by Sarah Blake
The announcement of products and services in this column is not an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its staff, or elected officials. Products and services are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of products and services mentioned.
To submit items for this column, you may e-mail Sarah Blake at [email protected], or call ACB at 1-800-424-8666 and leave a message in mailbox 26. Please remember that postal regulations prohibit us from including advertisements, and that we need information two months ahead of actual publication dates.
Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year Awards
Do you have a favorite talking book narrator? Nominate him or her for an Alexander Scourby award. You may vote for your favorite nominee in fiction, non-fiction, and multilingual non- fiction from August 16 to September 15. Multilingual non-fiction is defined as a non-fiction work primarily in English, but with a significant number of foreign-language words, names, and/or phrases. For more information, contact Carrie Fernandez at (212) 502-7674 or [email protected]. The awards ceremony will take place on October 14.
New Audiobook Available
Larry Johnson’s book, “Mexico by Touch: True Life Experiences of a Blind American Deejay,” is available on a set of five CDs for a cost of $25 plus $3 for shipping and handling. To order, contact Larry Johnson, 10863 Lake Path Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217.
New Products at ACB Store
Six new signature products are available at the ACB Store. They are: shirts, jackets, caps, tote bags, a sew-on patch shaped like the state of Alabama, and a braille/large print desk calendar. To purchase online, visit www.acb.org and go to the ACB store. For more information, contact Pat Shreck via phone at 1- 877-367-2224 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Position Available
The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind is seeking a director of blind services for its E.H. Gentry Campus. Position requirements include: a master’s degree in rehabilitation and/or education; experience as an administrator; knowledge of blindness and the rehabilitation process; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; knowledge of program and curriculum development in rehabilitation services; knowledge of various methodologies of residential rehabilitation programs; be a competent braille reader and writer, and score 80 percent or better on the AIDB braille skills assessment inventory within the first 30 months of employment; and submit to a criminal history background information check. Performance responsibilities include: directing center-based and community rehabilitation programs for blind and visually impaired people; developing and implementing a core curriculum which builds confidence, independence, and leads to employment; maintaining positive relationships with organizations of the blind; researching the latest strategies for services leading to independence and employment; working closely with the director of field services; responsibility for programmatic supervision of all staff who serve blind and visually impaired people; evaluating personnel; improving professional competence of staff through in-service education and training activities; maintaining relationships in and participating in the affairs of professional societies, vocational rehabilitation conferences and consumer groups for blind and visually impaired people; working in partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and performing other duties as assigned. For more information on this position, contact Daniel Wirth, Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, PO Box 698, 205 E. South St., Talladega, AL 35161; phone (256) 761-3302, or e-mail [email protected].
New Designs at Blind-Novel-Tees!
Four new T-shirts are available. They are “Can I borrow your car?” in hat and T-shirt; “You need not see the stars to reach them!” (T-shirt only); “My dog doesn’t bite; I do” (T-shirt only); and “Walk softly and carry a long white stick” T-shirt. Order online at www.bntonline.com, or call (937) 472-0585.
Seeking Students
Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s Department of Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment recently changed from a quarter system to a semester system, and from classroom-based to online instruction with summer residency courses. The college is seeking individuals interested in receiving a master’s degree or certification in education of children and youth with visual and multiple impairments, rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility, or low vision rehabilitation. The school has a rolling admission policy; scholarships are available. For more information, contact Tina Fitzpatrick at (215) 780-1360, or via e-mail, [email protected]. You can also visit www.pco.edu and select programs (“academic programs” for JAWS users).
Phil Hatlen Receives Award
The Council for Exceptional Children recently presented the Outstanding Leadership Award to Phil Hatlen. Congratulations, Phil!
Goalball Team to Compete at Paralympics
The United States women’s goalball team will compete at the Athens Paralympic Games Sept. 17 to 28. Team members are: Jennifer Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Lisa Banta (Boonton, N.J.); Nicole Buck (Paw Paw, Mich.); Jessica Lorenz (San Francisco, Calif.); Asya Miller (Battle Creek, Mich.); and Robin Theryoung (Clarkston, Mich.). Alternates are: Jaclyn Barnes (Vernon Hills, Ill.) and Lindsay Sloan (Wauconda, Ill.).
Cell Phone Magnifier
Magnifics Inc. recently introduced the Phone Monocle, a soft, pliable and hypoallergenic cell phone magnifier. It slips around any phone — Nokia, Motorola, Seamen’s, or Panasonic — and magnifies the display up to 250 percent. For more information, contact Magnifics Inc., 2631 Mayfield Ave., La Crescenta, CA 91214; phone (818) 248-2228.
2004 College Football Schedule in Braille
The 2004 NCAA college football schedule in braille is now available. This year’s schedule lists 120 division 1-A and some requested division 1-AA teams, as well as the results of the 2003-2004 bowls and the top 25 teams in the AP final polls, the 2004 preseason poll, the 2004-2005 bowl schedule and much more. Each schedule costs $10. Schedules will be mailed around the middle of August; mailing will be by free matter. Get your orders in now so we can get your schedule to you before the season begins. Make your check payable to Allen H. Gillis, and send it to him at 302 Schaeffel Road, Cullman, AL 35055. You may also phone in your order, (256) 734-4047, or e-mail it to [email protected].
Seeking Issues of Magazine
Tom Fillyaw is looking for copies of the Florida School Herald from Sept. 1948 through May 1959. If you have any of those, contact Tom Fillyaw at 1140 SW 3rd Ave., Lake Butler, FL 32054, or call him at (386) 496-8189.
Elected
Elmer L. Cerano has been named the new chairperson of the NISH Board of Directors. Cerano, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, is also an adjunct professor of sociology at Oakland Community College.