edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
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.
Social Security Administration (SSA) Update
SSA has announced the addition of 13 new conditions to the agency’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list. With the inclusion of these 13 conditions, the CAL list now includes 300 conditions in total. The CAL initiative accelerates the disability application process for individuals with the most serious diseases and medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's statutory standard for disability benefits.
The newly added conditions are: Au-Kline Syndrome; Bilateral Anophthalmia; Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome; Harlequin Ichthyosis – Child; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy; Progressive Muscular Atrophy; Pulmonary Amyloidosis – AL Type; Rasmussen Encephalitis; Thymic Carcinoma; Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome; WHO Grade III Meningiomas; Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome.
For more information about the initiative, including a list of all CAL conditions, please visit www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.
2025 Touch of Genius Prize Winner
National Braille Press (NBP) awarded the 2025 Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation to See3D, Inc. founded by Caroline Karbowski. See3D is a collaborative, volunteer, community initiative to design, print and distribute globally free 3D printed models for blind people. See3D is revolutionizing the way blind and sighted people collaborate to create tactile learning tools and therefore increase tactile literacy. Ms. Karbowski, who is sighted, is a certified braille transcriber and an O&M Specialist at Perkins School for the Blind.
National Braille Press Celebrates a Long-Term Employee
National Braille Press recently celebrated employee Christopher (Chris) Devin for his 49th anniversary with NBP. Chris, who is blind, has worked as a proofreader since 1976. It is estimated that he has proofread over 836,000 braille pages. Chris is fondly referred to as the NBP human archive thanks to his phenomenal memory. He is still working full-time. Congratulations, Chris!
New from National Braille Press
Looking for maps? These tactile maps and descriptions are in English Braille: American Edition (EBAE). Here’s what’s currently available (in alphabetical order): Alaska; Americas vol. 1: Canada & U.S.; Americas vols. 2-3: United States; Americas vol. 4: Central & South America; Bible Lands — Old Testament; British Isles; California; Central & South Asia; Connecticut & Rhode Island; East Asia; Eastern & Central Africa; Eastern Europe; Florida; Hawaii; Illinois; Kansas; Maine; Massachusetts; Michigan; Middle East; Morocco; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York State; Northern Africa; Outline Maps of the World; Pennsylvania; Russia & former Republics; South Carolina; Southeast Asia; Southern Africa; Texas; Vermont; Western Africa; and Western Europe vols. 1 & 2.
Now available: “Staying Safe: Tips and Tools for a Secure Home, Body, and Spirit,” by Kim and Chris Nova. It is available in hard-copy braille, Word, or as a BRF. This book contains resources and tips to help those with low or no vision be safe inside and outside of the home. The authors share their technical expertise and personal experience with home security systems, ride-share services, and much more. The book includes personal assessments of the accessibility and capability of various apps, websites, videos, and other digital tools, as well as ways to physically and mentally fortify against possible danger.
Trying to focus on your health? Several new books are available.
Check out “Safe & Easy Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure,” by Nutrition Action Healthletter. It comes in braille (2 vols.) and BRF.
CookingLight’s “Healing Foods: 70 Recipes for Wellness” is also available in braille (2 volumes) and BRF.
And if you’ve ever wondered how to understand all the A1Cs, CBCs, etc. of bloodwork, take a look at “A Consumer Guide to Interpreting Your Bloodwork” by Dr. Daniel T. Wagner. It comes in braille (3 volumes) and BRF.
Over in the children’s section, take a look at “When I Am Old with You,” by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman. It’s a print-and-braille picture book in contracted UEB, geared to ages 4 through 8. In it, a small child imagines being old with his grandpa.
For more information about any of these books, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org.
New Guide Dog Product!
Memorialize the guide dog that means or meant so much to you with Danny’s Guide Dogs’ Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd pewter statue – complete with harness. The statue weighs one pound and is 4.5 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 5.5 inches long. The dog is in a sitting position, looking slightly upward. The front of the pedestal allows room for an optional engraved message.
The statue is made with lead-free pewter and is produced by master craftsman George Kysor, owner of the Baker Art Foundry in Placerville, Calif. For more information, contact Dan Kysor at (916) 706-1431, or email him, dankysor@comcast.net.