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The Florida Division of Blind Services Newsletter Volume 4, Number 10, October 2005 |
Table of ContentsDistrict News Around the State Around the Nation Around the World Tools for Living Website of the Month Announcements Recipes To Our Readers District NewsDistrict 10Winds of Change Since District 10 last appeared in the DBS newsletter, the not so gentle, wet winds of last year’s one-two hurricane punch are but a soggy memory of much inconvenience and many building repairs. Perhaps more significant, though, are the gentle winds of change that followed. Those welcome winds brought us new faces, one wagging tail, a few new ideas, and a refreshed commitment of service to our clients. We now have a new/old (but tried and true) District Administrator who comes to us on loan from District Five -- Alex McLaughlin. Alex has been with the Division since 1984 and in state service since 1977. He knows the "ins" and "outs" of state government. However, he is reluctant to reveal any state secrets. At our last meeting, he thanked us all for putting up with him, something he makes quite easy to do. His strongest directive (one I personally took to heart) was to head to Dillard’s where they were having a 70 percent off sale. This directive was in careful alignment with our annual raise percentage. Alex does not let a little distance keep him from doing the "D.A.-ing" he does so well. We are always happy to see him whenever he makes it to our office. Long live email! May Suncom live forever! We also have a new supervisor who comes to us from Ft. Lauderdale. Terry Donnelly brings with him a CRC and 27 years of experience working as a VR counselor for the state of Michigan and two years with the DBS office in Ft. Lauderdale. Terry has confessed to being a snowbird to Florida for 40 years until becoming a full-fledged resident about two years back when he started with DBS as a counselor in Ft. Lauderdale. Although he still has connections up in the frigid north, he says the weather and people here suit him just fine and he even finds the frenetic hurricane season manageable.
That brings us to the present. We remain ever vigilant in the heart of hurricane season, hoping only for gentle winds, healing for the people of New Orleans and Gulf Coast, and continued exceptional service to our clients. For the Children Question: How does a blind person cross the road? Answer: I don't know, but I'll bet your visually impaired child can tell you if he has had O&M instruction. Of course, imagining your visually impaired child crossing the road is no joke. It is all the more reason to know how a blind person does safely cross the road. Even as a professional who works for DBS, it is still amazing to me to know that my husband, who is visually impaired, is safer at street crossing than I am. There are mobility techniques and skills that make visually impaired persons independent and safe. When it comes to your child, your role in the learning process is critical. Pay close attention to the skills your child is learning. Reinforce those skills at home and in the community. Your child will not just learn, they will master those skills when you participate in the learning process and help them practice. Question: What did you do at school today? Answer: "Nuthin’." Have you heard that one before? What that tells you is that you cannot depend upon your child to get you to get with the program! As a children's counselor, I speak from the experience of working with dozens of visually impaired children. Here is a short list of things that can make a big difference in your child's life:
This will give you and your child the courage and the tools to promote independence for your child’s future. Your daily travel habits need to align with new skills to release you and your child from the cycle of dependency. Independent travel is an expectation for adult life that the family needs to embrace. Parents should not spend the rest of their lives leading their son or daughter around the community, even if they feel inclined to do so. You may even be able to send your child to the store independently to retrieve the key ingredient for that evening’s dinner, when you get tired of pizza. From Business Consultant to Chef
Before my visual impairment, I held many different middle and upper management positions in the Telecommunications arena. My last position was as a Senior Business Consultant with Bank of America. I was responsible for all large and complex projects. I really enjoyed my 37 years in Telecommunications dealing with contracts, setting up new departments, and planning strategic directions for the ever-changing voice and data communication needs of a company. Since I was unable to continue working in the Telecommunications field, I fell back on an old hobby of cooking and writing cookbooks. When I became disabled and un-employed in February of 2002, I started sending out E-Mails to a number of Motorcycle Magazines to see if there was an interest in starting a Bikers Food column. Although I love cooking, riding and building motorcycles was also a hobby. Well, the response was slow in coming, but three magazines responded and that started my new career in writing Biker food columns for Florida’s Biker Digest, Full Throttle, and England’s Inter-Bike magazines. Since then, the response has been terrific. In addition to my three columns, I now have a weekly cooking segment with the Full Throttle Vision television show that airs every Saturday night from 12:00 Midnight to 1:00 a.m. on WBN (Channel 38) out of Tampa, Florida. Now I am taking a major step in this new career. I am building my own Internet Website. Although it is currently under construction, we hope to have it fully operational soon. I plan to sell my cookbooks on the website. I currently have over 200 various cookbooks -- everything from Children’s and Specialized foods to BBQ and Biker’s favorites. I am also starting a new venture – I am going to offer my own line of Hot Sauces. I presently have six different sauces from the basic Hot Sauce to my own Chicken Wing sauce. Tune in and check us out. Full Throttle Vision airs every Saturday night on channel 38, WBN, Tampa, Florida. Also, please visit these websites: I am sure you won’t be disappointed! Feel free to send me your favorite recipes and I’ll place them in my columns for all to see and try. You may send them to: As I say on the TV show, "I feel the LOVE" and I do! Best regards and be well! Mark Cassone Chef Fat Boy Please check our recipes section for some of Chef Fat Boy's special recipes! Around the StateNew Streaming Audio Radio ShowThe Greater Jacksonville Chapter of the National Federation of Florida announces the production of a radio program focusing on topics of interest to the blind and the public. Called "Eyes on You," it is a look at the blind community, its issues, concerns, and lifestyles. The format consists of interviews and call in questions and answers. The show first broadcast on August 6, 2005 on AM-1530 WYMM in Jacksonville. The show airs Saturdays from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST. "Eyes on You" is now available as streaming audio over the internet at: We invite everyone to tune in. Around the NationBlindness is no obstacle; it's a blessingBlindness is no obstacle; it's a blessing for one man in Nogales. Juan Pablo Guzman, 26, public information officer at the City of Nogales, said, "I thank God for making me a blind individual." Guzman has been working for the City of Nogales since January 2001. Tool of the trade He provides information about city business to local, state, national and international media outlets. He said it is "a unique place to work," noting the different ways news outlets work in the United States and Mexico. "It's been wonderful exposure for me." His main tool of the trade is his personal computer which is equipped with one of the latest versions of the software "Jaws." The system has a screen reader. "It reads everything on the screen back to me through the speakers," Guzman explained, adding that it also includes a Braille display by the keyboard. "Jaws" works with most commonly used computer programs. Most importantly, it allows him to generate his press releases, and communicate via e-mail. Beating statistics It's not a cheap program he said, "but the independence it provides me is worth every cent. It's beautiful," he said. Guzman is grateful for his job at City Hall. The unemployment rate among handicapped persons is about 70 percent. It's hard. And here I am, working in this environment, close to my family. I'm blessed." Supportive team His long-term career goal is to attend law school and strive for unity in his family. Guzman added that he appreciates the support received from co-workers and administrators. "I have a team of people who have believed in me," he said, acknowledging former Mayor Marco López Jr., Mayor Albert Kramer, the city council and City Manager Jaime Fontes. Before working for the city, Guzman graduated with honors from the University of Arizona in 2001 with a degree in political science. He was valedictorian of the 1997 class at the Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) in Tucson. He was born in Nogales, Sonora, with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, a genetic disorder that left him blind. Guzman says he's just like any other person and that being blind hasn't stopped him from achieving success. It's "just a normal situation, like everyone else. I just do things a little different," he said, adding that he has problems to resolve "just like anyone else." He credits his success to the unity of his family and his mother's "tenacity," along with the support of co-workers and friends. He is a self-proclaimed "family-oriented person." His father has been his "friend and adviser." He is someone who "gives advice at the perfect time," Guzman said. Guzman and his sister, who is also blind, have been successful because their mother "envisioned her kids as normal kids." "My family has taught me there is a solution for everything. If there is an obstacle or a detour in the street, there's a way around it. It may cost you more effort and time, but you can get around the barricade," he said. In 2003, he was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano to serve on the Governor's Council of Blind and Visually Impaired People. A long-term goal of his is to "continue to pave the way for other people who have disabilities." Guzman says he enjoys serving on the governor's council because it is a way of "being involved" with policies that affect the visually impaired. His success stared early. He began attending the ASDB in 1991 in seventh grade. Guzman was a wrestler, president of the student council twice and participated in Tucson youth organizations while in high school. His sister, who is two years older, was valedictorian for her ASDB class in 1995. The Guzmans had the top two grade-point averages in the two years they attended the school, he said. He was "just as nervous as any young person" beginning a college education, he said of attending the UA. "I was very excited to be more independent," he added. Guzman said that he talked to his UA professors before the start of the semester to let them know he was blind and that he might need to ask questions to clarify things he might miss during lectures. The professors were "always so helpful," and "they went beyond anything to help me," Guzman said. He worked at his family's radio station every weekend in Nogales, Sonora, as well as attending the UA. Ten months after starting to work for the city, he married Alma Christina, "a wonderful lady," he had been dating since 1996. In April 2004, their first son was born. He acknowledges that things have changed a lot since baby Juan Pablo Jr. came into their lives, but that his "passion in life is to have a happy family." He added that the baby brings the couple "together more." "My life has been a very beautiful life. I've enjoyed my 26 years. I've done whatever I've desired to do," he said, acknowledging, "There are a lot of things that are still coming. Nogales International, Arizona Tuesday, September 13, 2005 Reprinted with permission, copyright 2005. Stevie Wonder to Release New Motown AlbumNEW YORK -- On October 18th, Motown will release "A Time To Love," Stevie Wonder's highly anticipated new CD featuring 15 new Wonder songs. The new disc, one of the premier Motown releases in recent years and ushering in an exciting new era for the record label, is a dedicated effort by the legendary artist to remind the world about the restorative power of love. "A Time To Love" is also available as a digital download, September 27, at all major online music sites. Among the songs included on the new album are "A Time To Love" (featuring India.Arie), "Your Love Cannot Be Moved" (featuring gospel star Kim Burrell), "Positivity" (featuring Wonder's daughter Aisha Morris), and a host of other superstar collaborations. Collaborating artists include Prince; Narada Michael Walden; Sir Paul McCartney (who plays acoustic and electric guitar on the title track); Hubert Laws; Mike Philips; and En Vogue. Wonder's open-arms embrace of the collaborative process and his adherence to the musical philosophy that each project takes on a life of its own placed no artificial deadlines on the long awaited album's completion, with the end result proving to be well worth the wait. "Stevie always has impeccable timing," stated Sylvia Rhone, President of Motown, Executive Vice President of Universal Motown. "The world is hungering more than ever right now for the kind of message only he can deliver. I speak for the entire Universal Music Group when I say nobody can illuminate our greatest hopes, soothe our deepest fears, and put us on the musical high road like Stevie Wonder." Wonder once again affirms such a notion with the uplifting "Shelter In The Rain," an inspiring and timely anthem featuring gospel legend Kirk Franklin directing the angelic chorus on a song cited as a humanitarian ode of healing for victims and survivors of the devastating hurricanes continuing to ravage the gulf coast. The single will be specially serviced to Gospel and Christian radio stations, with net proceeds from the song going to Stevie's charity organization, The Wonder Foundation, which is earmarking the donations for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Wonder has already released a landmark single and video from the new album, "So What The Fuss," which contained a second, descriptive audio track on the video recorded by hip hop star Busta Rhymes, made accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. This innovative video description process makes this the first time that a music artist has enabled visually impaired music fans to experience key elements of a music video. Stevie Wonder has remained one of the world's most profound and influential artists for more than four decades. Winner of 21 Grammys and the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, with more than 70 million records sold, Wonder has received hundreds of honors and awards throughout his career. A tireless humanitarian and champion for political and social justice, Wonder was the preeminent force behind the Martin Luther King holiday and USA For Africa, as well as helping to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic and the scourge of Apartheid in South Africa. A leading voice in the fight against world hunger, Wonder also led a "Charge Against Hunger" in conjunction with American Express, which raised over $150 million dollars to feed nearly six million underprivileged people yearly. Most recently, Wonder was honored by the United Negro College Fund's Evening Of Stars Tribute to the artist, for his longtime work on behalf of the UNCF. On October 18th, Stevie Wonder continues the special covenant he has with his fans with the release of the eagerly awaited "A Time To Love." Contact: Universal Motown Records Wendy Washington Phone: 212-373-0702 Email: wendy.washington@umusic.com
Serena Gallagher Phone: 212-841-8201 Email: serena.gallagher@umusic.com
Source: Black PR Wire (Press Release), Monday, September 26, 2005. http://www.blackprwire.com/display-news.asp?ID=1972. Failure to Implement Law for Blind VendorsBaltimore, MD (Sept. 19) -- The National Federation of the Blind. (NFB) filed suit on Friday in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia against Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and one of her subordinates in anticipation of changes at the Education Department that will harm an important program designed to increase employment opportunities for blind Americans. The lawsuit contends that a planned reorganization of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), which is housed within the Education Department, will violate a Congressional mandate requiring that a minimum of thirteen full-time equivalent personnel within the agency be assigned to administer the Randolph-Sheppard Act. That law, passed in 1936 and amended in 1974 to strengthen it and provide for its administration by the RSA, requires that blind persons be given priority to bid for opportunities to operate vending facilities such as cafeterias and concession counters on Federal property. The National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM), an organization of Randolph-Sheppard vendors affiliated with the NFB, and three individual blind vendors, were also listed as plaintiffs in the court filing. The acting head of the RSA, Edward Anthony, is named as a defendant in addition to Secretary Spellings. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said, "It is unconscionable that the Education Department is planning to all but abandon its Congressionally-mandated responsibility to oversee the Randolph-Sheppard program, one of the most important and successful employment initiatives for blind people in the history of the nation. The unemployment rate among the blind is in excess of seventy percent, and the manner in which the callous bureaucrats in the Education Department are handling this matter is a sign of utter disdain and disregard for the hopes and aspirations of blind individuals who want to achieve the American dream." Officials of the NFB and other organizations concerned about the rehabilitation of the blind have argued for months that the plan to close ten RSA regional offices, assign their functions to staff at RSA headquarters, and eliminate the agency's Blind and Visually Impaired Division, will lead to a general reduction in the quality of rehabilitation services. The lawsuit contends that the same is specifically true with regard to the Randolph-Sheppard program, the monitoring of which will be assigned to a small team of workers which will also be responsible for overseeing rehabilitation programs for seasonal migrant workers, Native Americans, and others. The reorganization, scheduled to take effect on October 1, will violate the 1974 amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, which give the RSA specific duties to oversee the program and require that a minimum of thirteen full-time equivalent staff members be assigned to carry out those duties. The court filing asserts that the reorganization will mean that less than half of the number of staff required by law will be assigned to carry out responsibilities relating to the employment program. The suit requests a court order requiring the Education Department to maintain the current personnel and organizational structure to administer the Randolph-Sheppard program as mandated by Congress. A hearing is expected to take place soon. Around the WorldTwo Local Coaches at Blind Cricket Workshop in TrinidadTwo local cricket coaches are attending a workshop in blind cricket organized by the Caribbean Council for the Blind and West Indies Cricket Board Inc. at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Centre in Trinidad. The attendance of the two locals, Roderick Lovell and Bharat Mangru, is due to collaborative efforts of the Caribbean Council for the Blind Eye Care Guyana, the Guyana Cricket Board, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports. The workshop includes coaches from other Caribbean countries and is expected to sensitize the participants to coach the blind and the visually impaired for full participation in blind cricket. The programme concludes on September 30. The Guyanese coaches will be using their acquired knowledge to promote this form of the game in Guyana. Source: http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=31255027. Copyright 9/28/2005, Stabroek News, Guyana (Submitted by Leon Gilbert) Blind Demand ID'sPHUKET -- The blind people who attended a Phuket seminar yesterday said they wanted to be granted official identification cards and given occupational training. The seminar, organized by the Blind Association of Thailand's Upper South branch, and attended by 50 blind people and their relatives, was intended to educate the blind on their legal rights. Phuket governor Udomsak Assawarangkul promised to ask the agencies concerned to help them. Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/ Copyright 9/28/2005, Bangkok Post, Thailand (Submitted by Leon Gilbert) Tools for LivingDownloading Books is EasyNBP is pleased to announce a new, much-anticipated feature - you can now purchase and download our books and magazines instantly from our website. Downloading is easy: just log into our website and purchase books as you normally would - but when you choose the format, choose "PortaBook (Download)" from the format menu. After you've completed the purchase, your books will be available immediately on a new "My Downloads" page. If you subscribe to one of our magazines, "Our Special" or "Syndicated Columnists Weekly," you can now receive them as downloads as well! When you subscribe, the most recent issue will appear on the My Downloads page after your online purchase. Each time a new issue is available, you will receive an email alert. Depending on your preference, the email will either have the issue attached to it, or will give you a link you can use to download the issue. If you are a current subscriber to either OS or SCW (or if you'd like to subscribe) and would like to start receiving the magazine as a download, call Customer Service at 800-548-7323 (or 617-266-6160 ext. 20) to make the change. BrailleNote mPowerFlorida Reading & Vision Technology is proud to offer the next generation of mobile information management technology, BrailleNote mPower. It's a BrailleNote supercharged for today's connected, information-rich world. Thanks for the memory! With 128 megabytes of user storage built in, you can store hundreds of thousands of pages of information. The unique DiskOnChip technology of BrailleNote mPower means that even when the unit's battery is completely flat for a long period, you won't lose data. Enhance your memory with the new SD card slot. Insert extra storage in your BrailleNote mPower in a card not much bigger than a postage stamp. Use the PCMCIA and Compact Flash slots to add even more storage, or for connecting to accessories like WiFi and network cards. Accessible Accessories: BrailleNote mPower lets you work with a wide range of accessories. Use the two USB ports to connect printers, hard drives, flash drives, and more. Just plug and play. Bluetooth and WiFi! We now live in a wireless world! Connect your BrailleNote mPower to the internet via WiFi or a Bluetooth cell phone anywhere, any time, no wires attached. Access your wireless network and share files, surf the web, and download e-mails. Use Bluetooth to connect with a wireless QWERTY keyboard, sync wirelessly with your PC, or print. WiFi connectivity via optional Compact Flash card. Network Access! No WiFi network yet? Never fear, Ethernet access is here. Get onto the network using an Ethernet card and its all there at your fingertips. If all you have is a phone jack, BrailleNote mPower has a 56 Kbps dial-up modem on board. Media Player! How does this sound? Listen to a wide range of media files in popular formats including MP3, Windows Media, and WAV. Put them all together in playlists for hours of continuous listening. The advanced high quality stereo sound of BrailleNote mPower is unrivalled on any portable device for the blind. Let the music play and keep working in the rest of KeySoft. Listen to audio books, internet radio, or music while e-mailing, surfing the web, or reading. Independent volume controls mean you can turn the music down and the speech up, or vice versa. Play and pause audio even when you're not in the Media Player. Streaming audio! Listen right here, right now. Now your BrailleNote supports streaming audio so you can listen to thousands of internet radio stations that use MP3 or Windows Media formats. Voice Memos! Just say the word! Use the built-in microphone or the external microphone of your choice to make voice recordings. Press the conveniently placed record button, and away you go. Play back the last memo you recorded from anywhere in KeySoft with a single key press. Word Processor! The latest word in creating, editing, and storing documents. So much more mPowering than you'd find on a regular PDA. Translate between any grade of Braille and text (including Microsoft Word) then save, print, emboss your document, or attach it to e-mail. Daily Planner! It's all going according to plan -- you can schedule single or recurring appointments, set reminder alarms, and synchronize with Microsoft Outlook's Calendar. Address List! It's who you know! Store and organize your contact information. You can look up an address quickly and simply, paste it into a document or e-mail, and synchronize with MS Outlook's Contacts. Or create your own database to manage everything from customer records to your CD collection. Web Browser! Let your fingers do the surfing -- explore the web with ease and do on-line banking, shopping, and research via a dial-up (including Bluetooth mobile), wireless, or Ethernet network. Independent observers rate the browser in BrailleNote mPower as the most intuitive way to surf the web. And it's very fast! E-Mail! Where you can web surf, you can e-mail. You can send and receive e-mail via the same range of connection options. Supports standard POP3 e-mail services. Book Reader! Download and read e-books in standard Braille or text formats, in any grade you choose. Plus: Stopwatch and Scientific Calculator. And you can connect to a video display to present to anyone who is sighted. Technically Speaking:
BrailleNote mPower Pricing New BrailleNote mPower 32 BT & QT -- $ 6195.00 New BrailleNote mPower 18 BT & QT -- $ 4395.00 VoiceNote mPower QT -- $ 1995.00 VoiceNote mPower BT -- $ 1995.00 Shipping -- $ 45.00 Ship Date: July 15, 2005 One year Warranty Customers that received BrailleNotes and Voice Notes that shipped on June 20th or after will have the option of returning the unit they just received and receive a new mPower within 4-6 weeks or receive a price adjustment for the units with Rev H boards. BrailleNote Classic (Rev H) with KeySoft 6.11 Pricing BrailleNote Classic 32 BT & QT -- $ 4995.00 BrailleNote Classic 18 BT & QT -- $ 3195.00 VoiceNote Classic QT & BT -- $ 1395.00 Shipping -- $ 45.00 Ship immediately One Year Warranty If sold within 30 days, it can be returned (per HUS restocking policy) If purchased within last 90 days, they can have a transplant performed and turn their Classics into mPowers for $1000 Transplants for existing BrailleNotes Customers can mPower their existing BrailleNotes by using their current Braille Displays to be transplanted into a new BrailleNote mPower. Not available for VoiceNotes. A special upgrade price of $1000 to anyone who purchased a BrailleNote or VoiceNote within the past three months (April 1) of the release of BrailleNote mPower. Braille Display Transplants for 6.1 Users -- $1995.00 Braille Display Transplants for 5.X Users -- $2195.00 Braille Display Transplants for 4.X Users -- $2395.00 Braille Display Transplants for 3.X Users -- $2595.00 Return shipping: -- $ 45.00 Begin October 1, 2005 Orders accepted now. Customer will be called to schedule and ask that their units be shipped immediately or their upgrade will be delayed or postponed. Customer pays shipping both to and return from manufacturer. Please contact me by email or phone with questions regarding the BrailleNote mPower: Lesa Kretschmer Toll Free: 800-981-5119 Web: http://www.floridareading.com The Ultimate Travel CompanionGarmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced the nüvi – a Personal Travel Assistant™ that combines a GPS navigator, language translator and travel guide capability, an MP3 player, an audio book player, a currency and measurement converter, a world clock, and a digital photo organizer – all in one slim, sleek, and easy-to-use device. "The nüvi represents the pinnacle in integrated consumer electronics for travelers," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice president of marketing. "With its amazing array of features, the nüvi makes traveling easier and more enjoyable." Like Garmin’s latest generation of navigation devices, the nüvi’s introductory screen lists two familiar options: "Where to?" and "View map," which offer the user Garmin’s very popular and easy-to-use GPS navigation functions. A third option on the title page – named "Travel Kit" – contains the functions that distinguish the nüvi as a seasoned travel companion. Inside the Travel Kit, users can access the optional Garmin Language Guide™, with data provided by Oxford University Press. This software suite contains a multilingual word bank, phrase bank, and five bilingual dictionaries. The multilingual word bank and phrase bank supports nine languages and dialects including American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, European Spanish, and Latin American Spanish. The Language Guide lets travelers look up and translate more than 17,000 words or 20,000 phrases per language. Through the unit’s text-to-speech interface, users can get a spoken pronunciation of each entry in the word bank – along with gender and part of speech information. The multilingual phrase bank is categorized by activity for ease of use. The Travel Kit will also support the new Garmin Travel Guide™ SD data cards. With information provided by Marco Polo – one of Europe’s leading travel authorities – these guides put in-depth travel information at the user’s fingertips – helpful reviews and recommendations for restaurants, hotels, shopping, nightlife, sporting events, and tourist attractions. "With the nüvi, travelers can make the most of a business trip or vacation," said Kelley. "Users can browse restaurant menus and reviews in the Garmin Travel Guide for a highly-recommended French bistro, and then use the nüvi’s navigation capabilities to find the restaurant. Once they’re seated, they can even use the Garmin Language Guide to order their meal in the native tongue." Both the Garmin Language Guide and Garmin Travel Guide are available separately on SD data cards. Once the Garmin Language Guide is installed, users can remove the card to free up the SD slot for other purposes, such as the Garmin Travel Guide. To pass the time on those long trips, the nüvi comes equipped with an Audio Book Player, with content provided by Audible.com – featuring more than 70,000 hours of audio programs from more than 200 content partners. The nüvi also features an MP3 player that lets users browse music by artist, album, song, or genre – as well as the ability to build playlists. Loading music onto an SD card is "drag-and-drop" easy – no special software is required. Sample MP3s from AudioLunchBox.com are pre-loaded onto the unit. Additionally, the nüvi offers a Picture Viewer for displaying digital photos, a World Travel Clock, Currency and Measurement Converter, and Calculator. Approximately the size of a deck of playing cards, the svelte and stylish nüvi hosts a sunlight-readable 3.5-inch (diagonal) color touchscreen display with a recessed power button, SD card slot, mini-USB jack, and headphone output. The flush flip-up GPS antenna houses an external antenna jack, and the unit’s speaker is mounted within the unit – making the nüvi easy to carry in a jacket pocket, attaché, or carry-on. The nüvi has a battery life of four to eight hours, depending on backlight settings and GPS or application usage. The unit can be charged via the included AC power adapter, 12-volt power cable with suction-mount automotive cradle, or the PC/USB interface cable connected to a computer. Equipped with a new high-sensitivity GPS receiver, the nüvi is capable of maintaining a signal in heavy foliage or "urban canyons" created by city skyscrapers. Travelers can use the nüvi to navigate to an address or search points of interest (POI’s) – places like hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. The nüvi automatically calculates the fastest route and provides voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along the way. Thanks to the nüvi’s text-to-speech functionality*, the unit audibly announces the name of upcoming streets – letting drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. If users stray off course, the device automatically calculates the quickest way to get back on track. In Europe, customers can purchase one of eight regional map coverage areas (the nüvi 300), or opt for full European mapping (the nüvi 350). North American versions include pre-loaded maps of the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The European version of the nüvi is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2005. The nüvi is sold with a suction cup mount and 12-volt adapter, AC power cable, PC/USB cable, owner’s manual, and quick reference guide. The Garmin Language Guide and the Garmin Travel Guide are sold separately. Visit http://www.garmin.com for more information. *Text-to-speech functionality is available only on the nüvi 350. Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) group of companies which designs and manufactures navigation, communication and information devices - most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation and consumer GPS markets and its products serve aviation, marine, outdoor recreation, automotive, wireless, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark, and nüvi, Personal Travel Assistant, Garmin Language Guide, and Garmin Travel Guide are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Anticipated product availability dates are based on management's current expectations and are not guaranteed. New Portable CCTV"THE VIEW" brings portability & capability together in the most user-friendly, battery-powered, flat panel, desktop/distance viewing video magnifier in the world. Florida Reading & Vision Technology is pleased to announced "THE VIEW" video magnifier. Designed for persons of any age, this system provides battery powered "close-up" & distance, table-top viewing in a completely collapsible, portable CCTV. "THE VIEW" brings performance, style, and functionality together in the most advanced video magnification product available. This system replaces the need for multiple devices. The multifunction camera turns 360 degrees on a horizontal plane and 240 degrees on a vertical plane for distance and close-up viewing. The monitor height can be raised and lowered to your comfort level from the X-Y table up to 14-1/2". These features allow each user to customize the configuration that's right for their viewing need. With its battery powered option, this revolutionary portable video magnification device will meet any individual, educational, or business environment viewing need. Only 3-1/2" thick, weighing approximately 16 pounds, and fitting conveniently in a soft padded carrying case (optional), the Auto-Focus camera with 100,000 hour LED lighting and soft-touch easy to use controls provides unlimited independence in viewing any item. Jim Neumeier, Vice President Market Development at VTI (manufacturer - St. Louis, MO), said, "We are extremely excited about ‘THE VIEW.’ In our 12 year history, our passion has been to deliver on the promises that we make to our customers, our distribution network, Doctors who recommend our products, and most importantly, those who suffer from Macular Degeneration and other forms of Low Vision. Researched, designed, engineered and manufactured within our 54,000 square foot facility, ‘THE VIEW’ is in high demand and revolutionizing the way Low Vision people of any age live independently." View the future of Low Vision Technology. Call us for more information or for a personal demonstration at your home, school, or office. Florida Reading & Vision Technology Toll Free: 800-991-5119 Local: 954-525-8871 Fax: 954-462-4647 Email: sales@floridareading.com Website of the MonthFred's Head DatabaseThis month’s featured website is Fred’s Head Database, available at the American Printing House for the Blind. It was created by and for people who are blind or visually impaired. Fred's Head is where you go when you need to know! Explore the collective ideas and experiences of blind and visually impaired people by visiting the Fred's Head Database, offered by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). You'll find hundreds of tips and techniques to help you solve everyday difficulties and detailed explanations of more complex issues that may challenge you. Find the original Fred's Head Database by visiting: Click on the "Fred's Head" link. This will take you to the Fred's Head homepage where you'll have choices including: "Search, Tips for New Users, The Fred's Head Companion, and ‘Questions or Suggestions? Ask Fred!’" AnnouncementsHumanWare's fall edition of News for Educators is now available on-linehttp://www.humanware.com/About/market_news_US.asp This informative newsletter includes the follow articles:
We encourage you to download a copy of this educational newsletter for yourself. Feel free to share it with your friends and colleagues! To receive our newsletters in hard copy, please call us toll free at 800-694-0584 and ask to be added to our hard copy mail list. HumanWare 175 Mason Circle Concord CA 94520 Phone: 800-694-0584 Introducing an Exciting New Training Opportunity!The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) has entered a partnership to train blood donor recruiters who are blind or visually impaired for the American Red Cross. Red Cross has thirty-six telephone recruiting centers throughout the country. Anyone who successfully completes this program will go directly to work in one of these recruiting centers. The training lasts six weeks with transportation provided to and from the hotel. There is also a contract in place to provide meals in the cafeteria on the SCCB complex, beginning with breakfast on Monday and ending with lunch on Friday. However, there are no contracts in place for weekend Meals. Applicants should have effective communication skills, type at least 20 words per minute, and be proficient in the access software (JAWS or screen enlargement) that they will be using. They will also need to have at least ninth grade spelling and vocabulary skills. Once referred, applicants will undergo an interview with the Director of Human Resources at the Red Cross location for which they will be training, as well as criminal background and drug testing. For more information, contact Ed Bible. Phone: (803) 898-8786 Email: ebible@sccb.sc.gov. Independent Living Instructor NeededThe Rehabilitation program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is a nationally acclaimed blindness training program. Both sighted and blind staff exemplify excellence in the use of non-visual techniques. New staff receive two months of training in our philosophy and techniques. We are seeking excited and motivated people who wish to daily engage in exploring blindness and the skills and attitudes necessary for success. Closure Date: Open until filled Requested Start Date: Immediately Department: Rehabilitation – Baltimore, Maryland Hiring Manager: Rosemary Lerdahl Salary: $25,000-$29,000 Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday Some Evening and Weekends Essential Position Functions:
Qualifications:
Contact information: Telephone: 410-737-2600 Email: skaplan@bism.org Governor’s Task Force MeetingThe Governor's Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (A-eIT) Task Force announces a meeting of its members and a public comment period to which all interested persons are invited. This A-eIT Task Force Meeting and Public Comment Period will be held in Tampa on October 11, 2005. Date and Time: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 Task Force Meeting: 9 am to 3 pm and 4-5 pm Public Comment Period: 3-4 p.m.
Location: Doubletree Hotel, Tampa Westshore Airport 4500 West Cypress St. Tampa, FL 33607 Phone: (813) 879.4800 Cut-off date for group rate is 9/30/05. For those of you traveling to Tampa, we have secured a group rate of $107/night with the hotel. Please call hotel reservations at (813) 879-4800 and ask for the group rate for the ADA Working Group. Be sure to specify any accommodations you may need. Rooms are available Oct. 10 & Oct. 11. The actual meeting date is Oct. 11, from 9-5. Julie M. Shaw Executive ADA Administrator Governor's Working Group on the ADA 4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 315K Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-487-3423 RecipesV-Twin Barbecue Sauce
3 cups onions, chopped 3 to 4 cloves garlic minced 1 medium jar roasted peppers finely chopped 1/2 cup parsley, dried 1 cup dry white wine 3 tbsp vinegar 2 cups ketchup 1/3 cup honey Juice of 1 lemon 4 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce 2 tbsp. Liquid smoke 2 tbsp. hot sauce (Chef Fat Boy’s Hot Sauce) Place all ingredients in a pot that is big enough to hold them. Bring to a boil. Cook, covered, on low heat for one to two hours. Port Saint Lucie’s Grilled Citrus Chicken
2 limes 2 tbsp. basil 1 lemon 1 tsp. thyme 1 orange salt & pepper 1 grapefruit 1/2 cup of water 1/4 cup avocado oil or (any will do) 1 tbsp. or more sugar 2 lb. chicken breast 2 tsp. garlic powder Place the chicken in a non-metallic container. Cut the limes, lemon, grapefruit and orange into large chunks. Place them in a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Process until smooth, about one minute. Pour on chicken and marinate for one-two days. Place on grill or bake in oven until done. Makes eight servings. Bourbon Honey Smoke-Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Marinade: 1 cup olive oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup bourbon 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion 3 tbsp. honey 2 tbsp. fresh sage chopped 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 cloves minced garlic 2 tsp. pepper 1 1/2 tbsp. ginger 1 tsp. salt Combine all marinade ingredients and blend well. The marinade for this dish can be prepared a day in advance. Marinating should go on for 24 hours. Lay the pork tenderloins in a ceramic or glass dish and pour marinade over them. Turn the tenderloins several times during the 24 hours that they are marinating in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, pat the pork dry. Preheat charcoal in an outdoor grill and soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Add the chips to the hot coals. Roast the pork evenly for about 40 minutes until its internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Ribs With Apple Barbeque SauceDry Rub: 10 tbsp. black pepper 5 tbsp. garlic powder 10 tbsp. paprika 3 tbsp. celery salt 5 tbsp. chili powder 1 tbsp. dry mustard 5 tbsp. red pepper Finishing Sauce: 32 oz. Hunt's ketchup 8 oz. apple cider vinegar 8 oz. soy sauce 4 oz. apple juice 4 oz. Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp. white pepper or to taste 1 tbsp. garlic powder Mix dry rub ingredients. Rub into pork ribs. Put rubbed ribs into the refrigerator for four to 10 hours before cooking. Bring sauce ingredients to a boil. Then add in finely grated onion, one grated medium Golden Delicious apple, and 1/4 grated small bell pepper. Cook until desired thickness. Cook prepared ribs for about five and one-half to seven hours over charcoal kept at 180 to 200 degrees. Baste occasionally with warm apple juice. Use soaked applewood chips in the fire to create a sweet flavor. About 30 minutes before serving, brush ribs with finish sauce. Right before serving, sprinkle on dry rub. Serve sauce on the side. To Our ReadersWe hope you found this issue of Eye on DBS both informative and interesting. This newsletter continues to evolve. Towards that end, we encourage all of you to send your suggestions, article ideas, recipes, or criticisms to either: Sam Atwood (Sam_Atwood@dbs.doe.state.fl.us) or Lydia Markley (Lydia_Markley@dbs.doe.state.fl.us) The Eye on DBS Newsletter can be accessed in several ways:
If you are already registered with Florida Talking Books, call your local Talking Book librarian or the main Talking Book library at 1-800-226-6075 and tell the librarian that you want to register for NFB-Newsline. If you are not registered with Talking Books but you are legally blind or print handicapped, you must fill out an application and attach a letter from a qualified professional attesting to your eligibility. Clients of the Division of Blind Services can contact their VR counselor or district office. For the application visit the NFBF website at: http://www.nfbflorida.org/newsline/index.htm. Logging in: From any touch-tone telephone, call NFB-Newsline® at the number listed on your Welcome Letter. A female voice will answer and ask for a Portal Number. Enter 632. You will then be connected to the NFB-Newsline computer. When the voice asks, punch in your 6-digit identification number. You will then be asked for your 4-digit security code. All these numbers are provided at the bottom of your Welcome Letter. After Newsline recognizes you by name, you will be asked to select option 2. Guidelines for Newsletter Submissions
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We have one more new staff member on board who, basically,
shifted from being a client to a counselor. It is always nice when
someone brings a 26 with them to the District! Christina Panczak-Smith
graduated from Florida Atlantic University in May of 2005 with her
Master’s in Education, specializing in rehab counseling. Little did
she know that when she started her internship, prior to graduation,
that the internship administrator in Ft. Lauderdale would become her
first on-the-job supervisor. They had discussed her internship in a
small District 10 office – the same office that would soon become
Christina’s (and her guide dog, Joanie’s) as soon as Christina was
hired. It is interesting how we get glimpses into our future if we
pay close attention. Joanie has four years of experience as a
working dog. She "graduated" right alongside Christina in May,
complete with cap and gown! She got a standing ovation! They also
applauded for Christina.
My name is Mark Cassone. I am also known as Chef Fat Boy or the
Blind Chef. I am 53 years old and now disabled/vision impaired due
to a genetic eye disorder called "Best Dystrophy" for which there is
no cure. I am working with the State of Florida’s Division of Blind
Services Department to develop a new career so that I may again be
able to support my self and my family.