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 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.
** SERVICE DOG EYE EXAMS
For the third year, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will sponsor National Service Dog Eye Exam Month throughout May 2010. More than 150 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S. and Canada will provide free eye exams to thousands of dog guides, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs. To be eligible, the dogs must either be certified active working dogs or dogs in training. In order to participate, dogs must be registered online at www.ACVOeyeexam.org between April 1 and May 16. Once registered, you can access the list of participating veterinary ophthalmologists to schedule an exam on a first-come, first-served basis.
** FELLOWSHIPS AT NIB
The Fellowship for Leadership Development, sponsored by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), is a salaried, two-year program that combines business-focused, on-the-job experience with formal management training. Legally blind individuals who have an undergraduate degree, work experience and passion for business are invited to apply. Fellows are selected based on academic achievement, experience, motivation, references, and personal interviews.
Got questions about the program? Visit www.nib.org/documents/Businessleaders/Application FAQ_feb5 10.docx. To apply, visit www.nib.org/documents/Businessleaders/Application Form_feb5 10.docx. If you have questions that were not answered by the FAQ, contact Sandy Finley, NIB Business Leaders Program, at [email protected] or (703) 310-0506.
** CALIFORNIA CELEBRATION
The California School for the Blind is celebrating 150 years this year. The celebration will take place starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010. Featured speakers include Phil Hatlen and Tom Sullivan. Following the program, there will be a reception on the quad, with refreshments. After the reception, there will be a sit-down dinner followed by our spring concert and a dessert extravaganza. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail your name and mailing address to James Rudder, [email protected].
** TOUCH OF GENIUS PRIZE
National Braille Press invites you to apply for a $20,000 award to honor those innovating in the field of tactile literacy. This prize was developed to inspire an innovator to continue the promotion of braille literacy for blind and deaf-blind people worldwide.
The Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation, provided through support from National Braille Press and The Gibney Family Foundation, will be granted to a group or individual for a new educational method, a new tactile literacy product, or a new technological advance in tactile literacy. It may be awarded for a completed project or anticipated concept that shows viability and will improve opportunities for blind people.
Applications must be received by May 24, 2010. For more information, and to download the application, please visit www.touchofgeniusprize.org.
** 2010 AFB MIGEL MEDAL
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) bestowed its 2010 Migel Medal at the February conference of the Assistive Technology Industry Association in Orlando, Fla. The winner is Deane B. Blazie, the electrical engineer who developed the Braille 'n Speak as well as numerous other assistive technology products for people with vision loss.
** HELP FOR ONLINE JOB RESEARCH
National Braille Press offers a new job search resource, "Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online," by Alison Doyle. This book is a guide to navigating the complexity of job-hunting on the Internet by suggesting the most effective methods available. It offers the following topics: using social networking web sites, creating personal/professional profiles, developing contacts who can assist with your job search, marketing yourself to potential employers, and helping employers find you. This new resource is available in three formats: braille (2 volumes), CD, or download. You can read the complete table of contents or order this book by visiting www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/JOBONLINE.html. To order by phone, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323.
** SUMMER VACATION CAMPS
The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind is holding several summer vacation camps for blind and low-vision adults. Adult Adventure Camp 1 will be held July 24-30; adventure camp 2, Aug. 1-7; alumni and friends Aug. 9-15; and Modified Adventure Camp, Aug. 17-23. The camp is located 45 minutes from the Portland, Ore. airport. Average August temperatures are in the low 80s. Come and enjoy good weather, fine cookery, and participate in a variety of activities, from traditional camp programs to skydiving, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, rock climbing, hiking, swimming and more. And this year, the camp is celebrating its 48th anniversary! For more information about the camp programs, contact Jeff Lann via e-mail, [email protected], visit the web site, www.oralhull.org, or phone (503) 668-6195.
** FREE CANCER INFORMATION BOOKLETS
The ACB Health Issues Task Force has received a generous contribution enabling it to provide two brochures from the American Cancer Society on audio cassette for FREE. To order “For Women Facing Breast Cancer” or “After Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer: Understanding Your Treatment Options,” either e-mail [email protected] or call 1-800-255-1147 and press 0. Be sure to include the name of the publication you want, your name, and full postal mailing address.
** HADLEY RE-ACCREDITED
After a year-long extensive review, Hadley School for the Blind has been granted re-accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the nation's premiere accrediting association for distance learning institutions. Accreditation means that Hadley has met a high standard of excellence in its programs.
** NEXT GENERATION BRAILLER
The Next Generation Perkins Brailler is now available in two new colors: raspberry and midnight. The Next Generation is 25 percent lighter than the old-style brailler and has a smaller footprint. Other features include: an erase button, quieter and lighter touch keys, a reading rest, front margin guides, and an easy-grip built-in handle. For additional description, pricing, or ordering, call Perkins Products at (617) 972-7308, or visit www.perkinsbrailler.org.
** NEW MUSIC CD
"Hearts in Harmony with the Lord" is the new CD from Jim and Linda Davis. This blind couple, both ACB members, has been singing together for 10 years. Their gospel CD contains 12 songs, six of which are originals. They have also recorded a country CD. Each CD is $15; a sample track is available upon request. To order, contact Linda Davis by e-mail, [email protected].
** CELTICS HONOR HEROES AMONG US
Congratulations to Janet L.LaBreck, who was honored as a "Hero Among Us" by the Boston Celtics. LaBreck is Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and a Perkins School for the Blind alumna. The Heroes Among Us program honors individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others. Under LaBreck's guidance, the MCB's award-winning internship program accomplished an 80 percent successful employment rate, exceeding the national employment rate for individuals with disabilities. Before the Celtics game where LaBreck was honored, the Perkins Chorus sang the national anthem.