Hawaii Association of the Blind
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We are the State affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
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News & Announcements

On This Page
►Report on the 43rd HAB Annual Convention
►HAB Forum - March 2010
►Blind's Audio Description Project
►Hawaii Blind Vendors Training Conference
►Ho’opono 75th Anniversary
►iBill Money Reader
►KnfbReader Mobile Hints and Tricks seminar
►Letters to HAB

 

Report on the 43rd HAB Annual Convention March 13, 2010 Pagoda Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii

HAB successfully celebrated its 43rd annual convention last March
13th at the Pagoda Hotel. It was an emotional occasion as State
agencies catering to the blind reported on their individual agency's
status in light of the current economic conditions. The blind
community heard how services for the blind in particular were
severely affected by the recession. We had resource speakers from
various State agencies. Joe Cordova spoke for the Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Fusako Miyashiro spoke on behalf of
the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). Leah
Grupen delivered a touching report on the present status of
Ho'Opono. Christian Yates spoke on how the Department of
Education is doing during these hard times. Jeff Thom delivered the
annual report on the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Annie
Moriyasu talked about the Center of Disability Studies (CDS) of the
University of Hawaii which will be holding a Conference in April 2010
to be attended by a number of delegates from the Pacific Rim and the
United nations.
 

Corollary to this event is a workshop on Audio Description Project to
be conducted by Joel Snyder of the American Council of the Blind.

The banquet was highlighted by presentation of grants to the various
educational districts of Hawaii itinerant teachers. As a show of full
support, HAB donated a $30,000 donation to Ho'Opono to help the
agency carry out its services to its clients. In addition, HAB donated
$25,000 to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
(LBPH) which was received by Fusako Miyashiro and Sue Sugimura.
Also at the banquet were some prominent individuals like Neil
Abercrombie, State Representative John Mizuno, State Senator
Norman Sakamoto, Dr. Bouffard, Robert Humphreys, among others. In
addition, Mr. Stan Levin was presented with a special gift (a koa
clock) in recognition of his valuable contributions as legal counsel to
the blind community in Hawaii and as a symbol of timeless friendship.

You can also listen to the recordings of the Convention and the
banquet by clicking on this link.

 

HAB Forum - March 2010

The latest issue of the HAB Forum is now out and available in digital
format (pdf file) on the HAB website. Here are some of the highlights
from our official newsletter:

* In his column "President's Message", Warren Toyama has explicitly
voiced out HAB's full support for Ho'Opono and the Library for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped. During these trying times, HAB
proves it is a friend indeed to a friend who is in dire need.

Beth Flormata contributed three articles to this issue. To wit:
* HAB celebrated the New Year with an eventful party-cum-Bingo at
the Pagoda Hotel last January. Members and friends were treated to a
sumptuous dinner with lots of fun and laughter.
* HAB has sent Beth to represent the organization to the 75th Annual
Convention of the California Council of the Blind in Fresno, California.
She writes about her wonderful experience in this event.
* A new column called "Inspirations", this article talks about Life and
about making the appropriate choices in our daily living. No one can
make those decisions for you but you yourself. Continue on the fight
or give up, be happy or sad ...- your call.

* Ronald Flormata talks about how mainstream companies are now
finding the blind and visually-impaired community as a viable market
for their more popular products. Additionally, he shares his advice on
how to enjoy your accessible portable digital players by downloading
thousands of digital books and magazines from the National Library
Services.

* Filo Tu tells us about the current goings-on in the Blind Vending
Program. HAB's timely intervention was able to successfully save the
Program from losing one of the only two Vending Specialists at
Ho'Opono.

* Amy Downard of the Hawaii Association of Parents of the
Visually-Impaired (HAPVI) reports on the 2009 annual convention of
the organization at the Pagoda Hotel. The HAPVI convention was well
attended by families, educators and various community resource
programs for the blind.

* Carol Hotta of Keiki and Parents of the Visually-Impaired (KAPVI)
writes about some of our keiki, like Megan and Karl who were grateful
for the financial support provided indirectly to them by
HAB.

* Keith Okazaki of the Hawaii New Vision Association invites
everybody to a fund-raising event for Ho'Opono on the agency's 75th
anniversary. This special event will be held on Sunday, April 25,
from 3 to 8 PM at Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka (across from
Buzz's Steakhouse). Come and meet up with old friends and make
new ones!

* Landa Phelan is writing on the job opportunities offered by the
Lighthouse for the Blind, an affiliate of the National Industries for the
Blind. Lighthouse is specifically looking for visually-impaired
individuals who would work in their office supply stores in Hawaii.

Landa, who happens to be a guide dog user herself, is happy to report
that some airports like the Honolulu International Airport, provide a
relief area for their guide dogs.

Furthermore, she congratulates the American Council of the Blind for
pushing the Social Security Administration to provide their blind
clients with information in accessible formats.

To read the full text of the newsletter, click here.
 

Blind's Audio Description Project
(from Art Cabanilla)

Audio description, intended for persons who are blind or have visual
impairments, is the narration that conveys the settings, costumes,
body language, and sight gags in a visual presentation or
performance. Concise, objective descriptions inserted between
portions of dialogue or song can help listeners to understand
important visual elements. Audio description is meant to complement
a performance, not interfere with it. The narrative technique is
successful because it makes the visual relevant.

On the Accessible World broadcast, Snyder will highlight the work of
the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project (ADP),
an initiative that Snyder directs [www.adinternational.org]. The ADP is
a major initiative designed to promote and produce description for
media. The ADP produced description for the 30th anniversary DVD of
"The Miracle Worker", as well as a DVD documentary biography of
President Obama. In addition, the live ABC broadcast of President
Obama's inauguration was audio described.

Snyder will report on pending legislation that would mandate
description for broadcast television and give us an update on recent
progress in the courts regarding description in movie theaters. He will
also discuss how description is produced and share clips of
description for nationally broadcast television and major motion
pictures.

Date: Monday, March 1, 2010

Time: 5:00 PM PST, 6:00 PM MDT, 7:00 PM CST, and 8:00 PM EST
and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat
Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

 http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively.

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:
www.accessibleworld.org
Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the
presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
www.accessibleworld.org

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online
conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that
you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available
on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of
charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection,
a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can
interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience
or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control
key and talk; then let up to listen.

Hawaii Blind Vendors Training Conference

The HAWAII STATE COMMITTEE OF BLIND VENDORS conducted a
STATEWIDE TRAINING CONFERENCE for blind vendors last February
13, 2010 at the Ho'Opono Auditorium. The conference was
unmistakably a great success attended by 49 individuals, comprised
mostly of vendors and would-be-vendors, and H'Opono staff. Leah
Grupen, the Acting Ho'opono Administrator, welcomed the group as
she opened the training conference at 9 a.m. Resource speakers
included:
1) Dennis Higashiguchi- Manager, Consulting Section, N&K CPA’s, Inc.,
Dennis discussed how customer service helps in the vending
business by focusing on his motto - AIM for PRIDE. The former stands
for Analyze, Initiate and Maintain. The latter means Physical factors,
Responsiveness, Informed, Dependability and Empathy.

2) Alan Y. Nakamura - Regional Merchandising Manager,
Tesoro Hawaii Corporation,
Alan covered the topic of merchandising and shared some sound
advice on how to select the mmost saleable products in Hawaii.

3) Nani Fife - Manager, Welfare Programs, City & County of Honolulu,
Nani spoke on how one can fulfill his or her dreams despite the odds.
She did this by using herself as an example.

4) Matthew Hert Project Manager, Blackstone Consulting Inc.
Matthew explained the role of logistics in managing successfully a
military dining facility.

Discussions were lively with questions and answers on the floor
between trainees and resource persons. Continental breakfast and
sumptuous lunch were provided free to the participants.

The Conference concluded with a speech from Mr. Joe Cordova,
Administrator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and currently the
Acting Business Enterprise Program Manager at Ho'Opono.
 

Ho’opono 75th Anniversary

Come & Join The Fun at The Ho’opono 75th Anniversary Fundraiser 

Ho’opono is turning the Big 75 this year and the Hawaii New Visions Association is inviting you, your family and friends to join all of us for tons of fun
at the Ho’opono 75th Anniversary Fundraiswer.

        This very special event will be held on Sunday, April 25th, from 3 to 8 PM, at Ige’s Restaurant & 19th Puka (across from Buzz’s Steakhouse).  Come
and meet up with old friends and make new ones!  Enjoy ono pupus, live entertainment and dancing!  Win door prizes and raffles! 

        Best of all, besides having a great time, proceeds will go towards supporting a great cause – Ho’opono’s New Visions Program!  Here are just a few
ways your kokua will be helping New Visions:

-      Repair broken braille writers and buy new ones

-      Purchase appliances and supplies for kitchen

-      Acquire materials and tools for Wood shop

-      Fund activities and outings for students

-      Provide outreach to community 

So mark your calendars and call for your Ho’opono 75th Anniversary Fundraiser tickets today!  And make sure to invite your friends and family!  

When

Sunday, April 25, 2010

3:00 to 8:00 PM  

Where

Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka

98-761 Oihana Place (across from Buzz’s Steakhouse)

Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Phone:  486-3500 

Cost & Tickets

Cost is $20 per person and includes heavy pupus, soft drinks, coffee and tea.  (No-host cocktails will also be available for purchase.) 

To buy tickets, please contact

Sharon Ige

542-9912

sharonige003@hawaii.rr.com

or

Shellford Cantan

585-8139

jrcantan@yahoo.com 

Make checks payable to: Friends of Hoopono 
 

iBill Money Reader

Recently, we had an article on this website about this latest entrant,
iBill by Orbit Research, into the assistive technology bank note
identifier. What got me was its aggressive pricing - just $99 with very
convincing features compared to those we already have in the
market. 99.9% Accuracy, 1 second reading, lightweight, small size,
portability, 1 AAA battery required, affordable just to name a few. It's
interesting to read early users review of this invaluable device. Here's
a good one with a downloadable podcast even:

by Ron Graham (Access Abiloty)
 http://accessability.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-of-ibill-talking-banknote.html

One feature some users cited which the iBill does not possess is
upgradeability by users. You have to send the device back to Orbit
Research for upgrades. I guess this was more of cost consideration
than on oversight on the part of Orbit.

This product is now available. The manufacturer accepts orders by
phone or through their website at
 http://orbitresearch.com/7009/index.html

Orbit Research
3422 Old Capitol Trail
Suite 585
Wilmington, DE 19808

Phone from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST, Monday to Friday
Phone: 1-888-60-ORBIT (1-888-606-7248)
Fax: 1-208-279-4576

Due to overwhelming demand, it takes some time to process orders. It
looks like the company failed to anticipate the welcome problem.

KnfbReader Mobile Hints and Tricks Seminar Now online

Last Thursday evening many of us participated in a lively discussion
about the KnfbReader Mobile. The online and teleconference
discussion ran for nearly three hours and covered topics such as how
to read currency, reading public signs, future developments and many
other topics.

The seminar is now available for you to stream or download. To listen
to the seminar visit
 http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/products-mobile/products-mobile.php.
 

You may also download the seminar by clicking on this link,
 http://hingson.s3.amazonaws.com/KnfbReaderHintsandTricks-March4-2010.mp3.

After listening to the seminar should anyone have any questions
please do not hesitate to email the list or me off list at
info@michaelhingson.com.

You may also feel free to call me at (415) 827-4084. We are ready to
help you configure and order a Reader of your own should you wish
one and do not yet own this wonderful device.

Happy reading to all.

Best,
Mike Hingson


The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
"Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info@michaelhingson.com
http://www.michaelhingson.com

for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
 http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
 

i

Home Delivery For HAB members who have no time or unable to do their grocery shopping, you may dial (808) 590-2048 and look for George or Jackye Peacock - owners of AKAMAI grocery shopping & delivery service, who would be more than glad to be your personal shopper. Just give them a list of the items you need, the store where you want them bought and they will shop for you and deliver them right on your doorstep for a minimal delivery fee! Happy shopping!

	Letters to HAB
	It gives us great joy and a real sense of accomplishment reading letters from those whose lives   were touched by HAB. December 16, 2008 Mahalo Warren and HAB for your generous donation to the Santa experience. Your donation paid for lunch and goodie bags for over 20 visually impaired students from Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. May you all have a fantastic Christmas too! Aloha, Christian Yates, HCDB December 24, 2008 Dear Warren and Members of the HAB: On behalf of the Huui o Na Makamaka (Friends of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped), a very belated THANK YOU for the generous donation of $130.89 to help pay for the hot dogs at the “Out-of-Sigh Concert” held at the Waianae Public Library on August 16, 2008. Our objective was to promote the services of LBPH on the west side and we believe that we accomplished this. The concert with the blind performers, the exhibits and the delicious hot dogs, all helped make a very successful program! We are very grateful for the support of the Hawaii Association of the Blind throughout the years…. your continued generosity and commitment to helping LBPH provide quality services are very much appreciated. Happy Holidays and best wishes to all of you in the new year! Sincerely, Deanna Espinas, Chairperson January 8, 2009 Dear Mr. Toyama, Thank you for letting me come on the field trip. I had a lot of fun. My favorite part was the scavenger hunt. My mom said that the ornament in the 1st place prize was beautiful. I also liked the train ride and seeing santa. Love, Laurel Cummings, Holomua Elementary, Leeward District P.S. The food was magnificent. January 8, 2009 Dear Mr. Toyama, I had fun doing the scavenger hunt at the mall and riding the train and the monorail, and eating pizza there and meeting santa. Thank you for coming. I’m glad you made it. I hope we will see you again. Love forever from: Catherine, Holomua Elementary, Leeward District January 8, 2009 Dear Mr. Toyama and Members of HAB, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your help in coordinating the DeafBlind Santa Day at Pearlridge Shopping Center. Even though the weather was gloomy outside, the atmosphere inside the mall was bright and cheerful. The students enjoyed seeing Santa, participating in a scavenger hunt, riding the monorail, riding the Toy Land Express train, eating pizza and cookies, and taking home the wonderful goodie bags. I would also like to thank you for the generous check that you send to Leeward District every year. We have been using the money for training materials for inservices with elementary classes, as well as to allow students to practice buying items on O&M lessons. These opportunities provide our students with valuable life experiences that they will remember for many years to come. I appreciate all you have done to make these things possible for our students. Sincerely, Hope Yasuhara, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Leeward District Office Annex February 3, 2009 Dear Warren and Members of the HAB, Louis Braille’s 200th birthday bash at the library was fun and a great way to celebrate him and his contribution to blind people worldwide. There was a display of Braille items. Trivia questions about Louis Braille were asked and then a short background of his life and work was given. The standing-room-only crowd included students, their teachers and parents, and adults. We played the “What’s that smell”, “What’s This” and bingo games with prizes. The HUI O VIP loaned us their Braille and large print bingo boards, which we appreciated. Everyone sang happy birthday and helped blow out the candles and then ate cupcakes. They seemed happy with the balloons and goody bag of treats to take home. Thank you so much for your donation that helped to make this activity so successful. Enclosed are a few pictures of the event. May you all have a happy and prosperous new year! Sincerely, Fusako Miyashiro, Branch Manager, LBPH February 26, 2009 Dear HAB, As the annual HAB conference approaches, we’d like to take a moment to tell you how we on the Big Island have used your generous grant over the past year. Thank you so much for your support. We have continued to use a portion of the money to repair eyeglasses. Many of our students simply can’t afford to get their glasses repaired when they break. Insurance coverage, for those that have it, is woefully limited. Your grant has also enabled us to continue to provide our students with meaningful daily living skills and Orientation and Mobility lessons. In November, we had a Big Island Peer interaction group trip. We took the kids to the Kona branch of Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii. It was the first time that several of the students had ever been on horseback. One or two of them had never even touched a horse before! They packed a picnic lunch of musubi, banana bread and juice. They prepared the lunch themselves, using ingredients purchased with your grant money. In December, some of our students were able to join their peers on Oahu for peer interaction group trip to Pearlridge, where they were able to put their Orientation and Mobility skills to real life use. This year, we are planning a year end trip to Maui at the end of April. Carol and Margy are planning two days of fun and educational activities. The time we the kids spend with their visually impaired friends is sadly limited. This trip will be a highlight of the year for many of them! We are very grateful for your continued support. Thank you. Signed: Liz Martin (Kona); Maryanne Genova (Hilo); Leatrice Ono (Hilo); and Ian Perry (Waimea) February 27, 2009 Dear Waren and HAB, We went to LBPH for Lois Braille’s birthday and then to Rainbow Drive Inn for lunch! It was fun !! Jessica Chandler February 27, 2009 Dear HAB, Thanks for lunch. It was delicious! Love, Emma - end of letters Read previous letters.