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.
SFL Celebrates Golden Anniversary
Ski for Light, Inc. (SFL) will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Soldier Hollow, January 26 through February 2, 2025. Ski for Light, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, hosts an annual, week-long event where adults with visual or mobility impairments learn the basics of cross-country skiing.
Participants will stay at the Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, and ski on expertly groomed trails at Soldier Hollow, near Midway, Utah. Each visually or mobility impaired participant is paired with an instructor guide for a week of skiing, sharing and learning.
Join the celebration by participating as a skier, a guide or a volunteer. Applications and additional information are available at www.sfl.org; meanwhile, join our community on Facebook (Ski for Light, Inc.), and check out our YouTube channel (Ski for Light International).
Sad News from AFB
Gil Johnson, who served as the American Foundation for the Blind’s Senior Advisor on Critical Issues and was Director of AFB’s National Employment Center, passed away March 25, 2024. He joined the AFB staff in 1992, and for over 12 years, he was known as an innovator and leader in the employment and rehabilitation of people who are blind. He retired in 2008.
Johnson was a past recipient of the John H. McAulay Award from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and had been recognized as one of California’s top 50 notable people. To read the full article, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrxb4pvn.
NRTC Recruiting Participants for Career Mentoring Survey
Mississippi State University’s National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) is seeking participants for a study on career mentorship experiences and employment. The survey is open to U.S. residents with blindness or low vision who have had a career mentor or received career mentorship, are between ages 30 and 70, and have at least three years of paid work experience. The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. If you have questions, send email to [email protected] or call (662) 325-2001.
Two ACB Members Receive Migel Medals
AFB is proud to announce that Kim Charlson and Susan Mazrui are the 2024 recipients of the Migel Medal, the highest honor in the field of blindness. The AFB Migel Medal was established in 1937 by the late M.C. Migel, AFB’s first chairman, to honor professionals and volunteers whose dedication and achievements improve the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.
Kim Charlson, Executive Director of the Perkins Library in Watertown, Mass., has been a pioneering force for accessible reading material and communication technology for people with disabilities. With a career spanning over three decades, Kim’s leadership and advocacy have set new standards in the field.
Susan Mazrui, Director of Public Policy for AT&T Services Inc., has been a trailblazer in communications accessibility. Her initiatives at AT&T have revolutionized technology access for customers with disabilities, leading to innovations such as the first mobile phone with built-in text-to-speech.
Bricks for the Blind
Bricks for the Blind (BFTB) is a non-profit organization that brings the joy of building LEGO® sets to blind people. By following BFTB’s free Text-based Building Instructions, people with visual impairments can enjoy the excitement and thrill of building amazing things that they couldn’t have built before. BFTB provides instructions for LEGO sets ranging from 100 to 4,000 pieces so visually impaired people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy hours of relaxation, independence, and empowerment.
As miniature 3D replicas of real-life and imaginary things, LEGO sets help visually impaired people “see” wonders that are impossible to explore by touch, such as the towers of the London Tower Bridge or Hogwarts Castle. When a blind person builds these marvels with their own hands, they understand them in a new and enlightening way; there is an “aha” moment that they can’t get from just reading about them. Building LEGO sets helps blind people learn about the world while also having fun.
At the time of this publication, we have instructions for over 100 sets available, with more being released nearly every day! For more information, and to browse our collection of text-based instructions, check out our website at www.bricksfortheblind.org.