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Looking Back At ACBI's Last Convention
New Directors Elected
Raising Funds Can Be Fun! by Byron
Smith
News From North Central Chapter
News From South Central Chapter
Join or Renew Your ACBI Membership Now!
Next Board Meeting - April 7, 2001
ACBI 2001 Annual Meeting
ACBI Board of Directors - 2000-2001
ACBI Committees - 2000-2001
Useful News From the Bloomington Area
Bonnie Story: Learns & Then Helps
Others
Radio Reading Service Now State-Wide
ACB Mid-Year President's Meeting
Challenges & Solutions: Theme of 2001 National Vendors Training Conference
Are You Receiving The Braille Forum?
Small Victories
Art History Through Touch and Sound
WeMedia Magazine Available on Audiotape
Toy Guide For Children Who Are Blind or Visually
Impaired
Medicare & You
Guide To Disability Rights Laws
Doubleday Large Print Book Club
New Products Catalog for Your Dog
Groundbreaking eBook Technology in Accessible Publishing
for Blind, Visually Impaired, or Dyslexic Readers
BRL: Braille Through Remote Learning
Tactile Cards for Geometry Students
Educational Materials In Alternative Format
Innovative Diabetic Eye Exam Initiative to
Prevent Blindness
National Church Conference of the Blind
New Portable Money Identifiers
Global Tracking System in a Watch
Adobe + Window-Eyes = Access & Equality
Our Bloomington Chapter is to be commended for all their efforts to make the November 3 and 4, 2000 29th annual meeting, held at the Ramada Inn in Bloomington, Indiana, a real success. Sincere thanks are extended to Counselor Susan El-Shamy, ACB First Vice-President Brian Charlson, Craig Brenner from the Community Family Resources Department, Julia Blank, O.D., of the Indiana University School of Optometry, and Linda Platt, RN, Clinical Resource Coordinator of Retinal Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University Medical Center, who each contributed valuable information from their respective fields of expertise. Special recognition was given to Josephine Price who was presented with the Patricia L. Price Award for her many years of service in the blindness field.
Attendees were especially privileged to see first-hand the latest assistive devices and personally meet the following company representatives:
Dan Weirich - GW Micro, Inc.
Fred Pizarek - FTP Associates
Darrel Ellis - Vision Aid Systems
Lissa Shanahan - Special Services Division, Indiana State Library
At the ACBI annual meeting, four directors were nominated and elected:
Byron Smith, Bloomington - 2nd 3-year term
Debbie Morgan, Lafayette - 1st 3-year term
Anne Elliott, Indianapolis - First 3-year term
Jim Stanga, Lafayette - To fill 2 years of Dr. Hudson's unexpired
term
When an ACBI chapter wants to raise funds to finance community projects, the question becomes one of choices. When the Bloomington chapter of ACBI pondered raising funds, the results turned out to be rewarding and successful.
Our members wanted to raise funds to finance community projects such as public education and increasing awareness about blindness issues and people who are blind or visually impaired. At the same time, we thought it important to involve chapter members in a meaningful effort.
"A lot of people enjoy music," remarked chapter officer, Jeff Busch. "And," Busch added, "we have a chapter member who sings beautifully, accompanies herself on the guitar and writes songs too."
Everyone agreed that a music CD by chapter member, Suzanne Ament, would be a bestseller. Chapter members were sure that "people would enjoy the American and Russian folk songs Suzanne performs." So chapter member, Jeff Busch, arranged to record eighteen tracks of music at a nearby studio. Then other chapter members helped produce the music CD, "Light And Shadow," which is now for sale.
Suzanne, who is currently teaching at Butler University in Indianapolis, cannot remember a time when she did not sing. Ament, who holds a doctorate in Russian history from Indiana University, has performed Russian and American folk songs in her native U.S. and in Russia during half a dozen trips to the country she has come to love.
"The title song, Light And Shadow," explains Ament, "is a song that came out of a broken heart. When you love somebody there is pain and great joy. That song is about one particular love of my life that will always be there."
Ament has some vision. "In the daytime I might be able to follow the edge of a sidewalk if there's light and dark contrast. I can see some general shapes. I have some vision that makes me feel oriented in the world."
Suzanne likes the local character of the Bloomington chapter of ACBI. "It's about people who are right there doing things for people who are right there. Suzanne's singing and personality reflect her philosophy of life. "I believe that we're all created with something to give, to contribute. Each of us is viable and necessary in this world. ... People with a disability have a responsibility to be kind to people who do try to help."
The "Light And Shadow" CD is available from the Bloomington chapter. Checks for $15 (fifteen dollars), made payable to the Bloomington Chapter of ACBI, can be sent to P. O. Box 1131, Bloomington, IN 47402-1131. Questions and comments can be sent by e-mail to <byron@indiana.edu>
(Byron K Smith, who is a member of ACBI's Board of Directors, was the producer for the music CD. He has produced radio and audio programs for Indiana University for more than 30 years.)
"All of us can truly be Known for our abilities."
Byron K Smith, Producer
Division of Broadcast and Electronic Media
IU Office of Communications and Marketing
Phone: (812) 855-9323
E-mail: <byron@indiana.edu>
Fax: (812) 855-7002 -- ATTN Byron
Members of our North Central Chapter have enjoyed a number of interesting, informative and fun-filled activities these past months.
September 2000 was a busy month for our members. At our regular meeting, we were privileged to have two excellent speakers: The Mayor of Elkhart, the Honorable David Miller, who sought ways the city could address problems encountered by the blind and visually impaired, and the Director of Elkhart Human Resources Department, Ms. Ellen Kreclewich, who described her duties as they applied to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). On the 21st, members were entertained by Mickey Rooney at the Elco Theater and on the 23rd, Sandy and Kenny Lingofelter hosted a hot dog roast at their home.
A representative from the Church Community Services spoke at our October meeting. We were all surprised to learn of the many ways they are helping those in need in our community. To help with their food pantry, members brought donations of canned and other staple foods.
Our annual Christmas Bazaar was held November 4, 2000. Then, at our regular meeting, a representative from the Mennonite Disabilities Committee informed us about their Goldenrod Project, located near Middlebury, Indiana, to serve autistic adults.
Unfortunately, our annual December Christmas Party was canceled due to bad weather.
A representative from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at the Elkhart General Hospital provided an interesting January 2001 meeting for all our members.
The Promissory Notes, a folk music group, entertained us at our February Valentine Party.
Future plans include a fun evening in March and an entertaining meeting in April presented by the Performing Arts Center.
It is with great sadness to report we have lost a good friend and husband of member Mary Plake. Floyd Plake was a member of the local Lions club and was always there when we needed a volunteer. Floyd will be missed by all.
During 2000 we helped two students with opportunity grants and started the following:
1. Developed an information packet for members. The packet includes the constitution and by-laws and procedures, membership list, resource list and a chart listing officers and directors and their term of office.
2. Meeting minutes are now being mailed to members who were not at the meeting. The minutes are recorded for those who requested alternate format. The tapes are mailed and returned Free Matter in Library of Congress type containers.
3. We adopted a new procedure for electing officers and directors. Elections are now done by mail. This gives all of our members the opportunity to vote.
Thirty-two were present at our Christmas party. We installed new officers and one director. Our current officers and directors are:
President: Ada Bailey
Vice-President: Louise Hamilton
Secretary: Mary Catherine Martin
Treasurer: Kathy Reising
Past President: Benny Demaree
Directors:Lester Compton
Sally Ridge
Flo Compton
We suspect you've noticed that time has literally flown by and the "true Millennium" has arrived. As you look forward into the year 2001 and beyond, we hope you are thinking about the many opportunities that await blind and visually impaired people in every walk of life. These include advanced technology for independence, increased job opportunities, and a society that is beginning to view those with disabilities in a more favorable manner. That is why now, more than ever before, ACBI needs you as a member. Together we can continue these advances.
Annual Members-At-Large dues are still just $5. If you have not already done so, we urge you to complete the application in this issue and send it with your check made payable to ACBI to Treasurer, Don Koors, 5885 North Central, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
If you are a member of one of our ACBI Chapters, you should pay your dues directly to your chapter's designated representative. S/he will then forward your completed application and dues to Don.
Whichever your case might be, please give this your immediate attention.
It may be that when paying your dues you might wish to consider making a donation to ACBI. While dues do help to cover some general expenses of the organization, they do not cover the amount needed to implement many of the projects and goals we hope to accomplish. Remember, all donations are tax-deductible.
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on April 7, 2001 at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis, IN. Members and guests are always welcome. Just call Don or Gerry Koors to let them know that you plan to attend. Tel: 317-251-2562.
The ACBI Annual Meeting will be held September 7 and 8, 2001 at the Turkey Run State Park Inn located in Marshall, Indiana on Indiana Highway 47 just west of US 41.
Room Rates, including tax, are:
o 1 Double bed $64.90.
o 2 Double beds $75.90.
o Cabins $75.90.
Reservations may be made now by calling Toll 1-877-500-6151.
Specific details about the meeting schedule and program will be announced as soon as it has been finalized.
(Note: Since this list will not be published in future issues of FOCUS, we suggest you keep it for future reference.)
Officers
President: Dolly Sowder, Bedford
812-279-1669
E-Mail: mailto:sowder@kiva.net
<sowder@kiva.net>
Vice-President: Earlene Hughes, Lafayette <hughese@gte.net>
Secretary: Gerry Koors, Indianapolis, 317-251-2562
Treasurer: Don Koors, Indianapolis, 317-232-1352 <dkoors@fssa.state.in.us>
Directors
Maurice Brockman, Bloomington <brockman@bloomington.in.us>
Benny Demaree, Bedford <jandem@quik.com>
Anne Elliott, Indianapolis <elliottag1@aol.com>
Debbie Morgan, Lafayette <res06aot@gte.net>
Josephine Price, Indianapolis 317-259-9778
Mike Sowder, Bedford <sowder@kiva.net>
Byron Smith, Bloomington <byron@indiana.edu>
Jim Stanga, Lafayette <res05az0@gte.net>
William Trubey, O.D., Bluffton 219-824-0234
Nominating:
Gerry Koors, Chair
Debbie Morgan
Marvin Price
Membership & Development:
Earlene Hughes
Jim Stanga
Debbie Morgan
Legislative:
Don Koors, Chair
Earlene Hughes
Anne Elliott
Resolutions:
Benny Demaree, Chair
Jeff Busch
Ada Bailey
Constitution & By-laws:
Mike Sowder, Chair
Maurice Brockman
Earlene Hughes
Byron Smith
Auditing:
Dale Thomas, Chair
Ervin Hoeverner
Bob Kelly
Opportunity Grant:
Maurice Brockman, Chair
Don Koors
Mike Bina
Jim Durst
Fund Raising:
Dolly Sowder, Chair
Josephine Price
Jim Stanga
Byron Smith
Budget:
Don Koors, Chair
Dolly Sowder
Earlene Hughes
Mike Sowder
Publicity & Publications:
Pat Price, Editor & Webmaster
If you live in or are visiting in the Bloomington, Indiana area, you might find the following information useful:
The following Bloomington restaurants now have updated Braille menus, courtesy of the Adaptive Technology Center at Indiana University:
The Bistro
Chili's
Mother Bear's
Mustard's
Ladyman's Cafe
Uptown Cafe
La Torre
Grisantis
Trojan Horse
Steak and Shake.
A great and thoughtful service!
Dealing with vision loss isn't new to many people but when it happens it certainly can and does result in lifestyle changes. Amazingly enough, though, many seniors dealing with the onset of blindness just seem to take it in their stride, begin learning new ways to do old, familiar things, and reach out to help others.
That sums up the past few years of Bonnie Story's life. For 50 years, her life had included working at Story Electronics as a secretary and even helping repair electronic motors. Four years ago, however, macular degeneration began destroying her eyesight. As though this was not enough, she became seriously ill two years ago and was hospitalized for six months.
Following release from the hospital, Ms. Story found her vision loss was making it increasingly difficult to manage the needs of everyday living. So she enrolled in the Bosma Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis, Indiana to learn the skills needed to maintain her independence -- braille, personal management, household maintenance and cane travel. Additionally, she became involved in helping others accept and overcome their various life challenges.
Returning to her Wabash, Indiana home, Ms. Story, now 73, immediately set about to reach out to others with vision loss. She scheduled a meeting at the local hospital and formed a support group she named "Eyesight Insight." The group includes anyone with a vision impairment, regardless of age or cause, and family members. The mission statement she has chosen for the group is a quotation by Helen Keller. "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."
"Vision impairment has no regard for race, religion, age or nationality," she says. "It can happen to anyone and it can happen at any time. I just want to be able to help others find their way as I've been helped finding mine."
Editor's Note:
Anyone living in the Wabash, Indiana area is invited to attend the Eyesight Insight informative meetings. For time and place, contact: Bonnie Story, 441 Walnut St., Wabash, IN 46992. Tel: 219-563-7860 or -4763.
For over twenty years, the radio reading service in Indiana has been known as CIRRI (Central Indiana Radio Reading, Inc.). Now, to reflect its expanded services, its name has been changed to IRIS (Indiana Radio Information Services).
IRIS has recently introduced a new free, 24-hour dial-up service that is accessible to eligible persons throughout all of Indiana. Currently, volunteers read the Indianapolis Star as well as newspapers from Bloomington, Columbus, Kokomo, Lafayette, Marion, Muncie, Terre Haute, and South Bend. Newspapers from fourteen smaller cities will be available soon.
In addition to the new dial-up service, subscribers living within a 45-mile radius of Indianapolis can continue to use their free, special radio receivers (that come with a rechargeable battery), to hear portions of the Indianapolis newspapers read over a designated radio station that offers 24-hour programming of a variety of material that is only accessible via the receiver. These include: The Wall Street Journal, Fit and Trim, People, Readers Digest, The New York Times Book Review, USA Today, and much more. IRIS also produces informational programs such as "At Your Service", the "Environment Hour", and "About Your Health."
To sign up for either or both of these services, a vision impaired or print handicapped person will need to submit an application to IRIS. If you are already a patron of the Indiana Special Services Division (SSD) Talking Book Program, just call SSD at 800-622-4970 or 317-232-3684 and a staff member will submit the application. Anyone wishing more information before subscribing should call IRIS toll-free at 1-877-854-0077.
The 2001 Mid-Year President's meeting was held by ACB in Des Moines, Iowa, the site of the upcoming 2001 national convention. ACBI President Dolly Sowder reported that emphasis was given this year to helping affiliates grow through a closer relationship between state and national ACB, establishing meaningful and attainable goals and strategies, developing leadership within the affiliate, budgeting considerations, fundraising methods, community involvement, and utilization of Internet tools,
In addition to the usual briefing on logistics of the hotel and convention site, a new program, The Family Place, was discussed. This activity-oriented program for children ages 7 to 14 will be coordinated by Cindy Hollis. See the March Braille Forum for details. The presidents also learned that the 2004 ACB national convention will be held in Birmingham, Alabama July 1 through 11. The Sheraton Hotel will be the official headquarters, with the Best Western as the back-up hotel. Rates: $75 plus 8% tax.
Proposed changes in the definition of legal blindness, accessible voting, and pedestrian safety are among the topics to be discussed during the upcoming Legislative Seminar.
The affiliate presidents will meet again during the July 2001 convention week.
Sagebrush, the national vendors training conference for those in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) was held March 14 to 18, 2001 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to the two training sessions on serving safe food and instructions from a NAMA presenter, the agenda included a number of highly relevant general sessions on current issues confronting blind and visually impaired vendors, as well as some 40 exhibitors of new, innovative food products.
For information about next year's activities, contact: Kim Venable, Office Manager, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA), 1901 Commercial Drive, Suite 7, Harvey, LA 70058. Tel: 800-467-5299 or 504-347-5299.
If you are not yet receiving The Braille Forum, the national publication of the American Council of the Blind, and would like to , just call the ACB Office at 800-424-8666 or send an e-mail to <slovering@acb.org> indicating your name and mailing address and the format desired; i.e., large print, audiotape, braille, or computer disk.
If you would like to receive it by e-mail, you need to request it yourself by sending an e-mail message to <majordomo@telepath.com>. Leave the subject blank. In the body of the message, type: subscribe brailleforum-l.
Little information exists to help parents of the more than 400,000 babies born prematurely in the U.S. each year deal with the daunting emotional and practical challenges of having a child with many medical needs. Small Victories: Conversations About Prematurity, Disability, Vision Loss, and Success by Mary Lou Dickerson, presents the life stories of individuals who were born prematurely and their families. Discussing their subsequent struggles and triumphs, the interviewees provide important insight and suggestions for those concerned about disability, success, and life beyond prematurity.
This book provides a detailed resource guide that provides suggestions for parents of premature babies as well as information on support for families, teens and adults born prematurely, pediatricians, neonatologists, and healthcare professionals, and parents groups.
The author is a member of the Washington State House of Representative and lives in Seattle. She is the mother of a daughter born prematurely. She was born prematurely herself and is visually impaired as a result.
To order Small Victories ($24.95 in paperback, ISBN: 0-89128-353-6 or ASCII disk, ISBN: 0-89128-377-3), please call AFB Press toll-free, 800-232-3044, Fax your request to 412-741-0609, or send an e-mail to <afborder@abdintl,com>
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) recently announced the publication of the first three volumes of a multi-sensory series adapted for readers with impaired vision. "The Building Blocks of Art", "The Art of Ancient Egypt", and "European Modernism: 1900-1940" are part of the series "Art History Through Touch and Sound", which conveys information about individual artworks and events and perspectives that have influenced major movements in art and architecture. Each volume includes tactile diagrams, photographs with large-print and braille captions, narratives on cassette, and a teacher's supplement on computer disk.
Kit Cost: Each volume is $99. The teacher's supplement is available in braille for an additional $49. Diagram manuals and computer disks may also be purchased separately.
For further information, visit the APH Website at <www.aph.org>, E-Mail: <info@aph.org>, call toll-free 800-223-1839, or visit Art Education for the Blind at <www.arteducation.org>.
The Jewish Guild for the Blind, a New York-based health care agency that has been serving the blind and visually impaired for almost 90 years, has just added the WeMedia magazine to its Cassette Library.
The focus of the bimonthly WeMedia magazine is disabilities, lifestyle, and access. Its editorial content and approach to cross-disability issues provides education and entertainment. The audiotape version is provided in its entirety, excluding photos and captions. The November/December 2000 issue is now ready for distribution. Just call The Jewish Guild at 212-769-6233 to request your free copy.
Persons interested in borrowing other books from the Guild have a choice of as many as 1600 titles, mostly best sellers, which are available via the US Postal Service. The books-on-tape service is provided free to the Guild's national and international audience.
The "2000-2001 Guide to Toys for Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired" has been developed to assist parents and caregivers of blind and visually impaired children to select fun, safe and appropriate toys. It is a joint initiative of the American Toy Institute and the American Foundation for the Blind. The Guide lists 100 commercially available toys for all ages arranged by category, (Infant Toys, Toddler/Pre-School Toys, Vehicles, Musical Toys, Pretend/Role-Play Toys, Creative Toys, Dolls/Stuffed, Educational Toys, Activity/Outdoor Toys, and Building Toys) and includes the manufacturers' contact information as well as recommended age ranges and suggested retail prices.
For your free copy, contact: American Toy Institute, 1115 Broadway - Suite 400, New York, NY 10010. Tel: 212-675-1141. Fax: 212-633-1429. Web: <www.toy-tma.org>
To conserve funds, one copy of "Medicare & You" was recently mailed to households where eligible recipients reside. If, however, you need your own printed or audio-tape copy of this publication, please call toll-free 800-633-4227 or 877-486-2048 TTY/TDD (for the hearing and speech impaired) and select the option to speak with a customer representative. Be certain to have the following information ready:
* The number on your Medicare Card (red, white, and blue
card).
* The address to which you want your copy mailed.
A revised, expanded version is now available of the "Guide to Disability Rights Laws", a booklet that provides consumers with information about Federal civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Telecommunications Act, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Voting Accessibility Act, National Voter Registration Act, Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Rehabilitation Act, and Architectural Barriers Act. Along with a brief description of the laws, the booklet provides complete contact information of the Federal agencies responsible for their enforcement. The booklet is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean,, Leotian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. It is available in standard print, large print, Braille, audiotape, or computer disk.
For your free copy, contact: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, PO Box 66738, Washington, DC 20035-6738. ADA Information Line: 800-669-3362 (Voice) / 800-800-3302 (TTY). Web: <www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm>
Addressing the needs of its more than 100,000 readers, Doubleday is currently offering special "rewards" for joining its large print book club. Not only are its large type books easier and more comfortable to read, they are approximately 30% cheaper through the Club than publishers' prices. Doubleday also offers 50% off clearance sales, hardcover books specially priced at $4.95, easy ordering via the mail or Internet, and exclusive editions not available anywhere else. An excellent way to enjoy top bestsellers and convenient home delivery.
For more details, contact: Doubleday Large Print, 6550 East 30th Street, PO Box 6350, Indianapolis, IN 46209-9473. Web: <www.JoinDLP.com> and enter on-line Code PJ2.
Whether you are a dog guide user or wish to buy interesting items for your pet, you'll want to check out the products in the new 2001 Guide Dog Users, Inc. catalog which has just been released. It is available free of charge in braille, large print, on cassette, on computer disk or via e-mail. Contact: Jane Sheehan, 14311 Astrodome Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906-2245. Tel: 888-858-1008 / 301-598-5771. Fax: 301-871-7591. E-Mail: <jcsheehan@smart.net> Web: <www.gdui.org>.
Using the technological specifications proposed by the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and Digital Audio-based Information SYstem (DAISY) Consortium, a brand-new, digitally synchronized audio and text program that is compatible with both computers and eBooks has been produced by AFB Talking Books and Time Warner AudioBooks. This new process offers unique navigational features and displays a book's text on screen or in braille, fully synchronized with the narrator's voice.
To demonstrate this technology,, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech "I Have A Dream" has been chosen. To download the free demonstration, visit AFB's Website at <http://www.afb.org>.
Note: This sample has been taken from "A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. King" that will be distributed using this new technology.
Developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Braille Literacy Program, BRL -- Braille Through Remote Learning -- is an online instructional program that provides teachers, parents, social workers, and current/future braille transcribers with a series of three integrated online courses in braille and braille transcribing. The program is designed to offer the braille student the right instruction (almost all aspects of braille) at the right time (self-paced) in the right place (home or workplace). By combining electronic technologies, quality materials, and expert instructors, the program has as its goal the provision of a complete braille instructional program to all types of consumers nationwide who have an interest in some or all aspects of braille codes.
The program consists of three integrated courses:
1. Introduction to Braille: a 12-session basic course in braille literacy, designed for beginning students of braille or for those who need a braille refresher. In addition to "beginner's basics", this course includes all Grade 2 contractions and rules.
2. Braille Transcribers: this course focuses on the production of braille materials, with an emphasis on the brailling of textbooks (using the new "Formats" braille code). Discussions of computers in braille production and tactile graphics is also included in this course. Prerequisite for this course is a solid foundation in Grade 2 braille.
3. Specialized Codes: this course provides a basic introduction to specialized codes, such as Nemeth mathematics braille, music braille, computer braille, and chemistry braille. Prerequisite for this course is a solid foundation in Grade 2 braille.
To sign up for the program, you must register for each course to receive a login name and a password. Registration is free and only requires a few minutes to fill out the registration form. When you register, you will immediately receive a page that gives you the password information for the course. You should print this page out for your records.
It is important to note that currently the materials and the exercises are available for free. However, the courses themselves are unsupported, meaning that there is no instructor who will provide feedback, grade your assignments, or answer questions. External funding is being sought, however, to allow for online expert instructors to help enrollees. Until that funding is secured, the materials and exercises will be available but with only limited on-line help.
For those interested in becoming certified transcribers, following completion of this course or any other instruction program, a 35-page trial manuscript must be submitted to the Library of Congress for evaluation, as it is the only agency that certifies transcribers
To register or secure more information, go to: <http://www.brl.org/index.html>.
Geometry Tactile Cards are 3-dimensional tactile drawings representing the shapes used in geometry textbooks. The 12 hand-embossed cards pair each geometrical shape with its name and formula. The shapes featured include: cube, triangular prism, rectangular prism, cone, sphere, square pyramid, and right triangle. Cost: $25.
For more information, contact: P. Hunt, PO Box 404, Pfaff Town, NC 27040. E-Mail: <leannajo@aol.com>
Obtaining educational materials in alternative format involves negotiating rather complex "systems" of federal and state resources. "Guidelines for Accessing Alternative Format Educational Materials" (2000) by Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu describes the legislation that governs access to elementary and post-secondary educational reading materials and how to navigate the systems. On- and off-line resources are included. This 12-page paper is available at no charge on the Internet. Hard copies can be requested from the Reference Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542. Tel: 800-424-8567 / 202-707-9275. E-Mail: <nls@loc.gov> Web: <www.loc.gov/nls.guidelines.htm>
Diabetes is a major health epidemic that is increasing dramatically. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your chance of developing diabetic retinopathy or other eye diseases. Even people with normal vision may require proper monitoring and treatment to prevent eye complications due to diabetes. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes are unaware of the preventive measures and treatments available, as well as the variety of programs available that cover the costs associated with treatment.
To address the two major barriers to receiving eye care -- cost and transportation, and to raise awareness of the connection between diabetes and blindness and the importance of an annual dilated eye exam, the Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO) and the American Optometric Association (AOA) have joined forces with the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to create the "Intervention for Increasing Eye Exam Rates for Medicare Beneficiaries with Diabetes." Other national, state and local organizations are lending their support of this initiative.
Through the Diabetes Eye Exam Initiative, Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes may be matched with an ophthalmologist by calling EyeCare America (SM) -- National Eye Care Project (R) (NECP) at 800-222-EYES (3937), or with an optometrist by calling the American Optometric Association's Diabetes Hot Line at 800-262-3947.
The NECP matches seniors who have not had a medical eye exam in the past three years with a volunteer ophthalmologist in their area. The ophthalmologist will perform a dilated eye examination and provide one year of treatment for any condition diagnosed during the first exam, at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. The NECP volunteer ophthalmologists have agreed to accept Medicare or private insurance as payment in full.
The AOA's Diabetes Hot Line matches Medicare beneficiaries with participating optometrists in their area who will perform a dilated eye exam and arrange for or provide subsequent care. The optometrist may be able to waive the usual Medicare co-payment or deductible in cases of financial need.
According to William S. Tasman, M.D., Board member of the FAAO, "Approximately ten percent of Medicare beneficiaries have diabetes and 600,000 of them have not had an eye exam in the past two years or more, I can't stress enough the importance of getting a dilated eye exam immediately after being diagnosed with diabetes. If caught early, changes in the retina caused by diabetes may be treated before they become severe."
The most common cause of decreased vision in people with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a swelling of the central retina, which affects 25 percent of people with diabetes. Some patients develop proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious condition where blood vessels form on the surface of the retina where they do not belong. Because these new blood vessels are very fragile, they may rupture and fill the cavity of the eye with blood, blocking vision. The resulting scar tissue may then cause retinal detachment.
Laser treatment may not necessarily improve the vision of people with retinopathy, but it will hopefully help stabilize the condition. In addition to having regular dilated eye exams, people with diabetes should carefully control their blood sugar to help prevent retinopathy.
For more information about this program, contact: Betty Lucas, Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology. Tel: 415-447-0381. Web: <www.eyenet.org>
The National Church Conference of the Blind (NCCB) will be holding its annual conference July 22 to 26, 2001 at the Holiday Inn South/Convention Center, 6820 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48911. Tel: 1-800-333-8123 or 517-694-8123. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel. Be certain to let them know you are with the NCCB conference.
Attendees will enjoy great Bible teaching, workshops, tour, talent time, wonderful fellowship and more. For more information, contact Membership Secretary, Rheba Dunn at NCCB, PO Box 196, Grover, CO 80729 Tel: 970-895-2352. E-Mail: <radioman@oneimage.com>
Designed to enable persons who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind to accurately and reliably identify paper money when received, spent, or checked, the new upgraded Bank Note Readers from Brytech Inc. of Canada are the solution.
The U.S. version, (Note Teller), reads all U.S. bank notes (old $1 to $100) and new ($5 to $100), includes simple instructions in Braille, large print, and audiotape, battery powered and includes a long-life battery, announcement is easily switched between English and Spanish, and offers a six-month warranty. Cost: $395 plus $10 S/H. Upgrades for older Note Tellers to recognize the new currency are $75.
The Canadian Bank Note Reader (C.B.R.) is designed to identify Canadian bank notes. Brytech carried out extensive engineering and field testing to ensure that the device is easy to operate and of value to its users. A push-button on the side of the C.B.R. energizes the system which announces denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 in both English or French. The C.B.R. uses a state-of-the-art illumination and detection technology with low power-drain CMOS circuitry and is accurate, inexpensive, portable, and easy to use. Notes can be inserted into the reader regardless of orientation. The C.B.R. is available in two models (one for visually impaired and blind, and one for deaf-blind) through the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (http://www.cnib.ca).
Brytech also distributes the Universal Bank Note Reader (U.B.R.) designed to enable adaptation to many international currencies. Contact the company for further information regarding the commercial, custom design of the U.B.R.
For more information on any of these units, contact: Brytech Inc., 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 5Z3. Tel: 800-263-4095. Web: <www.brytech.com/noteteller/index.htm>
Watches have long been considered primarily time pieces. However, the new advances in technology are certainly changing that and more rapidly than I suspect most of us ever dreamed.
One of the latest innovations that seems to have some real practical value to those with vision impairment is the Satellite Navi PAT-2GP watch just introduced by Casio that has a satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) or tracking system built in to tell you your latitude and longitude anywhere in the world. The PC link that comes with the watch helps you translate your position into something usable, like a location on a map. The map also has a landmark tracker, allowing you to store up to 200 locations of your own choosing, and it even has an alarm to let you know when you are approaching your target. Oh by the way, it's also a watch that tells the time! It is to be available soon and at a cost of $495. Stay tuned.
Adobe and Window-Eyes have teamed up to make Adobe PDF files readable by individuals who are visually impaired. Product enhancement to Adobe Acrobat 5.0 and Window-Eyes 4.1, a software screen reader, allow blind people to read Adobe PDF documents as though they were viewing a web page, to fill out complicated electronic forms, and more.
Adobe's new implementation of, and GW Micro's support of MSAA (Microsoft Active Accessibility) is the key to accessing Adobe PDF documents. By using the MSAA interface, the Microsoft Corporation advises that these two company's products will be compatible into the future on each new operating system Microsoft ships. This provides a consistent means of communicating user interface elements between applications.
Along with Adobe support, Window-Eyes 4.1 offers additional new features, including:
o Grade 2 Braille support for Braille displays.
o Smart table mode, allowing easier access to tables in Internet Explorer 5.X.
o Enhanced support for America Online 6.X, creating easier navigation.
o Speech synthesizer command line parameters.
o Support for a backup speech synthesizer.
o The ability to manually control the automatic "Read-To-End" feature.
o Silent/un-spoken passwords for more secure network login prompts.
o Support for applications that flash the taskbar to get attention.
o The ability to read the status of progress bars and scroll bar positions.
The Window-Eyes 4.1 software for Windows 9X and Me retails for $595 and will be available for purchase on April 17, 2001. A beta version for those who are currently running Window-Eyes 4.0 is available at <www.gwmicro.com/beta>
For more information, contact: Clarence Whaley, Director of Sales & Marketing, GW Micro, Tel: 615-383-6248 (direct) or 219-489-3671 (main). E-Mail: <clarencee@gwmicro,com> Web: <http://www.gwmicro.com>
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Updated: November 4, 2001
