[NFBNJ] DHS Clippings

Mon Oct 3 17:14:49 UTC 2016

Greetings to all!
Received from Pamela Gaston, NJ CBVI.
Another opportunity for those that are looking for an opportunity.
Remember, Newsline Registered.  Please contact Jane Degenshein, Coordinator.
973 736 5785        
jdegen16 at comcast.net; 
We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President 
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking 
www.carshelpingtheblind.org 
or call 855 659 9314

Subject: DHS Clippings

From: Pamela.Gaston at dhs.state.nj.us [mailto:Pamela.Gaston at dhs.state.nj.us] 
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2016 11:57 AM
To: CBVI.AllUsers at dhs.state.nj.us
Subject: DHS Clippings

State Library Highlights Services for Visually Impaired During Blindness Awareness Month, October 2016 

CentralJersey.com, September 28, 2016—By: Gary Cooper 

  Lolly Cheatham, assistive technology specialist with Advancing Opportunities, instructs Bruce Groendyke of Hightstown in navigating the iPad. Groendyke participated in a special program for veterans with visual impairments at the NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center to learn the iPad. 

In New Jersey, public libraries are at the heart of their communities and play an important role in reaching out to those with print impairments. The New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) has joined forces with state agencies and organizations focused on serving New Jersey’s visually impaired, to enhance access to assistive technology across the state. TBBC has partnered with select public libraries to provide a number of accessibility programs, at no additional cost to residents.

To help raise awareness during Blindness Awareness Month, which takes place annually during the month of October, TBBC is highlighting all of its assistive technology services through a webpage on the State Library website: 

http://www.njstatelib.org/accessibility/. New Jersey’s Blind Awareness Month resolution from the Assembly was sponsored by Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald and by Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, both of District 6 and was signed into law by Governor John Corzine in 2009.

iPad Training for Veterans

Thanks to a grant from Disability Rights New Jersey, TBBC arranged classes to teach two groups of veterans how to use the assistive technology features on iPads, to help reduce the digital divide for veterans with visual impairments or blindness by introducing them to new technologies that can assist them in their daily living. One group had varying degrees of visual impairment; the other group of veterans was totally blind. The training included finger navigation, magnification and text-to-speech features, as well as an introduction to using assistive apps.

Most of the veterans’ sight loss was due to macular degeneration, a disease affecting the macula or center of the retina of the eye which results in progressive loss of central vision. Occurring most often among older people, it is the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 55.

Although all the participants had personal reasons for taking the course, the veterans who still had some sight, like Marvin Horowitz, an Army veteran from Cherry Hill, was preparing for the future. “I have to prepare myself for the inevitable,” he said. “The macular degeneration is making it more and more difficult to see on my devices and PC. This is preparing me and that was my goal.” 

Virginia Lucas, an Air Force flight nurse during the Vietnam War from Trenton, was taking the course just because she “thought it was about time I got up to date electronically.” Lucas was the second female to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars in NJ and is a 37-year member of American Legion Post 458, Trenton. Her family operated four Tripicin salt water taffy stores in Atlantic City.

Like Lucas, Bruce Groendyke, an Army vet from Hightstown, called himself a “technical dinosaur.” Severely nearsighted, he was learning how to use the iPad to see pictures, videos and to do research, when he does not have access to his home computer.

“These classes were highly beneficial,” said Horowitz. “They exceeded my expectations and will enable me to keep up with what’s happening in the world.”

Nancy Loveland of Forked River, who served in the Marines, agreed. “This course was fabulous. It was the right thing at the right time.” As a teacher’s aide at Lacey Middle School she works with 7th and 8th grade special needs children, many of whom have visual impairments. “For these children, the iPad is the tool of choice, so the school was excited that I was learning how to use it and can now teach those students with visual impairments. It made me a much more valuable person in my role.” Loveland said she practiced on the iPad every day to master it.

Library Equal Access Program

The Library Equal Access Program (LEAP), provides free computer and iPad training classes at assistive technology learning centers located in seven public libraries across the state. Training includes beginner and advanced level instruction on how to use reading magnification and speech software to read websites, emails and other documents, as well as an introduction to using the assistive technology features now available on iPads. This program is sponsored by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), and targets adults 55 years of age and older. “The ultimate goal of the LEAP program is to promote independence and to remove the digital divide for older adults with vision impairments,” said Dan Frye, executive director of CBVI. “LEAP places state-of-the-art technology and training in public libraries to serve people closer to where they live. These classes for those new to iPads or assistive software will expand skills and opportunities.”

The East Brunswick Public Library opened their LEAP Training Room on September 21 with a ribbon cutting. According to Jennifer Podolsky, library director, the response to the program was unexpected. “We were surprised that all our classes filled so quickly. This just shows the need for this type of program for our residents with visual impairments and how libraries are responding to the needs of our diverse population.”

English To Go!

On October 4, TBBC’s Audiovision radio reading service will begin broadcasting a series of 3-minute English conversation practice sessions every Tuesday and Thursday following the airing of the Star-Ledger newspaper at approximately 1:55 and 7:55 p.m. One 3-minute practice session at a beginner/intermediate level will be broadcast each week. These brief sessions are for those whose primary language is not English, and are visually- or print-impaired. Volunteer and staff readers have recorded everyday English conversation that we conduct with friends and neighbors, when making appointments over the telephone, ordering at a deli or restaurant, talking with a stranger at the mall, and other situations. Audiovision is available to those who subscribe to Comcast or Verizon Fios on television, others may access it through their computer. For those who do not receive Audiovision service or any other library services from TBBC, call Audiovision at 800-792-8322 ext 806, for more information.

sitecues® by AiSquared

The State Library added sitecues®, an easy-to-use software designed to both magnify and read text, on its website, as well as at all Outspoken Library computer kiosks, located in thirty-eight public libraries and three veterans’ homes around the state. “sitecues®, offers visitors to the website, who rely heavily on online research tools, an easier way to navigate and read documents. It also allows us to offer our public library partners an easy-to-use accessibility tool which they can offer to their community members who might struggle to read web pages because of a reading disability or because the text is too small,” said Mary Chute, New Jersey State Librarian.

Professional Training Provides Equal Access to Information

Instruction for the computer and iPad training programs will be provided by Advancing Opportunities, a leader in assistive technology training, and includes one-on-one assistance from Lolly Cheatham, assistive technology specialist, who has been instructing for three years. With patience as one of her prime virtues, Cheatham said the biggest challenge for her students with visual impairments is their level of knowledge of the technology and the terminology. “They have to learn about apps; learn what a rotor is on the iPad; learn gestures to navigate, all of which are new to them.”

“Public libraries are learning centers for new technology,” said Adam Szczepaniak, deputy state librarian and director of TBBC. “These initiatives help boost that level of learning to include not only assistive software for those with vision impairments, but training, as well, which is in high demand by those who need assistance learning how to use an iPad, or who need help browsing the internet because their vision is changing.”

About the New Jersey State Library

The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, connects people with information and resources through its service to libraries, government and people including those with special needs. NJSL’s mission has expanded since its establishment in 1796 to lead in the provision, promotion and support of high quality library and information services to all the people of NJ. Led by State Librarian Mary Chute, NJSL coordinates, promotes and funds the NJ Library Network by providing advisory and technical information and services to support NJ’s libraries in the fulfillment of their missions. NJSL also provides support for public, school, academic, and special libraries, and continues to promote services for learners of all ages, including key areas of continuing need such as digital literacy, business outreach, workforce development, and summer reading programs. NJSL continues its focus on innovation and future trends, and seeks out exemplary models and technologies that can help assist the NJ library community in remaining relevant and essential community anchors. For more information, visit www.njstatelib.org.

About the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The mission of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) is to promote and provide services in the areas of education, employment, independence and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons who are blind or vision impaired, their families and the community. CBVI was created by the State Legislature in 1910 and has several offices and facilities throughout the state. CBVI works to provide and/or ensure access to services that will enable people who are blind or vision impaired to obtain their fullest measure of self-reliance and improved quality of life. CBVI also seeks to assure that people who are blind or vision impaired are treated as dignified and worthy individuals who are fully engaged in their communities, on equal footing with their sighted peers. For more information, visit http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/

About Disability Rights New Jersey

Incorporated in 1994, DRNJ was subsequently designated by the Governor to serve as New Jersey's protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. Disability Rights New Jersey provides services to persons with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry or disability. DRNJ undertakes its mission through a team approach, built on an issue foundation defined both by the agency's federal funding sources and its consumer-driven priorities. For more information, visit: http://www.drnj.org/.

About Advancing Opportunities

A leader in the disability services field, Advancing Opportunities has been providing person-centered, community-based services to people with all types of disabilities and their families since 1950.  In addition to assistive technology services, the agency provides family support services, advocacy, residential programs, respite care, substance abuse prevention education, and community education and transition services throughout the state. For more information about Advancing Opportunities visit www.advopps.org or call 1-888-322-1918.  To see the ways assistive technology can help people with disabilities, visit www.assistivetechnologycenter.org. 

Computer and iPad Trainings Offered at Libraries Across the State to Help Users Who Are Blind or Have Experienced a Change in Vision 

BusinessWire.com, September 28, 2016 

TRENTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In New Jersey, public libraries are at the heart of their communities and play an important role in reaching out to those with print impairments. The New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) has joined forces with state agencies and organizations focused on serving New Jersey’s visually impaired, to enhance access to assistive technology across the state. To help raise awareness during Blindness Awareness Month, which takes place annually during the month of October, TBBC is highlighting all of its assistive technology services through a webpage on the State Library website: http://www.njstatelib.org/accessibility/. 

TBBC has partnered with select public libraries to provide the following programs, at no additional cost to residents: 

The Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) provides free computer and iPad training classes at assistive technology learning centers located in seven public libraries across the state. Training includes beginner and advanced level instruction on how to use reading magnification and audio tools to read websites, emails and other documents, as well as an introduction to using the assistive technology features now available on iPads. This program is sponsored by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), and targets adults 55 years of age and older. 

TBBC has also arranged trainings to teach veterans how to use the assistive technology features on iPads, to help reduce the digital divide for veterans with visual impairments or blindness by introducing them to new technologies that can assist them in their daily living. The training includes magnification and text-to-speech features, as well as an introduction to using assistive apps. This program was made possible through a grant from Disability Rights New Jersey. 

Instruction for both programs will be provided by Advancing Opportunities, leader in assistive technology training. 

“Public libraries are learning centers for new technology,” said Adam Szczepaniak, deputy state librarian and director of TBBC. “These initiatives help boost that level of learning to include not only assistive software for those with vision impairments, but training, as well, which is in high demand by those who need assistance learning how to use an iPad, or who need help browsing the internet because their vision is changing.” 

New Jersey’s Blind Awareness Month resolution from the Assembly was sponsored by Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald and by Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, both of District 6 and was signed into law by Governor John Corzine in 2009. 

About the New Jersey State Library 

The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, connects people with information and resources through its service to libraries, government and people including those with special needs. NJSL’s mission has expanded since its establishment in 1796 to lead in the provision, promotion and support of high quality library and information services to all the people of NJ. Led by State Librarian Mary Chute, NJSL coordinates, promotes and funds the NJ Library Network by providing advisory and technical information and services to support NJ’s libraries in the fulfillment of their missions. NJSL also provides support for public, school, academic, and special libraries, and continues to promote services for learners of all ages, including key areas of continuing need such as digital literacy, business outreach, workforce development, and summer reading programs. NJSL continues its focus on innovation and future trends, and seeks out exemplary models and technologies that can help assist the NJ library community in remaining relevant and essential community anchors. For more information, visit www.njstatelib.org. (Back to Top)

Pamela L. Gaston

Executive Assistant 3

NJ State Department of Human Services

Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

P.O. Box 47017

Newark, NJ 07101-47017

973-648-6149 – Office

973-900-2564 – Cell

973-648-2043 – Fax

Visit us on the web at: www.cbvi.nj.gov

“From the start, I made my learning, what little there was, as useful as I could, in every way that I could.” – Mary McLeod Bethune

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