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Register NOW For
ACBI September 2001 Convention
April Board
Meeting Actions
Chapter Reports:
Circle City by
Gerry Koors
North Central by
Irene Detwiler
South Central by
Mike and Dolly Sowder
Donate Cars, Boats,
Real Estate & More to ACBI
Kudos to Gerry
& Don Koors!
Josephine Price
Recovering From A Fall
ACBI Contact
Info
Dr. Bina Leaves
ISB
Evelyn Meyer
Earns Her “Day”
Indiana’s
Prescription Drug Program for Low-Income
Seniors
ACB’s New
Leadership
An Overview of
ACB Radio
The PRIMER: A $295
Electronic Magnifier
The Talking Rx
Tells Vision Impaired How to Take
Prescriptions
Medication
Information on the World Wide Web
New From
Descriptive Video Service (DVS)
Road Runner
Talking Bible
Register NOW For ACBI’s September 2001 Convention
The 30th annual State C;onvention of the American Council of the Blind of Indiana will be held September 7 and 8, 2001 at Turkey Run State Park. Room rates are $64.90, (tax included), for one double bed and $75.90, (tax included), for two double beds. Topics of discussion will include membeship and chapter development, accessible voting and update on eye treatment and research. Charlie Crawford, Executive Director of National ACB will be our keynote speaker. When you receive your registration information, don’t delay in making your room reservation at the Inn at Turkey Run State Park. Reservations will need to be made one month prior to the meeting. If you have any questions or need more information, please call Don Koors at 317-251-2562.
April 2001 Board Meeting Actions
The ACBI Board met April 7, 2001 at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis. 12 board members and 1 guest were present.
Following the usual secretary, treasurer, and legislative committee reports, the Board discussed the issue of having all materials distributed in accessible format. Appropriate motions were made and passed.
Other Board deliberations included membership and chapter development, adopting a budget for 2001, fund raising, the 2001 ACBI convention program, site selection for the ACBI 2002 convention in Columbus, Indiana September 27 and 28, and frequency of ACBI newsletter to 3 times per year.
Chapter reports were given and Dr. Trubey reported on his recent trip to Honduras.
Details of the Board meeting that was held June 9, 2001 will appear in the next issue of FOCUS.
Circle City
Chapter In Review
by Gerry Koors
Another year of meetings for Circle City Chapter have come and gone. Some of the highlights for this year are as follows:
Our Christmas dinner was a fun evening with music and door prizes along with a delicious dinner.
In February our own Suzanne Ament talked to us about her experiences in Russia and how blind people are treated there. She has a Ph.D. in Russian history.
In March, Cheryl Sparks gave a most interesting and delightful account of her trip to Cuba. We look forward each year to her travelogs.
I think the main highlight of this year was our attendance at the State Lions Club dinner May 4th at the Indiana School for the Blind. The school is one of their projects and they bought new playground equipment which was dedicated that night. One of our members, Don Osburn, is an active member of a local Lions Club. The grilled pork chop dinner was held outdoors and the weather was perfect. We truly enjoyed the evening and thank the Lions Club for making us a part of their evening.
Have a great summer!
Report from
North Central Chapter
by Irene Detwiler
The North Central ACBI Chapter now has 39 members for the year 2001.
Our May meeting was held at the Eastlake Terrace Assisted Living Center in Elkhart. Our speaker, Eileen Drexler, told us all about the facility. This was followed by a tour.
Officers elected at the May meeting were:
Sandy Lingofelter, President
Helen Watts, Vice-President
Irene Detwiler, Secretary
Carolyn Speicher, Treasurer
Board Members elected were:
Renee Doyan, Social & Recreation
Rosemary Miller, Ways & Means
Ron Ray, Membership
In June, our speaker was our own Rosemary Miller who talked about her recent trip to Ireland.
In July, we had our annual “night out” and dinner at Peddleck Village Restaurant.
In August, we’ll have our annual picnic at the Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren cabin.
Then, in September, we are all looking forward to a very special program Helen Watts is planning. More about that later.
This has been a year of many changes at ADEC – the most recently being the sale of Northern Indiana Independent Living Services (NIIIS) building at 702 Williams Street to the Elkhart School System. These services will be continued at the Bristol Campus of ADEC.
Anyone interested in joining us should contact Sandy Lingofelter at 219-848-4010.
Report from
South Central
by Mike and Dolly Sowder
In the past few months we have had the following guest speakers:
1. A county commissioner giving an overview of what their job entails.
2. A Social Service Agency gave information on the RX Program for those over 65.
Our annual picnic was held in June at Free Spirit Campground. We played trivia and passed out prizes.
Three Chapter members, Mike Sowder, Dolly Sowder and Benny Demaree are serving on the Accessibility Council of Lawrence County. The Council is in the process of accessing local businesses.
The county now has rural transit, partly due to the efforts of Soth Central members Denise Mullis and Benny Demaree.
For information about meeting times and places, contact Chapter President Ada Bailey at 812-834-6419.
Donate Cars, Boats, Real Estate & More to ACBI!
Have you seen the following ad in your newspaper? Do you have vehicles, real estate, lots, boats, RV’s, and more that you would like to donate to ACB of Indiana? The company with whom ACBI has contracted has agreed to provide Free Pickup whether or not the vehicle is running. The Fair Market Value per IRS can, perhaps, mean a tax deduction for you. The contracted company does all the paperwork. So, if you have any of these items to donate, just call 800-929-8659.
Volunteering her expertise in water aerobics, Gerry Koors distinguished herself this year at the ACB Convention in Des Moines, Iowa by conducting two water aerobics sessions as part of ACB’s recreational program for convention attendees. Although only one event had originally been scheduled, it was such a huge success that attendees clamored for a second one. While Gerry was the official “trainer”, Don acted as traffic engineer and kept children and other pool inhabitants away from the area designated for the ACB group. Both are to be commended for sharing their talents with others during a very busy week and agreeing to do it again next year in Houston, Texas.
Josephine Price Recovering From A Fall
Jo Price had volunteered, too, to participate in the ACB recreational program during convention week by conducting knitting classes. Everyone knows what an outstanding crafter she is in this area. Unfortunately, just prior to the event, she fell and sustained cracked bones that drastically curtailed her mobility. She is mending well, though, and it is hoped that she will be as good as new real soon. She already is looking forward to being a part of the program during the 2002 ACB convention in Houston.
Dr. Michael Bina, Superintendent of the Indiana School for the Blind (ISB) has left Indiana to assume the Presidency of the Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, Illinois, a position vacated by retiring Dr. Robert Winn. During Mike’s tenure at ISB, the school has flourished and gained national recognition for its innovative programs and services. It was with mixed emotions that colleagues and friends said farewell in a number of special events. Although all felt a great loss, they understood the new challenges afforded at Hadley and wished him well as he continues to serve blind and visually impaired now in the national and international arenas.
July 11, 2001 was a special day in the life of ACBI long-time member and Past President Evelyn Meyer. It was the day she bid farewell to her nearly 30 years of paid employment with the visually impaired population in Marion, Indiana. Not only was the party given July 12 in her honor well attended by friends, co-workers and city officials but it was a real celebration in another way as well. Marion Mayor Bill Henry had proclaimed the day as “Evelyn Meyer Day” honoring her many years of service.
Evelyn joined the Grant County Association of the Blind in 1972. She was appointed Volunteer Director of Services in 1974. A one-room office was leased and furnished by donations from several community organizations.
In 1979, Evelyn was hired as paid Executive Director of the growing agency. Under her leadership the name changed to include services for the hearing impaired, and programs offered have increased to include sign language and Braille classes, a regular information TV program and many more services.
A Sagamore of the Wabash, Evelyn has received several state and national recognitions.
Evelyn may be leaving her duties as the Executive Director of Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired Inc. of Grant County but, as one would expect, she plans to remain active in her work with visually impaired people.
The position Evelyn vacates has been assigned to the new Executive Director Linda Sanders who commented that “While I may be taking Evelyn’s place, I will not be filling her shoes. It’s a large plate to fill.”
Editor’s Note:
ACBI adds its congratulations, too, for a job very well done!!
Indiana’s Prescription Drug Program for Low-Income Seniors
590,000 Hoosiers who are on Medicare Part A and Part B programs recently received flyers describing HoosierRx as to who is eligible, what is covered, and how to enroll to claim a partial refund for prescription drug costs. This special mailing also contained an application so that any seniors who thought they may be eligible could send in their application (along with proof of income) to get their application processed as soon as possible.
So far, HoosierRx has helped pay prescription costs for 7,121 Indiana seniors. As of May 31, 2001, prescription refunds totaling $715,532 have been paid to enrollees. More information about HoosierRx may be obtained on-line at <http://www.IN.gov/HoosierRx> or by calling toll-free at 1-866-267-4679.
Brief Overview of Eligibility
Seniors with income below $967 a month for a single person, or $1,307 for a married couple, can receive refunds of half of their prescription costs, up to $500 a year. Single and married couples who receive less income ($716 per month for a single person, or $968 per month for a married couple), can receive a refund of half of their prescription costs, up to $1,000 a year. Income counted is “net” income, or what one actually receives from Social Security, pension, or interest.
HoosierRx was created by members of the General Assembly who approved Governor O’Bannon’s plan to create the program from funds set aside from the state’s tobacco settlement. This program was launched in October 2000.
Note: Another important part of this special mailing was the inclusion of information about the state’s Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) that helps eligible Medicare beneficiaries pay their Medicare premiums, co-insurance and deductible costs. For information about this program, call SHIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, at the Indiana Department of Insurance, toll-free at 1-800-452-4800.
The week-long ACB convention in Des Moines, Iowa culminated with almost entirely new Officers. Those elected were Chris Gray, President, Stephen Speicher, 1st Vice-President, M. J. Schmitt, 2nd Vice-President, Donna Seliger, Secretary, and Ardis Bazyn, Treasurer. Brian Charlson was then elected to fill the 1-year Board position vacated by M. J. Schmitt.
The entire 2001 convention program, including Friends in Art Showcase and the ACB Banquet, can be heard via the Internet. Just go to <www.acb.org> and click on any (or all) of the segments you would like to hear. The audio-streaming was great this year thanks to Jonathan Mosen, Host of ACB Radio.
ACB Radio, located on the Internet at <http://www.acbradio.org>, is a webcasting service owned and operated by the American Council of the Blind, and streams through server facilities provided by Live365.com. Its service currently offers four Internet radio stations that you can receive using many popular and free Internet audio players, including Windows Media Player, Winamp and RealPlayer. ACB Radio can also be heard with the $20 RealPlayer Plus package.
ACB Radio Mainstream is its flagship product. It broadcasts two hours of new content every week day from 1 to 3 hours Universal time, that’s Sunday to Thursday 8 to 10 PM Eastern Standard Time. The programmes are repeated around the clock. ACB Radio Mainstream features its Main Menu technology show, its Blind Line general blindness talk show, Faith Matters, Cry Justice, Bahai Perspectives, Horizons from Blind Citizens Australia, Britain’s National Talking Express and Soundings, and much more. You can find regularly updated programming information on the <http://www.acb.org/acblive/mainstream.html> Page.
Many of these programmes are live and interactive, allowing you to phone in. Ask questions of the guests or participate in the open forums where you can raise issues of importance. ACB Radio’s call-in facilities are generously donated by Spiderphone.
ACB Radio Interactive is the station where you can hear blind radio personalities hosting music shows from around the globe. Currently, ACB Radio Interactive operates live from Thursday to Tuesday. Visit <http://www.acb.org/acblive/acbri.html> for details. It is always interested in hearing from people who would like to host their own show on ACB Radio Interactive.
The ACB Radio Cafe is where you’ll hear blind musicians from around the world. Some music is commercially available and well known. Some is not commercially available and should be! The ACB Radio Cafe features all genres of music, and is always keen to receive new material!
Two versions of the ACB Cafe are available. If you have a high speed connection, such as DSL, cable, ISDN or are on a corporate LAN, you can listen to their Broadband Stream for high quality stereo sound. A version is also available for modem users. For more details, visit <http://www.acb.org/acblive/cafe.html>.
ACB Radio Treasure-Trove plays nothing but classic radio drama and comedy. You’ll hear detective stories, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, super-heroes, comedy and more, and the audio description is guaranteed! For more details, visit <http://www.acb.org/acblive/treasure-trove.html>.
It also offers a simple way for you to use Winamp or RealPlayer to switch between their streams. To learn more go to <http://www.acb.org/acblive/tuner.html>. As well as the four ACB Radio streams, many of the programmes are available through the web site, on demand. This simply means that you’re not restricted by our schedule. Simply choose what you want to hear, when you want to hear it. For example, this is where you can hear the proceedings of the 2001 ACB Convention just held in Des Moines, Iowa. Go to <http://www.acb.org/acblive/demand.html> to learn more.
The support section at <http://www.acb.org/acblive/support.html> features information on improving your listening experience, frequently asked questions on a range of subjects relating to ACB Radio, and information about how to get in touch with ACB Radio. Please visit those pages to see if your questions are answered there, and if they are not, please get in touch. Your comments on the station, either directly or via the discussion list are always welcome.
NOTE: An ACB Radio Promotional CD is available for downloading and can be freely copied and shared with others so long as no changes are made. The downloadable version comes as a zip file containing the 7 tracks of the CD in very high quality MP3 format. It should be suitable for burning onto a CD if you have this facility. It is 51 MB so it will take some time to download.
The PRIMER: A $295 Electronic Magnifier
People with severe vision impairment caused by macular degeneration and other retinal diseases require high levels of magnification to accomplish the tasks of everyday living, such as reading mail, writing checks and checking prescription bottles. In the early stages of such disease, hand-held optical magnifiers can be adequate, but difficult to use. Electronic magnifiers, also known as CCTVs, provide a degree of magnification and ease of use not possible with ordinary hand-held optical magnifiers, but their cost has been prohibitive to many potential users.
The PRIMER, recently introduced by Innoventions, Inc. of Littleton, Colorado, is an entry-level electronic magnifier that works with any television set to provide magnification beyond that possible with hand-held optical magnifiers, up to 15 times using a 20 inch television set. At a cost of $295, the device is well below the $1,000 plus cost of devices previously available. The PRIMER provides clear black and white images of printed materials of any kind, including newspapers, telephone books, food cans and packages of all types, and photographs. The PRIMER also can display images in both enhanced black on white, and enhanced white on black to further improve readability.
The PRIMER is available directly from Innoventions, or through many doctor’s vision practices or organizations serving the visually impaired.
PRIMER literature and photographs ready for printing are available for download at:
www.magnicam.com/primer.html>.
Contact: Innoventions, Inc., 5921 S. Middlefield Rd – Ste. 102, Littleton, CO 80123. Tel: 800-854-6554 / 303-797-6554. Fax: 303-727-4940. E-Mail: <magnicam@magnicam.com> Web: <www.magnicam.com>
The Talking Rx Tells the Blind and Vision-Impaired How to Take Prescriptions
Millennium Compliance Corporation of Southington, Ct. has launched a new product designed specifically to help people take their medications correctly. Created by a pharmacist, the Talking Rx attaches to the bottom of a standard prescription bottle and has an audio chip inside. Simply touch the only button (red) on the outside of the unit and listen to the instructions. The Talking Rx is a self-contained, easy-to-use device requiring no up-front investment in software readers or other hardware. It is only 1.5 inches high and retails for $19.95.
This product is ideal for the vision-impaired, seniors and for those whom English is a second language. Users simply push the red button, listen and follow the pharmacist or physician’s instructions. The structions (up to sixty seconds) cover what the medication is for, when to take it, how to take it and possible side effects. The sound quality of the device is clear and audible with playback at 80-85 decibels. It should be held at least 3 inches from the ear. Instructions can also be given in an individual’s native language, thereby minimizing confusion and misuse of medications. After a prescription is finished, the same Talking Rx device can be used for a different prescription.
The patented and portable Talking Rx uses 3 readily available watch batteries, is water-resistant and is ultrasonically welded for security. The message can be changed at the point of service, rather than through the mail, which means caregivers in the home can even change the message.
Millennium Compliance Corporation has four founding partners with a wealth of business expertise: President and Inventor John C. Dobbins, a 20 years pharmacist, Secretary Dr. John Dagianis, an ophthalmologist, eye surgeon and founder of Nashua Eye Associates, Paul J. Dobbins, Chairman of the Board, mechanical engineer and Vice President of Operations, and Gary Smith, a biotech engineer.
For more information about the Talking Rx or to learn about the device, go to Website at <www.talkingrx.com> or contact John Dobbins at 860-426-0542. Mailing address: Millennium Compliance Corporation, P.O. Box 649, Southington, CT 06489. E-Mail: <323dobbs@home.com>
Orders may be placed directly through Vision Dynamics, 470 West Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410. Tel: 203-271-1944.
Medication Information On the Web
If you are looking for information regarding how and/or when to take different medications, potential side effects, etc., surf by either <www.drugstore.com> or <www.mdadvice.com>. Just enter the name of the medication you’re looking for, whether it be prescription or nonprescription, in the search box, and you’ll get information about that medication.
New From Descriptive Video Service (DVS)
Dracula: This 1931 horror classic stars Bela Lugos in his most famous role as the quintessential Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula. Universal Pictures, Not Rated. Catalogue Nbr. 70624. $14.98
Primary Colors: This story follows a
fictional – but very Clintonesque – Southern governor (John
Travolta) on his rocky road to the White House. Also starring Emma
Thompson and Kathy Bates.
Universal Pictures. Rated R.
Catalogue Nbr. 70625. $9.98
Soul Food: This drama-comedy focuses
on a contentious, African-American family that gathers each Sunday
night for soul food. Starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox, Nia Long
and Irma P. Hall. FoxVideo. Rated R.
Catalog Nbr. 70621. $14.98
The X Files: A full-length adaptation
of the popular Fox television series, starring David Duchovny and
Gillian Anderson. FoxVideo. Rated PG-13.
Catalog Nbr. 70623. $14.98
X-Men: Entertaining big-screen
version of the comic book classic starring Patrick Stewart, Ian
McKellen, and Halle Berry. FoxVideo. Rated PG-13.
Catalog Nbr. 70622. $14.98
To order, call 1-317-579-0439. For a full catalog of DVS Home Videos, visit their Website at <www.dvs.org> or call 1-800-333-1203.
Road Runner Talking Bible is a hand-held reader from Ostrich Software that makes listening to the Bible easy to do. For the sight-impaired or people who have disabilities that make reading difficult, Road Runner really delivers: it reads the Bible anytime, anywhere, and at reading and comprehension rates that make it easy to understand. It currently provides choices in the version the user wishes to read; i.e., King James, American Standard, or New American Standard. More versions will be available in the near future. The reader can move to any location in the Bible with the press of a button. Dedicated buttons allow the user to jump through the text by verse, chapter, or book. Another feature worth noting is the automatic bookmark that saves the reader’s place so s/he can pick up exactly where s/he left off. Also, the controls are easy to adjust voice type, reading speed, and volume. There is a built-in Talking Help file and Guide that explains how to use all the features.
Although the unit is small and weighs only 4 ounces with batteries, it runs up to four weeks of normal use. A stereo headphone jack and headphones for private listening are included with each unit.
This system certainly eliminates the cumbersomeness of a cassette player and tapes, as well as bulky Braille volumes.
Cost: $199. Order from: Ostrich Software, 375 Diablo Rd. – Suite 105, Danville, CA 94526. Tel: 925-552-0750. Fax: 925-838-2958. E-Mail: <support@ostrichsoftware.com> Web: <www.ostrichsoftware.com>
Dolly Sowder, President
Tel: 812-279-1669
E-Mail: <sowder@kiva.net>
Don Koors, Treasurer
Tel: 317-251-2562
E-Mail: <DKoors@fssa.state.in.us>
Editor: Pat Price
Tel: 317-254-1185
E-Mail: <pprice@indy.rr.com>
Webmaster: pprice@indy.rr.com
Updated: November 4, 2001