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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – APRIL 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
Guild Brief Improvements: In an effort to improve the electronic version of Guild Briefs, you can now jump from a listing in the table of contents directly to the article. Also the title of each article is now marked as a heading. People using screen reading software can use the headings command to quickly jump form article to article. In order for these features to work, you need to receive Guild Briefs in HTML format. ********
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1. April New Visions Locations
2. Gardening with Vision Loss
3. Origami Workshop
4. Orientation & Mobility Workshop
5. Tech Exchange - CSUN Wrap Up
6. How to Get Those Must-Have Gadgets
7. Career Seminars
8. Career Networking Club presents Craig Lynch
9. Job Readiness Training Program
10. Guild Support Group
11. Guild Briefs Readers' Survey
12. Guild Board Member/Ski Champion
13. System Access To Go Free Online
14. Blind Bargains
15. Recycling Electronic Equipment
16. Chicago City College Transition Summit
17. Chicago Guide Book
April Calendar
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The Guild’s Rehabilitation Department will be traveling to Evanston, Downers Grove, Chicago and Hometown during April. A variety of topics and information will be shared with everyone who is interested in learning more about adjusting to vision loss. See calendar for dates. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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Gardening is a rewarding hobby that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Even with vision loss, you can still create and care for a garden, small or large. To learn about adaptive gardening, join us at the Guild on Sat., Apr. 5 at 10:00 am. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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Origami workshop, the art of paper folding, at the Guild! Thurs. May 1, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Contact Polly Abbott at 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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4. Orientation and Mobility Workshop
Learn to use your human guide more efficiently or be a better guide. Fri. May 16, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Free, but space is limited. Contact Polly Abbott at 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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5. Tech Exchange - Craig’s List: Tech Exchange will be exploring all that is available on Craig’s List. This is an extremely valuable resource for finding jobs, housing and other services in your own town or in far distant lands! Tue., Apr. 1, 4:00 – 6:00 pm. All levels of computer users are welcome. Contact Kathy Austin or David Flament at 312-236-8569.
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6. How to Get Those Must-Have Gadgets
Learn how to get the assistive devices you need from state programs, scholarships and other sources. Guest speakers and representatives from technology companies will be presenting. Vendors will provide a hands-on opportunity to try CCTVs, screen readers, braille devices and more! Sat., May 3, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Free, but space is limited. Contact David Flament at (312) 236-8569 by Apr. 24!
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The Guild is offering several seminars to help with your job search. These include a series on choosing a career that’s right for you (April 14 and 21) and seminars to assist with Resume Writing (April 23) and Interviewing (April 28). All are from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and are free. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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8. Career Networking Club presents Craig Lynch
The Guild welcomes sports writer and broadcaster Craig Lynch to discuss the creativity he uses to keep his career alive. Thur. Apr. 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The Career Networking Club is free and open to anyone looking to meet and network with other professionals with vision loss. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312 236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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9. Job Readiness Training Program
The Guild begins its next three-week Job Readiness training program on May 5. This is a comprehensive course for those who want to learn the fundamentals of job searching or to get up-to-date information on the current standards employers expect. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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The Guild is offering a weekly support group for adults with vision loss. This group will begin in late summer or early fall and last for 10-12 weeks. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildforthblind.org.
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11. Guild Briefs Readers' Survey
The Guild will be conducting a phone survey in April to gather readers' comments and suggestions about Guild Briefs. We are currently seeking volunteers to help us call our readers to solicit their opinions. Contact Cheryl Megurdichian at 312-236-8569 or cherylm@guildfortheblind.org.
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12. Guild Board Member/Ski Champion
Guild board member John Erickson is fulfilling a life-long dream. John has been skiing since the early 1970s and has always wanted to be a ski racing champion. Earlier this year, he registered the second fastest time for a blind skier in his age group at Park City, Utah. That was good enough to qualify for the national NASTAR Racing Championships in Steamboat Springs. When asked why he finally qualified, John said, “I must be the only one left in my age group who hasn’t been injured and quit skiing.” Good Luck, John!
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13. System Access To Go Free Online
The AIR Foundation presents Serotek's award-winning System Access To Go (SAToGo) free of charge to anyone anytime via the Internet. When the user disconnects, SAToGo vanishes. Call 888-723-5011 or visit www.atechcenter.net/.
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Blind Bargains is a web site that lists products, the latest deals and news for the blind and visually impaired. Blind Bargains scours the net to find sales, deals and news on adaptive technology. Visit www.blindbargains.com.
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15. Recycling Electronic Equipment
Here are some resources for recycling adaptive electronic equipment so it will not contaminate our environment and will help those who cannot afford these products: ATEN Program at 708-444-8460 x231; Illinois Assistive Technology Program at 217-522-7985 or www.iltech.org/index.asp; and www.earth911.org
. The Guild accepts old cell phones and printer cartridges. We receive payment for these items, which we use to support our programs.
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16. Chicago City College Transition Summit
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) invites Chicago City Colleges students with disabilities to its 2nd Annual Transition Summit for College Students. The Summit is at the MOPD Field Office, 2102 W. Ogden Ave., on Sat., Apr. 19 from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. Contact MOPD's Employment Services Unit at 312-746-5743 (voice) or 312-746-5713 (TTY).
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Easy Access Chicago is a new guide for visitors with disabilities. It offers visitor information about city attractions with details about accommodation such as ramps and elevators, handicapped parking and braille signage. Call 800-226-6632, visit www.enjoyillinois.com or download a PDF at www.easyaccesschicago.org.
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Tue., Apr. 1, 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange: CSUN Wrap Up.
Fri, Apr 4, 11, 18 & 25, 9:30 am: New Visions workshop at Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, Downers Grove. For all New Visions and Next Steps workshops, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Sat., Apr. 5, 10:00-12:00 pm: Gardening with Vision Loss.
Thur., Apr. 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club presents Craig Lynch.
Mon., Apr. 14, 12:30 pm – Next Steps “On the Move” at Sights Unlimited, Hometown.
Tues., Apr. 15, May 13, June 17 and July 15 at 3:00 pm: New Visions workshop at Presbyterian Homes, Evanston.
Mon., Apr. 14 and 21, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Choosing a Career that’s Right for You.
Wed., Apr. 23, 10:00 am: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Washington and Jane Smith Village, Chicago.
Wed., Apr. 23, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Resume Writing, at the Guild.
Mon., Apr. 28, 12:30 pm: Next Steps Gizmos and Gadgets at Sights Unlimited, Hometown.
Mon., Apr. 28, 9:00 am-12:00 pm: Interviewing Workshop, at the Guild.
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