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The New Jersey Council of the Blind
CHRONICLE
 
April, 2017

The New Jersey Council of the Blind’s mission is to strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community. The purpose of this publication is to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information that concern blind and visually impaired people.

The NJCB Chronicle is also available on Newsline. If you do not have a Newsline subscription, contact Reader Services at the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center at (800) 792-8322 to get signed up for a Newsline subscription. Four quarterly newsletters are sent to members free of charge by E-mail. You may obtain the current and back issues of the Chronicle and other information from our web site http://www.njcounciloftheblind.org. Feel free to write us at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com.

The New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Much appreciated tax deductible donations may be sent to the Treasurer of NJCB.

The NJCB officers are: President, Lauren Casey (609) 912-0657 ; 1st Vice President Frank Schack (973) 595-0116; 2nd Vice President, Joyce Sowa (732) 596-9675; Secretary Joyce Schack (973) 595-0116; Treasurer, Bernie Zuckerman of 32 Judson Street, Unit 7B, Edison, NJ 08837, and (732) 221-5362

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President’s Message by Lauren Casey

I hope it feels like spring when you read this newsletter. Right now as I am writing this, it is March cold and a little snowy.

The April quarterly meeting will be held on Saturday, April 29 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Ewing. We held our January quarterly meetings at this location in the past. The meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. A Pizza lunch will be from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. A cost of $5.00 per person is requested to cover the cost of the food and drinks. The address is 1985 Pennington Road in Ewing. Find directions on page 4.

We are hoping to have Carly Fredericks from TCNJ’s Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program be our guest at this meeting. For more information about the program, see page 3.

We would love to hear from you regarding NJCB and what you would like to contribute or learn from our organization. We are aware that transportation is an issue for many of our members. We have been including conference call information for every meeting so you can join us and help us to be a valued group.

If any of you have ideas for speakers to pursue please give me a call.

As we need to plan for lunch, please call me at (609) 912-0657 by April 25th to let me know you will be attending and be included in the pizza lunch.

I hope to see you at the April 29 meeting either in person or via telephone.

Wishing all of you a happy spring.

Lauren

2017 Scholarship Opportunities

NJCB is pleased to announce the 2017 Scholarship program for any legally blind person who will be a full time college student, undergraduate or graduate, in the 2017 – 2018 academic year. Applicants must be a New Jersey resident. The deadline to apply is approaching so please do so now! The winner will be awarded at our July Quarterly meeting. Full details, application forms and how to apply can be found on our website at http://www.njcounciloftheblind.org. You may also email questions to njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com.

Special Program from CBVI

The New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CBVI) serves youth and adults with dual sensory impairments, i.e., the combination of hearing and vision loss and works with them to pursue independent living and employment goals. Individuals eligible for CBVI Deaf-Blind Services must have a hearing impairment so severe that speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification and not correctable with aids or medical assistance, or have a prognosis of imminent hearing loss. CBVI employs two Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (Deaf-Blind Specialists), one located in the Newark Service Center serving the northern region of the state and the other in the Freehold Service Center serving the southern half of the state. A full range of services are provided to assist individuals with hearing and vision loss to reach their highest level of independence and prepare for, obtain, or retain employment.

Special attention is given to the unique communication needs of individuals who are deaf-blind. Interpreter services and special equipment such as hearing aids and digital communication devices may be provided to help individuals maximize their independence and achieve their employment goals. Based on the recommendation of an Audiologist, CBVI can purchase hearing aids to enhance communication and aid with carrying out daily living tasks.

CBVI in collaboration with The College of New Jersey, Center for Sensory and Complex Disabilities administers the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Project in New Jersey. Individuals eligible for CBVI Deaf-Blind Services meet the eligibility requirements for the program. The program ensures that New Jersey residents who are deaf-blind will receive the specialized customer premises equipment needed to effectively access telecommunication services, Internet access services and advanced communication services. This is accomplished by identifying eligible individuals, meeting with them to assess their technology and communication needs, purchasing appropriate equipment, and training the individual in its use.

To learn more about CBVI Deaf-Blind Services contact Ed Sroczynski, Supervisor Deaf-Blind Services (973)648-7504; Edward.sroczynski@dhs.state.nj.us.

For more information about the New Jersey Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Project contact Carly Fredericks, ICC Outreach Coordinator at The College of New Jersey, 609-771-2711 or carly.fredericks@tcnj.edu.

Please help our Friends in Vietnam

One of our members recently returned from a trip to Vietnam and discovered that the blind and visually impaired do not have any government assistance programs. We are considering putting together a package to send to them as a donation. If you have supplies such as braille paper, stylis’ or other things you would like to donate, please contact Lauren Casey at (609) 912-0657.

Chapter News

BCA:

The Ladies Auxiliary of the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association is holding a fund raising spaghetti dinner on Saturday, April 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 at Camp Happiness, Leonardo, NJ. The cost is ten dollars for all you can eat:

Salad, spaghetti, meatballs, sausage, bread, dessert and beverage.

Please contact Stacey at 732 291-0878 for reservations or additional information.

April Quarterly Meeting Conference Call Information

Our next Quarterly NJCB meeting will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 1:00 pam until 4:00 pm. If you cannot come in person, call in! The call in number is 712-432-0180 Access code 425373#. We hope all of you will join us!

Directions

Get onto Route 95 heading south. (From Route 1 south, from Route 295 heading north or Route 195 heading west to Route 295 north)

Get off at Exit #4 making a left turn onto Pennington Road (Route 31 South toward Ewing)

Turn right at the 4th traffic light, Carlton Avenue. It is across the street from The College of New Jersey.

Save The Date for Future Quarterly Meetings

Saturday July 29th 12 Noon to 4PM at Camp Happiness in Leonardo

Saturday October 21st 12 Noon to 4PM Location TBD

NOTE: Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the New Jersey Council of the Blind officers and/or members. The editor reserves the right to edit articles submitted for both space and content.


 

New Jersey Council of the Blind
An affiliate of
American Council of the Blind
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Annual Dues: $10.00 due in January

Make check payable to NJCB and send to:
Treasurer- Bernie Zuckerman
32 Judson St. Unit 7-B
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 221-5362

President- Lauren Casey
lrcasey1@verizon.net