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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – MAY 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. May New Visions Locations
2. Sighted Guide Workshop
3. Origami Workshop
4. Guild Support Group
5. How to Get Those Must-Have Gadgets
6. Making Your Cell Phone Accessible
7. Job Readiness Training Program
8. Sources for Online Job Leads
9. Guild Briefs Now Available on NFB Newsline
10. New GW Micro Portable CCTV
11. Assistive Technology Grant
12. Individual Braille Lessons
13. Dealing with Vision Loss Book
14. AMD Survey
15. New Telephone Services from Tell Me
16. Learn to Sail
17. Walt Disney World Tour Book
May Calendar
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1. May New Vision Programs
The Guild’s Rehabilitation staff will travel to Chicago, Arlington Heights and Carol Stream during May. A variety of topics and information will be shared with those interested in learning more about adjusting to vision loss. See calendar for locations and dates. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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2. Sighted Guide 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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3. Origami Workshop
The Guild is offering a workshop on Origami, the art of paper folding. Thur., May 1, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Contact Polly Abbott at 312-236-8569 or polly@guildfortheblind.org.
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4. Guild Support Group
The Guild is starting 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. Free. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or
lauri@guildforthblind.org.
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5. 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 on-site. 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 by Apr. 24 at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. Making Your Cell Phone Accessible
The Guild will host its popular workshop on adaptive technology for cell phones again in June. The workshop will cover both speech and magnification options. Representatives from manufacturers and service providers have been invited. Free. Sat., June 7, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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7. Job Readiness Training Program
The Guild begins its next three-week Job Readiness training program on Mon., June 2. 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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8. Sources for Online Job Leads
May’s Career Networking Club will examine sources for finding online job leads. Participants will share websites and resources they use during their job searches. Thur., May 8, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Free. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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9. Guild Briefs Now Available on NFB-NEWSLINE
Listen to Guild Briefs on your phone every month on the National Federation of the Blind's (NFB) NEWSLINE Blindness Information Channel. Follow the voice prompts to get to the issue of Guild Briefs you wish to read. For information on how to subscribe to NFB-NEWSLINE, contact Debra Hurley, Illinois Talking Book and Braille Service, at 800-665-5576 or contact the NFB at 866-504-7300 or visit www.nfbnewsline.org. We thank the NFB for adding Guild Briefs to NEWSLINE.
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10. New GW Micro Portable CCTV
GW Micro has introduced the SenseView Duo. The Duo offers the ability to read small text with a close-up camera, a built in handwriting camera, and a camera for viewing objects more than 7.5 feet away. Price: $825. For information, visit www.gwmicro.com/SenseView/SenseViewDuo or call 260-489-3671.
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11. Assistive Technology Grant
The Association of Blind Citizens offers funding to cover 50% of the cost of adaptive devices and software for eligible applicants. The products must retail between $200 and $6,000. To be eligible you must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applicants must be legally blind and U.S. residents. Deadline is June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31 for each grant period (3 per year). For information, email atf@blindcitizens.org or contact Paul Wohlfeil at 217-785-9341.
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12. Individual Braille Lessons
Blind Service Association is offering individual braille instruction. Contact Cindy Brown at 312-236-0808.
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13. Dealing with Vision Loss Book
Blind since birth, Fred Olver has devoted his life to breaking down barriers. Now Olver presents a comprehensive guide for anyone directly or indirectly affected by vision loss in his new book, "Dealing With Vision Loss." Cost $15.95. To order, call 314-226-9699 or visit www.dealingwithvisionloss.com.
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14. AMD Survey
If you've been diagnosed with wet or dry macular degeneration during the past three years and live in the United States, you may participate in a short online marketing survey. Qualified respondents will earn $35. Visit www.surveysbw.com/amd7.
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15. New Telephone Services from Tell Me
The Tell Me corporation offers two toll free numbers: 800-373-3411 is a free directory assistance service with listings for the United States, and 800-555-8355 is a free information service for weather, sports, news, entertainment, movies and travel.
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16. Learn to Sail
The Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation (JGASF) offers a learn-to-sail program for the physically disabled. JGASF is a public/private partnership with the Chicago Park District. Specially constructed boats, boarding ramps and equipment are all designed to ensure the safety and comfort of JGASP sailors. Cost: $85 for six two-hour lessons. Scholarships are available. You’re invited to their Annual Open House/Barbecue on Sat., May 31, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in Burnham Park Harbor. Call 312-644-3200 or visit www.juddgoldmansailing.org.
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17. Walt Disney World Tour Book
"Walt Disney World (R) with Disabilities" contains in-depth descriptions of the physical and emotional "feel" of Disney World attractions. In addition to ride descriptions, the book offers information on Disney's special services. To order, visit www.Diz-Abled.com. Cost: $22.95 plus shipping.
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Thur., May 1, 1:00 pm: Next Steps “Computers Can Talk” at Wheeling Township, Arlington Heights. For all New Visions/Next Steps workshops, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., May 1, 8, 15 & 22, 1:00 pm: New Visions workshop at Autumn Green at Midway Village, Chicago.
Sat., May 3, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: How to Get Those Must-Have Gadgets at the Guild. Please click here to read article.
Thur., May 1, 5:00 – 7:00 pm Origami Workshop at Guild. Please click here to read article.
Mon., May 5: Job Readiness Training Program, (3-week course) at the Guild. Please click here to read article.
Tues., May 6 at 4:00 pm: Tech Exchange: CSUN Wrap Up at the Guild. Free. Contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10:00 am: New Visions workshop at Smith Village, Chicago.
Thur., May 8, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club meeting at the Guild. Please click here to read article.
Fri., May 16, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Sighted Guide Workshop at the Guild.
Mon., May 19, 1:00 pm: New Visions Introductory Presentation at Colony Park, Carol Stream.
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