by Sarah Blake
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, you may e-mail Sarah Blake at [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.
Massage and Reiki in Birmingham
Carol Edwards, licensed massage therapist and reiki master, will be providing massages and reiki sessions at the ACB national convention in Birmingham. The cost is $60 for a one-hour massage or reiki session or $15 for a 15-minute chair massage. Contact Carol prior to convention via e-mail at [email protected], ask for her room, or watch the convention newspaper for further details.
Looking for a Job? A New Career?
Are you currently looking for a job or thinking about a career change? If so, be sure to stop by the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) booth at the ACB convention and learn about a broad range of employment opportunities available for people who are blind across the country. If you are unable to attend the conference, but would still like more information, please feel free to e-mail or call Kathy Gallagher at [email protected] or (703) 578-8343.
Conference on Sports
Disabled Sports USA is pleased to announce The Million Dollar Round Table Foundation SummerFest. This event takes place in Long Beach, Calif., June 26 through July 2. SummerFest provides the opportunity for anyone with a physical disability to learn how to participate in a variety of summer sports. Professional instruction is available for all ability levels in sailing, waterskiing, cycling, outrigger canoeing, scuba, rock climbing, running and wheeling and more! We will also be training instructors and recreation professionals how to teach these adaptive sports. For more information, visit http://www.dsusa.org or contact Julia Ray at (301) 217-9840 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Congratulations!
Jessica Lorenz of California will compete as a member of the U.S. women’s goalball team at the Paralympic Games in Athens.
Conference on Employment for Latinos with Visual Impairments
The Bridges to Employment conference/training is an annual event organized by Proyecto Vision - a National Technical Assistance Center established to connect disabled Latinos to employment opportunities. This year the conference will take place July 14-16 in Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.proyectovision.net. For program information, call Kathy Martinez at (510) 251-4326, or e-mail [email protected]. For registration and scholarship queries, contact Robin Savinar at (510) 251-4325, or e-mail [email protected].
New Organization
HireAbilities is a national network of emerging professionals with disabilities, encouraged by existing professionals, employers and community partners. HireAbilities believes that people with disabilities should enjoy the same array of employment opportunities as people without disabilities, and that the presence of professionals with disabilities in the workplace is an important component of an employer’s commitment to disability diversity. The organization’s focus is on emerging professionals — those about to begin their careers. We will assist these individuals in becoming leaders in their fields. The company also reaches out to schools and employers interested in enhancing their commitment to disability diversity and offers them consulting services and a connection to disability talent. For more information, visit the web site, http://www.hireabilities.org.
JAWS Scripts for Use with Google
A new set of scripts for JAWS allows for easier web searches with Google. The scripts allow the user to open the Google web site, move to the search field, and navigate easily through the list of search results. For more information, visit http://www.AccessiblePrograms.com.
New Product for Alternative Keyboard
IntelliTactiles USB Overlay Companions, created by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), are now available. These tactile overlays, made of durable clear plastic, feature braille markings and special tactile point symbols. They align with IntelliTools visual overlays for the IntelliKeys (R) USB keyboard, and include QWERTY USB, Basic Writing USB, Alphabet USB, Math Access USB, Web Access, Mouse Access and Setup USB overlays. For more information about IntelliTactiles USB Overlay Companions, contact American Printing House for the Blind, 1-800- 223-1839, or visit the web site, http://sun1.aph.org/products/index.html.
Research Study Seeking Participants
The Von Allmen Center for Electronic Commerce at the University of Kentucky is planning a major research study to examine the role of e-commerce and the Internet among individuals with visual impairments. You can register to be a part of this exciting research by calling toll-free 1-800-341-4943 or by sending your name and telephone number via e-mail to [email protected].
BANA Approves Unified English Braille Code
The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) participated in the third General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille held in Toronto March 29 through April 2, 2004. The assembly agreed that the Unified English Braille Code is sufficiently complete for recognition as an international standard for English-language braille that may now be considered by member countries for possible adoption as their national braille code. BANA recognizes and respects the autonomy of other ICEB member countries. For this reason, both the U.S. and Canadian delegations voted unanimously to allow implementation of UEBC in those countries that choose to use this newly developed code. At this time, BANA has yet to take a stand regarding the adoption of UEBC for use in the United States. BANA intends to monitor UEBC activities around the world and will make a decision on local implementation of the code only after due consultation with braille readers and other stakeholders.
AFB Expands Web Site
The American Foundation for the Blind has redesigned its web site to provide more information about blindness. New features on the site include a glossary of eye conditions, “etiquette tips” for interacting with a person who is blind, and a home page function called “Where can I find?,” allowing visitors to locate organizations in their state that provide services — from dog guide training to newspaper reading services to education services — for people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. AFB has also added an extensive searchable database of assistive technology products used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Visitors can browse by product, category, or manufacturer and find out everything from usage to price to the size and weight of the product. To use these features, visit http://www.afb.org.
Documentary Inspires Web Site
The Ties That Bind is a web site inspired by a documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada. The documentary follows a family through two years of adjustment to disability. Using the Jordan family’s ongoing story as a starting point, The Ties That Bind Internet Documentary and Community Engagement Project (www.tiesthatbind-nfb.ca) allows participants to take part in discussions about disability issues, tell their own stories and find links to resources and events in their own communities. It includes practical guides to independent living. Updates are posted regularly.