Fore~Sight
Newsletter
of the
Summer
2011
President’s
Message By Ron Brooks
At last Summer’s ACB
National Conference and Convention, which the AzCB hosted in
Now I’m not one of those people who update
my family and friends on what I had for breakfast, where I’ve been and where
I’m going on an hourly basis or about what happened on my favorite TV show last
night—I have friends in my network who do this, and it drives me to
distraction. However, I am starting to see the real power of social media, both
as a tool for personal and professional networking as well as for organizations
like our own AzCB.
With that as an introduction, I want to
spend some time discussing what I consider to be the key advantages of social
media sites like Twitter and Facebook to the more traditional forms of
communication like our newsletter and website, and I want to share what the
AzCB has already done and what we will be doing in the near future in the area
of social media, and my vision for how we will eventually use social media
sites like Facebook and Twitter to better connect with our members, our
community and the rest of the public. It’s my hope that this article will
encourage each of you to see the potential of social media for yourselves and
to give it a try—if you haven’t already.
First, I want to spend a few lines sharing
what I believe are the key advantages social media holds over more traditional
forms of communication, such as print, email and even the Internet. First
social media is, well, social. As a subscriber to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,
or a whole host of other social media sites, you can friend, follow or connect
with any person, group or cause, based solely on your own interests, and you
can add to, delete from or change your social network with nothing more than a
mouse click or the enter key. Once you build your social network (and this can
be anything from one person to thousands of individuals and groups), you can
instantaneously give and share information, updates, questions, pictures, links
to interesting websites, or just about anything else that can transmit
electronically. Furthermore, you and your social network can discuss these
things—agreeing or disagreeing on likes, dislikes, and everything in-between.
Next, social media is fast. You can share the contents of your breakfast, and
in ten seconds, people from across your network can be digesting your orange
juice and commenting on your choice of brand. Taken together, these
characteristics of social networking make it as different from print media,
email and even the Internet as white is from black or snakes are from
butterflies. Think of it this way. How can you compare a newsletter that takes
several weeks to produce and send to a list of subscribers who aren’t updated
until the annual renewal campaign, or even the static content of a website that
can only be changed by an authorized web master, to a social network which is
continuously growing, shrinking and changing, and which is giving, receiving,
commenting on, debating and learning from information all in real time? Simply
put, you can’t. This is not to say that social media can or should replace
other forms of communication. In fact, social media can and should be used to
strengthen the other forms already in use, but to tdo his, it is essential to
take an honest look at the strengths and weakness of each traditional form of
communication.
For years, the AzCB has considered
Foresight as its primary communication channel with members, prospective
members and others interested in our mission. Foresight is our best tool for
leaving behind information at meetings, conferences and other places where we
need to get a message to a broad and undefined audience. Foresight has no
limitations on space or design—other than what we can afford. Foresight can be
read by anyone, and even if the power goes out, Foresight can be accessible.
The problem with Foresight is immediacy. It takes four to six weeks to create,
edit, produce and distribute Foresight, and once it’s written and distributed,
it cannot be modified. Furthermore, Foresight is a one-way communication tool.
People can read it, but we cannot gain any feedback from Foresight—other than
the occasional letter back to the Editor or the even more infrequent article in
response to a prior article or edition. The bottom line for Foresight is that
we need it, but it can only effectively serve the limited purpose of providing
very accessible, very portable information for general purposes.
For the past few years, AzCB has been
building, refining and improving its website, http://www.azcb.org. Like
Foresight, the website is largely a one-directional form of communication—where
the AzCB provides information, but unlike Foresight, the content can be updated
frequently, and to the extent that we permit it, visitors can offer feedback.
What the website cannot easily do is offer a forum for immediate
information-sharing and communication, and the website is especially ill-suited
for the back-and-forth communication that happens in real-time on sites like
Twitter and Facebook. Given these strengths and limitations, the best use for a
website is general information, documents (including everything from our
Constitution to back issues of Foresight to Convention pictures), the provision
of announcements that we want to get to a broad but undefined audience (things
like chapter meeting announcements) and for the sharing of links to other
relevant content on the Web—these can include groups, organizations, websites
devoted to issues of interest, etc.
In order to facilitate member-to-member communication,
the AzCB has established a number of email lists. These are excellent because
they allow members to communicate directly with other members on common
interests or tasks or on areas of shared interest, like the AzCB itself. The
nice thing about email lists is convenience. Emails come directly to each members’ inboxes, and messages can be as short or as long as
the subject warrants. Furthermore, email list members can conduct conversations
and business without having to wade through a busy Internet website to do so.
There is also the potential for privacy on an email list—as these tend to be
fairly closed communities, and depending on how the list is moderated, it can
be fairly tightly managed.
So with all of these
communication channels, what is the role for social media? Well, I see
it as threefold.
First, because social networks are defined
by each and every subscriber to a given social media site, information can flow
in many directions very rapidly and with very little effort from the original
sender. This is great for AzCB because it means we can announce a meeting once,
and everyone who follows us on Twitter or friends us on Facebook can take that
announcement and share it with everyone in their personal networks immediately,
and in turn, the members of those networks can do likewise. This means that we
can get our word out to a very wide audience on almost an instantaneous basis.
Second, because users can like or comment
on content we distribute, they can help to share our message in ways that work
for their own social networks but which may not be something we’ve ever
considered. For example, if we announce an upcoming event on twitter, someone
who is bilingual can retweet our message in English or
Spanish or Vietnamese, thereby reaching entire audiences who we could never
reach on our own. Alternatively, when we make a straight-forward but
conventional announcement on our Facebook page, some younger person from a
diverse background can take that message and put a different cultural spin on
it, thereby reaching demographics we’re not well suited to reach ourselves.
Finally, we can use social media to
strengthen our other communication channels. Those of you who have spent any
time on Twitter or Facebook have undoubtedly seen updates like “Andrew likes
the 1920’s Auto show. Check out his photo library at http://www...” or “The
National Association of Cat Lovers has ranked the top ten cats for 2011. See
their list at http://www...” We can do this too. Imagine this. “The next issue
of Foresight is talking about power of social networking. Go to
http://www.azcb.org/foresight.” Or how about this: “The AzCB is hosting a pizza
party for anyone interested in public transit for the town of
In conclusion, I want to share what we have
already done on Facebook and Twitter and what we will be doing in the near
future. Beginning earlier this year, our Webmaster, Tom Belsan began
encouraging Board members and other organizational leaders to follow AzCB on
Twitter, and just recently, Tom established a Facebook page. In the coming
months, our Membership Committee will be tasked with the responsibility of
working with Tom, the Board and anyone else who wants to get involved on how to
best utilize these new social media resources. Of course, once we announce our
presence on Facebook and Twitter, absolutely anyone anywhere can be part of
that effort, and perhaps that’s the ultimate beauty of social media. You will
all be helping us to shape our on-line presence. So for now, stay
tuned for more and more on this topic, and in the meantime, start playing
with Facebook and Twitter. Once you get past the newness of the technology and
the adaptive technology issues (by the way, these sites are fairly
user-friendly), you may find that like me, you can never go back to plain old
email.
This
and Data
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Editors
Note: The following article is an abridged summary of the authors’ original
manuscript.
Tribute
to Ethan By Thomas L. Hicks
I first met Ethan November 21, 2003 at the
guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) Boring,
Having Ethan at my side completely changed
my life and I felt very independent. I was never alone and I never stopped
thinking about him. With Ethan in my life there was nothing I could not
achieve. We worked hard together during our 1-month training program as I
learned how to become a Handler. I will never forget the first time I felt him
under the harness. It was like magic and we moved so quickly through all the
obstacles in our path. At night time I was totally blind, but Ethan had
incredible eyesight and he guided me like a pro. I loved our walks together and
he was very quick to learn a new route. He never failed to get me to my
destination safely. He was so proud of himself each time he showed me the door
and he only lived for praises and pats on his flanks. I never met an animal or
human for that matter more dedicated and loyal. All he ever wanted to do was
please me.
I am a Third Degree Black Belt and the Head
Instructor for Lim’s Hawaii Kenpo Karate LLC.,
For the past seven years, Ethan has been a
part of every significant event in my life. He guided me to work and on campus
at Western Michigan University (WMU) as I earned my Master’s degree in Vision
Rehabilitation Therapy. He guided me through good times and very difficult
times.
On April 23, 2010 I awoke to the sounds of
Ethan at 2:00 AM. Usually, when a person is awakened that early in the morning
from a dead sleep they’re not happy, but for some reason I was not upset. I
called out, “Ethan do you need to go outside Buddy?” I got out of bed and made
my way to our bedroom door. Ethan was standing there, but he was not acting
normal. I opened the door and he just stood there. I said, “Come on Buddy let’s
go outside.” He made his way to the top of the stairs and collapsed on the top
landing. He slowly got up and made his way downstairs and out the doggy door.
I got up at 4:30 AM to exercise and get
ready for work. Ethan was back downstairs lying on his side. His tail would
thump every time I walked by him and when I knelt down next to him, I felt his
paws, which were unusually cold. I thought to myself that he must have eaten
something bad to make him sick.
My wife drove me to my carpool pickup point
and told me she would keep an eye on Ethan and take him to the emergency room
if he did not get better soon. By the time I got to work my phone rang and it
was my wife; she was crying and told me she was in the power
About 30 minutes later, the phone rang
again and it was my wife who said the Veterinarian reported that Ethan’s vital
signs were improving, but he was still being closely monitored. I was so
relieved at this news and curious why he was so sick.
Within an hour, the phone rang once again
and it was my wife. She was hysterically crying and I knew before the words
came out of her mouth that my dear friend was gone. “Tom, Ethan is dead.”
I was devastated at his passing. I learned
later that he was born with a ticking time bomb growing in his heart. He had a
cancerous tumor that ruptured that morning. There was no saving him and no way
of detecting or preventing his death. Just 24-hours prior to his death he was
completely healthy, happy, and acting like his loving self. Ethan had taken me
as far as he could in this lifetime and he gave me the very best he had to
give.
Ethan was my first guide dog and probably
my life’s best friend. He never complained to me about anything. He was always
ready, willing, and able to serve me whenever I needed his companionship or
guiding skills. I never thought I would feel this way about an animal, but I
discovered in his passing he was more special to me then I ever took the time
to understand or appreciate. There is no easy way to say goodbye to a loved one
and I refuse to say goodbye to Ethan. He will forever hold a place of honor in
my heart.
The
Power of the Maricopa Club By Dan Martinez
The Maricopa Club is a compelling example
of the power and influence people who are blind have when they work together to
improve their lives.
In the 1940s, a small group of individuals
who were blind and visually impaired began meeting in each other's homes to
learn ways to help each other achieve economic independence. The Maricopa
County Club of the Blind formed from these early informal gatherings and became
the impetus for blindness advocacy organizations in
Initially, the Club conducted training
sessions in piano tuning, and mop and broom making. These were some of the few
"job trades" available to individuals who were blind during that era.
Often over coffee and dessert, individuals would discuss how they accomplished
everyday tasks and would share techniques that had worked for them. These
gatherings became the prototype of today's support groups.
By 1948, individuals who were blind from
the Maricopa County Club, Zenith Club, and other
Maricopa County Club of the Blind
Incorporated in June of 1958 and in 1964, the Club moved it activities into the
In 1961, the American Council of the Blind
was created from a rift within the National Federation of the Blind over
leadership practices and representative processes, which came to a head during
the 20th NFB Convention, held in
In 1970, Reese Robrahn asked John
Vanlandingham, his former schoolmate and prominent
Today, the Maricopa County Club is a
special interest affiliate of the Arizona Council of the Blind (AzCB) with a focus
on social activities and mutual support. The Maricopa County Club of the Blind
endures and still empowers people who are blind to change history and to build
a better world for themselves and those who come after them.
ASDB
In 1912,
2012 will mark the 100th Anniversary of
ASDB. If you or someone you know is a former student of the school for the
blind, we would like you to contact us. We would like to hear your stories and
remembrances of your school days at ASDB and share them with our members.
You can send email to: Dan at dmmar@qwest,net
or call (602) 273-1510 and leave a message. We will get back with you.
Advocacy
By Barbara McDonald
The dictionary says that to advocate is to
show public support for, or recommend a particular cause or policy.
I think of it, as standing up for others or
myself for what I believe is right. Those beliefs are
based on my experiences and values, which I have learned and developed over the
years.
You too can be an advocate. First, think what you want to support or
promote. Listen to local news shows or PBS TV to keep up-to-date. Expressing
your support or opinion can be as easy as making a phone call, sending an
email, or writing a letter. Attend local neighborhood meetings. You might even
create community support while meeting your neighbors.
You can use are website to join a chat list
to learn about advocacy issues and hear opinions from other members. There is even an advocacy page that can help
you with finding names, addresses, and communication examples of templates to
use when contacting your public officials,
The Arizona Council of the Blind website
is: www.azcb.org.
New
AzCB Officer
Newly elected AzCB 1st Vice President, Dan
Martinez, is a long time member of the Arizona Council and he has served in
AzCB leadership positions in the past. He is also the current editor of the
Council newsletter, Four~Sight.
Dan is an
As AzCB First Vice President, Dan will
oversee the organization’s efforts in the support and develop of membership,
local chapters and special interest affiliates. “Membership is the soul of the
AzCB” Dan said, “Members are our power and or purpose.”
A
BRIEF Overview By David Steinmetz
The Arizona Council of the Blind (AzCB) has
established the Blindness Related Expense Intervention Fund (BRIEF), which will
enable persons with disabilities to become more independent or productive
members of the community with an improved quality of life. The BRIEF program is designed to provide a
one-time grant for Assistive Technology (AT) to residents of
Assistive technology is defined as any
device or piece of equipment that enables people to maintain or improve their
functioning at home, school, work or play. This includes both devices and
services.
Assistive technology includes mechanical,
electronic, and computer-based equipment, non-mechanical or non-electric aid,
or specialized instructional materials. The types of AT devices and services
covered under this grant program include but are not limited to: Daily Living
Aids, Computer Applications, Visual Aids, and Communication Aids.
To be considered for the BRIEF funds,
submit the following information to davidsteinmetz@cox.net:
1 A
completed grant application
2 Statement
of what is the expected outcome (goal) from the purchase of the device or
service
3 Detailed
description of the device or services needed to achieve the stated goal and how
these will be used to achieve the goal
4 Documentation
regarding the cost of goods and/or services. (Documentation should include such
information as price quotes, price lists, invoices, etc.)
5 Proof
of blindness as defined by the following:
Central
visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction or a
limitation in the fields of vision with the widest diameter being no greater
than 20 degrees.
A
Little about Me By Ted Chittenden
Hi everybody! I am one of the two new
members on the AzCB Board of Directors, but I doubt that many of you know me
very well—it seems I came out of a whirlwind, and unless you knew something
about my past, you might have wondered, “Hey, where did this blind nutcase come
from? I don’t remember him!” Well, you are about to find out.
I am actually not a native Arizonan having
been born in
It was known shortly after my birth that I
was blind. Doctors told my mother that I had a scarred optic nerve. As a child,
I did have some sight (I could make out light and shadows), but during the
1990s, I developed cataracts in both eyes that put an end to all that.
I have had quite an education in various
different school settings. While we lived in the
After graduating 91st (of 195 sseniors) in
1981, I returned to
It was while I was at Loyola Marymount that
I first began doing things with the organized blind movement. Opting for the
National Federation of the Blind (for the scholarships, two of which I got from
the California state organization), I soon discovered that that group and I
were not always a good fit, and I more or less backed away from the NFB after
my 1985 Loyola Marymount graduation.
In the fall of 1985, I began attending
After my father’s death in September of
2001, I considered returning to Ramada (now renamed Cendant) and my old job,
but my former supervisor there, a good friend, upset those plans when she
emailed me that the company was closing down its
By 2004, I hadn’t had a job for two years,
I was having stomach problems, and I was looking for work that I could do at my
residence on my computer. In the spring of that year, from out of the blue,
came a call from a dear friend who had been the person assisting blind people
while I attended ASU back in the 1980s. He told me that the disability office
was looking for someone who knew how to read Braille math and science books for
a proofreading position. I applied for the position and began working at ASU in
July of 2004.
In March of 2011, I was told that my contract with
ASU would not be renewed so after June of this year, I will be back looking for
new employment. (Fortunately, since 2007, I have also done much of the
proofreading of the Braille versions of the AIMS tests all public elementary
and high school students now have to take, and that position will continue for
the foreseeable future).
While I had gone to a couple of ACB and AzCB
conventions back in the 1990s, I had stopped all of my involvement with
blindness issues by the early 2000s. It was out of the blue in early 2010 when
Barbara McDonald called and asked if I would be willing to be one of the AzCB’s
three representatives on the Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual
Impairment (GCBVI). I agreed to the proposition, and shortly after that, I
became a full AZCB member. And this year I was elected to the AZCB’s board of
directors! I am honored to be considered worthy of such a post, and I look
forward to serving the membership in whatever way I can.
And now, as promised, gentle reader, you
know about me.
THANK
YOU!
The Arizona Council of the Blind wants to
acknowledge the following companies and organizations for their kind
generosity. They donated certificates, items, and cash, which were used for
door prizes at our 40th Annual State Convention.
Please patronize these companies and
affiliates:
Biting
Edge Dentistry
Cheesecake
Factory
Fry's
Food Store
Crowne
Plaza Hotel
Denny's
Restaurant
Lowe's
Desert
Low Vision (
Honey
Baked Ham
Macy's
Safeway
Sun
Sounds of
Guide
Dog Users of
Maricopa
AzCB
The Arizona Council Of
The Blind works to enhance the independence, equality of opportunity,
and to improve the quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people
in
The
Fore~Sight Newsletter
Foresight is available in Braille, large print and
audiocassette. Publication is issued
Quarterly with free subscription to members of AzCB. Subscription requests, address changes and
items intended for publication should be sent by e-mail to the newsletter
editor, Dan Martinez. AzCB is the statewide affiliate of the American Council Of The Blind based in
AzCB staff and governing board are all
volunteers and perform their duties without pay.
Those much needed tax-deductible
contributions should be sent to the Arizona Council of the Blind at the office
mail address below. All contributions
are gratefully acknowledged in writing in a timely manner. If you wish to remember AzCB in your will or
if your contribution involves complex issues, please call our
Ron
Brooks, President
602-616-1171
E-mail:
ron.brooks@azcb.org
Daniel
M. Martinez, Editor
623-873-1378
dmmar@qwest.net
MEMBERSHIP
Become
a member of the Council
Your
friends at AzCB want you to join us in making the word a better place for
people who are blind or who have low vision. Become a member by visiting our
website www.azcb.org and click on (“Become a Member of the Arizona Council of
the Blind or Renew Here”) If you are not a computer user, call us at (602)
273-1510 or if your out of the local calling area (888) 273-1510; leave a
message and we will be happy assist you in completing a membership application.
Your $10 one-year membership fee gives you the pride
of belonging to both the AzCB and to the American Council of the Blind (ACB).
You will also want to participate in one of our special interest or local
affiliates.
Guide Dog Users of
Maricopa Club: The Club’s primary focus is
as the social wing of the AzCB. For more information on how to join our club or
any other question email us at: maricopa@azcb.org
Southern Arizona Chapter: Our chapter’s
primary focus is on issues of the blind in southern