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.
Carnival Cruise This Fall
Lisa Briones is organizing a cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines from Los Angeles to Mexico, to be held Sept. 17-21, 2007. The Carnival ship offers a spa, casino, ice cream parlor, heated pool, fitness center and much more. For detailed information on the cruise's itinerary, go to www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=LAX&itinCode=LA8&durDays=4&s. Contact Lisa Briones at (773) 572-3071 or send an e-mail to [email protected] for current pricing and additional details.
Study for Parents with Visual Impairments
The University of Arizona is seeking parents who have visual impairments to participate in a telephone interview study to learn about the strategies, concerns, and experiences these parents have as they raise their children. Parenting partners of participants who have them will also be invited to participate in the study. To learn more and complete an initial information form, visit www.ed.arizona.edu/rosenblum/recruit.htm. You can also request this information from Dr. Sunggye Hong at (319) 273-7954. Once they receive your information, a member of the research team will contact you to schedule a one-hour interview. Participation is voluntary, and there is no monetary compensation.
Siloam Camp for the Blind
The 2007 Siloam Camp for Blind Adults will be held May 12-19 at the Golden Cross Ranch in New Caney, Tex. Cost (including meals and lodging) is $200 per person; first-timers pay only the deposit. A $25 non-refundable camp registration fee is required of all campers. To receive the camp application and medical form, make your check payable to the Gospel Association for the Blind, and send it along with a 3 by 5 index card containing your name, address, phone number, cell phone number and e-mail if applicable to The Gospel Association for the Blind, PO Box 1162, Bunnell, FL 32110. All applications MUST be in the Florida office by April 12, 2007. For a voice mail message concerning Camp Siloam, call toll-free 1- 866-251-5165 , enter mailbox 7128 and then press the pound key. Visit www.circle-of-love.net for additional information.
Summer Braille Music Institute
The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians is accepting applications for its seminar for blind college-bound musicians, which will be held July 15-21 at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, Pa. The program tailors instruction to each person's need to develop braille music and theory skills, and to learn to use technology to submit music assignments in print notation. Applicants must have already studied some music theory, have had several years of music lessons, and be able to present a polished and pleasing performance. Deadline for requesting applications is April 13; all application materials due by May 9. Contact David Goldstein at (203) 366-3300, extension 229, or [email protected] for application and scholarship information. Visit www.blindmusicstudent.org to learn more ways to get involved with the summer institute.
Braille Chocolate Bars
Sweet Tooth sells braille chocolate bars with a choice of various sayings, including Happy Birthday, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Love You, Have A Nice Day, and Thank You. The bars weigh 4 1/2 ounces and can be made in milk, dark or white chocolate. Additional choices are plain or with nuts, rice crisps or peppermint. The bars are $2.50 each for the plain ones and $2.75 each for those with nuts or rice crisps. They are bagged in cellophane and tied with ribbons. All orders are made fresh for each customer. Shipping is extra based on each order. To order, send check payable to Judy Davis to 32 Vinton Road, Rochester, NY 14622. Contact Sweet Tooth by calling (585) 544-1853 or e-mailing [email protected]. Bars cannot be sent during the summer months.
Products from Bumpy Pages
Bumpy Pages offers all kinds of affordable braille and large print products. Items include greeting cards, restaurant menus, business cards, instruction manuals, cookbooks, clear labels, and much more. To learn more, visit www.bumpypages.com or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Speech Access for Vista
Serotek Corporation has announced that its entire product line, including FreedomBox and Key to Freedom with System Access software, is now integrated with Microsoft Windows Vista and available for download. Any current FreedomBox user or anyone with Vista can download the software from www.freedombox.info. These Serotek products also work with Windows Vista Media Center and the new Aero Glass interface for electronic mail, right out of the box.
Braille Books Available
The Assembly of God Center for the Blind offers a number of books in braille. These include: "The Very First Easter," "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God," "The Very First Christmas," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and "Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia." Books are available for borrowing or for ownership with a suggested donation. For additional details, visit www.blind.ag.org; e-mail [email protected], or call (417) 831-1964.
New Discussion Group
There is now an online reading/discussion group for the blind and visually impaired. Its purpose is to discuss reading experiences, both good and bad, and to direct others to new resources for materials that are accessible. To sign up, send an e-mail to [email protected].
Hybrid Car Purchased
A donation from a Chicago-area benefactor has enabled The Seeing Eye, Inc., to purchase a hybrid car. The 2007 Toyota Prius will join the school's fleet of vehicles used for traffic training of people with visual impairments teamed with specially trained canines.
New Book By Blind Teens
The Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments has published "A Look Into Our 'I's." It's a compilation of writings by young authors with visual impairments. It discusses many of the challenges and triumphs that these 12 teenagers experience. The book is available at the DGCCVI at 5030 McRee, St. Louis, MO 63110 or online at www.dgckids.org. It costs $18 plus shipping.