Subject: [Wash-at] FW: NEW Blindness and low vision resource website
From: Ginette Perkins (ginettep@wa.easter-seals.org)
Date: Thu Jun 17 2004 - 13:48:35 PDT
What is OcuSource?
http://www.ocusource.com/ocusource/
OcuSource.com
is the parent of a series of websites dedicated to the vision impairment
industry. The mission: provide quick and concise access to resources within
the blindness and low vision industry, empowering consumers, agencies,
resellers and manufacturers.
OcuSource was founded by Dr. Lou Lipschultz, a low vision practitioner and a
former executive with one of the leaders in the blindness and low vision
industry. OcuSource's strategy is to fulfill the needs in each segment of
the industry. Consumers need information on products and resources, agencies
need cost effective procurement of products and services, resellers need to
be put in contact with the consumers searching for help, and manufacturers
need to grow to be able to invest in the research and development to
continue to help visually impaired individuals. The first two sites to be
launched are OcuSource and OcuTrade.
The <http://www.ocusource.com/ocusource> OcuSource site is committed to
empowering the consumer. The site provides information about eye disorders,
disease specific news and research, as well as its most valued tool, the
"Product Analyzer Tool", or
<http://www.ocusource.com/ocusource/index.cfm?page=searchpat> Ask PAT! We
have compiled the most comprehensive database of manufacturers, their
products, and key specifications of each product.
Visitors to the site can narrow their choices within a category of products
by reviewing up to 20 key characteristics on each product. While searching
and comparing products, visitors can order products and also easily request
more information from the manufacturer. Searchable categories include:
* Video magnifiers (CCTV's)
* Braille displays
* Braille note-takers
* Scanning readers Magnification software
* Braille printers
* Braille writers
* Screen-readers
<http://www.ocusource.com/ocutrade> OcuTrade is the site to assist all in
the industry by providing a centralized location to buy and sell used
equipment through a custom designed auction.
Used devices become available as users upgrade to newer technology, the
unfortunate passing away of the user, or progression of the vision disorder.
OcuTrade integrates the Product Analyzer Tool, Ask PAT!, allowing visitors
to compare new and used products to find the best product that meets their
specification.
Unlike the massive auction sites currently online, OcuTrade is focused on
blindness and low vision products, making it convenient to find exactly the
product desired.
Also available are classified ads for services and other products not
contained in the main product categories.
<http://www.ocusource.com/ocubid> OcuBid is the first free online RFB
Management Tool created for low vision and blindness agencies &
organizations.
Agencies and organization providing accessibility services to blind or
vision impaired individuals frequently rely on the bidding process to
procure products. Designed specifically for the vision impairment industry,
OcuBid bridges the gap between buyers and the vendors of these very
specialized products.
OcuBid is driven by "PAT" the Product Aanalyzer Tool. The posting of RFB's
uses this tool to build the specifications for each line item on the bid
opportunity. Once created, the database searches for vendors carrying
products that match the specifications on the RFB, and automatically
notifies them of the opportunity. OcuBid provides maximum bid responses
which lead to increased competition, and in the end, better pricing when
cost containment is critical.
<http://www.ocusource.com/ocutrack> OcuTrack will be launched during the
second quarter of 2004. Check the OcuSource site for updates on these sites
as they evolve.
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