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GUILD BRIEFS - October 2007
Guild Briefs" is made possible in part by grants from the Amicus Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation and donations by Guild members.
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Open computer lab available on Saturday by appointment only. If the hours listed above do not meet your needs, please contact us to discuss other arrangements. The following articles do not constitute an endorsement by the Guild for the Blind's editorial staff. --Editor, Edwin Hill Guild for the Blind Phone: (312) 236-8569 Fax: (312) 236-8128 http://www.guildfortheblind.org
1. October New Visions
2. Knitting Workshop at Guild
3. Tech Exchange – RFB&D Tour
4. Job Search Seminars
5. Microsoft Outlook Class
6. Completing On-Line Job Applications
7. Resumes and Cover Letters using Microsoft Word® with JAWS®
8. 2008 Calendars
9. New Research on Diabetes
10. Fighting Depression in Macular Degeneration
11. Orientation and Mobility Links
12. AmeriCorps Opportunities
13. Revisions to ADA Proposed
14. Caribbean Cruise
October Calenda
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1. October New Visions: The Guild will offer New Visions in Downers Grove, Hyde Park and Maywood. New Visions is an interactive workshop that provides practical ways to make your life easier and safer with vision loss. Please consult Calendar for details. Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.orgReturn to top
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2. Knitting Workshop at Guild: The Guild is offering two sessions on knitting on Sat., Oct. 6 and 13 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Attend one or both sessions. All ages and levels of experience (or inexperience) welcome. Free. Contact Polly Abbott at (312) 236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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3. Tech Exchange – RFB&D Tour: On Tue., Oct. 2 at 4:00 pm, the Guild’s Tech Exchange group will be touring the Chicago studios of Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). The RFB&D studio is in the same building as the Guild. Learn more about digital audio, equipment and how recordings are produced. Contact Kathy Austin or David Flament at (312) 236-8569. Return to top
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4. Job Search Seminars: The Guild is offering two valuable workshops to help job seekers. On Wed., Oct. 3 “Resumes 201” offers tips on how to enhance an existing resume to better reflect accomplishments. On Wed., Oct. 10 “Interviewing 201” offers insight and strategies to better handle behavioral or scenario type questions. Both seminars are held are from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Free. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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5. Microsoft Outlook Class: The Guild is offering a one-day class in Outlook on Sat., Oct. 6, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. This class will cover email, calendar, contacts and the task list. Cost: $50. Contact David Flament at (312) 236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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6. Completing On-Line Job Applications: The Guild is offering two courses on completing on-line job applications using ZoomText® or JAWS®. Participants will complete a standard on-line application while having a career counselor on hand to offer suggestions and answer questions on how to best complete it. ZoomText® users: Sat., Oct. 20, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Registration is limited to 12. JAWS® users: Sat., Nov. 10 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Registration is limited to 6. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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7. Resumes and Cover Letters using Microsoft Word® with JAWS®: On Wed., Dec. 5, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, the Guild is offering a 3-hour workshop on creating resumes and cover letters using Word® with JAWS®. Learn how to draft a basic resume and cover letter using common formatting tools. Free. Registration is limited to 6. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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8. 2008 Calendars: The Guild’s Consumer Product Center has 2008 calendars. Large print wall calendar with 20/20 pen is $12. Large print date book is $10. These items can be shipped for a $3.00 handling fee. Free pocket braille calendars are also available. Limit two. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at (312) 236-8569 or brian@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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9. New Research on Diabetes: African Americans with Type 1 Diabetes have a high risk of loss of vision. Poor control over blood sugar levels is "a very powerful risk factor for losing vision," according to Dr. Monique S. Roy, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. In addition, the researchers found that older age, high protein levels in the urine (a symptom of kidney disease), and diabetic retinopathy were all independent and significant predictors of vision loss. Return to top
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10. Fighting Depression in Macular Degeneration: Depression is common among people with age-related macular degeneration. A recent study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry this month, looked at one method, called problem solving. This technique teaches people certain skills: defining problems, setting realistic goals, implementing solutions and evaluating outcomes. After two months, the researchers found that a group receiving the problem solving therapy did about twice as well as the group who did not have these visits and were 61% less likely to develop a depression disorder. For more information, visit www.amd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Focus_083007. Return to top
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11. Orientation and Mobility Links: Polly Abbott, the Guild’s manager of adult rehabilitation, recommends the following web site, which contains lots of links about orientation and mobility. Visit: www.sauerburger.org. Return to top
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12. AmeriCorps Opportunities: AmeriCorps is the domestic Peace Corps and is eager to receive applications from persons with disabilities. You can work in your own community making important improvements while gaining experience, training and a stipend. Full- and part-time positions available. Contact Manny Ziegler at (323) 361-7795 or Mziegler@chla.usc.edu. Return to top
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13. Revisions to ADA Proposed: Key leadership and members of the House and Senate introduced measures to amend the landmark disability civil rights law. The legislation are aimed at "restoring" the ADA's protections for all people with disabilities, protections which have been severely impaired by recent Supreme Court cases. To voice your support for the bills being introduced, contact your senators and representative or Mark Richert, Director of Public Policy, American Foundation for the Blind, (202) 408-0200. Return to top
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14. Caribbean Cruise: Passageways Travel and Leader Dogs for the Blind have organized a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Freedom of the Seas from Jan. 27 – Feb. 3, 2008. Cruise assistants will be available as well as a mobility instructor to assist passengers with special needs. Contact Patrick McIntyre at (231) 486-2195 or visit www.pways.com/data/groups/brochures/blind%20cruise%20angie.pdf. Return to top
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OCTOBER CALENDAR
Tues., Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23, 9:30 am: New Visions at Maywood Public Library. For all New Visions or Next Steps workshops, contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Tue., Oct 2, 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange visits RFBD. See article on page 4. Contact Kathy Austin at kathya@guildfortheblind.org or (312) 236-8569.
Wed., Oct. 3, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Resumes 201. See article on page 7. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Fri., Oct. 5: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, Downers Grove.
Sat., Oct. 6 and 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm: Knitting Workshops. See article #2. Contact Polly Abbott at (312) 236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., Oct. 10, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Interviewing 201. See article on page 5. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., Oct. 11, 12:30 pm: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Chicago.
Thur., Oct. 11, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Sat., Oct. 20, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm: Online Job Applications (ZoomText). See article #6. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., Oct. 24, 10:00 am: Next Steps "On the Move" at Presbyterian Homes, Evanston.
Wed., Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, & 21, 10:30 am: New Visions at Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Chicago. Return to top
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