GUILD BRIEFS - January 2008 "
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
1. Guild Rehabilitation Services
2. Origami at the Guild
3. Excel Overview
4. On-Line Networking
5. Finding a Job
6. Orientation and Organization at Work
7. Career Networking Club Programs
8. Blind Dating at the Guild
9. Macular Degeneration and Baby Boomers
10. New Hadley Course – Life with a Guide Dog
11. NFB Scholarships
12. Talking Book Archives
13. Donate Used Braille Books
14. Survey on the Media
15. Hints for Online Shopping
16. ABSF Skiing Trips
January Calendar
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1. Guild Rehabilitation Services: New Visions, the Guild’s popular workshop helping individuals adjust to vision loss, will be offered in Chicago, Darien, Skokie, Arlington Heights and Downers Grove during January. Next Steps programs on orientation & mobility, knitting and home safety will be offered at various locations. Please see calendar for dates and locations. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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2. Origami at the Guild: The Guild is assessing interest in an origami workshop. If you would be interested in attending a 2-hour workshop on the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes, contact Polly Abbott at 312-236- 8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.Return to top
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3. Excel Overview: The Guild will be offering a one-day class on Microsoft Excel with JAWS® for Windows. $50. Sat., Mar. 1, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org Return to top
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4. Tech Exchange Presents On-Line Networking: The Guild welcomes Kimberly Shea from Roosevelt University’s Career Center to present: “On-line Networking: Enhancing Your Professional Presence using Networking Websites like LinkedIn and Facebook.” Free. Tues., Feb. 5, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236 -8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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5. Finding a Job: Applications are now being accepted for the spring session of the Guild’s new Job Readiness program. Learn how to look for a job on your own, so you don’t have to depend on others to do it for you. Next session runs March 3 - 21. Contact Lauri Dishman or Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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6. Orientation and Organization at Work: The Guild’s Polly Abbott is offering two workshops geared for new workers. On Fri., Jan. 25, “Getting Oriented on a New Job,” reviews the basics of workplace familiarization. On Fri., Feb. 29, “Organizing for Peace of Mind,” offers tips for systematizing a workspace for maximum productivity. Both seminars are 1:30 - 3:00 pm at the Guild. Free. Contact Kathy Austin 312- 236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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7. Career Networking Club Programs: The Guild welcomes Dillan Siegler and Jose Mendez from Cares Chicago on Thurs., Jan. 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, to share information about their Adult Training and Employment program. On Thurs., Feb. 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, the Guild welcomes Roger Loeffler from SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, to discuss “The Fundamentals of Starting a Business.” Free. Contact Lauri Dishman or Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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8. Blind Dating at the Guild: Join us on Thursday, February 7 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Guild for an evening of discussion, insight and fun as we investigate the world of dating with vision loss. Come share your experiences, learn new tips and commiserate with others facing the same social challenges. Space is limited. Free. Contact Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org. Return to top
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9. Macular Degeneration and Baby Boomers: Dr. Daniel Roberts, founder of MD Support, has published an article in the “Advisor” offering an overview of macular degeneration, how to slow its progress and current research. The article is aimed at baby boomers whose parents may have macular degeneration and are at greater risk for the disease. Visit: http://www.mdsupport.org/library/saveyoursight.pdf. Return to top
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10. New Hadley Course – Life with a Guide Dog: The Hadley School for the Blind is offering a course for those considering a guide dog. This course provides information about working with a guide dog and about applying to guide dog schools. The appendix has a self-assessment to help you in the decision-making process. Contact Student Services at 800-526-9909. Return to top
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11. NFB Scholarships: Each year the National Foundation for the Blind awards 30 scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. Visit: www.nfb.org/nfb/scholarship_program.asp or call 410-659-9314. Return to top
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12. Talking Book Archives: The American Foundation for the Blind has launched its web-based Talking Book Archives to celebrate Talking Book’s 75th anniversary. Visit: www.afb.org/talkingbook. Return to top
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13. Donate Used Braille Books: The Louis Braille Memorial Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of Bangladesh is seeking donations of new or used braille and large-print books, magazines, and other printed materials. They would like equipment including white canes, braille and talking watches, braille writers, embossers and paper. Send all items "Free Matter for the Blind" to Mirpur, P.O. Box 8157, Plot 11/1, Road 06, Block E, Mirpur-12, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh. Return to top
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14. Survey on the Media: Towson University and National Public Radio are looking for people with vision loss to take a survey about their experiences with media devices and user interfaces. Contact Dan Schwab at dschwab@npr.org or 202-513-2466. Return to top
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15. Hints for Online Shopping: 1. To see if a site is secure, look in the address bar to verify the address starts with https. 2. Never ever use your debit card for online purchases even if it has a credit card logo on it. If it is used fraudulently, the money will come right out of your account. Always use your regular credit card as federal law has protection for credit card fraud. 3. If you receive an email advertising a sale at a web site, don't follow the link contained in the message as it may take you to a site that looks real but is not. Always manually type in the address to go to correct site. Return to top
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16. ABSF Skiing Trips: This winter, the American Blind Skiing Foundation is sponsoring skiing trips to Wilmot, Alpine Valley, Devil’s Head and Steamboat Spring. Call 312-409-1605. Return to top
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January Calendar
Mondays, Jan. 7 – Mar. 24, 1:30 pm: Braille Class at the Guild. Contact Polly Abbott, 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
Tues., Jan. 8, 1:30: New Visions introductory presentation at Village of Skokie. For all New Visions and Next Steps programs, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., Jan. 9, 1:00 pm: Next Steps “On the Move” at Blind Services Assoc., Chicago
Thurs., Jan. 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club. See article above.
Thurs., Jan. 10, 10:30 am: New Visions introductory presentation at Carmelite Carefree Village, Darien
Fri., Jan. 11, 10:00 am: New Visions Workshop at Trinity Acres, Chicago
Tues., Jan. 15, 10:00 am: Next Steps Knitting at The Park of Golf Mill, Niles
Thurs., Jan. 17, 24, 31, & Feb. 7, 10:30 am: New Visions Workshop at Carmelite Carefree Village, Darien
Tues., Jan. 22, 10:30 am: New Visions introductory presentation at Church Creek, Arlington Heights
Wed., Jan. 23, 12:45 pm: Next Steps Home Safety Seminar at Covenant Village, Northbrook
Wed., Jan. 23, 1:00 pm: New Visions introductory presentation at Peace Memorial Manor, Downers Grove
Fri. Jan. 25, 1:30 - 3:00 pm: Getting Oriented on the New Job Seminar. See article above.
Wed., Jan. 30, 1:00 pm: Next Steps Gizmos & Gadgets Seminar at Blind Services Assoc., Chicago Return to top
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