[NFBNJ] 2018 March/April Commission Edition Newsletter

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Pasted and attached is the Commission Edition for March/April 2018.
Please read and share with others as the agency continues to raise 
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles 
between blind people and our dreams.
Working together to transform dreams into reality!

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
Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want.
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

****
THE COMMISSION  EDITION

Newsletter of the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

March/April 2018, Vol. 6, No. 1

Dr. Bernice M. Davis 
Pamela L. Gaston

Acting Executive Director 
Editor


>From the Director’s Desk


Happy Spring Everyone!



CBVI is excited to congratulate and welcome Carole Johnson as the new 
Commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services, and Elisa Neira as the 
new Deputy Commissioner!  Both have a tremendous list of accomplishments and 
have been busy visiting various divisions, getting to know staff and meeting 
with numerous community partners.  In early 2018, CBVI had the pleasure of 
meeting and hosting a visit from Commissioner Johnson and her Chief of 
Staff, Andrea Katz.  Soon after her appointment, Deputy Commissioner Neira 
came to meet and greet Newark staff and was quite impressed with CBVI's 
array of services and its Regional Technology Assistance Center (RTAC).  I 
am confident that each of them will provide DHS and CBVI outstanding 
leadership and innovation.



In March 2018, I was asked to serve as the Acting Executive Director of CBVI 
while DHS conducts a  search for a new Executive Director.  As I have shared 
with many of you, I am absolutely thrilled to be leading such an incredible 
organization.  As I get to know new staff and reacquaint myself with 
seasoned staff across our statewide service centers, I continue to be amazed 
at the level of dedication and passion exhibited by so many of you.  My 
primary goal right now is to listen and learn from staff as well as our many 
stakeholders and partners.  I do know that in CBVI’s 107-year history, the 
need has never been greater for the type of services and opportunities that 
we provide to consumers.   As in the past, CBVI will continue to work 
closely with our consumers, stakeholders and community partners to advance 
its mission of serving blind, deaf-blind and vison impaired individuals 
across the State of New Jersey.



In closing, I would like to emphasize that CBVI is a truly remarkable 
organization that has positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of 
vision impaired individuals and their families, as well as, recognize those 
who work tirelessly to advocate for independence and equal opportunities for 
blind, deaf-blind and vision-impaired individuals.  Together, we will 
confront the challenges that lie ahead and convert them into opportunities 
to better serve our consumers and constituents.



Be well,

Dr. Bernice M. Davis

Acting Executive Director





(Image: Spring is here with butterflies and blossoms)


Vocational Rehabilitation and Transitional Services – Amanda Gerson, 
Coordinator


On March 22, 2018, the United States Senate adopted a resolution designating 
March 22, 2018 as National Rehabilitation Counselors’ Appreciation Day, and 
commended rehabilitation counselors for their dedication and hard work in 
providing counseling to individuals with disabilities. The resolution 
affirms the value of professional rehabilitation counseling training and 
acknowledges the difference rehabilitation counselors have made and continue 
to make in the lives of people with disabilities.

On behalf of CBVI, I want to recognize our amazing Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counselors, who every day show dedication and passion to the work of helping 
blind, vision impaired, and deaf-blind residents of New Jersey achieve 
success in independence, education, and employment. As the world of 
Vocational Rehabilitation continues to evolve under the Workforce Innovation 
and Opportunity Act, and with positive growth and innovation in our program 
also comes additional work, please know that you are valued and recognized 
for the impact you make on a daily basis.

Thank you for all that you do.


Educational Services – Eva Scott, Director of Blindness Education


“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”  – Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.



Our teachers and their supervisors are hard at work making sure that our 
students are receiving the instruction in the skills they need to be 
successful, the tools that allow them to use their skills, and the emotional 
support needed to motivate them to achieve their highest potential.  As 
always, we maintain a sense of hope for all our students.

Welcome to Our New and Returning Teachers!

In mid-January we were happy to welcome Ryan Vella as a teacher in the 
Newark Service Center.  Ryan comes to us with great enthusiasm and a wealth 
of classroom teaching experience.  We are delighted to have Ryan working 
with us, and I know he will have a long and successful career as a Teacher 
of the Visually Impaired (TVI) at the Commission.

In mid-March we happily welcomed Ragan Van Campen back to Blindness 
Education in the Newark Service Center. For the last several years, Ragan 
has been teaching at the Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC), where I know 
she will be missed.  Ragan is an experienced and skilled Braille teacher, 
and we are very fortunate to have her back.

Bidding a Fond Farewell to Two of Our Teachers

In February, two of our teachers in the Cherry Hill Service Center left 
CBVI.  Although we are sad to see them leave us, we wish them all the best 
life can offer.

Barbara Ridge has begun her well-deserved retirement after fourteen years at 
CBVI.  We will miss her skill as a teacher, as well as her humor and her 
wisdom as a remarkable human being.  We sincerely wish her much happiness 
and many stress-free years of retirement bliss as she embarks upon the next 
journey of her life.

Kimberly Mastroianni has left CBVI to take a position with the Washington 
Township School District in Gloucester County.  Kim is an itinerant road 
warrior, no more.  Her new position will be based in the school district. 
We will miss Kim’s warm and friendly manner, as well as her creativity in 
planning Cherry Hill SHARP.  We wish Kim much success and happiness both 
professionally and personally.





Students Hands-On Alternative Reinforcement Program – SHARP 2018

Planning for the fourth summer of SHARP is in full swing.  Letters and 
applications went out in mid-January, and just as they did last year, the 
responses have arrived early.  The program is almost filled to capacity. 
The dates for SHARP 2018 are as follows:  Session One (Grades 5 through 8) 
will occur from July 10 through July 26, 2018, and Session Two (Grades 1 
through 4) will occur from July 31 through August 16, 2018.  This year, the 
planning teams in all three locations of SHARP (Newark, Freehold, and Cherry 
Hill) are striving to make the fourth year of the program the best ever.  As 
always, literacy and skills of independence will be a major focus.  This 
year, we will also focus on community service with the dual goal of further 
developing and preparing the students for the future while promoting the 
potential of CBVI consumers. It will be an exciting summer of SHARP.

EDGE Students as SHARP 2018 Helpers

Last year, seven high school students from our EDGE (Employment, 
Development, Guidance and Engagement) program worked in SHARP 2017 as high 
school helpers and role models for our younger students.  Their 
participation in SHARP was a wonderful success that we plan to continue.  In 
February and March, I visited the EDGE Program to interview EDGE students 
interested in helping out in this year’s SHARP program.  The purpose of 
having these students in SHARP is to help with program activities, but more 
importantly, their purpose is to demonstrate skills of independence and 
provide a positive role model for the younger students who attend SHARP.

The 2018 Annual Teachers’ Symposium

Our 2018 Annual Teachers’ Symposium will occur over three days in October, 
with a day for classroom teachers working with Braille readers, a day for 
classroom teachers working with large print readers, and a day for classroom 
teachers working with students who are vision impaired with an additional 
disability.  The exact dates of the symposium are October 23rd, October 
25th, and October 26th.  For the second year, this event will take place at 
the Department of Children and Families, Professional Center in New 
Brunswick.

Time is Flying By

As I look at the calendar, the first quarter of 2018 is almost over.  Time 
is indeed, flying by.  Before we know it, this academic year will be 
history, and the summer will be upon us.  That means, SHARP will begin and 
end more quickly than we would expect. Then, fall will arrive with the new 
2018-2019 academic year.  We are approaching the end of the first twenty 
years of the new millennium.  With all the advancements in education, 
technology and awareness of the potential of people with disabilities I am 
filled with hope for the future of CBVI students.


Independent Living & Clinical Services – Elizabeth DeShields, Coordinator


Assistive Technology/Independent Living: Common Applications -  by Eddie 
Montanez

As the Assistive Technology Specialist for Independent Living (IL), I work 
closely with the Rehabilitation Teachers and other IL caseworkers. My duties 
include conducting assessments, and instruction for our consumers on 
assistive technology and this also may include recommending the purchase of 
equipment. I also deliver assistive technology presentations for the groups 
in our Assistive Support Programs for Independence Renewal and Education 
(ASPIRE) network and other groups that make requests to IL.

When addressing groups, I am often asked about various applications for IOS 
systems (iPads and iPhones) and android systems (tablets and android based 
phones). I discuss various applications and following here are some of the 
applications that seem to be well received and user friendly. Many of these 
apps will be well known to you and others may not. This applications list 
includes a link for easy access.  Please note that some of these apps can 
also be found in the Android Play Store:

BARD Mobile

Description: FREE (can also be found in the android play store via Google)

A service of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically 
Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. The BARD Mobile app provides access 
to braille and talking books directly from the NLS Braille and Audio Reading 
Download (BARD). BARD contains nearly 50,000 books, magazines, and music 
scores in audio and braille formats.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/books/bard-mobile> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/books/bard-mobile

Dolphin EasyReader

Description: FREE (can also be found in the android play store via Google)

EasyReader is an accessible reading app for readers with dyslexia, low 
vision or blindness. Users can browse and download from the world’s largest 
collection of talking book and newspaper libraries, or copy text from 
anywhere on your phone and hear EasyReader read it back to you.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/books/dolphin-easyreader> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/books/dolphin-easyreader

NFB-NEWSLINE

Description: FREE

NEWSLINE is an information source designed to keep persons who are unable to 
read conventional newsprint informed about current events locally, 
nationally, and around the world. NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile features the text of 
over three hundred newspapers, forty magazines, plus many more publications.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/news/nfb-newsline%C2%AE-mobile> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/news/nfb-newsline%C2%AE-mobile

Be My Eyes

Description: FREE (can also be found in the android play store via Google)

Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low vision people with 
sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through 
a live video call.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/lifestyle/be-my-eyes-helping-blind-see> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/lifestyle/be-my-eyes-helping-blind-see

Seeing AI

Description: FREE

Seeing AI is an app that narrates the world around you. Designed for the 
blind and low vision community, this ongoing research project harnesses the 
power of AI to open up the visual world and describe nearby people, text and 
objects. Optimized for use with VoiceOver, the app speaks text as soon as it 
appears in front of the camera.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/seeing-ai> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/seeing-ai

Just Press Record


Description: Cost $4.99


This app is not free but I find it very helpful. Just Press Record is a 
simple, professional audio recorder that brings the ultimate convenience of 
one-tap recording and instant syncing via iCloud to all your devices. 
Perfect for capturing ideas, thoughts and memos on the go. It provides 
speech to text transcription, high quality audio playback and effortless 
sharing via Notes, Messages, Mail or any of your favorite apps that support 
audio or text. Available for iOS 10, watchOS 3 and macOS.

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/apple-watch/utilities/just-press-recordIn> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/apple-watch/utilities/just-press-recordIn

To find more useful apps, you can view the entire list by going to:

<https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios-apps-for-blind-and-vision-impaired> 
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios-apps-for-blind-and-vision-impaired

If you are interested in more information about AT/IL services, contact 
Eddie Montanez at  <mailto:Edwin.montanez at dhs.state.nj.us> 
Edwin.montanez at dhs.state.nj.us or Elizabeth DeShields at 
<mailto:Elizabeth.deshields at dhs.state.nj.us> 
Elizabeth.deshields at dhs.state.nj.us


Joseph Kohn Training Center – Del Basha, Manager


Hopefully the first quarter of the 2018 year has been progressing well for 
everyone. Thirty years earlier, back in 1988, the Joseph Kohn Training 
Center (JKTC) first opened its doors in the city of New Brunswick. Since 
then, the center has been opening doors for individuals who are blind and 
vision impaired with the goal of enabling them to increase their 
independence and self-sufficiency. Students enroll in the JKTC program to 
learn core skills that are emphasized in the various classes. One of these 
classes is the Careers class, which is taught by Ed Kawalec, VRC under the 
supervision of Maria Beras.


JKTC Careers Class – by Ed Kawalec and Maria Beras

At the Joseph Kohn Training Center, “Vocational Readiness” is a concept that 
is put into action throughout all the instructional classes, socialization 
opportunities, community engagements, work experiences, and speaker 
presentations. Of course the class called “Careers” is no exception to this 
vocational effort.  In Careers, JKTC students focus on the steps they will 
take to obtain a job or to launch a career.  Self-assessment, combined with 
occupational research, job seeking practice, resume development, networking 
strategizing, and learning about relevant sources of help, both locally and 
on-line, all are ingredients of the Careers class.  Aligned with the overall 
JKTC and CBVI philosophy, the Careers class emphasizes self-empowerment as 
the key to achieving independence and productivity.

As of January 2018, the Careers class has been further enhanced by the 
efforts of a Rutgers University graduate student intern, who is contributing 
her knowledge and talents to our JKTC students’ readiness for the world of 
work. This continues a long tradition at JKTC of serving as a training site 
for Rutgers graduate students in the Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s 
Degree program.  Previous interns have benefitted from their stimulating 
learning experience at the Center, and have subsequently continued their 
invaluable contributions to CBVI by joining our organization as new VR staff 
members.

More recently, on March 13th, the JKTC was visited by 12 graduate students 
from the Rutgers University Master of Science, Rehabilitation Counseling 
program, who wanted to gain information about the Joseph Kohn Training 
Center. They toured the facility, observed classes in action, and met with 
JKTC students and staff.  This learning experience is intended to raise 
awareness, within this group of soon-to-be rehabilitation professionals, 
about the focus of training, the variety of staff specialties, and the 
diversity of consumers, that all come together at the JKTC.  As always, a 
highlight for the visitors is to hear directly from JKTC students about 
their skill development and their satisfying interactions with their fellow 
JKTC learners.

(Image: Flowers breaking through the snow)


Business Enterprises of New Jersey – Deacon Truesdale, Manager


The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) was founded in 1936 
and is the association representing the $25 billion United States 
convenience service industry.  Many of the world’s most recognized brands 
are members of NAMA, which provides advocacy, education and research for its 
members.  BENJ is currently a member of NAMA.

This year NAMA held their annual show from March 20-23 at the Las Vegas 
Convention Center.  The National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM) and 
RSA Management Group held a Pre-NAMA training session on March 20th.   The 
training session included information on digital vending machine 
advertising, a strategy for increasing revenue by using vending machine 
locations for product marketing; security of cashless payments; utilizing 
Management Suite a software package for creating reports that can be 
downloaded and customized; a discussion of the changing needs of customers 
including the increasing demand for healthy choices; equipment innovations; 
new business opportunities for blind vendors with private companies; how 
vendors can maximize rebates from approved vendors, and finally, a 
presentation from Nick Gacos who is the Chair of the BENJ Committee of 
Business Enterprise Managers  and also the President of NABM.


Regional Service Center Updates


Southern Region – Jack Thompson, Manager


New Support Group in Southern Region by Rachel Pichette

We know that vision loss can be very isolating and can have a devastating 
impact on the person experiencing it. I have seen this firsthand and wanted 
to share an experience I had with a consumer and how an O&M lesson soon 
turned into the founding of a new support group in Marlton, which is in 
Burlington County.

Mr. N was seen for a first orientation and mobility lesson. He was new to 
his apartment and was fearful of walking outside of his door to enter the 
hallway. This led to a great dependency on his family and Mr. N told me that 
it made him feel guilty because he knew they were very busy with their own 
lives. During O&M lessons he learned to use a long white cane and was 
oriented to his hallway. Each door had the name of the resident on it. I 
read each name to him as he felt the difference between the wall and the 
difference of sound of each door with his cane. He was very excited to learn 
that the people who have talked to him in the lobby and sent him a welcome 
gift when he moved in were his direct neighbors. We practiced the route to 
all the exits and even walked outside on the garden path in front of the 
apartment building. This was a feat he doubted he could do, but he was very 
happy when he realized he was able to navigate using his long white cane.

Although, our goals were small and included locating the garbage room, the 
mailbox and finding the office and recreation room, this created a great 
sense of independence for Mr. N and he was noticeably excited and proud of 
these accomplishments. I suggested Mr. N ride the community transportation 
offered from his facility and thought that maybe he could attend a support 
group. There was a vision loss support group about ten minutes away from him 
but he was not ready to ride the bus independently. I spoke with his 
apartment management about this issue and she told me that there were four 
other residents with vision impairments in the same building who receive or 
received CBVI services. She also provided me with a social worker’s name 
from the Jewish Federation of Cherry Hill, who was willing to lead a vision 
loss support group. Although still in progress, Susan Vanino and I are in 
the process of having the support group open to the public for others in the 
Marlton area.

Through support groups like this one, participants can share resources and 
information with each other, provide emotional support, establish 
connections to reduce isolation and participate in conversations they can 
all relate to on the things that they have in common.


New or Noteworthy


New Jersey’s First Blind Public School Graduates

Educators and parents of students who are vision impaired began advocating 
for advancements in educational opportunities and inclusive programs over 
185 years ago. It is significant to note that the field of education of 
blind students was the first to develop a range of educational options 
beginning with specialized schools in 1829 and extending to inclusive 
(including "full inclusion") public school programs since 1900.

The Commission’s first Executive Director, Lydia Young Hayes and teacher, 
Janet Gilchrist Paterson, established the state's first integrated class for 
blind and sighted students within the Newark school system in 1910.  These 
classes were based on the belief that integrated classes provided blind 
students with the educational tools and exposure necessary for a smooth 
assimilation into society. There were ten students in that first class, 
including the Commission’s first students to graduate from public school, 
sisters Mary and Louise Curcio.

Mary Josephine Curcio was born on July 10, 1901 to parents Eva Bender and 
Paul Curcio, in Newark. Blind from birth, she entered public school for the 
first time at the age of nine when the first integrated class for blind and 
sighted students was launched in Newark’s Washington Street School in 1910. 
Before being integrated with sighted students Mary had to master reading, 
writing braille and typing. She was a successful student who frequently made 
the honor roll. Mary graduated from grade school in 1917, becoming the first 
blind person to graduate from a public school in NJ. She attended South Side 
High School (now Malcolm X. Shabazz High School) and graduated in 1921. She 
then briefly attended Newark Junior College, and later graduated Douglass 
College (Rutgers) in 1925, with honors. Mary was also the first blind person 
to graduate from an accredited college in New Jersey. She then became a 
Commission employee where she worked as an executive secretary until she 
retired.

Mary’s sister, Louise Curcio was born in 1904 and was, like her sister, 
blind since birth. She also attended South Side High School and later 
graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from 
Douglass College in 1926. She became a noted piano teacher and eventually 
went on to head the piano department at the Newark Community School of the 
Arts for 30 years. Louise was also a published author who wrote more than 30 
books on piano instruction. She was inducted into the Douglass Society (for 
distinguished alumnae) in 1974.

Both Curcio sisters passed away in 1987.

“40” – Submitted by Joseph Ianuzzelli, Sr. Office Appliance Operator, Meyer 
Center

My involvement with CBVI began back in 1978, when I became a student at what 
was then called the “Rehab Center”, located on Broad Street here in Newark.

After that, from 1980 to 1982 I was employed at the Commission’s Contract 
Workshop, which was also located in Newark on Frelinghuysen Avenue. When the 
contract shop closed, I was offered the opportunity to work at the Meyer 
Center in the Large Print Department. I finally became a full-time, 
permanent state employee in 1983.

April 2nd marks my anniversary with CBVI. I’m glad to say I am still here at 
the Meyer Center, but I find it interesting and sort of remarkable that I am 
right here in a building across the street from where it all started 40 
years ago.

<http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2016/06/nj_girl_to_compete_in_national_braille_competition.html#comments> 
comments


The Last Words


“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done 
without Hope and Confidence.” – Helen Keller



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