Maxi-Aids Releases List of Holiday Gift Ideas for Independent Living for 2008: Hot Items Include Low Vision Lights, Watches for the Hard of Hearing and the i-TELLpod Talking i-Pod Controller for the Blind

    FARMINGDALE, NY, November 04, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As retailers gear up for the holiday shopping season, Elliot Zaretsky, president of Maxi-Aids, today presented the company's annual list of Top 10 Holiday 2008 Gift Ideas for Independent Living. Maxi-Aids provides a full range of items to enhance the lives of the Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf, Hearing Impaired and Diabetics, as well as those with mobility issues and other special needs.

"This year there are a number of items we're excited about," said Mr. Zaretsky, "such as the new i-TELLpod Talking iPod Controller, which gives your iPod the ability to talk. This product at last makes iPods easily accessible to the blind and visually impaired."

"For those committed to 'going green', the earth-friendly Verilux ReadyLight Solar Rechargeable LED Flashlight uses no disposable batteries - it has a built-in solar panel to recharge it," Mr. Zaretsky continued. "And we anticipate that our Reizen Atomic Talking Watches will once again be popular this year. They offer functionality and style at a reasonable price - plus, you never have to set them." The top ten list follows:

1. i-TELLpod TALKING iPod CONTROLLER (Item #308355) $149.95. When connected to an existing iPod, it allows the user to have stored artists, albums, songs and audio book titles announced. Makes iPods accessible to the blind and those with low vision, who often have difficulty with the visual-based navigation of iPod controls.

2. ezREAD ELECTRONIC MAGNIFIER (Item #606200) Sale Priced at $99.95 (Regularly $129.99). This value-priced reading aid for low vision rolls across text like a computer mouse. Connects to your TV monitor using included video cable. Text is magnified 5.3x on a 14" TV to 12.2x on a 32" TV. Easily read mail, books, newspapers and view photographs.

3. REIZEN "TOUCH ME I TALK" ALARM CLOCK (Item #703090) $17.95. No more fumbling for buttons! Simply touch the clock anywhere on its frame and it will announce time and temperature. Hourly spoken time/temperature or chime. Oversized backlit LCD with 7/8" numbers displays time, date and temperature.

4. DAYLIGHT FREEDOM BATTERY LAMP (Item #673817) Sale Priced at $79.95 (Regularly $129.99). Versatile lamp provides glare-free, eyestrain-reducing lighting at home or away. Plugs into standard AC outlet and charges as you use it. Unplug it and take it with you for up to 3.5 hours of portable lighting. Energy-saving 13-watt tube is the equivalent of a 75-watt bulb.

5. VERILUX PAGELIGHT BOOK READING LIGHT (Item #674944) $17.95. Ideal for travel or reading in bed. 3 bright LED's provide high-contrast, glare-free natural light. Built-in dimmer. Use as a bookmark when not reading. Energy efficient: 3-AAA batteries (not included) provide up to 50 hours of use. Measures 7" x 6".

6. VERILUX READYLIGHT SOLAR RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT (Item #673994) $29.95. Great green gift idea! No batteries to worry about. Built-in solar panel. Up to 4 hrs use on a full charge. 6 long-lasting LED's provide a wide, bright beam. Rugged ABS body protects it from shock and water damage. Built-in locking carry hook. 8.5" Long.

7. CONAIR MASSAGING SLIPPERS: MEN'S (Item #508718); LADIES (Item #508818) $24.99/PAIR. Soft faux suede with plush faux shearling lining. Easy one-touch massage. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries (not included.) Men's: Brown fits sizes 8 to 10-1/2; Women's: Tan fits sizes 6 to 8-1/2.

8. REIZEN ATOMIC TALKING WATCH: WHITE FACE W/BLACK NUMBERS AND BLACK LEATHER BAND (Item #704014) $49.95. For the Blind and Low Vision. Announces time/date and never has to be set (including Daylight Savings.) Large, easy-to-see 1-1/8" diameter face. Available in 6 styles: white or black face; numbers or stone chips; leather or expansion band.

9. SUPER SCRABBLE DELUXE EDITION: MODIFIED FOR LOW VISION (Item #401105) $49.95. Accessible version of America's favorite word game. Special white tiles with bold black ink. 360-degree Rotating Board for easier reach/viewing. Raised Grid holds tiles in place. Twice the size of traditional Scrabble: 441 spaces, 200 Tiles. Measures approximately 19-1/4" x 17-5/8".

10. SHAKE-N-LITE VIBRATING ALARM CLOCK (Item #708572) $21.95. Great for home or travel. Especially useful for the deaf and hearing impaired. Wake to audible or strong vibrating alarm. 1-1/2" square LCD with green backlight. Slide cover protects the LCD display during travel. Uses 3 AA batteries (not included.) Measures: 4-3/16" x 2-7/8" x 1-3/8". Weighs: 6.8 oz.

For product details or to place an order, visit www.MaxiAids.com or call 1-800-522-6294. See the Holiday Edition Gift Guide link on our website for more gift ideas. You may also order a FREE printed version of the holiday catalog.

About Maxi-Aids

Elliot Zaretsky, a pioneer in the development of the independent living products industry, established Maxi-Aids in 1986. At that time, there were only a limited number of items available for those with special needs, and they were fairly expensive. Mr. Zaretsky, himself the father of a deaf son, decided to do something about it. He sourced new and better items, negotiated lower prices, and helped make items more available and affordable to those that need them.

Maxi-Aids continues to serve the special needs communities with a variety of products including low vision, talking, Braille and vibrating watches, amplified and big button telephones, large print books, canes for the Blind, walkers, wheelchairs, diabetic products, alerting devices, blood pressure monitors, pill boxes, computer assistive devices, hearing aid batteries and much, much more! Maxi-Aids has grown to become the largest supplier of products for independent living, featuring the largest available selection of items at the lowest prices.

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