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GUILD BRIEFS - February 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. Excel Overview
3. Blind Dating at the Guild
4. Crochet Workshop at Guild
5. Origami at the Guild
6. Starting Your Own Business
7. Orientation and Organization at Work
8. Finding a Job
9. Supplemental Medicare Options to be Available
10. Rx Label Enable
11. Computers for $100
12. Online Job Site
13. Fellowship Available
14. College Scholarships
15. Audible.com at ACB
16. Summer Braille Music Institute
17. Camp Tuhsmeheta
18. Lighthouse President Retiring
FEBRUARY 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, Arlington Heights and Downers Grove during February. Please see calendar for dates and locations. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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The Guild is 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.
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The Guild is offering an evening of discussion, insight and fun as we investigate the world of dating with vision loss. Come share your experiences and learn new tips. Thur., Feb. 7, 5:00-7:00 pm. Space is limited. Free. Contact Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org.
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The Guild is offering a crocheting workshop. The sessions will be on Mar. 4 and 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. All levels of experience welcome. Contact Polly at 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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If you are 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.
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The Guild’s Career Networking Club welcomes Roger Loeffler from SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, to discuss "The Fundamentals of Starting a Business." Free. Thurs., Feb. 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Contact Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org.
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7. Orientation and Organization at Work
The Guild’s Polly Abbott will present "Organizing for Peace of Mind," offering tips for systematizing a workspace for maximum productivity. Fri., Feb. 29, 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Free. Contact Kathy Austin 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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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. Next session runs March 3 - 21. Contact Kerry Obrist at 312-236-8569 or kerry@guildfortheblind.org.
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9. Supplemental Medicare Options to be Available
On June 1, 2008, Medicare supplement policies that are available to persons over 65 years of age will be available to persons who become eligible for Medicare because of a disability. Premium rates for these policies will vary. The Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guide is accessible online at www.idfpr.com/DOI/medsup/default.asp. A print copy may be ordered at 800-548-9034. The Illinois Department of Insurance will be releasing details of the program prior to an Open Enrollment period in 2008. Contact Jerry Miller of the Senior Health Insurance Program in Springfield at 800-548-9034 or jerry.r.miller@illinois.gov.
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The American Foundation for the Blind recently launched Rx Label Enable. The campaign aims to ensure that people with vision loss have access to the vital information available to all consumers, enabling them to take medications safely, effectively and independently. If you have had trouble reading medicine bottles, please complete a short survey in the Tell Us Your Story section of AFB's web site: www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=3&TopicID=329.
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Refurbished computers are available to people with vision loss for $100. The computers are Pentium 3 or newer, 600 MHz or faster and have 128 megs of RAM. Computer packages include monitor, keyboard, speakers, modem, sound card and CD-ROM with Windows 98® and a demo copy of Window-Eyes®. Also included are three training tutorials on audio tape: introduction to the computer, using Outlook Express® and surfing the Internet. A large print manual on using the mouse and keyboard is included. Contact Bob Langford at 214-340-6328 or Robert.Langford@NTPCUG.org.
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ABILITYJobs.com is a dedicated system for helping people with disabilities find employment. The site offers both local and national job listings. You can post your resume, create cover letters, and search for positions. Visit: www.abilityjobs.com.
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The National Industries for the Blind announces the 2008 Fellowship for Leadership Development. The fellowship is a two-year track that combines on-the-job experience with formal management training. Legally blind individuals who have an undergraduate degree, work experience, desire to travel and passion to become a business leader are invited to apply. Visit www.nib.org. Applications due Feb. 15.
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Blind Service Association's (BSA) scholarship applications are available for students living in the 6-county Chicagoland area. Applicants must be legally blind and plan to attend a college, university or professional school during the 2008/2009 school year. Applications are due April 2. Call 312-236-0808 x306.
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ACB Radio and Audible.com are offering a free MP3 if you commit to being an Audible listener for a year. Audible.com offers the latest best seller fiction and self-help books, NPR shows, and current editions of some of the world's most respected newspapers. For more information send an e-mail to: blindaudiblelisteners-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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16. Summer Braille Music Institute
The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians is accepting applications for its seminar for blind college-bound musicians, held July 14-20 at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA. Deadline is May 8. Contact David Goldstein at 203-366-3300 x 229 or info@blindmusicstudent.org.
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Camp Tuhsmehta is Michigan’s oldest residential camp for campers with vision loss aged 7-12. Located near Greenville Michigan the camp offers many family activities. Contact Jackie Hosie at 866-789-9065 or Jackie@campt.org.
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18. Lighthouse President Retiring
The Chicago Lighthouse announced the retirement of current President, James Kesteloot, effective January 2009. Mr. Kesteloot retires after a long and distinguished career in serving people with vision loss. The Guild salutes Jim for all he has done for people with vision loss and expresses our thanks to him.
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Tues., Feb. 5 at 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange.
Wed., Feb. 6, 13, 20 & 27, 1:00 pm: New Visions at Peace Memorial Manor, Downers Grove. For all New Visions workshops, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thurs. Feb. 7, 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Blind Dating.
Thurs., Feb. 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club "Starting Your Own Business."
Thurs., Feb. 14, 21, 28 & Mar. 6 at 10:30 am: New Visions at Church Creek, Arlington Heights.
Fri., Feb. 22, 12:30 pm: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Nathalie Salmon House, Chicago.
Fri., Feb. 29, 1:30 – 3:00 pm: Organizing for Peace of Mind.
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