The UCB Flier

A publication of
The Utah Council of the Blind
October 2008

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

A New Approach
Utah Connection Use
Funding Efforts
Gateway Shopping Discounts
UCB Needs Your Old Electronics
2009 Happenings Books Are In
Membership Renewal Time
Symphony Tickets
October Activity
New Internet Services
UCB Old Home Country Christmas
Currency Survey
Abilitylinks Survey
Register to Vote
YES! Accessible Currency
Fundraiser
Community Interests
Blind Parents Meeting
Swimming Party for Families or Individuals

A NEW APPROACH


A new approach will be taken in how information is brought to you in this newsletter. There will be activities that are community based that will be for your information with possible help available for transportation. These activities will not be sponsored by the UCB. They are more for your information only to keep you aware of those things you might find of interest to you. The heading you will find these articles under will be Community Interests.

UTAH CONNECTION USE

The number listed above for the Utah Connection is the resource we offer to keep you updated frequently with information. We want to encourage your use and help you gain familiarity of its purpose. Please call this number as much as you want. Things change constantly now 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 and surprises 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 are 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 are encouraging people to get involved in the work of the UCB. Your time is wanted for any interest you might have to help.
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.

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. By displaying a card, which you can purchahse from the organization for $10, you can receive a 20% discount on both food and merchandise. To purchase your card simply send $10 to the UCB and a special discount card will be mailed to you. This card is good for the entire week. Be certain to include your name and address so we can send you your card. Allow time for the mail.
Send your check to
UCB
1301 W 500 S
Woods Cross, UT 84087.

THE UCB NEEDS YOUR OLD ELECTRONICS

The UCB has the opportunity to receive money for its programs by collecting old electronics. The following list describes what we need.
• Cell Phones
• Ink Jet Printer Cartridges
• Laptop Computers
• Apple iPods
• Digital Cameras
• Digital Video Cameras
If you 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. Thank you.

2009 HAPPENINGS BOOKS ARE IN!

Once again the UCB will have Happenings books for $20 each. . They will be available at the UCB office when you pick up your cab coupons or you can have them mailed for an additional $4. Remember these books are great because they offer discounted services and vacation specials along with dining opportunities for buy-one-get-one free. Just eat out twice and you’ve paid for the book and helped the UCB at the same time. 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. 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 TIME

Just a reminder, membership information will be arriving in your mail soon. If you wish to join the UCB and continue to receive this newsletter and all other services, please renew your membership. For the year 2009 the dues is $10 if sent between now and the end of the year. Some of you have paid in advance. If you have any questions about this please call Dianna at (801) 277-9365. 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 to the limit of what’s available. This is going to be a great season and the following Symphony’s are available.
Land of the Midnight Music 10-11-08
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 pick up window if this will be more accommodating.

OCTOBER ACTIVITY

What a great idea! Come join us for Table Tennis or learn a new game, Power Showdown, similar to air hockey for the Blind on Saturday, October 11th. Learn to play table tennis on a table which has been adapted for people with visual impairments. Other games will be available for a change of pace. The plan is to include lunch with the $5.00 charge for the day. The activities will begin at 10:AM and go until 1:PM. This will be held at DSBVI located at 250 North and 1950 West, Suite B, in Salt Lake City. All those planning to attend will need to send their $5.00 to UCB, c/o Leslie Gertsch at 1301 West 500 South, Woods Cross, Ut 84087. Because of the down turn in the economy and to eliminate waste it will be necessary to receive your payment in advance so meals can be ordered. No extra lunches will be ordered. With funding cutbacks we must show and effort on our part to find areas we can decrease our expenditures and waste. If you have a need for transportation call TerriLynne at 299-8522 so arrangements can be made.

NEW INTERNET SERVICES

Please share the following announcement with others who may be interested. If you are tired of paying high prices for high speed internet service, then the Assistive Technology Center has a solution for you. ATC has partnered with Communications World Network (CWNET) to offer an affordable alternative DSL service. This service is available for $19.99 monthly. Our new service includes: 1 Gigabyte e-mail storage, Free Anti Spam mail filtering, Free Anti Virus mail filtering, Free Online Anti Virus PC screening, Free 250 Megabyte backup storage, Free 24/7 technical support, Free Firewall, Free Wireless Router, Unlimited US and Canada, phone calling ($20 per year additional), To order, call toll free at 888-723-5011, ext. 1. These are the web speeds available for DSL wireless on CW net. 768 KBPS is basic service at $19.99 per month. 1500 KBPS is available for $24.95 per month. 3000 KBPS is available for $29.99 per month. 6000 KBPS is available for $49.99 per month. All accounts come with a free DSL modem, Wireless router, hardware firewall, and 10/100/1000 LAN switch. All plans feature VOIP phone capability.
I would generally recommend the second plan for users with more than one computer on the network. Please call us to sign up or to ask any questions.

UCB OLD HOME COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Come join us for the UCB annual Christmas Party on December 6, 2008. It is scheduled to start at 12:00 PM and end at 3:30 PM. There will be food, fun, a Christmas sing-along, and an auction to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family. The schedule for the afternoon will be as follows:
12:00 to 1:00: Arrival, check-in, socialize with others
12:00 to 3:00: Auction, bake sale, and craft tables: look, bid, and buy
1:00 PM to 2:00: dinner and dessert with Michael Harris performing
2:00 PM to 3:00: Entertainment; some of our members will sing and invite the rest of us to sing along with the good old-fashioned Christmas songs of the season. Santa will be visiting with goodies for all.
3:00 PM to 3:30 PM: Wrap-up; announce who won what at the auction.
There will be two choices for dinner. They are:
Ham with au gratin potatoes, stuffing and green beans
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 reservations. If you show up without first placing an order, DO NOT EXPECT TO BE FED!
There will be a bake sale where you can buy cookies, breads, pastries, and other delectable items. If you have craft items you wish to sell, you can reserve a craft table for $15.00. Contact Sandy England by November 25, 2008.
All proceeds from the auction will go to the UCB. If you wish to donate something for the auction, you can contact Sandy England at 282-1905. Be prepared to pay for auction items the night 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 ______
Number children ______ Ham ______
Turkey ______
Information for Santa, age and sex of children (Please list)

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

CURRENCY SURVEY

After consulting with our attorney, Jeffrey Lovitky, I am posting the survey below for your review and possible completion. ARINC was the entity gathering information at our convention regarding accessible currency and, based on this document it appears to be seeking additional input. I feel compelled to comment relative to the location of questions on the survey instrument. Note that questions dealing with our experience with currency readers and/or cell phones having speech software appear very early in the survey, while questions concerning preferences relative to tactile features appear toward the end of the survey. I point this out only to urge you to complete the entire survey, even though it has more than 50 questions. Don't give up halfway through and send in a partially completed document. We will prevail in our goal of having fully accessible U.S. currency.
Please join me in filling out the survey and providing your input to ARINC.
Mitch Pomerantz, ACB President

Hello, my name is Jennifer Shearer, I work with ARINC, an independent research firm, under contract to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We’re conducting this study in order to get a better understanding of how blind and low vision people use U.S. currency. Your answers to questions about your experiences using U.S. currency may contribute to changes that could help individuals with visual impairments in the future. It’s most important to remember that we are not testing you! We’re studying currency, and how well it works for people who are blind or have visual impairments. So we hope you won’t feel any pressure. Please type your responses right into the document, and return it via email to: currency.survey@arinc.com If you have any questions related to the survey, please call me at 410-266-2048.

ABILITYLINKS SURVEY
INTRODUCING The Employed Person's Profile
www.abilitylinks.org/employedperson/profiles.aspx?dbobjectid=3&pageid=789

LET'S PUT A DENT IN THOSE DISMAL UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS REPRESENTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ONCE AND FOR ALL!
The Abilitylinks' Employed Person's Profile was created to encourage other job seekers on their career path as well as give examples to employers of individuals achieving success in their careers and in the workplace.
IF YOU, OR INDIVIDUALS YOU KNOW, WHO HAVE A DISABILITY, AND ARE SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOYED OR HAVE STARTED A PROFITABLE BUSINESS VENTURE, PLEASE LET Us KNOW.
Please encourage all successfully employed persons with disabilities to fill out the profile. www.abilitylinks.org/employedPerson/index.aspx?PageID=672

REGISTER TO VOTE

All the confetti and balloons have been cleaned up; it’s time to make sure you can participate in this year’s historic election. You need to register to vote if you have never registered to vote in Utah, if you have recently moved, or if you have changed your name. Contact your local County Clerk or check out the following link with instructions on how to register to vote:
www.elections.utah.gov/voterregistrationnewhow.html
Both the national and local elections are important this year. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your vote count.

YES! ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY

For further information, contact:
Melanie Brunson, (202) 467-5081, or
Jeffrey A. Lovitky, (202) 744-9702.
Court Says the Blind Will Have Meaningful Access to Currency, tells Government 'No Unnecessary Delays'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 -- The American Council of the Blind is pleased to report that District Court Judge James Robertson has told lawyers representing both sides in the case American Council of the Blind v. Paulson that the Department of the Treasury must make U.S. currency accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired as quickly as possible.
In its decision on May 20, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia remanded the issue of injunctive relief back to the District Court for further consideration. Therefore, a status conference was held September 4 by Judge James Robertson, during which he made it clear to both sides that he will not allow any unnecessary delay by the Treasury as it seeks to comply with the court's ruling that requires paper currency to be distinguishable by people who are blind and visually impaired. Robertson ordered the parties to meet and attempt to reach agreement on a schedule. The court intends to impose a schedule on the government for making future generations of currency accessible and to ensure that it is complied with.
Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind, said, "It is apparent that this judge expects the Treasury to expeditiously comply with his earlier ruling in favor of accessible currency. Our outstanding attorney, Jeffrey Lovitky, is continuing to hold Treasury's feet to the fire and it is gratifying to know that the judge is likewise requiring accountability and transparency from the manufacturer of our legal tender. ACB and Mr. Lovitky shall stand firm on behalf of blind and visually impaired individuals in our demand that we have the same opportunity to independently determine what each bill is without the need for outside assistance, either human or electronic."
The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually impaired Americans to participate fully in every aspect of American society. For more information, contact Melanie Brunson, (202) 467-5081, or Jeffrey A. Lovitky, (202) 744-9702.

Fundraiser

WOW! This is a great offer. 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

Blind Parents to Meet

If you are a blind parent and are interested in meeting with other blind parents, mark your calendar for Friday, October 10th. Parents who are blind will be gathering at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 North 1950 West, Suite B, at 6:PM for a potluck dinner, get acquainted activities, and a planning session. For more information, call Tara Briggs at 801-792-6359.

Swimming Party For Families and Individuals

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.

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