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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – October 2008
"Guild Briefs" is made possible in part by grants from the Dr. Scholl Foundation and donations by Guild members.
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. 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
CONTENTS
1. Vision Loss Workshops
2. On-Line Shopping
3. Victor Reader Stream
4. On-Line Resumes & Applications
5. More Effective Job Searches
6. NFB Straight Canes on Sale
7. 2009 Calendars
8. Guild Open House for Service Providers
9. Free Transit for Some People with Disabilities
10. New Employment Website
11. Free Canes from NFB
12. Braille Lessons Offered
13. Senior Fair
14. NFB of Illinois Convention
15. ICB Convention
16. Study Seeks Participants with Sensory/Mobility Impairments
OCTOBER CALENDAR
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1. Vision Loss Workshops
If you or someone you know is coping with vision loss, the Guild’s New Visions workshops can help. During October, the Guild will travel to Homewood, Lake Zurich and two locations in Chicago. This free workshop introduces people to resources, tools and strategies for coping with vision loss. See calendar for dates and locations. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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2. On-Line Shopping
The Guild’s Tech Exchange will be discussing on-line shopping at its next meeting. Tue., Oct. 7, 4:00 pm. Free. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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3. Victor Reader Stream
Humanware’s Victor Reader Stream is available at the Guild. This popular personal listening device allows you to download books, music and text files and much more. The Guild’s price of $329 includes a 2 GB memory card. We accept DHS vouchers. Stream purchasers can attend upcoming free training seminars at the Guild. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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4. On-Line Resumes & Applications
More employers are requiring job seekers to complete applications on-line. Completing online forms can be cumbersome when using adaptive software. The Guild will hold two workshops to assist ZoomText® and JAWS® users in completing on-line job applications. ZoomText®: Wed., Oct. 15, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, JAWS®: Fri., Oct. 24, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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5. More Effective Job Searches
The Guild is offering a 3 week course from Oct. 27 – Nov. 14, providing the current standards and guidelines for organizing and administering a successful job search. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. NFB Straight Canes on Sale
The Guild is offering NFB straight canes at a reduced price. Limited sizes and quantities are available for $15. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8569 or brian@guildfortheblind.org.
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7. 2009 Calendars
The Guild has the 2009 date books for $10 and 2009 wall calendars with a 20/20 pen for $12. We also offer a free braille pocket calendar. Limit two. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8669 or
brian@guildfortheblind.org.
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8. Guild Open House for Service Providers
The Guild will host an open house for service providers and other professionals to showcase our programs and services. Our vision rehabilitation, counseling and adaptive technology training programs will all be featured. Come learn how we can help you better serve your clients with vision loss. Tues., Oct. 7 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Contact Kerry Obrist by Fri., Oct. 3 at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org.
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9. Free Transit for Some People with Disabilities
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 1920 which requires transit systems statewide to begin providing free rides to people with disabilities who enroll in the state’s Circuit Breaker program by Oct. 24. To qualify for the program you must meet certain income requirements. Call 800-252-8966 or visit
cbrx.il.gov/.
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10. New Employment Website
Disabilityworks.com offers a variety of articles, guides and forums about managing a career with a disability. Visit
www.disabilityworks.com.
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11. Free Canes from NFB
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), announced an initiative to ensure that any blind person in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who needs a long white cane will have one, regardless of ability to pay. Canes are available in the following lengths: 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, or 63 inches. Individuals may only request one free cane in any six-month period. Visit www.nfb.org/nfb/Free_Cane_Program.asp
or call 410-659-9314.
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12. Braille Lessons Offered
Blind Service Association is offering individual braille instruction. Space is limited. Call 312-236-0808.
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13. Senior Fair
The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) will host the NFBI Senior Fair, Living Independently with Vision Loss, on Fri., Oct. 17, 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Quality Inn & Suites in Bradley. Participants will learn about books on tape, newspapers over the telephone, accessible voting machines, magnification devices and talking computers. Demonstration stations will focus on kitchen skills, finances, leisure activities and helpful aids and appliances. Cost: $10 per person, which includes lunch. Contact Kelly Doty at 847-390-1738 or
kelly@dls.net.
Registration forms available at www.nfbofillinois.org.
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14. National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) Convention
NFBI's annual convention is at the Quality Inn & Suites in Bradley, IL on Oct 17 – 19. The theme is: “Transforming lives -- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Contact Kelly Doty at 847-390-1738 or
kelly@dls.net.
Registration forms available at www.nfbofillinois.org.
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15. Illinois Council of the Blind (ICB) Convention
ICB will be hosting its 75th Anniversary convention in Springfield, IL from Oct. 10 - 12. Workshops are available for children and parents of people with vision loss. Contact Maggie Ulrich at ICB Headquarters at 217-523-4964 or Kathy Conklin at 708-203-7037.
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16. Study Seeks Participants with Sensory and/or Mobility Impairments
Washington University, St. Louis is studying the daily activities of people with disabilities. Participants will be reimbursed by a check or a gift certificate to Target or Walgreens. To determine eligibility, visit emc.wustl.edu/Nscr/Nscrlogn.htm.
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OCTOBER CALENDAR
Wed., Oct. 1, 8, 15 & 22, 1:30 pm: New Visions workshop at Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood. Click here to read article. For all New Visions programs, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23, 1:00 pm: New Visions Workshop at ELA Area Public Library, Lake Zurich. Click here to read article.
Tue., Oct. 7, 4:00 pm: Guild Open House for Service Providers. Click here to read article.
Tue., Oct. 7, 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange: On-Line Shopping. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Click here to read article.
Mon., Oct. 13, 10:00 am: New Visions introductory presentation at Self Help Home, 908 W. Argyle, Chicago. Click here to read article.
Wed., Oct. 15, 1:00– 4:00 pm: Online Applications using Zoomtext. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Click here to read article.
Sat., Oct. 18, 10:00 am: Guide Dog Walk in Millennium Park. Sponsored by the Windy City Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Contact Roxanne Calibraro at 847-255-2217 or Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569.
Tues., Oct. 21 at 2:00 pm: New Visions introductory presentation at The Senate Apartments, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago. Click here to read article.
Fri. Oct. 24, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Online Application Using JAWS. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Click here to read article
Mon. Oct. 27 – Nov. 14: Making Your Job Search More Effective. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Click here to read article.
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Programs & Services - For Those With New Vision Loss - Low Vision Devices & Tools for Daily Living - Guild Briefs - Scholarships - Passionate Focus Art Exhibit - Program Partners - Donor Opportunities - Calendar of Events