A.V.R.E. InSight Newsletter

Winter 2006; Volume 31, Number 1

Published by the Association For Vision Rehabilitation And Employment, Inc.

Morgan Touches The Stars!

By Laure Griffis, A.V.R.E. Flex Vision Rehabilitation Assistant

     Morgan Stratton had “a most excellent adventure” last summer and she is still excited about it.  She experienced a rocket launch, made a rocket motor, helped dissect a shark, and went mucking in the Chesapeake Bay.  And last, but not least, she took her first plane trip, flying part of it unaccompanied. 

     Twelve year-old Morgan is a delightful young lady who is totally blind.  She was born with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare disorder characterized by underdeveloped optic nerves.  She is an outgoing, energetic, middle-school student who amazes her teachers, her family and her friends with her accomplishments.  Working with her science teacher and her NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped counselor, Morgan applied for the chance to attend a Science Camp for youths who are blind or visually impaired.  Morgan was one of twelve who were selected nationwide to attend the National Federation of the Blind Science Academy 2005 Circle of Life session in Baltimore, Maryland.  The Science Academy provides these children with an exciting opportunity to experience science in a hands-on manner, instructed and mentored by adults who are also blind.

     Morgan is an A.V.R.E. consumer who is working to build the skills that will help her to become an independent adult.  To prepare her for her trip, A.V.R.E. staff helped Morgan hone her skills in cane travel without a sighted guide, money identification and management, and clothing identification and Braille labeling.  By departure time, she was ready!   And that is when her adventure began.

     A real challenge for Morgan was flying on a plane.  In fact, she was more anxious about flying than attending the camp.  To help alleviate some of her fears, her father accompanied her on the flight to Baltimore.  To her surprise, Morgan found the flight experience very enjoyable and was disappointed that it ended so soon.  Stacy, a blind worker at the camp, met Morgan in the baggage claim area of the airport.  She knew exactly where to find Morgan and was able to lead her out of the airport to take her to camp.  Morgan’s father was told he could go no further with his daughter, a moment that was more significant for him than for Morgan.  After witnessing Stacy’s actions, he came to the realization that there were great possibilities available for Morgan’s future independence.  He was also reassured that Morgan would be all right when she returned home on the plane by herself.

     At camp, Morgan experienced a variety of exciting challenges and experiences.  She was given opportunities many blind children never have.  At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, she was able to experience a rocket launch; she tried on a space suit and gloves, which were far too large for her; she ate some space food – ice cream and cinnamon apples – which she decided were not very tasty.  She also met scientists and engineers who are blind and work at the Space Center.  Back at the camp, she made a “rocket motor” using film canisters, Alka Seltzer, and water.  After mixing the ingredients and shaking well, she waited until the top blew off the canister.  She turned a banana into a hammer by placing it into liquid nitrogen for five minutes.  After it thawed, she was able to eat the banana!  At the Maryland Science Center, she participated in a shark dissection and even handled its liver.  At the Maryland Planetarium she touched the stars!  A tactile star map gave her a hands-on lesson about the solar system.

     At the Chesapeake Bay Organic Farm, she learned to read tactile maps of the Chesapeake Bay.  Learning about the pollution in the bay, she removed “muck” from the water and fished with a large net.  She also learned how to milk a cow, went camping in tents on the farm, and grilled her own steak for dinner.  At the International Braille and Technology Center, a one-of-a-kind facility that contains one of every speech and Braille device supported in the U.S., she learned about, and tried out, new technologies for blind people. 

     The whole experience was a highly profitable one from Morgan’s point of view.  It allowed her to interact with other blind children, as well as successful blind adults and those who work with the blind.  In her own words, the biggest things she learned were a new appreciation for science, how to use her cane more without a sighted guide, and that even though she is blind, she can still be independent.  (Photo of Morgan touching an embossed map of the surface of the moon.  Photo of Morgan proudly showing her certificate of attendance.)

The Presidents Corner

By Robert K. Hanye, President and CEO

“If you don’t blow your own horn… No one will.”

     This is a lesson hard learned by A.V.R.E.  But, once we learned it, we have been working hard to shout from the rafters about our quality, about our products, about our potential, and most importantly about just how important vision rehabilitation and good vision care are to so many of our neighbors and friends.

     Did you know that there are about 30,000 people of all ages, infants to elders, in our service area who are estimated to have a severe vision disability?  This number comes from the United States census and is based on the number of people who reported a severe problem with vision.  Very often these types of “self-reports” tend to underestimate the number of people who should be counted, so it is possible that there are more than 30,000 in our nine New York and three Pennsylvania counties.

     What is important is that we currently assist about 2,000 people each year and many are people with whom we have been working, so they are not new people.  A big reason we do not reach more people is that so many just do not know we are available or that vision rehabilitation can help.  For many years we waited until someone was referred to us for services, usually by the NYS Commission for the Blind, an eye doctor, or a family member.  Not anymore! 

     Our Development and Communications Department has taken the lead, but just about everyone takes part in spreading the word.  You might have seen some our staff on a TV station, or heard an ad on the radio, or read a story in a newspaper.  We have been reaching out to the media in all of our communities, including Ithaca and Oneonta, as well as to weekly newspapers in smaller communities and newsletters for groups such as seniors or parents of children with disabilities.  Most of the articles are about some aspect of vision disability and how vision rehabilitation can help.  There are still so many people who think there is nothing that can be done after vision loss or simply do not know how to contact us.

     Many A.V.R.E. employees have been giving presentations to small and large groups throughout our 9,000 square mile territory.  Speaking in public is often not a very easy thing to do, but our team members have been great about giving it a go and have done very well.

     We have also been having a series of meetings with key people in our various communities.  These include elected officials, directors of government agencies, business people, civic leaders, and decision makers in other service organizations.  Very often, these are the people who can help a person connect with the right organization.

     You can help too.  Perhaps you know someone who can benefit from vision rehabilitation and you can get them to give us a call.  Maybe you have a friend in the media who would be interested in doing a story about vision rehabilitation or about someone who has been successful.  You might share this newsletter with your friends or just leave it on your kitchen or coffee table for guests to see.  Help us blow the horn!  Success does not depend on vision!

(Photo of Mr. Hanye.)

Customized Large Print

     Have you ever wished you could still read one of your favorite old books?  Have you looked for it but can’t find it, either in a large print version that is big enough for you to see, or in a talking-book version?  There is another option available:  a company called Huge Print Press.

     Huge Print Press is a text conversion company that custom enlarges anything from novels to cookbooks to textbooks.  And the really exciting thing is that you decide what size font, or print, you want!  HPP prints everything in Arial font, from size 16 point up to 48 point.  They can even vary the line spacing, if needed.  The books are sized in 8.5” X 11” format and are bound in either durable paperback or hardcover.

     Quick Turnaround Time.  Visually impaired students often have a difficult time getting textbooks and other educational materials needed for classes in a timely fashion.  Often the materials they end up getting are of inferior print quality and are nothing more than blurry enlarged photocopies.  HPP promises a turnaround time of as little as 2 weeks.  In addition, they offer enhanced E-text that is formatted to be compatible with screen reader programs, such as JAWS, Kurzweil, and OpenBook.  The E-text versions convert easily into Braille when opened in Duxbury or other Braille applications.

     We checked with the company for prices and were told that pricing is based on three main criteria:  page count, font size, and level of complexity of the original book.  The price per page can range from 40 cents per page for the least complex of books (such as a novel) to $2.00 or more per page for more complex books (such as college textbooks).  A 300-page novel could cost around $120, while a highly-technical, 500-page medical school textbook could be in the $1000 range.

     For more information, contact Huge Print Press by calling toll-free 1-866-484-3774, or write them at Huge Print Press, North Central Plaza I, 12655 N. Central Expressway, Suite 416, Dallas, TX, 75243.  You may also visit their website at www.hugeprint.com.

“Can You Hear Me Now?”

     They’re everywhere, it seems:  in cars, on the streets, in stores, even in meetings.  With one, you can take a photo and send it to someone, access the internet and send an email, store all of your phone numbers and contact information, download music and ring tones, and -- oh yes -- make a phone call to just about anywhere in the country.  What is this wonderful, mysterious device?  A cell phone.

     But if you are blind or visually impaired, you may not be able to do all of these things.  In fact, you may not be able to use a cell phone at all.  That’s because cell phones use a visual display with text menus, and that’s a huge problem if you can’t see it.

     In 2003, Dr. Bonnie O’Day, a research analyst and advocate who is visually impaired, filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless and Audiovox claiming that they were in violation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by failing to make cell phones and services available to people with vision disabilities.  Settlements were soon reached with the result that both companies agreed to begin developing accessible wireless services.

     So, where does that leave us now?  Well, things are changing for the better and they are changing quickly.  Shopping for a cell phone and service can be complicated, but because new models are developed so quickly, we don’t want to recommend any particular models.  But we do hope to give you some information you can use as a guide in selecting an accessible cell phone and service plan.

     Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, Cingular, and Alltel all offer accessible phones with service plans.  Some phones may require that additional accessible software be purchased and loaded onto the phone.  Some of the phone features offered by these companies include extensive voice commands that allow a user to:  Place a call, either by saying the person’s name or by saying the numbers; Access voice mail messages;  Listen to service alerts, such as missed calls, new voice message notices, time and date announcements, battery power level, coverage area, and signal strength; Listen to menu navigation and options; Listen to caller ID; Hear which number keys are being pressed; Create, edit and erase contact information.

     You will need to find out which companies offer service in your area and then discuss your accessible cell phone needs with those companies.  If you have several options, be sure to shop around to find the best price on a phone and a service plan that works for you.

This Month Is...

     A.V.R.E. recently embarked on a new Program Services Media Campaign, with the intent of educating the public about some of the more common eye conditions and diseases.  Along with the education, we want to make sure the public knows about A.V.R.E. and the services we offer to people who may develop a vision loss as a result of these diseases.

     January is Glaucoma or Cataract Awareness Month.  Please see the next article about Glaucoma.  February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.  Our Fall 2004 issue of InSight was totally devoted to this disease, and we are including a brief review of AMD in this issue.  March does not have an official eye disease designation, so we are including an article about the stages of adjustment to vision loss. 

     Throughout this year, we will continue to highlight each month and its designated eye disease.

Glaucoma – Sneak Thief Of Sight
By Rick McCarthy, A.V.R.E. Director of Program Services

     January was Glaucoma Awareness Month.  Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection and treatment can usually preserve vision.  Early diagnosis is critical.  Glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief of sight,” because if it is not caught early and treated effectively, it can lead to blindness.  The evidence that regular comprehensive eye exams and continuing treatment are the keys to controlling glaucoma grows stronger with each new study.
     There are approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older who have glaucoma, and another 2 million are at risk for going blind because they do not know they have the disease.
     Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain, is damaged. Although the nerve damage is usually associated with elevated pressure inside the eye, other factors can be involved.  It may begin with the loss of peripheral, or side, vision and then advance to a reduction in central vision.  Glaucoma can potentially lead to vision loss or blindness.
     Most people who have glaucoma don't notice symptoms until they begin to lose some vision.  But vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if it is detected and treated in time.  As part of Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, A.V.R.E. ran a media campaign urging people at risk for developing glaucoma to get a complete eye exam.
     So, who's at risk?  African-Americans over age 40, people with a family history of glaucoma, individuals over age 60, people with other health conditions, such as diabetes, and those who have experienced a serious eye injury are also considered to have a higher risk.  Anyone who falls into one or more of these categories should talk with an eye doctor about how often an eye examination should be conducted to ensure good vision.

     A.V.R.E. encourages people to learn their risk factors and have their eyes examined at the intervals recommended by their eye doctor.  Where vision loss and blindness have already occurred, Vision Rehabilitation can be of assistance in maintaining or regaining independence and supporting a high quality of life.  The goal of Vision Rehabilitation is to equip people who are visually impaired with the skills and confidence needed to function independently.  Vision Rehabilitation Services do not cure the cause of low vision but rather harness the remaining vision to its fullest potential.

     In the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, A.V.R.E. offers a comprehensive array of services for people with low vision. If you suspect you or someone you know may have low vision contact A.V.R.E. at (607) 724-2428.

AMD – A Review

     February was Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.  AMD is the leading cause of blindness for people aged 55 and older in the U.S.  More than 10 million Americans are affected by it today, with a dramatic increase expected in the next 25 years.  As with glaucoma, there is no cure, but with early detection and treatment vision loss can sometimes be delayed. 

     AMD is a progressive, incurable eye disease that is caused by the deterioration of the macula, which is the center portion of the retina.  The retina is located at the back of the eye and is responsible for converting the images we see into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain by the optic nerve.  The macula is where our central vision occurs – the vision we need to focus on objects.  When the macula is damaged, the central vision becomes blurred.  The damage and blurring progresses, causing blank spots in the vision, and can eventually lead to a rapid and severe vision loss.

     As with glaucoma, early detection and diagnosis is critical.  If AMD is caught in its earliest stages (Dry AMD), treatment with a special formula of vitamins and minerals can often slow the progression.  If the disease has already progressed to the more severe stage (Wet AMD), laser surgery may be an option to stop blood vessels that have begun leaking behind the retina.

     It is important to remember that, although there is no cure for AMD, quick detection and treatment can slow its progression.  For more information about AMD, please refer to our Fall 2004 issue of InSight, which was entirely devoted to this eye disease.

Some Food For Thought

By Leloni Cordilione, A.V.R.E. Certified Rehabilitation Therapist

“Adjustment To Blindness,” Taken from “Self Esteem and Adjusting With Blindness” by Dean W. Tuttle, PhD and Naomi R. Tuttle.

     For a person who is experiencing a loss of vision, one of the most difficult things to do is to make a successful transition through emotional adjustment.

     Dr. Tuttle cites seven stages of adjustment to blindness.  He believes that the stages are sequential, but the length of time spent in each stage, reverting back and forth between stages, and the point at which one may get stuck for life are highly individual. 

     Trauma.  The trauma stage is the time at which the vision loss occurs.  For congenital blindness this would be when the child realizes that he/she is different.  The length of time and the extent of the trauma vary depending on whether the loss is sudden or progressive.  It is less traumatic where the vision loss progresses slowly allowing time for adjustment.         

     The next two phases, according to Dr. Tuttle, are characterized by irrational thought processes, where defense mechanisms are being used to protect the ego, or self, from the reality of the loss. 

     Shock and Denial.  The individual tends to be immobilized by the shock and uses denial to ignore the problem.  Denial can take two forms, one form being denial that the problem even exists and the other being denial that the problem is permanent.  An example of the first might be someone continuing to drive.  An example of the second might be going from doctor to doctor after being told that nothing more can be done. 

     Mourning and Withdrawal.  At this point the individual realizes the effects of the loss and mourns the ease with which they used to be able to do things.  The defense mechanism is withdrawal from socialization.  This can take the form of withdrawing from social situations or withdrawing into the self when with others.  This is a time when the person is very egocentric or self-absorbed. 

     Succumbing and Depression, or Sugarman’s Mood Reaction stage.  Depression can come and go several times a day or even within the hour so that the person is on an emotional roller coaster ride.  This is a more rational stage where the individual makes more conscious decisions and is aware of his or her limitations.  Threats of, and attempts at, suicide can occur during this stage and need to be taken seriously.  “I can’t” is the prevailing thought and word.

     Reassessment and Reaffirmation.  The individual decides that he or she can live with the loss.  They evaluate their personal characteristics and decide which they like or dislike, and which ones to get rid of.  They also give thought to their limitations and which ones they can overcome. 

     Coping and Mobilization.  This is the stage of learning and adapting, and in an ideal world is when the rehabilitation process would work best.  The individual stops devaluing the self because of the loss. 

    Self-acceptance and Self esteem.  In this stage the person returns to their old self and former level of self-confidence.  They accept the vision loss as just one of their characteristics.

    Simply understanding these stages, and that there are known reasons why a person with vision loss feels the way they do, can go a long way toward the emotional healing that is needed for complete adjustment to blindness.

     (Note:  A.V.R.E. believes that the shortest time possible between vision loss (trauma) and vision rehabilitation (coping) is a key to reducing the effects of shock, mourning and depression.)

You Can Still Do It!

     Just because you are losing, or have lost, some of your sight does not mean you must stop doing things you enjoy doing for leisure.  In previous issues, we have talked about several sports in which a visually impaired person can participate, including bowling and golfing.  But if you prefer to sit quietly and work on handcrafts, you can still do that, too.  So think twice before you give up hobbies such as sewing, knitting and crocheting.  Here are some basic tips that can help you.

     Organization is the key.  Separate threads and yarns by color and identify them using large-print or Braille labels.  Separate and store skeins of yarn using sealable plastic bags or empty, clean coffee cans with lids.  Keep straight pins on a magnetic pin cushion and use a separate magnet to help locate dropped pins.  Keep crafting tools and supplies in small boxes with lids, such as shoe boxes, that can be labeled and stacked.  Wear an apron that has lots of pockets to keep supplies handy as you work.

          Work on a larger scale.  Enlarge instructions on a copier or ask someone to record them on a cassette tape.  Outline sewing patterns with black markers, raised stick-on dots, or colored tape.  Transfer patterns onto thin cardboard, cut them out and edge them with colored tape.  Use straight pins that are longer and have large, colored heads.  Larger knitting needles or crochet hooks make it easier to see or feel the stitches.  Choose needle colors that contrast with the yarn you are using.

          Use adaptive tools.  Use stronger lighting, such as lamps with adjustable, flexible necks.  Magnifiers come in a variety of strengths and options, and some have either table or floor stands.  Use tape measures or rulers with large-print or tactile markings.  There are even talking tape measures!  Try one of the variety of needle-threading devices or use needles with larger eyes.  A small abacus works well for counting stitches or rows when knitting.

          If you would like more tips, your A.V.R.E. Vision Rehabilitation Therapist can help.  Give us a call!

Aids For Living – For Kids

Capability Switches.

     A capability switch is a special device, or switch, that allows people with physical disabilities to control devices in their environment.  For example, a person who is paralyzed and in a motorized wheel chair may not be able to control the chair using the usual hand controls, but may be able to using a “Puff” or “Breath” switch.  There are many different types of capability switches, for many types of disabilities. 

     But what about blind kids who may have multiple challenges?  Well, there are many choices for them, as well.  Sometimes all it takes is something that is either visually or texturally attractive to entice a child to use it.  Sometimes the child’s reward is a colored light, or different vibrations, or sound effects and music in addition to the successful operation of a toy or other device. 

     There are blinker switches that have large, brightly colored flashing lights to draw the attention of a child with limited vision.  There are switches that have a large, soft-textured, plastic ball that has a dramatic tactile feedback.  There are large switches that require the tiniest amount of pressure.  There are switches that can be squeezed instead of pushed, or that can be activated by the movement of a finger.  There are switches that look like another toy or the face of a favorite animal.

     The possibilities are endless.  Simply having a special switch and learning to use it properly through vision rehabilitation therapy can make the difference between frustration and success in learning for that special child.

     Capability switches are available at www.enablingdevices.com, or you may call 1-800-832-8697 to request a catalog.

(Photo of a child’s hand pressing a large, puffy capability switch.

Accessible Pedestrian Signal Conference Report

By Erin L. W. K. Duguay, A.V.R.E. O & M Specialist

     In December, I was part of a group of fifteen people who met at the Highway Safety Research Center, which is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Three Traffic Engineers (from Maryland, Minnesota, and North Carolina), three Traffic Technicians (from Wisconsin, Oregon, and North Carolina), and four Orientation & Mobility Specialists (from California, Georgia, North Carolina, and me, from New York) were present.  In addition, there were four presenters, two of whom are prominent Orientation & Mobility instructors, Beezy Bentzen and Janet Barlow.

     The task before us all was to assess the sections of a prepared workshop about Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). The workshop (and accompanying text) was developed as part of a grant that has been focused on APS legislation, guidance, and education in the US since 2001.

     The proposed workshop was broken into sections and after each one was presented, the group was encouraged to offer feedback.  The designers were most interested in what content we as professionals felt was important to communicate from our professional perspectives (for instance what Traffic Engineers and Technicians should know about street crossing strategies used by O&M's and blind and visually impaired travelers, or what O&M's feel they need to know about intersection design and traffic signal installation). 

     The crux of the APS issue is that effective installation of these devices requires the co-operation of these three disciplines, and in the end that means each professional involved has to understand at least some of the language of the other.  It is important to note that blind and visually impaired travelers are the fourth required group in the correct installation of APS.  While there were no blind or visually impaired travelers present for the workshop, many case studies were referenced in which comments from blind and visually impaired travelers were recorded and incorporated into the presentation and text.

     The next step for the project is to make changes to the workshop and the text, based on the group's feedback.  As I understand it, the goal of the finalized workshop and text is to provide direction for cities, counties, and states on the correct and effective installation of APS so that communities throughout the country can be equally as accessible for blind and visually impaired travelers as they are for sighted pedestrians.

     This North Carolina experience was a very good one, and a productive one.  Without doubt, this can be attributed to the fact that the group really operated as a team:  we worked together, we ate together, and we learned from each other.  As we parted company, we were all hoping that we’d find the same kind of success and co-operation with our teams back home.

     As agreed to during the APS Forum in September of 2005, I continue to work with county and state officials towards installation of APS in the Greater Binghamton Region.  Look for announcements for the next public APS Forum in the late spring or early summer of 2006.

The Microchip And The Eye

     Amazing things are beginning to happen in the field of microelectronics with regard to the human eye.  Recently, information was released that told of the use of microchips (tiny, electronic devices that can hold information) within the eye to augment vision that has been destroyed by retinal diseases.

     The Artificial Silicon Retina (ASR) chip, which is only slightly larger than the two zeros in the date 2002 that is embossed on a penny, contains approximately 5,000 microscopic solar cells that convert light into electrical impulses.  Its power source is totally independent, using the actual light that enters the eye.  The purpose of the chip is to replace the light-sensing photoreceptor cells in the retina that have been damaged by retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration.  In a healthy eye, the photoreceptor cells convert light into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain via the optic nerve.

     In 2002, a carefully controlled clinical study in the United States was begun in which 10 people who had varying degrees of vision loss, due to retinitis pigmentosa, received the ASR implant.  Using a microsurgical procedure, the tiny ASR was placed underneath the retina, against the back of the eye.  So far, the implant has been tolerated well in the trial patients, with no sign of rejection, infection, inflammation, or detachment. 

     But the really exciting thing is that the first 10 patients all reported some degree of improvement in visual function.  Results were varied and included the ability to see movement, more light perception, improvement in color vision, and expansion of the visual field.  Some patients gained new ability to recognize facial features or to read letters.  Some have experienced improvement in activities of daily living such as improved mobility – not bumping into objects around the house, and reading the time on a clock.  These gains may seem small, but to someone who once was able to see and can no longer do these things, it is enormous.

     An unexpected bonus is that these chips seem to be stimulating the remaining photoreceptor cells, in what is being called a “rescue effect.”  In addition to gaining some light perception at the actual site of the implant, improvements in areas of the retina around the chip are being observed.

     Doctors caution, however, that it is still very early in the clinical trials to determine what percentage of patients might experience visual improvement and how much restoration of vision might occur in each individual.  If the current study and future studies continue to show promising results and the safety of the chip is proven, it could be as soon as three to five years that this technology would be made available to others.

Our Wish List

     We are very pleased to be able to thank Kristine Valashinas for her generous cash  donation of $200 to purchase the “Voila! Talking Label Reader.”  This handy barcode-reading device is being put to immediate good use by our Program Services staff!  We also want to thank our good friend Beverly Costello for her generous cash donation of $100 to be used toward any item of our choosing.  Thanks so much to both of you!

     We have added some new items to our list, as well as a couple of old ones that are still needed.  If you would like to make a cash donation toward any of the items on our list, or if you have something you think we might be able to use, you may call Joyce Bucci at 607-724-2428 or email jbucci@avreus.org.  The dollar amount of your donation will be tax deductible, and you will receive a letter of receipt and thanks from us and a public thank you in our next newsletter.

New Items.

     Capability Switches.  Our Infant and Children’s Program is in need of 3 different types of Capability Switches.  These are educational devices that are used to assist kids who have a vision disability, and who may have other challenges as well.  These switches are described more fully earlier in this issue.  Depending on the style, these switches range anywhere from about $40 to $125 and up.

     Video Camcorder.  Our Orientation & Mobility Specialists often have circumstances, when giving white cane travel lessons, in which the use of a camcorder would be helpful.  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 be in good, working condition, and use tapes and batteries that are not obsolete.

     Distance Flash Cards.  These flash cards have common street signs on them and would be used by both our Children’s Program and our O & M program to help teach kids.  A set of 48 cards, plus other educational materials would cost $195.

Repeat Items.

     Talking Glucometer.  A number of the consumers we serve are diabetic.  The associated vision disabilities make reading a regular glucometer difficult or impossible.  We would like to have a talking glucose monitor that could be made available for consumers to try out to see if it is helpful to them.  The cost range is from about $225 to $495, depending on the model. 

     Miniguide.  This electronic mobility aid would be used by our Orientation & Mobility Specialists to assist in white cane travel training.  It detects objects in the user’s path using ultrasound, and is helpful to people who are blind or deaf and blind.  The cost is $359.

Welcome Aboard!

     We would like to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Robin Janowski, who is our new Accounting Associate.  Robin is a native of the Binghamton area and has worked for Medicare and Stafkings Personnel Services.

Ti-Li Spring Social.

     The Lions Clubs of Tioga County are holding their annual T-Li Spring Social for all blind and visually impaired residents of Tioga County.  The Social will be on Saturday, March 18, 2006, beginning at 10:30 AM and ending at 2:00 PM.

     A delicious lunch of fried chicken, chili, and a variety of salads will be served.  You can sit back and relax with an afternoon of entertainment and a few games of Bingo.

    There is no charge to you for this fun event, and transportation is available upon request.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Donna Henry at 659-3113 or Jack Zimmer at 687-5847 by March 10th.

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   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.