by Sharon Lovering
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 slovering@acb.org, 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.
NBP's Volunteer Award Winners
National Braille Press (NBP) recently celebrated its volunteer award recipients for both Individual and Group volunteer awards at their annual meeting in June. Kate Crohan received the Sue Ammeter Individual Volunteer Award. The Norfolk Lions Club received the Group Volunteer Award. Both were recognized for their steadfast dedication to advancing accessibility and promoting braille literacy.
In 1983, Kate shared with NBP's publisher and editor how difficult it was to return her children's favorite braille books to the library. This conversation led to the creation of the Children's Braille Book Club.
The Norfolk Lions Club has volunteered annually with NBP for the past 10 years. The team has helped produce and assemble more than 4,000 braille books and materials for blind and visually impaired children and adults. They did this while also contributing over $10,000 in support of NBP's mission and programs.
Free Nationwide Access Technology Help Desk Now Open
Need help with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, ZoomText, or another access technology tool? Blind and low-vision Americans can call the FREE Access Technology Help Desk at (404) 500-9082, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
This 12-week demonstration project is sponsored by the Georgia Task Force for Empowering Blind Independence, in partnership with World Services for the Blind. Calls are answered by talented professionals with vision loss who have completed -- or are completing -- World Services for the Blind's Assistive Technology Instructor program.
Reliable technical support can be especially important during the first 90 days of a new job, when quick assistance can increase confidence, reduce anxiety, and help employees remain productive.
Please call when you need help. Strong call volume will help us demonstrate the need for funding to continue the Help Desk as a full-time service. Call (404) 500-9082, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
New at National Braille Press
National Braille Press has a number of new books and other items available.
Over in the children's section is "School's First Day of School," by Adam Rex. It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters. It's available in contracted UEB for ages 5-8.
Now available is "Perfect Picnic Foods," which comes in braille and as a BRF. The book includes 10 picnic ideas with a total of 40 recipes.
Newly available is "Weight Loss Strategies for Every Body: Beyond Diet and Exercise," by Lisa Salinger. This book provides tips and resources to start and maintain a healthy weight loss journey. It includes information on GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, common diet plans that have proven effective, and more. The book is available in braille, BRF, and as a Word file.
New in the technology section is "The Apple Watch: It Can Do So Much More Than Tell Time," by Judy Dixon. Whether you're a longtime user of the Apple Watch or curious to learn if it's worth the hype, this book is sure to be informative. Technology writer Judy Dixon describes the hardware and layout of the three main screens (Watch Face, Control Center, and Smart Stack). She also walks the reader through the different watch models and accessories, what apps are already installed and how to install and remove other apps, how to pair the watch with your iPhone and enable VoiceOver, how to customize the watch and connect it to a braille display, and so much more. The book also includes two appendices that cover various gestures for the Apple Watch. It is available in braille and as a BRF.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org.
Kysor Releases Reflections Album
Dan Kysor has recently released his first album, Reflections. These are 13 creations done with suno.ai and Dan's song writing. Songs include Spangle, Perkins Braille Writer, George, James, Apple, Shirley, and the Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind song. To listen, visit https://tinyurl.com/4djknsx6.
Dan has recently released his book "Recreating Yourself -- Recreational Options for Blind and Visually Impaired People in Today's World" to Bookshare. It is also in production with Audible, and is already available from Kindle Books.
The book explores the diverse landscape of accessible leisure and fitness. It details how traditional sports like baseball, basketball, and skiing are transformed through auditory cues, tactile markers, and sighted guides to empower individuals with visual impairments.
Kysor provides practical resources for hobbies such as amateur radio and knitting, while also highlighting modern DIY technological adaptations like audio beacons and haptic navigation. By cataloging specialized equipment, support organizations, and inclusive community programs, this work serves as a vital roadmap for fostering independence and physical well-being within the blind community.
Resilient Clinical Counseling
Resilient Clinical Counseling, LLC, is a new private counseling practice founded by Karen Cummings-Wedding, LAPC, NCC. Karen is legally blind herself, and one of the driving purposes behind Resilient Clinical Counseling is to provide meaningful, accessible mental health support for individuals who are blind, low vision, or adjusting to vision loss. She understands firsthand that blindness and low vision can bring emotional, relational, practical, and identity-related challenges that are not always fully understood by providers outside of the community.
While low vision support is one of the practice's specialties, Resilient Clinical Counseling is open to everyone. Karen will be offering individual counseling, couples counseling, and public speaking opportunities when requested.
For more information, visit the website, www.ResilientClinicalCounseling.com.
Insightful Publications Statewide Directories
Founded in 2009 by Christine Chaikin, who lives with low vision, Insightful Publications is a Hawaii-based company committed to supporting the blind and visually impaired communities throughout the country. The company has produced a statewide accessibility directory connecting the blind and visually impaired to vital resources across the United States. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to provide clear, helpful, and accessible information that empowers individuals to live more independently and with confidence.
At the heart of Insightful Publications is a series of state-specific resource handbooks. These handbooks are carefully curated for both individuals and professionals seeking trusted information on services and support available for those with vision loss. Each edition is customized to reflect local resources while also including contact information on the local, regional, and national levels. The Statewide Accessibility Directory covers a wide range of essential topics, including Employment, Housing, Transportation and more.
Whether someone is newly adjusting to low vision or has been living with blindness for years, these guides are designed to be easy to use, practical, and empowering. Each handbook provides the tools needed to make informed decisions, find support networks, and access the services that can improve everyday life.
To learn more about pricing, available formats, or to request a handbook, contact Insightful Publications by email at insightfulpub@gmail.com; phone at (808) 329-9512; or visit http://www.in-sightful.com.