edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
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 Braille 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.
Camp Abilities of the Mid-Atlantic Region
Camp Abilities programs are educational sports camps for youth with visual impairments. The Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. offers four of these programs that are available low-cost or free.
Camp Abilities PA at West Chester University: Overnight camp from May 24-27 in West Chester, PA, focusing on triathlon. If you have questions, send email to [email protected].
Camp Abilities NJ at Rowan University: Overnight camp from July 19-21 in Glassboro, NJ, focusing on outdoor and adventure sport like rock climbing, canoeing, skateboarding, and orienteering. Questions? Send email to [email protected].
Camp Abilities Delaware: Overnight camp from August 4-9 in Newark, DE, focusing on orientation & mobility skills and exposure to a variety of community physical activities such as hiking, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming, football, lacrosse, and volleyball. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Camp Abilities NJ at Field of Dreams: Day camp from August 21-23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Tom’s River, NJ, focusing on blind sports and recreational activities like beep kickball, mini golf, basketball, track & field, and soccer. Send email to [email protected] for more information.
Candle in the Window Retreat
Candle in the Window will hold its 2024 retreat from Wednesday, September 25 through Sunday, September 29 at the beautiful and friendly Camp Dogwood on Lake Norman located in Sherrills Ford, N.C., not far from Charlotte (https://dogwoodlakenorman.org/).
Our topic, based on the participants’ suggestions from our 2023 retreat, is Finding and Nurturing Community. Due to space constraints, the retreat is limited to 20 participants. A $40 deposit (non-refundable) will reserve your spot.
All registration fees must be paid in full by August 30, 2024. Electronic payments should be sent to [email protected] via PayPal. Checks should be made out to Candle in the Window and sent to: Carlos Taylor, 925 S. Luick Ave., Muncie, IN 47302.
For more information, contact Carlos Taylor via email,
[email protected], or by phone, (765) 208-0882.
NaviLens at the History Museum on the Square
Mary’s Braille Transcribing Services along with Mary’s Braille International, working in partnership with The Legends Project and the National Federation of the Blind-Springfield (Mo.) chapter, are proud to introduce an innovative, award-winning technology system aimed at enhancing accessibility and creating a fully inclusive lifestyle for the blind and visually challenged at any age.
NaviLens and NaviLens GO apps consist of two “free” mobile phone applications and multi-colored QR-style codes which empower people who are blind or have low vision. This allows them to independently navigate unknown places by translating visual signage into audio messages.
The History Museum on the Square is currently participating in a trial project to show the capabilities of NaviLens codes. Empower: Abilities recently introduced their own trial project.
Visit the History Museum on the Square (https://historymuseumonthesquare.org/) and Empower: Abilities (https://www.empowerabilities.org/) for more information.
BANA Spring Meeting
The Braille Authority of North America held its annual spring meeting March 25-27 at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Ky. Items on the agenda included a review of formal reports from BANA’s technical committees, such as Nemeth, Chemistry, and Tactile Graphics, as well as its general committees and task forces, such as the BANA General Committee on UEB and the Outreach Committee. BANA members will act on recommendations and will issue committee charges when appropriate.
Current officers are:
Chair: Jen Goulden (CNIB)
Vice Chair: Mary Nelle McLennan (Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired)
Secretary: Amber Pearcy (National Braille Press)
Treasurer: Danette Johnson (Hadley)
Past Chair: Tamara Rorie (National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled)