Horizons for the Blind and A T Guys Join Forces to Launch Cutting Edge Product Information using Bar Codes

Contact: Byron Lee
Marketing/Development, Horizons for the Blind
815-444-8800
blee@horizons-blind.org

J.J. Meddaugh
President, A T Guys
269-216-4798
jj@atguys.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Horizons for the Blind and A T Guys Join Forces to Launch Cutting Edge Product Information using Bar Codes
Partnership gives easy access to accessible packaging information using Directionsforme and BCScan

March 16, 2011 – CRYSTAL LAKE, IL and KALAMAZOO, MI – Two of the leading providers of accessible packaging information have joined forces to provide a new cutting-edge service for the blind and visually impaired.

Horizons for the Blind, a Crystal Lake, Ill based not-for-profit organization and founder of directionsformeTM (www.directionsforme.org), and A T Guys, a leading assistive technology company and founder of BCScan (www.bcscan.com), have introduced a new service which will allow consumers to use a bar code scanner to identify products and retrieve accessible packaging information.

"The minute we first heard about Directionsforme, we were simply blown away and knew it would be a perfect fit for our bar code scanning solution. We're delighted to be working with Horizons on such an important and life-changing project," commented J.J. Meddaugh, president of A T Guys and a frequent user of the service.

Now, users can visit either directionsforme.org or bcscan.com and use a bar code scanner to quickly look up product information. The combined resource gives access to product details and packaging information for millions of products using an affordable, USB-based bar code scanner. In addition, the websites are continually updated with new information, giving the user lifetime updates for free.

Using an omni-directional scanning pattern, the bar code scanner continually scans items for a code, making it a snap to use without vision. Most users are able to master the scanner in just a few minutes.

The bar code scanner is compatible with a wide range of devices, including both Windows and Macintosh-based computers and popular notetakers such as the HumanWare BrailleNote, Hims BrailleSense, and LevelStar Icon.

Directions is the brainchild of Camille Caffarelli, Founder and Executive Director of Horizons. Caffarelli, who has been blind since birth, believes that everyone has the right to equal access to this information.

“I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to make my favorite cake mix any time I want without asking a sighted person to read the directions!” Caffarelli said. “And I never knew how much relevant information was on that box.”

This important information is often ignored because of the difficulty in seeing it. Some of this information is of a convenient nature but drug interaction and allergy warnings could be life threatening. Gaining comprehensive access fosters self sufficiency and allows consumers to lead more healthy and independent lives.

The easy-to-use system makes directionsformeTM with BCScan appealing to a wide range of consumers. With the amount of information on consumer products increasing dramatically and the print size decreasing just as significantly, many consumers, particularly the growing senior population, are having trouble reading the information on packages and labels.

Through a licensing agreement with Gladson, Directions features over 360,000 products in food, health/beauty and general merchandise categories. It provides consumers a consistent, one-stop source for preparation directions, nutrition facts, ingredients, allergy/drug interaction warnings and more.

BCScan includes product information for more than 10 million items, including over 5 million books from ISBNDB.com, product information from online merchants, and user submissions. BCScan offers information such as CD track listings, book summaries, and package details as well as the ability to maintain a personal inventory and add private notes to items.

For more information about obtaining a barcode scanner for use with this new innovative service, you may visit www.horizons-blind.org or www.atguys.com.

About Horizons for the Blind
Horizons, located in Crystal Lake, Ill., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, by increasing accessibility to consumer information, education, recreation and employment. Horizons specializes in partnering with companies and nonprofit organizations to provide billing and financial statements, newsletters, restaurant menus and hotel directories in a variety of accessible formats. As a leading provider of accessible transcription services to the business community, Horizons processes over 25,000 billing statements a month in braille, large print and audio formats for financial institutions, utility companies, cable TV and cell phone providers.

About A T Guys
A T Guys, located in Kalamazoo, Mich., is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions, with an emphasis on mobile productivity. The company's vision is to provide affordable, high-quality technology and services to consumers coupled with top-notch customer support and training. A T Guys is a distributor for Code Factory, the iBill money identifier, the KNFB Reader Mobile, Sendero GPS, and the Duxbury Braille Translator. In addition, the company administers several popular informational resources including Blind Bargains, a clearinghouse for deals and news for the blind and visually impaired, and Android Access, a website dedicated to accessible Android cell phones.

Preorder the iBill, BCScan for Pick-up at #12state Vision Midwest and Save on Shipping

If you're headed to the Vision Midwest conference in Madison October 22-24, A T Guys wants to make your shopping experience painless and simple. You can preorder the iBill Banknote Identifier or the BCScan Bar Code Scanner and pick them up at the conference.
Save time and shipping costs by preordering your items for pickup at booth 10. To take advantage of this offer, use coupon code 12state on the
"Payment Information" screen when you place your online order at ATGuys.com. Act
fast, as supplies are limited.

href="http://www.atguys.com">Go here to place a preorder

Look UP CD Track Information with BCScan

We're always looking for new ways to harness the power of BCScan, our online bar code database. That's why today we're introducing track information for audio CDs. Now, you can use a bar code scanner such as the Customized Metrologic Fusion Scanner sold by A T Guys and receive track information for hundreds of thousands of music titles, courtesy of Amazon.com. If found, the info will be displayed under its own heading on the BCScan website. This makes it very simple for users to learn more about their favorite music. If you have newer cassettes or records with bar codes, many of these will work as well. Note that bar codes did not become standard on music until the 1980's. We continually work to expand the data available on the BCScan website, and will never charge for a database update. Unlike other services, we often will have new product information available the day it is released. To learn more about all of the powerful services available using a bar code scanner Visit the BCScan.com website.

Order a Bar Code Scanner, Save $20 and Shipping by Picking it up in Dallas

In addition to the iBill announcement we posted earlier, A T Guys is offering an opportunity to order our customized bar code scanner at a $20 discount for pick-up in Dallas. For a limited time, purchase the Customized Metrologic Fusion Bar Code Scanner for $279. Plus, use coupon code Dallas to pick up your item at the NFB Convention and avoid shipping charges. If you're not attending the convention, that's OK as well. You can still receive the $20 discount.
Use the scanner with BCScan, our online bar code database and web service which gives access to over 5 million items including groceries, books, household items, CDs, and much more. BCScan is a user-driven database with new items and information added all the time. Plus, database updates are real-time and always free. To learn more or to place an order, visit http://www.atguys.com

New Downloadable Version of BCScan Bar Code Database Available

The data and resources available in our BCScan bar code database is multiplying at a rapid rate, providing increased access to product information for consumers, including those who are blind and visually impaired. In an effort to make this information more freely available on a wide variety of platforms, we are pleased to announce the availability of a downloadable database of our items. This growing database includes items submitted by our users and staff and includes product directions, ingredient lists, and notes for thousands of products. When combined with other freely-available databases on the Internet, it represents another step forward in the quest for universal accessibility.
The information is currently available in .CSV format which is also compatible with Microsoft Excel and most database programs. The data will be refreshed nightly to offer the latest information. Visit our database download page To learn more or download the data.