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 Braille 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.
CVS Talking Label Program
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and usability of prescription medications, CVS’s local pharmacies now have the ability to dispense controlled substance medications with the Access-A-Med talking prescription labels. Patients seeking Access-A-Med labels for controlled substances should contact their local CVS pharmacist, who will work to obtain the Access-A-Med device and get it to the patient. This may take a day or more, depending on availability. CVS will continue to dispense non-controlled prescription medications with ScripTalk talking labels through cvs.com. CVS patients can sign up for ScripTalk labels for non-controlled substances by calling 1-888-861-4363. Patients who prefer to have non-controlled prescription medications with the ScripTalk labels sent to their local CVS stores for pick-up can make that request through cvs.com.
As with any new effort, there may be bumps along the road. Please share your experiences, both good and bad, by emailing Kim Charlson at [email protected] or Lainey Feingold at [email protected]. If you don’t have email, you can leave a message for Lainey at (510) 548-5062. When writing, please be sure to include the location of your local CVS store.
Thank you for using these new services and for sharing your experiences as we continue to monitor the implementation of this program.
The Senses Exhibit
“The Senses: Design Beyond Vision” launched in April at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, to explore how multi-sensory design amplifies everyone’s ability to learn, explore and satisfy essential human needs and experiences. This exhibition, which runs through Oct. 28, explores design through all the senses with interactive installations, created in collaboration with more than 65 contemporary designers in the fields of product, interior, graphic, and interaction design, data visualization, scent design.
You’ll be able to wander through a scented snowstorm, play a furry instrument in a Tactile Orchestra, investigate the sonic properties of glass, and much more. The exhibition features labels with key elements in braille and a custom smartphone app that will connect visitors to exhibition content via text or audio. Additional accessibility features include audio descriptions explaining the visual content of videos.
Dallas Lighthouse to Merge with Envision
Envision recently announced that it is welcoming the Dallas, Texas-based Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind into the Envision family. Operations will continue as normal in Dallas, and the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind name will be retained.
Spirit Donates to Envision’s Child Development Center
Envision has received a $15,000 gift through Spirit AeroSystems’ Good Neighbor Fund to sponsor a pre-K classroom at the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center (ECDC). The donation will support tuition assistance for low-income families as well as meals, rehabilitation fees and field trips for the integrated classroom, which includes children who are sighted, blind and visually impaired.
New from National Braille Press
Just in time for the Fourth of July, National Braille Press is making copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States available in braille and downloadable BRF. Limit one per customer.
For more information on any of these books, contact National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA 02115-4302; phone 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html.
Unique Braille Gifts
Loving Touch Connection offers hand-painted glassware and decorative items with raised braille. Kathy Keck, the artist and owner, has been customizing her art with raised braille messages on wine glasses, martini glasses, coffee mugs, salt and pepper shakers, beer mugs, pilsner glasses, canisters, spice jars, and more for over five years.
Each message is brailled in grade 1 English. French and Spanish options may be special ordered. Designs include butterflies, grapevines, sunflowers, rainbows, or smiley faces. The paint is slightly raised so the designs can be felt. All items are hand-painted using non-toxic paint.
Products include:
- “Love My Dog” mug, $15
- Palm Trees “5 o’clock Somewhere” 16 oz. pub glass, $20
- “World’s Best Grandma” coffee mug, $15
- Butterfly Wishes “Live Laugh Love” martini glass, $20
- Vineyard “Cheers!” wine glass, $25
- Rainbow Love “S” and “P” salt & pepper shakers, $20
- Smiley Face “S” and “P” salt & pepper shakers, $15
- Cardinal and Bluebird “S” and “P” salt & pepper shakers, $15
- “Cinnamon” spice jar with green leaves and vines, $10
The company also welcomes custom orders. Visit http://lovingtouchconnection.com or email [email protected]for more information.
Seeking Avon Products?
Alice Crespo is an Avon representative. If you’re looking for Skin So Soft, Bug Guard, and other products to help get you through the summer, visit her store at www.youravon.com/AliceCrespo or call (917) 696-8115.