Audio Database for Blind, Handicap person or could be used for rem

[Guest]

In the next few days I am going to attempt to develop a database that has
various tasks and then link that task to a wav file. I believe through these
posts I will be able to figure that out.

However, Here is where I see the problem. Can MS Access check the current
system date and time lets say every 5min and if the records date and time
field is within that time frame if plays the audio task if the records date
falls within the 5min. Also, Im assuming the database couldnt be minimized.
Havn't checked yet but I thought I once seen an Alarm Clock example that may
be adapted with reminders to do this.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi BrianPaul,

To do tasks at a set interval, you can use a timer on a form. To check the
current date use the Date() function, and to check the current time use the
Time() function.

I have quite a few blind friends (including my best mate), and I know that
most of them use software such as Jaws for Windows to screen read, which
works quite well with Access.

Hope this helps.

Damian.

 

[Guest]

Hi BrianPaul,

To do tasks at a set interval, you can use a timer on a form. To check the
current date use the Date() function, and to check the current time use the
Time() function.

I have quite a few blind friends (including my best mate), and I know that
most of them use software such as Jaws for Windows to screen read, which
works quite well with Access.

Hope this helps.

Damian.

Yes it does help quite a bit. I have used the ontime event, however; I have never used a function with it. usually just to make labels flash. I have also used the date function for reminders of birthdays based on day month. Was wondering how access works with the timer event because I am assuming my database will have a continous form with the days events (each event would be 1 record). I am only assuming that the timerevent will fire the system date and time to check if it matches a record and if does match a record I will have an event that will play the wav file then go to the next record. Also after it plays the last wave of the day bound to the record then will close the form. The computers audio cards output is tied to there stereo system with speakers all over the house for a child about 6 years old. Im only assuming some of the tasks would be to take a bath, fix a sandwich and some type of responsibilities. However, I checked out the web site about Jaws. I believe

here in the US that there would be little or no cost for the software because of disability. At least its worth investigating. Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi again,

Use the OnTimer event on your form to call a function. Every time the
ontimer event reaches 0, it calls the function. The form that the timer is
on needs to be open, so if you are going to just sit it there, perhaps you
could have it on the main screen.

Write your function in a module, and have it check for a matching date/time
depending on what you are after... Something like this:

public sub CheckDate (dteDateToCheck as datetime)
dim intEventType as variant
intEventType = dlookup("EventType", "EventTable", "EventDate = #" &
format(dteDateToCheck, "yyyy/mm/dd") & "#")
if not isnull(intEventType then)
select case intEventType
case 1 ' Assume Event Type 1 is a wake up call
' code to play wave file here

case 2
...

case else
msgbox "not sure what to do with this one"
end select
endif
end sub

That should give you the outline of how to go about it... of course, with
date based events, you might like to have a field in the table to flag that
you have already raised the alarm for that event, otherwise every 5 mins it
would alarm it again...

You could also use a recordset instead of dlookup if there is potentially
more than one event per date/time period.

Hope this helps...

Damian.

 

[Fred Boer]

Dear BrianPaul and Damian:

I teach blind and visually impaired children, and Access is my hobby, so I'm
always interested in anything that combines the two! I am not completely
clear on what you are going to be doing: is a blind/visually impaired person
actually going to be working with the database? Or is it some sort of
automated, audio output reminder system that is running without input from
the blind/visually impaired person? As Damian has pointed out, there are
speech synthesis programs that do a good job with making the computer
programs accessible. And Damian is giving you good advice on how to work
with the timer. I wonder, if it is meant as some sort of an audio "calendar"
program whether there might be something out there that might be
specifically designed for this sort of thing...

Damian:

I'm always interested in communicating with blind persons who use Access
with speech synthesis... If your mate is willing, I'd like to hear his
experiences and possibly pick his brain about this topic! If he is
interested, he can email me at the unmunged address used for this post.

Cheers to both of you!
Fred Boer