Words of Helen Keller

Alone we can do so little.
Together we can do so much.

Helen Keller

Reading this quote reminded me of needing to ask for help when you need it. Since I don't drive I have to ask friends and family for a ride when I need to get somewhere. I've had several hired drivers over the past 13 years.It's hard to ask for help but if I don't I would be stuck at home. Reach out of your contort zone and ask for help. And remember to help others when you can.

TAGS FOR ORGANIZING MY HOME

Because I have low vision I like to use organization tips to help find things faster. I used stickers to tag my knitting needles. The smaller the pattern; the smaller the needle. The stickers are also used to price my handmade beaded jewelry I sell.

MY IPAD UPDATE CHANGED EVERYTHING.

I just downloaded the new IOS 7 software on my iPad. I was aware of the new changes but wasn't ready for the color of the icon to be FLOURSENT and my keyboard to be white. I'll post tomorrow after my eyes adjust. As Charlie Brown say, "good grief".

LARGE PRINT MENUS Friendly’s Restaurant Now Offering Large Print Menus

August 19, 2010 – Oswego, NY - Great news for individuals who have difficulty reading the print on restaurant menus due to vision loss: Friendly’s is now the third restaurant in Oswego to offer a large-print menu to patrons.
 
On August 16, Patrick Dewine, Manager of the Friendly’s Restaurant on Bridge Street in Oswego,  accepted eight copies of the large-print menus from members of the Vision Network,  an advocacy group which works to make access to the community easier for individuals with vision loss.  The menus, with items and price written in a 36-point bold font, are available by asking the server. Descriptions of the dishes are omitted to make it easier to navigate the page.
Laura Smith, President of Oswego County Visually Impaired (OCVI), a support group, retyped the menu and ARISE arranged for printing and collating.  Bea Welch accompanied Laura and Sabine Ingerson, Chairperson of the Vision Network and Director of ARISE in Oswego to make the presentation to Mr. Dewine. He thanked the Vision Network representatives for the donation of the menus, and believes that there a quite a few customers who would enjoy them.
When previewing a copy of the menu, a Vision Network participant said “I’m so glad to learn about this option as I have friends who need assistance reading the items on the regular menu.”
It is important to spread the word about the availability of these large-print menus as they are another step in increasing independence for persons with vision loss. Vision loss can be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, other diseases, or just by growing older. Large print menus in Oswego can be found at Canale’s, Bridie Manor, and now Friendly’s.
ARISE works with individuals with all types of disabilities and has a goal to make our communities accessible to all. “Being a part of the Vision Network furthers our mission,” Sabine Ingerson said. “We partner with individuals with vision loss and representatives of the Office for the Aging and OCO to advocate for positive change.” In addition to the large print menus the group has been instrumental in retaining Call-N-Ride in Oswego County, and works to educate on issues affecting those with vision loss.
For more information, contact Sabine Ingerson at 342-4088 extension 210

BARD FOR IAPPLE AND ANDROID IN THE WORKS

NLS developing app for blind users of Apple and Android mobile devices

The NLS Materials and Development Division (MDD), Automation Office, and Network Division staff are currently developing an app—BARD Mobile—that facilitates reading NLS audio and braille books on Apple and Android devices. “The app will enable eligible users to read digital talking books and electronic braille. iPhones support 40 different braille displays and Androids support about a dozen,” explained MDD chief Michael Katzmann. “Any of our digital books and magazines can be downloaded from BARD directly to the device. Due to poor accessibility of older devices, our app will only work on newer versions of Android.” BARD Mobile will be free to registered BARD users.

NLS consumer relations officer Judy Dixon demonstrates to coworkers how her iPhone’s built-in, screen-reading technology, VoiceOver allows her to read an e-book during an informal session on November 19, 2012. NLS res earch and development officer Neil Bernstein videotapes Dixon’s demonstration and projects it onto a screen behind her for sighted staff.

VISION AND HEARING LOSS AT MSU

PAHVL: Project Summary

Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss: Project Summary

The National Research and Training Center (NRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University (MSU), in collaboration with San Diego State University (SDSU), and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) in Sands Point, NY, established a consortium Disability & Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Persons Aging with Hearing & Vision Loss funded by a grant from the national Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR Grant # H133A020701). The collaborative effort has focused on the exploration of strategies to improve outcomes for persons who are blind or visually impaired or who are Deaf or hard of hearing and who are now experiencing a secondary onset of hearing loss or vision impairment as a result of the aging process. The DRRP has conducted a variety of research and training activities, and now is working on the dissemination phase of the project. This web site contains a variety of information related to the 3 research priorities of the Project and the Training that has evolved from those activities as well as resources for consumers, their families and service providers.
The research component of the study has focused on gathering information from several sources: small focus groups and a nationally representative study sample of consumers over the age of 55 with both hearing and vision loss, service providers and vendors of assistive technology used by persons with sensory loss.
The exploratory research has concentrated on 4 major priorities that investigated how persons with vision and hearing loss, especially those who lost one sense before age 55, and one after age 55, cope with the challenges of maintaining their independence and continuing involvement in their communities. Specific areas to be addressed include employment, use of assistive technology and communications systems, transportation, housing, specialized services, and psycho-social adjustment to sensory loss.
The 4 research priorities mandates funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), were stated as follows:

+ Priority 1 - Prevalence Study

+ Priority 2 - Technology and Service Delivery Options

+ Priority 3 - Access to Technology and Service Delivery

+ Priority 4 - Psycho-social Adjustment

Dissemination and Training:
The training and dissemination phases of the project continue to be implemented. The first phase included 2 national conferences in 2006 and 2007, and on-line resources through this website in addition to numerous journal articles and presentations.
Guidance and oversight of the Project was provided by a Participatory Action Research (PAR) Team comprised of older persons with hearing and vision loss who represent major consumer organizations of persons who are blind, deaf or Deafblind.

Results from the Project Newsletters:
PAVHL Newsletter I: Getting Started and Recruitment PAVHL Newsletter 2: Demographics, Levels of Hearing and Vision Loss PAVHL Newsletter 3: Communication, Assistive Technology and Employment PAVHL Newsletter 4: Housing, Transportation, Rehabilitation Services PAVHL Newsletter 5: Psycho-Social Aspects of Adjustment to Dual Sensory Loss

 http://www.blind.msstate.edu/pahvl/project/summary/

Stretch Silicone Hot Cooking Bands

Silicone Stretch hot cooking bands.  Use in place of butcher's twine or toothpicks.  2" fits up to 20 lb. turkey.  Ideal for food identification: Well/Rare..Spicy/Med/Mild.  Disposable or Reusable.  25--2" bands; assorted colors.

• Food Safe
• Freezer Safe
• 'Dishwasher Safe
• Deep Fry Safe!

HELLO AGAIN

I haven't posted in a long time. This year I've been very busy. I'll leave that story to another post. I just arrived in Atlanta, Georgia for my eye surgery tomorrow morning at Emory University Eye Center. I'm having an eye lift on my right eye because it started to droop About a year ago. now it looks almost closed even when it's just relaxed. I'll post before and after pictures later.