Helen Keller Day
Press Release
PRESS RELEASE: Helen Keller Day 2010 in Second Life, June 19, 2010
Contact person: Saxet Uralia
The 24-hour event PDT will be held all day Saturday, June 19 at the four The Ye, Olde, Supporte, Faire sims. SLURL
Virtual Helping Hands and a coalition of community volunteers are proud to announce Helen Keller Day in Second Life. Helen Keller Day is a community-event exploring how and why to employ, educate, entertain, and engage everyone through virtual worlds.
Helen Keller Day is a day that is set aside for information acquisition, education, exploration of employment opportunities, social engagement, and enjoyment of arts and entertainment... There will be vendors, employers, presentations, and pure, unbridled fun.
It's a day dedicated to raising our level of awareness for our fellow Second Life Residents who cope with disabilities. At some time in our lives, we've all felt what it feels like not to be able to participate... not to be included. Knowing how to include someone with a disability, and make them feel welcome, is an important social skill, and a small but significant kindness that we can all benefit from and feel good about.
Participants will meet people learn things, get freebies, and be entertained for their efforts.
You will hear keynote speakers Keller Johnson Thompson, the great grandniece of Helen herself and Michael Hingson, survivor of the World Trade Center attacks and National Sales Director for the National Federation of the Blind for the KNFB Reader. You will hear from experts in the fields of virtual education, employment, social engagement and entertainment. You can be immersed into darkness as you and Max the Virtual Guidedog virtual guide dog developed in Second Life for blind or visually impaired SL users explore a virtual goldmine. Also featured will be an exhibition of Max's abilities, a fashion show, a Braille chat display, dancing, singing quests and storytelling and more!
There will be experiences designed to spark the imagination and "see" and "hear" the world with all the senses in new and thought provoking ways. Join the pioneers in virtual worlds who are inspired by the spirit of Helen Keller to explore ways in which everyone can participate...and create a world that richer for all.
Please come and learn, connect, explore, be entertained, and pick up freebies while sharing this positive and uplifting experience with us.
Be sure to post all of your great snapshots to Helen Keller Day Flickr
Schedule and Details
Presentations
All times are SLT/PDT
8:00AM-9:00AM - "Vision Quest"
Speaker: The Virtual World Story Project Jena Ball aka Jenaia Morane & Marty Keltz aka Marty Snowpaw
Description: What does it mean to "see?" Anyone who is blind or has limited eyesight will tell you there are many ways to perceive the world.
This Second Life version of a Vision Quest is designed to spark your imagination and encourage you to "see" in new and thought provoking ways.
Participants will have a choice between one of two stories to pursue. The discussion will focus on the power of immersive, interactive stories
to create understanding and empathy. The closing session will give participants an opportunity to share their experiences and stories.
9:00AM-9:30AM - "Enabling Deaf Users in Second Life"
Speaker: Bill Carter aka Capstan Cliff
Description: A presentation on the IBM AbilityLab Voice Chat Transcriber and how it allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to
participate in Second Life voice chat.
9:30AM-10:00AM - "Enabling Blind Users in Second Life"
Speaker: Bill Carter aka Capstan Cliff
Description: A presentation on the IBM AbilityLab Accessible Virtual Worlds Interface and how it allows blind users to
participate in Second Life activities.
10:00AM-11:00AM - "Style-Enabled Fashion Show"
Speaker: Polgara Paine & SL Fashion Designers
Description: Watch models walk the runway in the latest Style-Enabled SL Fashion
11:00AM-12:00N - "TBA"
Speaker: Brena Benoir with Preferred Family Healthcare
Description: TBA
12:00PM-1:00PM - Keynote: "Blindness and Technology in the 21st Century"
Speaker: Michael Hingson with National Federation of the Blind and KNFB Reader
Description: TBA
1:00PM-2:00PM - "Accessibility Issues and Solutions in Second Life"
Speaker: Eme Capalini and Ladyslipper Constantine
Description: Ladyslipper Constantine and Eme Capalini, volunteers with Virtual Ability, Inc., will talk about virtual world
benefits for people with disabilities. We'll share the SL specific impairments and solutions that are available today.
2:00PM-3:00PM - Keynote: "The Impact of the Life of Helen Keller"
Speaker: Keller Johnson-Thompson with The Helen Keller Foundation
Description: TBA
3:00PM-4:00PM - "Summertime"
Performer: Cellandra Zon
Description: TBA
4:00PM-5:00PM - "Let's Talk Accessibility"
Speakers: Virtual Helping Hands Team
Description: Join the Virtual Helping Hands team for an open forum discussion on accessibility.
5:00PM-6:00PM - "SL Voice and Impact on Deaf"
Speaker: Ladyslipper Constantine
Description: Ladyslipper Constantine will talk about reasons why text should be given along with voice during presentations.
6:00pm-7:00pm - "Virtually Positive Abilities"
Speaker: Able Landfall
Description: Within Real Life and Second Life holds unique opportunities for exploring ones' abilities.
Second Life allows one to go even further. We'll explore the positive side of interacting and exploring the
virtual world and it's positive effects on your Real Life. Come share in the positive experience.
7:00pm-8:00pm - "Building for Accessibility: Open Discussion for 3D Builders"
Speaker: Cade Villota, Johnnytreadlightly Nightfire and others
Description: Open discussion for builders to discuss 3D design and accessibility issues.
8:00pm-9:00pm - "Vision Quest Stories"
Speaker: The Virtual World Story Project Jena Ball aka Jenaia Morane & Marty Keltz aka Marty Snowpaw
Description: What does it mean to "see?" Anyone who is blind or has limited eyesight will tell you there are many ways to perceive the world.
This Second Life version of a Vision Quest is designed to spark your imagination and encourage you to "see" in new and thought provoking ways.
Participants will have a choice between one of two stories to pursue. The discussion will focus on the power of immersive, interactive stories
to create understanding and empathy. The closing session will give participants an opportunity to share their experiences and stories.
9:00pm-10:00pm - "LaurenLive!"
Speaker: Lauren Weyland
Description: Comedy - What's So Funny About Second Life?
10:00pm-~Until~ - "I Am One" Party - Party down with DJ TributeTim Kwak and the Helen Keller Volunteers at Club Accessible [1]
Entertainment
All times are SLT/PDT (Hosts are in parentheses)
8:00am - Avvy Barzanne (Jezzabelle Pinklady)
9:00am - Maximillion Kleene (Jezzabelle Pinklady)
10:00am - DonFranko Dagostino (Kaysie - To Be Confirmed)
11:00am - Al Hoffmann (PetiteLittleGirl Pinklady)
12:00pm - Grif Bamaisin (PetiteLittleGirl Pinklady)
1:00pm - Etherian Kamboko / CharlesE Bristol (Loki Wycliffe)
2:00pm - KevinMThomas Carpool (Loki Wycliffe)
3:00pm - Tone Uriza (Shellie Sands)
4:00pm - Detritus Rau (Vorchairs Dagger)
5:00pm - JimmyT49 Dukes (Vorchairs Dagger)
6:00pm - KelvinBlue Oh (Shellie Sands
7:00pm - Dakila Lacava (Tinus Koskinen)
8:00pm - tauri Tigerpaw (Zany Xevious and Guru Witte)
9:00pm - Noma Falta (Zany Xevious and Guru Witte)
10:00pm - Tukso Okey (Ehme Sands)
11:00pm - "I Am One" Party - Party down with DJ TributeTim Kwak (AKA "Despicable Bastard)and the Helen Keller Volunteers (Jeannie Jannings)
Helen Keller Day Art Installation - Memorial Site
Bryn Oh, a well-known artist in both Real Life and Second Life, created an art installation for Helen Keller Day.
SLURL to the Memorial - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Davenport/62/24/98
Machinima of the Memorial - http://blip.tv/file/2272782
Message from Saxet Uralia
The organizers of Helen Keller Day in Second Life are thankful for the talents of Bryn Oh who created the "Carousel of Dreams and Sorrows" sound sculpture to celebrate Virtual Pioneers. The sights and sounds fill the senses with wonder and encourage you to look deeper - to search the soul of the sculpture.
The sculpture is also a tribute to all of the volunteers who worked so hard to make Helen Keller Day a success. This sculpture is a reminder to look deeper within Second Life and find the lessons that are to be taught and learned here.
Inclusion for Everyone in Virtual Worlds
Message from Bryn Oh
The music loops in my sculpture were given to me by my friend Tama Ahn. I have taken the four music loops and given them a timed script which will play each instrument in a varied manner so the song will always change yet still fit together properly. The build has hidden elements so I would suggest left clicking on things to see what happens.
It was my pleasure to work with the Helen Keller Foundation and I would like to thank Pathfinder Linden for giving me a permanent location to exhibit this work.
Poem by Saxet Uralia about the Memorial
The hilltop is desolate and forbidding -
A worthless rock.
Not even vegetation finds a place.
But, then I hear it and turn to see.
The chimes, they call me.
Do you hear them?
The tunes and the drums?
Music to my soul.
I look up to find the source.
Oh - there and there.
See them?
Music boxes make me smile.
The milkweed seeds drift by
Calling me to let my thoughts wander in the wind.
Wait, what is this?
That was not obvious to me at first.
I am compelled to look beyond
And experience what is not so obvious
To my senses of sight and hearing.
I find the potential in what lies beneath.''
Events (please check back for updates)
VIRTUAL HELPING HANDS GOLD MINE
Designers: Vladmire Torok,Rayna Merlin with scripting by Richardjrn Weatherwax
Power problems in Virtual Helping Hands Gold Mine challenge the explorer who needs to use assistive technology devices (Max / the Marco/Polo scripts or other) to overcome obstacles and accomplish goals. Come explore the Gold Mine to see what it is like to be on your own - with just your wits and your trusted technology to help you accomplish your goals.
WHEELCHAIR RACE TRACK
Designer Vald String & Anonymous Calamity
Knowledge Volunteers: Martin Nasu & Nohle Kondor
This wheelchair race track to have permanent placement at Wheelies. People will be racing in 2 lanes, each lane is 5-meters wide. Your racing wheelchair can be rezzed ether with a click or a typed command. Once in your wheelchair, you can race a partner or against the clock. A script times the racers and posts the names of who races against whom and the times. Come try your skills at pushing the envelope in racing while having fun. Let's get rolling! Your award? Bragging Rights, enough said!
STYLE-ENABLED MODELING AGENCY FASHION SHOW & DISPLAY
SL Fashion Designers under the direction of Polgara Paine
Having a real-life and/or Second-Life disability does not mean you don't want to be fashionably dressed. The women and men of Style Enabled Modeling Agency will model designs by some of Second Life's leading designers. These models will show you some wonderfully designed outfits that work whether you have a disability or not.
In the graphical environment of Second Life, some people with visual impairments find that clothing of white or very light colors helps them track their avatars on the screen. The avatars' garments also should not interfere with their virtual guidedogs or canes. People who are in Second Life wheelchairs need garments that will drape correctly in the chair and at least two skirts that are attached to different parts of the body or a low skirt that is in two parts and attached to the lower legs.
Before and after the Show be sure to go to the Accessible Fashions Display. See the innovative designs that overcome some "only in SL situations": flexi-skirts that don't drape through chairs, white clothes that are easier for people with low-vision to see, outfits that work with canes, wheelchairs, and guidedogs. These fashions will also be displayed at the Style Enabled Modeling Agency Fashion Show (3-4 pm)
"Virtual Pioneers" Sound Sculpture.
Enjoy the "Virtual Pioneers Include Everyone in Virtual Worlds" Sound Sculpture by Bryn Oh. Pathfinder Linden will "activate" and "unveil" a Sound Sculpture celebrating Virtual Pioneers. The sculpture will be able to be enjoyed by everyone. A specially-created the sculpture is on display permanently in a mainland plot donated by Pathfinder Linden.
Virtual Helping Hands Guidedog Memorial Garden
Sponsor: Virtual Helping Hands SLURL You can learn about great guidedogs who have passed on and how they helped their partners. Each space will have a framed picture the dog by breed (black lab, yellow lab, chocolate lab, golden retriever, German shepherd, "dog water bowl with heart on water for "other type of dog" framed picture) and a notecard telling about the particular dog. Jolie Mason will set up the first space for Yuma as an example. Anyone who knows of guidedog owners who would like to commemorate their dogs should tell the owners that space is available for free.
Braille Translation Project
Designer: Tom32 Anatine
Have you ever wondered how your name would look like in braille font? Have you ever wondered how a specific word would look?
"Braille Tiles" Game
Come play the game simply by typing in SL text chatbox what you would like to see in braille font.
1. Have your avatar stand facing the line of the 10 "tiles." Each tile stands for one letter. (The six dots are called a braille "cell.")
2. Bring up the SL chatbox by typing control H to see the SL chat "History."
3. NOTE: You must start what you type with /111. The "Braille Tiles" game will not convert any message unless the message starts with /111.
4. For example, you could type /111 YOUR NAME HERE. The tiles will change to show what your name would look like in braille, with each black circle standing for a raised dot which would be felt by moving the finger over the font.
5. If you type a longer message, the tiles show the first 10 characters (counting spaces)at a time. The dots on these 10 tiles will fade away to be replaced by the next 10 characters until your message is complete.
"How Well Do YOU Know Braille?" Game
1. The large white "platform" on the ground with the six circles is a giant braille "cell." Each black circle is like a raised braille dot.
2. Have your avatar stand on the braille cell platform.
3. Click a circle on the platform to toggle it either to "black" or "empty."
4. By clicking on the circles, you can try to compose a letter.
5. Once you are done making the right pattern of black dots, just click on the platform on the ground to see in the SL text chatbox which letter you composed.
6. Hint: Play this game along with the "Braille Tiles" game to learn to spell your name character by character.
Maybe this can be your next secret way to communicate with friends? Use various accessible applications to put your name or other text into braille as a signal to others that at your home or business that you provide reasonable accommodations for those who are blind.
Accessible Builds Fun Zone
Teleport to the Wheelies sim SLURL to enjoy a full range of fun activities from Chess, cards, 4-in-a-Row to fishing for the rare "Guidedog fish."
- Connect Four - Play the classic game that allows you to place four pieces in a row to beat your opponent.
- Fishing - Come do some quality fishing with the 7 Seas fishing poles. It's the best fishing you'll do without a real live fishing pole.
- Slopoly - This is Monopoly, but SL style. bring your friends and play the game everyone loves.
- Sudoku - Challenge yourself in filling in the entire puzzle board with numbers, but in a specific order. This game will keep your brain going and going.
- War! - Play against the computer or your best friend. Match wits to gain all 52 cards. The first one to get all the cards wins the War! Contact: IM Able Landfall in SL.
Let's Enjoy the Music!
Follow various teleport links to dancing and other musical entertainment. See the Entertainment Calendar above.
HKD 2009 Panda Bear Search
This is a hunt for clues throughout the four HKD regions, and eventually you get to the prize! The prize this year is a panda bear and will be findable when the event starts! Everyone is welcome to join the hunt! Please do know that everyone has to find it themselives -- no giving out the bear location. Anyone doing so is cheating and griefing. Please keep it fun for everyone!
Vendors
- Sky Sculptures Gallery (Ub Yifu)
- Second Staffing (Robin Roar ) Fantasea (Corkie Houston)
- Pulse Point Marketing (Willow Halfpint)
- National AIDS Testing Day (Ricken Flow)
- Oz Products /Support Solutions (Oliver Szondi)
- Ferds Chats to speech
- Textures by Torley (Torley Linden)
- Wheelchair Races in Second Life (Robin Roar)
- Wilmington Cape Fear Lions (Piratelionecu Humphreys)
- Keep Hearts Beating CPR (Shadow Marlin/Poppy McDunnough)
- XStreet SL
Press and Blog Coverage
- Beautiful Visions beyond Sight: Guide Dogs and Helen Keller Day in Second Life - Linden Lab's Second Life Blog - June 17, 2009
- "Helen Keller Day in Second Life" - iReport - June 13, 2009
- Helen Keller Day - Roland Zepp's Fashion Sense Blog - June 5, 2009
Accessibility Resources
- Second Life Wiki page on Accessibility
- Pathfinder Linden's List of Second Life Accessibility Websites