Obrira Designates MaxiAids and SeeMore Vision Exclusive Distributors of Their Precision Optical Products

MaxiAids Products for Independent Living Products for Independent Living and their SeeMore Vision Aiding Products division dealing to eye-care professionals have been chosen by European-based Obrira to distribute their precision optical products.

See the full press release here: Obrira Chooses MaxiAids/SeeMore for Distribution

Living Independently in a Dorm: MaxiAids' Must-Have Items for the Special Needs College Student

FARMINGDALE, NY, August 04, 2010 - Sending your child off to college and not sure what they need? You're not alone. "This time of year we get a lot of calls from parents planning for their kids' freshman year," says Elliot Zaretsky, president and founder of MaxiAids Products for Independent Living, a leading supplier of items for those with special needs. "And they're often worried about how their children will handle being away from home."

There is good news for concerned parents. "We have many items that can help young adults with special needs adjust more quickly and easily to dorm life," Mr. Zaretsky explains. "These items can help students live more independently and give parents peace of mind of knowing their children are prepared for to live on their own."

When the student arrives at the dorm, the first thing they'll want to do is orient themselves with their new surroundings. Braille, tactile and voice labeling kits give the Blind and visually impaired a way of marking books, food packaging and personal items for easy identification. The Portable Tactile Labeling Kit(item #204352; $14.75) is a handy kit for creating peel off Braille and raised letter labels. The Audible and Tactile Marking System (item #206215; $199.95) has a full range of labels, plus includes a Reizen Braille Hand Labeler and the Voxcom III Voice Labeling System.

You'll want a reliable alarm clock to help get up and out to class on time. The iTalk Voice Activated Talking Alarm Clock (item #709705; $47.95) has a large 2" LCD and can be set using only voice commands. The Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock (item #SBB500SS; $42.70) offers a loud volume (adjustable to 113dB) and a supercharged bed shaker to help the deaf, hard of hearing and the deepest of sleepers wake up for class.

To help with studies, there are a variety of large print and talking calculators, from the Reizen 12-Digit Talking Calculator (item #752156; $9.95) all the way up to the Talking Scientific Calculator (752300B; $325.00). Merriam Webster's Speaking Collegiate Dictionary (471840; $121.95) keeps 500,000 spoken definitions at your fingertips.

For the classroom the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder with Voice Guidance (303740; $149.99) makes it easy to record lectures and play them back later on so students don't miss any important material. With up to 533 hours of recording time, it records and plays back MP3, WMA and WAV format books, music and podcasts.

The full-featured Extreme Reader Text-to-Speech Reader - Low Vision Version (item #801030; $3,600.00) allows students to scan and hear text or view documents in a large font on the included 19" monitor. It's an invaluable tool for Blind and low vision students to easily access all necessary textbooks and other materials for studies in their dorm.

The portable Maggie Handheld Electronic Magnifier (item #606346; $198.00) offers 4 levels of magnification (4x, 6x, 8x and 11x) on a 3.0" color LCD to see text more clearly, all in the approximate dimensions of a credit card that's easy to take with you.

Going out and about? Know exactly where you're going with Kapten (item #304504; $398.95), the first ever ultra-compact, 100% voice interactive GPS navigational system. Unlike other GPS systems, the tiny palm-sized Kapten has no screen - it responds to your voice commands. And while you're out, Money Talks Money Identifier (item #703550; $139.95) helps the blind and those with low vision accurately handle money by announcing denominations of US currency inserted into it.

"Parents know that, as nervous as they may be, in the end it's a good thing that their kids will be learning to be more independent," concludes Mr. Zaretsky. "And I'm happy that MaxiAids can help make that transition as easy as possible."

Above is just a sampling of the thousands of items MaxiAids has for those with special needs. Visit www.MaxiAids.com or call 1-800-522-6294 to learn what else is available to help college students, or anyone, live more independently.

Colors and Shapes Memory Match: Blind-Accessible Version with Braille Cards

Colors and Shapes Memory Match Challenge Cards help players boost color and shape recognition skills and learn color and shape words with a fast-paced memory matching game. Plus, in this special modified set the cards show both the color and shape in raised Braille, making them accessible to blind students.

Versatile, game-like activities extend learning and add fun to skill practice and review. Activities adapt to a range of skill levels. Great for teachers, parents, and caregivers for use in the classroom, at home and on the go. For pre-kindergarten to 4th grade, ages 3 and up. Set includes 56 durable full color Brailled cards per pack. Cards measure 3-1/8" x 5 1/4".

Click on the product name above for information or ordering. To see other products for the blind, visit http://www.MaxiAids.com or call 1-800-522-6294.