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.
INTERNATIONAL BLIND CURLING EVENT
The Canadian Council of the Blind is hosting an international blind curling event during its White Cane Week, Feb. 5-11, 2006. International Blind Curling Bonspiel will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, and is limited to 16 teams (10 from Canada, 6 international). Entry fees are $3,000 Canadian per team, and include airfare, all meals, prizes, souvenirs, two hockey games, hotel accommodations, transportation from and to the airport, a city tour, a tour and meal at the Canadian War Museum, a reception, opening ceremony, VIP reception area at the curling club, a picture and autograph session with Eddie "The Wrench" Werenich (former Canadian and world curling champion), and an awards banquet. For more information, or registration forms, call the Canadian Council of the Blind, 1-877-304-0968, or e-mail [email protected].
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
In July, a presidentially appointed Council released a report that includes eight recommendations for coordination-based solutions that will better integrate people with disabilities into the nation's disaster and emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts. The report announced the launch of the "Disability and Emergency Preparedness Resource Center," a web site resource for both people with disabilities and emergency preparedness planners. The Council's report and the disability resource center can be found at www.DHS.gov/DisabilityPreparedness. Additional disability-related emergency guidelines are available through the Department of Labor at www.DOL.gov/odep/ and the Department of Transportation at www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/emergencyprep.
RFB&D INVESTS IN THE FUTURE
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) and CAST, developer of technology-based education resources, have signed a three-year partnership agreement to advance learning technologies that provide students with disabilities greater access to high-quality educational content and to ensure that these tools get into the hands of the students who need them.
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA AND FUNDRAISER TOO
Carmela's Gourmet, owned by blind entrepreneur Carmela Cantisani, is offering a special holiday fund-raiser for ACB. Purchase her six gourmet salad dressings at the special wholesale price of $25 or a $25 gift certificate and she will donate $5 to the ACB. These award-winning dressings are made with all natural ingredients, no sugar, low sodium and are cholesterol-free. Current flavors include: vinaigrette authentique, balsamic vinaigrette, low-fat Proven‡ale vinaigrette, low-fat California Caesar, low- fat roasted garlic fantasy, and low-fat Mediterranean mystique vinaigrette. To order the dressings or the gift certificate, please send your check to Carmela's Gourmet, 415 English Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940, or call (831) 373-6291. Be sure to mention ACB when you order.
DISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL
SUPERFEST is the primary international festival for films that portray disability culture and experience in all its rich diversity. They seek works about disability produced since January 1996, especially those created by disabled filmmakers. A half-inch VHS-NTSC preview format or DVD is required, along with a completed entry form, signed release, and entry fee. For forms or more details, visit www.culturedisabilitytalent.org or call (510) 845-5576. The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2006.
ALL ABOARD!
Cruise the Eastern Caribbean with the creators of "Cooking Without Looking" as they tape the pilot of a new show, "Here and There," which discusses travel for people with disabilities. The Holland America MS Zuiderdam will sail Feb. 25-March 4, 2006. Prices start at $912 per person with proceeds benefitting the World Vision Fund. Reserve cabins at (772) 336-8747. For more information, call Renee at the WVF, 1-888-290-7005.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI OPPORTUNITIES
Sierra Regional Ski for Light is now accepting applications for its 2006 ski season. The schedule includes: Three one-day trips and the 14th annual three-day event held at the Tahoe/Donner Cross Country Ski Resort in Truckee, California. Skiers of all levels are welcome. For more information, go to www.srsfl.org. Contact Betsy Rowell at (916) 362-5557 or [email protected].
NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS OFFERS A SWEET DEAL
Now you can purchase two chapters of Baking Illustrated for only $14 when purchased together. Chapter 1 includes 49 recipes for breads, biscuits, muffins and scones (reg $10) and Chapter 6 contains 19 recipes for crisps, cobblers, and other fruit desserts (reg $6). NBP also offers the Diabetic Desserts Cookbook for $6. Read the list of recipes at www.nbp.org. Send orders to NBP, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115 or call 1- 800-548-7323.
MEGIVERNS AUTOGRAPH 'PEOPLE OF VISION'
Autographed copies of "People of Vision" are now available for $25 each. Let Jim and Marjorie Megivern know how many books, what you want written inside, and where to send them when you e-mail: [email protected]; phone (828) 883-4280, or write: 309 College View Court, Brevard, NC 28712.
BROKEN EYES
"Broken Eyes" is a collection of short stories written by Mack W. Riley, a longtime ACB member and former president of the ACB of California. Each copy costs $14.95, plus $3 shipping and handling. For more information, or to order, contact Lea Seelig Riley at PO Box 1414, Beverly Hills, CA 90213; e-mail [email protected], or visit www.mackriley.com.
ADOPTION MEANS LOVE
"Adoption Means Love: Triumph of the Heart" by Michelle Madrid-Branch, is a powerful compilation of stories from people across the country and around the world that have been personally touched by the miracle of adoption. Among those contributing stories are: Art Buchwald, Ridley Pearson, and Dr. Nancy Snyderman. Contact Imal Wagner by e-mail at [email protected].
HADLEY APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT
The Hadley School for the Blind has named Charles E. Young as its new president. Young was administrator of the Oregon Commission for the Blind from 1979 to 2000. For the past five years, he has worked as a consultant specializing in employment and leadership programs for people with disabilities.
TEXT ENLARGEMENT & SPEECH IN ONE
Magnify OutLoud provides both text enlargement and screen reading capability all in one. The system is designed for individuals on limited budgets and/or with limited computer skills. The 20 pre-programmed keyboard buttons give the user immediate access to e-mail, documents, calculator, calendar, Internet, and more. For additional information on this $295 system, visit www.colligo.us; call 1-888-647-3404; or e-mail [email protected].
COLOR MOUSE NOW AVAILABLE
Bierley has recently announced the availability of its newest hand-held magnifier. The Color Mouse USB connects to any USB 2.0 port to magnify traditional printed materials as well as packets, boxes, and cans. The Color Mouse USB glides over print just as a computer mouse. It displays images in full color in its own window for easier use. For more information about pricing and product features, visit Bierley at www.Bierley.com, or call (408) 224-8188.
NEW ACCESSIBLE MEDIA TOOL
eClipseWriter is a new software tool that turns any electronic text document into a DAISY digital audio talking book in a matter of minutes. The package includes a production tool to make digital talking books, a playback tool to read and study them, and a high quality synthetic voice engine to read them aloud. eClipseWriter retails for $299. Visit www.irti.net/intro/index.html or call 1-800-322-4784.