by Sharon Lovering
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 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.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. This year alone more than 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. To assist women with monthly breast self exams, a new tactile medical device called the Breast Self Examination Pad (BSE Pad) has recently been licensed by the FDA for over-the-counter sales. For more information and a free cassette tape on the BSE Pad and prevention of breast cancer, call toll-free (888) 448-8716, or send e-mail to [email protected].
Project ASSIST
The Iowa Department for the Blind's Project ASSIST program has obtained a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to develop a distance-learning program that will offer instructor-led classes for blind and visually impaired users of computer software. The classes will focus on the Microsoft Office Suite. The instruction and information provided will focus on keyboard commands, operational strategies for screen access software, and information uniquely relevant to blind and visually impaired computer users.
Classes to be offered are: Windows XP; Internet Fundamentals; Word - Core; Excel - Core; PowerPoint; Outlook; Access; Word - Expert; and Excel - Expert.
Priority for enrollment will be given to blind or visually impaired individuals who are clients of state vocational rehabilitation programs. A minimum requirement for all students is proficiency with the computer keyboard.
To be considered for the fall 2003 classes, your application packet must be received no later than June 30. For further information or to receive an application packet, contact Michael D. Barber at (515) 281-1305, or e-mail [email protected], and place the words "Application Packet" in the subject line. Or you may visit the web site, www.blind.state.ia.us/assist and download an application.
Congratulations to Mike Duke!
FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell has appointed International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) member Mike Duke to the FCC's Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) to represent the interests of blind and visually impaired people, licensed radio amateur operators, and management of audio information services for the blind.
Mike Duke is the director of Radio Reading Service of Mississippi, an 8-station statewide network headquartered at WMPN in Jackson. As a longtime advocate for the rights of blind and visually impaired citizens, he has contributed professionally and as a private individual through his work in several local and national organizations, including service on the IAAIS board of directors.
"Mike is an ideal candidate for this post, as he has been involved with IAAIS for many years and is an avid ham radio enthusiast," says David Noble, chair of the IAAIS Government Relations Committee. "He is in a good position to help the FCC be mindful of the need to make new digital FM radios (HD radios) accessible to people with disabilities and other issues related to blind and visually impaired citizens under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act."
Fulbright Scholar Grants in Law
The Fulbright Scholar Program will award a number of lecturing, research and lecturing/research awards for attorneys and law faculty for the 2004-2005 academic year. Awards for both faculty and professionals range from two months to an academic year. While many awards specify project and host institution, there are a number of open "all disciplines" awards that allow candidates to propose their own projects and determine their host institution affiliation. Foreign language skills are needed in some countries, but most lecturing assignments are in English. For more information, visit www.cies.org, or contact the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite 5L, Washington, DC 20008; phone (202) 686-7877, or e-mail [email protected].
Most Livable Cities
Remember the AFB survey to identify the cities which are the most livable for people who are blind and visually impaired? Here are the results.
Charlotte, N.C., has been named the most livable city in the USA for blind and visually impaired residents; Berkeley took second place; Kalamazoo, Mich., took third; and in fourth place was New York City. La Crosse, Wis., and Louisville, Ky., tied for fifth.
Summer Braille Reading Club
Braille Books Dot Com is excited to introduce its first ever Summer Braille Reading Club! With the summer holidays just around the corner, kids are going to have a lot more free time on their hands. And what better way to spend some of that time than curling up on the swing with a good book to read? Braille Books Dot Com has more than 1,200 braille titles available for all reading levels, so we're bound to have something for everyone ... even adults. And if you join the club by August 31, we'll send along a sign-up bonus absolutely free with your first order. For orders between $10 and $25, you'll receive a braille alphabet magnet; orders between $25 and $50 will qualify for a portable radio; or if you spend more than $50 with us, we'll give you a talking alarm clock. And we haven't come to the best part yet: everyone who joins our summer reading club will be entered into a drawing at the end of the summer. The lucky winner will receive MarvelSoft's ground-breaking Talking Typing Teacher program, a $100 value. (Be sure to mention coupon code SummerBraille when placing your order.) Supplies of club items are limited, so drop by www.braillebooks.com today to be sure you get your free prize!
Bressler Prize Winner
The Jewish Guild for the Blind recently announced the winner of its first annual Alfred W. Bressler Prize in Vision Science: Richard A. Lewis of the Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Houston, Tex. Lewis will receive the $25,000 prize at a ceremony in New York in the fall.
Congratulations to Ken Loden!
Ken Loden recently received the prestigious 2003 Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) award. The Tupelo resident was picked by the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service for his work with senior citizens, especially in his capacity as an entertainer. He won one of the nine awards given in various categories that range from volunteering with children to recognition of companies that offer their resources and enable their employees to perform volunteer work.
Loden was nominated for the GIVE award by friends Debra and Robert Raines of Fulton.
For information about a local chapter of the Mississippi Council of the Blind, or to request a concert (paid or volunteer), call Loden at (662) 690-6699.
Low Vision Resource Guide
A new large print publication, Low Vision Resource Guide, is now available from Telesensory. The 30-page booklet explains the major causes of eye disease and provides information about products that help people with vision impairments remain independent. The guide also contains a comprehensive list of organizations that provide additional help, advice and support. The guide can be downloaded free from www.telesensory.com. The booklet is also available for $5 by sending a check to Telesensory - Low Vision Guide Dept., 520 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
Come On Over to Our Place!
Our Place is a voice chat community that is now part of the ACB Radio portal. Here, blind people from around the world can hang out and chat in real time about a wide range of topics, using the latest Ivocalize technology.
Our Place is now open. To join us, come on over and have some great conversation at http://ourplace.acbradio.org.
Braille Jewelry
Brierwood Custom Jewelry specializes in custom signet rings, I.D. bracelets, and earrings in gold and silver. Create a special design for your dad, perhaps for Father's Day! Or make any day a holiday. Call Brierwood Custom Jewelry at (714) 378-1345 and ask for Rocky, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Let our designs speak for you!
Are You Ready for Some Football?
The 2003 NCAA college football schedule in braille will be available again this year with 132 division 1-A and some requested division 1-AA teams. Also included are the results of the 2002-2003 bowls and the top 25 teams in the AP final polls, the 2003 pre-season poll, 2003-2004 bowl schedule and more. This year's schedules cost $10 each. Mailing is by free matter.
Please order your copy as soon as possible in order to receive it before the season begins. Make your check out to Allen H. Gillis, and send it to him at 302 Schaeffel Road, Cullman, AL 35055. Or you may call him at (256) 734-4047, or e-mail [email protected].
Church Conference
The National Church Conference of the Blind will hold its 50th anniversary Bible conference Sept. 21-25, 2003 at the Ramada Inn North in Colorado Springs. Make your reservations now by calling (719) 633-5541, and be sure to mention NCCB to receive the conference rate. The price includes free breakfast every morning. The conference begins Sunday evening with a message, followed by a fellowship hour. There will be a talent show one evening, and a tour one day, possibly of Focus on the Family ministries. The conference ends on Thursday evening with a banquet. For more information, call Reheba Dunn at (970) 895-2352, or write to her at NCCB, PO Box 196, Grover, CO 80729.
Sesame Street Described!
The National Captioning Institute (NCI) and Sesame Workshop recently announced the introduction of descriptions on Sesame Street to make the program accessible to children who are blind or have low vision.
NCI has described 26 new episodes of Sesame Street, which were scheduled to begin airing on April 7, 2003. By incorporating descriptions, Sesame Workshop will be making one of the most beloved educational children's programs accessible to millions of children who are blind or have low vision. Visually impaired children will have the opportunity to "see" the images through the descriptions of the visual elements and finally be able to embrace the full educational value of the program. The descriptions will also allow all children to enhance their vocabulary and articulation skills as well as improve their understanding of word associations.
Atlas of East Asia
The Princeton Braillists now have available the Atlas of East Asia. It covers China, Taiwan, Mongolia, North and South Korea, and Japan in two volumes of tactile maps and braille information. Japan is first shown as an overall map; subsequent maps divide the island chain into three main parts. Further enlargements depict three heavily populated areas on Honshu Island. A map and brief descriptive material are included for Tokyo. The maps of China each treat a specific feature -- population, rivers, mountains, natural regions. Two enlarged fold-out maps depict coastal China and western China. Additional maps provide further enlargements of three densely populated coastal regions and Hong Kong. A map and some information are included on the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Each country has an introductory page of facts followed by the map(s). Places on the map are generally labeled with key letters taken from the corresponding place name, which are identified in the key pages preceding each map.
"Atlas of East Asia" contains 26 maps, 106 pages total. It costs $21. Shipping is by free matter. Send your check or purchase order to The Princeton Braillists, 76 Leabrook Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540. Allow four weeks for delivery. For more information, call (215) 357-7715 or (609) 924-5207.
Air Travel Info Accessible
To better assist air travelers, the Department of Transportation has translated into several languages some of its publications addressing air travel by individuals with disabilities and discrimination in air travel. The following disability-related documents have been translated into braille and Spanish: (1) 14 CFR Part 382, DOT's rule on air travel by passengers with disabilities; (2) New Horizons, a booklet that provides information on air travel by people with disabilities; (3) the disability-related portion of Fly Rights, a publication describing general aviation consumer rights; (4) Plane Talk Fact Sheet on Disability Issues; (5) Complaint Processing Information Sheet; (6) DOT's Disability Complaint Form; (7) DOT Fact Sheet on Disability; and (8) Toll-Free Hotline For Air Travelers With Disabilities. Large print copies are also available.
In addition, the following documents have been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu: (1) Complaint Processing Information Sheet Regarding Discrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Religion or Ancestry; (2) DOT's Discrimination Complaint Form; (3) DOT Fact Sheet on discrimination on the basis of race, color, etc.; (4) Field Guidance to Screeners; and (5) Air Travel Civil Rights Problems: Where to File Complaints.
All of these documents are available via the Internet at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov. With the exception of those in Braille, all of these documents are also available through a fax-on-demand system. To access this system, call 1-800-454-3114 and follow the instructions. The fax on demand is available in Spanish to obtain documents translated into Spanish.
Individuals without access to the Internet or a fax machine may write or call the Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) to request copies of these publications through the mail. The number is (202) 366-2220 (TTY 202-366-0511). Mailed requests should be addressed to: Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20690. Our e-mail address is [email protected]. Whether calling, writing or e-mailing, be concise. Give us your name, full address, daytime telephone number (including area code), the name of the publication you want, and the language you want it in.
New 'By Ear' Courses
"Music By Ear" offers two new course selections: Intro to the Bass Guitar and Intro to the 5-String Banjo. Both courses are tape-based. The intro to the bass guitar teaches the names of the parts of the bass guitar, the names of the notes, and the most commonly used rhythm patterns for the bass including the pop/rock pattern, the alternate bass pattern, the waltz pattern, and 6/8 and 9/8 time patterns. The price of the course is $39 (including shipping inside the United States). The banjo course teaches how to hold the banjo, how to tune it, the alternating thumb roll, the forward and backward rolls, chord progressions to several songs and banjo solos for the songs "Cripple Creek" and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." It, too, costs $39 (including shipping inside the U.S.).