well, I certainly am impressed. there's a lot of work in there, and an awful lot of intellectual skill in organization and learning technology. However, your disability might challenge you, you are obviously more than a match for it.

My own is a small one, but one I cannot cope with. Most hymns were written by people who hate men. That's why most hymns jog along in a Christian sort of way for the first three verses keeping themselves respectably between middle and high C. Then, in line four they suddently leap to high D or worse.

Coincidence?

I don't think so.

graeme

Wow!

I think you're awesome...!

Wow Alex!  I do remember your original posting about this ... you have been VERY dedicated to finding a workable solution - congratulations to you!  It does sound like quite a bit of work, but I imagine it'll get much easier as you go along.

Now the name tag thing ... if you work that out I'm sure MANY people will want to know your solution!!  Maybe we should make them like the "invisible fence" they use for dogs sometimes - when approaching the church door a little shock would remind us to return the name tag! 

Very proud of you! You will in turn help sooooo many.

((((((((((((((((((Virtual Hug))))))))))))))))

I had some sort of glitch which meant I posted this topic twice. I deleted the second one, but not before Birthstone made this comment

Birthstone

Very Cool!!!  About time and

I will give more details on the process later. But before anyone asks the most common question I get"Why not just have someone help you and hold the books for you?"

I have to mention that if some is right next to me during prayer or moments of silence, it screws up my minds ability to focus, so I prefer to sit alone in church. 

Hi graeme: I just sing these songs in a lower key. Sounds good in harmony with high female voices. But one needs a wide ranging bass voice for it, and I'm lucky enough to have one.

Hi Alex:

I am in total awe of your technological skill! And I look forward to reading more about the process.

What an amazing project Alex and I am so glad you could use it fully during the service.

I wonder if your church has screen/video / computer technology.  they perhaps they could put your system on the screen for others to follow along.

Everyone forgets those names tags too.  One idea would be to put it on a shirt or hat and always were the same one.  Or to take it off at home and put it directly onto the shirt you could wear next week.???

My dad always wore the same blazer and his just sat on the lapel forever.

 congrats again.  I hope your church has you on the Technology committee or thw Website committee as you seem like the perfect person for both jobs to me!

Alex - I can't imagine (well, yes I sadly can) that people honestly think it works to have someone stand with you & hold the book.  How frustrating, how controlling- If I'm bored with the sermon  or whatever, I often flip through the hymnbook, and why not!?  Trying to pray or cry a little, or smirk or whatever is a personal thing and to have someone looming over you is not giving you independence, it takes it away. 

Alex,

Thanks, more than you can ever know.... I was a member of the choir and simply faded out. I have a good voice, if I say so myself, and am very musical (played in a band for years)... but I am also dyslexic.

When asked to speak, my notes make sense to me and nobody else. Whatever I must share, I spell check everything and have the wife proof read it. Doing a service, the bulletin posed a problem, it is written for others and my mind jumbles it. I began printing out one special for myself when I have to read from it. The same as I print out Bible verses that I type when I am asked to read. It is the only way I can read from paper in public without making a mess of things and then starting to stutter.

I have learned to function with it well.

The choir, I could not manage. I simply dropped out, though I love to sing and the choir needed my deep voice with all sopranos and 3 altos... What happens is, my mind has to work out words, not simply read them. I would practice and could not handle memorizing all the words to all the verses.... I need a memory jog and a quick glance... what I cannot do is get to the next verse when I was supposed to. I was always off a bit at the top of a verse and my deep voice stood out amongst all the high ones. It was only at the beginning of a verse. I quickly juggled myself and the first couple words told me what I was supposed to sing.  

If I put the verses in my PDA, typed by me and continuous, not having to find the verse in the list... they will make sense to me and I can sing them and not miss a beat.

What is the legality regarding copying VU or MVU? Is there a fee?

Peace,

StevieG

Screw legality.  Do it.  If any hymn writer really objects to this kind of project, they need their head examined.  Now, if you want ot make money of the project, that's something else.  But for this use, just do it.

Tell 'em I said it was OK :)

lol - I say that all the time, usually works out ok , and in this case, I completely agree.  In fact, they should be approaching you (Alex) with a cheque in hand to make it work for others too.

Make a virtual name tag  saved as a document which can be read on your Itouchie thingy screen. Carry your itouch in a little pouch hanging around your neck. So when you go to coffee time, you flip to the nametag page, and there it is for all to see!

It is legal to do so under certain contexts. If you want just the words, email national office ,(I'll get the get mail I use later and post it here) and they will send you free copies of the text.

When it comes to sheet music however it is more complecated. I used a copy of Voices United  from the University Libary, and scanned it in the special needs room.

In the copyright act, disabled people are allowed to get print material in alternate formats from their libaries without any copyright infringment.

So I am covered under that part of the law.

If you do not get your copy from the libary, (and legally I can give you my copy of the sheet music if you have borrowing priveleges at the University of Ottawa Library (most students, and employees of Universities accross Canada I believe, but I'll have to check). You can scan your own copy of any book as long as you own it and do not share it.

However it is labourous to scan books. Especially doing it one page at a time, on a cheap home scanner.

However I do not see why if I have someones word that they own a copy of Voices United, or that your Church will give you one. I can then email the sheet music to you so you do not have to go through the same long process I did. Once I have finished More Voices I can do the same for that. Hopefully eventually the publishers will negotitate electronic rights to the sheet music and then they can sell Voices electronically. It should be cheaper then print and save some trees as well.

I can be reached at www.accessiblechurch.ca

Excellant Idea. I will need to go to Staples and see if I can get a plastic name tag holder that will fit my ipod touch, or find an ipod holder that I can hang around my neck. I am worried about the power being drained, but I could achieve the same effect by printing my name on a sticker and adhering it to the back of the ipod touch.

I would think that if the church has enough copies of a VU for their church, then, the usage of it electronically is fine.

Would have to doublecheck that..but, that is how I remember it.

Also, if the church belongs to LicenSing...hmm..should assist with coverage as well.

the trick for the copyright is for Alex to not distribute to anyone who doesn't fit the category, i would think....and then break copyright.

either way..though, i'm with revmatt...

well done, Alex

I do not read music, so the music is not an issue. It is just words. 

Small church means we sing the same hymns all the time, the same ones the organist knows and the people know. =) There would not be tons I would need.

We, unfortunately, have more copies of VU than we have people. I also have a personally purchased copy.

Free copies of text is great, even me typing would be no problem as I only need a few.

Thanks UCC for providing text copies!!!

Alex, if you can find who I email at national, it would be wonderful.

I emailed the main office and they sent me this email. Chris emailed me a copy of the text to both Voices and More Voices. He also sent me an email asking me to tell him what technology I was using and others things but have yet to reply. So I better.

One of the good things that resulted from grade 4 was that I learned to read music, not well, but well enough to assist me that I wanted to use the music as well as the words.And so due to multiple delays caused by different factors I could not proceeds until now.  Anyways heres the letter and the email of Chris

Good news. The United Church of Canada can make available Voices United, the words only edition in either MS Word or in a Pdf file format. You can contact Chris Dumas and let Chris know what format works best for your PDA and whether this can be sent to you by e-mail, on a CD or by some other means. He can be reached at cdumas@united-church.ca.

The Executive Minister of Congregational Educational and Community Ministries (CECM), Harry Oussoren has been made aware of your request and the need for a wider awareness of the barriers to people with disabilities and for policies in this regard. I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes,

Ralph Colley

Ralph Colley, Manager, UCRD, United Church Resource Distribution The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300 Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M8X 2Y4 416-231-7680 ext. 4116 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4116 

Thank you, Alex. I love you!!!! I love the UCC too!!! Wooo Hoo!!!! I hate being miked at the front doing a service and they can tell I am not singing if I don't or they know I am way off if I do. Whipppeee!!!!!!

Cheers!!!  what a great step this is, and if you've already put it together, I think they should be centering around you to develop it further.

Hurrayyy!!!

oops

lol, heh Alex...I would like something similair....though I am sure I will hear from someone that having it that close to my body (heart/lungs/whatever) will killme.

oh Alex - you're making me laugh!!!  lol