home of WindowEyes screen reader.



Help SCC		Information/resources for Santa Clara/Santa Cruz counties, and more.



IBM's Home Page Reader voice browser information page		This site has a lot of information about accessibility issues and applications.



Lift Line		Transit information, including public transit and paratransit.



Meals On Wheels



National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired		Information about private agencies for the blind and visually impaired

National Federation of the Blind		Many sorts of resources for the Blind.



Project Gutenberg		Books online.



Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic		Has recorded books, especially textbooks; will record books on request.



Santa Cruz County Government



Social Security on-line		Site for all kinds of information about social security.



The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County, Inc.		Services; information/referral.



The Health Library



The Library of Congress		Books available on loan in several formats--Braille, large print, recorded, online.



WGBH audio described videos		National Center for Accessible Media. Site where one can get described videos of popular movies and television shows.



Workforce Santa Cruz		Job listings etc.