UCB Flier, November 2008

The UCB Flier

A publication of The Utah Council of the Blind October 2008

Note: For users of JAWS, hitting h will take you to the beginning of the next article.

For the latest news updates call: The Utah Connection at 299-0670 or 1-800-273-4569 (You may also leave your message at the end of the announcement.)

In This Issue

President's Message
Utah Connection Use
Funding Efforts
UCB Programs
Thanks To Our Supporters
DSBVI Advisory Council
November Activity
Gateway Shopping Discounts
UCB Needs Old Electronics
2009 Happenings Books
Membership Renewal
Symphony Tickets
Healthy Cooking Cookbook
LCPD Training Conference
UCB Old Home Country Christmas
South Davis UTA Consideration
Newsletter Submissions
Social Security Increase For 2009
Savior Of The World
Bookshare.org
New Perkins Brailler
Fighting the Scourge of Scareware
This Concerns You!
Social Network Survey
FCC Emergency Alerts
HEAT Program Receives Funds
Touch Screen Update
Soup Fundraiser
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
Swimming Party

In This Issue President's Message 2 Utah Connection Use 2 Funding Efforts 3 UCB Programs 3 Thanks To Our Supporters 3 DSBVI Advisory Council 4 November Activity 4 Gateway Shopping Discounts 4 UCB Needs Old Electronics 4 2009 Happenings Books 5 Membership Renewal 5 Symphony Tickets 5 Healthy Cooking Cookbook 6 LCPD Training Conference 6 UCB Old Home Country Christmas 7 South Davis UTA Consideration 8 Newsletter Submissions 9 Social Security Increase For 2009 9 Savior Of The World 9 Bookshare.org 11 New Perkins Brailler 11 Fighting the Scourge of Scareware 12 This Concerns You! 14 Social Network Survey 15 FCC Emergency Alerts 16 HEAT Program Receives Funds 17 Touch Screen Update 17 Soup Fundraiser 18 COMMUNITY INTERESTS 20 Swimming Party 20

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Dear UCB members,
Our board and committees have planned some great activities and we know many of you have talents you could share. We ask that you would consider helping out in whatever way you can.
Upcoming Legislative training is mentioned in this newsletter and we know cuts to the disabled population will probably be forthcoming. Please consider getting involved and learn how to approach lawmakers and help have an affect on the decisions being made in our behalf.
Our board will be attending the ADA Transportation Seminar in Ogden. We hope to gain good information that can help when questions come up concerning rules and regulations on transportation issues. We would like everyone to be aware of issues that will affect our population. Local newspaper articles and announcements for meetings are not always caught by the board so we can respond to them.
If everyone would pitch in and help us be aware of changes that may be coming it would be most helpful. If you have any information or questions please feel free to put them on the Connection line and someone will get back to you.

UTAH CONNECTION USE

The Utah Connection, 299-0670 or 1-800-273-4569 is the resource we offer to keep you updated frequently with information. We encourage your use. Please call this number as much as you want. Things change constantly and this will be reflected in the information put on the Connection Line. To encourage your use we will enter your name in a drawing for prizes when you use this number to get information.
Everyone that does anything for the UCB does it as a volunteer. Sometimes assignments become overwhelming. We're trying to find ways to make information more accessible and faster for response. You're encouraged to ask questions and leave your name at the end of the connection message. This will automatically enter your name for the drawing. This will also help relieve some of the demands on volunteer time. As mentioned in the last newsletter we're encouraging people to get involved in the work of the UCB. Your time is wanted to help in any areas in which you are interested. Please contact the connection number in the heading above and let us know where you might be willing to help.

FUNDING EFFORTS

We think this is a good time to mention that our organization is always in need of funding. Everyone is aware of the economy and we're feeling the crunch of those who have supported us in the past having to cut back and consider other options. There are many ways you, your family and friends might consider helping us raise needed funds to maintain the programs we offer. Donations by mail or phone are always encouraged, and gifts of stock or matching gifts, bequests, beneficiary designations, and gifts in kind do much to help the needs we support. All these options are available and we're a very worthy cause. Remember everything done by the Utah Council of the Blind is done voluntarily. No one receives a pay check. All money goes to support the services you receive. If you appreciate those services help us to spread the word and encourage donations.

UCB PROGRAMS

Many of you take advantage of the programs of the UCB such as Cab Coupons, Driver/Guide program, Reader Program, Ceramics, Braille Transcription, activities, the newsletter, and the Utah Connection. If these programs are useful please send a letter letting us know how the program helps you.ے We need these letters to get more funding.ے We would also be pleased to tell you about these programs if you have questions.ے Call the Connection and leave your question and a name and number so we can call you back.
Send your letters to 1301 W. 500 S. Woods Cross, UT 84087. Thank you for your help.

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

We want to thank American Express Center for Community Development for grant monies received from Federal Savings and Centurion Banks, also, the Salt Lake City Arts Council, the R. Harold Burton Foundation, GMAC Bank, and the Arts Access of Utah for their generous support of our programs. Without their continued help we would not be able to provide the programs we do. Many thanks go to them for choosing our needs in their selection process.

DSBVI ADVISORY COUNCIL

It will come to many as a deep shock to learn that the Advisory Council to the Division of Services of the Blind and Visually Impaired has been disbanded.ے This council has offered advice and recommendations to the Division for more than forty years and is in the State Code.ے For those who have a memory of such things, the Advisory Council was threatened to be eliminated in 1987, but because of consumer protest it was maintained and weakened in its authority. Recent pressure from the Utah State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation inspired by Federal demands has resulted in this action.ے A State Rehabilitation Council will be put in its place.ے Members of this council will be selected by the Division Administration.ے If you have an interest in serving, contact Mr. Gibson at (801) 323-4345. Good Luck.

NOVEMBER ACTIVITY

Due to a lack of interest in the November activity, it has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled at another time.

GATEWAY SHOPPING DISCOUNTS

The UCB has been invited to participate in a special before Christmas sale at the Gateway Mall the week of November 17th-23rd.ےےBy displaying a card which the organization has for $10 each you can receive a 20% discount on both food and merchandise.ے To purchase your card simply send $10 to the UCB and a special discount card will be mailed to you.ے This card is good for the entire week.ے Be certain to include your name and address so we can send you your card.ے Allow time for the mail.ے Send your check to UCB, 1301 West, 500 South, Woods Cross, UT 84087.

UCB NEEDS OLD ELECTRONICS

The UCB has the opportunity to receive money for its programs by collecting oldےelectronics. ےThe following list describes what we need.
?ےCell Phones
?ےInk Jet Printer Cartridges
?ےLaptop Computers
?ےApple iPods
?ےDigital Cameras
?ےDigital Video Cameras
Ifےyou have any of these items you no longer need and wish to donate please call the Utah Connection or (801) 292-1156 and we'll tell you how your donation can help the UCB.ے Thank you.

2009 HAPPENINGS BOOKS

Once again the UCB will have Happenings books for $20 each. .ے They will be available at the UCB office when you pick up your cab coupons or you can have them mailed for an additional $5. ےRemember these books are only available for a short time and are great because they offerےdiscounted services and vacation specials along with dining opportunities for buy-one-get-one free.ے Just eat out twice and you've paid for the book and helped the UCB at the same time.ے Get your friends to buy one, too, and then you can double date. Order yours by calling the Utah Connection, visit the office on Wednesday or call (801) 292-1156.ے Remember, Buy a book and all money comes back to support all the efforts of the UCB in providing you with the services you enjoy. You can't beat such a great investment!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

That's right, It's Time! This is just a reminder, membership information will be arriving in your mail soon.ے If you wish to join the UCB and continue to receive this newsletter and all the other services, please renew your membership.ے For the year 2009 the dues are $10 if sent between now and the end of the year.ے Some of you have paid in advance.ے If you have any questions about this please call Dianna at (801) 277-9365.ے If you've had a change in your contact information, please let her know. Encourage family members and others to join and help our services continue at the level we've enjoyed in the past.

SYMPHONY TICKETS

The thrill of the Symphony is made possible again this year by a generous donor. We have tickets available on a first come first serve basis. Each blind or visually impaired individual may have a ticket and another for an escort until all tickets are gone for a particular event. This is going to be a great season and the following Symphonys are available:
Bruckners 4th 11-01-08
Elgar's Cello Concerto 11-08-08
Shostakovich's Response 11-22-08
Mozart's Requiem 12-06-08
Mozart's Grand Piano Concerto 01-10-09
Shubert's Unfinished 01-31-09
The Inextinguishable 02-07-09
Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto 1 02-21-09
Keith & Olga 02-28-09
An Evening in Vienna 03-07-09
An Evening of Adventure 03-28-09
A Hero's Life 04-11-09
Rach 2 with Jon Kimura Parker 04-18-09
Keith Concludes Mahler 04-25-09
Tchaik's Big 5 05-09-09
Keith's Finale 05-30-09
If you have an interest in participating please call Linda Collins at 801-296-1400 or email, symphony2009@live.com to have tickets sent to you as the performances become available. Arrangements can be made to have tickets at the will call window if this will be more convenient.

HEALTHY COOKING COOKBOOK

As most of the Braille readers know, the UCB offers Braille transcription of print materials for individual use.ے One of the past requests was a cookbook which is in 5 8-1/2-11 inch volumes.ے Several people asked for copies of this book because of the recipes which help the cook prepare healthy, low fat, yet delicious food. One of these copies has become available to whoever would like to own this very useful cookbook.ے Please call (801) 292-1156 if you would like this copy.ے If there are other requests more copies can be embossed.

LCPD TRAINING CONFERENCE

The Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities (LCPD is holding its advocacy training on December 4 at the Sanderson Center for the Deaf 5709 S 1500 W, Salt Lake City.ے Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with the meetings starting at 10:30 a.m.ے Lunch will be served and the program concludes at 3:00 p.m.ے This is your chance to learn about speaking up for yourself and your needs.ے This year at the Legislature there will be many cuts some of which you are already experiencing, as in Medicaid services.ے Other funding cuts will be felt in services for disabled people, as in those for children who are Blind and Deaf/Blind.ے If you wish to join the group RSVP by e-mail trouse@usilc.org or call (801 463-1592 as soon as possible. space is limited.

UCB OLD HOME COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

WOW! Where has the time gone? Now is the time to have your money in if you plan on attending the UCB annual Christmas Party on December 6, 2008. It's scheduled to start at 12:00 PM and end at 3:30 PM. There'll be food, fun, a Christmas sing-along, an auction to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family and of course Santa. Craft tables will have miscellaneous items and stocking stuffers.
The two choices for dinner will be either:
1. Ham with au gratin potatoes, stuffing and green beans; OR
2. Turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans.
All meals also include a roll, salad, and dessert. The cost for dinner is $6.00 per adult and $4.00 for children age three to ten. Again with the economic situation as it is there will be no waste.
It is IMPARITIVE that you send your reservation with information and money in advance, no later than November 25th. Your choice of entree must be made with no option for change. The food ordered will be exact per reservation. If you show up without first placing an order, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO BE FED!
We are asking for donations for the bake sale. Please call the connection and leave a message of what you're willing to donate and plan on bringing it with you the day of the party. Remember all proceeds are used for the support of our programs.
For those of you wishing to take advantage of the opportunity to sell your craft items, you can reserve a craft table for $15.00. Contact Sandy England by November 25th at 282-1905. Please contact Sandy with bake sale and auction items you're willing to donate. Remember these items are used to raise funds for the programs that benefit you. There is no paid staff working for the Utah Council of the Blind. All services and work are done voluntarily.
All proceeds from the auction will go to the UCB. Be prepared to pay for auction items the day of the party before you take them home.
Orders and money for dinner, as well as payments for craft tables, must be mailed to, UCB c/o Leslie Gertsch, 1301 West 500 South, Woods Cross, UT 84087. ALL MONEY MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE OF NOVEMBER 25TH.

==================================================
RESERVATION FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY
Number of dinners
Number of adults ______ dinner Ham ______
Turkey ______ $6.00 ea Number children ______ Ham ______ Turkey ______ $4.00 each

Information for Santa, age and sex of children (list)

If you'd like a craft table for this event _______ $15.00 each
Enclose all money with your order and send with this slip to the address above.

SOUTH DAVIS UTA CONSIDERATION

An open house meeting was held by UTA at the Salt Lake City Hub building located at 669 West 200 South in Salt Lake City.ے This meeting was about alternative plans to be considered for additional transportation options for South Davis County.ے Though it's still in its planning stage, UTA is still doing impact studies. A survey was taken to see if riders would prefer a trax-light rail extension option, a street car, or smaller trax car streetcars light rail option, or alternative bus service rapid transit, fixed route, or a mixture fixed route bus service only. Consideration was given to the idea that maybe people would like nothing at all.ے UTA is weighing its traffic pedestrian transportation benefits and drawbacks as well as the environmental, financial, and economic impacts of each plan to make the decision.ے All impact and public survey results should be completed by spring 2009.ے At that time UTA and the community will have to come up with the money or the votes to approve a sales tax in the 2010 election.ے UTA anticipates the project will be finished and built by 2010. A mass plan for a South Davis project has an anticipated completion date of 2010-2030.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

If you have articles and information you would like to see in this newsletter, please send them to symphony2009@live.com. You are welcome to put the information on the Connection Line as well. It will get to the person who needs the information. There is limited space available so not everything can be published but those things that concern our population will receive priority.

SOCIAL SECURITY INCREASE FOR 2009

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 55 million Americans will increase 5.8 percent in 2009, the Social Security Administration announced today.ے The 5.8 percent increase is the largest since 1982. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year.ے This year's increase in the CPI-W was 5.8 percent. The 5.8 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that over 50 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2009.ے Increased payments to more than 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 31.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.ے Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $106,800 from $102,000.ے Of the estimated 164 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2009, about 11 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2009 can be found at www.Medicare.gov

SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

His Birth and Resurrection

There will be a special performance of Savior of the World for those who are deaf and blind (and their families and friends) on December 17, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., with theatrical translation (ASL), closed captions, ADA assistive listening, and descriptive narration provided. Translation will also be available for those who are both deaf and blind. When ordering tickets, please inform the agent about which of these services you are requesting.

Event Description
The musical production Savior of the World, based on scriptural accounts of the birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, will return to the Conference Center Theater for the Christmas season. The show features a cast of talented actors, singers, and musicians sharing testimony through drama and song of the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. According to the director, "the purpose of this production is to testify of Jesus Christ. During the Christmas season, Savior of the World provides a meaningful opportunity for all to remember His birth and Resurrection and renew their devotion to Him." The production, presented in the state-of-the-art Conference Center Theater, features a beautiful soundtrack augmented by a live orchestra.

Tickets
Tickets are required for this event. Tickets can be obtained now by calling 801-570-0080 (locally) or toll-free 1-866-537-8457 (1-866-LDS-TIKS).
The ticket office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tickets for this special performance are $5.00 (reduced from $8.00).
Starting Monday, October 20, tickets for this special performance will also be available for purchase online.
There is a $1.50 convenience fee added to the cost of each ticket purchased over the internet.

Special Considerations
* Children ages eight and older are welcome at all performances. No babies, please.
* Ambulatory seating is available. Patrons who require such seating should inform the ticket office when they obtain tickets or inform Guest Services when they arrive at the event.
* Patrons should not bring cameras or audio or video recording devices into the performance halls. Photographing and audio or video recording any portion of the production is strictly prohibited.
* Sunday dress is encouraged.
* Patrons should turn off pagers, cellular phones, and similar electronic devices during the performance.
* Food and beverages are not permitted in performance halls.
* Patrons may not bring packages or backpacks into performance halls.
* Those attending the production should consider traffic congestion, plan to arrive early, and park in designated parking areas only. On the day of each performance, free parking is available under the Conference Center by showing your event ticket to the parking attendant.
* The Conference Center Theater doors will open 60 minutes before each performance start time. Ticket holders are requested to be in their seats no later than 10 minutes before the performance begins. The length of the performance is approximately two hours.

BOOKSHARE.ORG

Bookshare.Org dramatically increases the accessibility of books for people with visual or other print disabilities.ے Memberships for U.S. schools and qualifying U.S. students of all ages including K -12, postsecondary, and adult education, are now FREE, thanks to special funding from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Bookshare.Org believes that people with print disabilities deserve the same ease of access to books and periodicals that people without disabilities enjoy.ے The Bookshare.Org library provides people with print disabilities in the United States with LEGAL access to over 38,000 books and 150 periodicals that are converted to Braille, large print, or digital formats for text to speech audio.
To start reading or get more information, visit: www.bookshare.org

NEW PERKINS BRAILLER

We are writing to you with some very exciting news. Today, 57 years after the launch of the original Perkins Brailler, we are introducing the NEW Next Generation Perkins Brailler. Initially the Next Generation model will be for sale only in the United States and only through American Printing House for the Blind or Perkins Products. ے ے ے The Next Generation Perkins Brailler retains all of the features that made the Classic Perkins Brailler the most widely used Braille writer in the world, plus incorporates new features users have been asking for. ے ے ے The Next Generation Perkins Brailler is:
More portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
More comfortable to use with a shorter keystroke and less force required.
Quieter.

New features and improvements in the Next Generation Perkins Brailler include:
Easy-Erase Button so you can correct mistakes while Brailling.
Reading Rest so you can proofread the page with ease.
Front Panel Margin Guides so you don't have to reach around the back.
Greener construction through the use of less oil and manufactured materials.
Modern colors and a sleek new design.

This Brailler was developed with support from the American Printing House for the Blind. In recognition of this, Braillers sold in the United States for the first six months may be ordered exclusively through APH or Perkins Products and will be available only in APH Blue. In April 2009, the new Brailler will be available through our resellers in the United States.
We are planning the international launch of the Next Generation Perkins Brailler for early 2009. At that time we will make available a list of international resellers who will be selling the Next Generation Perkins Brailler.

We invite you to visit PerkinsBrailler.org to learn more about the new Brailler and the enhancements we have made. Also, listen to and download the Next Generation song, written by Raul Miden for the Next Generation Perkins Brailler. ے ے ے All of us at Perkins are truly committed to Braille literacy and we are honored to support children and adults in learning and using Braille in their daily lives. After working diligently on the reengineering of the Perkins Brailler for two years, we are excited to offer the Next Generation Perkins Brailler and look forward to hearing from you.

FIGHTING THE SCOURGE OF SCAREWARE

By Maggie Shiels
Microsoft and Washington State's Attorney General filed lawsuits against scam artists who frighten consumers into buying useless software. "Scareware" merchants are accused of tricking computer users into clicking on pop-up alerts that claim their device is "damaged and corrupted". They are then persuaded to buy software that corrects the non-existent issue by offering fake security fixes. It is a "blatant rip-off of consumers," said Attorney General Rob McKenna. Users are "duped into downloading a fake scan (of the computer) and then duped into paying for software they don't need". The attorney general's lawsuit has been filed against a Texas firm called Branch Software and Alpha Red and its owner James Reed McCreary IV. The suit alleged that Mr McCreary's company "sent incessant pop-ups resembling system warnings to consumers' personal computers. "The messages read "CRITICAL ERROR MESSAGE! - REGISTRY DAMAGED AND CORRUPTED." The complaint goes on to claim that the ads "instructed users to visit a web site to download Registry Cleaner XP" at a cost of $39.95 (œ21.70) "We won't tolerate the use of alarmist warnings or deceptive 'free scans' to trick consumers into buying software to fix a problem that doesn't even exist," said Mr McKenna. "We've repeatedly proven that internet companies that prey on consumers' anxieties are within our reach." The problem is a growing one according to Eric Sites, the chief technology officer with security firm Sunbelt Software which tracks spyware and malware threats. "In the last six months we have seen an enormous uptick in the number of people getting infected by these scareware or spyware agents. "They are becoming a lot more prevalent and the 'scare and scam' is all about getting money out of the user," he told BBC News.

"Online threats". The organizers behind the scheme took advantage of a Windows operating system feature designed to let computer network administrators send notices to people using the machines. Microsoft referred the case to the attorney general's high tech unit and helped put the case together. "Cybercrime continues to evolve, but with public/private collaboration such as this, we can work to champion tougher laws, greater public awareness and, ultimately, stronger protections for online consumers," said Richard Boscovich, senior attorney for Microsoft's internet safety enforcement team. Meanwhile the software giant has filed five new lawsuits and amended two previous complaints all relating to spyware attempts. The programmes listed include Scan & Repair, Antivirus 2009, MalwareCore, WinDefender, XPDefender and WinSpywareProtect. Most of the defendants are listed as "John Doe" because investigators do not yet know the identities of the people involved. Catching those behind these spyware scams and bringing them to justice might not be so simple explained Mr Sites. "These people could be in Russia or some other country or using fake names. It is sometimes impossible to find out who is behind these scams. But if there is a money trail, that usually helps."

Microsoft estimates that half of the computer crashes reported by callers to its customer support lines can be blamed on spyware messing up machines. A recent report from North Carolina State University showed that most internet users are unable to tell the difference between genuine and fake pop-up messages. "This study demonstrates how easy it is to fool people on the web," said co-author Dr Michael S Wogalter, professor of psychology. Despite being told some of the messages were fake, people hit the OK button 63% of the time.

THIS CONCERNS YOU!

UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
RE: PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO REQUIRED DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACES AT PLATFORM EDGES ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED AND RENOVATED UTA RAIL STATIONS FOR USE WITH LOW FLOOR LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES
I. The Utah Transit Authority is proposing a modification in the design and installation of required detectable warning surfaces on the platform edge at all newly constructed and existing light rail stations to be serviced by a low floor light rail vehicle. The proposed modification to the detectable warning surface design is necessary to facilitate the operation of ramps necessary for ADA accessible boarding of a new fleet of low floor light rail vehicles (which UTA has not introduced into service to date). A detectable warning surface is required to assist visually-impaired passengers and others in detecting the edge of the light rail platform and otherwise assist in the boarding of a light rail vehicle.

II. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Salt Lake City Main Library, located at 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, Salt Lake County. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.

At the hearing, the Utah Transit Authority will afford an opportunity for the public to ask questions and obtain further information about the proposed changes to the detectable warning surface; and allow any interested person to comment on the issue to UTA Staff. After considering the comments, UTA will submit a "Request for Equivalent Facilitation" regarding the modification to the U. S. Department of Transportation.

III. THE FORMAT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
a. Presentation on the use of detectable warning surfaces at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
b. Open House to review and discuss proposal with UTA representatives (after each presentation)
c. Public comment period (available any time during public hearing)

IV. To assure full participation at this hearing, accommodations for effective communication, such as sign language interpreters or printed materials in alternate formats, must be requested at least five (5) working days prior to the date of the scheduled event. Direct requests for accommodations to the Utah Transit Authority, ADA Compliance Officer at (801) 287-3536 or for deaf/hearing impaired persons, dial 711 to make a relay call. To request a language interpreter, please contact Celeste Burningham at 801-287-2369.

V. Written comments may be submitted to the following address:
Utah Transit Authority c/o
Detectable Warning Surfaces
3600 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, UTے 84119.
Comments can also be submitted online at www.rideuta.com
All comments will become part of the public record if received by November 14, 2008.

VI. Relevant information about the proposed use of the aforementioned devices will be available at the public hearing. Additionally, information about the proposed modification to the detectable warning surface is available by:
(1) calling (801) 262-5626
(2) on UTA?s web-site at www.rideuta.com; or
(3) reviewed in person at the UTA Corporate offices located at 3600 South 700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. See Section IV of this notice above for instructions on obtaining this information in alternate formats.

SOCIAL NETWORK SURVEY

Our firm is conducting an important survey on social networking and people with disabilities. One of our clients is going to build a new social networking site and provider directory aimed specifically to serve the disability community. I would love for you to participate in this survey. Your thoughts and views will directly impact how this site is built and what features it has.
www.abilitypanel.com/surveys/newsocial.htm
No personal identifying information is collected.
It will not take more than ten minutes.
Please also pass this link to all your friends with disabilities, family, parents of children with disabilities, caregivers,ےand service providers for people with disabilities. Please distribute it far and wide. Thanks in advance for your help.
Cornelius Butler, Director of Business Development, Butler New Media, LLC (Bainbridge), "Creating A More Accessible World"
www.butlernewmedia.com Email: cornelius@butlernewmedia.com

FCC EMERGENCY ALERTS

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is the nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people. The Council strives to improve the wellbeing of all blind and visually impaired people by: serving as a Representative national organization of blind people; elevating the social, economic and cultural levels of blind people; improving educational and rehabilitation facilities and opportunities; and cooperating with public and private institutions and organizations concerned with blind services.

I am writing on behalf of (state special interest-yourself)ے to petition the FCC toے implement, through its rule-making process, the recommendations of the Consumer Advisory Committee that received formal adoption on June 27, 2008 regarding emergency information. The committee's recommendations are listed below.

Currently, FCC rules (47 CFR Part 79.2) on emergency programming only require an audio tone that alerts people who are blind or visually impaired of the need to access emergency information when emergency text is provided on televised programming.ے Once the tone is heard, it is expected that such individuals will then turn to a second source (e.g., a radio) to obtain additional information about the emergency.ے This is not an effective means of providing emergency information to people who cannot physically view visual images on television.

Consumer Advisory Committee Recommendation Regarding Access to Televised Emergency Information By People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
The Consumer Advisory Committee respectfully requests that the FCC take action to ensure that individuals who are blind or have low vision have access to televised emergency programming. To accomplish this, the FCC needs to identify methods to make such onscreendisplayed text - which includes written or other nonverbal information (whether scrolled or displayed as characters or images) that appears on a television screen - accessible to this population.ے Such text should include information provided
*ے ے ے ے during regular programming when such information is provided to afford viewers with warnings of and instructions on how to respond to emergency or hazardous conditions;
*ے ے ے ے during local and national news bulletins; and
*ے ے ے ے during the broadcasting of any other information the Commission deems appropriate.
It is (state affiliate- individual)ےsincere expectation that we can work together on this critical issue to ensure that people who are blind or visually impaired receive emergency information in an accessible and timely manner.

HEAT PROGRAM RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDS

There is possible assistance for people who may be having difficulty with utilities as we go into the winter months.ے Utah just received a large influx of money ($3,000,000) to the HEAT program that provides assistance with heat, electrical and phone utility costs.ے As aےresult, HEAT has loosened their eligibility criteria (financially based) toےtake advantage of this assistance.ےےThis means that those whoےhave not qualified for help in the past mayےnowےqualify.ے These funds can be sought, effective immediately.ے The website for more information and how to contact the HEAT program is:
www.housing.utah.gov/seal

TOUCH SCREEN UPDATE

I thought it would be a good time to remind us all about ACB's significant accomplishments on this critical issue for our community.ے ACB has been in the forefront of national touch screen advocacy for both point of sale devices and ATMs. Using the Structured Negotiations process along with AFB and CCB, ACB has convinced Wal-Mart, Safeway, 7-Eleven, Rite Aid and Radio Shack to install tactile keypads at point of sale (POS) devices across the country. Trader Joes has also committed to install POS devices with tactile keypads at all stores in the country, but the roll out has been delayed because the company has run into significant hardware and software problems when they started switching to the new machines. Trader Joes is working hard on solving this problem and should have tactile POS machines installed at all Trader Joes stores in the next several months. In addition to the stores mentioned above, along with our lawyers, we are working on the POS issue with several other national chains, including Target, CVS, Dollar General and Staples.ے We expect to be reporting positive news on these stores as well.

As a result of ACB's efforts over the past four years, tens of thousands of keypads have been installed in retail stores across the country.ے And because the roll-out of tactile keypads is not finished for some of these stores, tactile keypads continue to be installed each month in states across the country.ے These keypads mean that as aے person with a visual impairment, you do not have to tell your PIN to a clerk and risk someone using your confidential information against you. Also, as a result of ACB's agreements with these national chains, thousands of staff have been trained aboutے how to ensure that customers with visual impairments have the same rights to financial privacyے as sighted customers.ے Please help ACB and our lawyers enforce the important settlement agreements that have been negotiated.ے If you visit one of the chains listed above and are unable to privately enter your PIN, please notify our lawyers using the contact information below.ے And if you encounter flat screen point of sale devices at other stores, please contact them.ے National advocacy efforts always start with individual advocacy.ے Each ACB member can be that advocate.

Talking ATMs
ACB's leadership role in the Talking ATM effort has been well documented.ے Again, tens of thousands of Talking ATMs have been installed -- and not just at banks -- as a result of the Structured Negotiations process spearheaded by the California Council of the Blind.ے If you haven't used a Talking ATM lately, try to do so within the next month.ے Using the technology helps convince the industry of the importance of accessibility.

SOUP FUNDRAISER

WOW! This is it, your last chance to order before Christmas. What a great Idea for Christmas gifts. Can you imagine the packages you can put together for family and friends. Now would be the time to start planning ahead and getting your supply on hand. This would be a great item to have for those you forget to pick up a little something for and they show up with something for you.
As you know the UCB is making efforts to raise funds to support the much needed services we offer those who are blind and visually impaired. This year we are offering America's finest bean soup mixes from Purely American Foods, a specialty foods manufacturer from Athens, Ohio. Since 1988 they have been handcrafting their all natural bean soup mixes, each designed to celebrate famous American themes. With their help, we have created three American Sampler 6 packs for you to consider purchasing to help us continue our worthwhile cause. These 6 packs are a great way to stock your pantry or as an outstanding gift for someone who loves to cook healthy, delicious regional American food.

Sampler #1 American Hot Rod Supercharged Chili
Brown County Corn Chowder
Bourbon Street Black Bean Soup Mix
Northwest Lumberjack Split Pea Soup Mix
French Market 18 Bean Soup Mix
Marin County Carrot Cake

Sampler #2
Ozark Outlaw Snakebite Chili
Chisholm Trail Chuckwagon Stew
US Senate Bean Soup Mix
Harvest on The Palouse Lentil and Split Pea Soup Mix
Northern Lakes Wild Rice Casserole
Shenandoah Valley Apple and Spice Cake

Sampler #3 (6 - salt free mixes)
French Market 18 Bean Soup Mix
Mama Marino's Minestrone Soup Mix
Northwest Lumberjack Split Pea Soup Mix
Bourbon Street Black Bean Soup Mix
Mississippi Queen Steamboat Stew Mix
Oregon Trail Pioneer Stew Mix

Each mix serves about 8 to 10 people, comes with an easy to follow recipe, and a history about the theme that it celebrates. Each set of 6 mixes is $40.00. Shipping directly to your home is included!
Please fill out the order form below and return it with your check to the UCB at 1301 W 500 S, Woods Cross, UT 84087-2224. We will forward the orders and shipment will be made directly to your home. The UCB will Braille or large print recipes for those that need them and get them out so you'll have them when your order arrives.

Name_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City____________________State________Zip___________________ Phone______________________________________________
Sampler #1, How many________ Total $_______________
Sampler #2, How many________ Total
Sampler #3, How many________ Total
Grand Total $_________________
Ship to address if different from that above

Recipes and instructions come with your order. If you'd like the UCB to furnish Braille ____________ or Large Print _______________, please check.

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Swimming Party
Saturday, January 17, 2009, The Davis County Recreation Center?s swimming pools (lap pool, dive pool, and a lazy river with two water slides), will be reserved for people who are visually impaired. Families are welcome. The fun will run from 7 to 9:PM. The cost will be $5.00 per person 13 and above and $2.50 for 12 and under. This will include your food. The sauna and hot tub will also be available for your use. The recreation center is located at 150 West 600 North in Bountiful. If you have any questions please call 801-299-8522.

Return to Newsletter Archive Home
For questions, suggestions, etc., E-mail:
Webmaster