edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
Editor’s Note: We are sad to learn that Sharon Strzalkowski will no longer be able to compile and edit the “Here and There” column for “The ACB Braille Forum.” We have enjoyed working with you, Sharon, and wish you much success as editor of “The LUA Ledger.”
If you’re interested in attempting to follow in the footsteps of Sharon Strzalkowski and those who preceded her in the role of “Here and There” editor, please send a letter of application, along with a resume, references, and two to three writing samples. You may send this application package to Sharon Lovering, American Council of the Blind, 1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22311, or by email to [email protected]. Resumes and other attachments may be in Word or text format. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 1; we hope to announce a new editor for the column no later than February 2020. (Please note: This position is unpaid.)
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to [email protected], or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
Xavier Society Has New Website
The Xavier Society for the Blind has recently updated its website. The organization’s focus was on accessibility, user-friendliness for those with and without sight, and to reflect on its mission and the people it serves. Check the site out at https://xaviersocietyfortheblind.org/.
Now Available from NBP
Anyone with young children will enjoy “Love: I Love You All the Time,” by Emma Dodd. It’s a print-and-braille board book for preschoolers and up. Join Little Rabbit and her parent as they spend a glorious sunny day together in the meadow. Little Rabbit finds love everywhere, but knows that a parent’s love is always the best love of all.
And who could forget “The Little Engine That Could?” It’s available in contracted UEB braille for preschoolers and up, and is the complete, original text.
Newly available is “Manjhi Moves a Mountain,” by Nancy Churnin and Danny Popovici. It’s available in contracted UEB braille for ages 5 and up. And it’s a true story about Manjhi, who lives in a remote mountain village, where the mountain divides his village from a neighboring village, creating a 36-mile walk to get work, food, health care, and education. See how he creates one village out of two with a hammer, chisel – and determination.
Over in the adult section is a brand-new book, “Dating in the Digital Age: An Accessible Journey for Finding Love Online” by Kim Loftis. It’s available in braille (2 volumes), BRF, DAISY or Word. The book takes you through important considerations such as: why to date online, how to date safely, and how much of yourself to share (and when to do it). The book also digs deep into the accessibility of three of the major dating platforms: Plenty of Fish, Match, and eHarmony. You will learn how to navigate the sites, register as a new user, create an enticing profile, take available compatibility tests, personalize account settings, communicate with potential matches, upgrade in order to access additional communication tools, and much more!
For more information on any of these books, call NBP toll-free at 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html.
Waterproof, Shockproof Watch
Blind in Mind has a brand-new waterproof talking watch that is fully accessible to a blind person. Press the button on top to hear the time. Set and configure all functions by listening for spoken prompts or clearly differentiated beeps. If you have some vision, activate the built-in backlight by pressing a single button (with or without the time-speaking feature).
It is designed for men and women, and comes in a reusable tin box with a large-print quick start guide. The instructions are also available on the website in a fully accessible, text-based format.
For more information, visit www.BlindInMind.com or call 1-800-213-4567.
Seeking Alumni from Bloomfield
I’m looking for some alumni of Camp Bloomfield, from 1965 to 1973. One of the people I’m looking for is Winona Kennedy. I would also like to reconnect with the counselors and specialists from that time period. Contact Walter Chavira at (661) 748-7249, or Facebook message him.
Life Coaching Available
After spending well over a decade in corporate America, and nearly as long as a practicing psychologist, Dr. Linda Bolle, of Reading, Mass., has decided to parlay her consulting and clinical skills into Life Coaching.
Dr. Linda Bolle promotes the optimal health and well-being of her clients by applying evidence-based professional practices that take a client’s unique values and preferences into account in order to achieve excellence in all areas of the client’s life. She is the founder and CEO of Capable Whole Life Coaching, Inc. For more information, please contact Linda Bolle at (617) 699-4611, email [email protected], or visit her website at www.capablecoach.com.
Mary Kay Products
Alice Crespo has just started a Mary Kay business. If you are interested in purchasing some perfumes, contact her at (917) 696-8115. If you are in the New York, New Jersey or Connecticut area, she would be happy to come and visit with you. Mention the Braille Forum and she will donate 20% of your order to “The ACB Braille Forum.”
How to Access Hulu’s Audio Description Tracks
ACB’s Audio Description Project has instructions available for accessing Hulu’s audio descriptions. Just log in to your Hulu account from a web browser, click on the gear icon, and pull up the Subtitle and Audio menu where you’ll see an option for turning on audio description.
On the Audio Description Project, you’ll also find a list of the programming that currently has audio descriptions available. As of now, there are four titles (all Hulu originals) available:
- Around the Way
- Fyre Fraud
- The Act
- The Handmaid’s Tale
Check out the Audio Description Project’s Twitter account for updates.
More State Handbooks Available
Christine Chaikin has created 45 screen-reader–friendly resource handbooks containing resources pertaining to the blind and visually impaired for use by consumers and professionals. Handbooks include contact information on the local, regional, and national levels.
States available now are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Handbooks are available in Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML Microsoft Word, and rich text format. You choose the version you’d like, and it will be sent to you via email attachment. If you need a hard-copy large-print version, contact Christine via email, [email protected]. Be sure to tell her which state’s handbook you need. Or phone her at (808) 747-1006.