Future Reflections Winter/Spring 2007
IT�S A SMALL WORLD WIDE WEB
The Evolution of the NOPBC Web Site: Do you like to surf the Web? Do
you also like to learn about how a nationwide parent organization is changing
what it means to be blind for their children? Well you�re in luck! The National
Organization of Parents of Blind Children has a Web site that continues to evolve
and expand to reach its ultimate outreach potential. If you haven�t looked lately,
visit <www.nfb.org/nopbc> and take some time to explore. There you will
find convention registration info, Future Reflections� issues online, contact
information for your state affiliate, tips for new parents, information divided
by topic, upcoming programs and events, and--coming soon--a calendar of parent
seminars across the country. Any comments, questions, or suggestions should
be directed to Seth Lamkin at <[email protected]>.
INDEPENDENCE MARCH
The March for Independence site is Live! If you are participating in
the first-ever March for Independence this summer in Atlanta, Georgia (and you
should be), then be sure that you have created your own personal Web page. You
should have received an e-mail at the end of February, after you had registered
for the March, with your user ID and password. So make sure you log in and create
your own page for people to find and sponsor you. It�s fun, it�s easy, and best
of all: it really works! So let your creative side run wild and visit <www.marchforindependence.org>
to work on your page or visit a friend�s page and sponsor them!
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
Want to Save $170? The NOPBC has recently learned that some organizations
are selling the Handbook for Itinerant and Resource Teachers of Blind and
Visually Impaired Students by Doris Willoughby and Sharon Duffy for over
$170! While this wonderful book is certainly worth $200 and beyond, the NOPBC
is offering copies for free. If you would like a copy on cassette (2-track only,
five tapes in a set); in Braille (eight volumes); or regular print (533 pages),
please contact Seth Lamkin at the NFB office in Baltimore, (410) 659-9314, extension
2361, or e-mail <[email protected]>. You may order as many copies as you
would like, but NOPBC does request that you send a donation to help defray the
shipping costs. So order now while supplies last! The checks should be made
payable to NOPBC and mailed to NOPBC Free Offer, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230.
NETWORK!
National Federation of the Blind Divisions: Find a division that matches
your interests and get involved! These bodies provide support, information,
and resources regarding a wide range of professions, recreational activities,
special interests and other areas related to blindness. Please note the full
listing of divisions with their appropriate contact information on page _____.
AROUND THE BLOCK
Helpful Items from Here and There
Please note: The NOPBC is not responsible for the accuracy of the information;
we have edited only for space and clarity.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Touch and Explore at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: If you get a chance
to visit New York City this year, make sure you check out the Metropolitan Museum
of Art�s Web site before you go. Visit <www.metmuseum.org/events/ev_vis_dis.asp>
and click on �For Visitors Who Are Blind or Partially Sighted.� On Saturday,
April 21, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, the Met will have a workshop for families
with blind children entitled �In Touch with Ancient Egypt,� where families and
children are encouraged to touch and feel a 3,000-year-old mummy case, sculptures,
hieroglyphs, and other ancient objects. Throughout the year, you can call (212)
879-5500, ext. 3561, for information about accessible programs. Be sure to check
out the rest of the Touch and Explore events as well as the book, Art and
the Alphabet: A Tactile Experience, which introduces masterpieces from
the Museum�s collections.
Art Beyond Sight: Multimodal Approaches to Learning Creativity and Communication, September 28-30, 2007, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC: This international conference co-sponsored by Art Education for the Blind, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and UNESCO will address multimodal approaches to learning in art history, contemporary art, and new media; cognitive psychology and neuroscience; universal/human-centered design, products, and environments in the 21st century; and education for people with sensory and other disabilities. The registration fee for this conference is $150 ($75 for students with ID). A registration form will be posted on <www.artbeyondsight.org> after May 1st and can be e-mailed to you by writing <[email protected]> with �September Conference� in the subject line.
HARRY POTTER IN BRAILLE
Pre-Order Deathly Hallows and Save! National Braille Press is offering
the seventh, and final, installment of the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
at a discounted price for those that pre-order their copies. Once again, National
Braille Press reached an agreement with Scholastic Press and will be releasing
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the same day it is released
in print: July 21st. While the Braille version is normally $34.99, if you pre-order,
you will receive the novel for only $18.89. After July 21st, the price will
return to $34.99.
Also, if you would like to download the Braille files from the National Braille Press Web site on July 21st, you can pre-order that copy and save as well! Once you pre-order, you will receive a file that explains how to get your copy on July 21st. To order or read more about this book online, visit <http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/HALLOWS.html>.
CAN YOU SAY INDEPENDENCE? DORA CAN!
Dora i-crayons� Talk and Teach: What was developed as an instructional
tool to teach kids to learn their colors and how to spell is also being used
by blind children as an instrument for independence. Dora i-crayons� use a battery-operated
plastic base to connect to the plastic end of a Dora i-crayon�. Once inserted,
Dora exclaims the name of the color and its spelling. She will then say an object
that shares the same color as the crayon, followed by the color in Spanish.
The same idea has been applied with different Nickelodeon themes including Blue�s
Clues and SpongeBob. If you order from Independent Living Aids, they will place
Braille labels on each crayon so that your child can also learn the spelling
of the color in Braille. The NOPBC recently acquired a set and experienced a
few glitches in the product. The crayons have a tendency to break in the plastic
head, rendering them useless. You can buy replacement crayons at a lower cost
than the full set, but it is still something to note. Also, if the crayon is
not inserted fully, the color will be recognized incorrectly.
MATH AIDS
ETA Cuisenaire®: This tip comes from the New Jersey Parents of
Blind Children newsletter. �Check out the ETA Cuisenaire® Math K-12 catalog
for an awesome array of hands-on math tools. Contact (800) 445-5985 or visit
<www.etacuisenaire.com>.�
IEP on DVD
Self-Determination Using Self-Directed IEPs: This advertisement comes
courtesy of Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention. �In this 90-minute DVD, presenters
share strategies for achieving self-determination in the transition planning
process.� Recommended practices centered around self-determination are described
and backed up by an interview with participants who used this method throughout
their IEP process. The DVD is sold for $19.95. To order, contact Roberta Martin
at (804) 827-0749 or <[email protected]>. Or write to VCU-RRTC, P. O. Box
842011, Richmond, Virginia 23284.
SPEAK EASY (AND FREE!)
New Screenreader Technology Is Free for Personal Use: Screenreader.net
is a nonprofit organization that produces free screenreader computer software
for the blind. Their program, Thunder, is a free screenreader that currently
operates with Windows XP, 2000, and the new Vista operating system. Screenreader.net
guarantees that it will work with Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, and Internet
Explorer, and says that it may also work with other programs. For more information,
visit <www.screenreader.net>.
NEW TECHNOLOGY FROM LEVELSTAR
Get the Icon Early Bird Edition: LevelStar has announced the early
version of their new Icon mobile manager technology for the visually impaired.
The Icon stores 1,000s of books and songs as well as a calendar, address book,
e-mail, word processor, voice recorder, music player and many more software
applications. The Icon�s Web browser is not available for this special offer,
but will be provided free of charge to Early Bird participants when the full
version of the Icon is released. For more information, call (800) 315-2305 or
visit <www.levelstar.com>.
PRICE CUT!
Great News from Creative Adaptations for Learning (CAL): �CAL has drastically
reduced its prices! Thanks to the underwriting and sponsorship of its many supporters,
CAL is now able to lower its prices, making CAL-tac� tactile pictures available
to a much wider audience of children who are blind, visually impaired, or who
have other special needs.� For additional information or to request a catalog
in large print or Braille, contact: Creative Adaptations for Learning, 38 Beverly
Road, Great Neck, New York 11021. You can contact them by phone at (516) 466-9143,
by e-mail at <[email protected]>, and online at <www.cal-s.org>.
National Federation of the Blind Divisions
Spring 2007
Divisions are listed alphabetically by name. Details and contact information
are provided by the division. If a division listing does not have contact information
or is inaccurate, please contact Joanne Wilson, director of Affiliate Action,
National Federation of the Blind, at <[email protected]>; (410) 659-9314,
extension 2335.
Agriculture and Equestrian Division
President: Fred Chambers
3510 Bedford Circle
Carlsbad, California 92008
Home: (760) 505-8500
E-mail: [email protected]
Assistive Technology Trainers
President: Michael Barber
3000 Grand Avenue, Apartment 817
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Home: (515) 284-1569
Work: (515) 281-1305
E-mail: [email protected]
Classics, Antiques, and Rods (CARS) Division
President: Joseph B. Naulty
11943 Suellen Circle
Wellington, Florida 33414
Home: (561) 753-4700
Fax: (561) 793-1104
E-mail: [email protected]
Deaf-Blind Division of the National Federation of the
Blind
President: Robert Eschbach
1186 North Verbena Place
Casa Grande, Arizona 85222-5440
Phone: (520) 836-3689
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.nfb-db.org/
A membership organization of deaf-blind persons working nationally to improve
services, training, and independence for the deaf-blind. Offers personal contact
with other deaf-blind individuals knowledgeable in advocacy, education, employment,
technology, discrimination, and other issues surrounding deaf-blindness.
Diabetes Action Network for the Blind
President: Lois Williams
3305 Stonebrook Circle Northwest
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
Home: (256) 852-4143
E-mail: [email protected]
This is the leading support and information organization of persons losing vision
due to diabetes. Provides personal contact and resource information with other
blind diabetics about nonvisual techniques of independently managing diabetes,
monitoring glucose levels, measuring insulin, and other matters concerning diabetes.
Publishes Voice of the Diabetic, the leading publication about diabetes
and blindness.
Health Care Professionals
President: Abio Sokari
4202 Southwest Colly Creek Court
Topeka, Kansas 66610
Home: (785) 266-7901
Human Services Division
President: Melissa Riccobono
1026 East 36th Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Phone: (410) 235-3073
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of blind persons working in counseling, personnel, psychology,
social work, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and other social science and human
resource fields. Dedicated to improving employment opportunities and advancement
for blind persons and provides resources regarding blindness-related techniques
and methods used in these fields.
Masonic Square Club
President: Fred Flowers
3110 Wisteria Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21214
Home: (410) 598-0155
Blind individuals committed to the sharing of Masonic experiences, goals, and
history.
National Association of the Blind in Communities of
Faith
President: Tom Anderson
c/o Colorado Center for the Blind
2233 West Sheppard Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80120-2038
Work: (303) 778-1130
E-mail: [email protected]
A membership organization of blind persons devoted to work in all faiths, denominations,
and religions. Provides support and resources to those interested in these concerns
and to all seminary and religious students.
National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs
President: Jim Bonerbo
733 Yonkers Avenue, Suite 304
Yonkers, New York 10704
Phone: (914) 476-8444
Home: (718) 325-8094
Fax: (914) 476-8446
E-mail: [email protected]
A membership organization of blind persons who are self-employed or are directing
personal businesses and those interested in starting their own business. Provides
advocacy and resource information and offers support for both the beginner and
the established entrepreneur.
National Association of Blind Lawyers
President: Scott LaBarre
1660 South Albion Street, Suite 918
Denver, Colorado 80222-4046
Phone: (303) 504-5979
Fax: (303) 757-3640
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of blind attorneys, law students, judges, and others
in the law field. Provides support and information regarding employment, techniques
used by the blind, advocacy, laws affecting the blind, current information about
the American Bar Association, and other issues for blind lawyers.
National Association of Blind Merchants
President: Kevan Worley
263 Pyrite Terrace
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
Home: (719) 520-1391
Work: (719) 527-0488
Merchant�s Message: (877) 521-8363
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.blindmerchants.org/
Membership organization of blind persons employed in either self-employment
work or the Randolph-Sheppard vending program. Provides information regarding
rehabilitation, social security, tax, and other issues which directly affect
blind merchants. Serves as an advocacy and support group.
National Association of Blind Office Professionals
President: Lisa Hall
9110 Broadway Street, Apartment J-103
San Antonia, Texas 78217-6104
Home phone: (210) 829-4571
Web site: www.zeli.net/nabop.html
Membership organization of blind secretaries and transcribers at all levels,
including medical and paralegal transcription, office workers, customer service
personnel, and many other similar fields. Addresses issues such as technology,
accommodation, career planning, and job training.
National Association of Blind Piano Tuners
President: Don Mitchell
218 St. Louis Way
Vancouver, Washington 98664-1257
Home: (360) 696-1985
Work: (360) 693-1511
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of blind persons working as professional piano technicians
and those interested in pursuing this career. Works with training schools for
piano tuning and addresses issues related to the advancement of new technology
regarding electronic pianos and keyboard equipment.
National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals
President: Carlos Serván
3800 C Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68510
Home: (402) 327-0414
Work: (402) 471-8104
E-mail: [email protected]
National Association of Blind Students
President: Ryan Strunk
647 West 17th Street
Fremont, Nebraska 68025
Home: (402) 730-4092
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.nfbstudents.org/
For over thirty years this national organization of blind students has provided
support, information, and encouragement to blind college and university students.
Leads the way in offering resources in issues such as national testing, accessible
textbooks and materials, overcoming negative attitudes about blindness from
school personnel, developing new techniques of accomplishing laboratory or field
assignments, and many other college experiences. Offers strong advocacy and
motivational support.
National Association of Guide Dog Users
President: Priscilla Ferris
55 Delaware Avenue
Somerset, Massachusetts 02726-3714
Phone: (508) 673-0218
NFB of MA: (508) 679-8543
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.nfb-nagdu.org/
Provides information and support for guide dog users and works to secure high
standards in guide dog training. Addresses issues of discrimination of guide
dog users and offers public education about guide dog use. Nationwide networking.
Publishes magazine for guide dog users.
National Association to Promote the Use of Braille
President: Nadine Jacobson
5805 Kellogg Avenue
Edina, Minnesota 55424-1819
Home: (952) 927-7694
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of blind persons working in various professions with
a common interest in promoting the use of Braille.
National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
President: Curtis Chong
3000 Grand Avenue, Apartment 810
Des Moines, Iowa 50312-4238
Home: (515) 277-1288
Work: (515) 281-1361
E-mail: [email protected]
National organization of blind persons knowledgeable in the computer science
and technology fields. Works to develop new technologies, to secure access to
current technology, and to develop new ways of using current or new technologies
by the blind.
National Organization of Blind Educators
President: Sheila Koenig
2214 Emerson Avenue South, Apartment 4
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405
Home: (612) 977-9110
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of blind teachers, professors, and instructors in all
levels of education. Provides support and information regarding professional
responsibilities, classroom techniques, national testing methods, and career
obstacles. Publishes the Blind Educator, a national magazine specifically
for blind educators.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
President: Barbara Cheadle
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998
Work: (410) 659-9314, Extension 2360
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.nfb.org/nopbc
Support, information, and advocacy organization of parents of blind or visually
impaired children. Addresses issues ranging from help to parents of a newborn
blind infant, to mobility and Braille instruction, education, social and community
participation, development of self-confidence, and other vital factors involved
in the growth of a blind child. Strong national network of contacts with other
parents offers encouragement and positive philosophical support. Publishes
Future Reflections, the leading national magazine for parents and teachers
of blind children. The NOPBC also has a listserver for parents of blind children
called blindkid.
National Organization of the Senior Blind
President: Judy Sanders
111 Marquette Avenue South, Apartment 503
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2027
Home: (612) 375-1625
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership organization of elderly blind persons providing support and information
to other blind seniors. Issues include concerns such as remaining active in
community and social life, maintaining private homes or living in retirement
communities or nursing homes, learning the techniques used by the blind, independently
caring for oneself, and maintaining a positive approach to vision loss.
Performing Arts Division of the National Federation
of the Blind
President: Dennis Holston
111 East 128th Street, Apartment 2T
New York, New York 10035
Home: (212) 933-0688
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.padnfb.starcitynet.com/
An organization of blind persons working in film, television, theater, and other
performing arts areas. Addresses issues and concerns related to these fields,
provides support and networking, and works to increase opportunities for the
blind in these careers. Want to learn more? Join our listserve at <http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk>.
Public Employees Division
President: Ivan Weich
4792 Parkhurst Lane Northeast, #230
Bremerton, Washington 98310-3009
Home: (360) 782-9575
E-mail: [email protected]
Organization of blind persons holding local, state, or federal jobs. Focuses
on issues such as changes in governmental hiring and retention practices, new
job skills needed for the future, government employment downsizing, new electronic
means of finding public sector jobs, self-advocacy, and career planning strategies.
Science and Engineering Division
President: John Miller
10955 Deering Street
San Diego, California 92126
Home: (858) 527-1727
E-mail: [email protected]
Blind persons with expertise and experience in fields such as genetics, telecommunications,
biology, chemistry, physics and nuclear physics, or mechanical, electronic,
and chemical engineering. This is a strong support group to encourage blind
persons in pursuit of these careers, many of which have been considered not
possible for the blind in the past.
Sports and Recreation Division
President: Lisamaria Martinez
900 143rd Avenue, Apartment 186
San Leandro, California 94578
Phone: (510) 289-2577
E-mail: [email protected]
Travel and Tourism Division
President: Douglas M. Johnson
Post Office Box 534
Manchester, Washington 98353
Home: (360) 871-3731
E-mail: [email protected]
Writers Division
President: Tom Stevens
1203 South Fairview Road
Columbia, Missouri 65203-0809
Home: (573) 445-6091
E-mail: [email protected]
Blind writers in all styles, including poetry, short story, fiction, nonfiction,
magazine writing, and theatrical work, offer encouragement and support to blind
writers and authors. Issues cover various aspects of this business, including
selling your work, publishing, technology, motivation, and discovering writing
and publishing resources.