GUILD BRIEFS -November 2006

"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

CONTENTS

1. November New Vision Sites
2. New Braille Class,
3. The Guide Dog Lifestyle
4. The Latest From G.W. Micro
5. Employment Connection News
6. 2007 Calendars Are Here
7. Guild Board of Directors Welcomes New Members
8. Guild Renovations
9. Guild Briefs Volunteers Needed
10. Hadley Safety Course
11. Accessible Cell Phones
12. Free Computer Magnification Software
13. New Web Site for People with Macular Degeneration
14. Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial Audio Tour
15. New Dating Service
November Calendar

********1. November New Vision Sites:  The Guild will bring our popular New Vision workshops to Darien, Oak Park and Bensenville during November.  New Visions is the first step for people with new vision loss to help them remain productive and vital.  Please see calendar for dates, times and locations.  If you would like to learn more about how New Visions can help you, please contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top

********2. New Braille Class:  Have fun learning to read and write braille in a relaxed group setting.  The Guild is offering a free class Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 starting January 9 through March 27, 2007 (12 weeks).  Learn the basics of reading and writing braille in order to accomplish tasks such as reading the braille on elevator panels, playing cards and writing phone numbers.  Contact Polly Abbott at (312) 236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.  Registration deadline: Jan. 5.  Return to top

********3. The Guide Dog Lifestyle:  Have you been wondering if a guide dog would be right for you?  The Guild is hosting an information session on Sat., Nov. 4 at 10:00 am.  Lauren Ross from Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael, CA will be on hand to answer your questions.  A panel of guide dog users will also share their own experiences about how guide dogs have changed their lives.  Don’t miss this opportunity to talk with the experts.  Free. Contact Kathy Austin to register at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top

********4. The Latest From G.W. Micro:  The Guild will be hosting representatives from G.W. Micro at our Tech Exchange meeting on Tues., Nov. 7 at 4:00 pm.  This technology includes an affordable portable CCTV, talking PDA, and their braille notetaker.  You can also keep up-to-date on developments in the world of technology for people with vision loss by joining the Guild’s Tech Exchange.  Tech Exchange has its own list serve and a monthly meeting for those interested in this topic.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.  Return to top

********5. Employment Connection News:  Beginning in November, Lauri Dishman, the Manager of Career Services, will be on maternity leave and will return in January 2007.  During this time, one-on-one sessions will not be available, but we do encourage Employment Connection clients to attend the various activities planned at the Guild during the winter months.  Please see the events calendar for more information.  During Lauri’s leave, please contact Kerry Obrist at (312) 236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top

********6. 2007 Calendars Are Here:  The 2007 large print wall calendars are $12.00 and the 2007 large print date books are $10.00.  A $3.00 handling charge will be applied to mail orders.  We also offer free braille calendars from the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults.  To order, contact Brian Hollandsworth at (312) 236-8569 or brian@guildfortheblind.org.  Return to top

********7. Guild Board of Directors Welcomes New Members:  At the August meeting of the Guild’s Board of Directors, the board elected three new members.  They are John A. Hudgens, Residents Council President, Friedman Place, Arthur Krause, Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) volunteer and Suzanne Miller, PhD of Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital.  Suzanne, Jack and Arthur join Dennis Wieczorek, partner at DLA Piper, who was elected at the June board meeting.  These new board members will expand and deepen the board’s knowledge of visually impaired people and increase the Guild’s effectiveness.  The Board also elected new officers:  Anthony Fiore, President, Patricia Kilgore, Vice President, John Erickson, Treasurer and Maribeth Nesbitt, Secretary. Return to top

********8. Guild Renovations:  The Guild recently completed renovations of our office to allow us to better serve our members.  Please stop in and take a look.  Return to top

********9. Guild Briefs Volunteers Needed:  We are seeking volunteers to help us label Guild Briefs each month.  It's a fun way to meet other Guild members and we’ll even buy you lunch if you work more than four hours.  To register for our Guild Briefs volunteer list, call David Tabak at (312) 236-8569 or send an e-mail to david@guildfortheblind.org.  Return to top

********10. Hadley Safety Course:  The Hadley School for the Blind is offering "Safety in the Home," which provides essential information to protect you, your family and your home during unforeseen emergencies.  This tuition-free course can be completed at your own pace and in the comfort of your home and is available in large print, in braille, on audiocassette and online.  This course does not provide instructions in first aid.  To register call Hadley Student Services at (800) 526-9909 or enroll online at www.hadley.edu. Return to top

*******11. Accessible Cell Phones:  If you would like to know the latest about accessible cell phones which you can obtain directly from the major providers, read the latest issue of “Access World,” the online magazine published by AFB.  The article reviews the eight most commonly used cell phones in this category.  Visit: www.afb.org/afbpress/Pub.asp?DocID=aw070503For those without internet access, please call the Guild at (312) 236-8569 for a free large print version of this article.  Return to top

********12. Free Computer Magnification Software:  DesktopZoom is a free screen magnification program that does not need to be installed on a computer.  You can run it from a disk or thumb drive on any computer.  It does have its limitations such as no keyboard commands to change magnification size or type.  You must have Windows 2000/XP.  To try this software go to:  users.pandora.be/mylinks/MyWebsite/MySoft/MySoft.html#DesktopZoom. Return to top

********13. New Web Site for People with Macular Degeneration:  My Eye Health is a partnership of Prevent Blindness and AMD.ORG and provides information on macular degeneration, treatment and resources.  Visit www.myeyehealth.org/or call toll free (866) 702-3937.Return to top

******** 14. Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial Audio Tour:  The City of Chicago has created an audio tour of Chicago’s new Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  The 10 minute tour guides visitors through the many elements of the memorial, located along Wacker Drive between Wabash Ave. and State St.  The tour is available on the web sites of MOPD, www.cityofchicago.org/disabilities/, and CDOT, www.cityofchicago.org/transportation.  The files can be downloaded to a portable music device. Return to top

********15. New Dating Service:  Dating4Disabled helps you express yourself, make friends and hopefully find a partner for life.  Developed by a group of volunteers whose goal is to provide more social outlets for disabled individuals, this growing community has become an international gathering place, with members from over 15 countries.  Membership is free and users create a profile which tailors their online preferences and allows them to customize their interactions by type of relationship, life-challenge, location, interests and more.  Dating4Disabled is formatted to be accessible to those with vision loss, incorporating large font options and supporting icon comments.  It is also compatible with most screen readers, including JAWS®.  Visit: www.dating4disabled.com/. Return to top

********November Calendar
Sat., Nov. 4, 10:00 am:  The Guide Dog Lifestyle at the Guild.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Tues., Nov. 7, 2:00 pm: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Moraine Court in Bridgeview.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Tues., Nov. 7, 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange:  G.W. Micro new products at the Guild.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Wed., Nov. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10:00: New Visions workshop at Mills Park Tower in Oak Park. Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Thurs., Nov. 9, 10:00 am to noon:  Career Networking Club - Time Management.  Contact Kerry Obrist at (312) 236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org.

Thurs., Nov. 9, 1:30 pm:  Next Steps – In Touch with Braille at Lincolnwood Place Retirement Center in Lincolnwood.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Mon., Nov. 13, 20, 27 & Dec. 4, 10:00 am:  New Visions at Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.

Tues., Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 5 & 12, 12:00 pm:  New Visions at Bridgeway of Bensenville.  Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.  Return to top

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