by Billie Jean Keith
I’m delighted to be selected by Penny Reeder and the board of publications to be editor of this column. For many years, I admired the work of Elizabeth Lennon, and hope to continue her example of dedicated service to ACB. Sincere thanks go also to Sharon Lovering who has written this column many times and sets a high standard to follow. My association with ACB goes back nearly 20 years when I submitted articles to then “Braille Forum” editor, Mary Ballard. In my home state, I served two terms as president of the Mississippi Council of the Blind, then two terms as that affiliate’s secretary. Later, I was invited to serve as a member on ACB national committees such as scholarship, credentials, environmental access, women’s concerns, and the CCLVI board. I was especially honored to serve as chair of the board of publications; for four years, I headed up the ACB convention press room. Currently, I serve as secretary for ACB Government Employees, and am president of my local chapter in northern Virginia. My experiences on local and national committees and boards have given me a thorough background and appreciation of the dedicated volunteer work done by ACB members throughout the United States.
My professional working life as a blind woman included being editor of the magazine for the Blinded Veterans Association, the founding director of a statewide radio reading service, a policy analyst in the federal government and, for about 12 minutes, a Playboy bunny. (That adventure appeared in a 1985 “Braille Forum.”)
ACB means many things to many people. For me, ACB has given me a sense of belonging to a group that strives to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired citizens. Because of my involvement with ACB, my participation has led to wonderful career opportunities, and introduced me to my husband. What more can I say, except cheers to ACB!
Plans for “Here and There” are to provide as much useful information as possible. For every item that sends readers to their computers, I hope to include an item that does not require any computer use at all. If you have an item to be considered for this column, please call the ACB toll-free number, (800) 424- 8666, and leave me a message describing the product or service. You can also send e-mail directly to me at billiejean@2keiths.com. Please bear in mind that we receive hundreds of messages a month, and must select those items that are most useful for our readers.
Products and services announced in this column are not an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its staff, or elected officials. Services and products are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The Braille Forum” cannot be responsible for the reliability of products and services mentioned.
Convention Tapes
The 2000 convention tapes are now available! A full set consists of all general sessions, the Thursday breakout sessions, the ADA clinic, the legislative seminar, the diabetes seminar, and the small business seminar. There is no banquet tape due to rules governing the recording of professional musicians. A full set costs $25; separate sessions cost $5 each. Call the ACB national office toll-free at (800) 424-8666 to order. Or you may send your payment, along with your request, your name, address and telephone number to ACB Convention Tapes, 1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005.
Social Security Rates for 2001
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 3.5 percent in 2001. These benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In real terms, this means that for people who are blind or who have severe vision loss, but are working and receiving SSDI, the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level will rise from $1,170 to $1,240 per month.
For individuals receiving federal SSI payments, the monthly rate will change from $512 to $530. For a couple, the maximum federal SSI monthly payment will rise from $769 to $796. For more information, call your local Social Security office, or visit the web site at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/index.html.
Holiday Gifts
BRL, Inc. is offering its tutorials and key guides at reduced prices for gifts during the holiday season. Gift orders will be accepted through January 15, 2001. Orders may be placed online at http://www.wyfiwyg.com or by phone at (770) 716-9222, or by fax at (770) 716-9599. All orders are shipped UPS.
Tutorials include: “Verbal View of Microsoft Windows 95 and 98” (standard print and audio cassette, $45; large print, $55; grade 2 braille, $90); “Verbal View of Microsoft Word 2000” (print and cassette, $45; large print, $55; grade 2 braille, $65); “Getting Started with Microsoft Windows 98” (grade 2 braille and audio cassette, $45); “Microsoft Windows 98 Key Guide” (print and audio cassette, $10; large print and grade 2 braille, $15); “Microsoft Word 97/2000 Key Guide” (print and cassette, $10; large print and braille, $15); and “Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x Key Guide” (print and cassette, $10; large print and braille, $15).
New Brochure
A brochure detailing the 142-year history of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has recently been published. It is the first company-sponsored history of the Printing House. The brochure is available from the Callahan Museum of APH at no cost to the public. Available in print and braille editions, the brochure may be requested by calling the Callahan Museum at (502) 895-2405 ext. 365 or by e-mail, museum@aph.org.
Teacher Next Door
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has established a project called the “Teacher Next Door” for public and private school teachers. The program offers HUD-owned, single family houses at a 50 percent discount to teachers in K-12 classrooms. The teacher must commit to living in the house for three years. For more information, call toll-free (800) 217- 6970, or visit their web site http://www.hud.gov/tnd/tndfact.html.
Computer Systems Engineer Course
Lions World Services for the Blind will offer a new course beginning Feb. 5, 2001, in Microsoft Computer Systems Engineer 2000. Prior to the nine-month course, all candidates must be on the LWSB campus (in Little Rock, AR) for a 30-day evaluation beginning no later than January 8, 2001. The curriculum throughout the course prepares students for MCSE 2000 industry-standard certification through seven certification exams.
Following training and certification, successful students will be eligible for several employment opportunities in the field of technology. A person who is blind or visually impaired can work at businesses that have a computer network, internally or externally, facilities such as educational institutions, hospitals, government agencies, banks, and much more.
This training was made possible through a collaborative agreement between LWSB and Information Technology Education Center (ITEC), also located in Little Rock. ITEC has been providing information technology training in central Arkansas. For more information about the prerequisite skills, contact Sherrill Wilson, LWSB Director of Training, at (501) 664-7100, e- mail, training@lwsb.org, or at the web site, www.lwsb.org.
Co-Authors with Disabilities Sought
Dr. Irmo Marini, an associate professor specializing in the graduate training of rehabilitation counseling students at the University of Texas, is seeking personal experience stories written in the first person by people with disabilities. The finished textbook will be used to train students throughout the country to understand the experiences and perspectives of people with various disabilities. Contributors will be cited as the first co-author of their chapter, and will have an opportunity to help non-disabled counselors understand disability situations. Dr. Marini, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 1981, proposes that instead of reading what non-disabled writers “theorize” about disability, this textbook will focus on real life experiences of people who are living with a disability.
Your chapter should be 1,500-2,500 words, double-spaced and typed using Microsoft Word 97, or WordPerfect (versions from 5.1 to 7). Also required is a printed copy and 3.5-inch disk. The topical areas listed below should be included. 1) basic demographic information including your disability, how/when it happened, education, age, marital and living arrangement status, employment or history of; 2) how you perceive you have been treated by society (public places, hospitals, social occasions, etc.) overall in general as well as specific instances which may occur every now and then; 3) what ways you have used to deal/cope with your disability which could include aspects of your personality, family support, finances; 4) if/when there are times you feel as though your situation (which may/may not have anything to do with your disability) becomes difficult to cope with, and if so, what generally triggers these feelings; 5) what do you believe to be the greatest assets and the greatest barriers in your life; 6) what key messages/advice would you want to convey to soon-to-be counselors regarding working with people with disabilities (your chance to educate them); and 7) any other information you deem important for a psychosocial textbook for counselors working in this field.
If you are interested in contributing a chapter, please contact Dr. Marini (collect) at (956) 316-7035, or e-mail at imarini@panam.edu, or write to University of Texas-Pan American, Rehabilitation Services, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539-2999.
High Tech Apparel: It Glows
Following a near miss that could have been a tragic accident for Beth Marcus and her pet dog, and because she didn’t like the reflective apparel available, she founded a company called Glow Dog, Inc. The company sells unique safety apparel for people and pets. Glow Dog uses a technology called “IlumiNITE,” a printing process that embeds millions of microscopic reflectors into the weave of a fabric. Because the reflectors are microscopic, the fabric maintains softness and daylight/indoor color. At night, the fabric reflects a brilliant light in the headlights of oncoming cars.
The company specializes in reflective safety wear. For dogs, there are bandanas, capes, even a bow tie (for formal wear). For cats, there are a few items, in case your cat would deign to wear something like a collar decoration. For humans, there are polar fleece jackets, boat hats, pants, backpacks, raincoats, T-shirts, safety vests and windbreakers, as well as children’s windbreakers and other items.
All merchandise and a catalog appear on the Glow Dog web site. Visit http://www.glowdog.com, e-mail glowdog@glowdog.com, call toll-free (888) 456-9364, or fax (781) 687-9888, address: 131A Great Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.
For Future Entrepreneurs
People who are blind and visually impaired with a goal to be self-employed may be interested in a conference to be held from March 29-31, 2001. The conference, entitled “Focus on Self- Employment,” will be coordinated by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (RRTC) and takes place in Portland, Ore. Sessions will focus on the role of future entrepreneurs with severe visual impairments, the resources and training that can increase effectiveness, and accommodations needed to make the business competitive and successful. For registration information, contact Stacy Butler at (662) 325-3304, or e-mail her at sle2@ra.msstate.edu.
Phone/Headset
For those who work using a computer with screen reader while also answering a phone, this split headset may be the solution to avoid a stiff neck! This headset plugs into a phone and a computer enabling the user to hear the phone while navigating through computer applications and hearing the screen reader. The headset costs $280, and is available from a company named CCAI. For more details, phone (303) 365-0008, fax (303) 365-0105, e-mail sales@ccai.dhs.org, or visit the web site, http://www.ccai-sales.com.
Read It Yourself
Do you want to read your own private financial statements and bills in braille or large print? Tell your bank, credit card, utility and other financial companies about Accessible Braille Services, a division of the Metrolina Association for the Blind. ABS accepts transmitted data and printed bills and statements from companies and translates them into braille or large print for customers who request them. To learn more, call (704) 887-5101, or visit the web site, http://www.mab-jlbm.com.
Free On-Line Encyclopedia
The Probert Encyclopedia is now available on-line, free of charge, in a special edition designed for blind and visually impaired readers. It contains no pictures, making it easier to read with a screen reader. Visit http://www.spaceports.com/~mprobert/access/index.html.
Accessible Bills
SBC Communications Inc. has announced that braille and large-print bills are now available to customers in all of the company’s subsidiaries, including Ameritech, Nevada Bell, Pacific Bell and Southwestern Bell, to help remove barriers to independence for customers with visual impairments. With the availability of these bills, the company supports its commitment to the SBC Universal Design Policy, which promotes making products and services accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities.
In addition to these billing options, SBC has developed an instructional brochure for its most popular services in Braille, large print, and audio cassette. The brochure includes information about all of SBC’s individual services as well as step-by-step instructions on how to access them. For more information regarding any of these services, or to receive Braille or large-print bills, subscribers may contact their local customer service representatives, or visit the web site, http://www.sbc.com.
Shopping by Phone
Would you like to shop via phone? Contact Evoice toll-free, (800) 438-3864, and follow the directions. The company has a “scan” feature which allows people to shop for specific items. Call toll-free (800) 555-7226 and leave a message explaining in as much detail as possible what you would like to find. An on-line shopper will return your call with information.
Meet Your Mate on Evoice
Another facet of Evoice is called “Meet Your Mate.” This is a group on Evoice where you can send messages that introduce you to someone who may become a significant other. “Meet Your Mate” is now open to members and non-members of Evoice in the United States. To send a message, call (800) 222-6000, press 5, and after being prompted, press the pound sign, followed by the number 727-4444. After the tone, introduce yourself using your Evoice number and/or other contact information. Describe your interests and the qualities you are seeking in a friend or mate. After completing your message, press the pound sign two times to send it. If you are a current member of Evoice you can listen to other people’s introductory messages. If not, you must wait for other participants to contact you. To sign up for Evoice, call (800) 438-3864 and follow the voice prompts.
On-Line Guitar Instruction
Have you always wanted to learn how to play the guitar? Visit http://www.musicvi.com and check out the guitar course called “Intro to the Guitar for the Visually Impaired.” There are four complete courses in audio format as well as individual lessons and songs taught on CD or cassette. Lessons via the web site are changed monthly. There are also free samples of songs and lessons on the site.
Passion Press
Passion Press publishes books on CD and cassette, and recently put its catalog on tape. Among the company’s many productions is D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover.” To order, or request a free cassette catalog of titles, call toll-free (800) 724-3283, or visit the web site at http://www.passionpress.com.
Kids’ Games & Puzzles
Games and crosswords designed for children who are blind (ages 5 to 12) are available from MindsEye2. Products include sound effects and optional background music. Puzzles include: “Down on the Farm” (identify farm sounds); “Under the Sea”; “Don’t Bug Me!”; Crossword Riddles; “A Day at the Zoo” and many more. The CD-ROMs run in Windows 95/98. Instructions are on the CD and in print. Braille or cassette instructions are available upon request. Prices range from $15-$40 (plus shipping). Order from MindsEye2, Route 1, Box 404-A, Bland, VA 24315. To order by credit card, call toll-free (888) 892-7878, or visit the web site http://www.mindseye2.bigstep.com.
Coffee or Tea, Anyone?
This coffeehouse sells gourmet coffee, tea and gift baskets with braille labels, if requested. You can order by toll-free number or on-line. The catalog is available by e-mail only, but the people in this mom-and-pop computer coffeehouse are friendly and very responsive to phone customers. According to coffee lovers on the ACB listserv, the selection of coffees and teas is excellent. For more information, call toll-free (800) 347-9687, visit the web site, http://www.coffee-anyone.com, or e-mail inquiries to coffee@coffee-anyone.com.
Keeping in Touch
Former students of the New York Institute for Special Education are keeping in touch with other students through Evoice and a listserv. They invite current students and any former students to join them. The New York Institute’s Evoice mailbox number is 694 73999. To sign up for the listserv, send an e-mail message to nyi-l-subscribe@onelist.com, leave the subject line blank and send the message.
Braille Business Cards
Create braille business cards from your regular printed business cards with “The Impressor” from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). This custom-made, metal embosser allows you to display four lines, of 13 braille cells each, with a single squeeze of its handle. The Impressor costs $85; to order new metal plates to change the braille message, the cost is $42. To discuss the information you wish to present in braille, or to order, call (800) 223-1839.
White Canes
California Canes provides a wide range of white canes, including the lightweight carbon fiber models that are lighter than aluminum canes and stronger than steel, according to a press release from the company. To contact California Canes, call (949) 489-1973, fax (949) 489-0996, or e-mail califcanes@earthlink.net.