[Iabs-talk] {Spam?} Fwd: ICBV Office Update May 4, 2016

[Denise Avant]

Denise R. Avant
President, National Federation Of The Blind Of Illinois
Live the life you want



> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Kathy Ungaro <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: ICBV Office Update May 4, 2016
> Date: May 4, 2016 at 8:43:14 PM CDT
> To: Kathy Ungaro <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
> Reply-To: Kathy Ungaro <icbv at sbcglobal.net>
> 
>  
> ICBV Office Update
> May 4, 2016
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>Quote of the Day: "To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.” – Sr. Thomas Watson
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0> 
> *1) Calendar of Events
> Important Updates about BLAST
> *2) US Election Assistance Commission
> *3) NCD Quarterly Meeting
> *4) Cullen & Associates Session Update
> *5) IAMC Legislative Update
> *6) IAMC Scholarship Award
> *7) Hadley Institute for the Blind
> Have Fun with Braille Drawings
> Tips on Using the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS
> 54 iFocus Video Lessons
> *8) Link to Second Sense May Newsletter
> *9) Eyes on Success
> Accessibility of Facebook Products
> Tandem Bicycle Racing
> Blind Marathoner and Celebrity Guide
> the vOICe - Seeing With Sound
> *10) Repairing or Replacing the Optic Nerve: New frontiers in Vision Technology Research
> *11) NFBEI Blitz
> *12) Phoenix Returns Priority to Blind Vendors Following Lengthy Dispute
> *13) Broker Information
> Saverino & Associates
> G&J Marketing
> *14) Distributor News - CVS
> *15) RSA Management Group Information
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**1 Calendar of Events
> May 17 -20, 2016
> From the National Association of Blind Merchants -
> Windy City BLAST. Our training conference will be held May 17-20, 2016, at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois.
>  
> Please note that anyone bringing a guest to BLAST in order for your guest to attend general sessions and planned meals they will also have to be registered for BLAST at NABM at www.blindmerchants.org <http://www.blindmerchants.org/>
>  
> Important Information Published for BLAST:
> ANNOUNCING
> Barbara Kennelly to Attend BLAST and Overflow Hotel Details
> The National Association of Blind Merchants, a Division of the National Federation of the Blind, is proud to announce former Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly of Connecticut will be recognized at BLAST on May 19, 2016, at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel. The Congresswoman will receive NABM’s first ever Champion Award for championing passage of the Kennelly Amendments to the Surface Transportation Act which resulted in State Licensing Agencies having a priority to operate vending machines at interstate rest areas. As a result of that legislation, hundreds of blind entrepreneurs today service vending machines at the rest areas and the income from third party vending in some states is the lifeblood of many BE Programs. Interstate vendors owe their livelihoods to Ms. Kennelly and they are encouraged to turn out in big numbers to say thank you.
>  
> It’s not too late to register. You can do so by going to http://www.blindmerchants.org/ <http://www.blindmerchants.org/>  and click on the BLAST icon on the menu bar and click on the link “Register for BLAST Only.”  Scholarship dollars may be available to help offset travel expenses for any rest area vendor who simply cannot afford to attend on their own.  They should contact Terry Smith at tsmith at nfb.org <mailto:tsmith at nfb.org> . 
>  
> The host hotel is completely sold out. However, we have made arrangements at the Crowne Plaza which is very close to handle the overflow. You can register by going to the following link:
> http://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=cp&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=CHIOK&_PMID=99801505&GPC=MA2 <http://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=cp&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=CHIOK&_PMID=99801505&GPC=MA2>
>  
> You may also call 847-671-6350. Select Option #2 to make a new reservation and use Group Code MA2. The room block is only available until May 6th. The rate is $159.
>  
> We hope to see you in Chicago so you can help us say a huge “Thank You” to Congresswoman Kennelly
>  
> PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO BE FEATURED AT BLAST
> The National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM), a division of the National Federation of the Bond, is bringing President Abraham Lincoln to BLAST. Internationally known Lincoln scholar and actor, Dr. Gene Griessman, will appear in costume as the 16th President delivering the presentation, “The Wit & Wisdom Of Abe Lincoln” on May 19th. “It will be like having the real Abraham Lincoln in person,” said NABM President Nicky Gacos. “Bringing President Lincoln to BLAST to share his knowledge and insights with our blind entrepreneurs seems like a natural since we will be in his home state.”
>  
> The wit, humor, and eloquence of the 16th President are brought to life by Griessman’s remarkable performance and uncanny resemblance to Lincoln. His stirring portrayal of Lincoln will take us back to the Gettysburg address and moments before his assassination at Ford’s Theatre. Through Lincoln’s wisdom and wit, Griessman will share the secrets Lincoln learned for dealing with the challenges we face in our everyday lives as businessmen and women including: leadership, communication and personal achievement. He will offer some unforgettable lessons from one of the greatest figures of all time in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
>  
> Dr. Gene Griessman is an internationally known public speaker, author, actor and consultant. He has spoken at conventions and annual meetings worldwide. As an actor and playwright, he has performed his one-man play on Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. 
>  
> Dr. Griiessman joins an impressive list of presenters at BLAST that include Navy Seal Leif Babin, Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner Janet LaBreck, National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono, leadership guru Kevin O’Connor, NAMA Vice President for Government Affairs Eric Dell, RSA Management Group President John Murn, and many others.
>  
> BLAST (Business Leadership and Superior Training) will be held May 17-20 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont. To register, go to www.blindmerchants.org and click on the BLAST icon on the menu bar. Then click on the “Register On-Line for Training Sessions.” To book your hotel room, call 1-877-868-9134and use the NAB516 code to get the BLAST group rate.
>  
> Shared by Ed Birmingham:
> I would like to inform all of our Illinois BLIND Entrepreneurs that at the conclusion of the luncheon on Thursday, The National Association of Blind Merchants will conduct their annual “ Call to Action “ Fund Raising campaign.  This is an opportunity for all in attendance to make a financial contribution to NABM in order to help support the work of the NFBEI. NABM is a 501 C3 non for profit, so any donations would be tax deductable.
>  
> Please consider making a donation so that the NFBEI can continue it’s great work and we can continue to make the Randolph Sheppard Program the greatest self employment opportunity for the blind and visually impaired!
> 
> June 4, 2016, 11am-4pm NFBI “Picnic in the Park“
> The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois will host a picnic at Tom Madonia Park East; Lake Springfield, Illinois.
>  
> Menu: Hamburgers, brats, baked beans,mostaccioli, macaroni salad, lemonade.   BYOB.  Boat rides provided by the Rogers on their 24’ pontoon boat. 
>  
> Anyone who plays a musical instrument is encouraged to bring it along.
>  
> The Chang’s and the Reifs will operate a shuttle service from the Amtrak station in Springfield to the park. The train leaves Chicago at 7am arrives in Springfield around 10:30am; leaves Springfield at 4:56 arrives back in Chicago around 8:30pm. Anyone interested in a  ride should contact Bill Reif 217-801-2996.
>  
> Cost: $30.00 per person.
> Deadline: June 1, 2016; Please make checks payable to NFBI and send To: Treasurer Patti S Chang, 6919 W Berwyn Av, Chicago, IL 60656.
> Contact:  Patti Chang (773) 307-6440 pattischang at gmail.com
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**2 Shared by Lou Ann Blake, Deputy Executive Director Jernigan Institute National Federation of the Blind
> Dear Fellow Federationists,
> The US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) wants to hear from blind, low vision, and other voters with disabilities about their voting experience as part of their work to update voting system guidelines. As part of its effort to learn about the experience of voters with disabilities, the EAC held a public hearing on accessible voting on April 27, 2016, to hear from voters with disabilities. You can make your voting experience part of the official hearing transcript by emailing your voting story to listen at eac.gov by Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Help improve voting accessibility by telling your personal voting story to the EAC! Thank you!
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**3 From Lawrence Carter Long, NCD
> The National Council on Disability will host our next quarterly meeting in Washington, DC at the end of the first week of May 2016. During the meeting, the Council will host two public comment periods on Friday, May 6th to hear from the community on these specific topics at these times:
>  
> 1. “Mental Health Services in Higher Education”
> Time: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM EST
>  
> 2. “Direct Care Workforce Challenges”
> Time: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST
>  
> Interested parties are welcome to join in person or by phone in a listening-only capacity (other than the period allotted for public comment noted below). Details about the quarterly meeting and the town halls follows below.
>  
> WHAT:  NCD Quarterly Meeting Public Comment Periods
> DATE: Friday, May 6th 2016
> LOCATION:
> United States Access Board
> 1331 F Street NW, Suite 800
> Washington, DC 20004
>  
> CALL-IN INFORMATION: 
> Number:  888-428-9490
> Conference: 9482562
> Conference Title: NCD Meeting
> Host Name: Clyde Terry
>  
> MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Council will accept public comment on the topics of 1.) Mental health services in higher education; and 2.) Direct care workforce challenges. The Council will also receive reports from its standing committees. 
>  
> Those not able to attend in person can always send their comments via email to: PublicComment at ncd.gov or call-in with their comments, although priority will be given to those who attend the meeting in-person.
>  
> To better facilitate the public comment sessions, any individual interested in providing public comment is asked to register his or her intent to provide comment in advance by sending an email to PublicComment at ncd.gov  with the subject line “Public Comment” with your name, organization, state, and topic of comment included in the body of your email.
>  
> All emails to register for public comment at the quarterly meeting must be received by Wednesday, May 4th. Due to time constraints, NCD asks all those making comments to limit their statements to three minutes.
>  
> National Council on Disability
> 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
> Washington, DC 20004
> PHONE: 202-272-2004
> TTY: 202-272-2074
> FAX: 202-272-2022
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**4 From Tom Cullen
> Cullen and Associates Session Update – April 22, 2016
> The Illinois General Assembly was in session for the full week and has adjourned until Tuesday May 3rd.   Today was the Third Reading Deadline in both Chambers; however, limited deadline extensions are expected. 
>  
> In a bit of good news, representatives from the Governor’s Office and the Legislature met throughout the week to reach a solution on an FY16 stop-gap funding measure for higher education.  Despite some false starts, a bill that provides temporary funding for higher education was approved by both Chambers to allow operations to continue into the summer.   Representative Mayfield, sponsor of the amendment, described the measure as a “bridge to next fiscal year and a way to keep the doors open and the lights on.”   SB2059 (Currie/Cullerton) appropriates $600 million in Education Assistance Fund monies to partially fund state universities, community colleges, the Illinois Math and Science Academy, and MAP grants.  Governor Rauner is expected to sign the measure. 
>  
> Shortly after passing the higher education funding patch, the Senate unanimously approved legislation (SB2047/Steans)  that contains both the higher education stop-gap funding and $441 million from the Commitment to Human Services Fund for certain social services programs.  The bill requires three full readings in the House, and therefore, could not immediately be considered today. 
>  
> An amendment was filed in the Senate (SB 0580 (SFA 0001) (Hutchinson)) to waive repayment of $454 million in short-term borrowing.  The amendment remains in the Senate Committee on Assignments.  Loan forgiveness is one tool that has been identified to provide funds for the FY16 budget without tapping further into General Revenue Funds or enacting a tax increase.
>  
> Each general election year, the Illinois Constitution allows the General Assembly to place three Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for voter consideration.  All Constitutional Amendments must be approved by a three-fifths vote of the General Assembly at least 6 months prior to the general election.  In order to meet this deadline, both Chambers of the General Assembly are currently reviewing a number of constitutional amendments.  This week, Democrats in both the House and Senate filed differing proposals to change the legislative redistricting process in Illinois.  Redistricting reform is a priority of Governor Rauner’s “Turn Around Agenda.”  SJRCA 30 passed the Senate and heads to the House for consideration.   Both Chambers have filed and may also consider Constitutional Amendments to allow for a graduated income tax in Illinois.  Constitutional Amendments to create a “millionaire’s tax” failed in the House and to eliminate the office of the Lieutenant Governor passed the House, but a similar measure failed in the Senate. 
>  
> Legislation to freeze property taxes in non-home rule taxing districts (HB696 Franks/Cullerton) passed the Illinois House.  The bill provides that, beginning with the 2015 levy year, the extension limitation under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for non-home rule units of government is 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters. Similar legislation that applied to all home rule units of local government (HB695 /Franks) failed by a vote of 56-49-4.  HB 696 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Property tax relief is another priority of Governor Rauner’s “Turn Around” agenda; however, Rauner said that this bill does not go far enough.
>  
> The Illinois Senate approved legislation (SB2228 /Steans) to make possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana a civil violation punishable by a fine of $100 to $200. The civil offense is automatically expunged to prevent a permanent criminal record.  The legislation also establishes a standard for Cannabis-DUI and allows for alternative ways to test for cannabis DUI.  The bill now heads to the House.
>  
> A House committee approved legislation (HB4323 (Zalewski) to legalize online daily fantasy sports.    Two additional amendments to the underlying bill were filed this week, but the bill was not considered prior to the Third Reading Deadline and has been re-referred to the House Rules Committee.
>  
> Earlier this month, Governor Rauner issued Executive Order 16-05  creating the Health Care Fraud Elimination Task Force.  The Task Force is charged with developing and coordinating a comprehensive effort to prevent and eliminate health care fraud, waste, and abuse in State-administered health care programs, including but not limited to the State Employees Group Insurance Program, the Workers’ Compensation Program for State of Illinois agencies, boards, commissions, and universities, and the Illinois Medicaid program.
>  
> Over the legislative spring break, Senator President Cullerton removed a procedural hold on SB777,  legislation to address the funding shortfall in the Chicago fire and police pension systems, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.   The bill, passed by the Legislature at the end of the 2015 Spring Session, approves a new pension payment ramp for the Chicago fire and police pension systems, lowering the contribution amount for the Funds.  The legislation aims to move the system to 90% funding by the year 2055 (currently 2040).  The bill also requires any Chicago casino revenue to be deposited into the fund; currently no Chicago casino revenue exists.  The bill further creates a new minimum retirement annuity provision based on the federal poverty level for certain individuals. The Governor has 60 days to act on the bill.
>  
> On Sunday, April 17th, Comptroller Munger announced that paychecks for legislators and executive officeholders would be placed in the same waiting que as all other state bills, a move that will likely delay lawmaker paychecks. 
>  
> On Wednesday, Dan McConchie was sworn in as the new Republican State Senator for the 26th District.  McConchie replaces Dan Duffy who resigned his position to serve as President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America.
>  
> 2016 Key Session Deadlines
> April 22 – Third Reading Deadline, both Chambers
> May 13 – Substantive Bill Committee Deadline in opposite Chamber, both Chambers
> May 27 – Third Reading Deadline in opposite Chamber, both Chambers
> May 31 – Adjournment
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**5 IAMC - Legislative Report on the 99th General Assembly  2016 Spring Session  April 30, 2016  Prepared by BP Consultants for IAMC
>  
> The attached Legislative Report includes legislation from the 2016 Session of the 99th General Assembly. This report has been prepared by BP Consultants on behalf of IAMC.
>  
> We have included bills that we believe may be of interest to your organization.  Please review this report carefully to see if we have included all areas of interest.  If we have included legislation that is not relevant or legislation that you do not wish to track, please let me know and they will be removed.  If you would like for your organization’s positions on bills to be included in the report, please send that information to me at desiharris at msn.com and it will be incorporated. Bills that are no longer active have been removed from this report.
>  
> Both chambers return on Tuesday, May 3rd after taking this past week off for Passover.  The focus will be on committee hearings with the committee deadline for substantive bills in the second chamber on Friday, May 13th. 
>  
> On April 25th, Governor Rauner signed the bipartisan agreement (PA 99-502) which provides over $600 million in stopgap funding to Illinois institutions of higher education, including interim support to community colleges and MAP grant recipients.  SB 2059 (President Cullerton and Representative Currie) provides funding from the Education Assistance Fund and will have no impact on general revenue funds. The bill was driven by rank-and-file members who want to make sure that universities will be open in the fall.
>  
> Governor Rauner announced on Wednesday that if a budget agreement can’t be reached by the end of May, he’d be willing to pay the costs for a special legislative session out of his own pocket to continue negotiations. “We should not let this go past May. I’m seeing more excitement and more optimism between the rank-and-file (lawmakers) who are saying that this has gone on too long,” Rauner said. “Everyone is going to have to come off their hardest positions and come up with some middle ground, and I’m hearing that on a level I’ve never heard before, so that makes me optimistic.”
>  
> On Monday the Illinois Labor Relations Board began the process of deciding whether contract talks between the state and its largest employee union have reached an impasse. An administrative law judge heard an attorney for the state lay out the case for why the board should declare the talks at an impasse, while an attorney for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 argued that the talks should continue. A ruling in the state’s favor would open the door for the Governor Rauner’s administration to impose its final contract terms on the union. The union would then have to decide whether to accept or strike, something that AFSCME has never done at the state level. A ruling in favor of the union would require negotiations to resume. The ruling is not expected for weeks.
>  
> The Illinois Municipal League and Associated Firefighters of Illinois are asking the legislature to pass a measure that would grant broad immunity to police and firefighters in the conduct of their duties. IML president Brad Cole said lawmakers need to act because of a January Illinois Supreme Court decision that abolished the “public duty rule” that provided broad protections from governments from certain lawsuits. SB 3070 (Senator Clayborne) would reverse this decision and restore the broad protections previously provided by the common law public duty rule. The bill is in the Senate Committee on Assignments.
>  
> A coalition of physicians, law enforcement agencies, addiction survivors and substance abuse counselors urged state lawmakers during a press conference Tuesday to pass legislation that would make it more difficult to misuse prescription opioid medication. HB 2743 (Representative McAsey) , which currently is in the House Rules Committee, would require Illinois health insurance companies to cover opioid painkillers made with abuse deterrent properties (ADP). Prescription opioids containing this relatively new technology are significantly harder to crush and help prevent users from breaking a pill’s extended release mechanism to achieve a quick and intense high through snorting, smoking or melting and injecting the powder, according to Dr. Michael Rock, an attending anesthesiologist and pain management director at Community First Medical Center in Chicago.
>  
> Upcoming Important Dates and Deadlines:
>  •May 3, 2016 – Next Session Date for House and Senate
> •May 13, 2016 – Committee Deadline for Substantive Senate Bills in the House and Substantive House Bills in the Senate
> •May 27, 2016 – Third Reading Deadline for Substantive Bills in the Second Chamber
> •May 31, 2016 – Scheduled Adjournment
>  
> Thank you,
> Desi Harris
> desiharris at msn.com <mailto:desiharris at msn.com>
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**6 IAMC Scholarship Award – (Illinois members let me know if you want application)
> Dear Member,
>  
> The Illinois Automatic Merchandising Council (IAMC) is proud to sponsor the Peter F. Perricone Scholarship Program to benefit employees and children of member companies.     The scholarship is named for Pete Perricone who was the driving force behind its creation. The applicant can either be an employee or a dependent of a full time employee of an IAMC member company. Applicants must also reside in Illinois, be high school seniors or graduates enrolling in full time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four-year college, university or vocational school. For more details, refer to the next page.
>  
> This scholarship program is administered by a non-partisan committee and awards are granted without regard for race, national origin, religion, age, gender or disability.       IAMC board members are not involved in the selection process. All information is kept confidential.
>  
> This year two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded. The IAMC is proud to provide this stepping stone benefit for deserving students.
> Please distribute this information to your employees and encourage them to take advantage of this program. The IAMC/Peter F. Perricone Scholarship not only benefits our industry by helping students but also provides a membership benefit for your company. Promoting this program within your company demonstrates your company's commitment to the future success of the industry and your employees. Thanks for your help and support!
>  
> Sincerely,
> The IAMC Board of Directors
>  
> Eligibility Requirements:
> Applicant must be an employee or child/legal dependent of someone employed by an IAMC member company for 2 years or more.
>  
> The company must have been a dues-paying member of the IAMC in 2014 and 2015.
>  
> The applicant must be a student accepted or currently enrolled in a two or four-year undergraduate college degree program; or accepted or currently enrolled in a vocational or trade school.
>  
> Application Procedure:
> Application form must be received no later than June 1, 2016.
>  
> The Scholarship committee will review all applications and notify all applicants of their status by June 20, 2016. Winners will be invited to participate in an awards presentation on July 29, 2016. Applicants    need not be present to win.
>  
> Two scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each will be awarded.
>  
> The award checks will be made payable to each winner's school, and mailed to the winner.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**7 From Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>Seminars at Hadley Presents: Braille Exchange: Have Fun with Braille Drawings
> Date: Thursday, May 5, 2016
> Time: 2:00 PM CDT; 19:00 GMT
> Tap into your inner Picasso! Join us as we create a variety of drawings associated with different holidays. Step-by-step instructions will be provided. You also will learn how to create your own braille drawings.
> Join Seminars at Hadley as Hadley braille instructors Susan Fisher and Debbie Siegel show how to have fun and be creative with braille. Come prepared with a slate and stylus or braillewriter and several sheets of braille paper.
> Dawn Turco, Hadley's Senior Vice President, will moderate this 60-minute seminar. A question and answer session will be included as part of the seminar.
> This seminar is an audio-only 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 now for Have Fun with Braille Drawings <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=804960&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hadley.edu%2FSeminarDetails.asp%3Fsid%3D318>.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>Seminars at Hadley Presents: iFocus 14: Tips on Using the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS
> Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2016
> Time: 11:00 AM CDT; 16:00 GMT
> Attention all iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch owners!  Seminars at Hadley is presenting the 14th episode in its quarterly series of seminars designed for you. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, you will not want to miss this latest installment.
> Join Seminars at Hadley as Hadley Access Technology Instruction Specialist and iDevice trainer Douglas Walker explores “Tips for Using the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS.” This seminar will cover the following topics:
> Finding Audio Descriptions in iTunes
> Using the Videos App
> Larry Muffett, a member of Hadley’s Seminars Team, will moderate this 90-minute seminar. A question and answer session will be included as part of the seminar.
> This seminar is an audio-only seminar. 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 now for Tips on Using the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=804960&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hadley.edu%2FSeminarDetails.asp%3Fsid%3D319>.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>There Are Now 54 iFocus Video Lessons! In addition to the iFocus audio seminars, check out the companion video series, offering tips on using the vision accessibility features in iOS. Customize your learning by choosing from the 54 free instructional iFocus videos <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=804960&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hadley.edu%2FInstructionalVideos.asp> available 24/7.
>  
> Did you receive this email as a forward? Sign up to receive eConnect <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16457095&msgid=804960&act=3JPY&c=225701&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fhadley.edu%2FeNewsletter.asp>.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**8 From Second Sense - Making Sense Newsletter: May 2016
> Follow this link for the full newsletter: http://www.second-sense.org/programs/making-sense-newsletter/ <http://www.second-sense.org/programs/making-sense-newsletter/>
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**9 Eyes on Success – last several posts:
> 1615 Accessibility of Facebook Products (Apr. 6, 2016)
> Do you struggle using Facebook with a screen reader? Matt King, a member of the Accessibility Engineering Team at Facebook, describes many tips and hotkeys for using Facebook more efficiently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey also talk with him about an exciting new feature launching this week to help make photos more accessible to people with vision loss. 
>  
> 1616 Tandem Bicycle Racing (Apr. 13, 2016)
> This week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Matt King about the thrill and excitement of competitive racing on a tandem bicycle. Matt set a world speed record, participated in three Paralympics, and underwent an intense training regimen. He describes these experiences and what it feels like to be going over 45 MPH around turns banked at more than 45 degrees!
>  
> 1617 Blind Marathoner and Celebrity Guide (Apr. 20, 2016)
> Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Erich Manser, a blind accessibility engineer at IBM, and Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" about their experiences running the Boston Marathon together. They talk about how they got together, the special trust required to run as partners, and what happens when things don't go quite as planned.
>  
> 1618 the vOICe - Seeing With Sound (Apr. 27, 2016)
> The vOICe technology is a general approach for "seeing with sound". It  visual input from a web cam or PC display that is converted to audio output. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Pranav Lal about the technology and how it can be used to visualize data and provide the blind with a representation of the world around them.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**10 Shared by Joe Urbanek From AFB Access World Magazine
> Vision Research
> Repairing or Replacing the Optic Nerve: New Frontiers in Vision Technology Research Bill Holton
> In the September 2013 issue of AccessWorld , we described four groundbreaking advances in low vision enhancement, including the Implantable Miniature Telescope from VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, and the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis from Second Sight. The first of these is a pea-size telescopic lens that increases the useable vision of individuals who have lost central vision due to end-stage age-related onset macular degeneration. The Argus II is aimed toward people with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The Argus II uses a wireless signal to stimulate the optic nerve directly via an implanted array of electrodes, bypassing the rods and cones damaged by RP.
>  
> As remarkable as these solutions may be, they do have one stumbling block in common: they each assume the recipient possesses a functioning optic nerve that can adequately transmit visual signals to the brain for processing. But what if the optic nerve has been damaged by glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, or trauma? Might there be some way to mend these most complex and fragile of nerve fibers? Or even better, bypass them altogether?
>  
> In this article we will describe two recent research breakthroughs--one that shows the potential to help regenerate damaged optic nerves, and the second, a system called Gennaris, that may produce vision without the optic nerve, or even the eye itself.
>  
> Regenerating an Optic Nerve
> The optic nerve is one of the most important nerves in the body, second only to the spinal cord (the spinal cord includes thousands of nerve strands while the optic nerve has but one). So fifteen years ago when Zhigang He, Professor of neurology at the Boston Children's Hospital F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center set up a lab to investigate ways to regenerate nerve fibers in people with spinal cord injuries, he decided the best place to start would be to attempt neural regeneration in damaged optic nerves as a proxy.
>  
> Others have tried optic nerve regeneration or repair. The first attempts spliced bits of the sciatic nerve to replace damaged optic nerve. Most axons didn't regrow. About eight years ago, Dr. He's group tried gene excision to delete or block tumor-suppressing genes. This prompted some optic nerve regeneration, but it also increased cancer risks. Their recent work with Dr. Joshua Sanes at Harvard found a gene therapy strategy to enhance growth factor activities, which could mimic the regeneration effects induced by tumor suppressor deletion. Nevertheless, the number of regenerated axons by these approaches was limited.
>  
> He and his co-senior-researcher, Boston Children's Hospital Assistant Professor of neurology Michela Fagiolini, took gene therapy a step further. They used a gene therapy virus called AAV to deliver three factors to boost growth factor responses into the retina, which is part of the optic nerve system.
>  
> "Over time we were able to regenerate increasingly longer nerve fibers in mice with damaged optic nerves," he reports. "Unfortunately, the new neural fibers did not transmit impulses, known as action potentials, all the way from the eye to the brain, so there was no new vision."
>  
> He and Fagiolini traced the problem to the fact that the new nerve fibers were growing without the fatty sheath called Myelin. Myelin insulates nerve fibers and keeps neural signals on track, much as the insulation surrounding a copper wire directs electrical current to the lamp instead of into the wall studs and outlets.
>  
> Turning to the medical literature, he and Fagiolini read about a potassium channel blocker called 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) which is known to improve message conduction in nerve fibers that lack sufficient Myelin. Indeed, 4-AP is marketed as AMPYRA to treat MS-related walking difficulties, which also involve a loss of myelin.
>  
> "When we administered 4-TP the signals were able to go the distance," says Fagiolini. A separate lab, where they did not know which of the blind mice had been treated, confirmed that the treated mice responded to moving bars of light while the control group did not.
>  
> "There is still considerable work to be done before this treatment is ready for human trials," He says. For example, the team used a gene therapy virus to deliver the growth factors that stimulated optic nerve regeneration, but He and Fagiolini believe they can produce an injectable "cocktail" of growth factor proteins that could be equally effective. "We're trying to better understand the mechanisms and how often the proteins would have to be injected," says He.
>  
> Also yet to be solved are the potential side effects of using 4-AP to increase optic nerve signal transmission. The medication can cause seizures if given chronically, so He and Fagiolini have begun testing non-FDA approved 4-AP derivatives which would be safer for long-term use. Despite the remaining hurdles, He and Fagiolini remain optimistic. "At least now we have a paradigm we can use to move forward," He says.
>  
> The Mind's Eye
> Regenerating the optic nerve could help millions, but what if we could bypass the optic nerve altogether and see without one, or even without physical eyes? That's the goal of Arthur Lowery, Professor of electrical and computer systems engineering at Australia's Monash University. Lowery and his team are currently working on Gennaris, a system that will stimulate the brain's visual cortex directly, sending a grid of electrical impulses that the brain can interpret as recognizable patterns of light and dark.
>  
> Research into "brain" vision goes back to the 1960s. "At that time you needed a room full of equipment to get any results at all," observes Lowery. "Even as little as ten or fifteen years ago, producing a grid of three hundred points of light meant passing a bundle of 300 separate wires from the brain to a large, external video camera." Lowery and his team are building on this previous work, taking advantage of the considerable progress which has been made over the past decade in processing power, component miniaturization, wireless data transmission, and induction power transmission such as that now found on some cell phones which can be placed atop the charger instead of needing to be plugged in.
>  
> In normal vision, light passes through the eye's pupil and lens and stimulates rods and cones, which are the photo-receptive cells covering the retina. These photochemical signals are transformed into neural impulses, which in turn are transmitted along the optic nerve to the visual cortex. There, the brain turns these impulses into recognizable shapes and images, otherwise known as vision.
>  
> As it happens, the neurons in the visual cortex can also be stimulated by contact with tiny electrodes. "We know from previous research that we can produce flashes of light that appear in roughly the same spot whenever that same region of the visual cortex is stimulated," states Lowery. "If we can create a number of these flashes more or less simultaneously, we can create a rudimentary grid of light and dark the brain could interpret as an image." Imagine a square of sixteen light bulbs creating the letter O by switching on the twelve perimeter bulbs and leaving the four center lights turned off. Or a letter L created by braille dots 1, 2, and 3, with the rest of the cell left blank.
>  
> The Gennaris team hopes to create just such a grid using tiny ceramic tiles embedded directly onto a test subject's visual cortex. "Each tile is approximately 9 millimeters square--about a third of an inch--with forty-three working electrodes on each tile," Lowery explains. "These electrodes will penetrate 1.5 to 2 millimeters into the visual cortex, reaching what is known as Layer Four, the brain region most directly stimulated by the optic nerve."
>  
> A small video camera will transmit real-time imagery to a pocket-size processing unit. There, special algorithms will determine the most essential aspects of each image and break them down into a running series of grids of light and dark. The grids will be streamed wirelessly to a magnetic induction coil placed against the back of the patient's head nearest the visual cortex. The induction coil will be able to remotely spawn a tiny charge in each of the electrodes as appropriate, which will then stimulate the visual cortex much the same way as the optic nerve would normally do.
>  
> "We will actually have an advantage over implanted retinal prosthetics," says Lowery. "Most of our sharpest vision takes place in a tiny portion of the retina rich in rods and cones known as the fovea. The fovea is only about a square millimeter in size, so intraocular prosthetics must also make use of retinal tissue more associated with peripheral vision. The brain area that actually processes central vision is twenty-five times larger than the retinal tissue it services, however, which gives us potentially twenty-five times the resolution of a retinal implant."
>  
> Lowery and his team hope to initiate their first clinical trials by the end of 2016. "We plan to begin with four tiles, but eventually we hope to increase that number to eleven," he states. "We also hope to reach ten frames a second in transmission speed." According to Lowery, the resolution could also potentially be enhanced many times over by coating the electrodes with special hormones called brain-derived neurotropic factors. "Instead of poking the brain neurons with electrodes, these chemicals would actually encourage the neurons to reach out and make contact and new connections, as though the electrodes were other brain cells."
>  
> Also according to Lowery, realistic depictions of the world around us are not the be all and end all of Gennaris's potential. "We already have facial recognition that does a great job of identifying people. Imagine a special icon representing your husband or wife, others for each of your children that could include emotional content, smiles, tears, and the like. Direction and distance markers for doors, elevators, and windows would also be possible. We could even generate runway-light-like guidance systems to help navigate a warren of unfamiliar corridors, pointing out obstacles along the way."
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**11 Shared by Terry Smith, NFBEI – NFBEI Blitz
> Click on this link to view the most recent issue of The NFBEI Blitz. There's lots of information as usual. Please share with all of your vendors and staff.
> http://blindmerchants.org/the-blitz-winter-of-2016/ <http://blindmerchants.org/the-blitz-winter-of-2016/>
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**12 From Vending Times – Phoenix Returns Priority To Blind Vendors Following Lengthy Dispute by Emily Jed
> PHOENIX -- Following a long-running dispute with the state, the city of Phoenix has signed a contract with the Arizona Department of Economic Security that allows blind vendors to take back business in dozens of public buildings. At the center of the conflict between Phoenix and blind advocates was Arizona's version of the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act that gives operators who are blind priority to manage vending machines and cafeterias on state, county and city property, according to AZcentral.com. In 2014, Phoenix reportedly solicited bids for vending providers without offering the opportunity to blind vendors first. Additionally, the bids were to be evaluated based on how much revenue the operator could generate, among other criteria, AZcentral.com reported. State law prohibits the city from collecting money from blind vendors, prompting objections from the state. The city reportedly received no qualifying bids and pulled the request. City officials began negotiating with DES, but friction built when the city included a long list of requirements for vending operators. DES officials said the issue was resolved after the Arizona Attorney General's Office reminded the city that state law gives such operators priority to run vending sites on city property. Phoenix and DES have signed a contract to ensure priority to blind entrepreneurs to operate vending machines at dozens of facilities throughout the city. While some blind vendors operate vending machines in Phoenix buildings, many machines have been run by other companies.
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**13 Distributor Information –
> From Saverino & Associates
> Taylor Candy line up:
>  29490
> Butterscotch
> 24ct/2.75oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29656
> Candy Corn
> 24ct/2.25oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29434
> Cherry Slices
> 24ct/4.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29678
> Cherry Sour
> 24ct/2.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29456
> Gummi Bears
> 24ct/2.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29467
> Gummi Worms
> 24ct/2.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29545
> Lemon Drops
> 24ct/2.75oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 99654
> Mixed Fruit Slices
> 24ct/4.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29389
> Orange Slices
> 24ct/4.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29423
> Spice Drops
> 24ct/4.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29968
> Spearmint Leaves 
> 24ct/4.00oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29589
> Starlight Mints
> 24ct/2.75oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 29992
> Root Beer Barrels 
> 24ct/2.75oz
> $13.32
> $0.555
> 25012
> Pink & Blue Cotton Candy
> 12ct/1.80oz
> $10.10
> $0.842
> 25022
> Grape & Watermelon Cotton Candy
> 12ct/1.80oz
> $10.10
> $0.842
>  
> PUSH Beverage line up:
> PUSH (through CVS)
> 20 oz Root Beer, Pineapple, Peach, Orange, Lemonade, Fruit Punch & Grape 24 ct $11.90
> 20 oz Half & Half 24 ct $12.70
> 20 oz Water (with NFB fundraiser on bottle) $8.05
> 20 oz Tribe Tea Green w/Ginseng, Lemon, Peach, Raspberry, Unsweetened 24 ct $19.20
>  
> From G&J Marketing
> Tony’s Pizza Promotion - $2.00 off per case
> Offer valid for product shipped between through May13, 2016.
>  
> May 1 – 31 2016
> Better Bakery ▪ $2.00 per case Rebate
> Pierre Signatures ▪ $2.00 per case Rebate
> BIG AZ Hot 'N' Ready Breakfast ▪ $2.00 per case Rebate
> Hot 'n' Ready ▪ $2.00 per case Rebate
> Landshire Wedges ▪ $3.00 per case Rebate
> Landshire Signature ▪ $5.00 per case Rebate
> Landshire First Street Café ▪ $5.00 per case Rebate
> Landshire Fresh Cut ▪ $5.00 per case Rebate
> PROMOTION IS NOT OFF INVOICE • REBATE WILL BE PAID TO OPERATOR BASED ON PURCHASE REPORTS PROCESSED AT END OF PERIOD
> Call G & J Marketing and Sales • PH: (727) 785-0066 for full details and to place orders on promotions.
>  
> Pop Chips
>  $2.00 off per case with a 3 case minimum
> must purchase at least two Ridges flavors
> applies to 72 count cases
> for product shipped through 5/13/16
> new ridges salted
> new ridges tangy bbq
> new ridges cheddar sour cream
> new ridges chili cheese
>  
> Mrs. Freshley’s
> $0.03 off per unit
> Offer valid for product shipped between May 2 - 27, 2016
> USDA Apple Cinnamon Cereal Bar 90/1.5 oz.
> USDA Strawbery Cereal Bar 90/1.5 oz.
> Allowance Provided Off Invoice - No Additional Billback
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**14 Distributor News – CVS
> Mrs. Freshley’s announcing longer shelf life of 45 days on Donuts and Honey Buns
>  
> In May look for:
> Paramount Coffee price increase
> General Mills Select bars list increase
> Basil SUN-MAID  Bluebry Greek Yogurt list decrease
>  
> Frito Lay LSS 3% increase in June (**Note from Kathy – there is still issues to be worked out with Frito Lay and rebates being paid.  Keep your eyes open for further communications on direction we will take with Frito Lay in 2016)
>  
>  <applewebdata://CD0677EE-4E15-4C13-BAA8-2315A8165EB0>**15 RSA Management Group Information
> Purchase Power Deal!!
> LSS SMARTFOOD POPCORN!
> 64 Count - $3.20 per Case Rebate
> 32 Count - $1.60 per Case Rebate
> 44439 White Cheddar 64
> 26493 Kettle Popcorn 64
> 62147 Delight Popcorn Sea Salt 32
> 61426 Jalapeno Ranch 32
> 61427 Delight Popcorn White Cheddar 32
>  * Jalapeno Ranch~One of the Q2 NEWS Item
> Deal Dates May 2nd thru June 11th, 2016
>  
> Purchase Power Deal!
> Pepsi / Gatorade
> On Purchases from your Pepsi Bottler!!
> $1.50 Rebate per Case!!
> Co-op Allotment 100,000 cases
> Member Allotment 5,000 cases
> Order Now through May 31st for Delivery by June 7th, 2016
>  
> Thank you,
> Kathy Ungaro
> ICBV, Business Manager
> (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.