[Iabs-talk] Fwd: ICBV Office Update July 14, 2015
Denise Avant
davant1958 at gmail.com
Wed Jul 15 23:04:17 UTC 2015
Denise R. Avant
President, National Federation Of The Blind Of Illinois
Live the life you want
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: ICBV Office Update July 14, 2015
> Date: July 14, 2015 at 11:23:52 PM CDT
> To: Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
> Reply-To: Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
>
>
> ICBV Office Update
> July 14, 2015
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>
> *1) Calendar of Events
> *2) Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description
> *3) Cullen & Associates Session Update
> *4) Social Security Publications Web page
> *5) Free Power of Attorney for Health Care
> *6) Spot the difference – A Users Perspective of Apple Music and Spotify
> *7) Does Age Matter for Entrepreneurial Success?
> *8) AppleVis – Blindsquare, Facebook and more
> *9) Hadley School for the Blind
> Get Hired
> Eccentric Viewing
> Spring into Braille Prize Winners
> *10) Eyes on Success
> Sailing Expeditions for the Blind
> HIMS Blaze Multi-Players
> *11) Retinitis Pigmentosa
> *12) Vermont’s Vending Machine and Soda Taxes Kick In
> *13) How Come Your Vending Machine Doesn’t Have Reese’s in it Right Now?
> *14) ICBV Vendor News
> *15) Broker News – Burdette Beckman
> *16) RSA Buying Group News
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**1 Calendar of Events
> July 10 – 12, 2015
> The Chicago Lighthouse/NAPVI - National Family Conference 2015
> •35+ breakout sessions for all age groups
> •Presentations by world-class ophthalmologists and eye condition specialists
> •One-on-one coaching with adaptive technology experts
> •16+ exhibit booths featuring leaders in the vision care industry
> •All-day childcare and adaptive sport activities for youth up to age 18
> •Ice cream social celebration
> •Live music by Vision Quest, The Chicago Lighthouse house band
> •Taste of Chicago themed lunch
>
> For more information on registration and the event click here:
> http://www.lighthouseguild.org/events/napvifamily2015 <http://www.lighthouseguild.org/events/napvifamily2015>
>
> July 21 – 22, 2015 NAMA Invites You to the First Annual Washington, DC Fly-In Advocate with your Members of Congress. The NAMA Fly-In invites ALL industry members to attend and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill through meetings with your Senators and Representatives. NABM President Nicky Gacos is requesting that as many blind entrepreneurs as possible would consider on attending. Illinois Vendors please contact Ed Birmingham if you would like more information on this.
>
> July 24, 2015 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
> Chicago Roof Top Summer Time Party
> Plymouth Bar & Grill
> 327 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60604
> Dinner, beer, wine, pop included
> $45
>
> RSVP and submit check as soon as possible to:
> IABM, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL. 60604
> Call IABM or Ed Birmingham with questions.
>
> October 30 – 31, 2015 National Federation of the Blind of Illinois State Conference
> From Denise Avant: You can register at the Naperville Marriott Hotel for our State convention, October 30-November 1, 2015. The rate for the NFBI block is $93.00. It has come to my attention that some may be getting a $94.00 per night. The latter is not correct. If there are problems, please let myself or Patti Chang know.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**2 From the Federal Register July 10, 2015
> Federal Register Volume 80, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 2015)
> Rules and Regulations Pages 39698-39715
> From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov <http://www.gpo.gov/>
>
> FR Doc No: 2015-16324
> FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
> 47 CFR Part 79 MB Docket No. 12-107; FCC 15-56
>
> Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for
> Emergency Information and Video Description
> AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
> ACTION: Final rule.
> SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission adopts additional rules under the authority of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
> Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) to make emergency information in video programming accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. First, the document requires multichannel video programming distributors to pass through a secondary audio stream containing audible emergency information when they permit consumers to access linear programming on second screen devices, such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and similar devices. Second, the document requires manufacturers of apparatus that receive or play back video programming to provide a mechanism that is simple and easy to use for activating the secondary audio stream to access audible emergency information.
>
> DATES: Effective August 10, 2015.
> FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evan Baranoff, Evan.Baranoff at fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, (202) 418-2120.
>
> SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Second Report and Order (Order), FCC 15-56, adopted on May 21, 2015, and released on May 28, 2015. The full text of this document is available electronically via the FCC's Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) Web site at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ <http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/> or via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) Web site at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/ <http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/> . (Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat.) This document is also available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. Alternative formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to fcc504 at fcc.gov <mailto:fcc504 at fcc.gov> or calling the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).
>
> I. Introduction
> 1. In this Second Report and Order, we take additional steps under the authority of sections 202 and 203 of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (``CVAA'') \1\ to make emergency information in video programming accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Commission adopted rules in 2013 to require that visual emergency information shown during non-newscast television programming, such as in an on-screen crawl, is also available to individuals who are blind or visually impaired through an aural presentation on a secondary audio stream.\2\ In adopting these rules pursuant to sections 202 and 203 of the CVAA, the Commission recognized the importance of making sure that individuals who are blind or visually impaired are able to hear critical information about emergencies affecting their locality, which can enable them promptly to respond to such emergency situations and to protect their lives and property.
>
> Click on the following link to read the full document:
> http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-10/html/2015-16324.htm <http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-10/html/2015-16324.htm>
>
> Related document:
> http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-10/html/2015-16323.htm <http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-10/html/2015-16323.htm>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**3 From Tom Cullen, Cullen & Associates
> Session Update – July 9, 2015
> The House of Representatives adjourned for the week, and Illinois continues to operate in to fiscal year 2016 without a state budget. Both Chambers will reconvene in session next week, with the Senate in session Tuesday and the House Wednesday.
>
> Today, the House approved a $2.2 billion, one-month budget (detail below) on a partisan roll call, which was approved by the Senate last week. The bill, SB 2040 (Steans/Madigan), was amended to provide for a continuing appropriation for state employee salaries and health insurance at the FY15 level. The Senate will consider the amended bill on the Order of Concurrence next Tuesday. Late Thursday, a St. Clair County judge issued an order allowing the Comptroller to process payments for state employees. A Cook County judge had ruled earlier in the week that state employees cannot be paid for FY16 services without appropriation authority. Medicaid providers that are not on expedited payments will continue to be paid for FY15 claims through lapse-period spending, which ends August 31st, if cash flow is available. MCOs are required to continue to pay Medicaid providers until the MCOs have not received a capitation payment from the State for two, consecutive months.
>
> Governor Rauner held a press conference Wednesday, stating that he will not sign the one-month budget, as it still represents an out-of-balance budget. While he has called for a continuing appropriation for state employees, he is still unlikely to sign SB 2040 into law, despite the House amendment, particularly in light of the St. Clair County ruling.
>
> House Republican Leader Jim Durkin filed legislation Wednesday on behalf of Governor Rauner to implement portions of his Turn-Around Agenda, some of which have been modified in an attempt to include provisions that may be favorable to democrat legislators. The package includes tort reform (HB4246) , workers’ comp reform (HB4248), a property tax freeze (HB4247), term limits (HJRCA41), and redistricting reform (HJRCA42) . Governor Rauner also announced his pension reform proposal, which he characterized as containing negotiated reforms as proposed by Senator Cullerton and Chicago Mayor Emmanuel. Highlights of the Governor’s reforms include:
>
> Tort Reform: (1) provides a priority ranking for an appropriate venue based first on the office location of a defendant, but if there is no office in-state, a suit would be allowed where the defendant does business; (2) increases the threshold for joint liability to 50% from 25% at fault; (3) makes defendant jury instructions the same as plaintiff instructions to provide a level-playing field in the determination of fault; and (4) limits the introduction of medical expenses to those expenses actually paid, as well as an amount expected to be paid.
>
> Workers’ Compensation Reform: (1) heightens the causation standard; (2) allows an award to be based solely on the AMA Guidelines; (3) tightens the definition of a traveling employee; (4) reduces the medical fee schedule by 30%; (5) creates a new ombudsmen program to assist injured workers: (6) provides for electronic billing; (7) creates the WEAR Commission to keep the Workers Compensation Code updated; (8) mandates computer system improvements; and (9) moves the fraud unit from the Department of Insurance to the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
>
> Property Tax Freeze: (1) freezes property tax extensions for two years; (2) excludes local governments from the Prevailing Wage Act; (3) creates the General State Aid (GSA) Commission, which will submit a school funding formula to the General Assembly by 12/31/16; and (4) maintains the GSA and poverty lump sum proration rates at 92%, and creates a GSA hold harmless in FY17 and thereafter.
>
> Term Limits: Prospectively provides that a person may not be elected to the office of State Senator or State Representative, or a combination of those offices, for terms totaling more than 10 years, and a person may not be elected to any Executive Branch office, or any combination of Executive Branch offices, for terms totaling more than 8 years.
>
> Redistricting: Establishes an independent, 11-member commission to propose a new Legislative map, according to strict criteria. If the commission fails to adopt and file a new map with the Secretary of State by June 30 of the year following the decennial census, the Chief Justice and the next senior Justice, not of the same party as the Chief Justice, shall appoint a Special Commissioner for Redistricting that must adopt and file a map by August 31 of the same year.
>
> It is highly unlikely any of the Turnaround agenda will move in it’s current form. Cullen & Associates will continue to monitor budget negotiations as session continues.
>
> One-month Budget Provisions
> •Medicaid payments to hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, doctors, and other providers
> •Mental Health: operations of state facilities and grants to community organizations for services to people with Severe Mental Illness
> •Inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services
> •WIC nutrition program for women, infants and children
> •Childcare services
> •The Community Care Program
> •Elderly meal programs
> •Veterans homes - food, direct care staff, and healthcare services
> •Home Services Program, which provides support to people with disabilities
> •Operations of state-operated facilities for the sexually violent and criminally insane
> •School for the Deaf and School for the Visually Impaired
> •Independent Living programs for persons with disabilities
> •DCFS group home, foster care, and protective services, including wards of the State and abuse investigations
> •Officer salaries, food, and healthcare services for correctional facilities
> •Officer salaries, food, healthcare and aftercare services for Juvenile Justice facilities
> •National Guard salaries for emergency responders
> •State trooper salaries
> •Conservation police salaries
> •Hazard mitigation, emergency response, and recovery teams responsible for the protection of nuclear sites or radiological disaster response
> •Probation services and GPS tracking of sex offenders
> •Secretary of State Police and law enforcement services
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**4 Shared by Nicky Gacos, President NABM
> Social Security publications web page <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/>. We have recently updated several publications to ensure that you have the most accurate and current information about our program. A list of the updated publications appears below.
> Your Social Security Number And Card <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&102&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10002.pdf>
> If You Are Self-Employed <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10022.pdf>
> Social Security Numbers For Children <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&104&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf>
> Understanding the Benefits <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&105&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10024.pdf>
> Benefits For Children With Disabilities <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&106&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf>
> Disability Benefits <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&107&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10029.pdf>
> The Appeals Process <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&108&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10041.pdf>
> Windfall Elimination Provision <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&109&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf>
> If You Are Blind Or Have Low Vision - How We Can Help <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&110&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10052.pdf>
> Your Right To Question The Decision Made On Your Claim <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&111&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10058.pdf>
> Your Right To Representation <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&112&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10075.pdf>
> What You Need To Know When You Get Retirement Or Survivors Benefits <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&113&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10077.pdf>
> Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&114&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf>
> What You Can Do Online <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&115&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10121.pdf>
> Retirement Information For Medicare Beneficiaries <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&116&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10529.pdf>
> How To Apply Online For Medicare Only <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&117&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10531.pdf>
> How To Create An Online Account <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&118&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10540.pdf>
> SSI In Nevada <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&119&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11106.pdf>
> A Brief History of Social Security <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNzEzLjQ3MDczMTkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDcxMy40NzA3MzE5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODY0MTA4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aHV3aWVzQGVtYWlsLmNob3AuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1odXdpZXNAZW1haWwuY2hvcC5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&120&&&http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-21-059.pdf>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**5 Shared by Barry Taylor via the il-talk list serve
> Friends, Equip for Equality and JPMorgan Chase attorneys will be providing free powers of attorney for health care and property for seniors and people with disabilities on July 23rd at the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, 131 S. Dearborn, Suite 2400 in Chicago. This is part of JPMorgan Chase's Day of Pro Bono Service initiative. Attached is a flyer (in pdf and Word formats) with all the details. Please share this information with your respective agencies, networks and clients. There are 50 appointments available and an RSVP is required to Cristina Headley at cristina at equipforequality.org <mailto:cristina at equipforequality.org> or 312-895-7257.
>
> Thanks for helping us spread the word,
> Barry C. Taylor
> Equip for Equality
> 312-895-7317
> barryt at equipforequality.org <mailto:barryt at equipforequality.org>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**6 Shared by Flying Blind, LLC
> Hartgen Home Where Audio Matters!
> Spot the difference. A User's Perspective of Apple Music and Spotify
>
> One of the talking points on Twitter this week has undoubtedly been the launch of Apple Music. This is a streaming service which allows you to hear songs of your choosing, together with finding new music to listen to and the introduction of a dedicated radio platform hosted by DJ's in America and the UK.
>
> I am not going to go into all the complexities of this service here, nor will I compare what it offers to all users (whether they be visually impaired or fully sighted). There are plenty of articles in the mainstream media which are doing that. But I've used both Apple Music and Spotify extensively this week and I had a few things I wanted to say. Please note this is not an authoratative article, just my own thoughts as a user of both of these services. We both love music and listen to a lot of it each day and use screen-readers.
>
> Most notably, I have been disturbed by a number of tweets which have indicated that Apple Music is the first truly accessible music streaming service for the blind. That disturbs me because it is not accurate. That is suggesting to people that they really will get a tremendous accessibility experience across all platforms. Anyone seeing such tweets could well be lulled into a false sense of security. Yes, it is true that Apple Music works very well on iDevices, and so it should, but that is not the case on a windows PC. It is usable, but to say it was completely accessible would be a falsehood.
>
> The other primary comment I have seen this week is what I can only describe as an "attack" on the Spotify music streaming service. I've read comments to the effect that Spotify do not care about accessibility. Let me remind people that accessibility at even a rudimentary level was not implemented into iTunes for a number of years. I know, I was there! Many of us bought iPods because we wanted to purchase mainstream audio players which our friends or family members had. But how to get songs onto it? We were desperate to do that.
>
> iTunes was very very difficult to use for a long time. But we got through it because the company did absolutely nothing about it. We had to find our own way around the program, be creative and find any way we could of working with it just so we could hear songs on the device. It was hard work. I would also say that many people still feel iTunes is a struggle to get around because it is such a large application, and with iTunes 12.2, it is offering even more. More features means more controls which are not always accessible, more difficulties for the user in terms of finding where they need to get to, and so on.
>
> My point is that Spotify have implemented accessibility now for the Windows PC, so do try to give them a chance. It's not perfect, but nor is iTunes or Apple Music.
>
> Why I Like Spotify As a Music Platform.
> As indicated previously, one of the reasons I would not use Apple Music on a computer personally is because I need to use iTunes. This program is large, it is often quite sluggish on a PC to respond particularly when using the iTunes Store, and I would have to deal with all of that just to spontaneously hear some songs I felt like listening to. On the other hand, the Spotify application is for the purpose of streaming content. It doesn't come with all the other paraphenalia that iTunes has. Its a standalone client, lovely and responsive. I know if I want to start streaming songs, I can launch Spotify, type in what I want to search for and within just a few seconds, I can be hearing it. This includes selecting one of my playlists.
>
> With our Leasey product, the job is made far easier because it has been scripted not only to make it more usable, but you can manage all aspects of playlists and, best of all for me, (a person who is somewhat fanatical about hearing the original version of a song), if I have not selected the correct rendition I can simply press Down Arrow, Enter, and there I am playing the next instance with no delay whatever. If a person does not have Leasey, it is slower to do but it is achievable.
>
> With Apple Music, I cannot do that. I have to make sure Apple Music is selected, type what I want to search for into the Edit Field, press Enter, wait for the search results page to load, find it, and start exploring. Granted, the page is quite clean, so it is easy enough to find what you are looking for. The results page is a little like browsing a webpage. It is divided into headings, but you cannot quickly skip between one song result and the next. Moreover, the Play button is unlabelled, (an accessibility quirk), but given its the only Button below each song it is fairly obvious that this is what it is meant to do.
>
> Because when viewing this page you are in a screen-reader's virtual environment, this means that some of the keystrokes to adjust the volume, pause and restart etc, do not work when in that results window. So I need to focus somewhere else to do those things, making sure of course I am not located on a button which will cause something else to happen. A good example would be to ensure focus is not located on an alternative Button which, when activated with the Space Bar, would cause something else to happen rather than pausing.
>
> If on the other hand I do want to move to an alternative version of a song, I need to arrow down that page, find the next Play buttton which, because it is unlabelled I have to assume it pertains to the song I've just found, then press the Space bar on it.
>
> In summary, you need to explore the page in a systematic way and take a mental note of which song you are bypassing in order to ensure you play the correct one. It would be much better if the Button was labelled "Play", followed by the song title, such as, "Play Loving You Could Never Be Better by George Jones". If this was implemented, the user could Tab through, or even bring up a list of Buttons so as to view the results without any intervening text. Now that approach would have been high quality accessibility implementation! Spotify does give me that flexibility.
>
> Having said all that, everything with Apple Music is achievable under Windows if you are not expecting a perfect solution. If for example I find what Apple Music is recommending for me, such as a series of Playlists, none of those items have Buttons or Links associated with them. However, pressing Enter on the line of text relating to the suggestion does work. It is possible that by so doing you will be "thrown out" of the application altogether, but pressing ALT+Tab will take you back into it.
>
> As a side note, when listening to a playlist, I have not found a way to skip a song yet. That can be done with spotify by pressing a keystroke.
>
> How Does It All work On an iDevice?
>
> Very well is the answer. As you would expect, most aspects of Apple Music seem to be very accessible indeed. Apple Music has a really cool feature as it is tightly interwoven with Siri. So I can say to my iPod, "Play Gilbert O'Sullivan, Out of the Question", and it should do it. I've had very mixed results with this. Most times it will play the song, on one occasion it thought I was my wife Louise for some reason, and sometimes it just says that the song is not available for streaming even though I have previously streamed the song using apple Music on the PC. But it works most of the time, and we have to give Apple a lot of latitude here. It was only launched this week after all. I do like the idea though of grabbing my iPod and just asking for a song that comes into my head that I would like to listen to. That is very cool.
>
> It is also possible to say, "Play the number 1 hit from 9 August 1972", and Apple Music should be able to accommodate it, although this appears to be the American chart rather than relative to your country.
>
> Spotify though is also very accessible using their app. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that browsing for new music causes some problems, and I do hope this is fixed soon for those people who want to do that. It has to be. But in terms of finding songs or albums to hear, selecting a playlist and so on, it's all very very achievable.
>
> Conclusion.
> Spotify V. Apple Music is going to be one of those arguments similar to which screen-reader or even operating system one prefers. There's no right or wrong answer, and a person will of course choose the one which is best suited, both in terms of financial and also to meet their level of skill in terms of getting over the accessibility difficulties, and both platforms have them.
>
> But I would not want anyone to run away with the idea that Apple Music is a 100 percent, fully accessible, music streaming solution. My wish for the future is that both companies will give more careful thought as to what accessibility and usability really means, take some advice from people who can give full and constructive comment on that implementation, so that the consumer can then make an informed choice. The choice one makes should be based upon the content and financial offers which may be applied, rather than which one is more accessible. The ideal situation would be for the consumer not to have to think about the accessibility and usability.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**7 Shared by The Entrepreneur’s Source, Chuck Fesmire
> Does Age Matter For Entrepreneurial Success?
> For years, people have tried to correlate an entrepreneur’s age when they launched their startup, with the ultimate success of that startup. Many studies have been done on the topic, including reports by the Kauffman Foundation, Duke University and the Founder Institute, to name a few. So, I am not going to try and rehash those studies. But, the collective summary of their learnings was the average entrepreneur is 40 years old when they launch their startup, and people over 55 are twice as likely as people under 35 to launch a high-growth startup. The average age of a successful startup with over $1MM in revenues was 39. It was determined age was less of a driver to entrepreneurial success than previous startup and industry experience.
>
> Out of curiosity, I cherry picked a few successful entrepreneurs, to see how old they were when they launched their companies. The ages were as follows, from youngest to oldest: Facebook (20), Microsoft (20), Apple (21), Google (25), Twitter (30), Amazon (30), Tesla (34), Oracle (35), Netflix (37), Zynga (41), Walmart (44) and McDonald’s (53). So, as you can see, it runs the full gamut, and although past experience is certainly a key driver for many of these entrepreneurs, it is not required, as seen in the success of Facebook, Microsoft and Apple.
>
> I have been an entrepreneur most of my life. I founded five companies over the years: (i) an odd jobs business at age 18; (ii) a collectible comic books business at age 20; (iii) an adventure travel website at age 29; (iv) a growth consulting firm at age 41; and (v) a startup excubator at age 44.
>
> If I was going to summarize how my success was impacted by age over the years, I would say the following. First, success was directly correlated with how many hours I invested in the business. Second, success was directly correlated with how passionate I was about the business. Third, success is how you define it, as each one of these businesses accomplished the goals I set out for it, regardless of how big they got. Fourth, my largest revenue business was one where I had no past industry or CEO experience, which is counter to the logic described above. And, fifth, I would consider myself most experienced and worthy of making a startup bet today at age 45, with 16 years of CEO experience under my belt and tons of lessons learned along the way.
>
> One of my old venture capital investors said he would never invest in a first time CEO, as they make too many mistakes along the way. I think there is some truth in that, given the learnings gathered from first hand experience. But, that does not have anything to do with age. There are plenty of examples of entrepreneurs who have achieved success at very early ages, including Emerson Spartz who launched Mugglenet, the largest Harry Potter fan site with over 10MM unique visitors per month, at the ripe old age of 12.
>
> As it relates specifically to age, I would say the following about myself. My appetite for risk is clearly different at age 45 than it was at age 29. As an example, you start thinking about things like not risking the kids’ college funds with your capital. And, most of the best entrepreneurs are not afraid to throw all their chips onto the table, and bet big on their idea, regardless of other concerns. And, my energy is clearly a lot less, where I am no longer burning the midnight oil. But, I think that is offset by the fact, I am materially more efficient today, and know how best to invest my working hours to get an even higher return on that investment.
>
> So, to answer the question posed by the title of this post: does age matter for entrepreneurial success? No, age in itself does not matter in trying to forecast entrepreneurial success. But, experience does, and often times, that comes with age. And, smart entrepreneurs that lack experience, can offset that by surrounding themselves with experienced mentors.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**8 Shared by AppleVis
> Notable App Updates
> BlindSquare (US $29.99)
> BlindSquare uses GPS and the compass to locate you. It then gathers information about the surrounding environment from FourSquare. BlindSquare has some unique algorithms to decide what information is the most relevant and then speaks it to you with high quality speech synthesis.
> When you start the app, it will start telling you the interesting places and street crossings around you. By changing the radius, you can limit the area you are interested in. You can also search by search term or by category. You can select an interesting place from the search results and perform the following tasks:
> Get contact info (address, phone number)
> Open twitter feed or restaurant menu (if provided)
> Make a phone call
> Start tracking the place (BlindSquare will assist you by repeating the distance and the clock face direction)
> Start your favourite navigator for turn-by-turn instructions (TomTom, Navigon or Apple Maps)
> Current Version: 3.00 (June 5, 2015)
> Changes in Version 3.00
> BlindSquare 3.00 brings several new features and enhancements, including support for indoor navigation and use on the Apple Watch:
> NEW: BlindSquare now supports BlindSquare BPS (Beacon Positioning System), an indoor navigation system based on iBeacons. It is currently available at a few places only, but will hopefully become available at more venues soon. See more: http://youtu.be/9jH-Bdjmgb4 <http://youtu.be/9jH-Bdjmgb4>
> NEW: 3d sounds. If you use a stereo headset with BlindSquare, you will now hear the alert sound played from the direction of the POI that is being announced.
> NEW: BlindSquare now supports the TransitTimes+ public transport app
> NEW: If you use BlindSquare on an iPhone 6 or 6plus, you can check changes in elevation. Based on your device’s barometer, the GPS-Info screen shows your elevation compared to when you started BlindSquare. There is also a button letting you reset your elevation to the current reading.
> CHANGE: Optimized to use less memory
> CHANGE: Updated Open Street Map data, more intersection information available in some areas now.
> FIX: Resolved a timing issue in the Audio Menu that made it harder to select the intended item.
> note: You can control BlindSquare‘s Audio Menu from your Apple watch. Start BlindSquare on your phone, swipe up with two fingers to bring up your glances, and double-tap the Pause button. Double-Tap again to activate an Audio Menu item.
> Read the AppleVis iOS App Directory entry for BlindSquare <http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/blindsquare>
> Visit the App Store page for BlindSquare <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blindsquare/id500557255?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=8&at=11l4LS>
>
> Facebook (Free)
> Keeping up with friends is faster than ever.
> * See what friends are up to
> * Share updates, photos and videos
> * Get notified when friends like and comment on your posts
> * Text, chat and have group conversations
> * Play games and use your favorite apps
> Current Version: 33.0 (June 24, 2015
> Summary of Changes in Version 33.0
> While it is impossible to determine what changes have been made from Facebook's release notes, our testing has found that Facebook 33.0 includes a major accessibility improvement for VoiceOver users: in the News Feed, VoiceOver no longer says "Dot" or "Dot Product" when reading the period separators between items in a story. While this change may seem minor to non-Facebook users, those who use the Facebook app regularly will no doubt appreciate this improvement.
> Read the AppleVis iOS App Directory entry for Facebook <http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/social-networking/facebook>
> Visit the App Store page for Facebook <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facebook/id284882215?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=8&at=11l4LS>
>
> For the complete June news letter click link below:
> http://www.applevis.com/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-accessible-apps-june-2015 <http://www.applevis.com/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-accessible-apps-june-2015>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**9 From Hadley School for the Blind
> Seminars at Hadley Presents: GettingHired.com
> Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2015
> Time: 10:00 AM CDT, 15:00 GMT
> Technology and social media can greatly assist the job-searching process. Would you like to learn more about GettingHired.com, a talent acquisition website designed to level the playing field for employment of individuals with disabilities?
>
> Join Seminars at Hadley as Kelly Egan, director of Disability Talent Acquisition Solutions, discusses the impacts of Section 503, how job seekers with disabilities can embrace the opportunities it provides and how GettingHired.com can support those efforts. Larry Muffett, a member of Hadley's Seminars team, will moderate this 60-minute seminar. A question and answer session will be included as part of the seminar.
> This seminar is an audio presentation. Space in this seminar is limited. Please only register if you know you are available to attend so that others are not closed out. Register for GettingHired.com on July 15. <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=791816&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fhadley.edu%2FSeminarDetails.asp%3Fsid%3D281>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>Seminars at Hadley Presents: Eccentric Viewing
> Date: Thursday, July 23, 2015
> Time: 10:00 AM CDT, 15:00 GMT
> Do you have macular degeneration? Are you having difficulty reading? When an eye condition such as macular degeneration progresses to the point where the “blind spot” or scotoma in your central vision makes reading as you used to do difficult, it may be time to learn about “Eccentric Viewing.”
>
> Join Seminars at Hadley as Nancy Parkin-Bashizi, vision rehabilitation therapist and orientation and mobility specialist, provides an overview of the eccentric viewing technique. This webinar will explain the process for locating one’s sweet spot of usable vision and discuss potential challenges to this process. We will then explore how to learn to use the “sweet spot” for reading, working on new strategies to make reading in this manner a little more comfortable. Come join us and learn to see in a new way!
> Doug Anzlovar, vice president of education & training, will moderate this 60-minute seminar. A question and answer session will be included as part of the seminar.
> This seminar is an audio presentation. Space in this seminar is limited. Please only register if you know you are available to attend so that others are not closed out. Register for Eccentric Viewing on July 23. <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=791816&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fhadley.edu%2FSeminarDetails.asp%3Fsid%3D282>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>Congratulations to our 2015 Spring Into Braille prize winners!
> First Place winner of a braille Monopoly game and a $50 gift card to MaxiAids is Vanya Rhodes. Josephine Dsouza, Nancy Coffman, Sheila Rousey, and Tammie Snyder each won a $50 gift card to MaxiAids.
> All participants earned a Certificate of Participation.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**10 Shared by blindtlk – Eyes on Success
> 1528 Sailing Expeditions for the Blind (Jul. 8, 2015)
> Imago Maris Foundation hosts sailing expeditions each year, with half the participants being visually impaired and the other half sighted. Each participant does everything from working the ropes to kitchen duty. Hosts
> Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Julia Krawczuk, a volunteer with Imago Maris and Robert Zarzecki, a blind sailor. Both participated in a 2014 voyage.
>
> 1527 HIMS Blaze Multi-Players (Jul. 1, 2015)
> The Blaze ET and EZ Multi-Player devices can play audio and text books in many formats, and also be used to directly download books over WiFi, subscribe to and listen to podcasts, and much more. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave Wilkinson, HIMS' business development manager, about these features as well as the OCR capability using an internal camera.
>
> The audio and show notes for this episode can be found at:
> www.EyesOnSuccess.net <http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**11 Shared by Deborah Kent Stien on il-talk
> For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 2, 2015
> In blinding eye disease, trash-collecting cells go awry, accelerate damage
> NIH research points to microglia as potential therapeutic target in retinitis pigmentosa
>
> Spider-like cells inside the brain, spinal cord and eye hunt for invaders, capturing and then devouring them. These cells, called microglia, often play a beneficial role by helping to clear trash and protect the central nervous system against infection. But a new study by researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that they also accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa. NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health.
>
> "These findings are important because they suggest that microglia may provide a target for entirely new therapeutic strategies aimed at halting blinding eye diseases of the retina," said NEI Director, Paul A. Sieving, M.D. "New targets create untapped opportunities for preventing disease-related damage to the eye, and preserving vision for as long as possible." The findings were published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.
>
> Retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited disorder that affects roughly 1 in 4,000 people, damages the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Research has shown links between retinitis pigmentosa and several mutations in genes for photoreceptors, the cells in the retina that convert light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the optic nerve. In the early stages of the disease, rod photoreceptors, which enable us to see in low light, are lost, causing night blindness. As the disease progresses, cone photoreceptors, which are needed for sharp vision and seeing colors, can also die off, eventually leading to complete blindness.
>
> Lead investigator, Wai T. Wong M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease at NEI, and his team studied mice with a mutation in a gene that can also cause retinitis pigmentosa in people. The researchers observed in these mice that very early in the disease process, the microglia infiltrate a layer of the retina near the photoreceptors, called the outer nuclear layer, where they don't usually venture. The microglia then create a cup-like structure over a single photoreceptor, surrounding it to ingest it in a process called phagocytosis. Wong and his team caught this dynamic process on video. The whole feast, including digestion, takes about an hour.
>
> Phagocytosis is a normal process in healthy tissues and is a key way of clearing away dead cells and cellular debris. However, in retinitis
> pigmentosa the researchers found that the microglia target damaged but living photoreceptors, in addition to dead ones. To confirm that microglia contribute to the degeneration process, the researchers genetically eliminated the microglia, which slowed the rate of rod photoreceptor death and the loss of visual function in the mice. Inhibiting phagocytosis with a compound had a similar effect. The microglia seem to ignore cone photoreceptors, which fits with the known early course of retinitis
> pigmentosa.
>
> A microglial cell (green) extends spider-like arms to capture and consume rod photoreceptor cells (blue). Credit: Dr. Wai Wong, NEI.
>
> "These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies that inhibit microglial activation may help decelerate the rate of rod photoreceptor degeneration and preserve vision," Wong said.
>
> What triggers microglia to go on this destructive feeding frenzy? Wong and colleagues found evidence that photoreceptors carrying mutations undergo physiological stress. The stress then triggers them to secrete chemicals dubbed "find me" signals, which is like ringing a dinner bell that attracts microglia into the retinal layer. Once there, the microglia probe the photoreceptors repeatedly, exposing themselves to "eat me" signals, which then trigger phagocytosis. In response to all the feasting, the microglia become activated. That is, they send out their own signals to call other microglia to the scene and they release substances that promote inflammation.
>
> Other potential treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, such as gene therapy, are progressing, but are not without challenges. Gene therapy requires replacing defective genes with functional genes, yet more than 50 distinct genes have been linked to the disease in different families, so there's no one-size-fits-all gene therapy. A therapy targeting microglia might complement gene therapy because it's an approach that's independent of the specific genetic cause of retinitis pigmentosa, said Wong.
>
> A clinical trial (NCT02140164
> https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02140164?term=NCT02140164&rank=1 <https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02140164?term=NCT02140164&rank=1> ) is already underway at NEI to see if the anti-inflammatory drug
> minocycline can block the activation of microglia and help slow the progression of retinitis pigmentosa. The trial is currently recruiting participants.
>
> Wong's lab colleagues Lian Zhao, Ph.D., Matthew Zabel, Ph.D., and Xu Wang, M.D., Ph.D., played key roles in conceiving and conducting this research. To hear Zabel talk about his work on retinitis pigmentosa, watch this video from NIH and LabTV https://youtu.be/ZKylYn7qhyg <https://youtu.be/ZKylYn7qhyg>
> http://www.nih.gov/exitdisclaimer.html <http://www.nih.gov/exitdisclaimer.html> .
>
> To watch a video of microglia eating rod photoreceptors, go to
> http://youtu.be/xXmUGYCi7rE <http://youtu.be/xXmUGYCi7rE>
> http://www.nih.gov/exitdisclaimer.html <http://www.nih.gov/exitdisclaimer.html>
>
> This research was supported by the National Eye Institute Intramural
> Research Program and grant NS087198 from NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
>
> NEI leads the federal government's research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs that result in the development of sight-saving treatments. For more information, visit
> http://www.nei.nih.gov <http://www.nei.nih.gov/>
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**12 From Vending Times
> Issue Date: Vol. 55, No. 7, July 2015, Posted On: 7/7/2015
> Vermont's Vending Machine and Soda Taxes Kick In by Emily Jed
> MONTPELIER, VT -- All food and beverages sold through vending machines are now subject to Vermont's 9% meals and rooms tax, effective July 1. A 6% sales tax on sugary drinks is also in effect. The new levies are part of a tax package that lawmakers passed in May to raise a $30 million in new revenue. Lawmakers expect the sales tax on soft drinks to raise about $8 million a year, and applying the meals tax to vending machines to add about $1 million a year. Exempt from Vermont's sugary drink tax are products that contain milk, soy, rice or other milk substitutes, those that contain greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume, and those purchased with food stamps.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**13 Shared by NCA Smart Brief from The Washington Post
> How come your vending machine doesn’t have Reese’s in it right now? By John Kelly Columnist July 7
>
> From now on, whenever I stare into the vending machine on the fourth floor of The Washington Post, trying to decide between a 3 Musketeers or a Milky Way, I’ll think of Jose Cruz.
>
> Jose sits in an office 15 miles from where I ponder which sugar-delivery mechanism I want. Whatever I choose, Jose will know.
>
> Well, he won’t know that I chose the 3 Musketeers (or Milky Way). He’ll just know that someone did.
>
> Jose is the distribution manager at Monumental Vending, the Beltsville, Md., company that services the machines at The Post, along with 4,000 other snack-food machines in the Washington area. Every one of those machines has a cellphone inside that transmits data to Jose’s computer. That way, he knows how many candy bars, bags of chips and cans of soda to send out on the twice-weekly resupply runs.
>
> I was introduced to Jose by Monumental’s president, Craig Kushner, my guide on a recent tour of Monumental’s cavernous Beltsville warehouse. I had selfish reasons for getting in touch with Craig. I wanted to know what happened to my Snickers.
>
> A Snickers bar sometimes helps me power through my midday malaise. But recently, I noticed that the Snickers were gone from the machine. How come?
>
> It turns out that — like heirloom tomatoes or white asparagus — some vending machine products are seasonal. More delicate chocolate products — your Snickers, your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups — can melt in the truck on their way to my office or yours.
>
> “You put Reese’s Cups out in the summer, you’re going to have Reese’s soup,” Craig said. And no one wants that.
>
> That’s why when the weather heats up, you’ll see a subtle change in inventory. Gone is the Reese’s. In its place: the dreaded PayDay bar. (M&Ms, Craig said, are eternal.)
>
> According to the National Automatic Merchandising Association, more than 4.5 million vending machines are scattered across this great land of ours. What’s called the “refreshment services industry” totals $26.4 billion annually. That’s a lot of carefully smoothed-out dollar bills painstakingly inserted into that horizontal orifice.
>
> Craig has been in the vending-machine business with partner David Gordon since 1991. At the time, Craig was working long hours as a CPA at a big D.C. accounting firm. When deadlines were crashing, he was shoveling quarters into a machine for sustenance.
>
> “I took a step back, and I noticed all the people eating out of the vending machines,” he said.
>
> He and David, a home contractor and friend from the University of Maryland, bought a single vending machine and installed it in the lobby of a Best Western at 13th and M streets NW.
>
> When the money started pouring in, it was time to change careers.
>
> Monumental displays that original machine — a Rowe 4900 Jr.— in its headquarters. Today, the company employs 75 people and is the largest independent vendor on the East Coast.
>
> “The key to sales is giving people what they want,” Craig said. “Let’s say a man wants a Pepsi. I want him to see the product. I want him to put his money in. I want him to get his product. I want him to get his change.”
>
> When I visited the warehouse, a half-dozen workers were filling plastic bins with packages of Twizzlers, Pop-Tarts, Clif Bars, Chex Mix . . . A lighted LED number glowed on the shelf below each product, telling them exactly how many were needed for each route.
>
> Not every route is the same. Craig said blue-collar workplaces consume a lot more pastries — Jumbo Honey Buns, Big Texas Cinnamon Rolls — than white-collar workplaces. And when I visited the break room of a Fed-Ex distribution center that Monumental serves, I saw something I’ve never seen at The Post: a Big Az Spicy Chicken Sandwich.
>
> Energy drinks are popular among people whose jobs entail more than talking on the phone. Even so, the overall best-selling liquid is bottled water. “Water went from nothing to our top beverage,” Craig said.
>
> There have been other changes in the past two decades. Vending machines offer more healthful options these days: granola bars, popcorn. And Craig thinks the future will belong to Monumental Markets: unmanned display cases and refrigerators that can offer a wider variety. (Bestsellers: hard-boiled eggs encased in protective-plastic two packs and string cheese.)
>
> All of the items are tracked with NSA-like precision. Jose is part of that. He started at Monumental as a delivery driver. Then Craig noticed that Jose kept a calculus textbook in his truck.
>
> “I like math,” Jose said. “When I’m stuck in traffic, I read calculus.” Now he does the calculus of the Kit Kat, striving to ensure that Washington’s peckish workforce never goes hungry.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**14 ICBV Vendor News
> Please note that it was brought to my attention that Pepsi America (Corporate Pepsi) was overcharging members in our group for some of the 20 oz and 12 oz flavors like Crush, Lipton Brisk, Lipton Iced Tea, Mt Dew Dewmocracy, Mt Dew Live Wire, Mt Dew, Mt Dew Cold Red, Mug, Pepsi Dt, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Real Sugar, Pepsi Wild Cherry, Pepsi Vanilla, and Sierra Mist. They have corrected their pricing and ran reports to issue credits back to those affected.
>
> Coke – those affected in the Chicagoland area by the Franchise taking over, you now have a new account number and a Vendor advised me that they had received a letter stating that they need to complete the tax paperwork for them by like the 17th or they will begin taxing them. If your Coke is now coming from the franchise bottler be looking for this letter or talk to your rep next time you place an order to be sure they have all of the needed information on file.
>
> Frito Lay – I had a Vendor report to me that over the last six to eight weeks they have been receiving a substantial amount of deflated bags of chips with their order. If you are experiencing this please be sure to let me know by return e-mail so that I can quantify the issue to Frito Lay.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**15 Broker News - Burdette Beckmann Inc.
> Save on average $4.80 per case on Dolly Madison and on average $2.88 per case on Hostess. With 3rd Quarter just beginning I wanted to remind you of the money that you can earn back when purchasing Hostess and Dolly Madison.
>
> Dolly Madison – Earn 10 cents back automatically (no case targets) on the Zingers, Ding Dongs, Coffee Cakes and Donut Gems!
>
> Crunch donut Gem is 3 cents back per unit
>
> Hostess – Earn up to 6 cents minimum back on Twinkies, HoHo’s, Cupcakes and Donettes!
>
> Tier Program is based off of monthly numbers these rebates will be paid out by RSA.
>
> <applewebdata://59E6C0F4-F413-4105-A009-5B1D4AFCB2FB>**16 RSA Buying Group Information
> Frito-Lay Q215 News Item - Please remember that you are required to purchase at least one case of the Frito-Lay News Item before the end of 3rd Quarter which is September 30th. The 3rd Quarter News Item is the LSS Lay’s Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese
>
> Pepsi:
> Attention: RSA Members, (those in a participating Pepsi location. Pepsi Corporate in the Chicagoland area)
> Please be advised in order to receive your Pepsi Quarterly rebates you must meet or exceed 75% of your PYQ case volume. Additionally, to receive the full rebate amount you are required to purchase a minimum of 5 cases of Innovation Products each quarter. The items listed below are the Innovation Products for Q315. You can mix and match these cases to attain your 5 case requirement during the Quarter. Please note, you can also earn additional rebate on these Innovation Products when they are featured on PurchasePower during Q315. Please find the Q315 PurchasePower deals for the Innovation Products below:
>
> Lipton Sparkling-Lemonade, Peach, Raspberry Sept 1st -Sept30th 12pk/12oz.
> Dew Shine Sept 1st-Sept30th 24pk/12oz
> Mt Dew Kickstart Hydration Boost-All Flavores July1st-July 31st 12pk/12oz
> Mt Dew Kickstart Hydration Boost-All Flavores Sept 1st -Sept30th 12pk/12oz
>
> New Program!!
> Mary’s Gone Crackers
> 10% rebate on all Mary’s Gone Crackers products purchased. Products can be purchased through your Vend, Foodservice, UNFI or C-Store Distribution.
> Eligible Items: Mary’s Gone Crackers products use organic, glulten free and non-GMO whole food ingredients.
> Mary’s Gone Creckers are available in:
> Original Crackers
> Super Seed Crackers
> Sea Salt Pretzels
> Everything Pretzels
> Terms: Rebate Paid quarterly.
> Contract Date – June 1st, 2015
> Program End Date – May 31st, 2016
>
> Thank you,
> Kathy Ungaro (630)234-4444
>
> Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors
> 53 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 502
> Chicago, IL 60604
> (312)663-3007
>
>
> This message (including attachments) is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it without further distribution and reply to the sender that you have received the message in error.
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