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Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – JULY 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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CONTENTS
Portable CCTV
Learn To Shop with Peapod®
Victor Reader Stream Offer
Guild Support Group
Guild Board News
Guild Staff Appreciation Closure
Braille Translation Website
New Parent Resource
New Hadley Course, Business Communications
Changes to Free 411
Access News Service
New Web Site
Currency Ruling
Labeling Book
Chicago Summer Festivals
Tour Opportunities
ACBMC Annual Picnic
Hands on Art
JULY CALENDAR
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Portable CCTV
The Guild now carries the Presto CCTV, an easy-to-use, 15", auto-focus device with a color LCD flat panel. It weighs 20 pounds and the monitor folds flat so it can be carried from room to room. Cost: $2,195. Contact Brian Hollandsworth at 312-236-8569 or
brian@guildfortheblind.org.
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Learn To Shop with Peapod®
The Guild will be offering its popular "Introduction to Online Shopping with Peapod" course. Students will learn how to navigate the site, browse the aisles, make and use a shopping list, search for products and place an order. Sat., Aug. 2, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Cost: $50. Contact David Flament at 312-236-8569 or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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Victor Reader Stream Offer
The Guild is offering a unique opportunity to purchase the popular Victor Reader Stream by Humanware and receive hands-on training. The Stream enables you to read DAISY books, download audible books, store music and text files and make voice recordings. The hands-on training workshop will be on Tues., Aug. 5 at 4:00 pm. to help you get started. This offer includes the Stream with a 2 GB SD card, no sales tax and the training workshop for the low cost of $329. Those who already have a Stream are welcome to attend the training. Contact Kathy Austin or David Flament at 312-236-8569 or email at kathya@guildfortheblind.org
or davidf@guildfortheblind.org.
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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@guildfortheblind.org.
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Guild Board News
The Guild would like to thank the following board members who are retiring this year: Anthony "Tony" Fiore, Diane Laux and Sharon Seidler. We truly appreciate all your efforts on behalf of people with vision loss. We would particularly like to thank Tony for his leadership as Board president for the past two years. The Guild welcomes Patricia Kilgore as the new president of the board.
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Guild Staff Appreciation Closure
The Guild will be closed on Wed. Aug. 6 for staff appreciation day. We salute the Guild staff for their hard work and dedication.
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Braille Translation Website
RoboBraille Service is an email-based service that translates documents to and from contracted braille and to synthetic speech. Users submit documents as email attachments. The translated results are returned via email, typically within minutes. Free to non-commercial users. Visit:
www.robobraille.org.
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New Parent Resource
Family Connect is a new resource for parents of children with vision loss. A collaboration of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI), Family Connect offers comprehensive resources and support. Visit:
www.familyconnect.org.
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New Hadley Course, Business Communications
This course teaches students how to develop effective speaking, listening and nonverbal techniques useful in a business setting. The course materials are available in large print, braille, cassette and online. Contact Student Services at 800-526-9909 or visit
www.hadley.edu.
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Changes to Free 411
The major telephone providers have changed their policy on free 411 service and connection charges. Please check your bill carefully and check with your provider to understand their policy. For free directory assistance, you can use 800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411), 800-GOOG-411 (800-466-4411) or 800-CALL-411 (800-225-5411).
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Access News Service
Access News is a free service offered by the Sacramento Society for the Blind and the Braille and Talking Book Library. Browse national weekly and monthly publications, enjoy an entertainment section, and hold business meetings with colleagues across the country. Contact Joseph Hamilton at 916-732-4010.
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New Web Site
Zonebbs.com is a new site that's screen-reader-friendly for a blind and visually impaired community, ages 13 and older. You can play games or use their instant messenger system. Visit www.zonebbs.com.
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Currency Ruling
The US Federal Court of Appeals ruled that the United States Treasury is breaking the law by not creating currency that is identifiable by people with vision loss. The ruling upheld a 2006 decision that keeping US currency the same size and texture violates the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The Treasury Department has not announced their response to the court’s decision.
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Labeling Book
"Label It! Braille & Audio Strategies for Identifying Items at Home & Work" provides ideas for labeling with braille. The book covers clothing and accessories, medications, food containers, appliances, and many other items. It also discusses what to do when you can't label something. Available in braille and PortaBook. $10. To order call 888-965-8965 or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/LABELIT.html.
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Chicago Summer Festivals
Chicago is hosting a variety of events this summer showcasing a vast array of cultural attractions and musical entertainment. This year, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) have enhanced the accessibility of these festivals for individuals with disabilities. For more information contact MOPD at 312-744-4602 (voice), 312-744-4964 (TTY) or kkubey@cityofchicago.org.
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Tour Opportunities
Mind's Eye Travel creates tours for people with vision loss. Itineraries are customized not only for great comfort, camaraderie and enjoyment but also for full sensory discovery. Destinations are carefully screened in advance with hand-picked activities, restaurants and lodging. The trips for 2008 include: mid-coast Maine; Sedona, Ariz. and the Grand Canyon; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Visit www.mindseyetravel.com.
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ACBMC Annual Picnic
The American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago is hosting its annual picnic on Sat., Aug. 9 at the Chicago Lighthouse from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. Cost: $5.00 for nonmembers. Contact Maureen Heneghan at 773-775-3595 by Aug. 4.
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Hands on Art
Sally Barker will display her “Hands on Art” at Blind Service Association. Ms. Barker creates woven representations of masterpieces in which she uses different fabrics to denote colors. July 10, beginning at 10:00 am. Reservations are required. Contact Mary at 312-236-0808.
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JULY CALENDAR
Tue., July 8, 1:30 pm: New Visions Introductory presentation at Lake Forest Place, Lake Forest. For all New Visions and Next Steps Program, contact Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
Thur., July 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Career Networking Club. Contact Lauri Dishman at 312-236-8569 or lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
Wed., July 16, 10:00 am: New Visions Introductory presentation at Bethlehem Woods Retirement Center, LaGrange Park.
Mon., July 28, 12:45 pm: Next Steps Magnifier Madness at Sights Unlimited, Hometown.
Sat., Aug. 2, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm: Online Shopping with Peapod at the Guild. Click here to read article
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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