by Susan 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.
Holiday CD Raises Funds for ACB
ACB member and glass harmonica artist Carolinn Skyler has a holiday CD available. The CD, which is all Christmas carols, has a playing time of 30 minutes and was recorded in the studio of Gordon Kent. Selections include: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Jingle Bells." The CD sells for $15. When you mention ACB, Carolinn will donate 10 percent of your order to the American Council of the Blind. To place orders, call (215) 848-5079 or e-mail [email protected].
Accessible Toys
AblePlay.org has released its top five picks for the holidays. The web site includes free, independent ratings and expert advice on all kinds of toys for children with disabilities.
Dialogue Subscription Rates To Increase January 1
Now is the time to buy or renew your subscription to "Dialogue" magazine. Subscription rates will increase on Jan. 1, 2007. The new rate will be $42 for one year for all subscribers. "Dialogue" is available in large print, braille, four-track cassette and e-mail. The diskette edition will be discontinued. To order, or to renew your subscription, write to Blindskills, Inc., P.O. Box 5181, Salem, OR 97304-0181; call 1-800-860-4224; or visit www.blindskills.com.
2007 Medicare Handbook
The Medicare & You 2007 handbook contains important information about what's new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights for people with Medicare. You can find 48 geographic-specific versions of the handbook on the Medicare web site, with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions. The handbook is available at www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf.
Autobiography
Lois Dingess Howard enjoyed an almost perfect childhood. But when she was in the fifth grade, she was suddenly confronted with the shocking realization that she was gradually losing her vision. Want to read more of the story? Order "Loving in the Dark, An Incredible Journey," available in print. To get your copy, send an $8 check or money order to Lois Howard at 61951 High Hill Road, Cambridge, OH 43725.
AFB Public Policy Interships
The American Foundation for the Blind Public Policy Center is inviting applications for the summer and fall sessions of the 2007 AFB Policy and Research Internship program. Candidates for these six-week internships must possess a bachelor's degree and be pursuing a graduate or professional course of study relating to special education, rehabilitation, law, public health, or related human services discipline. Candidates must also possess a demonstrable commitment to people with vision loss or other disabilities. For application guidelines and questions, e-mail Mark Richert at [email protected], call (202) 408-8175, or visit www.afb.org.
Morehead School Alumni Sought
The alumni committee of the Governor Morehead School is seeking all alumni. You do not have to have graduated from the school; if you attended at any time, either campus, you are considered an alumnus. Please send your former and current name, along with your address and telephone number (and e-mail address if you have one) to: Joyce H. Kemp, 3009 Whiting Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205.
Talking Bible
Talking Bibles International offers the new digital Talking Bible. It includes the entire NIV New Testament and crystal clear fidelity. Holiday pricing is $69.95 and includes shipping. Visit www.talkingbible.org or e- mail [email protected] for additional information.
Large Print Prayer CD's
The Large-Print Ministry is offering two CDs that can help the visually impaired in their devotions and worship. "Prayers & Psalms For Today" is a large-print CD that includes selections from Prayers and Thanksgivings, Prayers for the Sick, Prayers for Use by a Sick Person, and the entire Book of Psalms from the "Book of Common Prayer" of The Episcopal Church. "The Large-Print Book of Common Prayer" CD includes the entire "Book of Common Prayer." Material is in 18-point type and is laid out for 8.5 x 11-inch pages that can be printed for worship. To order one of these CDs, send a self-addressed, stamped 6" x 9" padded envelope with four 39 cent stamps attached to: Ann Dahlen, 1900 6th Avenue, Apt. 513, Rock Island, IL 61201. While the CDs are free, donations are welcome.
Online Worship
Friday Study Ministries is an online worship opportunity that welcomes people who are disabled. It currently offers in-depth Bible studies, biblically based sermons and e-mail questions. To take part in worship, visit www.fridaystudyministries.org.
Braille Diabetes Journal
Pocket Reference Journals, a medical publisher, now offers a braille edition of its newly written "My Pocket Doctor," a reference guide and journal. It's written by an endocrinologist, a certified diabetes educator, and a registered dietitian. It is designed to answer any questions that a newly diagnosed diabetic would ask, including sections on travel, diet, fitness, medications, illness complications, resources, and much more. To acquire the braille edition, contact Pocket Reference Journals at www.pocketreferencejournals.com, or call (714) 965-4570.
T-Shirts and Cookbooks Available
R. David New offers braille T-shirts and cookbooks. At www.blind-art.com, he sells T-shirts that say "Touch Me" in puffy braille. And at www.grandmomgrode.com, you can get a copy of a CD cookbook that includes dozens of his Jewish grandmother's dishes. The cookbook is also available by calling 1-800-294-7180.
Lareg Print Keyboard Available
Ai Squared has released the ZoomText (R) Large-Print Keyboard, featuring easy-to-read keycaps and "one-touch" access to ZoomText 9.0. It features 36-point lettering and a high-contrast black on yellow color scheme for easy reading. The keyboard also offers 16 dedicated feature keys that allow users to instantly access their favorite ZoomText commands. For further information, go to www.aisquared.com/Products/Keyboard.cfm, or call 1-800-859-0270.
Technical Support Line
The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind offers an assistive technology support line for individuals around the country free of charge. For support on all types of assistive technology, call toll-free, 1-888-825-0080.
Scholarship Winners Announced
The Jewish Guild for the Blind recently named the winners of its 2007 GuildScholar Program scholarships. They are: Maida Avdic, Omaha, Neb.; Alyssa Bates, Fairborn, Ohio; Christine Bouchard, Starkville, Miss.; Casey Burkhardt, Toms River, N.J.; Mindy Cook, Celina, Ohio; Mandi Curtis, Massena, N.Y.; Colin A. Dalrymple, Midlothian, Va.; Blair Douglass, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Carly Eglander, Wantagh, N.Y.; Corey Grandstaff, Marengo, Ohio; Elizabeth Haro, San Antonio, Tex.; Maria Kristic, Rhinebeck, N.Y.; Casey Joshua Lakritz, Bridgewater, N.J.; Adlee Faith Manion, Leitchfield, Ky.; Sarah Katherina Meyer, Kokomo, Ind.; and Lauren Sullivan, Cumming, Ga. For information on the GuildScholar Program's scholarships for 2008, contact Gordon Rovins at (212) 769-7801 or e-mail [email protected].
New Magazine
Bob Branco is launching a new magazine called "The Consumer Vision." This semi-monthly publication will feature topics of human interest, reports from consumer organizations, sports, trivia, editorials, and more. He seeks article submissions and advertisers. Contact him directly at [email protected] or (508) 994-4972.
European Tours for the Visually Impaired
Vision Outdoor organizes tours to Europe for people who are visually impaired. This spring they will offer two tours, April 13-22 to Greece and April 28-May 11 to eastern Germany. Each tour costs 1150 euros and includes one sighted guide per two visually impaired travelers. For additional details on these trips, call 011-0049-521-1640020 or e-mail [email protected].
Library Seeks Donations
The Louis Braille Memorial Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of Bangladesh is seeking donations of new or used braille and large-print books, magazines, religious matter, and educational materials. They would like equipment including white canes, braille and talking watches, braille writers, embossers and paper. Send all items "Free Matter for the Blind" to Mirpur P.O. Box 8157, Plot #11/1, Road #06, Block # E, Mirpur -12, Dhaka - 1216, Bangladesh.