Vision Webletters
…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.
Webletter - November 2001In This Issue:
*************************************** 1. And The Grinch on DVD! That's right, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas also will be available as an enhanced, fully accessible DVD. The new Collector's Edition DVD will feature descriptions - provided by DVS - and audible menus for viewers who are blind or visually impaired, as well as captions for viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. It also will include a selection of special features, such as deleted scenes and outtakes, background on the making of the film, information about the cast and filmmakers, a variety of interactive games and much more. Directed by Ron Howard, this 2000 remake of the animated Christmas favorite is the biggest holiday film in history, grossing $265 million at the box office. And on November 20, it'll be available for fully accessible home viewing - wherever DVDs are sold. 2. Upcoming Movies With Description Scheduled David Copperfield Returns to PBS with Description On December 10 and 17, 2001, PBS will rebroadcast in two parts ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre's wonderful adaptation of David Copperfield, Charles Dickens' classic coming-of-age story. But what makes it different this time around is that, for the first time, it will feature description for viewers who are blind or visually impaired. The Peabody award-winning mini-series - based on Dickens' own difficult journey from boyhood to manhood - stars Daniel Radcliffe as David, Bob Hoskins as Mr. Micawber and Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsey. (Radcliffe's performance helped to win him the coveted title role in the upcoming feature film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, due in theaters in November 2001.) David Copperfield will air in two parts at 9pm (broadcast times may vary; check local PBS listings). Catch Saturday Night Features on TCM So what are you doing Saturday night? Why not grab a friend and make some popcorn while you enjoy the DVS Showcase on Turner Movie Classics? Each and every Saturday night at 6pm EST, the Turner Classic Movie network makes the world of film accessible through description during the DVS Showcase. And once a movie has been described on TCM, the description will accompany every subsequent broadcast of that movie. For a complete listing of the more than 125 Described films available on TCM, call the DVS Information Line at 800-333-1203 or visit us on the Web at www.wgbh.org. 3. L&H Bankruptcy May Not Adversely Affect KESI We have now learned that although the Belgian courts have placed Lernout and Hauspie N.V. (L&H) into bankruptcy, no immediate effect seems apparent in the Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. (KESI) operation in the United States. This is probably due, in part, to the U.S. bankruptcy protection that is in place. One positive sign is the news that KESI has just hired two new employees - - one in engineering, one in quality assurance. KESI is still in the process of a management buyout. Its offer was accepted in early July and the usual legal contract negotiations are continuing. It is hoped that KESI will be an independent company again in a few weeks. This is good news, indeed, for users of the Omni 1000 and 3000 products. 4. Download Updated Statistics on Vision Impairment "Statistics on Vision Impairment, A Resource Manual" is a collection and expansion of updated data from numerous sources, including the Lighthouse International's recent Survey on Vision Loss. This 49-page document is free for viewing or downloading at www.lighthouse.org/research_statistics.htm 5. Anthrax Warning From US Postal Service The United States Post Office is sending, via a post card, the following message to every address. Text of Post Office Notice. Home card copy for Nationwide Mailing by United States Postal Service October 19, 2001 Side 1 A MESSAGE FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL The U. S. Postal Service places the highest priority on the safety of our customers and employees and on the security of the mail. Please see the other side of this card for information about safety and mail handling. We want you to know we are doing everything possible to make sure the mail is safe, and we need your help. Your security and peace of mind are paramount to us. Side 2 What should make me suspect a piece of mail?
What should I do
with a suspicious piece of mail?
End of Post Card Text. 6. Read the Results of Age-Related Eye Disease Study Online The National Eye Institute recently announced the results of a nationwide, NEI-supported clinical trial, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The study was designed to assess the clinical course, prognosis and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration and cataract. Briefly, the AREDS researchers found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. In the same high risk group -- which includes people with intermediate AMD, or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other eye -- the nutrients reduced the risk of vision loss caused by advanced AMD by about 19 percent. For those study participants who had either no AMD or early AMD, the supplements did not provide an apparent benefit. In the cataract portion of the study, researchers discovered that the same nutrients had no significant effect on the development or progression of age-related cataract. The complete study is divided into the following parts:
To read or download
the complete report, go to: 7. Support for Medicare Coverage for Vision Rehabilitation Services Is Growing Rapidly Landmark legislation to provide equitable access to vision rehabilitation services for older Americans, introduced in Congress in July by Rep. Michael Capuano (MA), is gaining support quickly. In less than a month, the number of bi-partisan co-sponsors has grown from 39 to 61, and includes key legislators on Medicare oversight committees. The Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services Act of 2001(H.R.2484) for the first time standardizes Medicare coverage for these services and recognizes the uniquely trained and certified specialized vision rehabilitation professionals (including orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers and low vision therapists) who help restore the functional abilities and independence of people who are blind or partially sighted. Your help is needed for this legislation to pass. Please ask your own Congress members to sign on as co-sponsors. Visit www.medicarenow.org for more information about the bill and to send E-mail letters directly to your legislators. 8. What To Do If You Lose Your Purse Or Wallet In the event your
credit cards and personal identification are lost
or stolen, you may find the following information
critical to limiting the damage you might otherwise
experience:
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. 9. Safety First This Holiday Season The best gift of all this year is the gift of safety. The Lighthouse International Catalog offers a wide selection of helpful products to make life easier and safer for everyone. Here are a couple for your consideration: Bobby Whistle: The very same whistle that London's Bobbys use can give you a wonderful feeling of security. Alerts others to trouble, or even hail a cab. Nickel plated whistle measures 3" long and attaches to your key chain. Item: 1996. Price: $19.95 Eternal Light Ergoxray Flashlight. The world's first microprocessor-controlled flashlight with seven features. Over 700 hours of bright white light compared to 40 hours or less from a typical flashlight. Batteries included. Water resistant up to 100 feet. Item: 3133. Price: $44.95 Check out these and many more safety products at www.thelighthousecatalog.com or contact them at: 111 East 59th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022-1202. Tel: 800-829-0500 / 212-821-9200. TTY: 212-821-9713 10. A Note From the Editor Because of the excellent feedback we received after publishing our first issue of the Vision Webletter, we have decided to distribute more information in this format on a regular basis. This is not intended, however, 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 electronic copy should just send a message to <info@visionww.org> with "VisionENewssubscribe@yahoogroups.com" on the subject line and their name in the body of the post.. For more information, contact: Vision World Wide, Inc. |
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1995-2001
by Vision World Wide Inc. All rights reserved.
Updated December 8, 2001
