by Billie Jean Keith
(Editor’s Note: We are sad to learn that Billie Jean Keith will no longer be able to compile and edit the “Here and There” column of “The Braille Forum.” We have enjoyed working with you, Billie Jean, and know that our readers will miss the affable multidimensional way you have kept us all informed over the past year and a half.
If you are interested in attempting to follow in the footsteps of Billie Jean and those who preceded her in the role of editor of “Here and There,” please send us a letter of application, along with a resume and references. You may send your application for this unpaid position via snail-mail to Penny Reeder, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005, or by e-mail to [email protected]. You may attach your resume and list of references as MS Word “doc” files or in plain text format, or just paste all documents directly into the e-mail message. We will accept applications until February 15, and hope to announce a new editor of “Here and There” no later than March 2003.)
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 an item for “Here and There,” send an e-mail message to [email protected]. You may call the ACB toll-free number, (800) 424-8666, and leave a message in mailbox 22. Please bear in mind that we need information two months ahead of actual publication dates.
And finally, a parting note: This is the last column from me. I have returned to work and there is just no time to squeeze for writing a monthly column. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to compile it for the past two years, and especially, to get to know many readers. Please continue to submit items for Here and There.
People Needed for Study
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) is a serious genetic disorder. It affects people from many nationalities and is very prevalent in families from northwestern Puerto Rico and their descendants. HPS involves albinism, a bleeding tendency and bruising, and in some cases, a life-threatening lung disease. Doctors at the National Institutes of Health are writing a protocol for a treatment for the pulmonary fibrosis of HPS. Patients will be treated by some of the nation’s leading experts at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md. There is no cost for the medicine, hospitalization, or doctors’ fees.
Eligible people will have a forced vital capacity on pulmonary function tests of below 85 percent. If you have a breathing problem related to Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, or if you are albino, have asthma, and suspect you might have this syndrome, please call toll-free (800) 789-9477.
Social Security Rates for 2003
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will increase slightly in 2003. Benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In real terms, this means that, if you are blind or visually impaired and you are working and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level will rise from $1,300 to $1,330 per month. For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, the monthly rate will change from $545 to $552. For a couple, the maximum federal SSI monthly payment will rise from $817 to $829. For more information, call your local Social Security office, or visit the web site at www.ssa.gov.
Congratulations to the Winners!
ACB is pleased to announce the winners of our scholarship raffle and convention sweepstakes!
The scholarship raffle’s third prize of $300 went to Frank and Terry Pacheco of Silver Spring, Md.; second prize of $500 went to the Missouri Council of the Blind; and first prize, $10,000, went to Sandy Sanderson and Lynne Koral of Anchorage, Alaska! Say, will that melt some ice up there? Big smile.
The convention sweepstakes winner was Sine Darlow of Jacksonville, Fla. She won $500.
ACB again congratulates all the winners and wishes all our members, friends, and families a great holiday season!
ACB Store Is Now Open!
The ACB store is now available on the ACB web site at www.acb.org. You will find a small selection of ACB products which may be familiar to you, such as the luggage tag, ACB pin, convention tapes, and lifetime memberships. As time goes on, we hope to be able to make a larger selection of products available to you.
Scholarships for Adaptive Technology Training
The Catholic Guild for the Blind, located in Chicago, offers training in adaptive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Guild offers classroom, tutorial, and one-on-one training. Classrooms are equipped with the latest in adaptive technology. The computer training program is for individuals who need adaptive technology training to pursue their goals, but cannot afford the cost of the training. The Richard Perritt Charitable Foundation is funding the program.
For more information or to obtain an application, please call Beth Ocrant or David Flament at (312) 236-8569, or e-mail [email protected].
Talbots Scholarship Fund for Older Women
The Talbots Charitable Foundation, established by clothing retailer Talbots, provides philanthropic support to non-profit organizations for civic and cultural activities, social welfare, and health and education services. The Foundation annually sponsors the Talbots Women’s Scholarship Fund, a $100,000 scholarship program that awards five $10,000 scholarships and fifty $1,000 scholarships to women seeking a bachelor’s or associate’s degree later in life. Applicants to the Fund must be women currently residing in the United States who earned a high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago; are seeking a degree from an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school; and have at least two full-time semesters or 24 credits remaining to complete their undergraduate degree.
The deadline for entries is March 3, 2003, or until 1,000 applications have been received. Applications for the 2003 program will be available in Talbots U.S. stores and on the company’s web site. The web address is www.talbots.com/about/scholar/scholar.asp.
Career Achievement & Incentive Awards
Lighthouse International is now accepting applications for its 2003 Career Achievement Awards and Career Incentive Awards programs. The Career Achievement Awards recognize exceptional employees who are blind or partially sighted and who have successfully overcome their visual limitations by achieving gainful employment. Awards will be given in three categories: employee, employer and self-employed individual. The winning employee and self-employed individual will each receive a $1,000 prize. Career Incentive Awards are designed to reward excellence, recognize accomplishments and help students who are blind or partially sighted achieve their career goals. There are four different categories: college-bound, undergraduate award I and II, and graduate. Each award carries a $5,000 prize. Applications are due March 31, 2003. To obtain an application, contact Kelly Clark at the Lighthouse, (212) 821-9428, fax (212) 821-9703, e-mail [email protected] or visit the web site, http://www.lighthouse.org.
Scholarships Available
The Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) will be offering $10,000 in college scholarships to blind or visually impaired individuals seeking a college degree. The Reggie Johnson Memorial Scholarship is valued at $3,000 along with seven additional $1,000 scholarships to be awarded for the 2003/2004 academic year. Scholarships may be used for tuition, living expenses and other expenses resulting from vision impairment. Applications can be obtained only via ABC’s web site, www.blindcitizens.org. Go to the scholarship link. The deadline for applications and supporting documents is April 15, 2003.
Helen Keller Wins
The State of Alabama selected Helen Keller to adorn their state quarter. She won over a moon rocket, a Cherokee chief and other Alabama-related symbols. This will be the first U.S. coin in circulation to include braille. The Helen Keller coin will be the 22nd quarter issued in the U.S. Mint’s state quarters program, a 10-year initiative commemorating each of the 50 states.
Congratulations to Steven Rothstein!
Steven M. Rothstein has been named the president of Perkins School for the Blind, America’s first school established for the education of students who are blind or deaf-blind. The announcement concludes an intensive search process, which lasted nearly a year and was conducted by a committee that included members from the school’s board of trustees and Perkins staff.
“We had several well qualified candidates to consider for the position,” said C. Richard Carlson, board chairman. “Steven poses a unique set of qualities and experiences we believe closely match the needs of Perkins for the 21st century.”
Rothstein will start January 1, 2003. He succeeds Kevin J. Lessard.
Computer and Electronics Store
J-Squared Access Solutions sells a variety of computer and electronic products at discount prices, including screen readers, synthesizers, computer games, and electronics such as talking clocks and Caller ID units. The company will custom build computer systems to fit any budget. Their price for Window-Eyes 4.2 is $525 and Double-Talk LT is $275. If you like computer games, J-Squared is an official distributor for the most popular accessible games.
Call (800) 443-9590, or visit www.jsquared.net. While on the site, subscribe to the e-mail bargains mailing list to get the latest specials. Earn $20 for sending J-Squared customers. For details, visit www.bestmidi.com/squared/refer.php.
Braille Translation Service
The Bartimaeus Group in northern Virginia has been known for its extensive line of assistive technology products, and for providing technical and training services. Now the company offers a braille transcription service featuring customization, quick turn-around times, and affordable prices. Ask about discounts. Documents such as meeting agendas and training manuals, convention programs and class assignments are easily transcribed into grades 1 or 2 braille.
Contact Bartimaeus Group at 1481 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101, phone (703) 442-5023, e-mail [email protected], or visit the web site, www.bartsite.com.
Chairs By Charles
If you live anywhere near Deep Water, New Jersey, and would like to have any chair caned, contact Chairs by Charles, phone (856) 299-2405.
Custom Braille Transcription Service Available
VISION Community Services, a division of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, offers custom Braille transcription. We produce a wide range of documents designed to meet the needs of the Braille reading public. Recent work includes menus, financial statements, users guides for consumer electronics, presentation handouts and hymnals. While VCS specializes in shorter documents in order to reduce turnaround time, we also produce some larger documents. All documents are formatted so as to meet individual customer needs.
We also have some publications available for sale. We recently produced “The Legal Seafoods Cookbook.” Cost per copy is $35. If you wish to have any documents transcribed into Braille or have any questions, please contact Bob Hachey, Braille Program Supervisor, Vision Community Services, 23A Elm Street, Watertown, MA 02472; phone (617) 972-9109, or e-mail [email protected].
Used Canes Needed Overseas
Jeff and Tami Carmer, of California Canes, are assisting with a project to provide used white canes to South Americans. Their contact is willing to do the overseas shipping. If you have any unused mobility canes in any condition, please send them to Manuel Sanchez, 4007 E. Pikes Peak Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80909.
And if you’re in the market for a cane, please contact California Canes, 16263 Walnut Street, Hesperia, CA 92345, phone (866) 332-4883, fax (760) 956-7477, e-mail [email protected], or visit the web site, www.californiacanes.com.