GUILD BRIEFS - NOVEMBER 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
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. November New Visions
2. Completing On-Line Job Applications
3. Resumes and Cover Letters using Microsoft Word® with JAWS®
4. Tech Exchange - Tech Tools for Success
5. 2008 Calendars
6. Guild for the Blind Turns 60!
7. Free Online Course on Vision Rehabilitation
8. Free Microsoft Accessibility CD
9. New Adaptive Technology Products
10. Seeking People to Assist with State Accessibility Standards
11. Diabetic News Magazine
12. Braille Diabetes Journal
13. Guide Dog Users Group
14. Talking Bible
15. Accessible Toys
16. Southwest Airlines New Reservation Line for Customers with Disabilities
November Calendar
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1. November New Visions: The Guild’s acclaimed New Visions workshops will be offered at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club and the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago during November. New Visions helps those with vision loss explore resources and strategies to adjust in a supportive environment. Free. Family members and friends are welcome. Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. See November Calendar for details. Return to top
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2. Completing On-Line Job Applications: The Guild is offering a course on completing on-line job applications using JAWS®. Participants will complete a standard on-line application while having a career counselor on hand to offer suggestions and answer questions. Sat., Nov. 10 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Registration limited to 6. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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3. Resumes and Cover Letters using Microsoft Word® with JAWS®: 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. Wed., Dec. 5, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Free. Registration limited to 6. Contact Lauri Dishman at (312) 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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4. Tech Exchange - Tech Tools for success: The Guild welcomes Larry Lewis, President of Flying Blind, a company devoted to serving people with vision loss through adaptive technology. Larry will help you choose the technology to help you succeed. Free. Fri., Nov. 16, 2:00 - 3:30 pm. There will be no Tech Exchange meetings on Nov. 6, Dec. 4 or Jan. 1. Contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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5. 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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6. Guild for the Blind turns 60!: In December the Guild will turn 60 years old. Please send us your Guild stories for use during our celebration. Contact David Tabak at (312) 236-8569 or david@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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7. Free Online Course on Vision Rehabilitation: VisionAWARE.org offers a free online course, "First Steps in Vision Rehabilitation for Adults with Vision Loss, Families, and Community Workers." The course has four components: The Eye and Vision, Low Vision and Optical Devices, Vision Rehabilitation Services and Coping with Vision Loss and How to Cope with Daily Tasks. Jan. 7 - Feb. 1. Contact Maureen Duffy: maureen.duffy@visionaware.org. Return to top
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8. Free Microsoft Accessibility CD: Microsoft is offering a free CD that provides accessibility demos and tutorials for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 and 7 and more. Visit: www.microsoft.com/enable/cd/default.aspx. Return to top
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9. New Adaptive Technology Products: Humanware has announced the availability of the Victor Reader Stream, a hand-held reader that reads electronic books including the new NLS digital books. Visit www.Humanware.com or call (800) 722-3393. Ai Squared has released the ZoomText® Large-Print Keyboard, featuring "one-touch" access to ZoomText 9.0 and 36-point lettering on keycaps with a high-contrast black on yellow color scheme for easy reading. It also offers 16 dedicated feature keys that instantly access the user's favorite ZoomText commands. Visit www.aisquared.com/Products/Keyboard.cfm or call (800) 859-0270. Return to top
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10. Seeking People to Assist with State Accessibility Standards: The Illinois Department of Human Services is currently reaching out to interested parties to assist in the development of state accessibility standards. Individuals interested in assisting in developing the standards can email dhs.accessibility@illinois.gov and include their contact information and any specific areas of interest or expertise. You may also submit questions and/or suggestions to this email. For more information, visit: www.dhs.state.il.us/iitaa. Return to top
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11. Diabetic News Magazine: November is Diabetes Awareness Month. The Diabetes Action Network, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, offers a free quarterly news magazine, “Voice of the Diabetic,” which contains candid stories written by diabetics, friends, health care professionals and others who share experiences and expertise on diabetes. To order a sample copy of the Voice of the Diabetic (in print and/or 4-track cassette) contact Lois Williams (256) 852-4143 or loiscares898@yahoo.com. You can also visit the Voice’s web site at www.nfb.org/nfb/Voice_of_the_Diabetic.asp?SnID=421808619. Return to top
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12. Braille Diabetes Journal: Pocket Reference Journals now offers a braille edition of its new "My Pocket Doctor," a reference guide and journal. It is designed to answer any questions that a newly diagnosed diabetic would ask. $47.00. Contact Pocket Reference Journals at (714) 965-4570 or www.pocketreferencejournals.com. Return to top
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13. Guide Dog Users Group: Blind Services Association holds a monthly guide dog users group to discuss a wide variety of topics related to guide dogs. Contact Alan West at (312) 236-0808 or alwest@ameritech.net. Return to top
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14. Talking Bible: Talking Bibles International offers a new digital Talking Bible. It includes the entire NIV New Testament in crystal clear fidelity. $69.95. Visit www.talkingbible.org or email info@talkingbible.org. Return to top
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15. Accessible Toys: AblePlay.org has released its top five picks for the holidays. The web site includes free, independent ratings and expert advice on all kinds of toys for children with disabilities. Visit http://www.ableplay.org/ Return to top
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16. Southwest Airlines New Reservation Line for Customers with Disabilities: Southwest Airlines introduced a new reservation line for customers who may have trouble using Southwest's web site. Tell them you have limited vision and they will help you get the lowest fare. Call (866) 281-8464. Return to top
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR
Wed., Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 1:30 pm: New Visions workshop at Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Chicago. For all New Visions or Next Steps workshops, contact Kathy Austin at (312) 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Fri., Nov. 2,10:00: New Vision Product Day at Mayslake Village, Oak Brook. The Guild staff will have a selection of adaptive tools for purchase.
Tues., Nov. 6, 13, 20 & 27, 10:00 am: New Visions workshop at Illinois Eye Institute, Chicago.
Thurs., Nov. 8, 10:00 am: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Lake Forest Senior Center.
Sat., Nov. 10, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm: Completing Job Applications with JAWS. See article #2 above.
Fri., Nov. 30, 10:00 am: Next Steps Magnifier Madness at Park Ridge Public Library. A chance to test and purchase a wide array of magnifiers. Return to top
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