[Iabs-talk] Fwd: Horizons Happenings - August

[Denise R Avant]

Denise R. Avant
President
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Live the life you want
Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Horizons Happenings <mail at horizons-blind.org>
> Date: August 14, 2017 at 1:47:37 PM EDT
> To: <davant1958 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Horizons Happenings - August
> Reply-To: Horizons Happenings <mail at horizons-blind.org>
> 
> 
> Horizons for the Blind - Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired.
> View this email in your browser
> 
> Greetings from Horizons
> Minor League Baseball
> Unified English Braille
> Available from the GADGET GALLERY
> “See” the Total Eclipse
> New Wearable Low-Vision Technology
> Horizons’ Calendar
> About Horizons for the Blind
> Connect with Horizons 
>  
> Greetings from Horizons – 
> August has been a busy time at Horizons. We’re working with some local museums to help make them more accessible – and that’s always fun! Check in future issues to learn more.
>  
> We’re all getting ready for an Eclipse party on August 21. It doesn’t happen very often, so we might as well celebrate it. We’re excited about the descriptive audio.
>  
> Camille Caffarelli
> Executive Director
> Horizons for the Blind
>  
> Minor League Baseball
>  
> Over 30 Weekenders made their annual pilgrimage to Geneva, IL to attend a Kane County Cougars baseball game. The Cougars are a Class A Minor League Baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and play in the Midwest League.
>  
> At the game, the Weekenders watched from a Super Suite and enjoyed traditional ballpark food including hot dogs, bratwurst and assorted desserts.
>  
> In addition to the food and fun, the Weekenders got to see a good baseball game, with the Cougars defeating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 4-3. Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, Kane County was down, 3-1, but scored three runs, including a leadoff home run.
>  
> Check the Calendar for another Weekenders event coming up soon.
>  
> Unified English Braille
> Here’s some tips about UEB from Horizons’ certified braille transcriptionist, Greta Hoesley. 
>  
>           "Why is this spelled out?" "Why isn't there a grade 1 indicator here?"
>           In my job as a transcriber, whenever a contraction question comes up, I have a pretty good idea of what might be causing the confusion. The usual suspects are: a slash, ellipsis, or special symbol. These things can disqualify words from standing alone. Thus, when you find these, you are also likely to find annoyingly uncontracted words and suspiciously missing grade 1 indicators.
>           Let's start with the slash. Anything in contact with a slash is not standing alone. For example, if you have the word "go" next to a slash, you need to spell it out, as in stay/go. Conversely, if you are writing about AC/DC's greatest hits, you do not need a grade 1 indicator to keep AC from being read as the shortform ACCORDING.
>           Next up: ellipses. It's important to note that, in UEB, the dots of ellipses are placed as they are in print, either connected to or spaced away from the surrounding words. If you have an unspaced ellipsis between two words, then neither word is standing alone. I bet I don't have to tell you...but...that causes unusual spellings!
>           Third suspect: Special symbols. Think non-punctuation things here, such as a copyright sign, trademark sign, asterisk or plus sign. These all disqualify words from standing alone. The last word in each of the following three examples is spelled out. Note that the strong groupsign for ch can still be used in Child.
>  
> Destiny's Child©
> Just do it.™
> Guideposts, National Geographic and People*
>  
>           In the online world, some additional suspects are the at sign (@), hashtag (#), and underscore (_). For example, "Johnny B Good" has a grade 1 indicator in front of the B, and Good uses the shortform. However, "Johnny_B_Good" does not have a grade 1 indicator in front of the B, and Good is spelled out.
>           With this snippet, I've wrapped up my overview of the Standing Alone rule. I'll revisit it when I tackle the specifics of shortforms, but for now, I hope you have a better understanding of the rule and how it applies to different situations.
>  
> Available from the GADGET GALLERY
>  
> It’s a wee bit early to start thinking about spooks, pumpkins, etc., but Halloween will be upon us in no time. We can make baking for your families and friends so exciting. It’s time to say trick or treat.
>  
> CAKE PANS
>  
> PUMPKIN LOAF PAN: N57448X; $25.00
>           A great way to showcase delicious autumn breads and cakes, complete with a pumpkin harvest design. One pumpkin is located in the center and a side view of a pumpkin with leaves is found on each end. Small pumpkins can be found around the base of the pan.
>  
> GHOST CAKE PAN: N80048; $28.00
>           Bake a scary 3-D cake with this Ghost Halloween Pan. Boo!
>  
> HAUNTED SKULL CAKE PAN: N89448; $28.00
>           This frightfully fun pan makes the perfect cake for spooky gatherings. Bake two halves in one pan and put together with icing to make a 3-D masterpiece. Your cake will be the hit of the party.
>  
> APPLE CAKE PAN: N88948X; $28.00
>           Half an apple on each side of the pan including the apple stem. Makes a lovely conversational piece when put on your table.
>  
> Audio Description to Allow the Blind To “See” the Total Eclipse
>  
> WASHINGTON – The Audio Description Project, an initiative of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), along with the Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind, the Tennessee School for the Blind and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, announces an opportunity for blind people world-wide to experience the upcoming total eclipse of the sun.
>  
> On Monday afternoon, August 21, at exactly 1:27 p.m. (CDT), the Sun above Nashville, TN will disappear from view. The sky will go completely dark. But through the use of succinct, imaginative and vivid language – audio description –the event will be accessible to the millions of people who are blind or have low vision, or anyone who wishes to experience a verbal version of the visual.
>  
> Between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. (CDT) on August 21, Dr. Joel Snyder will host “A Total Eclipse — Audio Described!” on ACB Radio.  Snyder, the director of ACB’s Audio Description Project, will present an hour of songs (“Ain’t Got No Sunshine,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Blinded by the Light,” “When The Sun Goes Down,” etc.), interviews and special guests — with the main event being described live from the Tennessee School for the Blind between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. (CDT). Trained audio describer, Nashville-based Julia Cawthon, will describe the eclipse as it happens and provide a vivid “translation” of the visual event into words for the benefit of anyone who tunes in. 
>  
> “Audio description uses the spoken word to provide access to visual images that would otherwise not be accessible to people who are blind or have low vision,” stated Kim Charlson, president of the American Council of the Blind. “Audio describers help make so many aspects of our culture accessible.  We’re delighted to sponsor this program on August 21 and help people experience this important event.” 
>  
> How to access the broadcast: Go to http://www.acbradio.org/interactive and select “Click Here to Play.” Then be sure to select the link that opens the player that you use to listen to music or stream internet radio stations. You can also listen on any telephone by dialing (605) 475-8130 and select option 4. If you are using an iOS device such as an iPad or iPhone, install “ACB Link”; open the app, select the radio tab and then tap on the menu button. Select “live streams” and “ACB Radio Interactive,” select the play button and the stream will launch.
>  
> Additional information about ACB’s Audio Description Project is available at: www.acb.org/adp. 
>  
> Enhanced Vision Introduces New Wearable Low-Vision Technology 
> at an Affordable Price
>  
> HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.: Enhanced Vision introduces Jordy, the latest in wearable low-vision technology that will revolutionize how those with low vision perform everyday tasks, such as reading mail, paying bills, watching TV and playing cards. Jordy helps individuals who are blind or have low vision regain their visual independence and reclaim their lives.
> 
> The National Eye Institute (NEI) defines low vision as the best-corrected visual acuity of less than 20/40 in the patient’s best eye. This means a person with low vision sees at 20 feet with his or her good eye what people with healthy vision can see at 40 feet. More than 2 million people in the United States had low vision in 2010, according to statistics presented by the NEI, but that number will rise to more than 4 million by 2030 as baby boomers age.
>  
> Only about 1 percent of the blind population in the U.S. is born without sight, according to the National Federation of the Blind. Most people with low vision lose their sight later in life as the result of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and diabetes.
>  
> Worn like a pair of glasses, Jordy features a sleek, modern design that appeals to all ages. This innovative system allows wearers to see near and far, as well as to read, write and see in any environment, including home, work, and school.
>  
> Weighing in at a mere 8 ounces, the Jordy headset is lightweight and portable. An adjustable nosepiece makes Jordy comfortable. Jordy is battery-operated and uses rechargeable batteries, providing the ultimate in convenience.
>  
> Packed with features such as HD autofocus camera for distance, intermediate and near viewing; Jordy gives the wearer ultimate control over their visual experience. Other features include 10x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, dual viewfinders with a wide field of view, and 5-level brightness control.
>  
> The optional docking stand converts Jordy into a desktop electronic magnifier (CCTV) that features a 24″ high-resolution monitor, an HD autofocus camera and 5.5x to 66x magnification. Users enjoy simple, easy-to-use tactile controls, multiple viewing modes to optimize brightness and contrast, and built-in LED lighting. Jordy even comes with a low-profile protective carrying case.
>  
> Designed and assembled in the United States, Jordy comes with a 2-year warranty to ensure complete satisfaction. Users are giving Jordy high marks when it comes to helping them regain visual independence. One wearer, Ed Parker, said “Jordy gave me my life back! It not only helps me do the things I need to do like read my mail and pay my bills, it also allows me to see my grandkids, watch TV, play cards and enjoy so many other things I thought were lost to me. It is simply amazing.”
>  
> Jordy’s manufacturer, Enhanced Vision, is the leading developer of innovative products designed specifically for people who are legally blind and have macular degeneration and other low-vision conditions. Offering the most comprehensive line of electronic magnifying solutions on the market today, Enhanced Vision has helped thousands of people regain visual independence. Jordy and other solutions offered by Enhanced Vision help users read, write, watch television, enjoy the theater and live life to the fullest again. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Enhanced Vision products are available in more than 70 countries worldwide. For more information about Jordy, contact Enhanced Vision by calling: (888) 811-3161 or visiting their website at www.enhancedvision.com.
>  
> Horizons’ Calendar
>  
> Saturday, September 9 – Day at the Horse Races
> Location: Arlington International Racecourse: 2200 W Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
> Cost: $8 for admission.
> Post time: 1:25 p.m.
> Transportation: The van will leave the Jefferson Park McDonald’s located at 4946 N. Milwaukee at 10:15 a.m. We will also have people available to meet the trains from both directions. Please let us know if you are taking the train. The final post is at 4:55 p.m. and the races are usually over around 5:15. The van should be back to Jefferson Park approximately 6:30 p.m.
> Notes: The million room, where we will be, has a dress code. Shorts, jeans, or open shoes are not acceptable attire. We will have 4 volunteers to assist if needed. If you need a wheelchair, the track will provide them and use their personnel to push. After they bring you to the million room, they will come back when you ask them to. Please let us know in advance if you need a wheelchair. We want to make sure they are available when you arrive. Please remember they have a lot of people that require wheelchairs. Please give them time to get back after the races.
> Cut-off: Friday, September 1
>  
> About Horizons for the Blind
> Horizons mission is to improve the quality of life and to empower people who are blind or visually impaired, by increasing accessibility to consumer information, education, recreation and employment.
>  
> Horizons was started as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in 1977 by Founder and
>  
> Executive Director Camille Caffarelli, who has been blind since birth. From two volunteers working out of Caffarelli’s basement in Chicago, Horizons has grown to a staff of 50+ employees, over half of whom are blind, visually impaired or have other disabilities.
>  
> Horizons believes that it is a fundamental right to be able to read billing and financial statements, as well as other documents, in an accessible format. People who are blind or visually impaired should have the same right to get this information, without assistance, as sighted consumers. This not only speaks to the issue of accessibility but also of privacy and independence.
>  
> Connect with Horizons 
> For more information about Horizons and its programs:
> Website: www.horizons-blind.org
> Directions for me website: www.directionsforme.org
> Follow us on Twitter at
> twitter.com/horizons4blind
> Friend us on Facebook at
> facebook.com/horizonsfortheblind
> Donate: To make a secure, online donation to Horizons, follow this link – Donate.
>  
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>  
> Contact Horizons at: 
> 125 Erick Street, A103
> Crystal Lake, IL 60014
> 815-444-8800
> mail at horizons-blind.org
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> This email was sent to davant1958 at gmail.com 
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> Horizons for the Blind · 125 Erick St. · A103 · Crystal Lake, IL 60014 · USA 
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