The New Jersey Council of the Blind
CHRONICLE
January, 2008
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 relative to matters of concern to blind people.
The New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) is a 501 (c) 3 corporation and all gifts are tax deductible. Tax deductible donations should be sent to the Treasurer of NJCB.
Four quarterly newsletters are sent to members free of charge in either large print, audio cassette or E-mail. Non-members may request the NJCB Chronicle by E-mail and for an annual donation of $5.00 may receive copies in large print or cassette.
In order to make the Chronicle better, we need and appreciate information from our chapters, from individuals and from agencies and other outside groups and organizations which serve the blind and visually impaired. Articles to be included in the NJCB Chronicle, requests for copies of the newsletter or membership information should be sent to NJCB, 520 Ewingville Road, Ewing, NJ 08638. They may also be e-mailed to Ottilie@verizon.net or phoned to (609) 882-2446. All information must be received by March 1st to be included in the next issue of the Chronicle.
The NJCB officers are: President Lauren Casey, (609) 912-0657, 153 Franklin Corner Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; First Vice President John Vernon (609) 392-3674; Second Vice President Frank Schack (973) 595-0116; Secretary Ottilie Lucas (609) 882-2446 and Treasurer Bob Lucas (609) 882-2446, 520 Ewingville Road, Ewing, NJ 08638.
NJCB is the recipient of donated black Library of Congress type cassette mailers. We used to send out the Chronicle in this type of mailer but many of our members did not return them. In order to economize, we are going to try this system again.
You will notice your name in Braille on the 3 by 5 address card. Simply reverse the card and the Braille NJCB will be on the reverse side with the return address. You will get your next quarterly issue if and only if you return the mailing container with the tape.
. If anyone would like their newsletter by E-mail, please let me know and I will put you on the group list.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Ottilie.
The next quarterly meeting of NJCB will be on January 26, 2008 at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 1985 Pennington Road at the corner of Pennington Road and Carlton Avenue in Ewing just north of Trenton. Lunch will be served at noon and the general business meeting will be at 1 PM. The day's activities will be over about 4 PM.
Call Bob Rindt at (609) 912-0657 to ensure that Mercer County Association of the Blind, the host chapter, will have sufficient refreshments for all attending.
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 third traffic light, Carlton Avenue. (Across the street from The College of New Jersey)
Immediately turn left into the parking lot of Trinity United Methodist Church, 1985 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ 08618, Phone: Lucas' Cell: (609) 638-4232.
Hello Everyone!
By the time you receive this Chronicle the 2007 holiday season will have ended. I hope all of you had an enjoyable holiday season. Our next NJCB quarterly meeting in January will include a presentation from a representative from NJ Transit on Access Link. Several people at the NJCB convention in October expressed interest on this subject. Our NJCB state convention in 2008 will be held in a new site in Monmouth County.
Please come to the Quarterly meeting in January to hear all about it. We want your ideas and suggestions for speakers, program ideas and theme.
Happy New Year!
Lauren Casey, President
The New Jersey Council of the Blind, (NJCB), held their 2007 annual state convention on Friday and Saturday, October 26th & 27th at the Clarion Hotel/ The Palmer Inn in Princeton. The theme was "What's happening in 2007". On Friday evening, we all enjoyed Italian cuisine, self-defense tips from Michelle Zulli and lots of laughs.
All of those who attended the convention on Saturday were enriched by exhibits from The Princeton Braillists with Braille maps, The Library for the Blind and Handicapped, The Norma Krajczar Technology Center, Zaps Solutions with David Zulli and Midnight Crafts by Michelle Zulli. We had Commissioner Jennifer Velez from the Department of Human Services, Vito DeSantis, Executive Director of CBVI, Faith Lundgren, director of NJLBH, Deborah Toomey from National Library Services and Robert Koska from New Jersey Transit bring us up to date on their services. There was an abundance of prizes throughout the day.
The Heilman and French families as well as the Youth Group from Central Baptist Church volunteered their time to make our day more comfortable and enjoyable. We truly appreciate their conscientious service over the last several years.
John Vernon, our First Vice President, MC'd the program. Joyce and Frank Schack, Marcia and Larry Morgan worked hard on the door prizes and raffles.
We passed 3 resolutions at our business meeting. Two dealt with Access Link and the third requested full funding by Congress for the new Digital Talking Book Program with NLS.
We are already in the planning stages for next year's convention. Monmouth County Association for the Blind is looking into a facility in their area. We are hoping that this change in venue will stimulate more participation from those on the eastern side of the state. Watch for more details on next year's convention in future issues.
An aura of excitement pervaded the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped on October 13, 2007 as blind and sighted people from all over New Jersey entered its halls to enjoy the biennial Fall Festival sponsored by the Friends of the Library in conjunction with the Library for the Blind and the Grounds for Sculpture. The theme for this year's program was "Accessibility in the Arts" In addition to the touchable sculptures which were especially meaningful to the blind Library patrons, blind artists Ken Woodward, Rocco Fiorentino, John Gabry and Larry Bonds explained how they became interested in the arts, the techniques they used to do their art work and the impact of their visual impairments on their ability to sell themselves and their work.
Library Director Faith Lundgren noted, "The Library Festival is a wonderful opportunity for people to get together and enjoy one another's company while seeing new things. This year, we had more participants, more vendors and more volunteers than ever before. Grounds for Sculpture staff were on hand to share touchable sculptures, and we were able to have our two new J. Seward Johnson sculptures on loan from the Sculpture Foundation installed just in time for the event. Our goal for each Fall Festival and each of our programs is to offer new and interesting experiences for our customers."
In addition to sponsoring this event,the Friends of the Library, which is a nonprofit organization, also sponsors events such as the monthly story hour for deaf-blind children and the descriptive video program which are meant to broaden the experiences of Library patrons. If you are interested in joining
the Friends, please call the Library for the Blind at 800-792-8322 for more information.
The Library for the Blind and Handicapped is grateful to its Friends for their ongoing support of the Library and of LBH's 2007 Fall Festival.
For those who were unable to attend this special occasion, you can share in the event by visiting the Library for the Blind and Handicapped's website at:
http://www.njlbh.org/FallFestival.htm
Two proclamations from the Governor and the artists' speeches from the Fall Festival are available on the Library for the Blind and Handicapped website. Visit the website for the artists' biographies and to listen to an audio stream of the blind artists' presentations - Larry Bonds, Rocco Fiorentino, John Gabry, Ken Woodward, and DJ Haslett of Grounds For Sculpture.
The only limits on us as blind people are those we put on ourselves. That is the statement made by the life of Rabbi Dennis Shulman of Demarest, NJ. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, he became blind by the age of 15. Undaunted, he earned a scholarship to Worcester Academy and then to Brandeis University. Dennis continued his education at Harvard University, earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology and public practice. He started a practice in psychoanalysis in Manhattan in 1979 and later moved to New Jersey, along the way adding teaching and writing to his list of vocations. By the mid-1990s, Dennis had taken a much greater interest in religion and Judaism, and soon thereafter, he embarked on his second major career move: becoming a rabbi. He was ordained in 2003, and now serves as a rabbinical associate at Chavurah Beth Shalom in nearby Alpine, NJ. At age 57, Rabbi Shulman is now looking at another career change. He wants to represent the people of New Jersey in the United States Congress. Rabbi Shulman's goal is to become the first blind man in Congress since 1935 and the first blind rabbi ever to serve in Congress. How this will turn out remains to be seen, but he is a very strong role model for both blind and sighted in New Jersey. Rabbi Shulman has not allowed blindness to stand in his way while reaching for his life's goals. Neither should we.
Life With a Guide Dog? The Hadley School for the Blind's new story-based distance education course "Guide Dogs" can help by giving you important information about guide dogs and their handlers. If you are blind or visually impaired, or if you are living or working with individuals who are considering a guide dog, this course will provide insight into the decision-making process as you learn about the guide dog lifestyle. "Guide Dogs" includes five lessons and supplemental information. Using fictional characters, the course discusses the guide dog lifestyle, dispelling some common misconceptions, and describing the successful guide dog and its training. The course also offers information about applying to guide dog schools, examines the relationship between the handler and the dog and explores daily life with a guide dog. The appendix has a self-assessment to help a person in the decision-making process. Note: This course is not intended as a training course for guide dog use.
CONTACT: Student Services, The Hadley School for the Blind. Phone: 800.526.9909 or 847.446.8111
Fax: 847.446.0855 Email: student_services@hadley.edu
Online Searchable Bible. There is a searchable online Bible website. The site has different versions of the Bible, and also includes audio versions. The audio versions are available at http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/
This is a great resource for Talking Books patrons! Be sure to check out this site and bookmark it in your favorites. Their blog website is:
http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/11/online-searchable-bible-with-audio.html.
Low Cost Computers for Blind or Visually Impaired People. The Texas Center for the Physically Impaired (TCPI) has a program where they will provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired, living in the United States or Canada, with a computer for a $100 donation. The computer is a refurbished unit that includes keyboard, mouse, sound card, monitor and speakers. They use Windows XP machines that are donated by businesses. The computer also includes a demo version of the Window-Eyes screen reader and a demo of the ZoomText screen magnification software.
If a recipient can use ZoomText, they are able to get a licensed version for free from TCPI; however, the same does not hold true for Window-Eyes.
Also, there is a seven-tape tutorial on how to use the computer that is included. For more information, go to:
http://www.handicapability.org/computers.html. You can also call 214-340-6328 (Voice). The website doesn't list a TTY number. You may also contact Dr. Langford, TCPI President about this program at boblang@airmail.net
This is a great opportunity to get a computer at a very minimal cost. Ottilie Lucas received a laptop about 2 years ago from TCPI and has found it to be very helpful while traveling, at meetings and as a supplement her desktop.
Talking First Aid Kit. The Intelligent First Aid "talking" kit, designed by medical and educational experts, combines supplies, visual instruction cards and now an audio module for verbal guidance to manage the most common injuries, at home, at work, or at play.
The kit is separated into individually labeled and color-coded injury packs so the user has all the supplies and easy to follow instructions for managing a specific injury. The audio module in each injury card takes the technology a step further. By the squeeze of a button, the module narrates step-by-step instructions to manage the injury, pausing and repeating when necessary for accurate response.
By combining the necessary supplies with the new audio technology, the Intelligent First AidTM Kits are the most dependable tool for providing rapid and accurate first aid guidance in the event of an injury.
The case includes a guidebook, with first aid instructions for additional medical emergencies, such as choking, frost bite, heatstroke, asthma. Also included is a product manual with audio instructions, a book light/flashlight and a shoulder strap.
For more information, contact
Dave Hammond, President/CEO of DLH, Inc.
42 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732)936-1000 (phone)
(732)936-0089 (fax)
Typing Tutorial. TypeAbility Version 2.1 is a typing tutorial program that works with JAWS and is compatible with JFW versions 6-8. the program costs $85 to purchase, and you can download a demo here:
http://www.yesaccessible.com/typeability%20download/typeability%20setup.exe
JAWS also has a demo version which can be downloaded by going to: www.freedomscientific.com
and following the links to the demo download of JAWS.
Or
Free DEMO of JAWS 8.0 (54 MB - FTP download)
It can be used indefinitely by rebooting the computer every 40 minutes. Be sure you download the version compatible with your version of Windows.
This combination will teach the skills needed to enable a non-typist to use the computer. It will take some work, but it is worth it!
American Council of the Blind of Central New Jersey, David Zulli, President, (732) 985-3175.
Garden State Guide Dog Users, Jean Canella, president, (609) 587-3212. GSGDU did not have their meeting in December due to Dan Cannella's surgery. We will have a conference call to conduct elections.
Mercer County Association of the Blind, Ottilie Lucas, president, (609) 882-2446. Susan Vanino from Adjustment to Vision Loss spoke to us in September and Connie Ferrara taught us simple Yoga in November. We had over 50 members and friends at our Christmas party. We are looking forward to hearing from David Hammond about the Talking First Aid Kit in January. We have some other speakers lined up for future meetings speaking about nutrition and other pertinent subjects. We hope many of you will come to the January quarterly meeting of NJCB. See meeting notice.
Monmouth County Association for the Blind, Elizabeth Walzer, President, (732) 280-8387. We at the Monmouth County Association for the Blind would like to extend a warm hello on a cold, wintry day. Let us tell you about what is happening within the Association. We are proud to announce that we formed a new chapter of the Lions on December 15, 2007. We are known as the Glendola Lions. Also let us announce that we are starting with 27 original members, the majority being visually impaired. We were congratulated by Governor Donald Bray for being the first visually impaired Lions' Chapter in both Monmouth and Ocean County. All future meetings for our Lion's Club will be held at the clubhouse for the Monmouth County Association for the Blind.
At this time we would like to welcome all to join us and grow with us. Our number of members continues to grow along with our number of programs. The Monmouth County Association for the Blind is expanding the day activities with such things as day trips and in-house programs.
Members of The Ocean County Eye Openers have recently reached out and showed an interest in joining our group. Due to our increase in volunteer drivers and the great networking of our sighted members, we will be able to provide transportation for our Ocean County members.
We wish to inform you that our upcoming wine party will be held sometime in February at our clubhouse. For further information please call (732) 280-2326. We expect this party to be as successful as last years party and our recent holiday party which almost 100 people attended.
The Monmouth County Association for the Blind Anniversary celebration will be at The Barclay in Belmar on April 14th, 2008 which is the second Monday of the month. It is the 57th Anniversary of our organization. This is a great opportunity to put on your dancing shoes and come celebrate with us.
Girl Scout Troop 816 volunteered to brighten up our clubhouse with a Christmas tree and hand-made decorations. They were also very generous in providing Christmas cookies for our holiday party. On the other side of the coin, a young man from Spring Lake offered his services to improve the exterior of our building. He is seeking to achieve the highest level of scouting which is an Eagle Scout. We have successfully provided opportunities for two other young men to reach this level of scouting before and hope to make this scout our third.
Looking forward to being with everyone in January.
NJ Blind Citizen's Association, Charles Blood, President, (732) 671-9371- NJBCA had election this fall. The new officers are: President, Charles Blood; Vice President, Helen Wobser; Recording Secretary, Barbara Jackson; Financial Secretary, Robert Guijarro; Treasurer, Ann Power and Sergeant at Arms, Frank Schack.
We had our Christmas Party on December 2nd and fun was had by all. The NJ Blind Citizens Association/Camp Happiness started its fourth Job Search Program for the blind on November 15th. Each program (session) runs approximately five weeks, and teaches the blind/visually impaired resumé writing, interview, internet, and other job search skills.
This program is run in concert with the NJ Commission for the Blind out of the NJBCA summer vacation home facility on Sandy Hook Bay in Leonardo.
Doug Scott, Executive Director NJBCA, proudly states that 76% of blind/visually impaired job seekers who have entered this program found gainful employment. Please direct any questions to Doug at 732-291-0878.
Thursday, January 17, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 1985 Pennington Road in Ewing. The meeting is from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Call Ottilie Lucas with any questions at (609) 882-2446.
Saturday, January 26, 2008: NJCB Quarterly meeting at The Trinity United Methodist Church in Ewing at 12 Noon. See Meeting Notice.
Thursday, February 21, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting. See prior notice.
Thursday, March 27, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting. See prior notice.
Thursday, April 17, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting. See prior notice.
Saturday, April 26, 2008: Quarterly meeting of NJCB at the Monmouth County Association for the Blind's Clubhouse. Watch for details in the April issue of the NJCB Chronicle.
Thursday, May 15, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting. See prior notice.
Sunday, May 18, 2008: Elks Dinner Dance. Watch for more details in the April issue of the NJCB Chronicle.
Saturday, June 7, 2008: Friends of the Library meeting at the Library for the Blind and Handicapped from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Saturday, June 7, 2008: Tentative schedule for GSGDU meeting at the Library from 1 to 3 PM. Call Jean Cannella at (609) 587-3212 for more details.
Thursday, June 19, 2008: Mercer CAB monthly meeting. See prior notice.
Saturday, July 19, 2008: Quarterly meeting of NJCB will be held at Camp Happiness in Leonardo, NJ from 12 Noon to 4 PM. Watch future issues of the NJCB Chronicle for more details. Note that this is the third, not the fourth Saturday of July.
Saturday, October 25, 2008: NJCB Annual convention. Watch future issues of the NJCB Chronicle for more information.
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. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted to the Chronicle for length and accuracy.