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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – January 2009
"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. Independence without Driving
2. Guild’s Braille Class is Back
3. Excel Overview
4. Stream Companion Workshop
5. Online Networking
6. Looking Ahead Support Group
7. Individual Counseling at the Guild
8. Merlin LCD Video Magnifier
9. Chicago Area Support Groups
10. Young Professionals Board
11. Passionate Focus
12. Talking Prescription Pilot Program
13. Price Reduction for K-NFB and K- Reader Mobile Products
14. Free Credit Reports in Accessible Formats
15. Social Security Debit Card
16. Resources for High School Students with Vision Loss
17. New Food Courses at Hadley
18. Yoga Classes
Extra articles for subscribers to the electronic version of Guild Briefs.
19. Scuba Diving
20. AFB Gift Guide
21. Online Chess Game
JANUARY CALENDAR
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1. Independence without Driving
Join Polly Abbott at the Guild for a DVD presentation and group discussion on strategies to remain independent after giving up driving. Tues., March 10, 1:30 pm. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or
kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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2. Guild’s Braille Class is Back
The Guild is 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 every Monday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, for 16 weeks starting Jan. 12. Contact Polly at 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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3. Excel Overview
The Guild is offering a one-day class in Microsoft Excel with JAWS® for Windows. Sat., March 7, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Space is limited. Free. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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4. Stream Companion Workshop
Learn to use the Stream Companion software, an easy way to transfer books and other files from your PC to your Victor Reader Stream. This is a hands-on workshop, so bring your Stream! Wed., Jan 21, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Space is limited. Free. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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5. Online Networking
The Career Networking Club explores online networking and the integral role sites like Facebook and LinkedIn are playing in job searches. Thur., Jan. 8, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. Looking Ahead Support Group
The Guild’s new support group, Looking Ahead, just completed its successful first 15-week session and is ready to begin a new group. Lauri Dishman, our licensed clinical professional counselor, facilitates this program to help members adjust to vision loss. Our next series begins Feb. 25. Contact Lauri for details at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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7. Individual Counseling at the Guild
The Guild now offers free counseling services. If you or someone you know is having difficulty coping with vision loss, please contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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8. Merlin LCD Video Magnifier
The Guild is now demonstrating the Merlin Flat Panel video magnifier, with magnification options from 2.4X to 77X. Available in 17, 19 or 22 inch screens with prices from $2,595 to $2,995. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8569 or
brian@guildfortheblind.org
to schedule an appointment.
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9. Chicago Area Support Groups
If you are a part of a vision loss support group or know of one, please let us know about it. The Guild is up-dating its resource list for the Chicago and suburban area for all vision loss support groups. Contact Polly Abbott at 312-236-8569 ext. 15 or email polly@guildfortheblind.org
and leave a message with the name and phone number of the group leader.
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10. Young Professionals Board
The Guild’s Young Professionals Board is currently accepting new applicants. If you know anyone in their 20’s or 30’s who is looking for a great cause to support and likes to plan fundraising events, please have them contact Cheryl Megurdichian at 312-236-8569 or cherylm@guildfortheblind.org.
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11. Passionate Focus
Plans for the Guild’s major fundraising event, Passionate Focus, are well underway and it’s promising to be another blockbuster hit for both the Guild and our participating artists! If you know an artist who is legally blind, applications for this juried show are being accepted until January 30. Contact Cheryl Megurdichian at 312 236 8569 or
cherylm@guildfortheblind.org.
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12. Talking Prescription Pilot Program
Walgreens pharmacies in the Chicago and Northwestern Indiana area are offering a free ScripTalk Station reader and talking labels to their patients who have difficulty reading their prescriptions labels as part of a pilot program. Please see your Walgreen’s pharmacist to obtain your unit. Questions should be directed to Anna McClure or Dave Bode of Envision America at 800-890-1180.
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13. Price Reduction for K-NFB and K Reader Mobile Products
Handy Tech North America has announced a $600 price reduction in the K-Reader and K-NFB Reader Mobile. The new price is $995 for each product. Call 651-636-5184 or e-mail sales@handytech.us.
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14. Free Credit Reports in Accessible Formats
Free credit reports are available in accessible format for consumers with vision loss. Everyone is entitled to one free report every year from each of three credit companies in braille, large print or audio formats. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Contact Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian at LF@LFLegal.com
or 510-548-5062.
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15. Social Security Debit Card
The Social Security Administration is now offering a Direct Express Debit MasterCard. It’s a prepaid debit card available to anyone who receives Social Security payments. Your benefits will be automatically posted to your account each month. The card can be used to make purchases, pay bills and get cash at retail locations and ATMs nationwide. There are no monthly fees and most services are free of charge. Call toll free 877-212-9991 or visit www.USDirectExpress.com.
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16. Resources for High School Students with Vision Loss
Blindness 4 1 1, created by the National Federation of the Blind, gives teens with vision loss a place to meet and learn about resources that can help in school and home. Current Facebook members may go to groups, search for Blindness 4 1 1 and request access to the group. If you wish to sign up for a free Facebook account, visit www.facebook.com.
Contact Rosy Carranza at 410-659-9314, ext. 2283 or rcarranza@nfb.org.
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17. New Food Courses at Hadley
The Hadley School for the Blind is offering a series of five courses, each with two or three lessons on food preparation to help you prepare healthy dishes. They recommend preparation methods, organizational skills, adaptive devices, techniques and practical tips. Visit
www.hadley.org
or call 800-323-4238.
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18. Yoga Classes
Are you interested in learning yoga but have been afraid of doing so because of your vison loss? The Guild has a connection with a yoga instructor who is sensitive to vision issues, making it easy and fun. Contact Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org
to find out more.
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Extras for Guild Brief e-mail subscribers. The following articles are only available to subscribers of the electronic version of Guild Briefs. Thank you for keeping our cost down.
19. Scuba Diving
Diveheart introduces children and adults with disabilities to scuba diving. Contact Jim Elliott at 630-408-1920 or Ingra Gardner at 312-997-3670 or via e-mail at ingra.gardner@chicagolighthouse.org.
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20. AFB Gift Guide
The American Foundation for the Blind is offering its annual gift guide for people with vision loss. Visit: www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=64&TopicID=296&DocumentID=4503.
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21. Online Chess Game
BG Chess Challenge is an accessible version of the popular board game. It is designed for the average chess player and can be run in one of three modes: Blind, Vision Impaired or Sighted. Play against the computer or another player. Visit www.omninet.net.au/~irhumph/blindgamers.htm#CHESSSAPI.
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January Calendar
Wed., Jan. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10:30 am: New Visions workshop at Carmelite Carefree Village, Darien. For all New Visions and Next Steps programs, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 1:00 pm: New Visions workshop at Casa San Carlo, Northlake.
Thur., Jan. 8, 1:30– 3:30 pm: Career Networking Club.
Fri., Jan. 9, 16, 23 & 30, 10:00 am: New Visions workshop at Highland Park Senior Center.
Tues., Jan. 13, 1:00 pm: Next Steps –Independence without Driving at Lake Forest Place, Lake Forest.
Wed., Jan. 21, 1:30 pm: Stream Companion Workshop at the Guild.
Wed., Jan. 28, 12:45 pm – Next Steps-Stress Management at Covenant Village, Northbrook.
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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