Vision WeblettersWebletter - January 2002
…a short update from Vision World Wide to share with your friends and colleagues, who can request their own free copy by sending a message to <info@visionww.org>
In This Issue:
****************************************** 1. Print/Braille Valentines From National Braille Press There's still time to order Print/braille Valentine's Day Cards from National Braille Press! Order today - for an additional $3.50, they'll send The valentines via priority mail, and they'll arrive well before Valentine's Day. NBP has recently gone back to press and have plenty of valentines in stock! Let your classmates, friends, teachers and loved ones know how you feel with print & braille Valentines! Choose from two different packets: The small packet contains: 30 small valentines with the message "Happy Valentine's Day" + 2 larger valentines with the message "You Are Special." 32 envelops included. The large packet contains: 20 larger valentines with the message "You Are Special" + 20 envelops Each packet is only $10! (Add $3.50 for priority mail shipping) Supplies - and time - are limited, so order now! To read more about
these cards - and to read about the history of To order a set of print-braille Valentines, call toll-free and charge it: 800-548-7323 (Outside the U.S., call 617-266-6160 ext. 20)
2. Free Computers, Software & Training Blind Foundation Inc, is a non-profit foundation established to provide free computers, software, and training to totally blind individuals living in the United States. The Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life of the blind through the magic technology of personal computers. Through this new miracle of communications technology, the Foundation introduces the blind to the new and exciting powerful world of the Internet. New adventures and experiences await them as they are trained in email, word processing, electronic books, online shopping, online newspapers, digital radio, information searches, and much more. All training and living expenses are free and cover a two-week period at the Foundation facilities in South Dakota. When training is completed, the free personal computer used by the student is shipped at no charge by the Foundation to the student's home. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to SD and for their screen-reading software, Connect Outloud, which costs $249. Students also must be able to type. If this sounds interesting to you, call Arianna Calesso, Executive Director, Communicating Computers for the Blind Foundation, Inc. Tel: 605-644-0445.
3. Online Discussions From Closing the Gap Closing The Gap is announcing a series of moderated online discussions on its Web site that may be of interest to you. Currently under way: School System AT Teams Share Trade Secrets Do you ever ask yourself, "How do other school system AT teams provide services?" Join them to discuss this topic with moderators from established AT teams from across the country, representing a range of delivery models including statewide service delivery models as well as large, medium, small, and rural school districts. Moderated by: Diana Carl, Denise DeCoste, Terry Lankutis, Scott Marfilius, and John Philps Visit: http://www.closingthegap.com/forums/ Coming in March: AAC Solutions: Lite tech might be the best tech Dates: * March 6 - March 13, 2002 Moderated by: - Elizabeth Rush, Grace Williams, Karen Casey, Paula Justice, Deanna Wagner, Laura Fowler Lewis, Celleste Helling, and Paula Waters. Spicing up the curriculum using good junk and creative software choices: Preschool through grade three Dates: * March 20 - March 27, 2002 Moderated by: Lynne A. Rocklage, Amy L. Gillett, Barbara J. Delohery, and LeaAnn Peschong * Discussions may be extended based on participation. To Be Announced: Topics under development include: Autism, independent living, keyboard alternatives, literacy, and technology integration. Look for a complete calendar to be announced at <http://www.closingthegap.com>. Join this rapidly growing network of professional, informed specialists working to enhance the lives of persons with special needs through technology. Share your questions, ideas, and best practices: http://www.closingthegap.com/forums/ There is no fee to participate. For more
information, contact: Closing The Gap, Inc., PO Box
68, 526 Main Street, Henderson, MN 56044. Phone:
507-248-3294. Fax: 507-248-3810.
4. Airline Security & Disability Rights (Reprinted from DRM News) Did you know? Ø Although curbsite check-in has been discontinued in many airports, air carriers must still provide meet-and-assist service at drop-off points. Ø Individuals assisting passengers with disabilities are allowed beyond the screener checkpoints. Ø The limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag per traveler does not apply to medical supplies and assistive devices. For more information about civil rights protections for passengers with disabilities under the new security procedures, read "Steps Taken To Ensure New Security Requirements Preserve and Respect the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities" (Oct. 29, 2001). It can be found online at: <http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/Civil%20Rights%20Fact%20Sheet.htm>
5. Ageline Database Researchers, professionals and providers, policymakers, and the general public will find an extensive database at <http://research.aarp.org/ageline/> that has been produced by the AARP. It includes over 60,000 abstracts of books, articles, and videos on hundreds of topics related to midlife and aging.
6. Assistive Technology Database Georgia Tech Center has made available an excellent database of assistive technology products at <http://www.assistivetech.net>. This site can be searched by function/activity, keyword, product, and vendor. The results list links to detailed information about each product.
7. Disability Radio Worldwide The long-time radio program produced by Jean Parker called "Disability Radio Worldwide" has now been expanded to the Internet at <http://www.acbradio.org> It can be heard every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time in the Americas. After each broadcast, the show will be played every two hours for a 24-hour period. Just click on <http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream.html>. The program is distributed by the Pacifica Radio Network in the United States and can also be heard via short-wave on Radio for Peace International in Costa Rica, with times and frequencies at <http://www.rfpi.org>. Disability Radio Worldwide has also launched its annotated Internet catalog of more than 130 programs, some of which are archived in real audio format at <http://www.independentliving.org/radio>.
8. Assisting People with Vision Loss It's difficult enough to cope with everyday living activities when you lose all or part of your vision. When the people around you don't have a clue about what to say or what to do, it can add insult to injury. Here are some resources that provide guidance for people with blindness or visual impairments and their relatives, friends, colleagues, service providers, and the general public. A. National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), a project of the National Eye Institute (NEI), conducts public and professional education programs that encourage early detection and timely treatment of common vision disorders. Current programs focus on glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and low-vision. NEIEP offers a wealth of free program materials on these topics, including policy statements, fact sheets and brochures, public service announcements, and reproducible art. Its community education kits, which are geared for professionals, are packed with these and other useful resources. Order NEHEP materials online at: <www.nei.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm> or contact the NEI Information Office at the National Eye Institute, 2020 Vision Place, Bethesda, MD 20892-3655. Tel: 301-496-5248. E-Mail: <2020@nei.nih.gov>. Web: <http://www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/what.htm>. B. The Jewish Guild for the Blind (JGB) offers an updated version of its handy pamphlet, "Assisting People with Vision Loss." The 12-page, cartoon-illustrated guide offers practical dos and don'ts, such as "do introduce yourself" and "don't shout" It is available at no charge from the Public Relations Dept., JGB, 15 W. 65 St., New York, NY 10023-6601. Tel. 212-769-6237. Fax: 212-769-6343. E-Mail: <info@jgb.org> Web: <http://www.jgb.org>. C. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is offering a Continuing Education Course (1.8 CEUs) for occupational therapists and related professionals who wish to incorporate low-vision rehabilitation into their practices This self-paced clinical course, "Low Vision: Occupational Therapy Intervention with the Older Adult" provides the foundation for understanding low-vision rehabilitation and the role of occupational therapy, eye conditions that cause low-vision in adults, and the evaluation of visual function. It includes specific evaluation and treatment techniques, including assistive technology, and valuable resource information on the scope of services that assist persons with low-vision and for starting low-vision rehabilitation programs within other treatment settings. The boxed program costs $270 for AOTA members and $370 for non-members. Order from: AOTA, PO Box 3800, Forrester Center, WV 25438. Tel. 877-404-2682. TTY: 800377-8555. Fax 800-525-5562. E-Mail <cedept@aota.org>. Web: <http://www.aota.org>.
Distribution Note: Distribution of this Webletter is not intended to replace our comprehensive quarterly journal, Vision Enhancement. You are encouraged to share this Webletter with anyone on your mailing list that you think would find it useful. It is free. Readers wishing to receive their own Webletter should just send a message to <info@visionww.org> with "Vision Webletter-subscribe on the subject line and their full name in the body of the post. For more information, contact: Vision World Wide,
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Updated February 16, 2002
