edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB E-Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
myReader
Want to use your screen reader without a keyboard? Check out myReader! This software package lets you use screen readers without a keyboard. It is compatible with NVDA, and soon to be compatible with other screen readers too.
If you’re new to the computer world or having difficulties with the keyboard, this software will let you use a computer without any problems. For more information, visit www.myReader.org.
New Resource Offers Guidance on Accessible Technology-Related Public Policy
From the Section 508 refresh to progress around Section 501, the regulatory landscape influencing accessible information and communications technology (ICT) is ever evolving. To help employers, employees, and technology providers learn about and understand the latest federal regulatory developments, the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) has launched “Policy Matters,” a centralized resource that covers what’s happening in the world of accessible technology-related public policy. Featuring easy-to-understand articles, policy briefs, and analyses, “Policy Matters” explores how key policy developments apply to the workplace — from laws and regulations to court decisions and proposed legislation. The free tool is designed to keep stakeholders informed about government efforts to ensure workplace technology is accessible to all employees — including those with disabilities.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, PEAT fosters collaboration and action around accessible technology in the workplace. For more information, visit http://www.PEATworks.org/Policy-Matters.
Florida Open Golf Tournament
The 12th Annual Florida Open Tournament for Golfers with Disabilities and/or Mobility Challenges is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the Long Marsh Golf Club, located at 20 White Marsh Rd., Rotonda West, FL 33947; phone (941) 698-0918.
To save your spot, pre-register online at http://www.floridagolfmagazine.com/open/pre-register.html. Able-bodied golfers are also welcome to enter. The $50 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart fee, range balls, prizes, and dinner (award banquet).
Everyone is eligible to compete for gross awards, and everyone with a USGA handicap is eligible to compete in the low net award categories.
For more information, call tournament director Joe Stine at (863) 227-2751 or (863) 294-2621, or email him, [email protected].
Engaging the Senses in Garden
The Hadley Institute for the Blind’s Marylou Hayford Sensory Garden engages all the senses: visual, tactile, auditory, olfactory, and taste, too. Last year Hadley asked John Eskandari to take over the project and maximize the garden experience for blind and sighted visitors. He spent days working on combinations of seasonal plants that would get people reaching out to touch, smell and feel connected with the garden. To do so, he and his team used various scented flowers, herbs or delicate grasses; hung wind chimes in various places; and added bubbling fountains. Large tropical plants added to the tactile experience. If you’re ever in Winnetka, Ill., drop by and smell the flowers!
Unity Message of Hope
Unity Message of Hope, a non-denominational ministry serving people who are blind or visually impaired, has a virtual library of downloadable .brf Braille Unity publications, an audio lending library, and “Daily Word” in braille, available free of charge. For more information, call 1-866-421-3066, or send email to [email protected]. To download Unity books, visit www.unity.org/braille/.
Ocular Melanoma Drug Trial
A potentially groundbreaking new option for treating a form of eye cancer is now in its first phase-1 clinical research trial at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. The treatment, called light-activated AU-011, developed by Aura Biosciences of Cambridge, Mass., is an investigational drug that targets and aims to selectively destroy cancer cells in patients who have ocular melanoma.
The treatment now being investigated uses viral nanoparticle conjugates, which is a targeted therapy of growing interest in medicine. The treatment involves injecting the AU-011 investigational drug into the eye affected by cancer followed by the brief use of a companion ophthalmic laser treatment to activate the drug. The investigational drug is expected to destroy the membranes of the ocular melanoma while sparing key eye structures, which may allow for the potential of preserving patients’ vision.
The trial, which began in early 2017, is expected to enroll up to 12 patients at Wills Eye and other clinical trial sites. Trial investigators will focus on evaluating the safety of two dose levels of AU-011 for the treatment of patients with small to medium primary ocular melanoma. Potential participants must have a confirmed ocular melanoma diagnosis not previously treated. Patients treated in the trial will be observed and followed for 2 years.
Resource Handbooks Available
Christine Chaikin of Insightful Publications has created 18 screen reader-friendly resource handbooks containing resources pertaining to the blind and visually impaired, for use by consumers and professionals. States available are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas.
Each state’s handbook is for the residents of those states, and includes the many organizations for the blind and visually impaired, covering areas such as employment, housing, transportation, and more. The books include contact information on the local, regional, and national levels.
For more information, contact Insightful Publications via e-mail, [email protected], by phone at (808) 747-1006, or visit www.in-sightful.com.
Little Migraine Book
Ojocion Ingram’s migraine book is available free online at livinganyway.com/wp/the-little-big-headache-book.
New E-mail Lists
Adrijana Prokopenko runs two e-mail lists for blind people. The first one is called Blind penpals. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to [email protected]. The second one is for blind singles. If you’d like to subscribe to it, send a blank e-mail message to [email protected].
Life Coaching Available
Does life feel like it’s getting on top of you? Could you benefit from a place to take some time out to explore your dreams and goals, and to get back on good footing again? Martin Fleming is a practicing life coach in Mayo, Ireland, who has now relocated to Norfolk in the UK. He is committed to providing one-on-one coaching in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. He is a member of the Life and Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI), and works with both individuals and couples on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period, with the aim of enabling you to enhance your life and to live it more fully.
He has experience in coaching and helping clients who have experienced difficulties with stress, relationships, parenting, fitness/nutrition, losing weight, career/job, etc.
He also provides telephone and Internet coaching to people further away. Contact him through his web site, www.yourholisticsolution.com, or via email, [email protected], for further information.
Sermons by Phone
If you want to hear a sermon anytime, anywhere, call Sermons on the Phone at (773) 572-6206. When you call, you will hear the voice of Linda Stewart telling you what’s on each option and how to get into the archives.
Some of the speakers include: Ann Graham Lotz talking about unanswered prayer; Fred Dickason on communicating with the spirit world; Adrian Rogers talks about Jesus; David Jeremiah talks about being faithful to your mate; Dr. Warren Wiersbe on the contrast between a believer and an unbeliever; and Pastor Jeff Fugate talking about raising teenagers.
You can also leave Linda a message by calling the number above and hitting the pound key when you hear her voice.
Braille Transcription Service
Marjorie Heard of North Carolina has a braille transcription service. For more information, write her at 309 Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC 27699, or phone her at (919) 733-9822.
Need a Clean Brailler?
Larry Harring repairs Perkins braillers. Contact him at home, (252) 977-3716, or on his cell phone, (252) 883-3051.