[Nfb-editors] Arizona's Monthly Presidential Newsletter

[Robert Leslie Newman]

(I recently got added to the monthly email update put out by Arizona's
President, Bob Cresmer. Here is May's  issueJ

 

May 4, 2012 

 

 

Hello, fellow Federationists 

 

 

The NFBA affiliate is holding our May quarterly board meeting and annual
philosophy session in Phoenix on Saturday May 12 at the APS (Arizona Public

Service) building at 400 N. 5th St.  in conference room 2 North.  The
meeting will begin with our annual philosophy seminar beginning at 10:00
A.M. and the affiliate business session will begin at 1:00 P.M.  

 

We will be talking about the fact that the NFB is a grassroots, democratic
organization and that our efforts and effectiveness begin at the chapter
level and move upward to state and national efforts.  We will explore how
this specific NFB philosophy is most inclusive and has the most effect in

changing the misconceptions of blindness.    

 

The affiliate is the host for this board meeting.  A five dollar donation
will bring you morning refreshments and pizza for lunch.  

 

 

* From Sharonda Greenlaw, Phoenix chapter president - The picnic on April 7
was a great success. We had about 65 people there.

Norma Robertson and her team truly put together a great get-together this
year. Thanks to the folks from all over the Valley for attending!

 

Dining at Applebee's

Dine with us after the Board Meeting at Applebee's! This will be our last
scheduled fundraiser so far with them. Any food bought between 11 a.m. and
close and mentioned NFB of Phoenix, 10% will be donated to our Chapter. The
Applebee's we're going to is on 2 E. Camelback off Central in Phoenix.

 

One of our PHX members, Andrew de Santiago, got his kidney transplant on
Friday, April 20!!! A big yeh for him!!!!

Get a hold of him and wish him the best with his email  edrew at cox.net Leave
him your number--this would allow him to get the rest that he deserves as
well as make calls when he can.

 

Congratulations to Norma Robertson and Paul Wagner, who are newly married
and progressing nicely in her health!!! Let's keep calling and wishing her
the best!!!

 

 

* From Marc Schmidt, president of the West Valley chapter - 

 

The West valley chapter meets on May 19, the third Saturday, rather than the
usual fourth Saturday.  This is only the second meeting on this new
schedule, so please mark it on your calendar! 

 

 

* From Larry Martin, Tucson chapter president - We will be sponsoring a
faculty/staff working lunch for the Arizona School

for the Blind on May 18,   and also a graduation dinner planned on Tuesday,

May 15 for the ASB graduating seniors & their families. NFB members will be
paying for their own dinners.  If you are able to join us, you are welcome!

Please contact committee chair Lynn Kresmer for details of time and place.  

 

 

 

* From Ron Gardner regarding the testing of Cardtronics ATM machines in

Arizona - 

 

The NFB has settled a lawsuit with the largest independent ATM distributor

in America, but they continue to disregard their obligations.  We need

volunteers to test these machines again, and the NFB will reimburse NFB

members who test and report on these machines.  We have reimbursed $50.00

per machine reported on and are again making this offer.  

The defendant, CardTronics, is currently under a "contempt of court" order.

We must quickly get in as many tests as possible, and we will bill

CardTronics for each of the tests.  I know we all have a lot to do, and I

appreciate your giving this project your attention.  

 

If you are willing to go to a Cardtronics ATM and test the speech system and

report on it, please contact Bob Kresmer for the location of these machines

closest to you.  Bob will give you the details about making the email

report.  We need to report on the accessibility of the ATM machines very,

very soon! 

 

 

* From Linda Montgomery, Director of Arizona Braille and Talking Book

Library - 

 

Read to celebrate the Arizona State Centennial in 2012 with ONEBOOKAZ!

 

ONEBOOKAZ was created to bring communities together through literature.

Beginning in March every year, this program encourages communities across

the state to read the same book at the same time and participate in

discussions and programs centered around that book.  The adult selection for

2012 is Arizona: 100 Years Grand by Lisa Schnebly Heidinger.  It is also the

official book of the Arizona Centennial.

 

This year, the author will discuss her book at a special event for current

(and future) Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library patrons.  Please join

us on Tuesday, May 8 at the Carnegie Center, which is located at 1101 W.

Washington in Phoenix.  The event will begin at 12:00 PM.  RSVP by calling

602-255-5578, ext. 3349.

 

This program is supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library,

Archives and Public Records, a Division of the Secretary of State, under the

Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute

of Museum and Library Services. 

 

For more information on ONEBOOKAZ and a list of events around the state,

visit www.onebookaz.org.

 

 

* From Tim Elder, a blind lawyer working with Scott LaBarre to research

possible legal action is requesting your participation - 

 

NFB is looking closely at the accessibility of point-of-sale terminals (self

check out only) in retail establishments.  Most of us would like to have

independent access to point-of-sale terminals in every store so that we

don't have to ask a store employee to enter our personal information or take

control of our credit or debit cards when making purchases.  There is a

strong argument that the law requires such independent access to

point-of-sale terminals.  However, no courts have currently addressed this

issue and most if not all retail stores require that a blind shopper rely on

a store employee to use its point-of-sale machines.  

 

The NFB is specifically interested in hearing about experiences with the

Fresh & Easy chain.  Our legal team wants to interview members who have

attempted to use the self-checkout terminals at Fresh & Easy and were

required to wait for an employee before conducting a transaction.  

 

Interested individuals should contact Timothy Elder of the TRE Legal

Practice at (410) 415-3493 or telder[at]trelegal[dot]com.  

 

The Fresh & Easy chain is in most major cities in Arizona.  Members can go

to the following URL and enter their zip code in the search box to find the

closest store.

http://www.freshandeasy.com/WhereWeAre.aspx

In addition, here is a partial list of some of the stores in Arizona (there

are usually more than one store in each city if Fresh & Easy is in that

area).  A complete list of stores can also be found by performing a Google

search for Fresh & Easy locations near your city of residence.

 

 

812 North 12th Street

Phoenix, AZ

 

3434 West Greenway Road

Phoenix, AZ

 

655 W Indian School Rd. 

Phoenix 

 

3933 E Camelback 

Phoenix 

 

 

1202 West University Drive

Mesa, AZ

 

2758 South Crismon Road

Mesa, AZ

 

5805 West Ray Road

Chandler, AZ

 

Thanks, 

 

Timothy Elder 

Attorney 

TRE Legal Practice, LLC 

Phone: (410) 415-3493 

E-mail: telder at trelegal.com 

 

 

* Rehabilitation Services Administration, Services for the Blind, Visually

Impaired, and Deaf is conducting a Needs Assessment for Individuals with

combined Hearing and Vision Loss.  We would like to identify and contact as

many individuals as possible.  

 

 

Are you experiencing difficulty hearing normal conversations? Is your

hearing loss causing concern regarding your independence (i.e. street

crossings)? Are you less able to use screen or voice output? Arizona

Services for the Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deaf (SBVID) would like to

hear about it.  We are conducting a survey to discover the needs of people

like you.  Please contact SBVID 602-542-1528 (V), or EBoyd at azdes.gov to

participate.

 

Thank you, Ellen Boyd

RSA SBVID

Central Office

602-542-1528

 

 

* From Vicki Hodges, Phoenix chapter 

The City Manager issued the Proposed 2012-13 Budget and the Library portion

has increased over the Trial Budget proposal.  We will now get evening hours

for eight branches, morning hours for Burton Barr, and College Depot

programming at 4 branches!!  I am so pleased to see the addition of staff to

serve our community! 

 

Council will make the budget decisions at the following meetings:

May 15, 2012 Council Policy meeting 

May 30, 2012 Formal meeting: Public hearing and tentative budget adoption

June 19, 2012 Council meeting: 2nd public hearing and formal budget adoption

   

Below are the details on which locations will get more hours.  Thank you!

Rita

Library

Program: Branch Libraries

1. Increase evening library hours at Agave, Cesar Chavez, Cholla, Ironwood,

Juniper, Palo Verde, Saguaro, and Yucca by six hours per week: an additional

two hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

$410,000   12.0 FTE

Program: Burton Barr Central Library

2. Increase morning library hours at Burton Barr Libraries by six hours per

week: an additional two hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11

a.m. to 9 a.m.  $171,000  4.9 FTE

Program: College Depot

3. Expand College Depot services to four branch libraries: Cesar Chavez,

Cholla, Palo Verde, and South Mountain Community College.  $122,000  2.3 FTE

Total $703,000  19.2 FTE

 

 

* The following is an opportunity for a person who does not qualify for

state or federal programs to purchase assistive technology, such as

undocumented college students or others who don't qualify for RSA or other

programs - 

 

2012 Inspiration Foundation Adaptive Technology Award

 

The Inspiration Foundation offers a scholarship award of

adaptive technology to those people who are in need of it for

work or at home. If you are blind or visually impaired and have

been previously denied this technology from state and federal

funded programs, you are eligible to receive this award. It is

awarded once a year and will purchase up to $5,000 in

adaptive technology for the selected recipient.

 

We are now accepting applications to be considered

for the award. The application is available online at

www.theiffoundation.org. If you wish to be considered,

please fill out the online application form. If you are

considered as an ideal candidate, we will contact you

further to request information that proves your eligibility.

 

The deadline for submitting your application

is July 1st, 2012.

The recipient of the award will be announced on August 15, 2012

 

For More Information, Please Contact Us

323-934-0367 or email: info at theiffoundation.org

facebook.com/brandswithbraille  @WeAreIMS

 

* From the National Braille Press - 

Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS5 for Blind Users 

by Anna Dresner with Dean Martineau

In Braille (3 volumes), eBraille, Word, ePUB, and DAISY formats, $22

 

The iPhone keeps getting better!

 

This second edition contains new information since the release of iOS5 in

October 2011, including the remarkable voice assistant Siri. Getting Started

with the iPhone walks you through exploring and learning to use your iPhone

in detail. You will learn how to set up your phone, load and back up music,

contacts, etc., use the built-in apps and buy more! It includes an extensive

reference sheet and the appendices include all the gestures used to operate

the phone, as well as troubleshooting tips and a list of resources to help

you learn more.

 

Most of the book is also relevant for iPod Touch users. iPad screen layouts,

on the other hand, are different enough that many of the details described

will not apply, but information about configuring the iPhone and using the

gestures will still be helpful. Look for our new book on the iPad this

summer. 

 

Read the full table of contents - or place your order - at:

http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IPHONE-IOS5.html

 

And don't miss these helpful iPhone books:

Twenty-six Useful Apps for Blind iPhone Users, $9

iPhone Tactile Screenshot Quick Reference Guide, $27 

 

 

* From Gary Wunder, editor of the Braille Monitor asking for volunteer

writers  - 

Each month I get a number of people asking that the Braille Monitor review

certain books and publish those reviews.  I can't begin to handle the

workload, and I think it is also questionable for the editor to actually do

the book review.  I am writing to affiliate presidents to ask that you think

about whether you have readers who would be willing and able to do such

reviews.  The books we would suggest for review would have to have something

to do with blindness, technology, or disability law.

 

If you are interested in being a book reviewer, please feel free to do so.

I would appreciate it if you respond to me at gwunder at nfb.org 

Thank you.  

 

 

* A new special division of the NFB is being formed.  Please respond if this

applies to you - 

 

Attention all members of the National Federation of the blind of whom have

Cerebral Palsy:

Come one and all to form a new division of the National Federation of the

Blind to help improve the lives of blind persons with Cerebral Palsy. The

division name will be the National Federation of the Blind with Cerebral

Palsy division,  a division of the National Federation of the Blind. If you

have Cerebral Palsy and you are blind, or if you know someone who is blind

who has Cerebral Palsy this is a good opportunity for networking to develop

this division. The purpose of the division is to provide a form of support

for blind persons who have Cerebral Palsy in pursuing successful and

independent lives. If anyone is interested in developing this division

please contact Alex Kaiser at the following email address:

AScottKaiser90 at inbox.com. He can also be reached on his cell phone at 1 -973

525-8096. 

 

* From Danielle Jones - 

 

I am selling my Braille Blazer embosser for $500.00 or best offer, so I can

purchase additional assistive technology.  If you are interested, please

contact me at (480) 277-3461.   

 

 

* From Norma Robertson -

 

I am selling my Pebble handheld video magnifier, made by Enhanced Vision.

The handheld CCTV magnifies from 2x up to 10x, and is new in the box.  It is

a $450.00 value, and I will entertain reasonable offers.  Please call at

(602) 710-6777  

 

 

* From Debi Black and Bob Kresmer: an article about veterans that will

appear in the Arizona Talking Book Newsletter  -

 

Blind Veterans 

By Bob Kresmer and Debi Black 

 

If you are a blind veteran, a veteran who is losing vision, or close to

a veteran who is losing her or his vision, you need to know that there are

services, programs, and resources just for you! 

 

The National Library service has talking books specifically for you, for

example the book "Learning to Cope with Sight Loss: Six Weeks at a Blind

Rehabilitation Center," "Journey to excellence: Development of the Military

and V.A. Blind Rehabilitation Programs" and "Hope Unseen: The Story of the

U.S. Army's First Blind Active Duty Officer," as well as other talking books

aimed specifically to inform you.  

 

Many blinded veterans wish to remain in the workforce, and this is entirely

possible with rehabilitation training, proficiency in blindness skills, and

a positive outlook in dealing with vision loss.  Whether you are newly blind

or have been struggling with vision loss for a while, residential

rehabilitation centers provide the opportunity to gain confidence and a

belief in yourself to know, not just intellectually, but in your heart of

hearts, that you can be a full participant in today's society. Two such

training centers offering specialized training for blind veterans are

available to you.  The Veterans Administration Southwestern Blind

Rehabilitation Center, (SWBRC) is located in Tucson, Arizona.  Another

choice now available to veterans is the Colorado Center for the Blind, with

an emphasis in preparing blind persons to return to work. At the Colorado

Center for the Blind, students receive extensive training in the skills that

enable a person with vision loss to remain independent through the

Independence Training Program for Adults.  Veterans will gain confidence and

skills in aspects of daily living, adaptive computers, Braille, orientation

and mobility, vocational development, and much more. An integral part of the

program is to dispel the myths and misconceptions about blindness.

Overcoming these often negative notions and learning the real truth about

blindness is the cornerstone of this program.  In addition, participants

encounter problem solving situations and discover alternative techniques to

complete tasks.  This training takes place in both the real world and in the

classroom preparing you to return to work or to be able to participate in

life's activities. 

 

The V.A. Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center also provides similar

residential training for veterans in the areas of Daily Living, Orientation

and Mobility, Low Vision, Computer Access and Manual Skills. Both programs

provide an atmosphere for veterans to gain the confidence and skills needed

to remain independent throughout their lives.         

 

Debi Black, a blind veteran, is one of many Arizonans who has benefitted

from the resources and programs offered here in the State of Arizona.  She

is a board member of the National Association of Blind Veterans, (NABV), and

has participated in extensive training in how to become a confident and

competent blind veteran.  She is active in community activities, an advocate

for the rights and responsibilities of blind and low-vision Arizonans, and

engages in physical outdoor recreation.

 

As a member of the National Association of Blind Veterans, Debi is one of

many, who assist in creating opportunities for service members to either

return to work or remain active by volunteering, going back to school, or

engaging in enjoyable activities.  You may wish to learn more about the

National Association of Blind Veterans, by visiting their website at:

www.nabv.org .  Another national organization carrying out programs and

providing resources for Blind Veterans, is the Blinded Veterans Association,

(BVA). The BVA also works diligently to advocate for the rights of the

veterans they serve.  You may want to check out the Blinded Veterans

Association at:  www.bva.org. 

 

 

 

Both the NABV and the BVA ensure that whether a veteran is service connected

or non-service connected, he or she maintain the highest quality of life

possible.  Each organization helps the veteran overcome the challenges of

blindness and promotes the equal integration of the individual into society.

 

Whether you are of working age and wish to return to work, or are retired

and wish to spend your free time volunteering or engaging in recreational

activities, there are many opportunities available to you. The resources and

programs mentioned in this article are just a few of those available.

 

To learn more about the V.A. Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Training

Center, call Ellen Lee at (520) 792-1450 

 

To learn more about the veterans program at the Colorado Center for the

Blind, call Ron Gardner at  (801) 232-6547

 

Thanks for sticking through this long message, and if you have constructive

suggestions or news to share, please call or email me, 

 

Bob Kresmer, president NFBA 

1 888 899-6322 

krezguy at cox.net 

 

 

 

 

Would you like to join me on a 7 night Royal Caribbean cruise?

Sign up for the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona's fun, fund

raiser to:

Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico!

The spectacular cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas, sails from New Orleans

on January 5th , 2013, and this special offer is going quickly, so please

contact our travel agent to reserve your cabin.

Call Anahit Labarre at:

720.334.3652, or

Email her at:  alabarre at labarretravel.com 

All are welcome to enjoy this wonderful warm vacation, so bring your family

and friends along, too! 

 

 

 

Robert Leslie Newman

Personal Website-

Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairment

http//www.thoughtprovoker.info

NFB Writers' Division, president

http://www.nfb-writers-division.net 

Chair of the NFB Communications Committee