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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – November 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. Stress Relief Workshop
2. Braille Note Class
3. Victor Reader Stream Training
4. Looking Ahead Support Group
5. Giving Thanks
6. Help Make Professional Sports More Accessible
7. Financial Assistance for Adaptive Devices
8. Online Adaptive Technology Training
9. Free Speech Software for Students
10. Changes to Free Matter Postal Rules
11. Apple iTunes and iPod Nano More Accessible
12. Skokie-Area Support Group
13. Raising Awareness about Service Animals
14. RFB&D Downloadable Books
15. Digital TV Conversion
NOVEMBER CALENDAR
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1. Stress Relief Workshop
The Guild is offering a workshop on techniques to manage stress in difficult situations, to relax and to rejuvenate. Free. Fri., Nov. 14, 1:30 pm. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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2. BrailleNote Class
The Guild and Humanware are offering a hands-on class on the BrailleNote digital personal assistant. Free. Sat., Nov. 15, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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3. Victor Reader Stream Training
The Guild will again offer its training workshop on the Victor Reader Stream. Free. Thur., Nov. 20, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
The Stream is still available through the Guild for the low price of $329 which includes a 2 GB memory card. We accept DHS vouchers for this product. What a nice holiday gift idea!
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4. Looking Ahead Support Group
Looking Ahead is a support group that addresses the anxiety and stress that can occur while adjusting to vision loss. A pre-screen interview is required. November topics are: November 5: Stick Stigma – To Use a Cane or Not to Use a Cane; November 12: I Might Have Fallen, But I Can Get Up! Gracefully Managing Anger & Frustration When Accepting or Turning Away Help; and November 19: Blind as a Social Butterfly – Vision Loss Doesn’t Need to Hamper Your Social Life. For more information, contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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5. Giving Thanks
November Career Networking Club offers an in-depth discussion about those who have inspired and motivated us to succeed. Free. Thur., Nov. 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The Career Networking Club is open to all and is a great way to network with others with vision loss who are interested in employment. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. Help Make Professional Sports More Accessible
Guild member Chuck Eggebrecht is forming an advisory committee to work with professional sports teams to remove barriers for people with vision loss. He is convening a meeting to discuss barriers that prevent people with vision loss from attending sporting events. Tue., Nov. 18, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or
davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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7. Financial Assistance for Adaptive Devices
The Association of Blind Citizens (ACB) will provide up to 50% of the retail price for adaptive devices or software, including the Victor Reader Stream. Eligibility requirements must be met. Applications deadline: Dec 3. For more information, visit www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm.
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8. Online Adaptive Technology Training
North Central Technical College is offering an Internet-based certificate program in access technology for people with vision loss. Certifications are available in magnification, speech output and braille. Contact Joe Mielczarek at 715-803-1087.
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9. Free Speech Software for Students
Serotek Corp. recently unveiled a new program, Keys for K-12, which allows students with vision loss computer access by providing Serotek's System Access Mobile software for text-to-speech screen reading and/or screen magnification at no charge. It provides a free license to carry the capability on a U3-enabled USB thumb drive so students can plug the drive into any computer and have instant access to all resident Windows-based and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. When unplugged, no trace of usage is left behind on the host computer. The license is renewable every year until the student's 18th birthday or graduation from high school. Students can complete the online eligibility form at www.serotek.com/kk12.html.
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10. Changes to Free Matter Postal Rules
According the latest domestic mail manual, free matter for the blind or physically handicapped only applies to domestic mail and should not be used for international mailing. Many thanks to Guild member Sue Breunig for researching this change.
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11. Apple iTunes and iPod Nano More Accessible
Apple has recently made iTunes and iPods accessible for people with vision loss. The iPod Nano is now equipped with talking menus and large font options. Apple has also made improvements to the accessibility of iTunes. Apple has expanded the accessibility section of its web site: www.apple.com/accessibility.
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12. Skokie-Area Support Group
F.O.C.U.S. (For Optically Challenged Upbeat Sorts) is a Skokie-based support group for people with vision loss. It meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Skokie Village Hall, 5127 West Oakton. Contact Sue Bender at 847-998-5280 or Richard Reagan at 847-612-9094.
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13. Raising Awareness about Service Animals
The Public Agency Chauffeur program at Harold Washington College is looking for guide dog users to help raise awareness about the laws and responsibilities of providing service to service animal users. Contact Kathy Austin at the Guild at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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14. RFB&D Downloadable Books
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) members can now download audio textbooks and literature directly to a Windows-compatible computer. Once the books have been downloaded, they can be synced with a compatible portable media player. Contact: RFB&D at 312-236-8715.
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15. Digital TV Conversion
At midnight on Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will switch to digital broadcasting. If you want to keep your analog TV you will need a converter box. Cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a converter box. WGBH's Media Access Group has tested two coupon eligible converter boxes: the Insignia from Best Buy and the Digital Stream from Radio Shack. Both boxes have CC and SAP (or audio) buttons on the remote controls that allow you to access the various caption signals and alternate audio channels without having to go through inaccessible options.
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR
Wed., Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 2:00 pm: New Visions Workshop at the Senate Apartments, 5801 N. Pulaski, Building G, Chicago. For all New Visions programs, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 6:00 – 7:30 pm: Looking Ahead Support Group.
Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org
Thur., Nov. 6, 13, 20 & Dec. 4, 10:00 am: New Visions workshop at Self Help Home, 908 W. Argyle, Chicago.
Thur., Nov. 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club: Giving Thanks.
Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Fri., Nov. 14, 1:30 pm: Stress Relief workshop at the Guild.
Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Sat., Nov. 15, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm: BrailleNote Class.
Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur. & Fri. Nov. 27 & 28 – The Guild is closed in honor of Thanksgiving.
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