Wish List
The Guild staff has compiled a list of items that would help us deliver our programs more effectively. Some of these items are needed on a regular basis and some are one-time requests. If you are interested in underwriting or donating any of these items, or know of a community group or local company that might be interested, please contact Cheryl Megurdichian at 312-236-8569 or cherylm@guildfortheblind.org.
Items to support our Judi Jasek Low Vision Center
AA and AAA batteries $6.50 for package of 10
We strive to include batteries with every purchase of a magnifier or talking product that requires them. This allows us to set the time on our talking clocks for the purchaser, something that is not always easy for them to do. It also helps our seniors, who purchase most of the magnifiers. Replacing the batteries in magnifiers is often difficult to do—with many having small levers and buttons and tiny print. Last year we gave away 464 batteries.
Items to support our New Visions and Next Steps workshops for seniors
20/20 pen $1.25 each
These pens write bold lines that are easy for people with low vision to see, yet they don't bleed through the paper like regular felt tip pens. Each senior attending our workshops, around 250 each year, receives one 20/20 pen.
Signature Guides $0.50 each
These are plastic devices, about the size of a credit card, that have a slot cut out in the center, providing a window that can be easily placed over a signature line to aid the signer in keeping within the appropriate space. Each person attending our workshops receives one signature guide.
Items to support our Counseling program
Modular tables for our new Counseling Center $450 each
These tables would provide more flexibility for group counseling and professional development workshops.
Subscription for online career testing $600 for first year
This would allow our career counselor to use an online format of the Myers Briggs and Strong Interest Inventory to aid in our career counseling program.
Cost per student assessment $25.00
Items to support our Adaptive Technology Training Center
USB flash drives $10 each
Each student who attends our comprehensive computer training classes needs a flash drive for class materials, homework assignments and notes. Approximately 50 students participate in our comprehensive training classes each year.
Blank CDRs and sleeves $0.35 each
Many students request demonstration versions of the adaptive software prior to purchase. Some of the versions are only available as downloads from the Internet. For those students who do not have Internet access, we will download the software to a CDR for the student to take home and upload onto their computer. We provide about 35 copies of these demonstration program each year.
Internet webcam $100
This will allow Guild staff to provide remote access to our workshops for those who can not attend in person.
Cell phone and accessibility software $500
This phone would allow Guild staff to demonstrate the accessibility software to our members before they purchase and enter into costly contracts. There are only specific cell phones that support the software (e.g. high end Symbian OS or Windows Mobile phones)
