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.
** PITTSBURGH AUDIO DART TOURNAMENT
SportsVision's Audio Darts Group will host its 8th biennial tournament, The Harold Schlegel Dart Tournament, the weekend of Oct. 8-10, 2010. It will be held at the Greentree Radisson, 101 Radisson Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205. The room rate for reservations made by Sept. 26 is $89 per night plus tax for up to four in a room. Call (412) 922-8400 for reservations. Registration for the five events is $90; $25 for individual events. Total prize money will be at least $3,600. Specific events are to be determined. All participants will be required to use occluders. No dart can exceed 8 inches in length or weigh more than 18 grams. Mail your registration money and choice of team members to: Louis Wassermann, 2503 Silver Oak Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15220 no later than Sept. 25. There will be no refunds unless substantiated emergency occurs. For additional details, contact Joe Wassermann at (412) 687-5166 or Sue Lichtenfels at (412) 429-1727.
** 2010 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
This fall the American Printing House for the Blind will induct two new blindness pioneers into The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. M.C. Migel founded the American Foundation for the Blind in 1920 after his work with blind veterans during World War I. Morris Frank co-founded The Seeing Eye and laid the groundwork for dog guide access in North America. The ceremony will be held Oct. 15 in conjunction with APH's annual trustees meeting at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. Learn more about these or the 44 previous inductees by visiting http://www.aph.org/hall_fame/index.html.
** ATTENTION SOUTH CAROLINA ALUMNI
The Cedar Spring Association of the South Carolina School for the Blind will hold a special weekend to celebrate its 155th anniversary. Events for the weekend of Oct. 29-31, 2010 include a business meeting, homecoming football game, recreation opportunities, and a dinner celebration. For more information about the weekend, e-mail [email protected] or call (864) 825-0006.
** NEW TALKING BOOK PLAYERS AVAILABLE
After much anticipation, the new Digital Talking Book Player from the National Library Service is now available through cooperating libraries around the country. The new players include built-in assistance at the touch of any button. As soon as you insert the digitally recorded book cartridge, the book begins. The NLS loans both the player and book cartridges for free to patrons who register as blind or visually impaired. To receive your digital books and player, contact your local library for the blind and physically handicapped. You can locate your closest library by either calling 1-888-NLS-READ or visiting www.loc.gov/nls/find.html.
** SEEKING BLINDNESS ITEMS
Stephanie Pieck is seeking donations of cassette, large print or braille books and magazines as well as children's books in braille or print. She’ll take various gently used blindness accessories including games, braille writers, slates, and folding canes. She sends these items to Malawi to be distributed to blind adults and children. Mail items to: Stephanie Pieck, 1371 Kings Rd., Schenectady, NY 12303. Stephanie also teaches braille music correspondence courses and sells CDs of her musical compositions through her web site, www.themusicsuite.net.
** HALL OF FAME HONORS
Congratulations to Kathy Martinez for her induction into the San Francisco State University Alumni Hall of Fame. Kathy received her bachelor of arts in speech communication from the university in 1992. Today she is the Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor.
** LOW VISION WEB RESOURCE
The Low Vision Centers of Indiana have launched a new web site to assist in the rehabilitation of people experiencing vision loss due to an acquired brain injury. The site, www.hemianopsia.net, is a resource for individuals and their family members who have visual complications resulting from trauma, stroke, or brain tumor. The Low Vision Centers welcome the opportunity to reciprocate links with other organizations. Contact [email protected] for information about exchanging links. For additional information about the Low Vision Centers of Indiana, call (317) 844-0919.