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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – December 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. Guild’s Braille Class is Back
2. Tech Exchange - Newsline
3. Looking Ahead-Guild Support Group
4. Individual Adjustment Counseling
5. Career Networking Club
6. Video Magnifiers at the Guild
7. Special Holiday Pricing on Victor Stream
8. 2009 Calendars
9. Guild Holiday Closing
10. Ride Free Program
11. Audio Resource for Diabetics
12. Currency Update
13. SSA Lawsuit
14. Craft Books
15. Ski for Light
DECEMBER CALENDAR
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1. Guild’s Braille Class is Back
The Guild is once again offering its popular braille class taught by Polly Abbott, a certified instructor. Learn the basics of braille so you can read elevator buttons or write down phone numbers. This class meets from 2:00 to 4:00 pm every Monday for 16 weeks starting Jan. 12. Contact Polly at 312-236-8569 or
polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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2. Tech Exchange – Newsline
Newsline, NFB’s telephone newspaper service, will be the topic of December’s Tech Exchange meeting. We will discuss how the service works and its many important features. Representatives from the National Federation of the Blind will be on hand to answer specific questions. Everyone is welcome at Tech Exchange. Contact Kathy Austin or David Flament at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org
or
davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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3. Looking Ahead-Guild Support Group
A new session of Looking Ahead will begin on Wed, Feb. 25. Looking Ahead is the Guild’s support group to help those having difficulty managing the stress and anxiety of blindness and vision loss. All sessions are led by Lauri Dishman, a licensed clinical professional counselor. Looking Ahead will meet every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm for sixteen weeks. A pre-screen interview is required. Free. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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4. Individual Adjustment Counseling
The Guild now offers individual counseling with Lauri Dishman, a licensed clinical professional counselor. If the stress of adjusting to blindness or vision loss is taking a toll on you or a loved one, there is someone at the Guild to talk to. Free. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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5. Career Networking Club
The Career Networking Club will celebrate the holidays on Thur., Dec. 11 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Guild. Free. Refreshments will be served. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or
lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. Video Magnifiers at the Guild
The Guild is featuring the Nemo ($795) and Amigo ($1,695) portable video magnifiers from Enhanced Vision. Both magnifiers are lightweight, portable and offer various adjustable digital magnifications. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8569 or brian@guildfortheblind.org
to discuss the features of the Nemo and Amigo.
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7. Special Holiday Pricing on Victor Stream
The Guild is offering the popular Victor Reader Stream and a 4 gb memory card for the low price of $329.00. This larger memory card will hold twice as much material. Makes a great holiday gift for your tech savvy audio readers. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
We accept DHS vouchers and veteran's benefits.
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8. 2009 Calendars
The Guild is offering 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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9. Guild Holiday Closing
The Guild will close at noon on Wed. Dec. 24 and reopen at 8:30 am on Mon., Jan. 5. Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season.
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10. Ride Free Program
RTA’s Ride Free Program for people with disabilities began on Oct. 24. People with disabilities may obtain a Ride Free pass if they are eligible for the Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker program. To learn more about the Circuit Breaker program, visit www.illinois.gov/transit
or call 800-252-8966 (TTY: 1-888-206-1327). Information is also available at senior citizen centers, the Mayor’s Office on Disabilities in the City of Chicago and Independent Living Centers. Applicants can find an RTA registration center by visiting www.rtachicago.com/peoplewithdisabilitiesridefree
or by calling 312-913-5414 (TTY: 312-913-3111).
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11. Audio Resource for Diabetics
Pocket Reference Journals has released its first CD entitled "My Pocket Doctor, A Reference Guide." The CD includes information on blood glucose testing, insulin facts, pills, new medications, dining out, illness complications, as well as other topics such as traveling, leisure and exercise, and smoking and alcohol. $12.50. Braille labels and a full braille version are also available. Call 714-914-2565 or visit www.pocketreferencejournals.com. Downloadable versions are available on www.audible.com.
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12. Currency Update
The U.S. Treasury has been ordered to take steps to provide access to United States currency for people with vision loss. The redesign of currency will take place when the Treasury redesigns any denomination for general use. The order does not include the $1 bill and the $100 bill that are already in the process of being redesigned. For further details visit
www.acb.org.
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13. SSA Lawsuit
A federal court has authorized a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of people with vision loss who require communications from SSA to be in an accessible format in order to participate in the Social Security or SSI programs.
If you want to intervene, submit comments or have questions about this case, contact class counsel Arlene Mayerson or Silvia Yee of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund at 800-348-4232 or via e-mail to: ssaclassaction@dredf.org.
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14. Craft Books
National Braille Press is in the process of producing an instructional book on crafts that can be done with little or no vision. They are seeking your craft ideas. If your project is chosen for inclusion, you will get a free copy of the book. Please clearly state all necessary materials and step-by-step directions for each project. They will not be including any knitting, crocheting or intricate sewing projects. Submit all materials with your name, address and phone number to Ann Bliss at Annbliss@tampabay.rr.com.
Print and unfolded braille submissions should be sent to Ann Bliss, P.O. Box 6579, Bradenton, FL 34281.
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15. Ski for Light
The 27th Ski-For-Light will take place on Jan. 23-25, 2009 at Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona, IL. This event requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to climb stairs, walk or cross country ski, and participate in outdoor activities in cold winter conditions. Contact Lilly Rose Fator 2009 at 708-205-0544.
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December Calendar
Tues., Dec. 2, 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange - Newsline.
Fri., Dec. 5, 10:00 am -12:00 pm: Guild Product Day at Park Ridge Public Library.
Fri., Dec. 5, 10:00 am: New Visions introductory presentation at Highland Park Senior Center. For all New Visions and Next Steps programs, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., Dec. 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or Lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Sat. Dec. 13, 5:00 pm: American Council of the Blind Metropolitan Chicago's Annual Holiday Party at the Ex Chequer Restaurant & Pub, 226 S. Wabash beginning at 5:00pm. Contact Maureen Heneghan at 773-775-3595.
Tue., Dec. 16, 1:00 pm: New Visions introductory presentation at Casa San Carlo, Northlake.
Wed., Dec. 17, 10:30 am: New Visions introductory presentation at Carmelite Carefree Village, Darien.
Wed., Dec. 24, 12:00 pm through Fri., Jan. 2: Guild Closed for the Holidays.
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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