[Nfb-editors] Arizona News & Views - February 2015

[Robert Leslie Newman]

National Federation of the Blind of Arizona


News and Views


February, 2015


 


In This Issue


Greetings from Our President

Word on the street

Guess Who Just Took Another Trip Around the Sun

2015 Scholarships Available

A Job Opening Sent to You by Twitter

Free Currency Readers for the Blind

New Career Opportunities in Rehabilitation at Louisiana Tech University

Summer Job Opportunities at the Colorado Center for the Blind

SAAVI Announces New High School Internship Program

Security for Those of Us Who are Disabled

Tips and Tricks from a Blind Business Traveler

CVS Talking, Braille, and Large Print Labels Through Mail Service Pharmacy

The Bookshelf, 2 Selections

Interview with APH Narrators Jack and Jill Fox

Healthy Choice, Healthy Living, Tips for Getting Fit in 2015 

Blind Entrepreneurs Say Phoenix Hampering Program

East Valley Chapter News 

Join Our East Valley Chapter Braille Club

Connecting the Dots East Valley Style

Happenings in Tucson

Flick, Swipe, and Tap 

Gadgets and Gismos, the BraillePen 12

Did You Know?

The recipe box, Tater Tot Casserole

Think tank

A round of applause

Debbies list

Stay connected

Grins and groan the usual endings

 


Navigation


To navigate quickly to the different articles in this newsletter using JAWS,
System Access, NVDA, or Window Eyes, press the letter H to move through the
headings.  For MAC users, press Control Option Command plus the letter H.  

 


Greetings from Our President


 

February 6, 2015 

 

Hello, fellow Federationists, 

 

Since February is here, can Spring be far behind? Students getting ready to
graduate high school this Spring, as well as college students, should be
preparing their applications for a national and state NFB scholarship.  NFBA
members who have not yet been to an NFB national convention can prepare an
application for a Jernigan scholarship to participate in our 75 year
celebration in Orlando.  We will be preparing a Spring 2015 leadership and
philosophy seminar.  Lots to look forward to! 

 

This month, we will discuss: 

 

1.  NFBA affiliate board meeting by teleconference Saturday, February 14. 

2.  Memorial service for Henry Grijalva February 22. 

3.  Blind Parents needed to mentor new parents. 

4.  Interested in learning the new official Brail code, Unified English
Braille? 

5.  Vermont closes sheltered workshops: What happened? 

6.  Contractors / vendors for Rehabilitation Instruction Services need to
respond to a request for proposals due February 19. 

7.  Seminars on emergency preparedness coming up in Yuma and Tucson. 

 

 The NFBA affiliate quarterly board meeting will take place by
teleconference Saturday, February 14 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon.  NFBA members
are always invited to participate by telephoning the conference number,
605.475.6777, and entering the Pin number 6322  #.

 

The memorial service for blind merchant Henry Grijalva will take place
Sunday February 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Sahuaro Ranch Park

(9802 North 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302).  Dial a ride will arrange
transfers from Phoenix to Glendale with 24 hours notice.

For more details call Steve Jimenez at, 602 228 5081.

 Henry was killed in a traffic accident late last year shortly after he
began his vending at the state prison in Tucson.  Henry was an active member
of the Arizona business enterprise program and joined the Blind Merchants
division a few years back.  

 

We seem to be having blind parents producing children in Arizona.  We have
been receiving requests from inexperienced new parents for mentoring in
techniques, tips and tricks, and advice from blind parents or grandparents.
If you are willing to do some mentoring in this area, please give me a call
or email to volunteer.  

 

Interested in learning Unified English Braille? Our East Valley chapter,
with new chapter president Megan Homrighausen, has begun a Braille reading
club.  This is such a good idea that I encourage our chapters to consider
establishing Braille learning and reading practice in their chapters.  You
can also consider signing up for a free course from Hadley.edu called
Transitioning to Unified English Braille. Call, 800 323 4238.  

Unified English Braille is the new standard beginning 2016, and all new
Braille documents and publications will be in the new format, so become
prepared! 

 

Vermont closes sheltered workshops: What happened? 

By Halle Stockton | Public Source | Sept. 28, 2014

 

A Public Source investigation found that at least 13,000 Pennsylvanians with
disabilities are working for an average of $2.40 an hour in sheltered
workshops. A sheltered workshop provides low skill work for people with
disabilities. There is a deep divide in opinions about whether the workshops
are of benefit or harm.

The sheltered workshops that are still prevalent in Pennsylvania were shut
down in Vermont more than a decade ago. And now, the employment rate of
people with developmental disabilities in the New England state is twice the
national average.

Vermont resident Bill Villemaire, who has an intellectual disability,
benefitted from the state major policy shift, a change that states
throughout the nation are mulling.

Villemaire, 58, said he felt claustrophobic and worn out while working for a
pittance at a sheltered workshop. He is now a seasoned employee at a Sweet
Clover grocery store, checking for products that have expired or have been
damaged.

With that paycheck, he enjoys trying new restaurants and buying Christmas
gifts for friends and family.  My life has taken a turn for the better, he
said.

Michelle Paya can vouch for that. As the employment director at Champlain
Community Services, where Villemaire received help in finding the job, she
remembers the day he got his first paycheck.

 He actually copied it three times and put it up on the wall of my office,
Paya said.  He had so much pride of what he was doing and wanted to show off
his accomplishments. 

How and why did Vermont close sheltered workshops?

Vermont closed its last sheltered workshop in 2002, four years after the
state told workshop providers that they were being carved out of the system.

But the shift actually began in the nineteen eighties, when the University
of Vermont received a grant to build programs for integrated employment in
partnership with state disability agencies. The movement grew and
policymakers eventually decided sheltered workshops no longer fit the state
values on the treatment of people with disabilities.

The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Services Division started by not
allowing new people in sheltered workshops, where people with disabilities
work only with other people like them.

We closed the front door, said Jennie Masterson, the agency supported
employment services coordinator.

The next step was to cut funding to sheltered workshops over time.

The state partnered with workshop providers.  We were very careful not to
say, Just figure this out, Masterson said.  We wanted to be at the table and
help.

All this change took place outside of the state legislative process. The
agency rewrote how it would deliver developmental disability services. We
did not make it a big political process, Masterson said.

Ultimately, no public dollars were used for anything less than integrated
employment. That also eliminated enclaves, which are work programs that take
people with disabilities into regular workplaces with close supervision.

What was the reaction and what happened to those in workshops?

The families were initially scared for their adult children who had worked
in sheltered workshops. They could not envision a job in the community that
their child could fill, and parents thought they would be unsafe and lonely
without their peers.

It was a really trying time to help families understand the value of
inclusion and the value of community work because they had a place of safety
for their adult children and they did not want to give it up, Paya said.

Within three years, about 80 percent of people who had worked in the last
sheltered workshop to close found jobs. Those who did not got other services
based in the community.

Eventually, family opinions started changing.

Bryan Dague, research associate at the University of Vermont Center on
Disability and Community Inclusion, interviewed families of workshop
participants before and after the closure.

He recalled one parent who was very much opposed. Four years later, she had
done a 180.

She saw a tremendous benefit to her adult daughter getting out into the
community, Dague said.  She made new friends and she started to blossom. 

Another young woman who had been in a sheltered workshop began to work at a
daycare, supervising the children and preparing their lunches, Paya said.

 She had been nonverbal all her time in the workshop, she said.  She started
talking in her new job, and she now has great communication with her
employer and the community. 

What does the employment picture look like for Vermont residents with
disabilities today?

The number of employed Vermonters with developmental disabilities continues
to climb.

Of more than 3,000 people who received funding and services from the state
in fiscal year 2013, about 1,140 were employed, according to state figures.

That is an increase of about 115 people over the previous year, Masterson
said. It is small, incremental growth, but it is always increasing. That
means people retained their jobs and more people are going to work.

Vermont has a supported employment program in each of its 14 counties to
help people with disabilities find and apply for jobs as well as learn the
jobs. Unlike many states, the support of a job coach does not fade over
time, which helps to improve retention.

The state and employment programs say businesses have been receptive to
hiring people with disabilities.

Champlain Community Services alone has formed partnerships with 40
employers, educating them on hiring and retaining people with disabilities,
Paya said. It is educating to eliminate fear. We are helping an employer see
value in all individuals.

The wages in Vermont also reflect the attitude of the state and its business
community. In fiscal year 2013, the average wage for supported employees was
$9.26, more than 50 cents above the state minimum wage and $2 above the
federal minimum wage.

Some work a couple of hours a week and some 50 hours a week. The average
workweek for people with intellectual disabilities in Vermont is 16 hours,
according to a 2013 Institute for Community Inclusion report
<http://book.statedata.info/13/2013_web_F.pdf> .

The part time hours remain a concern for families in Vermont as well as
Pennsylvania because the individuals may not be supervised during the
downtime. Dague said the state has been successful in using the Medicaid
waiver to provide services to people who need more structure outside of
their work hours.

Overall, sheltered workshops have become a blip in Vermont history.

Young parents with high school students ready to graduate do not even know
what a sheltered workshop is, Masterson said. It is just typical now that
you graduate and you go to college or you go to work.

What else is available for people with disabilities in Vermont?

The focus is getting people with disabilities into the community.

While sheltered workshops used to be the natural transition after high
school, there is a renewed emphasis on education. Five Vermont colleges,
with grant funding, have developed post secondary education programs for
people with disabilities that have been successful in leading to employment.

Employment programs are also trying less traditional ways of immersing
people with disabilities into the community.

Champlain Community Services, for instance, established a public access
television show, where its clients with disabilities invite guests on air
for an interview.

Many providers are also helping people with disabilities secure memberships
to gyms and arranging volunteer opportunities.

What lessons can other states take from Vermont?

Some states say Vermont is unique because it is small and other states could
not do the same.

Still, about 300 people representing 39 states, including Pennsylvania, have
participated in four Conversion Institutes
<http://vermontapse.org/vermont_conversion_institute>  to find out just how
Vermont did away with sheltered workshops. The institute covers how the
state changed its policy and culture.

One of the first steps: Throw out the argument that some people are too
disabled to be employed.

Many of the people we place in jobs had been labeled as unemployable,
Masterson said. We have seen people who have had all sorts of significant
disabilities and they are working. . It enriches their lives. 

She suggests challenging supported employment programs to develop new
approaches to employment of people with disabilities.

Start with a pocket of creativity in the state, she said.  Start with a
place where you already have good employment services and build some
enthusiasm around an innovative pilot program.

 

If you are a contract provider of Rehab instructional services working under
contract to the state, you need to respond to this request for proposals! 

 

 The Department of Economic Security has issued a Request for Proposal
ADES15 00004774 on the 

ProcureAZ eprocurement website, for Rehabilitation Instructional Services
for Blind & Visually Impaired 

Individuals (BVI).

The current contracts for these services will expire on April 30, 2015 and
will be replaced by contracts 

awarded from this solicitation.

In order to respond to this solicitation, you will need to be registered as
a vendor in ProcureAZ for the service.

  The web address is:  https://procure.az.gov/bso/.

The commodity code for these services is:

NIGP Class:  952 HUMAN SERVICES

NIGP Class Item:  93 Rehabilitation Instructional Services

Description:  HUMAN SERVICES Rehabilitation Instructional Services

For questions regarding how to register or to update your profile, please
contact:

ProcureAZ Help Desk:  Procure at AZDOA.gov <mailto:Procure at AZDOA.gov> 

or call 602 542 7600.

 

Every year people across the country find themselves facing situations and
disasters they failed to plan for. Here in Arizona, long term power
failures, excessive heat and flooding can result in you being stranded in
your home, vehicle or workplace. Planning can save your life. People who
have disabilities, family members, care givers, service providers and the
general public are encouraged to attend this free workshop.

 

*         Do you use a power chair? If there is a long term power failure
how will you remain mobile?

*         If a service dog assists you with mobility or another task have
you planned for their well being?

*         Do you rely on a respirator, a dialysis machine or other medical
equipment to keep you alive? If so, do you have a plan if electricity is not
restored for an extended amount of time?

*         If you are stranded at home do you have everything you will need?

*         What will happen if you are forced to evacuate to a shelter?

 

Join us for refreshments, giveaways and to learn how to prepare:

 

. Learn how to develop an Emergency Plan for your home 

. Learn how to make a Go Kit and a 72 Hour Kit 

. Develop a Support Network 

. Learn what will happen if you have to go to a shelter or other place for
safety 

. Get resources and tools to prepare your family if disaster strikes 

 

The presentation dates are as follows:

 

Yuma

Tuesday, February 17

Goodwill Service Center

1:30pm to 4:00pm

 

Tucson

Wednesday, February 25

Direct Center for Independence

10:00am to 12:30pm

 

Tucson

Tuesday, April 28

Direct Center for Independence

10:00am to 12:30pm

 

More information and links to register can be found at, www.azsilc.org
<http://www.azsilc.org/> 

Presented by the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council and the
Arizona Department of Health Services.

 

If you are interested in applying for a student scholarship, or a Jernigan
scholarship for NFB national convention first  timers, please call or email
me, 

Bob Kresmer 

1 888 899 6322. 

 


Word on the Street


 

Congratulations to Debi Chatfield who was one of the 300 participants
completing the 19th Annual 15.5 mile South Mountain National Trail Trek on
January 24th! She and her two guides finished the trek in 9 hours, 5
minutes, and according to the Fit Bit fitness monitor, had an elevation gain
of 2,750 feet, hiked 49,400 steps, and climbed up and down the quivalent of
300 flights of stairs!  Whew!  Way to go!   

Got any news to share with us?  Send it in to:

news at az.nfb.org <mailto:news at az.nfb.org>  

We look forward to sharing your news with our extended family here within
the NFB of Arizona. 

 


Guess Who Just Took another Trip around the Sun?


 

Happy birthday to the following people for January and February!

 

January 2, Megan Homrighausen, from Mesa.

January 9, Ryan Bishop, from Chandler. 

February 6, Fred Rockwell, from Phoenix.

February 8, James Woods, from Chandler.

February 14, Debbie Feliz, from Mesa.

February 14, Patrick Hamblin, from Mesa.

February 16, Erma Seals, from Tucson.

February 19, Eric Scharlat, from Mesa.

February 19, Kathy Hilliker, from Peoria.

February 22, Mark Feliz, from Mesa.

February 28, Ned Sgroi, from Gilbert.

Please help us build our birthday list, by sending your first and last name,
date of birth, (year optional), and the city you live in to:

news at az.nfb.org <mailto:news at az.nfb.org>  

 


2015 Scholarships Available


By Patti Chang

 

The 2015 NFB Scholarship Form is now available through March 31.

 

To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the
Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States and Puerto

Rico the opportunity to win one of thirty merit-based, national-level
scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships awarded are
based on

academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

All applicants for these scholarships:

 

list of 4 items

1. must be 

legally blind (PDF document

) in both eyes, and

2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or
Puerto Rico, and

3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course
of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2015
scholastic

year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed
full-time while attending school part-time, and

4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all of its
scheduled scholarship program activities. In addition to a scholarship, each

winner will receive assistance to attend the 2015 National Federation of the
Blind Annual Convention which takes place in July in Orlando, Florida,
providing

an excellent opportunity for high-level networking with active blind persons
in many different professions and occupations.

 

Deadline to apply is March 31, 2015.  For more information go to:

www.nfb.org/scholarships <http://www.nfb.org/scholarships> 

 


A Job Opening Sent to You by Twitter!


By Dick Davis

 

The NFB Employment Committee has a Great Service for Blind Job Seekers!
 
A Job Openings Sent to You by Twitter!!!
 
The National Federation of the Blind Employment Committee has started a
Twitter account to provide yet another avenue to connect job seekers with
opportunities. Job announcements posted on our email list are manually
converted into tweets, which are concise, 140 character maximum summaries of
the job postings with contact information and, or links to full postings
when available. We encourage individuals and organizations to tweet at us
with job postings so that we can retweet them, which spreads the word to all
of our followers. If you have a job posting or employment related resource,
please, Tweet it @NFB_Jobs, and we'd love to Retweet it because we know you
can communicate your own ideas better than we can. We also tweet employment
resources, such as useful articles, webinars, or job fairs. Be sure to
follow @NFB_Jobs on Twitter!
 
(Note: We need additional hands on help to make this great service carry on,
indefinitely.)

Write to:

 <mailto:ddavis at blindinc.org> ddavis at blindinc.org 

 


Free Currency Readers for the Blind


 

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has announced persons legally residing
in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired can now request a free
currency reader from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) by
downloading the required application from the BEP's website (www.bep.gov
<http://www.bep.gov/> ). The application must be filled out completely,
signed by a competent authority that can certify eligibility, and returned
to the mailing address provided on the form. Estimated delivery time is 6 to
8 weeks.


The currency reader device, called iBill Currency Identifier, provides a
convenient means for blind or visually impaired individuals to identify all
U.S. bills. The U.S. Currency Reader Program is a component of the BEP's
initiative to provide meaningful access to Federal Reserve notes. For more
information call toll free 844 815 9388 or email at,
meaningful.access at bep.gov <mailto:meaningful.access at bep.gov> .

 


New Career Opportunities in Rehabilitation at Louisianna Tech University


By Dr. Edward C. Bell

 

Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT) and Structured Discovery
Rehabilitation have been demonstrated to be among the most innovative and
effective forms of rehabilitation training for individuals who are blind or
visually impaired. Louisiana Tech University has operated its Orientation
and Mobility program on this model successfully for 18 years, with upwards
of 90% successful employment and employer satisfaction rates. 

 

Louisiana Tech is excited to announce that along with its O&M program, it
has expanded its training and is launching a brand new concentration in
Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind. 

 

Scholarships are now available for qualified individuals seeking one of the
following degree paths:

*  Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with Concentration
in Orientation and Mobility. 

*  Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance with Concentration in
Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind

or 

*  Orientation and Mobility Graduate Certification

 

Why me?

*	The field of educating and rehabilitating children and adults who
are blind is deeply rewarding and life changing. 
*	The job market is wide open; currently, we receive four times the
number of employer requests than we have graduates to provide. 
*	Training occurs on campus in Ruston, Louisiana, and can be completed
in as little as one year. 
*	No prior background or experience in blindness is necessary, we will
teach you everything you need to know. 
*	Scholarships are provided on a competitive basis to qualified
persons and can cover costs for attending the university.
*	Scholarships also support travel to conferences, trainings, and
field based experiences at Structured Discovery training programs.  

 

Who can Apply?

Individuals must already possess a Bachelors (B.A.) degree from an
accredited university, have a grade point average of 2.5 and obtain a
minimum of 287 (Verbal and Quantitative) on the Graduate Records Examination
(GRE). Individuals must also be willing to attend courses on campus in
Ruston, Louisiana on a full time basis.  

 

What is the Catch?

*	Payback through service is required. Agreement to receive
scholarship funding requires commitment for you to work in the field of
rehabilitation for two years for each year of scholarship support you
obtain. 
*	Scholarships cover at least tuition and fees but may cover living
and travel costs as well. 
*	You have to move to Ruston, work hard, study harder, and have the
heart to be an O&M or Rehabilitation Teacher of blind persons. 

 

Where do I get started?

For program details, visit: www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com/> 

Send an email for more information to: dreed at latech.edu
<mailto:dreed at latech.edu> 

Or call Edward Bell to discuss your application: 318 257 4554

 


Summer Job Opportunities at the Colorado Center for the Blind


By Brent Batron 

 

The Colorado Center for the Blind is now accepting applications from
positive blind role models to be residential counselors and instructors in
our 2015 summer programs.  We offer 3 programs for students: Summer for
Success College Prep Program, Earn and Learn High School Program and the
Initiation to Independence Middle School Program.  

 

Staff must be available May 26 through August 7.  Applicants must be good
role models, competent in the skills of blindness, well rounded, flexible,
excellent communicator both oral and written  and willing to lead by
example.  Must be excited to work with blind students ages 11 to 20.
Challenge recreation is an exciting component of the job.  Staff will go
rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, white water rafting, attend martial arts
classes and much more.  

All staff and students will attend the national convention of the National
Federation of the Blind in Orlando!

 

To learn more about our summer programs, please click the following link
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84503534&v=6yBomtj12KU&x-yt-ts=142191
4688&feature=player_embedded#t=0>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84503534&v=6yBomtj12KU&x-yt-ts=1421914
688&feature=player_embedded#t=0 

 

If interested, please contact Brent Batron at, 303 778 1130, extension 222,
or via email at,  <mailto:bbatron at cocenter.org> bbatron at cocenter.org.

 


SAAVI Announces New High School Internship Program


SAAVI is pleased to announce that Christian Abel has been selected to serve
as our first high school intern for the summer of 2015.  

 

Starting with the Summer of 2015, SAAVI will be introducing a new internship
opportunity for one outstanding high school senior.  The purpose of this
internship is to allow a student with a well rounded skill set to serve in a
full time vocational setting within our Tucson campus.  Duties for this
position include but are not limited to:

 

*	Provide administrative support for summer programs in the areas of
producing and distributing schedules, producing prepared handouts in variety
of formats, researching activities and coordinating logistics, coordinating
SAAVI student participation at the National Federation of the Blind national
convention, ETC. 
*	Facilitating small group activities and modeling age appropriate
skills during summer programs. 
*	Assisting staff in program wide communication through phone calls
and email correspondence, and insuring that critical information is
distributed consistently. 
*	Other duties as assigned.

This student will have the opportunity to gain real world work experience in
a fast paced, environment with high levels of accountability.

This student will receive a stipend that is equal to full time wages of
$12.00 per             hour.

 

Qualifications:

 

In order to qualify for this SAAVI high school internship students must:

 

*	Be an incoming high school senior during the summer of internship 
*	possess excellent interpersonal skills in a professional environment

*	Possess a 3.0 GPA 
*	possess ability to conduct high level internet research skills as
well as ability to complete complex tasks in Microsoft office suite. 
*	Ability to follow complex instructions and complete multiple tasks
within a quick timeframe. 
*	Exhibit positive perspective of blindness and serve as a leader and
role model within his, or her high school environment.

For information on how to apply for next years internship, please send a
current resume, cover letter, and three letters of recommendations to, Amy
Porterfield at, aporterfield at saavi.us <mailto:aporterfield at saavi.us> .

 


Security for those of Us Who are Disabled


By Robert D. Sollars 

Mesa, Arizona

 

For those of us that are disabled, we are at risk for any number of security
issues. I am, hopefully, going to help you to not become a victim, either in
your home or away from it. And, it does not really matter what your
disability is, since I am blind myself, I will use the word blind to cover
all disabilities.

 

The first major thing is, and you are gonna roll your eyes, because you have
heard this a million times at least, you have to be aware of what is going
on around you. If you do not pay attention to your surroundings you can make
a mistake and find yourself in an unfamiliar place, fall, or tip over, and
either of these can be dangerous.

 

Take your time and let your cane show you where you are at. Do not take
anything for granted when moving down a sidewalk or across the street. In
this case, make every effort to do one thing and do it well. Listen. If you
do not listen closely, then you may miss a clue as to something coming up on
you. I have also learned that if you walk past a vehicle parked on the curb,
the air pressure changes slightly, which means the sound level changes. Pay
attention to these as they can alert you to where you are, or if something
is coming up on you slowly.

 

In order to not be considered a target, move as quickly as you can when
walking. The motto is apropos for us, quote Walk like you have some place to
go and something to do once you get there. End quote. In other words, walk
confidently.

 

Use all of your senses to be aware of what is around you. It is not easy
paying attention to everything including your cane, but you have to try to
do so.

 

As for smell, that may be a little more subjective than your hearing, but do
not ignore it either. Cigarette smoke, body odor, and other smells will
alert you to someone close by you. Even vehicle exhaust or perfume can help
you.

 

As for intuition, that is even more subjective than smell. The only thing I
can tell you about your gut instinct is this; if you think or feel something
is wrong, it probably is. That in, of itself, can be unnerving. If you are
alone and you know it, yet you feel you are being watched, or something is
wrong, you are probably right. Therefore, pay closer attention to your
surroundings.

 

If you live in an apartment and you have security concerns, for any reason,
do not hesitate to complain to the management. If anything is wrong with the
doors, windows, or landscaping close by your apartment, then you have to
tell them about it. And over and above that, you have to document the
complaints. Remember, if it is not documented, then it did not happen. Think
of it this way, if something should happen to you or your apartment, who is
to say you told the management about it? Certainly not them.

 

That is why the documentation is so important. No matter how you record it,
ensure that you place a date, time, and who you spoke with/notified about
the issue. Use your computer, voicemail on the phone, tape/digital recorder,
it does not matter. Just make sure you have a record of it.

 

If you are disabled, no one can guarantee your security or safety. It is up
to you to do the things yourself to ensure that you are secure and safe when
out and about or at home. Therefore, do not let anyone patronize you and
condescend to you about your concerns. Threaten to move if you have too, but
be prepared to do it, or it is an empty threat.

 

If necessary, find a family member, neighbor, social service, pastor, or
someone to help you push the agenda for better security and safety.

 

If you live in a house, then ensure that you are as heavy on security as
aesthetics in your home. I am not trying to scare you about this, but just
be aware about what is around you and the potential for crime.

 

In a multi part series of articles, I will instruct you on the many aspects
of security around your apartment or house. The topics will include,
landscaping, windows, locks, lighting, alarms, and keeping yourself safe
around your home.

 

Robert D. Sollars is a 31 year veteran of the security field and has been
blind since 2003. He has continued to write, with 2 published books and a
twice weekly blog, and has appeared in the media on a range of security
topics. If you would like to hear a presentation on home security, please
call him at, 480 251 5197.

 


Tips and Tricks from a Blind Business Traveler


By J. J. Meddaugh

 

My career as an accessibility specialist affords me the opportunity to
travel around the country for conferences, exhibits, and other events.
Travel is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of my job, and it allows
me to experience cities and local culture that I may not have been able to
otherwise. Through all of this, I have become a rather seasoned traveler by
necessity, developing many skills and tricks for navigating through airports
and other unfamiliar areas, but this is only one part of the travel
experience. Below, I offer some antidotes and ideas for airport travel based
on what I've learned over the past several years of my business and personal
travel.

Before I continue, its worth reminding you that these tips and ideas are
merely my personal method for traveling independently. Your comfort level,
mobility experience, and common sense may all dictate whether or not these
tips are also suitable for your situation. Also, travel is not always an
exact science. Many situations can occur on the day of a flight, such as
gate changes, cancelations, and unforeseen delays. Remember that these are
events that affect everyone who is traveling, not just you.

 

To Ask or Not to Ask for Assistance:

 

Much of the discussion surrounding independent, efficient travel is about
whether or not to request assistance when traveling. By assistance, I'm
referring to an escort, motorized cart, or other means to transport you from
one gate to another. When I first traveled, I often accepted whatever the
airline offered me in the interest of time, laziness, or other factors.
However, as time went by, I came to the conclusion that this so called
assistance was causing me more harm than good.

Lets put aside any philosophical arguments about blindness and focus on the
actual travel experience for a moment. When I was offered assistance by an
airport or airline representative, it was often less than I bargained for.
Sometimes, I would wait at the gate for 10 to 15 minutes for someone to show
up. If this person did finally arrive, they often were hard to understand,
adding uncertainty to my journey. If they offered a sighted guide, it was
often difficult to explain to them proper techniques, or the guide walked at
such a painfully slow pace that I felt like I could read an entire novel
before I arrived at my gate. Were there some good assistants? Absolutely,
but more often than not, I felt like my time was being wasted.

 

Self Sufficient Travel:

 

The alternative to not asking for assistance, going it alone, can seem quite
daunting, especially if you have never done it before. I have experienced
that uncertainty as well, but I started to realize the numerous advantages
this method offers. Here are some tips that I have used to help make the
airport experience manageable.

 

Before You Go:

 

Much of my independence in traveling is gained before I even step foot in
the airport. If I am planning to travel to an unfamiliar airport, I will
attempt to learn a bit about its layout before I get there. Wikipedia is a
good source for this information and can provide such tidbits as how many
gates are in each concourse, if there is a tram or other transportation that
goes between concourses, and where the gates for a particular airline are
located.

If I will be going through a connecting airport or plan on having some
additional time, I will scope out the airports website for a restaurant
guide. Many airport sites now include specific information on each available
eatery, including the nearest gate to the restaurant. A review site like,
Yelp can offer additional clues as to the most popular or best restaurants
at a particular airport.

I also maintain easy access to my flight numbers and gate information, so I
know where I should be headed after passing through security and at the
connecting airport. A great service for managing travel information is
<https://www.tripit.com/> TripIt, which allows you to see all of your
flight, hotel, and other itinerary info in one place. This can be viewed on
the TripIt website or with its free iOS or Android apps.

 

Checking In:

 

If you can, obtain your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. This
will allow you to jump straight to security if you have no bags to check and
avoid any customer service agents who may be overly persistent about
offering help. Many airlines now offer mobile apps for checking in and
obtaining boarding passes, negating the need for a printer. In our tests,
these apps are generally accessible for retrieving boarding information. If
I do need to speak to someone to check in for a flight or check a bag, I
have recently started to specifically ask the agent to not add any special
assistance requests on my reservation. Sometimes, they will add such
requests without asking you, leading to an awkward situation later in your
travel.

 

Getting Around the Airport:

 

In many airports, gates are arranged in numerical order in long hallways.
Some airports have all of the gates on your left or right side while others
will have odd numbered gates on one side and evens on the other side. Food
courts, gift shops, kiosks, bathrooms, and other services will also often be
present along these concourses. There are usually steady streams of people
walking in either direction down the concourse, making it easy to stay on
track. Sometimes, I will ask passersby what the nearest gate is to me and
attempt to determine if the numbers go up or down in the direction I am
facing. This is also where that all important food information comes into
play. If I know my favorite restaurant is near gate B7, I can seek it out on
my way through the concourse.

If I am going to be connecting to another flight, I will verify the gate
information as soon as the first flight has landed. You are free to use your
cell phone as soon as the airplane touches down on the runway. This usually
allows for ample time to check your connecting flight information, so you
know your next gate before you get off of the plane. This double check
method has saved me on several occasions as gates often change before
takeoff.

Who knows, you may get lucky and have your connecting flight at the gate
right next door.

 

Handling Delays:

 

Lets face it. Flights are not always on time, and while your initial
reaction may be to get frustrated, this does not help the situation. Before
I go to the airport, I attempt to look up the available flights for that day
from my airline. This step may seem a bit tedious, but you will thank
yourself if your flight is delayed because you will already have an idea of
other flight options to get you to your destination. If your flight arrives
late and you are going to miss your connecting flight, avoid the long
customer line that is likely to form and call the airline's toll free
number. I can remember one instance where my first flight was stuck on the
runway for over an hour and it was clear I was going to miss my connecting
flight. I called the airline during this downtime and explained the
situation and had my new flight booked before I even left. Also, if your
flight is delayed and you have not boarded the plane, do not go far from
your gate. A common misconception is that a delayed flight will not become
less delayed. If your flight is delayed for two hours but the airline finds
another plane in the meantime, they can, and often will, reschedule the
flight to leave earlier. I have seen many novice travelers stranded because
they left to get food or explore the airport and missed their new boarding
time.

 

Retrieving Baggage:

 

If you must check baggage, there are a couple of things you can do to make
the retrieval of your luggage a simple process. First, an audible luggage
locator can help you to quickly find your bag as it travels around the
carousel. This allows you to press a button, which will activate a beeping
locator in your bag. Also, consider marking your bag with brightly colored
tape or another distinctive element. Asking someone to locate a black
suitcase will likely result in frustration as there may be 20 other black
suitcases on the same carousel.

 

A Further Word About Assistance:

 

I want to clarify an important distinction between getting airport
assistance and asking for help. I have no shame in asking for help when I
need it. I do not have a photographic memory or an on call mental map of
every airport, and sometimes time is of the essence. However, I prefer to do
this on my own time and intuition. Sometimes, I will strike up a
conversation with my seat mate and learn they are traveling to the same city
I am, or I will find someone who is also headed toward baggage claim or
ground transportation. I have no shame in following someone, and its always
interesting to meet new people and hear about their lives. I just do not
want an airport or airline to dictate when I need help and control my life.

 

Independence is Your Right:

 

Despite what any airport employee may try to tell you, you cannot be forced
into accepting any assistance that is offered to you. You have the right to
choose the accommodations or lack thereof that is best for your situation.
Just because a security guard may say its easier to push you around in a
wheelchair does not mean you are obligated to take their help. You can
always say, quote, No thanks. End quote.

 

Conclusion:

 

Traveling through unfamiliar spaces can seem like a daunting experience.
Remember that many people, blind or sighted, share the same challenges that
you do and are also moving through an unknown space. If you are scared of
missing your flight, try arriving at the airport a bit earlier than normal
until you get used to traveling by yourself. I hope some of these tips and
ideas will help you to become a more ambitious and independent traveler.
There is an entire world out there just waiting for you to visit.

 


CVS Talking, Braille, and Large Print Labels Through Mail Service Pharmacy


 

CVS Health announced that it now offers the ScripAbility prescription
accessibility system through its mail service pharmacy to CVS, caremark
members who are blind or visually impaired. The system includes ScripTalk
talking prescription labels as well as braille and large print labels. In
March of this year, the company announced that ScripTalk talking labels were
available from CVS pharmacy for prescriptions ordered for home delivery
through its online pharmacy, CVS.com. Todays announcement further expands
CVS Health's offerings to its blind and visually impaired customers and
members.

 

The ScripTalk talking labels provide a safe and convenient way to access
information on prescription labels for individuals who cannot read standard
print.

 

The ScripTalk labels are free to CVS, caremark members who are blind or
visually impaired. Members can also obtain a free ScripTalk reader from
Envision America that will enable them to listen to the information on the
ScripTalk label.

 

We are pleased to further demonstrate our commitment to providing our
visually impaired members and patients with enhanced support, by offering
them the ScripTalk service through our mail service pharmacy. Ensuring all
of our members have access to important information about their
prescriptions is in keeping with our purpose of helping people on their path
to better health, says John Roberts, President of CVS Caremark. 

 

You can request a product from the ScripAbility suite by contacting
Caremarks call center at 800 552 8159.  

 


The Bookshelf, 2 Selections


 Do you love to curl up with a good book?  Been meaning to read that best
seller?  Here are two book selections that you may wish to read!  If you
have a book that you absolutely loved and want to share your thoughts about
it with us, please send in your write up to:

news at az.nfb.org <mailto:news at az.nfb.org>   

Happy reading!

 


Book #1, Second Watch 


DB78719  

Written by Judith A. Jance 

Read by Jack Fox 

Reading time 9 hours 12 minutes  
Genre:  Mystery and Detective Stories.  

In the hospital after knee replacement surgery, Seattle private investigator
J.P. Beaumont has vivid dreams about his early days on the force and serving
in Vietnam. They lead him to revisit an old case, which in turn drives
someone to murder.  Strong language. 2013.     



Book #2, American Sniper 


DB74166

Written by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, and Jim DeFelice  

Read by David Hartley Margolin 

Reading Time 11 hours 28 minutes 

Genre: Biography.  War and the Military. Bestsellers. 

Texas ranchhand, turned Navy Seal, recalls his career as the sniper with the
most kills in U.S. military history.  Describes his training, his four tours
of duty in Iraq, and the strains of deployment on his family life.  Violence
and strong language.  Bestseller, 2012.    

 


Interview with APH Narrators Jack and Jill Fox


By Debi Chatfield

 

Ever wonder who those voices are that we have grown to love, as they narrate
our favorite audio books?  How did they end up with a career of reading
books for the blind?  What are their own favorite books to read?  Have they
ever refused to read a certain book?  Who are the authors that they like the
most, and how many books have they read?  These are just a sampling of the
questions that were asked of two of our most well known narrators, Jack and
Jill Fox, from the American Printing House for the Blind, last Saturday, on
Out-Of-Sight.net.  Out-Of-Sight.net is a free voice chat site for the blind
offering over 35 events per week ranging from interactive games, chess
instruction, old time radio, Bible Study, Python Programming class, iPhone
discussion, computer tech help, presentations, a book club, and a weekly
talent show, to name a few. Jack and his daughter, Jill, were two of the 6
guest speakers that helped celebrate the sites 7th birthday.

 

Jack and Jill have narrated books such as, Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci
Code, Secretariat, Catch Me if You Can, On the Street Where You Live, The
Digital Fortress, The Help, and thousands of others as well.  The other 4
speakers were, New York Times Best Selling Author, J. A. Jance, who grew up
in Bisbee, Arizona, and has written the J.P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, and Ali
Reynolds series among others.  Trevor Thomas, a totally blind hiker, told of
his adventures hiking the entire 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail, the Pacific
Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, and his plans to traverse rim to rim to rim in
the Grand Canyon this spring.  Our special guests also included Laura
Giannarelli, an NLS Narrator, actor, and director.  Laura has narrated the
Little House of the Prairie books, biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and
many popular childrens books.  Our birthday celbration continued with
Christine Ha, winner of the 2012 TV Show, MasterChef.  Christine talked
about losing her vision, how she learned to cook, the alternative techniques
she uses in the kitchen, her experiences on the show, her new cookbook, and
her TV series, called 4 Senses. Each month, I will include one of these
interesting and informative interviews for your listening pleasure!  So, sit
back, relax, and for this month, enjoy learning about Jack and Jill Fox, two
of our beloved APH Narrators.  Download the interview at:

 <http://www.out-of-sight.net/Audio-Files/Jack-and-Jill-Nls.mp3>
http://www.out-of-sight.net/Audio-Files/Jack-and-Jill-Nls.mp3




 


Healthy Choice, Healthy Living, Tips for Getting Fit in 2015


By Lawrence MacLellan


EVERY year we dive head first into January with the best of intentions, but
all too often we do not see the lasting changes we promise ourselves and
deserve. 
Here are my top 10 tips for making 2015 a game changer for your health and
wellness. 

1. Get clear on what you want 
You need clear goals that have a deadline and a definite end result. If you
keep changing your fitness goals you will never achieve any of them. Decide
what you want, figure out how you can get there, and get to work! 

2. Back To Basic Nutrition 
The diet industry is one that is very competitive and makes a lot of money.
For that reason, it makes sense for supplement companies and weight loss
experts to overcomplicate the area of nutrition and supplementation. In
reality, most of us will see massive improvements to the way we look, feel,
and move when we get back to basics with our nutrition. 

One Hundred years ago, in Ireland, obesity was not an epidemic. People were
not obsessed with calorie counting, weighing, and measuring foods, they just
ate real food! When we focus on cutting out processed foods, and instead
rely on meats, seafood, fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other single
ingredient foods, we optimise our hormones for health and optimal body
composition. 

The quality of the foods you consume is much more important than the
quantities. Diet and low calorie foods are actually detrimental in that they
are heavily processed. A low fat food will generally be higher in sugar
which is the real culprit for our modern day health and wellness problems. 

3. Stay Hydrated 
When you are dehydrated, it is impossible to function at your best, and it
is also impossible to drop unwanted body fat. Look to take in one litre of
water per 25kg bodyweight. This may seem a lot at first, but in conjunction
with a clean diet of real food, it will help flush toxins out of the body
and in turn stubborn body fat will disappear. 

4. Daily flexibility and mobility 
Most of us spend our days in a seated position, which leads to shortened
muscles, lower back problems and rounded shoulders. One of the things we all
need to work on daily is mobility and flexibility. Most will have a vague
goal and working on some basic stretches and 'foam rolling' will loosen out
the body which in turn will help improve performance and prevent injury. 

5. Improved 'general fitness 
When we see athletes or models on the television working out, we often love
to be able to mimic their intense workout routines, but we first need to
look at our base levels of fitness. If you've been sedentary for a long
time, you need to build up to doing these advanced routines. Progressive
overload is key. This means you start at a comfortable pace, and build upon
this each day. Small improvements over time lead to lasting change. Far too
often, and particularly in January, you see 'eager beavers' throwing
themselves in at the deep end and either becoming burnt-out or injured, from
doing too much too soon. A 20 minute brisk walk might be your starting point
for improving your general fitness. Add a few minutes a week and before long
you will work up to a jog, then a run. Consistency is key. 

6. Strength Training 
I am a massive advocate of strength training. This helps to maintain muscle
mass, which begins to disappear as we age. The more muscle we can hold on
to, the more calories we will burn in everyday living. Strength training
also results in a great hormonal effect on the body. Our anabolic hormones
that leave us looking, feeling and moving better, become optimised, and the
catabolic hormones that leave us feeling burnt out are diminished. Ladies,
take note, weight training will not make you bulky. Women just do not have
the hormones to pack on a lot of muscle. It will, however, give you the
athletic feminine look you have been chasing. 

7. Get Your Sleep Cycle in Order 
Take at least 20 minutes a day to relax and unwind. Read a book, meditate,
go for a walk, have a massage, whatever it is that makes you happy and lets
you 'switch off' and relax. Coming up to bedtime is a great time to do this.
Try to switch off the television and laptop an hour before bed. Remember
being exposed to these artificial lights late will make it harder to unwind.
Dim the lights if you can, have a cup of tulsi tea, unwind and just relax. 

8. Get an Accountability Partner 
This could be a coach or a training partner, someone who is going to keep
you accountable to your goal. Let them know exactly what you are trying to
do and have them promise you they will do everything they can to help you on
your way toward your goal. If completing your first triathlon is a goal,
then find someone who's done it before you. This will take out the guesswork
and instil you with confidence. Success leaves clues. No point reinventing
the wheel, work with someone who's already done what you are looking to do. 

9. Be Smart With Supplements 
If all the fat loss pills and potions out there did what they promised, we
would all be walking around looking like models. Nutrition, sleep and
training are key to optimal body composition. Supplements add an extra few
percent to the overall picture if you are doing everything else right, but
most supplements are garbage or 'expensive urine'.! I would recommend
supplementing with a 'green' drink like wheatgrass, which helps alkalise the
body and provide key nutrients. 

10. Have Fun 
If you join the gym every January and hate it, then do not join the gym this
year. Far too many people get stressed out by having to go to the gym and
are under enough stress in everyday life without having to add to it. Find
something you enjoy. As long as you are getting out and getting active, you
will see improvements to the way you look, move and feel. I would encourage
people to find a form of training with a social element. When making changes
its important that we are around like minded individuals who will help move
us forward. 

Remember to ease into any changes you make, One healthy choice at a time. 

 


Blind Entrepeneurs Say Phoenix Hampering Program 


 

 

 

 

Adam Bevell was 14 years old when a doctor told him he eventually would go
blind. By his late twenties, his vision had declined so rapidly that he used
a white cane to walk and saw little more than a haze of blinking lights.

Bevell, now 39, said he felt forced to leave his career as a elementary
school teacher, and his wife took on two jobs to support the family. The
father of four wrestled with feelings of depression and uselessness.

He has found a new livelihood and renewed sense of self worth, however.
Three years ago, Bevell enrolled in a state program that gives blind
entrepreneurs a chance to run their own businesses by managing vending
machines and cafeterias in government buildings.

But a dispute between Phoenix and a group of blind vending machine operators
and a state agency that advocates for them is hampering Bevell and a handful
of other blind entrepreneurs as they try to grow their businesses.

 

, (Phoenix is) absolutely limiting our ability to expand, he said. It would
seem to me like they are putting revenue over a person. They do not really
want to recognize the law. End quote.

Bevell is referring to an Arizona law at the center of the conflict between
Phoenix and blind advocates and entrepreneurs. Known as the mini Randolph
Sheppard Act, the law gives blind vendors priority to operate vending
machines, snack bars and cafeterias on state, county and city government
property.

The law is the states version of the federal Randolph Sheppard Act, which
Congress adopted in 1936 to create jobs for the blind and unemployed during
the Great Depression.

Phoenix has attempted to find a company to operate vending machines
throughout the city that will pay it a portion of the money made selling
snacks and drinks on city property, public records show.

State law prohibits the city from collecting money from blind vendors. There
are currently three blind vendors who operate machines in Phoenix buildings,
but many of the city's machines are operated by other companies.

City officials are negotiating with the state Department of Economic
Security, which oversees the vending program for blind operators.

Quote, There is an ongoing dialogue between the city and D E S, end quote,
Phoenix spokeswoman Tammy Vo wrote in an email. Quote, It is city practice
not to speak publicly about ongoing contractual discussions until an
agreement is finalized. End quote.

Negotiations between Phoenix and the state have dragged on for months, and
some advocates fear the citys list of contract demands is intended to
discourage blind entrepreneurs. State officials say there are many blind
people who need the business opportunities.

Lengthy dispute

The issue became strained last spring after Phoenix sought bids from
companies to operate roughly 250 vending machines citywide. Bids were to be
evaluated based on how much revenue each company could generate for the
city, among other criteria.

Bevell and other blind entrepreneurs said it appeared Phoenix was trying to
skirt state law in order to make a buck. D E S said the citys move violated
the law because the agency had asked to evaluate potential vending machine
sites for blind operators and the city did not give the state the
opportunity to do that.

City officials said they had no record of the state ever formally requesting
to survey existing vending locations that blind operators could take over.

But Phoenix eventually pulled the request for bids after receiving no
qualifying submissions.

Now, D E S and Phoenix are locked in tense negotiations over a potential
agreement for blind vendors to operate the machines. State officials have
said the citys proposal includes a litany of requirements that are not
feasible, would hamper the success of blind entrepreneurs or are not allowed
under state law.

Quote, They are stalling and trying to figure out a way around the program,
in my opinion," said Scott Weber, chairman of a committee of blind vending
machine operators. Quote, The city of Phoenix, I think, is chasing every bit
of revenue at this point. End quote.

Phoenix has yet to respond to the state's full list of concerns. However, Vo
said city attorneys continue to meet with the state and could soon reach an
agreement.

Quote, Phoenix is currently collaborating with (the state) to create the
first ever, comprehensive agreement between the two entities that will
address existing operators and hundreds of new, (blind)-operated vending
machine locations, end quote she said. Quote, This important work takes time
and must be done right. End quote.

Blind business owners run two city cafeterias and manage vending machines in
several city buildings. Vo said blind operators have run some vending
machines in city buildings since at least 1975.

But there is a history of strained relations between Phoenix and some blind
advocates over the vending issue. In recent years, the state and Phoenix
have sparred over vending machines at city transit facilities, a dispute the
state lost, and the state has expressed its discomfort over the presence of
a Starbucks coffee shop in the lobby of City Hall.

Jason Sauer, who manages the state program, said Phoenix has been evasive
and uncooperative. He said the citys requirements, including a provision
that vendors buy some items from a city approved supplier, are so complex
that they could make the deal look unattractive to entrepreneurs.

Sauer said Arizona's Business Enterprise Program, which trains and support
blind entrepreneurs, does not have enough vending machines for its
operators. Unemployment among visually disabled people is more than 62
percent, according to the National Federation of the Blind.

Quote, There are not many other opportunities, end quote, Sauer said of jobs
for the blind. Quote, We need to grow. End quote.

 

More than a job

On a typical day, Bevell and his brother in law, who drives Bevell and helps
stock machines, make numerous stops at state, county and city buildings
throughout downtown and central Phoenix.

He rifles through boxes of candy bars and potato chip bags, feeling the
texture of each snack and matching it with the correct row in the vending
machine. Some blind operators primarily work behind the scenes and hire
employees to do the restocking, but he likes to have a hand in every part of
the business.

That spirit was there 25 years ago, when a doctor diagnosed Bevell with
retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic degenerative eye disease. His mother wept as
the doctor said he would be blind by the time he graduated from high school,
but the teenager refused to believe it.

Quote, I remember saying, Mom, I am going to be OK. I am a strong person,
end quote,  Bevell said. Quote, Ever since, I have tried to be the strong
one. It has not been easy, I will tell you that. End quote.

As his vision gradually disappeared, Bevell was forced to make a series of
emotionally wrenching adjustments.

At age 21, he stopped driving after a glare of sunlight almost caused him to
hit a young girl. At 28, he begrudgingly picked up a walking cane because he
kept bumping into strangers, including Charles Barkley.

Then, the toughest adjustment came about five years ago, when Bevell
realized he could not see any glimpse of his childrens faces, now ages 8 to
14.

Since Bevell did not fully lose his vision until he was an adult, it was
harder for him to adjust to life and find a career without his sight. He
said the school district he had worked for was not eager to accommodate him,
and he felt he did not have the skills to continue teaching.

Quote, The independence gets taken from you and you do not feel like you
contribute, end quote, Bevell said. Quote, That is not how I wanted to live
my life. End quote.

But he discovered the training program, and a stronger feeling of self
worth.

Bevells vending route currently includes one Phoenix building, but his
business could grow dramatically if the city and the state reach an
agreement. A handful of other operators could also pick up city machines and
grow their routes.

Quote, This program has given me the ability to be able to feel like I am
contributing not only to society, but to my family, end quote, he said.
Quote, I hope Phoenix comes around and is willing to work with us. End
quote.

 


East Valley Chapter News 


By Megan Homrighausen

 

We started the year out fresh by getting down to business as well as having
some fun. 

 

In January, we remembered Louie Braille with some trivia and cupcakes with
an M & M Braille decor.

 

This month, long time chapter members Tony and Tina Sohl will be giving a
presentation on the System Access website and all the neat things it can do.
Visit, www.SAToGo.com.

 

Our meetings will consist of business, news, philosophy, and fellowship.
Everyone in our chapter is ready to welcome anyone who would like to be a
part of our cause. 

 

The East Valley chapter meetings are held every 3rd Saturday of the month.
We meet at Fiesta Mall from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. The address is, 1445 West
Southern Avenue in Mesa.

 

To get to our meeting room, enter the mall through the Best Buy entrance on
the lower level. Walk straight through to the mall. Our meeting room is to
the right. If you have any questions, or cannot find the room, please call
Megan Homrighausen at, 480 510 6196.

 


Join Our East Valley Chapter Braille Club


By Megan Homrighausen 

 

Attention Federationists!

The East Valley Chapter will now be hosting a Braille Club twice a month at
the home of Megan Homrighausen. Every other Tuesday, between 7:00 and 8:00
PM, anyone is welcome to join us. We will be reading Kernel books in
braille. The purpose of this club is to increase braille literacy and speed.
We hope you will join us!  Our next club meeting will be held on February
17th.  Please call Megan for other upcoming Braille Club dates, as they may
change.   



By joining this club you will:

Socialize with other blind people.

   Increase your braille reading speed and literacy.
Get inspired by reading the Kernel stories. (Kernel books are a series of 30
mini booklets of stories written by blind         individuals, quote, us,
end quote.) There are a plethora of stories that explain different
perspectives on blindness among these books. 


Each person who comes will get their own Braille copy of the Kernel book we
are currently reading. The purpose         of this is so that you can
practice at home.  You will receive encouragement from everyone there. We
will each have a copy of the book and we will be reading right         along
with you. Do not be afraid to at least try.

 

The first Kernel Book that we will be reading is Like Cats and Dogs.  Excuse
the pun... but "Join the club." There will be laughter, learning, fun and
encouragement. Do not miss out!  For upcoming Braille Club dates or more
information, please contact Megan at, 480 510 6196.

 


Connecting the Dots East Valley Style 


By Megan Homrighausen

 

I am more inspired than words can say right now. Our first East Valley
Braille club meeting went without a hitch. There were 4 of us altogether at
our first meeting. We each took turns reading the first story out of, Like
Cats and Dogs, a Kernel book edited by Dr. Jernigan. We laughed and joked
and just had a great time helping each other and following along. All of the
readers tonight were pretty good too. I think the slowest reader we had read
very well. Of course, that slow reader was me.

 

Each person left for home with a copy of a Kernel book and a smile on their
face promising that they were going to be practicing for next time.  So,
please make a point to join us for our next Braille Club meeting, which will
be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 PM.  For any questions, call Me
at, 480 510 6196.  Hope to see you there!  

 


Happenings in Tucson


By Amy Porterfield 

 

As we now have closed out the year of 2014, Tucson is excited to report some
of the new occurrences that have taken place in the Old Pueblo.  The Tucson
Chapter held our elections last November and reports the following board
positions:

*	Amy Porterfield, President
*	Gerry Piatt, Vice President
*	Judith Schneider, Secretary
*	Doris Martin, Treasurer

Directors:

*	Donald Porterfield, Director
*	Barbara Macpherson, Director
*	Lee Kerr, Director
*	Annie Schlesinger, Director

 

Last year, we were thrilled to include over 27 children and families from
our 2014 NFB BELL program in our annual Christmas party.  With these
elementary students, along with eighteen students from the Arizona School
for the blind, many college students, working adults, and our retired and
senior population, we truly felt the spirit of Christmas as represented by
all generations of our federation.  The Tucson Chapter had over ninety
members rsvp to attend our event, which we feel predicts a strong and active
Tucson membership for the 2015 year.

 

Starting at our first meeting of 2015, The Tucson Chapter will initiate a
mentoring hour prior to our monthly meetings.  This month we are
highlighting the IOS  devices.  Anyone interested in receiving or providing
mentoring in the IPhone, I pad or other IOS device is welcome.  

 

Finally, it is time for us to line up at the gate for our annual 50 50
raffle at the
<http://www.pimacountyattractions.com/Attractions/Rillito.html> Rellito Park
Horse Racetrack.    This year the races occur each weekend from February 7
through April 11, 2015.  All interested in helping with our biggest fund
raiser are welcome and appreciated.  Please contact Larry Martin at, 520 747
0937.      

 

We welcome you all to visit us at any of our meetings and activities, and
sincerely send our good wishes for us all to live the lives we want in 2015.


 


Flick, Swipe, and Tap, 


By Charles Rivard

 

Here is just a quick article listing a few iPhone apps that I have recently
come across that you might find helpful.

 

1.  Spoken Word, both Old and New Testament.

These are separate apps.  They contain the full text of the King James
Bible.  I think that this is the revision from 1902, but do not quote me on
this.  Although the apps are free, for $1.99 each, you can add the features
of a sleep timer that shuts the reading off after up to 2 hours, reading
speed variation without changing the pitch, the ability to search by book,
chapter, and verse, and a few other features.  It is well worth the money.
You can, with a Braille display, read along with the spoken text.  Speaking
of the spoken text, it is not using the voice you have on your iPhone.  This
is all human speech, and sounds very good.  So, now, with these two apps,
you have the Bible on your phone, to read and browse whenever, and wherever
you choose.

 

2.  Be My eyes

As of January 15, this app is available.  Here is the info, taken from the
page in iTunes, along with my thoughts:

 

Be the eyes for a blind person in need of help remotely through a live video
connection if you are sighted or be assisted by the network of sighted users

if you are blind, Be My Eyes is all about contributing to, and benefiting
from, small acts of kindness, so hop on board and get involved!Blind users
can request help from a sighted person, and the sighted users will then be
called for help. As soon as the first sighted user accepts the request for
help a live audio video connection will be set up between the two, and the
sighted user can tell the blind person what she sees when the blind user
points his phone at something using the rear facing camera.As a sighted
user, you do not need to worry about missing a call and leave a blind person
hanging, you are a part of the bigger Be My Eyes helper network, and we will
find the next available sighted person in the network. The challenges that
the blind person needs help with can be anything from knowing the expiration
date on the milk to getting help crossing the street.

 

My opinion:  I would feel much safer using my own mobility skills, along
with my dog guide, to cross a street rather than relying on a sighted person
viewing an intersection and traffic flow through the camera on my iPhone,
although, admittedly, I have not tried this.  It seems like a dangerous
suggestion to me, though.  Now, back to the info from the page:

 

Note: We encourage blind users to be patient when requesting

help because we rely on real people to help you.  Live audio video
connection between blind and sighted users, (Add the languages you know
under settings).  An easy way you can make a difference for blind people

 

More of my comments:  All you need is a first name, user name, password, and
an Email address.  If you are familiar with Tap Tap See, this seems to be
sort of like that app.  If you are familiar with Biz Wiz, it seems to be
similar to that one.  Sort of a combination of the two, but you are in
contact with a human, getting your info in real time once the connection has
been made.  It is important to note that I have not personally tried this
app, but will do so.

 


Gadgets and Gismos, the BraillePen 12


 

BraillePen 12 provides an awesome, easy, efficient and affordable way to
operate your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. The BraillePens are little Bluetooth
Braille keyboards. The BraillePen 12 also has a 12 cell Braille display and
a joystick. You can use Braille commands or the joystick to move forward or
backward between icons, set rotor settings, open icons, press the Home key,
etc.

The Braille keyboard is used to write text messages, emails, web addresses,
notes... whatever you need to write. Your Braille writing is accurately
translated to print as you go.

Because these connect to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad via Bluetooth, there are
no wires. You can have your iDevice in your pocket and run it from the
BraillePen in your hands. Although the iDevices are accessible with a system
of hand gestures, this can be a cumbersome and time consuming way to use
them. The BraillePen works with VoiceOver to make both navigation and
writing clean, clear, and efficient.

BraillePens will stay compatible with the latest technology. The BraillePen
12 runs with today's Apple iPad, iPod and the iPhone iOS 4 and later. The
BraillePen Slim runs with iOS 4.3 and higher. No more worries about your
spendy Braille access device lagging behind. Down the road if Apple has
added so many cool features to the iPad, iPod, or iPhone that you have just
got to have a new one... go right ahead! Bring that fancy new gizmo home and
rest assured that it will run beautifully with your BraillePen too.

BraillePens also work with MAC computer systems running VoiceOver, and
Windows computers running System Access, Supernova, and Dolphin Pen, and
also mobile phones running Talks or MobileSpeak.

The BraillePens are small and lightweight. The BraillePen Slim is 5.8 x 3 x
.9 inches and weighs 6.35 oz. The BraillePen 12 is 5.8 x 3.9 x .85 inches
and weighs 9.2 oz.

Prices: 
BraillePen Slim $395 
BraillePen 12 with a 12 cell Braille display $1095 

For more information, please visit: 

 <http://www.braillepen.com/> www.BraillePen.com 

 


Did You Know?


 

More than 50% of the people in the world have not made or received a
telephone call.

 

Rats and horses cannot vomit.

 

Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear
by seven times.

 

The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

 

23 percent of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting
on them and photocopying their butts.  

 


The Recipe Box, Tater Tot Casserole 


By Debi Chatfield

 

Ingredients:

1 pound, ground hamburger

1 can. mushroom soup

1 can, cream of chicken soup

1 onion, chopped

1 can, sweet kernel corn

 

Directions:

Brown hamburger and onion.  Mix soups, onion, and corn together and combine
with hamburger.  Place in a greased casserole dish.  Place tater tots on
top.  Do not cover. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.

 


Think Tank


By Debi Chatfield 

 

Thank you to everyone who submitted answers to Decembers brainteasers. Many
of you were very close, but close only counts in horseshoes!
Congratulations to Donald Porterfield and Frank Vance for ansering both
brainteasers absolutely right!

 

In case you missed them, here are the December brain teasers and their
answers:

 

1.  I am round on the ends and high in the middle.  What am I?

 

Answer:  Ohio

 

2.  I have streets, but no pavement.

I have cities, but no buildings.

I have forest, but no trees.

I have rivers, yet no water.

What am I?

 

Answer:  A map

 

Now, here are the super duper brain teasers for February.  Are you smarter
than a 5th grader?  Hmmm?

 

1.  What gets broken without being held?

 

2.  What invention looks right through a wall?

 

Please submit the answers to these brain teasers to:

 <mailto:news at az.nfb.org> news at az.nfb.org 

We will let you know if you are correct, and if so, we will publish your
name in the March newsletter. Have fun trying to solve these puzzles!

 


A Round of Applause


 

Thanks go out to you, our extended family here in the National Federation of
the Blind! You participate and spend time attending monthly meetings, raise
necessary funds to support our valuable programs, reach out to others
needing the information and resources we offer, and get to know and give
support to one another, so that we may continue to learn and grow. Our goal
is to be independent, productive members of society, and through your
efforts and working together, we are truly changing what it means to be
blind! So, a big thank you to you all, and keep up the good work!  

 


Debbies List


 

No, this is not Craigs List, but it is the next best thing!  If you have
something to sell, or announce, send us your ad, and we will post it, as
long as there is space available in the newsletter.  Send your ads to:

news at az.nfb.org <mailto:news at az.nfb.org> 

 

**  a Useful, Stylish New Idea!
When you go out for a walk, or running to class, are you looking for a way
to easily carry your water bottle and cellphone, in a way that would be both
stylish and practical?  Are you looking for something that can hold many
items, yet is not heavy on its own?  Well look no further than the
Invisibag! This is a stretchable belt like strap that clips easily around
your waist.  It contains two zipperred pockets, one for a conventional water
bottle, and one that is the perfect size for your smartphone.  With the
water bottle pocket you will be able to carry around a water bottle, without
the need to carry a purse or backpack, as it simply hangs from your belt.
The cellphone pocket allows you to carry your cellphone in a safe, secure
environment. You can feel your cellphone vibrating, yet it is difficult to
steal as one must open the zipperred pocket to get the cellphone out.  And
when you're done using it for the day, just take all your items out and let
it sit around your waist. it is so light you will not even notice.
As these are imported products, you will not find them anywhere on the U.S.
market.  I personally handle all the importing and costs myself.  I'm asking
only $20 per each one.
Please send me an email at,

 <mailto:techluver at techluver.co.za> techluver at techluver.co.za if anyone is
interested.

Harrison Tu

 

**  Victor Stream for Sale!

I have a first generation Victor reader stream in excellent condition that I
want to sell for $100 plus the cost of shipping.  It will come in the
original box, and I'm including a brand new battery that I just bought for
it, a case that I am told is made out of nylon that has a belt clip on the
back, and a 2 gig SD card that came with the machine when I received it. I
am only selling it because I just recently bought a second generation
stream, so if someone reads a lot of books and wants a very portable player
that will easily fit in a purse or bag, or even in a pocket, but you don't
want to pay over $300 for a brand new machine then this may be just what you
are looking for. If you are interested, or have any questions please contact
me at,

 <mailto:homerun at gt.rr.com> homerun at gt.rr.com.

Troy Burnham

 

**  All That Vending Has a New Website!

Everyone,

One of the highlights of my job is getting to share positive information,
and todays opportunity to share is from Norris Williams, who sent me a link
to his companys new website that you should check out. 

 

His new site can be found at  <http://www.allthatvending.com/>
www.allthatvending.com. All That Vendings site presents a highly
professional image of his company, and also talks about his work in the
Business Enterprise Program. Congratulations to Norris and his staff for not
only moving to a new level of technology with this website, but for his
continued efforts to grow his company's presence in the Tucson market.
Norris has accomplished some impressive things in southern Arizona,
including embracing the healthy vending requirements of Pima County, working
with Wells Fargo to offer vending services in a corporate training center,
outfitting his staff with very professional uniforms, and now this new tool
that will allow him to communicate his companys story to the public.

 

Many of the BEP food service locations feature a web presence of some kind
as part of their businesses, but it is unique to feature this level of
detail from a vending company in the private sector. 

 

Kudos again to Norris and his team for raising the bar in the program, and
keep up the great work in Tucson. 

Jason Sauer

 

**  Are you having trouble with your computer?  Did you just purchase that
must 
have app, but have a question?  Perhaps, you have some tips to share?  If 
so, please join the BlindTech e-mail list.
To join, send a message with subscribe in the subject line to:
blindtech-request at freelists.org <mailto:blindtech-request at freelists.org> 
alternatively, you may visit:
http://www.freelists.org/list/blindtech

 

**  Join a Free Voice Chat Site Community on the Web!

Would you like to meet other blind or visually impaired individuals from
across the country and around the world? Do you like challenging interactive
games, old time radio, learning about adapted cooking techniques, a monthly
book club, product presentations, chess instruction, computer tech help,
Bible Study, a blindness support group, a weekly talent show, iPhone
discussions, and much more?     Join our free chat community at:

 www.Out-Of-Sight.net <http://www.out-of-sight.net/> .  

 


Stay Connected


Sending this newsletter to friends?  Tell them they can receive this monthly
newsletter by subscribing to:

Nfbaz-news-subscribe at az.nfb.org <mailto:Nfbaz-news-subscribe at az.nfb.org>  

 

If you have any changes in your contact info for the state roster, chapters,
or divisions, please write to:

news at az.nfb.org <mailto:news at az.nfb.org>  

and we will send your info to the appropriate people and make the necessary
corrections.

 

Contact our President, Bob Kresmer at:

888 899 6322, or write to:

 <mailto:krezguy at cox.net> krezguy at cox.net 

If you would like to submit an announcement or article for publication in
this monthly newsletter, please send your submission to: 

 <mailto:news at az.nfb.org> news at az.nfb.org 

 


Grins and Groans - The Usual Endings


Submitted by Bob Kresmer

 

Did you hear about the guy who los his left arm and leg in an automobile
accident?  

He is all right now.

 

Want to hear a pizza joke?  

Nah, it is too cheesy.

 

How do you make an egg laugh?

Tell a yolk.

 


Debi Chatfield


Editor