BWA InSight Newsletter
Blind Work Association, Inc.
Binghamton, NY
Spring 2002; Vol. 27 No. 2
Our Mission: "Assisting people who have a vision disability attain or maintain personal and economic independence."
A Gala Event!
On the evening of Saturday, April 13, 2002, the Binghamton Club ballroom was alive with conversation, laughter and camaraderie. The occasion was Blind Work Association’s 15th Annual Recognition Banquet, with about 100 employees, board members, guests and friends attending.
BWA was honored to have two very special guests present this year. Congressman Maurice Hinchey graciously agreed to assist in the presentation of the "2002 Melvin L. Rosendale Employee of the Year" award to Eugene Curtis.
As well as being an award presenter, Congressman Hinchey was the recipient of BWA’s "2002 Outstanding Community Services" award. The Congressman was honored for his dedicated support of legislation to make vision rehabilitation services eligible for reimbursement under Medicare, and for becoming a "JWOD Champion" on behalf of all people who are visually impaired.
Mr. Lee Wilson, who is the Executive Director of the federal government’s Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, was with us to present the "2002 BWA Citizen of the Year" award to BWA employee Terry Kozak and his wife, Kathy Kozak. The Kozaks are both warm and caring people who have helped a number of people who are blind move from and to this area for employment. Last year, Mrs. Kozak gave the gift of life when she donated a kidney to Amy Lateer, BWA receptionist and the 2001 Employee of the Year.
Several BWA employees were recognized for their years of service. Paul
Frankowski was honored for 20 years; Joyce Bucci for 15 years; Christina
Dorunda, Charles Gardner and Kenny Fernald for 10 years; and Tammy Swinamer and
Eugene Curtis for 5 years.
End of article.
The President’s Corner
Last issue, I highlighted "New York’s Gift to the Nation"-the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. This Federal law helps us create really good jobs for people who are blind by opening the Federal marketplace to companies like the Blind Work Association, Inc. (BWA).
Unfortunately, I now must tell you that another Federal agency, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) has a rule that says the jobs here at the Association do not count and are not good jobs! This rule, called the "employment outcome rule" says that a job does not count if too many people with disabilities are in that workforce or if the organization was started to create jobs for people with disabilities. In the words of RSA the Blind Work Association is segregated employment because too many blind people work here!
People who are blind should have the opportunity to compete anywhere in the labor market just like people without disabilities. We work hard at the Association to make this happen. Last year we received a grant from the New York State Commission for the Blind to help blind people prepare for and find employment. We help people find jobs here at the Association, in other local businesses or in self-employment. We work with local business and the Workforce Development board to make this happen.
In the manufacturing department of the Association we employ about twenty people who are blind making products for the Federal government and commercial markets. We make manila file folders, copy paper, computer paper, heavy-duty file folders and other products. Two of our operators are legally blind and they run machines worth up to $600,000. All of our employees are paid wages comparable to other businesses in this area and are eligible for benefits including medical coverage, life insurance, a tax sheltered annuity, vacation, personal time and others. No one is paid less than the minimum wage! Some of our employees who are blind work here for years while others stay for a short time and move on to other jobs! Just like any other place of employment, isn’t it? According to RSA none of these jobs count and they all should be eliminated.
People who are blind work at all levels of the Association and serve on our board of directors. Our receptionist and our Director of Industries, a senior manager, both started out on our production floor and both are legally blind. In a recent meeting with the Commissioner of RSA and some of her staff, I was first told that neither of these jobs counted either because they were at the Association. After some talk, I admit that the RSA staff did reluctantly agree that the Director and receptionist jobs would be good ones and count.
I cannot tell you how insulted our employees who are blind feel about this employment rule. The rule is demeaning. It creates a barrier to solving the problem of high unemployment of people who are blind. It is especially surprising that the Commissioner of RSA is herself a person who is blind. Despite great progress, it is still estimated that over half of people with disabilities, including blind people, do not have a job. Our employees make fair wages, enjoy benefits, raise families, buy homes, participate in the community and do all of the things a paycheck allows.
A number of employees have voiced their displeasure by writing directly to the Commissioner and sending a copy to their Congressman and both New York Senators. Where is the common sense in this rule? Social security, the IRS and the Department of Labor all agree our jobs are good jobs. So does the Javits-Wagner-O’Day act. Only RSA, a Federal agency that is supposed to put people with disabilities to work, says the opposite.
Just thought you might like to know. Robert K. Hanye, President and CEO. End of article.
How Can I Give?
Honors – A Living Tribute. Show your love and appreciation for someone special in your life by giving BWA a gift in their honor. A gift of $75.00 will provide a counseling session for a visually impaired person; all gifts are welcome. A notice of your gift will be sent to the person honored and a letter of thanks and appreciation to you.
Memorials – A Loving Remembrance. What greater way to remember a late friend or loved one, than by assisting the living to learn and grow with a memorial gift to BWA? The family of the remembered person will be notified and you will also receive a letter of thanks.
Bequests – A Lasting Legacy. By including BWA in your estate planning, you will help to ensure that we can continue to provide our valuable services to those who are blind and visually impaired. Trusts, appreciated securities, real estate and other properties are other ways in which you can give to our future. End of article.
BWA Employee of the Year
Eugene Curtis is a hard working man. That’s the way he was raised. He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm and left school at age 16 so that he could work on the farm full time. Eugene’s father passed away a number of years ago, the farm was sold, and Eugene and his mother moved to a house in eastern Tioga County. When his mother passed away in 2000, he faced a decision about where and how he was going to live.
Eugene was born with a vision impairment, but has enough sight to allow him to do some things using his vision. When Eugene began working at Blind Work Association in 1996, it was not easy for him. Being a farmer, he had never worked at any other workplace, and there were transportation problems. In the beginning, he relied on a driver to take him from his home directly to work. But with help from the Rehab staff at BWA, Eugene has learned to travel using public transportation. Now he only needs to rely on a driver to take him from his home to the nearest Broome Transit bus stop.
Eugene works hard and productively at any task to which he is assigned, and he is one of our most flexible employees. He works in the BWA Industries program, at various tasks in the production of computer paper, manila file folders, copier and printing papers, as well as the assembly of child care kits. He is also a material handler, loading and unloading trucks for shipping and receiving.
Eugene is very proud of what he does. Through his own determination, he has been able to stay in his home with some assistance from a sister, who comes to help him with laundry and cooking meals. BWA Rehab staff continue to be supportive and ready to assist him if needed. He likes his job, is proud of his work and feels valued. We also value Eugene, which is why he was chosen to be our "2002 Employee of the Year". Congratulations to a dedicated worker! End of article.
The Racers Are Coming! By Joyce Bucci.
On Saturday, July 20, 2002, bicycle racers from all over the northeast will gather at the Windsor village square. The occasion is the 9th Annual B.C. Bicycle Race for Sight, which is a 26 mile long road race over rolling hills, that is open to anyone…amateur or professional, teen-ager or adult, male or female. All competitors race together, but medals and plaques are awarded separately by age category. Last year over 60 racers participated and we had great weather and a great time! Three BWA employees, two of whom are visually impaired, were among the racers.
The Race for Sight is co-sponsored by the Blind Work Association, the Binghamton Lions Club and the Windsor Lions Club. All proceeds from the race go to support BWA vision services and the programs of Lions Club charities.
If you would like to participate, contact Joyce Bucci at 607-724-2428, to receive a registration form. If you would like to come and watch the beginning and the end of the race, join us in Windsor as we Race For Sight! End of article.
Summer Youth Programs, By Laura Henry.
Each year there are scores of opportunities for legally blind youths to participate in weekend and or summer programs to increase their knowledge and skills, and to help in making the transition from high school to college or employment. These programs include building personal skills, independent living skills, and self-advocacy skills. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, please contact Diane McMillan or Alycia Harris at 607-724-2428. End of article.
Welcome Aboard!
BWA would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new employees: Cathy Narvaez, Accounting Associate. Cathy works closely with the Accounting Manager, handling Industries orders and invoicing, and other accounting-related tasks. In the Industries Program, working at various tasks, we also welcome: Jim Howenstein, Laura Swackhammer, Barbara Scott, Ed Lewis, Nancy McGovern and Marcos Smith. End of article.
All About Talking Books
The NY State Talking Book and Braille Library lends Braille and audio recorded books and magazines to residents who are unable to read standard printed materials. The library was established in 1896 to provide tactile embossed books to blind adults. Since then, their services have expanded to provide adults and children, with other physical disabilities as well, with access to reading materials in both Braille and recorded formats.
The talking books are recorded at a slower speed than commercial recordings and require a special machine to play them. The library provides these machines along with the books. To let you know what is available, you can receive a bimonthly catalog as well as a newsletter every 3 months. Library staff members are also available to assist you by telephone.
Talking book service is provided without charge to the user. The recordings and the special machines are mailed back and forth at no charge, thanks to "Free Matter for the Blind and Handicapped" privileges. Proof of disability is required when registering with the library. If you are interesting in finding out more about this service, you can call Laura Henry at BWA, or call the library in Albany at 800-342-3688. End of article.
A New Way to Read
How would you like to have your computer read a book to you? This may sound a little too much like "Star Trek" to some of us, but the future is here! There is a brand new on-line service that does just that.
Bookshare.org is expected to provide the largest electronic library for the visually impaired on the Internet. They have more than 8,000 books – from best sellers to the classics – that members can download and listen to using special software that reads text aloud, or print out in Braille.
Complete access to the collection for a full year is available to individuals with visual, reading or other print disabilities for a $50 subscription and $25 one-time set up fee. If you’re worried about copyright laws, Bookshare.org is legal. U.S. law permits the reproduction of copyrighted works for the blind and people with disabilities, without seeking permission. For more information and to become a member you can go to www.bookshare.org. End of article.
Descriptive Video Service
Watching television programs and movie videos can be a very enjoyable and informational pastime, but it can also be a very frustrating one for someone who cannot see a TV screen. Much of the action is missed or must be described by a sighted companion. Descriptive Video Service (DVS) has been changing that.
Developed by PBS station WGBH-TV in Boston and launched in 1990, DVS is a free service that helps make television accessible to visually impaired people. The audio portion of a program is adapted to include a special narration that describes the key visual elements. These narrations are inserted into "quiet" moments in the program, and do not interfere with the regular audio part of the program. They describe actions, settings, scene changes, and physical attributes and body language of the characters.
Currently, certain programs with DVS are available on public station WSKG-TV in Binghamton. They carry seven children’s programs with description, as well as a number of educational programs for adults. A list of programs they offer can be found at www.wgbh.org/dvs, but you should check local WSKG listings to find the broadcast times for our area. The Turner Classic Movies cable channel has over 125 old, classic films with DVS that are shown regularly. The FOX and CBS networks are also beginning to offer DVS programs, but the Binghamton affiliates of these networks are not yet equipped to air them.
In order to receive television programs with the special description, you need cable TV service and a TV or VCR that is equipped with the Stereo S.A.P. (Second Audio Program) function. Most TVs manufactured within the past 5 years have S.A.P. capability; you can check your manual.
In addition to television programming, there are over 200 fairly recent movies on video that have description, and are available for purchase. The Stereo S.A.P. feature is not needed to view these, although you must have a VCR. For a list of videos or for more information, you can look on the above mentioned website or call the toll free DVS information line at 1-800-333-1203. At this time, neither the Broome County Library or Video King rental stores have any DVS movies available to borrow or rent. End of article.
Unwanted Calls and Mail
Are you tired of being bothered by annoying telemarketers who always seem to call at dinner time? Do you fill your recycling basket every day with discarded credit card offers and other junk mail? Do you have trouble saying "No" and end up purchasing something you didn’t really want? There are some things you can do to eliminate most of these problems.
A New York State law went into effect in April 2001 that allows consumers to place themselves on a "Do Not Call" list. Once you are registered, telemarketers are required to remove your information from their lists within 30 days. There are some exceptions, such as charities, but calling to register will eliminate most calls. Call toll-free: 1-866-622-5569 to have your name placed on the "Do Not Call" registry.
You can also request that your name be removed from credit card mailing lists by calling or writing one of the major credit bureaus. Once the request is made, the credit bureau is required to remove your name for three years. You can request a form that will permanently remove your name from the mailing list. Call toll-free: Equifax at 800-556-4711; Experian at 800-353-0809; or Trans Union at 800-680-7293. You can also write to : Telephone Preference Service, Direct Mailing Association, PO Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11731-9014.
For more information visit www.junkbusters.com. Thanks to the Southern Tier Independence Center for jogging our memory about this problem! End of article.
Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services Act
On July 12, 2001 a very important bill was introduced on Capitol Hill, called the Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services Act of 2001. It was spearheaded by Rep. Michael Capuano of Massachusetts, who agreed to do it after his aging mother received the benefits of Low Vision Services from an agency for the blind in Boston. On Feb. 26, 2002, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts introduced a companion bill in the Senate. These bills have been endorsed by many groups, associations, and agencies in the aging and vision rehabilitation fields, including BWA.
What will the bills do? They will create the greatest possible access for older individuals to low vision rehabilitation services. They will add certain vision rehabilitation professionals to the Medicare program, making them eligible providers and will make their specialized services reimbursable by Medicare for the first time, equally in all 50 states.
How will older adults benefit? Medicare already pays for medical rehabilitation for most other physical impairments. This bill will mean that low vision rehabilitation will become standard within the health care system, alongside physical therapy and occupational therapy, making it much more accessible to all older adults who need it.
How can you help? Please consider writing to Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Hillary Clinton and ask them to cosponsor the companion bill, S.1967. Congressmen Maurice Hinchey, Sherwood Boehlert and James Walsh have already endorsed House bill H.R. 2484. Please consider writing to thank them for their support.
For additional information you can go to the following websites:
www.lighthouse.org and
www.medicarenow.org
"…together we can do so much." End of article.
From Our Archives, By Joyce Bucci.
In 1939, the Blind Work Association, Inc. moved from State St. to Court St., into a building that was donated by Mrs. Lewis Weed.
The threat and advent of war brought new industry. In 1941, BWA entered into its first JWOD contract with the Defense Dept. to sew pillowcases for the army. Soon, production averaged 15,000 per month. Leona Smith, who worked at BWA for over 50 years, was proud that she had sewn a pillowcase that was presented to Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Charles F. Johnson of Endicott-Johnson Shoes requested help from BWA in assembling buckles and straps for the soldiers’ combat boots E. J. was producing. BWA employees assembled over two million buckles and straps during the war.
What great ways for those who could not go to fight, to help the war effort and their country! End of article.
Teaching Through Exposure, By Ralph Gedeon, BWA Rehabilitation Teacher.
I had the distinct pleasure of giving a presentation to the students in the Occupational Therapy Program at Ithaca College on Feb. 27, 2002. The purpose of the presentation was to inform the students about the types of services and programs that are available to blind and visually impaired individuals.
The presentation began with a brief history on the treatment of blind people, from early centuries to the present, including the periods of isolation or institutionalization, segregation, emancipation and integration. Also discussed were the origins of Vision Rehabilitation, how the field has developed and evolved, and the rolls of the Federal and State governments, along with private agencies, in providing funding for services.
The students were given a thorough review of the anatomy of the eye, and different types of prevention and intervention methods that can be taken to detect and cope with vision loss. They were then encouraged to participate in some activities which would help them to understand more fully what it is like to live with a vision impairment. They wore different types of eye disease simulators and tried using various low vision assistive devices and adaptive equipment, both with and without the simulators.
Comments from the students, about the presentation were favorable, as most agreed that the "hands on" approach was extremely helpful in teaching them about blindness and low vision. End of article.
BWA Hosts Meeting
BWA was pleased to be selected to host the upstate meeting on employment of people who are blind, that was held March 26 and 27, 2002. About 20 employment professionals from the upstate offices of the New York State Commission for the Blind and private agencies attended.
The conference was geared for professionals who assist people who are blind obtain quality training and employment. The Broome Tioga Workforce Development Career Board and the Small Business Development Center at Binghamton University participated as presenters. Information sharing and successful program models were discussed in pre-vocational services for young people, school-to-work transition, job retention, innovative training and employment, and entrepreneurship. Home based and small business development was also covered.
BWA was selected to host the conference as a result of its successful implementation of an "Innovative Training and Employment" grant from the NYS Commission for the Blind. End of article.
Parent To Parent, By Diane McMillan, Child and Youth Specialist.
Q. What are some of the best toys to get my preschool child?
A. Toys are a wonderful way for children to discover the world around them. You want to look for toys that talk or produce sounds, have bright colors, high contrast and emit light, that feature a variety of interesting surfaces and textures. A great resource is The Guide to Toys for Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. You can get a free copy by calling 1-800-232-5463. The call is usually answered by audix; just say you want The Guide to Toys, and leave your name, address and phone number.
Acronyms List
The following is a list of some of the most commonly used acronyms used in the
school system:
ECDC Early Childhood Direction Centers (State Education Dept.)
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Federal)
IEP Individualized Education Plan
IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan
ISS Individualized Support Services
IWRP Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan
IPE Individual Plan for Employment
The Braille Bug.
The Braille Bug www.afb.org/braillebug
is an interactive website that was recently launched by the American Foundation
for the Blind. It was created to teach sighted children about Braille, and to
encourage literacy among all children, sighted and visually impaired. This is a
fully accessible, graphically rich site designed for children in grades 3
through 6; however, parents are finding that this is a great site for them.
Parents can learn Braille by playing challenging games with their children.
"Jumble Puzzles" is a game designed for children who use screen readers or
refreshable Braille displays. The site offers information on assistive
technology used by people who are blind and biographies for Helen Keller and
Louis Braille. End of article.
Early Intervention
BWA recently received authorization from the New York State Dept. of Health to provide Early Intervention Services for infants and children aged zero to three years in the seven NY counties we cover. This will enable us to have a stronger presence in working with visually impaired children as early as possible. We will also be providing services for three to five year olds in Broome Co. through the pre-school program. End of article.
Telling Who We Are
Enhancing public awareness of who we are and what we do has always been a very important part of BWA’s Community Outreach programs. Throughout our nearly-75 year history, BWA has taken part in many public education displays and shows, including health fairs, school classroom programs, library displays, store window displays, public service announcements, TV and radio shows, and others.
Another way we tell people about BWA is through staff speaking engagements and training programs. Staff members have given "in-service" training programs at local organizations, including nursing homes, showing nursing staff ways in which they can better assist their elderly patients who have vision loss.
Recently, several BWA employees have had more opportunities to tell who we are. President and CEO Robert Hanye spoke at the Kendall Lyceum in Ithaca; he and Laura Henry, Director of Rehab. Services, gave a presentation during a Binghamton University psychology class; and Rehab. Teacher Ralph Gedeon gave a very well-received program at Ithaca College.
Employment Specialist Alycia Harris tended a booth and display at the "Roots for Employment" Career Expo on March 13th, where she informed people of things we are doing to assist visually impaired people find jobs.
We had more opportunities to tell people who and what we are as an exhibitor at the Broome Business show on April 18th at the Arena. End of article.
They Cared Enough To Make A Difference, By Joyce Bucci.
Imagine, if you will, that the year is 1902 and that you are a person who is blind. You went away, as a child, to a school for the blind, and now you are back home in your small town. You learned how to read Braille at school, but your family has very little money. There is no TV, no radio, no audio-cassettes, and no internet. Your town has a small library, which cannot afford Braille books, and neither can your family. What can you do with your free time, other than sit in idleness?
Enter Walter G. Holmes, a shy, rather nervous, middle-aged bachelor who had a brother who was blind. In 1905, he wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Herald wondering why the benevolent, rich men were giving so much to charities, but were overlooking the blind. He wrote that anyone interested in hearing of his plan should contact him.
Enter Matilda Ziegler, the wealthy widow of William Ziegler who had founded the Royal Baking Powder Co. Mrs. Ziegler had a son who was blind and Mr. Holmes’ letter touched her deeply. She contacted him immediately and he told her of his plan to start a magazine for the blind that would be produced in Braille, and would be available to anyone who was blind – free of charge. Mrs. Ziegler was so impressed with the plan, she told him to start the magazine and she would pay all of the bills.
Walter Holmes spent nearly a year planning and researching the types of presses available that he could adapt to emboss the raised dots. In 1907, the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind went to press. The first issue contained 56 pages, embossed on one side, and 6,500 copies were made.
Nearly 100 years later, The Ziegler Magazine is still in production and is circulated to over 10,000 people, and it is still free, thanks to Mrs. Ziegler’s endowment.
The Matilda Ziegler Magazine For the Blind is published monthly and features reprinted articles that are taken from a wide variety of publications and cover many topics. It is available in either Grade 2 Braille or four-track, half-speed cassette. To find out more information you can visit the website: www.zieglermag.org To order a free subscription call: 202-242-0263. End of article.
Thanks For Caring
BWA would like to thank the following individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty to assist us in our efforts: Bill Russin of Security Optometric Associates in Binghamton, for the loan of low vision aids for Ralph Gedeon’s presentation at Ithaca College; The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for their many hours of assistance with stuffing envelopes; Phil Cahill and Kevin Loveland at Unisource for the donation of office furniture. The desks, chairs and filing cabinets were greatly needed and spruce up the Association!
Are you interested in having the BWA InSight newsletter come to you in a different format? We currently provide InSight only in large print and Braille, but we would like to expand this to include recorded audio cassette and IBM formatted diskette. Before we decide about including these formats, we would like to hear from you. What would work better for you? Please call editor Joyce Bucci at 607-724-2428 with your comments. End of article.
If you know of someone who is experiencing vision loss, contact Blind Work Association. We are here to help.
Publishing Information:
InSight is published quarterly by Blind Work Association, Inc., 55 Washington
St., Binghamton, NY 13901.
Phone: 607-724-2428, FAX: 607-771-8045.
Contributors: Robert Hanye, Laura Henry, Ken Fernald, Diane McMillan, Alycia
Harris. Editor: Joyce Bucci.
BWA is a local, private, non-profit organization
which is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We serve legally blind
individuals of all ages who live in the NY counties of Broome, Chenango,
Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins, as well as the PA counties of
Bradford, Susquehanna and Tioga. If you would like more information about BWA or
its services, please feel free to contact us.
"Our vision is to be the first in choice and quality with respect to vision
services in the Twin Tiers."
End of newsletter.