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A.V.R.E. Insight Newsletter
Summer 2006; Volume 31, Number 2
Published by the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc.
Our
mission is: To assist people who have a vision disability enhance life
quality through attaining or maintaining personal and economic independence,
and help remove obstacles imposed by vision disabilities.
New
Facility Plans Continue; Capital Campaign Kicks Off!
By Jennifer Cubic, Director of Development & Communications
In our last edition of InSight we announced plans to purchase the Doron
Precision Systems building on Court Street in downtown Binghamton. Having
identified a new location, it is time to get moving securing support to
realize our Vision. We marked the commencement of our Capital Campaign’s
public phase with our Kick-off event on June 15th.
We thought it fitting to formally announce our plans near our new home
in Downtown Binghamton, so we invited community guests to join us for
refreshments and presentations at Terra Cotta on State Street. Terra Cotta
provided the perfect backdrop for program and manufacturing staff to
present, and demonstrate, their services and products to community members
who were not sure how A.V.R.E. impacts area residents. Feedback from the
event’s attendees was great! Not only did guests learn significant and new
information about A.V.R.E., most were overwhelmingly impressed with our
staff. Their commitment to our mission and our clients is strongly conveyed
in their passion to educate others about what A.V.R.E. has to offer and how
our services directly improve our client’s quality of life by fostering
independence. Our collective congratulations and thanks to the entire
A.V.R.E. staff, Board members, and volunteers!
We were honored to hear presentations from the Association and
Foundation Board Chairs, Melvin Rhinebeck and Beverly Majka. Steering
Committee Co-Chair Sally Akel and Board member Kelly Storm also spoke
emotionally on A.V.R.E.’s behalf by sharing personal testimonies provided by
clients, staff and supporters. Co-chair Dave Gouldin had the distinct
pleasure of highlighting and thanking the Campaign’s “Visionaries.” The
Decker, Hoyt, Gaffney, and Mee Foundations are leading the way with the most
substantial grants awarded to date. Our deepest heartfelt thanks to all of
our supporters!
Building renovation plans are progressing according to schedule. The
closing date for the purchase of the new facility will take place in late
August and renovations will begin immediately. While we are still in
negotiations for the sale of our current facility, we are eager to get
started in our new building so that we can focus on creating our Center of
Excellence in Vision Rehabilitation and Employment.
The Center of Excellence project has two major components. One will
retain and create direct employment for people who are blind through
retention and expansion of A.V.R.E. manufacturing and service employment
contracts. The new manufacturing facility will enable us to save 50 jobs
and create 50 new jobs for blind people over 5 years. We intend to increase
sales from $3.6 million to $8 to $10 million per year, simultaneously
producing a direct and positive impact on the local economy. The other will
create clinical and training services for people with severe vision
impairment (30,000 in the region), including hard and soft work skills,
independent living skills, and learning skills for children. The purchase
and renovation of a new facility is required to accomplish these outcomes.
Our community has endured immeasurably tragic losses as a result of
June’s flooding. A.V.R.E. staff stood guard at the Chenango River floodwall
for two days, hoping the rising waters would spare our facility. We were
spared, but share in the rebuilding efforts of the entire community. We are
committed to the overall well-being of our community and understand that
some of our fundraising efforts may take a back seat while our neighbors
look for help rebuilding their lives. We are prepared to integrate this
priority into our plans. We will keep you posted as we move forward in this
venture.
Photo of our new building on Court Street; Photo of A.V.R.E. Flex VRA
Laure Griffis talking with A.V.R.E. Board member Kelly Storm and the Kick
off event. A.V.R.E. Manager of Infant and Children’s Program Services Diane
McMillan stands in the background. End of article.
The
President’s Corner
By Robert K. Hanye, President and CEO
Evaluating Your Service Providers
How do we determine the qualifications of the professionals who provide
us with health related services? Most of us use many different ways, both
formal and informal. If we are looking to find a Doctor, Lawyer, Social
Worker, or Therapist we might ask for references from friends or family who
have used those services in the past and might know someone in whom they
have confidence. These days we might go to the internet to search through
one or more of the many web based referral sites. We might look at the
reputation of the hospital, clinic, company or agency with which that
professional is associated.
One thing we almost always do is make sure that the professional has
the education, training, experience and license or legal permission to
practice the profession we seek! It is highly unlikely that any of us would
go to an unlicensed Doctor, Lawyer, Physical Therapist, Occupational
Therapist, Audiologist, Social Worker, Dental Hygienist, or even a
Hairdresser or Barber.
Unfortunately, New Yorkers who benefit from the services of Vision
Rehabilitation professionals do not now have the same level of protection or
assurance of quality. Vision Rehabilitation professionals (Vision
Rehabilitation Therapists and Orientation and Mobility Specialists), unlike
so many related professionals, are not yet eligible for licensing through
the State. This is something we have been trying to fix for many years by
seeking a state law to allow licensing of Vision Rehabilitation
professionals. Believe me; getting a new law can be a daunting task!
However, we have really good news to report. Two bills, one in the
Senate and one in the Assembly, to license Vision Rehabilitation
professionals, have been getting quite a bit of support recently. The
Senate bill is S889A and the Assembly bill is A05407. We have put a
summary of the legislation on our web site at www.avreus.org. I encourage
each of you to take a look at this possible legislation. We have also
posted a list of the supporters of these bills. As you will see, licensing
of Vision Rehabilitation professionals has wide support in the New York and
from across the country. More supporters are signing on all the time.
We believe that people who are blind or have a severe vision disability
should have the highest level of assurance that the Vision Rehabilitation
services you are provided meet the same standards as so many other
professions. If you agree, then I encourage you to make your opinion known
to your elected New York State representatives. End of article.
CBVH
Holds Open Forums
The Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) has
scheduled “Open Forums” to obtain input from interested individuals
regarding: programs and services for individuals who are blind; the State
Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The meetings are scheduled in
the following cities:
Poughkeepsie, October 16, 2006, 3:30 – 6:30 PM at Taconic Resources for
Independence, 82 Washington St. Suite 214, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, Phone:
845-452-3913.
Syracuse, October 18, 2006, 3:30 – 6:30 PM at Onondaga County Public
Library, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202, Phone: 315-435-1800.
New
York City, November 2, 2006, 3:30 – 6:30 PM at Andrew Heiskell Library for
the Blind, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011, Phone:
212-206-5400.
For more information, please contact Vincent Anderson at CBVH by calling
518-473-3524, or you may email him at vincent.anderson@ocfs.state.ny.us.
End of article.
The
World Wide Web
Occasionally, we like to tell you about a website that we feel is worth
looking at in depth. Our featured website is titled “Children’s Vision
Information Network.” While it does not delve into the serious eye
conditions that can cause a child to have a vision loss and impairment, this
website does have a lot of information about the more common conditions that
can cause a child to have problems learning in school.
Learning-related vision problems that are discussed include: Vision
and Dyslexia, Vision and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Crossed Eyes
(Strabismus), and Lazy Eye (Amblyopia). There is information on the
benefits of specially-fitted bifocals for children who have not been able to
fully develop their focusing system as well as on the benefits of optometric
vision therapy to assist the child in correcting the vision problem.
The website features an interactive check list that can help parents
determine whether their child does have a vision-related learning
difficulty. There are examples of eye exercises, and there are links to a
number of other websites that can offer additional information. The website
is attractive and easy to navigate. So, take a few moments and look at our
featured website: www.childrensvision.com. End of article.
Air
Travel Hotline
Most generally, airline companies are very accommodating to air
travelers with disabilities. But even with the best rules in place,
problems can arise.
The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement
and Proceedings has established a toll-free number that travelers who
experience disability-related air travel problems may use to obtain
information and assistance.
The office is located in Washington D.C. and is staffed from 7 AM to 11
PM Eastern time, seven days per week. Office staff can provide general
information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, and can
assist in resolving time-sensitive disability-related issues.
The toll-free number for the hotline is 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or
1-800-455-9880 for TTY users. End of article.
Bikers For Tots
Two A.V.R.E. employees participated in the 11th Annual United States
Marine Corps Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in July. This program collects
toys that are donated to Toys for Tots. Industries Manufacturing employee
Laura Gale and Orientation & Mobility Specialist Eric Bohn collected two
large boxes of toys from fellow employees, prior to participating in the
ride. With appreciation, Laura has written a letter:
“Hello, everyone. Eric and I would like to thank everyone at A.V.R.E.
who donated toys for the Toys For Tots Pride Ride. It was very exciting to
see so many people turn out for a good cause. About 2,000 bikers
participated, which means that 4,000 to 5,000 toys were collected! As part
of the ride, we proceeded to Watkins Glen and were able to ride around the
speedway track. It was very exciting! Blessings to all – Laura and Eric.”
End of article.
Welcome Aboard!
We have a new employee in our Industries Manufacturing program. John
Reil has returned to us and works in the FmHA file folder department as a
machine operator. Welcome back, John!
Brian Ciotoli, a high school student, joined us for a few weeks during
the summer as a participant in our Summer Employment Training program. He
worked in our file folder department as a folder.
We also have another intern with us for several months. Dong-Soo Yoo
works with our accounting department, through the Binghamton University Off
Campus College Internship Program. End of article.
This
Month Is --
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
Parents and other family members must play a vital role in the eye
health of their children. Good eye health begins early in life, and with so
many health issues, early detection of potential problems can make treatment
so much more effective.
Vision problems impact about 1 in 20 preschoolers and 1 in 4 school-age
children. Just looking at your child will not necessarily tell you there is
a problem. Infants should be checked for common eye problems during their
regular well-child checkups. A complete vision examination by an eye care
professional should be conducted on all children by 3 years of age.
Eye safety is also very important. Parents should take extra steps to
protect their child’s eyes from injury. Playtime should be carefully
monitored, and all toys should be checked regularly for broken or sharp,
projectile parts. Please see the article in the Summer 2005 issue of
InSight for more information on Children’s Eye Safety.
September is Sports and Home Eye Safety Month.
As children head back to school, many will become involved in school
sports programs. Sports seems to be America’s favorite pastime for both
kids and adults. However, more than 40,000 people each year suffer eye
injuries while involved in sports. The majority of these are children, too
many of whom suffer permanent vision impairment as a result. And yet,
almost all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented!
Both baseball and basketball account for the largest number of eye
injuries to young people. When playing most sports, proper safety goggles
or helmets with polycarbonate face shields should be worn. It is extremely
important to realize that wearing regular corrective eyeglasses doesn’t
provide enough protection.
Parents should become advocates for their children’s eye safety. If a
school or outside program does not require safety eyewear, parents should
work together to advocate changing these rules. Once a child’s vision is
damaged or lost, it may never be regained.
If you would like to have more information on children’s eye health and
safety, please contact our Infants and Children’s Program Manager Diane
McMillan, 607-724-2428.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
In July, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to help fulfill the promise of
equality and good quality of life for all Americans who are disabled. In
2001, a brand new agency within the U. S. Department of Labor, called the
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), was created. The ODEP
mission is “to provide National leadership by developing and influencing
disability-related employment policy, as well as practices affecting the
employment of people with disabilities.”
The vision of ODEP is “A world in which people with disabilities have
unlimited employment opportunities.” With regard to people with vision
disabilities, this has been the major focus of A.V.R.E. since 1926! And we
have come a very long way from our early beginnings of providing work, such
as caning chairs, weaving rugs, and sewing pillowcases in our “workshop”, to
teaching employees to operate complicated manufacturing machinery, promoting
employees internally, and placing employees in the outside workplace where
they use computers and other high-tech equipment.
If you are visually impaired and are interested in joining America’s
workforce, please contact our Employment & Career Services Manager Debra
Carson, at 607-724-2428.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month.
In our
next article, we discuss an eye condition called retinopathy of
prematurity. Because premature infant birth can cause so many health
problems, including the possibility of vision impairment, the March of Dimes
and other organizations are working to make the public aware of the dangers
of improper prenatal care. At times, of course, even the best prenatal care
cannot prevent a premature delivery, but that good prenatal care can go a
very long way to ensuring an infant’s health is not jeopardized. Every
pregnant woman should begin regular doctor visits as soon as possible to
receive information on taking the best possible care of herself and her
unborn child.
November is also Diabetic Eye Disease Month. In our Fall 2005
issue of InSight, we talked at length about the direct relationship between
diabetes and a potentially blinding eye condition called diabetic
retinopathy. If you would like more information about diabetes and your
eyes, please consult that issue, or call us at 607-724-2428 and we will send
you some information. End of article.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
During the 1940s and 1950s, the leading cause of blindness in children
was retrolental fibroplasia (RLF). Now called retinopathy of prematurity
(ROP), this disorder was first diagnosed in premature infants in 1942. At
that time, it was theorized that the condition was caused by the use of high
levels of oxygen therapy to treat the immature lungs of these infants.
Today, we know that oxygen is not the only factor in developing ROP. This
disorder is one of the most common causes of vision loss in childhood and
can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness.
ROP primarily affects premature infants weighing about two and
three-quarter pounds or less, who are born before 31 weeks of gestation.
With modern advances in neonatal care, smaller and more premature babies are
surviving. The smaller the baby is at birth, the more likely it is to
develop ROP. There are approximately 28,000 babies born in the U.S. each
year that weigh under two and three-quarter pounds. About 14,000 – 16,000
of these are affected by some degree of ROP. About 400 – 600 of these
infants each year become legally blind from ROP.
ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the
retina (the tissue at the back of the eye). As with macular degeneration
and diabetic retinopathy, these abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can
leak, scarring the retina and pulling it out of position. This causes a
retinal detachment, which is the main cause of visual impairment in ROP.
Our understanding of ROP is changing. While high oxygen exposure is
certainly one of the major causes of ROP, studies now show that it is not
just exposure to oxygen or other toxic agents after birth, but may also
relate to things that happen to the fetus prior to birth. These pre-birth
risk factors may include: mother’s heavy smoking, diabetes and
preeclampsia, lack of oxygen within the womb, and slow fetal growth. Other
after-birth risks may include infants with these conditions: anemia, high
carbon dioxide levels, seizures, low heart rate, and blood transfusions.
High risk premature infants are usually monitored by a retinal
specialist or pediatric ophthalmologist while in a neonatal care unit. In
addition, eye examinations every six months are usually recommended for all
infants born under 32 weeks or that weigh less that three and one-third
pounds. Even if ROP is not present, there are other eye conditions that may
develop, such as strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), cataract,
glaucoma, or the need for prescription eyeglasses for myopia.
Medical science has come a long way with ROP, and research has shown
that good prenatal care is essential to the prevention of ROP. If an infant
is born prematurely, careful monitoring of oxygen levels and other risk
factors are crucial. If ROP does develop, advances in treatment with laser
therapy and other techniques can be beneficial.
Sources:
National Eye Institute, ROP Resource Guide, www.nei.nih.gov; “Understanding
Retinopathy of Prematurity,” by Richard L. Windsor & Laura K. Windsor,
www.lowvision.org. End of article.
When
Does A Baby See?
In a baby’s early months, about 80% of what is learned comes through
vision. Without good vision, a child’s ability to learn about his or her
environment becomes much more difficult. But just how much can a baby see?
When does he really begin to see the world with fully-developed vision?
Birth to four months.
A newborn baby must learn how to see. If a baby’s eyes are normal, all
the eye structures are present at birth; they just aren’t working properly
yet. Newborns see in black and white and shades of gray. They can only
focus at a distance of 8 to 12 inches, which is why they usually do not make
eye contact. At first, they must move their whole head in order to move
their eyes, and they should be able to do this, following people or moving
objects, by the age of 8 to 12 weeks. By 2 to 4 months, they should begin
moving their eyes independently with much less head movement. However, they
still must learn to coordinate their eye movements to make them work as a
team. Parents can become alarmed when they see their baby’s eyes
momentarily cross, but this usually stops by the age of 4 or 5 months. At
the age of 4 months, the baby’s eyes have developed the ability to see her
exciting new world in color.
Four
to six months.
At about 4 to 6 months of age, babies discover their hands. The
retinas (where focusing occurs) are now quite well developed. Since the
baby’s eyes can focus at a greater distance and can track objects and faces,
he begins to learn to use his eyes and hands together, and the journey of
discovery begins to make great leaps forward. Eye-hand coordination
continues to develop as the baby practices reaching out to grasp things, and
inevitably, to bring that item directly to the mouth. By the 4th or 5th
month, a baby’s brain has learned how to fuse the pictures coming in from
both the right and left eye into a single image (binocularity), which gives
stronger depth perception. Focusing skills are refined, and the baby can
now look quickly and accurately between near and far distances.
Six
to eight months.
By the age of 6 months, the baby’s eyes have reached about two-thirds
of their adult size. As a baby begins to move around on her own, eye-body
coordination continues to develop. At 6 months, babies have usually
acquired fairly accurate eye movement control. The baby learns to judge
distances and set visual goals – seeing something and moving toward it. As
the baby explores her environment, a rapid development of visual perception
skills occurs. Crawling gives the baby the opportunity to perfect
everything she has learned so far, with regard to her vision.
Eight to twelve months.
By the age of 12 months, babies are well on their way to having fully
developed vision. They can now judge distances well; eye-hand coordination
allows them to grasp and throw objects fairly accurately; visual memory and
perception skills have increased. As they begin walking, they learn to use
their eyes to coordinate their large muscle groups to guide their whole body
movements. World exploration continues!
Toddlers.
A child’s vision continues to develop throughout the preschool years.
It is important for children to continue practicing eye-hand-body
coordination, eye teaming, and depth perception. Playtime activities, such
as stacking blocks, playing ball, coloring and drawing, cutting, and
assembling toys all help to improve these important visual skills.
Additionally, reading to young children is very important, as it helps
develop strong visualization skills as they “picture” the story in their
minds.
Fully understanding how a baby’s vision develops, beginning from the
day of birth, can help parents know how to assist their child in growing and
developing to the fullest potential. However, if a child has an eye
condition that results in a vision impairment, the rules and techniques can
change drastically. Additional help is usually needed, in the form of
vision rehabilitation therapy, to assist both the child and the parents in
the journey of exploring the world without full vision.
For more information on this subject, call our Infant and Children’s
Program Manager Diane McMillan, at 607-724-2428. End of article.
How
About a Cruise?
Have you ever wondered what a sea turtle feels like? How about a
dolphin? Have you ever wanted to take a cruise to the beautiful and
romantic Caribbean? Well, there are lots of good choices of tour packages
available. But how does that all work for someone who is visually impaired
or blind? The VIEW International Foundation is partnering with Cruise
Planners and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to offer a great opportunity for
visually impaired people: a seven-night, eight-day cruise in the western
Caribbean aboard the ship Legend of the Sea, starting January 6, 2007 and
returning January 13, 2007.
But what makes this cruise different? Everything is being planned for
the enjoyment of people who may not be able to see everything that is
happening. A tour will be available at each port of call that will have
hands-on experiences. Some special on board events will take place, such as
Bingo in Braille, a chance to touch some ice carvings, and special
arrangements by the ship’s Chef to experience the intricacies of their melon
carvings. Additionally, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines advertises that they
can accommodate most special needs for blind guests, including: Braille and
large-print menus, Braille and tactile signage, and daily cruise compasses
and cruise services directories available in large print or Braille. Guide
dogs are allowed on board and a 4 foot by 4 foot wooden box with cypress
mulch is provided for each animal. Early boarding will be available for
orientation tours. Additionally, other needs can also be accommodated,
including special diets, accessibility for wheel chairs, and even dialysis.
The cruise leaves from and returns to Tampa, Florida. Ports of call that
will be visited are: George Town, Cayman Islands; Belize; Costa Maya,
Mexico; Cozumel, Yucatan, Mexico.
For more information on this great opportunity, you can visit
www.escape2sea.com. Scroll down the page until you see “VIEW
International.” Click on that link and use the login ID “view2007” to reach
their secure website. You may also call Susan Yanaros of Cruise Planners,
at 800-847-3460 for price information and to book your cruise. End of
article.
Flood Assistance.
The heavy rains and resulting floods our area experienced this summer
were devastating and tragic to so many people. While we empathized with
them all, first and foremost in our thoughts were our blind and visually
impaired consumers who may have been affected. Having to deal with a messy
cleanup, replacing damaged and lost items, or even relocating to another
home is daunting for anyone, but for someone who is visually impaired, it
can be a special challenge.
In response, the A.V.R.E. Vision Program Services staff enlisted a team
of volunteers to assist in a telephoning project to contact each person who
may have been impacted in some way by this disaster. Over the course of
about 6 days, approximately 1500 calls were made! Fortunately, in most
cases consumers were either not affected or had not lost any low vision aids
or devices. For those consumers we did locate who had lost devices or were
forced to evacuate their homes, we are working with the NYS Commission for
the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) to coordinate replacement of the
lost aids, and/or to provide rehabilitation services to assist them as they
get settled into a new living space. Many of those we were able to reach
were very grateful that we had made the effort to check on them.
We would like to sincerely thank volunteers Rita and John Sejan, Tom
Regan, and Kay Rhinebeck, as well as A.V.R.E. receptionist Tom Addley and
Program Services staff members, for their very valuable work on this
project!
Additionally, we wanted to help the community in general in some way.
Various ideas were discussed, and the decision was made to donate personal
care items that we had in stock from a past contract assembly project.
Hundreds of items, such as tooth brushes, hairbrushes, combs, shampoo,
lotion, soap and soap dishes, deodorant, and moist towelettes were donated
to Catholic Charities of Broome County. These items were then sent to St.
Mary’s Church Relief Center for distribution in the community. We also made
discount paper available to some of our business customers, and school
supplies, such as backpacks, were donated to United Way.
Even in this small way, A.V.R.E. continues to give back to the
community! End of article.
Industries News - Our Newest Assembly Products
A.V.R.E.’s manufacturing department has participated in partnerships
with various other manufacturing industries, doing assembly work, for much
of its long history. This tradition of working with other companies by
doing contracted assembly jobs began during the years of WW II, when the
Endicott-Johnson Shoe company requested the assistance of blind workers in
assembling buckles and straps for its military combat boots. The tradition
continued well after the war when A.V.R.E. began doing assembly jobs for
IBM. In recent years, we have assembled various personal care kits for
agencies in New York City.
At the present time, we have two new assembly jobs in operation: our
JAWS cleaning products line and our Goody hair accessories line. These two
assembly jobs are a little different from the ones we have previously done,
because we actually purchase the materials in bulk, assemble and repackage,
then resell them. Both of these jobs are done with 100% blind labor.
JAWS stands for “Just Add Water System.” This cleaning product line is
manufactured by, and purchased from, Camberra Corporation in Toledo, Ohio.
We carry 6 cleaning product items: a degreaser, a glass-cleaner, a
germicidal, a food service prep, an odor control, and a tile and grout
cleaner. Three of the products carry the environmentally-preferred “Green”
seal, which is required by New York State law for use within all state
agencies and public schools. The JAWS line is a bit unique, in that the
chemicals come in a concentrate form, sealed in a small cartridge. A
pre-labeled plastic bottle is filled with water to a printed line and the
cartridge is placed in the neck of the bottle. When the trigger sprayer is
inserted down through the cartridge, it is opened and the contents are
released into the water inside the bottle. A quick shake to mix and the
cleaner is ready to use. The other neat thing about this line is that the
different products are color coordinated: each item has its own color to
eliminate possible errors in mixing.
When we receive the bulk items, our employees repackage, label and pack
the items for shipment. Orders and sales are completed through a contract
with New York State Industries for the Blind and the products are sold to
schools, NYS Parks and Recreation, NYS government buildings, state
hospitals, etc. We are pleased that one of our newest customers is
Binghamton University.
Goody Company hair accessories have been a familiar sight in grocery
and department stores for many years. These items, such as hairbrushes and
combs, hair clips, barrettes, scrunchies, and head bands, are also purchased
in bulk. Employees then relabel and repackage the items in poly-bags, and
pack them for shipping. The Goody products are sold through a contract with
the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Military Resale Program, and are
distributed to military commissaries around the country. A military
commissary is a military base grocery store, where military personnel and
their families can shop for food, as well as personal and household items.
This product department is still growing. It began with only 7 items and is
now up to 15, with the possibility of expanding to include 40 to 50 items.
Together, these two product lines represent approximately $300,000 in
annual sales. A.V.R.E. Industries - still growing and forming partnerships;
still producing blind-made products after over 75 years; still going
strong! End of article.
Reading Buddies
Sometimes a solution to a problem is so simple that it completely
eludes us until we are suddenly struck by it, as if by lightening. Such was
the case with a Texas man.
Eric Ligon had been attempting to help his 8-year old son Ethan learn
to read Braille, but the process was very frustrating for them both.
Traditional children’s books in Braille have the printed words on the same
page as the Brailled words. However, the blocks of printed words are
usually placed below the equivalent Braille word. This means that when the
learner stumbles, he must remove his hands from the page so that the teacher
can see the printed word in order to assist. This caused Ethan to lose his
place, as well as his train of thought.
Then Eric, a graphic design teacher, was struck by a “lightening”
idea: if the printed words were placed one line above the Braille, as well
as in a block at the top of the page, Ethan would not have to lift his hands
from the page. Excited by his idea, he presented it at a Braille
conference. Eric and his “simple” solution received a standing ovation.
In 2004, Eric formed a nonprofit organization called BrailleInk, for
the purpose of redesigning and publishing children’s Braille books using his
new design idea. Because the organization is nonprofit, its beginnings are
small. To date, there are 2 titles available: “Guess How Much I Love You,”
by Sam McBratney, with uncontracted Braille, and “The Dot,” by Peter H.
Reynolds, with contracted Braille. The organization is currently working on
making several more titles available.
Eric feels that his book design is very important because it encourages
shared reading and promotes Braille awareness. For more information, or to
order one of the above titles, you can visit Eric’s website,
www.brailleink.org, or call 1-800-324-2919. End of article.
Our Wish List
Our very good friend Mrs. Beverly Costello sent a donation of $250 for
a Talking Glucometer. This item will be used by our vision rehabilitation
therapy staff, for the purpose of demonstrating to our diabetic consumers.
As always, we are very grateful to Beverly for her kind gift.
Items Still
Needed
Video Camcorder. Our Orientation & Mobility program is in need of a
video camcorder to be used when giving white cane travel lessons. Ideally,
we would prefer to have a new or used digital camcorder that would eliminate
the need for tapes. However, a new or used VHS camcorder would also work
well. If used, it would need to use tapes and batteries that are not
obsolete.
Miniguide. This electronic mobility aid would also be used by our O &
M staff to assist in white cane travel training. It detects objects in the
user’s path using ultrasound.
If you would like to donate one of these items, please call Joyce Bucci
at 607-724-2428 or email jbucci@avreus.org. End of article.
InSight is
published quarterly by the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and
Employment, Inc. (Formerly Blind Work Association), 55 Washington St.,
Binghamton, NY 13901. 607-724-2428 FAX: 607-771-8045, Email: avreinfo@avreus.org
Website: www.avreus.org Editor: Joyce Bucci.
A.V.R.E.
is a local, private, non-profit organization with a volunteer board of
directors.
We serve
visually impaired individuals of all ages who live in the New York counties
of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins
and Schuyler, as well as the Pennsylvania counties of Bradford, Susquehanna
and Tioga.
A.V.R.E.
is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
If you would
like more information about A.V.R.E. or its services, please feel free to
contact us.
Our vision is
to be the first in choice and quality with respect to vision rehabilitation
and employment services in the Twin Tiers, and to be a model for the broader
community in understanding vision disability.
End of newsletter.
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