edited by Sue Lichtenfels
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 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.
Holiday time at the ACB Store
There's lots of holiday fun at the ACB Store. Look for new ACB logo gifts for everyone on your list. Lots of other new gift ideas, too!
And remember, when you purchase Maxi-Aids and ILA products through the ACB web site, ACB receives a percentage of the sale. New agreements are being finalized just in time for the holidays, so you can help ACB by ordering over the phone, even if you don't have a computer.
For more information about these and other happenings at the ACB Store, visit www.acb.org, or call 1-877-848-3218.
Survey on workplace needs
Georgia Tech's Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations (WorkRERC) focus is to further the understanding of employment barriers faced by people with disabilities. Our goal is to enable equitable access to employment, enhanced employment outcomes, and increased participation in the workplace for people with disabilities.
In a recently completed study, a potential barrier was identified for individuals with vision impairments. We need more information. We would like you to take a 15- to 20-minute survey that asks about how you access printed or digital information. The survey has been approved by Georgia Tech's Institutional Review Board.
You are eligible to take this survey if you have a vision impairment and are currently employed. For more information, visit http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/641131/Vision-Accommodations.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange to take the survey by telephone, please contact Maureen Linden via e-mail, [email protected], or phone (404) 894-0561.
Ski for Light International Week
The 2012 Ski for Light International Week will be held Feb. 5-12 in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Lodging is at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in downtown Provo; skiing is at the Soldier Hollow cross-country ski area. Applications are still being considered on a space-available basis. Full payment is due by Dec. 15, 2011. Visit the SFL web site, www.sfl.org, to learn more and to submit your application. For more information, contact Bob Hartt by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone, (703) 845-3436.
Black Hills Ski for Light
The 33rd annual Black Hills Regional Ski for Light will take place Jan. 22-26, 2012 at Terry Peak Ski Area and Wharf Resources Area. Both downhill and cross-country skiing are offered. Lodging is in Deadwood, S.D. The cost of the event is $250, which includes a banquet ticket. For more information, e-mail [email protected], call (605) 341-3626, or visit www.bhsfl.org.
Nevi Ski Festival
The New England Blind & Visually Impaired Ski Festival will take place Feb. 12-16, 2012 at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. Skiers of all vision levels and experience are welcome as well as family and friends who wish to learn how to become a sighted ski guide. Several overnight accommodation packages are available. All packages include 4 nights, continental breakfast each day, pizza party, banquet, and visually impaired skier vest. In addition to downhill skiing, Sugarloaf offers cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow tubing, zip lines, and numerous indoor activities. More information is available at www.nevifest.com;by calling (207) 824-2440 ext. 100; or by e-mailing [email protected].
Sierra Regional Ski Events
Sierra Regional Ski for Light (SRSFL) will host three cross-country ski and snowshoe events during the 2012 winter season. Two single-day events are scheduled Jan. 21 and Feb. 11. Both will take place at Tahoe Cross Country, Tahoe City, Calif. For further information on the single-day events, contact Betsy Rowell at (916) 362-5557 or [email protected]. A three-day event celebrating SRSFL's 20th anniversary will be held March 10-12 at Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee, Calif. For further information on the three-day event, contact Cindy Quintana at (510) 483-2948 or [email protected]. Applications for these events are available at www.srsfl.org and are due by Jan. 1, 2012.
Heartsight Cards
Looking for holiday cards? Check out HeartSight Cards. Owner Haley Dare hand-makes the cards with print and braille, using layers of patterned and textured papers, decorative buttons, ribbons, rhinestones and other items so that they may be enjoyed by blind and sighted folks alike. Cards are available as single cards, or in sets. Card types include thank you, thinking of you, happy birthday, feel better soon, Christmas, dream big, cell phone fun, baby, and many more. For more information, visit www.heartsightcards.com, call (269) 779-2216 or e-mail [email protected]. Or you may write to HeartSight Cards, 4794 Geneva Ave., Portage, MI 49024.
Talking MP3 Players
Accessible Electronics offers talking MP3 players with 4 or 8 GB memory. These players have fully speaking menus, FM radio, voice recorder, and storage card option. Accessories are also available. For more information, visit www.talkingmp3players.com or call (727) 498-0121.
Audio Cassettes & Accessories
Long's Electronics sells a variety of audio accessories including cassettes, boom boxes with CD and cassette features, and padded mailers and albums for both CDs and cassettes. To learn about Long's complete selection, call 1-800-633-3410 or visit www.longsav.com.
New Phone for Seniors
The BM-01 is a big-button mobile phone available through Bierley. It offers several features specifically designed for seniors, including large keys, magnified text messages, emergency call button, hearing aid compliance, and radio with built-in loudspeaker. This phone can be used with any cellular service provider. Additional information is available by calling 1-800-985-0535 or by visiting www.bierley.com.
New Handheld Video Magnifier
Ai Squared is the exclusive dealer in the U.S. and Canada of the i-loview handheld video magnifier. Key features of this device include: 4.3" screen, weighs 8 ounces and fits in a pocket, 12 zoom levels up to 17x, 4 levels of brightness and 16 levels of contrast adjustment, 5 color modes, 2GB SD card for storing and moving images, TV out option to use a larger external screen, snapshot mode for freezing a picture, 3.5-hour battery life, and more. For additional details, including a video demonstration, visit www.aisquared.com. For more information, call 1-800-859-0270.
Books from NBP
National Braille Press offers a wide selection of books in braille and other accessible formats for people of all ages. Children might enjoy the 2012 Dr. Seuss print/braille wall calendar including stickers. Individuals learning about the latest software products might find "Internet Explorer 9 with JAWS, Window-Eyes, and System Access" or "Outlook 2010 Keyboard Commands with JAWS, Window-Eyes, and System Access" useful. NBP's selections include reference books, cookbooks, biographies, children's and adult's literature, board books, and more. For the complete catalog, visit www.nbp.org or call 1-800-548-7323.
Seedlings Books & Gifts
This holiday season, Seedlings Braille Books for Children offers braille books, educational items and one-of-a-kind gifts. The selection of 1,100 books include board books, braille-only books, and print/braille books, addressing the interests of children ages infant through teen. Seedlings also offers a collection of braille jewelry, T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and other gift items. For more information, visit www.seedlings.org or call 1-800-777-8552.
Flameless Scented Candles
Make a statement in any room with a Scentsy warmer. Add one of 80-plus scents and enjoy a fragrance experience! Scentsy warmers use a low-watt bulb to slowly melt specially formulated wax. All you do is plug it in, turn it on, add one or more sections of a bar into the warmer dish, and enjoy! For more information, call Catalina Roisum at (612) 227-3011 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. To view the catalog, visit www.catalina4scents.scentsy.us and select the "shop my on-line store" link.
Elegant Insights Jewelry
Laura Legendary has launched a new business and braille jewelry line called Elegant Insights Braille Creations. The line includes embossed dog tags, earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring charms embossed with initials or a special love note, cell phone charms and mobility cane charms made in brass, copper, and silver. The charms are available in a variety of shapes including hearts, stars, guitar picks, critters and geometric shapes. Product descriptions are available at www.elegantinsightsjewelry.com. Or you may contact Laura directly at (509) 264-2588.
Tupperware
Earn money and prizes by becoming a Tupperware distributor. You may also host a Tupperware party and earn free Tupperware. If interested, call Alice at (917) 696-8115.
Scentsy Products
Scentsy offers flameless, wickless candles that warm up safely in a handcrafted pot heated by a light bulb. There are over 80 wax scents available. Other fragrance products offered are room sprays, Scent Buddies, perfume, plug-ins, full and midsize warmers, scent on the go, holiday collections, and more. Visit www.scentsy.com/indy for complete selection. If you're interested in ordering, call Jywanza Maye at (347) 878-6293 or e-mail him, [email protected].