March, 2009
Table of Contents
Back to the Chronicle Archives
By Denny Huff
It’s hard to believe that the first three months of my Presidency have gone by, but here it is February 1st and it is once again time to give you my report.
Let me say, before going any further, that I want to offer my condolences to Trudy Blood on the loss of her husband, Galen. Galen had become a familiar voice over the past few years as he performed many tasks for MCB. He will truly be missed not only by Trudy but by all that knew him. Also, I send out condolences to our Executive Director, Bev Armstrong, on the loss of her mother. Although her mother was 98 years of age, it is never easy to give up someone that you love so dearly. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you, Bev.
My first order of business was to appoint the chairs for the various committees we have in MCB. I did keep several of the previous chairs, but there were some new ones I appointed simply because I felt they were the best person for the job. I did eliminate the audio committee and the senior citizen committee and created a new committee called the Low Vision committee. These committee chairs were approved during our November 15th board meeting.
During that board meeting the board decided not to hire a CPA to look at our office policy. This had come at the request of the Missouri State Attorney General to help insure that we do not put ourselves in the position to allow what happened with the debit card last year to happen again. The motion failed to hire a CPA, but we are going to address this policy with the Budget and Finance committee and hopefully we will be able to satisfy the Attorney General with our recommendations.
Also, during that November 15th board meeting, the board approved having our parliamentarian, Virginia Berberick, present at each board meeting. Virginia has been a blessing to me and the board. Her expertise on conducting a board meeting has been invaluable.
Another item approved by the board is the MCB Connect. This conference call is designed to be an informative time with guest speakers talking to us about various issues. It is also a time for the general membership to have their comments, recommendations or concerns made known. Although the board approved us using a toll free number, we feel as though since there was so few needing toll free access, we would continue using the toll number. If there are any members that do not have unlimited long distance and would like to participate in this conference, we certainly don’t want to leave you out. What we are asking you to do is to call me and let me know that you would like to participate and I will then make sure that you are contacted and included in on the call. My tool free number is: 1-888-362-1383. The number to call for the conference is: 1-616-712-8000 and the pass code is: 250486#. The MCB Connect takes place every third Sunday of the month at 2:00 PM, and everyone is welcome to join us. We have also set up an MCB Phonecast. This is a phone service that you can call and hear various announcements either from me or someone else connected with MCB. That number to call is: 1-816-298-8969. One other way of communicating with the general membership is what is called a call blast. This works very similar to a political announcement you may have received during an election year. It is a short 30 second announcement informing you of an upcoming event or an important announcement I feel you should be made aware of. If you would like to receive this call blast, just call the office and give them your name and the phone number you would like to have called. The office number is: 1-314-832-7172.
During our next board meeting, which was on November 25th, the board approved hiring the Rubin Brown CPA firm. We have delegated them the responsibility of making our 990 more presentable not only to the IRS but to potential donors also. At the time of this writing we have not moved forward with them, but rather have depended on our current CPA from West Plains MO to take a look at it for us. We feel as though he may be able to offer suggestions that will benefit us and not be a conflict of interest since he is an independent auditor.
The board also approved what we hope will become an annual Youth Convention. Our First Vice President, James Hollins, will head up this event. It will include guest speakers, breakout sessions of interest to the youth and many other activities. The main goal of this convention is to increase the membership of young people in MCB. The dates for the Youth Convention will be the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of August. Good luck with this, James. I am sure you will do a great job with it.
Moving forward to December, I found myself attending several Christmas parties. These included the St. Charles County Council, RITE, Southwest Friendship council, the St. Louis Council and a joint party by Delta Area Council and River City Workers. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet the members of these affiliates and enjoyed their hospitality. I also attended a regular business meeting of the Blind of Central Missouri affiliate. This, too, was an enjoyable experience.
In our next board meeting that took place on January 19th, the board heard from our attorneys concerning the thrift stores. Mark Fells and Debbie Greider went over the options of a possible settlement with the Henderson Management Co. They have made an offer to us and we are currently negotiating with them through our attorneys. I appointed a settlement committee consisting of James Hollins, Franklin Johnson, Trudy Steele, Beverly Kaskadden and myself. The board has given this committee the power to approve any reasonable settlement offered by HMC.
The board also approved a $5,000.00 budget line for the Resource and Development committee. This committee will be responsible for organizing the fund raising events that MCB has planned. These events include an annual Guide Dog Walk, a White Cane Walk, a Trivia Night and a Bowling In the Dark event. If you would like to have more information about any of these events, or if you would like to volunteer to help, please give me a call and I will put you in touch with the right person.
On Saturday, January 10th, John Weidlich and I spent the day recording interviews with the various chairs of the committees we have. It is my intention to put some of these interviews on to a CD and then make that CD available to prospective members and existing members that want to know more about what MCB has to offer. These interviews will also be featured on our MCB phonecast from time to time and will also be available for listening on our web page in the audio section. My thanks to John and all of the chairs for giving their time that day.
It was a privilege to have met with representatives from the Rehab. Services for the Blind and from the Wolfner Library. I, along with several others from MCB, met with Mark Laird, Deputy Director, and Mike Merrick, Assistant Deputy Director of RSB in January at the MCB building. We agreed to continue the teleconference calls with RSB, NFB and MCB. These will be quarterly conference calls, and we will also meet annually in person for a summit with those three organizations. Both parties felt as though it was a good meeting, and we are excited about establishing better relations with RSB.
The next day we met with Dr. Richard Smith from Wolfner Library. That, also, was a very informative session, and we have agreed to assist in recruiting members to the Friends Of Wolfner. Be watching our web page for more information on that. I want to say congratulations to Alicia Starner for her appointment to the Wolfner Advisory Council. Although we have several other members of MCB on the council at this time, they are serving in other capacities and Alicia will be our official Wolfner representative. Again, congratulations Alicia, I know you will represent us well.
Our next regularly scheduled board meeting will be on April 3rd and 4th in Independence, MO at the Hilton Inn. The Hilton is also the location of our 2009 convention in October. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting. It will start at 7:00 PM on Friday evening. If you aren’t able to attend, you can still listen to the proceedings via the Internet. Just go to: www.moblind.org and click on the audio link. This will be streamed to your computer and, although you won’t be able to make comment, you will be able to hear the board meeting.
Let me leave you with this. I am honored to be your President and I really appreciate the support you have shown to me thus far. Although I am your President, I am your servant also. I take my position seriously and I want you to know that I am available to you to hear your comments and concerns. I am one of you and I want MCB to be as good for you as it has been for me. Don’t hesitate to email me or call me with any of your comments or concerns. My email address is: dhuff@moblind.org and my phone number is: 1-888-362-1383.
Thanks to all of you and may the Lord bless you.
By Eldon Cox
Let’s start thinking about the 2009 convention. This years convention will be hosted by Allied Workers for the Blind and Progressive Council of the Blind. We will be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 19677 East Jackson Drive, Independence, Missouri 64057. Phone 816-350-3000.
Room rates are $79 plus tax. Convention dates are Thursday October 8th through Sunday October 11th 2009.
If your affiliate is interested in hosting a state convention in the near future, please contact me so we can begin looking for hotels and accommodations that will meet our needs.
In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the Missouri Council of the Blind will sponsor an essay contest. The essay topic will be how Braille has affected the writer’s life.
Essays shall be 500 words or less, and will be judged on:
- Content
- Originality
- Formatting
- Grammar and punctuation
The essay may be written in contracted or uncontracted Braille and shall be written with either a slate and stylus or a Perkins Brailler.
The essay shall in some way contain a reference to the Missouri Council of the Blind.
Winner of the essay contest will receive the new Perkins Brailler valued at over $600.00. Any blind or visually impaired resident of Missouri 21 years of age and younger is eligible to enter. Entries shall be postmarked no later than July 31, 2009. The winner will be announced at the MCB 2009 annual convention. The winner will be invited to attend the convention and read their winning entry to the entire convention. All expenses will be paid for the winner to attend. Entries should be mailed to the MCB office to the attention of:
Louis Braille Essay
Missouri Council of the Blind
5453 Chippewa
St. Louis, MO 63109
All decisions of the judges are final.
For more information please call the MCB office at:
314-832-7172.
Or email, MoBlind@MoBlind.Org
The Louis Braille essay contest is sponsored by: The Braille Revival League of Missouri special interest affiliate, Library Users of Missouri special interest affiliate and the MCB Youth Services Committee.
The Disability Day Rally will be held in Jefferson City at the Capital this year on March 25th from 10:30 until about 3 pm.
We will start out the morning by going to registration for our materials. Next will be a rally with the Governor and other congressmen and advocates from the disability movement speaking.
After the rally, we will go see our representatives and senators to discuss our issues. Our theme this year is centered around the American Dream, jobs, home and health care.
At 2:30 we will again assemble for our final speakers and, door prizes. We are trying to make sure we have enough Braille and large print materials for everyone. Please let me know how you want your material if you are coming.
Lets all plan to attend and have a great turnout.
By David Rosenkoetter
What do you think of when you hear about boards?—committees, politics, meetings? As important as those things are, let’s consider another type of board. On this board, two armies of sixteen pieces align in battle. The game is chess. From its roots as a Middle Eastern battle preparation exercise, chess is a favorite game of millions of people worldwide—including many who are blind or visually impaired.
In our country, the United States Braille Chess Association oversees the adaption of the game for us who cannot see the board. It is a member affiliate of the larger United States Chess Federation. The organization sponsors two distance education courses through the Hadley School for the Blind. Upon admission to these courses, you receive a free chess set. When you graduate, you get a two year membership in the the United States Braille Chess Association (USBCA).
We who compete in the USBCA enjoy several correspondence (email or phone) tournaments and an in-person championship each year. For more information on chess and steps to join the USBCA, go to our website, www.crisscrosstech.com/usbca.
I have been actively playing chess with the USBCA since the year 2000 and currently serve as its assistant secretary. Along with playing, I thoroughly enjoy meeting other people around the country through the USBCA. Check us out and let your games begin!
By Beverly Shockley
Our first camp session will be the week of June 7-14; and the second session will be July 19-26. Your cost is $75 for adults, and $65 for children up to age 18. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age.
There will be a weekend session for adults only running from the evening of Sept. 10 through noon on Sept. 13 at a cost of $50 per person. You will have to provide your own transportation for this weekend session.
Cobblestone Lodge is a family resort where you will be served 3 meals a day family style. Guests stay in cabins equipped with air conditioners and heaters, and there is a wonderful staff dedicated to seeing that you have a great time. You can choose to participate in a variety of activities including a float trip on the river.
It’s a great opportunity to see old friends and make many new ones.
Applications will be treated on a “first Come” basis, and since space is limited, you need to get them in as soon as possible. Applications can be obtained from your affiliate president, or you can request them by calling the MCB office. Each application must be accompanied by a check or money order made payable to the Missouri Council of the Blind. Please do not send cash. Your application will be considered when we receive the full amount you owe. Applications must be mailed to the summer camp chairman:
Beverly Shockley
3337 Macklind Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63139.
If you have any special needs due to health concerns, please communicate them to us when making your application, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
By Chip Hailey - Chairman
Our MCB Legislative Days was again another huge success.
I would like to thank all of the affiliate legislative reps and their guides for attending, as well as several members at large and many others who came with great enthusiasm.
I can't begin to express what their participation and contribution meant to our success.
I would also like to thank our MCB president, Denny Huff, for attending as well. His support to our legislative cause was more than greatly appreciated and his participation gave strength to our cause.
In addition, I would also like to thank our MCB Executive Director, Bev Armstrong, for also being in attendance. It means so much to all of our legislative attendees to have her present and her knowledge and experience was invaluable.
I also want to publically thank Marty Exline for taking time out of his busy schedule to again assist with our legislative imperatives. Marty's knowledge and expertise is without question a very valueable asset to our Legislative Days.
I must also say thank you to Bev Armstrong and Betsy and Elenor for all of their hard work they did to make this year's Legislative Days one of the best. Thanks, ladies! Your hard work was greatly appreciated and all of your hard work really paid off.
Thanks, too, to our Public Relations Chair, Leroy Welch, for providing our legislators with several MCB office items. I'm sure they were appreciated by all who received them.
I would also like to thank Karl Hirsch, manager of the Capitol cafeteria, for making our visit to the Capitol less stressful by providing us with room to store our luggage as well as our coats and jackets. Even though our legislative breakfast was again terrific, the one disappointment was that we didn't have as many legislative representatives and Senators attend our breakfast as we had hoped. This may have been due partly to the fact that we were in competition with three other breakfasts that were going on at the same time. One was in the Capitol rotunda and two over at the Capitol Plaza. Hopefully, we will have better attendance from our legislators next year.
If you would like to know what our legislative imperatives were for this year, please feel free to contact me or our MCB office.
Thanks, again, to everyone who participated and contributed to this year's MCB Legislative Days. Our legislative endeavors will reap a great harvest for years to come.
Submitted by: Patti Schonlau
Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA)
2100 I-70 Drive, S.W.
Columbia, Missouri
Public Comments: Elaine Houtman shared information regarding NIMAS/NIMAC. She reported that there have been several trainings on how to take the text and convert it into Braille. The last training focused on hard copy Braille and Large Print. Grant applications are available to the schools that have participated in the trainings.
The Braille Challenge is January 24 at Missouri State University in Springfield. Dr. Ajuwon will be the official transcriber. MSU is anticipating 20-25 students in attendance. Several workshops are planned for the parents while the students are participating in the Challenge.
Budget: Jennifer Coy resigned as a Blind Skills Specialist (BSS). Therefore, the BSS half-time position is vacant. BTF monies are only enough to support three positions. Jennifer's position was covered by Professional Development monies.
RSB Transition Policy Presentation: Mike Merrick reported that RSB has not trained counselors, teachers, etc. on policy. RSB has looked at the problems with transition services: 1) determining an appropriate transition case; 2) the responsibility (who pays for what); and 3) what services they will offer.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Must have disability; the disability must be attached to attainable employment; must be in need for Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Criteria: 1) must be legally blind: 2200 or less in best eye with best correction or visual field-point of fixation 20 degrees; 2) must be visually impaired--20/70 or worse in best eye with best correction (only valid if person has progressive condition, i.e. disease, etc.) Visual efficiency--combination of acuity and field and if visual acuity is less than 64%-then person is eligible; 3) must require Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
The 2009 meetings will be held at MSBA. Dates of the meetings are:
February 11, May 13, August 12, and November 11.
Leroy Welch
This is my first report since I was elected as Public Relations chairman. Thanks so much to those of you who voted for me for this position.
We love everyone, and our main concern is to work for the Missouri Council of the Blind in every way we can.
My wife and I attended the legislative days in Jefferson City last February. We visited 23 or 24 representatives and senators. We filled in for the MCB representatives who did not make it to the legislative days. We love doing it!
On April 2nd and 3rd we attended the Children’s Conference in Columbia, and handed out a lot of P. R. material there. Linda Gerken, and her mother, Mrs. Swopes, helped us out.
Then, later on in April, my wife and I attended the Power Up Conference at Tan-tar-a. We had a booth there for 2 days, and handed out more P. R. material there. Linda Burris and Linda Hailey also helped us.
In May we attended the White Cane Walk in Springfield.
June brought a week’s stay at summer camp. Our daughter, Sarah, her husband, Kevin, and our grandson, Justin, joined us there, and we got to visit with many of our old friends.
We attended the ACB Convention in Louisville for one week in early July. We took Leo and Donna Giger along with us, and had a good time. We met a lot of new folks there, and enjoyed the exhibits.
It was a busy year, but we look forward to even a busier one this year.
If any affiliate would like us to be present at a particular function, or if any of you need some promotional items, just let us know and we’ll be glad to help in any way we can.
I want to thank Linda Burris and my wife, Loretta, for all their help. They have been invaluable.
May God bless you all.
Guest editorial by Bill Benson
For years I’ve heard people ask, “Why can’t the two organizations of the blind agree on anything”. Undoubtedly, there is strength in numbers, and unity on some issues could accomplish much.
Therefore, it’s refreshing to see both organizations working to promote the further teaching and use of Braille, and pushing for legislation dealing with the new quiet cars (hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies).
Perhaps it’s stretching things a bit to say that both organizations are working together, but, at least, they aren’t working against one another, and are in agreement as to the need that exists in these areas. Let’s hope we’ll see more similar efforts in the future.
Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.
Over, around and across Missouri. Let's find out what's
happening where.
Judy Burch - BRL Secretary
These past few months have been exciting ones for the Braille Revival League. Since our meeting in October at the state convention, we have been discussing and planning several events in 2009 to commemorate the 200th birthday of Louis Braille.
On January 4, Louis's actual birthday, we held a program at the St. Louis Society for the Blind commemorating this event. Bessie Reece introduced the mistress of ceremonies, Ida Scotti, who presided. President Elizabeth Moore and Judy Burch spoke giving a history of Louis Braille's life, enumerating the importance of Braille both past and present, and inviting those who wished to do so to join and further the work of the Braille Revival League. We heard testimonials by Gennie Eachus and Theresa Moore of Braille's importance to them personally and to everyone. The
program was interspersed with wonderful musical selections given by John Weidlich, June Lenk and Steve Schnelle. The program ended with cake, punch and snacks which were enjoyed by all, and people mingled, getting to know one another. We looked at the various pieces of equipment used today and in the past to read and write Braille such as a very old German Braille writer, a book of Moon type, slates, styluses, and a Braille Note. A
similar program is planned for the folks who reside on the western side of Missouri later this year. We wish to thank our executive director, Bev Armstrong, and her husband, Tom, for helping out with the program and
presentation, those volunteers who assisted with snacks and other things, and the St. Louis Society for the Blind for the use of their facility.
On January 7, Elizabeth Moore and I represented the Braille Revival League as they participated in an event held at the Missouri School for the Blind. The program was a celebration of Louis's birthday and was also a success! The children were enthusiastic as they presented Louis's story with a great play. One of the most fun activities was the presentation of the human Braille cell.
The members of the Braille Revival League are excited to be working with the MCB on the Braille essay contest. At the October, 2009 state MCB
Convention some lucky person will win a new Perkins Brailler. The participants must be 21 years of age or younger, and must submit their essays about the importance of Braille to them in grade 1 or grade 2 Braille. The essays should be sent to the MCB office.
One thing which was decided at our October meeting was that we would hold monthly phone conference calls to discuss BRL business and activities.
As of the end of January, we will have held three such calls, with several calls in between by committees to discuss the finer points of participation in such events as the January 4 event discussed above.
We invite you to become a member of our special interest group as we continue to promote the use of Braille throughout our great state. To join please send your name and address, along with your payment of $15.00, to Susan Pearce, BRL treasurer, at the following address:
4914 Smart Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64124
Phone: (816) 231-4914.
You are also invited to join our monthly conference calls to learn more about who we are and what we do. We will announce dates and times for these calls before they occur.
By Trudy Blood
Hello to everyone from Sedalia,
We are now in the year 2009,
I hope everyone will be doing fine.
Our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner was a big success. We had around 55 members and guests. It was a great time of food, fun and fellowship.
On a sad note, Galen O. Blood passed away on Friday December 26 at around 10:20 p.m. I would like to thank the club for the nice plant, which was a Peace Lilly, and for their nice card; also, thanks for the nice card from Susan and Terry. I would like to also thank those who sent money. It was very much appreciated. It is nice to know that I have so many friends. We had a great memorial service for him on December 30. It was what he would have wanted. He will really be missed.
We were honored to have our MCB President, Denny Huff, attend our January meeting. He really gave a good talk.
By the time you receive this it will hopefully be warmer weather. Until next time, keep your smile, and a song in your heart; and, if you can't be good, be good at it.
Trudy Blood, Recording Secretary
Obituary of Galen O. Blood
Galen O. Blood, 1954-2008 Sedalia, Missouri
Galen O. Blood, age 54 of Sedalia, died Friday, December 26th, 2008 at Bothwell Regional Health Center.
He was born April 23rd 1954 in Corning, Iowa, the son of Jack O. and Roxanna Ora Armstrong Blood. He attended the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving school in Vinton, Iowa. He was a worker in various sheltered workshops in Iowa, before moving to Kansas City, Missouri in 1995. He moved to Sedalia, Missouri in 2001, and on June 25th, 2002 he was married to Trudy Gail Cotter in Sedalia, Missouri, who survives of the home. He was a big Saint Louis Cardinals fan since he was 3 years old, and loved listening to the games on the radio. He enjoyed life, and always gave people a big smile. He is also survived by his father, Jack O. Blood of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas; 1 sister, Mari Love, of Des Moines, Iowa, and 2 brothers, Chuck O. Blood of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, and Mel O. Blood of Phoenix, Arizona. He was predeceased by his mother, Roxanna Blood. The family had a memorial gathering in the conference room at the Comfort Inn in Sedalia, Missouri at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008. The family suggests memorials to the Blind of Central Missouri in care of McLaughlin funeral chapel. Condolences may be offered online at www.mclaughlinchapel.com.
My Sweet heart
Galen always enjoyed giving people a smile;
He would go the extra mile.
He was always so jolly and cool.
At camp he always loved to swim in the pool.
If I was having a problem he would ask, “What's wrong, Love?”
For me he would go beyond and above.
With computers he was very smart.
He always wanted people to keep a smile, and a song in their heart.
If I was upset he would say, "Scream and holler, but don't panic".
He always loved to be romantic.
If I wasn't sure about doing something he would say, “"you won't
Learn any younger”.
If he ran in to a bad situation he would say, "I’ve had worser”.
He enjoyed and had a good outlook on life.
I am glad to have been his sweet and loving wife.
I love my sweet heart,
All my love, all my life.
I love my true companion.
To Galen O. Blood
From Trudy Gail Blood
By David Rosenketter
During the past three months, the Progressive Council has engaged its members and the larger Kansas City community on several fronts. Both in maintaining our focus as an affiliate and in forwarding the independence of blind people, we have taken seriously the mission for which our chapter stands.
Transportation has taken center stage for many of us. With the change in ownership of Para transit services from City Cab to Veolia, we have taken strides in seeking the best service for the blindness community. Some of our members have formed an adhoc committee designed to assist customers with their complaints and to help the Kansas City Area Transit Authority improve its relationship with its riders. Perhaps, the highpoint of this effort took place on January 13, when members from several blindness-related organizations met with our local transit authority and its contractors. We discussed the direction the KCATA wants to move with its services as well as areas where they have not met our needs.
Several of us are also gearing up for our council's Legislative days, and are looking forward to participation in other disability awareness forums in March and April. To this end, we have begun making our travel arrangements and discussing such touch points as transportation, guide dog access, etc.
In building our own foundation, we invited perspective members to join us at the State convention and at our annual Christmas dinner. We held our dinner this year on December 6 at the Grand Fallon restaurant in Kansas City. In addition, our members participated in helping several children in our area celebrate Christmas with the donation of several gifts for them. Many of the same members have been assisting our city with its dialogue in the dark, a project to help the general public more fully include blind people in daily life.
All this said, Progressive Council continues to contribute to people's awareness and acceptance of us who are blind and visually impaired.
By Janelle Edwards
Our club's annual Thanksgiving dinner occurred at a local restaurant. The members of the West Plains club were invited to be our guests as usual for this event, and some of them were able to join us. Some of our members plan to visit their club in February.
Our December meeting consisted of our traditional Christmas dinner and $5.00 gift exchange.
During the holiday season, we voted to assist a needy family that included a blind family member.
We have scheduled the annual White Cane Walk on Saturday May 9. Lunch is provided and we plan to have entertainment. All MCB members are invited to attend. We hope many of you can join us.
By Bill Benson - President
Greetings to all,
We want to extend the warmest of welcomes to our newest members, Mary and Mike Hale. They recently moved to St. Louis from Ohio, and we are both honored and grateful that they chose to be a part of our group. We know they will both be big assets to our organization and the MCB.
We held our Holiday party on December 28th, and were very happy to have MCB President, Denny Huff, join us as a special guest. Many of our members got to meet Denny for the first time.
Sadness inevitably finds its way into each of our lives at some time or other. Such was the case when Bev Armstrong recently lost her mother. The loss of a parent is one of the most difficult things with which life confronts us, and, Bev, you have our sincere sympathy and empathy.
We hope all are enjoying some warmer weather, and looking forward to a happy and glorious Easter.
“THEY’RE FREE! THEY’RE FREE! THEY’RE FREE!”
Proclaimed the sign bold and large.
The store gave out dead batteries.
If they’re dead, they’re free of charge!
It was starting to seem as if spring would never get here, but guess it won’t be long now.
I always look forward to these visits, and to sharing all sorts of tidbits with you. As usual, I must remind you that any mention of a product or service should not be taken as a solicitation for or an endorsement. We mention them here hoping they may hold some interest value. Okay? Here we go.
Optacon Users Unite To Preserve Valuable Reading Device: The Optacon user list would like to share the following information with all current and former Optacon users.
1. The Optacons can still be repaired. There are repairers located in the U.S., Canada, England and Australia.
2. We are seeking all non-working or unused Optacons. These will be repaired and put back into circulation.
3. We invite all current Optacon users to fill out a brief survey describing their experiences both negative and positive.
4. If we can collect enough survey data, there is a possibility of re-developing the Optacon with modern circuitry to read some of the types of modern displays which other devices cannot read at this time.
5. There is a very active Optacon e-list where users share experiences and make plans for the future of the Optacon.
If you would like information on any of the above or have any questions, please e-mail braille@panix.com
What is an Optacon? Invented in the early 1970's, the Optacon uses a hand-held camera to explore a print document and convert the picture of what it finds onto a small tactile array composed of vibrating pins. The tactile picture is very tiny--about the size of a standard print letter or number. With practice, the user can move the camera over the printed material and read the images on the tactile array. The Optacon was manufactured until the early 1990's.--Catherine Thomas
VICUG-L: VICUG-L's subscribers pool knowledge and resources to help each other function at their best in this fast-changing electronic age. They exchange educational materials, keep one another apprised of local activities, and discuss strategies for co-ordinated action. Unlike most mailing lists, VICUG-L is a dialogue, rather than a discussion or a chat list. This means that the list exists mainly as a means of sharing and exchanging information, news, innovations, trends, and reports on local service, educational programs, organizing efforts, and advocacy activities. VICUG-L is a network--a means of locating resources, finding answers, and developing strategies for learning and mastering adaptive technology. VICUG-L offers a grass-roots alternative to a community too long divided by geography and the limitations of traditional media. Thanks to the internet, for the first time in history, we, as blind individuals, have the capacity to share skills and expertise with one another; to keep each other apprised of our activities and agendas; to share educational materials and organizational experiences. It is a bridge between the global and the local. In a word, it is VICUG-L, the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List. Find them archived on the World Wide Web at
http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
Update on Linda Burris. Chip Hailey shared the following info with the MCB Listservve: “Linda Burris asked me to let everyone know that she really appreciated your prayers as she underwent a total knee replacement on her right knee. She said the knee was bone against bone completely across the knee, and she wished she would have had the replacement done much earlier. She said she is not in as much pain as she was before the surgery. She was released from Springfield's St. John's Hospital, and is now at Brooke Haven Health Care in West Plains.
Brooke Haven Healthcare; 1410 Kentucky; West Plains, MO 65775. However, she asked that any get well cards be sent to her home at: 1906 Bluebird Way; West Plains, Mo., 65775. You may also e-mail her at blburris@centurytel.net.
A new National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families has been established in Berkeley, Calif. under the auspices of Through the Looking Glass, a non-profit organization founded in 1982. The center will oversee several national research studies concerning parents with disabilities and their families, as well as provide consultations, training and publications to parents, family members and professionals. The new center will focus its research and resource activities on four critical areas that impact parents with disabilities: custody; family roles and personal assistance; Para transit; and intervention with parents with cognitive disabilities and their children. One of the notable activities planned over the next three years is a scholarship program for high school seniors and college students whose parents have disabilities. The center will be staffed by nationally recognized experts regarding parents with disabilities, most of whom have personal or family experience with disability or deafness. More information is available at
www.lookingglass.org or contact the center by phone, 1-800-644-2666; by TTY/TDD, 1-800-804-1616, or by e-mail, tlg@lookingglass.org.
Frequently Overlooked Tax Credit: Many disabled taxpayers may be overlooking a valuable tax credit that could increase their federal income tax refunds by as much as $4,824. The IRS estimates that up to one in four taxpayers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to claim it. You may qualify if your income was under $41,646 last year and you, or your spouse, worked or received disability retirement benefits under an employer plan and were under the minimum retirement age. The amount of your EITC depends on several factors, such as the amount of your earned income, your filing status, whether you have children and how many, etc. Special rules apply if you have a child who is permanently and totally disabled. To get the credit you earned, you must 1. file a federal income tax return and 2. claim the credit. Many communities have volunteer income tax assistance sites or local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers, which will compute your EITC and prepare your return without charge. To locate a volunteer site, call your community's number for local services or call the IRS at 1-800-906-9887. Find more information about EITC in alternative formats for people with print disabilities at www.irs.gov. Follow the home page link to "Accessibility," then the link to "Accessible IRS Tax Products" and select the appropriate link to download accessible forms or publications. The IRS web site provides accessible electronic files in formats including ASCII text (.txt), Braille-ready format (.brf), and Talking Tax forms in PDF that work with MSAA-compliant screen-reading software and Braille display devices.
Possible Employment Opportunity: The US Census is hiring All over the country. Flexible times, (excellent pay). Call them 1-866-861-2010 or visit their site: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/
My understanding is that you can apply for different positions and here is some additional information: They need people all over the country to help them verify all the addresses. As you can imagine, there have been a LOT of homes built since the last census! Next year, after the census is mailed out and people haven't responded, they'll have to have people go around to see if we can help get the information for them. The website above has a lot of information. You can find out what the jobs consist of, how much they pay in YOUR area, how to apply, etc.
For those who apply: Bring your SS card to the testing site. There is an application and sample test online. If you fill out the application from online, bring it with you to the testing site, too. It takes about 1 1/2 hours at the site. The test is 28 questions and takes 30 minutes but with the time
taken to get signed in, fill out applications, and if you choose to wait to find out your score, it takes longer than you might think. Also, everyone takes 30 minutes to take the test since even if you finish early, you must wait for them to collect them all at the end. Make sure you pass this on to your friends and family, you never know who might just be thinking about doing something like this, making extra money part-time, or someone whose job might be at risk due to the
economy right now!!!
According to Dr. Aaron Weingeist, an ophthalmologist in Seattle, “Eye diseases become more common as we age. By the time you hit 40 years old, diseases such as primary open-angle glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can begin to show early signs. Often patients with eye diseases do not have recognizable symptoms until the diseases are quite advanced. Vision problems can be prevented only if identified and treated early.” By 2020, 43 million Americans will be at risk for significant vision loss or blindness from age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration, an increase of more than 50 percent over the current number of Americans with these diseases. Despite the statistics, many Americans are more concerned about weight gain or back pain than they are about vision loss. “Unfortunately, millions of people will suffer significant vision loss and blindness because they don’t know their risks,” said Dr. Weingeist. “I can’t stress enough the importance of getting your baseline exam, because knowing your risks can save your sight.” Learn about eye diseases, your risk factors and the names of eye M.D.s in your area by visiting
www.GetEyeSmart.org.
Something New At Disney Land. Here’s an interesting item passed along by Nancy Lynn: “I am a Disney Cast member working for the Disney Travel Company here in Anaheim California. Today I had the opportunity to help evaluate a new project Disney will soon make available in their Anaheim and Florida theme parks. Later this year, the Disneyland resort will have audio descriptions on their attractions. Florida already has some in place. Today we evaluated whinnie the Pooh. Disneyland is also working on The Finding nemo Submarine Attraction and Pirates. Guests would put a deposit down on a receiver which is attached to a lanyard. They would have a headset on and as they walked up to the cue of the attraction the description would begin. It’s based on each segment of the attraction having frequencies which would trigger based upon where the guest was at any moment. WGBH wrote the dialog and recorded it and now Disney is working on the syncing of the dialog with the attraction recordings. It’s very impressive and they did an excellent job based upon the Whinnie the Pooh attraction we evaluated today. Disney World already has this available and later this year or early next year, lanyards will also have Gps receivers in Disney World so
that guests in the park can tell where they are as they move through the park. Disneyland will also have it shortly after that time period. This would be of great benefit to blind as well as sighted guests.”
Listen To Movies On Line: Denny Huff would like you to know that, if you are a computer user, you can download the audio of over 400 movies (many of them described) free of charge. Go to: http://www.blindmicemart.com/assets/product_images/movies2.html Instructions are available on how to download the movies from SendSpace.
Clean Your Braille Writer: Jay Williams has written instructions on how you can clean your Braille writer, and he will gladly e-mail them to you. Contact him by e-mailing: mytrombona@bellsouth.net
Well, guess that does it for the Drawer this time. Have a blessed Easter Season, and a safe and happy spring. See you come summer.
Back to the Chronicle Archives