The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB E-Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
Learn at Home Braille Courses
The East Bay Center for the Blind in Berkeley, Calif. recently launched a series of “Learn-at-home” braille courses. We will provide an audio teacher and braille workbooks. The audio recording will take you step-by-step and help you learn braille on your own using the braille workbook we provide. A braille instructor will be available via phone or email for help. He/she will also grade assignments given at the end of each lesson and support you to complete these courses successfully. The audio recording will be made available online or on a flash drive as requested. The braille workbooks will be mailed out. The BRF files of our workbooks will also be available online for download. There will be four braille courses:
- Braille 101: uncontracted braille.
- Braille 102: contracted braille
- Braille 103: writing in braille using a slate and stylus and/or a braille writer.
- Braille 104: will teach how to be more proficient in reading and writing braille.
Enrollment in Braille 101 began June 1, 2023. You may enroll using our online application or request a print copy via mail. For further questions, feel free to reach Prof. Vileen Shah, Director, Braille Education at [email protected], or call the Center at (510) 843-6935.
What’s New at NBP?
Just released is “Interpreting Your Blood Work: How to Read It and Natural Ways to Improve Your Results,” by Dr. Daniel T. Wagner. It’s available in braille (3 volumes) and BRF.
Also new is “Your Personal Path to Fitness: Finding What Works for You” by Judy Dixon and Bonnie O’Day. It’s available in BRF and hard-copy braille (1 volume).
Over in the cookbook nook there are two new ones: “Fast & Fresh Main Courses” and “Fast & Fresh Salads.” Both are available in braille and BRF.
In the children’s section is a book about a kitten adopted by a fire department. “The Fire Cat” by Esther Averill, is a Level 1 I Can Read book, for ages 3 to 7, and comes in contracted UEB.
Newly available is the Tactile Ukraine Map, which shows the country as it was on Feb. 24, 2022.
For more information, call toll-free, 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html.
New from Utah
The Leslie Gertsch Cooking with Family and Friends, Volume 2, is now available from the Utah Council of the Blind. If you would like a copy, call the office at (801) 245-9264, and let them know whether you’d like hard-copy braille or a BRF file. If you prefer digital, be sure to give your email address. For the hard-copy versions, please provide your mailing address.
Dragonboat Racing
The 5th Annual Nevada International Dragon Boat Festival will be held Oct. 14-15, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev. Races will take place in Lake Las Vegas both days. Get your team signed up soon!
The event kicks off Saturday morning with the captains’ meeting. Races will begin right after the Lion’s Dance. Watch the “Vegas Gold” 2K Charity Exhibition Race, then spend your evening at the strip, enjoying a meal and entertainment. Races resume on Sunday morning with qualifying rounds and championship races. The days will conclude with an awards ceremony.
For more information, send email to [email protected].