Maggie: An Electronic Magnifier That Fits in Your Shirt Pocket

The Maggie is an ultra compact handheld electronic magnifier that you can easily slip into most a purses or pockets, and even some wallets! It offers 4 magnification levels: 4x, 6x, 8x and 11x, plus color control allows you to view an image in black/white or choose a color combination to suit your needs. Brightness control lets you adjust for varying lighting conditions, both indoors and out. Freeze allows you to capture an image on the 3.0" wide screen LCD for closer examination.

With 3.5 hours of battery time, you could find yourself checking and reading things for days without needing a re-charge. When it is time to re-charge, use any wall socket or even a computer, notebook, netbook or anything else with a USB port. The included overnight charger, slowly and fully charges your battery for extended life or you can be on your way with a partial charge in just minutes.

Get more details on the Maggie or visit http://www.maxiaids.com/ for more products for those with macular degeneration and other low vision conditions.

Sunglasses Can Help Protect Your Eyes and Prevent Macular Degeneration

With the beginning of spring and the first dose of sunny skies and 70-degree temperatures drawing us outside after the cold winter months, our thoughts naturally turn to days spent outside, whether doing yard work, enjoying a pool or laying on a beach. But with numerous outdoor sports and activities slated, it’s also a great time to remember the importance of protecting your eyes with the proper sunglasses.

The government-sponsored initiative Prevent Blindness America and its associated website have published a helpful article called Protect Your Eyes from the Sun which offers some basic information and tips about sunglasses. According to the article, long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, or skin cancer around the eyelids.

Take a few minutes to read the piece, then go to www.MaxiAids.com and see the variety of eye protection we carry. MaxiAids specializes in sunglasses designed to fit over prescription eyeglasses.

MaxiAids Exhibiting at 2010 CSUN Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego

MaxiAids is proud to be participating in the California State University, Northridge Center on Disabilities’ 25th Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference. This year’s conference runs from March 22-27 and is being held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, CA.

At CSUN, MaxiAids will be exhibiting a selection of items from our extensive line of over 7,000 product offerings. On display will be our Reizen Atomic and Water-Resistant Talking Watches, Coil Magnifiers and Keys-U-See Large Print Keyboards. See how the TADI Electronic Personal Organizer, VoiLa Voice Labeling System and Reizen Braille Labeler can keep you organized, while the Kapten Voice-Interactive GPS Navigational System helps you reach your destination safely.

We are also pleased that Sal Terranova from Guerilla Technologies will be joining us at our booth (#323) to preview and demonstrate 2 new products: The Rave - an ultralight (only 1.5-lb.) OCR reading machine with a 5.0 mega pixel mini stand-alone camera; and Ultima - an 18x magnifying low vision and reading machine with currency identification capability plus touchscreen and keypad navigation. You won’t want to miss them!

So, come down and visit us at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel at One Market Place. For directions, please call the hotel directly at 619-232-1234. The Exhibit Hall is FREE and the hours are as follows:

Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 25, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday, March 26, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 27, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

We’ll be at Booth 323. Just click http://csunconference.org/index.cfm?EID=80000218&p=152&page=exLocation&LGECID=500387&hallID=1008&boothnumber=323&ECTID=0 to view a map of the exhibit hall. Our booth is highlighted in gray. We look forward to seeing you there!

To view more of MaxiAids’ products for independent living, visit our website at http://www.maxiaids.com/store/default.asp or contact us to request a copy of our latest catalog. MaxiAids, 42 Executive Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 (800) 522-6294, Fax: (631) 752-0689. Email: sales@maxiaids.com. Visit us at: http://www.maxiaids.com/

Product Highlight: iTalk Reminder Assistant Voice Activated Clock - Spoken Alarms Help You Remember Important Tasks

The iTalk Reminder Assistant is a voice-activated clock that allows you to record up to 10 reminders for important events or tasks. Use it to remember medicine doses, doctor's appointments, business meetings and household things to do. At the same time it doubles as a voice-activated bedside alarm clock. This reminder clock is great for everyone, and particularly helpful for the blind and those with Alzheimer's or dementia.

It's easy to use: Simply talk to iTalk in your normal voice to record reminders, set the alarm, ask for the current time or today's date, and more. Record up to 10 reminders, each 6 seconds long, for today only, every day or any day of the week. Record any message you like, for example: "Take medication now" or "Dentist appointment today" to sound at whatever time you like. A loud reminder alarm playback sounds at the time you set and repeats until you say "Reminder Off." You can even start your day asking for "today's reminders".

iTalk also doubles as a voice activated bedside alarm clock. Set the time, alarm time and sound and more using only your voice. Choose from 4 alarm sounds or record your own personal voice alarm. AC powered. For more information: iTalk Reminder Assistant

MaxiAids' Web-A-Thons Support Special Needs Organizations

(by Guest Blogger Karin Danza, MaxiAids Marketing Dept.)

The phrase "Web-a-Thon" means a fundraiser that is done on the web. It is a website telethon complete with banners and links for the donator to view. It is done with an online purchase and part of the sales proceeds go to the organization. Most of these organizations are non-profit and need support and donations.

MaxiAids, a leader in products for independent living, has been a strong supporter of organizational involvement and an active participant in helping these organizations to achieve their goals.

MaxiAids launched their first Web-a-Thon in November of 2009 for The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. We partnered to develop this innovative program to leverage its ability to reach a large audience of people to help raise money for their cause. This exposure also helped to raise awareness.

The Web-a-Thon was a huge success and marked a whole new direction for MaxiAids, one which we are eager to continue to pursue. We were able to help raise revenue for both our organizations. We now host monthly Web-a-Thons.

MaxiAids hosts for organizations a 24 hour Web-a-Thon where our customers can purchase products through a securely monitored, and safe transaction website. At the end of the 24 hour period 10% of the proceeds from the sales are donated to that organization.

MaxiAids promotes Web-a-Thons through front-page text links on the main site (www.maxiaids.com). The banner and link connect our customers directly to the organization for more information.

Web-A-Thon to Benefit Braille Institute

MaxiAids, in our continuing efforts to support those with special needs, is holding a 24-Hour Web-A-Thon to benefit Braille Institute. We have committed to donate to Braille Institute a portion of the proceeds of web purchases made all day long (from 12:00am to 11:59pm) on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. This is a great opportunity for MaxiAids and its customers to team up and contribute to a truly worthy cause.

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. We provide an environment of hope and encouragement for people who are blind or visually impaired through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services. Founded in 1919, we currently serve more than 75,000 people each year through our five Regional Centers and more than 350 Community Outreach locations throughout Central and Southern California.

Braille Institute is operated and funded almost entirely through private individual and foundation sources. Generous donors, community partners and the tireless efforts of more than 4,000 volunteers enable our staff of experts to provide training, programs and services completely free of charge.