by Sue Lichtenfels
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, send a message to [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.
Summer Retreat
Candle in the Window will hold its 20th annual conference, entitled "Can You Relate: Navigating Relationships as Blind People," Aug. 8-12 at Wooded Glen, a retreat center in Henryville, Ind. The weekend will include provocative presentations and stimulating discussions, hiking, eating, singing, and quiet reflection. Cost is $360 ($15 discount with a $35 non-refundable deposit by July 1). For additional information, contact Peter Altschul at (573) 445-5564 or [email protected]. You may also contact Kathy Szinnyey at (502) 895-0866 or [email protected].
Alumni Reunion
The Oregon State School for the Blind announces a reunion of alumni, staff and friends to be held June 8-10, 2007 at the school in Salem, Ore. Activities will include a sack lunch social, bowling, a banquet, and a dance with karaoke music. Limited lodging is available on a first-requested, first-served basis. If you have not yet received a registration packet, contact Claude and Anne Garvin at (503) 232-1344 or via e-mail, [email protected].
Free Menopause Guidebook
The Menopause Guidebook is now available in braille for free through National Braille Press. The book, published by the North American Menopause Society, is the most complete and current discussion of the subject available anywhere. It contains information on perimenopause, early menopause, menopause symptoms, long-term effects of estrogen loss, and a wide variety of therapies to enhance health. To request a copy, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 1-888-965-8965.
2007 ACE Awards
The American Kennel Club is now accepting nominations for its 2007 ACE awards. The program honors five dogs each year who have performed an exemplary act or series of acts, whether large or seemingly small, that have significantly benefitted a community or individual. One award is given in each category: law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service, and exemplary companion dog. Submission deadline is June 29, 2007. For submission requirements and nomination form, visit www.akc.org/news/ace/index.cfm.
** WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP
The White House Internship Program is seeking candidates for its fall 2007 internship opportunity that runs Sept. 4 through Dec. 14. In addition to typical office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, enrolled in college, and at least 18. For an application, visit www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html. Deadline is June 26, 2007. If you have questions, contact Karen Race at (202) 456-5979 or via e-mail, [email protected].
Ziegler Celebrates 100
Congratulations to the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind on its 100th anniversary! The first magazine was published in March 1907 when Matilda Ziegler, a mother of a blind child and heiress to a fortune, donated her inheritance to publishing a monthly general interest magazine for the blind. To commemorate this great anniversary, Ziegler's March issue featured many newspaper articles written about the magazine's start, along with letters of praise from two Presidents and Helen Keller. The magazine is published in contracted braille, on four-track cassette, by e-mail, and online at www.matildaziegler.org. To subscribe, call (212) 242-0263.
Love Is Blind
Dominic Carrejo has launched the Love Is Blind web site specifically designed to help the visually impaired community meet new and interesting people for both friendship and romance. You can visit this subscription-based site at www.luvisblind.net.
Traveleyes & Trekker Together
Traveleyes, a company that specializes in organizing overseas trips for the visually impaired, now provides its clients with HumanWare's Trekker talking GPS system. The Trekker will allow blind travelers to pinpoint exactly where they are, learn about area attractions, and find out in real time how to get to specific destinations. To learn more about Traveleyes, visit its web site at www.traveleyes.co.uk.
Old-Time Radio Programs
Helping Hands for the Blind provides free of charge to visually impaired people books and recordings of the radio programs that were broadcast between 1925 and 1961, commonly known as the "Golden Age of Radio." Now, Radio Spirits, the license holder for thousands of popular old-time radio and classic video programs, including vintage comedy, mystery, detective, adventure and suspense programs such as The Jack Benny Program, The Shadow, Abbott & Costello and more will be donating recordings to Helping Hands for distribution to visually impaired people. Contact Helping Hands for the Blind at (818) 341-8217. You can learn more about Radio Spirits programs at www.radiospirits.com.
Gourmet Mixes
All Mixed Up offers fresh gourmet mixes, including breads, soups, dips and desserts. Mixes are made in the mountains of Virginia and serve two to six people. For more information, contact Tara Fairchild via e-mail at [email protected] or visit her web site, www.allmixedupgourmet.com/store/affiliate.asp?aff=151.
Dolphin Product Suite
Dolphin Computer Access, Inc. offers a suite of speech products. Smart Hal speaks aloud the contents of a cell phone screen, allowing a visually impaired person to make full use of features such as cameras and e-mail. Pocket Hal screen reader offers full access to any mainstream PDA. Dolphin Pen is a thumb drive that allows users to use Dolphin speech, magnification or braille software on any computer with full settings intact. For more information, visit www.yourdolphin.com.
Real 'U' Guides
National Braille Press now offers three new "Real U" Guides: "The Real U Guide to Your First Job, "The Real U Guide to Bank Accounts and Credit Cards," and "The Real U Guide to Your First Apartment." The "Real U" series of books consists of fun and informative guides for first-timers in a variety of fields. They offer hip, common-sense advice from people who've been there and done that! Each book has been specially adapted for visually impaired readers by Anna Dresner and Amy Ruell. Individual books are $6.95, or get all three for just $18. For more information, visit www.nbp.org or call 1-800-548-7323 or (617) 266-6160 x20.
Call For Contributors
Facts On File and the advisors for the Encyclopedia of American Disability History are looking for contributors to this three-volume reference book. It will cover basic information on important events, issues, developments, laws, biographies, and related topics in American disability history. For specific topics and writing guidelines, contact Dr. Susan Burch by e-mailing [email protected].
Camps for Blind Youth
Camp Tuhsmeheta offers a variety of weekend programs throughout the summer for youths with visual impairments. Sample programs include drama, art, sports, music, dressing for success, technology, and outdoor adventure. For the complete schedule and program descriptions, visit www.campt.org or call 1-866-789-9065 or (517) 487-3923.
Oral Hull Camp
The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind announces its summer camps for individuals who are visually impaired. Young adult camp will be Aug. 5-11, 2007; adult camp will run Aug. 12-19. The camps, held near Sandy, Ore., will offer field trips, swimming, hot tubbing, competitive games, crafts, entertainment, and great food. Each camp costs $350. For additional information, contact Jeff Lann at (503) 668-6195 or [email protected], or visit www.oralhull.com.
Seedlings Goes Electronic
Seedlings Braille Books for Children has begun offering some of its most popular two-volume books in electronic braille for $10, a considerable discount from the hard copy prices. The BRF formatted files are sent via e-mail. To browse the selection, visit www.seedlings.org.