Guild for the Blind
Phone: 312-236-8569 Fax: 312-236-8128
www.guildfortheblind.org
GUILD BRIEFS – NOVEMBER 2009
"Guild Briefs" is made possible in part by grants from the Dr. Scholl Foundation and donations by Guild members.
Office and Consumer Product Center hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
The following articles do not constitute an endorsement by the Guild for the Blind's editorial staff. --Editors, Edwin Hill and Kathy Austin
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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 from article to article. In order for these features to work, you need to receive Guild Briefs in HTML format.
In addition, hyperlinks are now listed on a separate line to facilitate cutting and pasting of the addresses into your browser or e-mail program.
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Guild Briefs is now available on NFB-Newsline. For more information call 866-504-7300 or visit
www.nfbnewsline.org.
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CONTENTS
4. Get Hooked -- Crochet Class
6. Career Networking Club -- Starting Your Own Business
8. Facebook with Adaptive Technology
9. Independence on The Go -- New Portable Video Magnifier
11. Foundation Fighting Blindness Seminar
13. Window-Eyes Phone Training
15. American Blind Skiers Dinner
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1. Dear Readers
We hope you find Guild Briefs informative and beneficial. Our goal is to provide you with a mix of interesting and helpful news. Each year, we ask our subscribers to support Guild Briefs with a voluntary subscription of $15. Recently, you received a letter from David Tabak, our Executive Director, about the importance of your support of Guild Briefs. This letter included a response form and envelope to mail your donation. Donations can also be made online by visiting the Guild's website at www.guildfortheblind.org and clicking on the "Donate Now" button. Changing your subscription format from paper to email is another way to help the Guild, while helping the environment. We, of course, fully understand if you are unable to send in a donation or if you choose to support the Guild in some other way. We sincerely appreciate all your past support of Guild Briefs and look forward to providing you with important information and resources. Thank you!
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2. Passionate Focus 2010
The Guild's annual art exhibit featuring the work of artists with vision loss will be May 13-May 20, 2010. We are currently accepting applications from artists interested in exhibiting. For information or an application, please visit our website, www.passionatefocus.org, call Cheryl Megurdichian at the Guild or email cherylm@guildfortheblind.org.
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3. Dining with Confidence
Back by popular demand, Dining with Confidence will be offered on Monday, Dec. 14 at 11:00 am followed by a potluck lunch at 12:00 pm. Learn the ins-and-outs of spreading, cutting and other tricky food situations that will let you enjoy your meal. Space is limited and registration is required by Dec. 1. To learn more, call Polly Abbott at the Guild or email
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4. Get Hooked
Crochet Class at the Guild: Learn the basics or enhance your skills in the art of crocheting at the Guild's classes on Mondays, Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Class will be taught by Donna Palicka from Sister-Arts Studio. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Bring your own supplies or you can purchase from Donna at the time of class. To learn more and to register, call Polly Abbott at the Guild or email
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5. New Visions Visits
The Guild's New Visions program will be visiting the communities of Waukegan, Chicago and Olympia Fields during November. New Visions is an easy way to learn about resources, services and techniques to maintain your lifestyle. For more information about our New Visions program and how it can help you or someone you care for, call Kathy Austin at the Guild or email kathya@guildfortheblind.org.
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6. Career Networking Club
Join the Guild's Career Networking Club Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm for "Starting Your Own Business: Do You Have What it Takes?" A representative from the Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) will be here to discuss the services available to help you start a business. Sloan Morris from Innovative Vision Products will also be on hand to share his journey as a business owner. To learn more, call Lauri Dishman at the Guild or email
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7. Caregiver Support Group
The Guild begins its next Caregiver Support Group, offering an opportunity for family members and loved ones to meet with others, share stories and ideas, and do some venting along the way. Topics focus on communication, stress management and ideas for keeping life in perspective. Group meets for 15 weeks and starts Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. To learn more, call Lauri Dishman at the Guild or email lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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8. Facebook with Adaptive Technology
Space is still available for the Facebook workshop on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Facebook can be an important tool for expanding your network in a career search, staying in touch with friends and making new connections. Focus will be on using this site with adaptive technology. To learn more, call Lauri Dishman at the Guild or email lauri@guildfortheblind.org.
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9. Independence On The Go
Optelec's Compact Mini is now available at the Guild. The latest in portable video magnifiers is Optelec's Compact Mini with a 3.5" screen, 2X to 11X magnification and multiple viewing modes that provide ultimate functionality. Read the menu at your favorite restaurant or check a price label. Price is $395. Call Brian Hollandsworth at the Guild to make an appointment for a demonstration or email brian@guildfortheblind.org.
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10. 2010 Calendars Are Here
The Guild has the 2010 date books for $10 and 2010 wall calendars with a 20/20 pen for $12. We also offer a free braille pocket calendar. Limit two. Call Brian Hollandsworth at the Guild or email brian@guildfortheblind.org.
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11. Foundation Fighting Blindness Seminar
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is sponsoring a free seminar on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on the Northern Illinois University campus in Hoffman Estates. This valuable seminar will offer information on disease research, latest treatments and vision rehabilitation. Guild staff members Polly Abbott and Kathy Austin will be addressing the group on the benefits of orientation and mobility and rehabilitation training. Space is limited for this seminar. To register call 800-277-0004 or visit www.fightblindness.org/chicagoseminar.
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12. New Hadley Typing Course
Interested in learning or brushing up on your keyboarding skills? Hadley’s new course "Typing and Keyboarding" can help you get those skills that are a must for today’s world. Focus is on the basic keys, formatting lists and letters. To learn more, call Hadley at 800-323-4238 or email
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13. Window-Eyes Training By Phone
Phone training from GW Micro is the perfect way to get started using Window-Eyes. It is also a valuable tool to use this program more effectively. Individual training covers the basics of using Window-Eyes with Microsoft Word, Outlook and the Internet. Training times are flexible and no long-distance charges will be incurred by the customer. To learn more about Window Eyes individual phone training and costs, call GW Micro at 260-489-3671 or visit
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14. Access Text Network
The Access Text Network provides access to college textbooks in alternative formats to colleges and universities for use by students with documented disabilities. If you are a student needing access to textbooks, talk to your disabilities services department about becoming a member of the Access Text Network. Membership is free for higher learning institutions until June of 2010. For more information visit the Access Text Network at
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15. American Blind Skiers Foundation Dinner
If you are interested in learning to ski, looking for a guide or are an experienced skier looking to be a guide, you are invited to attend the ABSF's membership dinner on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Dinner includes pizza, salad and soft drinks and is a free event. Membership in American Blind Skiers offers a number of ski trips and discounted lift tickets, ski rentals, lodging and transportation. To learn more, call Wally Mozdzierz at 773-581-0976 or visit
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR
Sat., Oct. 31, 9:00 am: Foundation Fighting Blindness Seminar, Northern Illinois University, Hoffman Estates.
Fri., Nov. 6, 1:00 pm: Next Steps Product Day at Mayslake Village, Oak Brook
Mon., Nov. 9: Disability Awareness Fair, Truman College, Chicago
Mon., Nov. 9, 16, 23 & 30, 10:00 am: Get Hooked -- Crochet Class at Guild Office
Tues., Nov. 10, 10:00 am: New Visions at Waukegan Township Park Place Senior Center
Wed., Nov. 11, 18, 25 & Mon., Nov. 30, 1:00 pm: New Visions at Mather's More Than Just a Café, Chicago
Thurs., Nov. 12, 9:00 am: New Vision presentation at The Park at Olympia Fields,
Thurs. Nov. 12, 1:30 pm to 3:30pm: Career Networking Club -- Starting Your Own Business at Guild Office
Fri., Nov. 13, 10:30 am: Next Steps Newsline at Park Ridge Public Library
Sat., Nov. 21, 10:00 am: Facebook with Adaptive Technology at Guild Office
Thurs., & Fri., Nov. 26 & 27: Guild Office closed for Thanksgiving
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