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The Florida Division of Blind Services Newsletter Volume 5, Number 2, February 2006 |
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Table of ContentsDBS News Around the State Around the Nation Around the World
Tools for Living Website of the Month Announcements Recipes To Our Readers DBS NewsDistrict OneGreetings from District One! Our New Year's Resolution is to move forward, embrace the future, and eliminate those obstacles that have been cast upon us by no design of our own. Swiftly moving into an office will certainly enable us to do so. As many of you know, the Pensacola office of District One has been displaced since June 2005. Staff have been working from their homes with mediocre (at best) computers. Our CFP, Independence for the Blind, graciously gave us refuge and created a "spot" for the eight of us. They have also been most generous in allowing us the use of their office equipment. We are truly blessed to have such a relationship with them. Without a doubt, they created a refuge that at least gives us a little respite from such a taxing, frustrating ordeal. Presently, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Adam Gaffney is working with the cabling company to establish our communications system and a move is imminent within the next week. The past year has been fraught with change. We saw the end of an era with the retirement of James Johnson, Rehabilitation Instructor, ILAP. James had been with us 30 years. Senior Rehabilitation Specialist JoAnn Jenks transferred from CFP to assume ILAP. She enjoys the close interaction with elderly adults but says she "misses the children's energy." One thing JoAnn has noticed while working with the adults is their enthusiasm to embrace new technology. "They love the computer. They love surfing the Internet and Email." JoAnn has also been filling in until we can fill the vacant CFP position. We also said farewell to Linda Allen, our Customer Service Specialist. Tamekia Johnson, Rehabilitation Specialist for our transition clients, resigned as did Bryan Vaughan. We realize there is much to do with so many changes—primarily filling the vacancies. For those of us who remain, we will continue to do as we have always done—help one another. Being without an office has crippled us severely. We're bruised, but not broken. The nine of us who remain have a combined total of over 160 years of experience in rehabilitation. I am confident that our staff will continue their efforts to make the best of a bad situation. My hat goes off to Alton Gayle (Administrative Assistant) for maintaining "Command Central." His home has been our MIS, Communications Center, and Quality Control Office. He has made himself accessible to us incessantly providing a myriad of services including trouble-shooting computer problems (24/7), mailman, computer instructor, and overall liaison to anyone about anything. Thanks Alton, you didn't have to do it but you did. Dianne Dubke and Carolyn Powell have always held the Bay County area together. Additionally, they have assisted with other duties arising from the lack of an office in Pensacola. Dianne has been doing trouble shooting and performing follow-up with ILAP clients who are presently served by Independence for the Blind. She is the client liaison for them as well as Senior Word Processor. Assisting Paige Ausley (Rehabilitation Supervisor) is Carolyn Powell (Rehabilitation Technician). Carolyn generates referrals and networks with the community and medical population to educate them about our services. Besides being Supervisor, Paige maintains a rehabilitation caseload. Panama City strives to maintain rapport with the area physicians and ophthalmologists. They are especially pleased that the Occupational Therapist of the Eye Center of North Florida has been exceptional in providing referrals to us. All staff network with community resources to generate referrals. Paige is our sole job developer for the Bay county area with Carolyn assisting. Of the 10 counties we serve, hers is a rural population of six counties with few clients willing to relocate. Without a doubt, we will be targeting her area for the New Year. Axel Lagergren maintains the Rehab side for four counties. Through the vacancies created by Jerry Fairley's retirement and Bryan Vaughan's fleeting transfer and ultimate resignation, Axel has assumed case management for any new rehab referrals. "I'm putting out fires, Denise," is his refrain. Thanks, Axel, for being our gate-keeper. He has Linda Hunt (Rehab Tech) and Valerie Freeman (Word Processor) to thank for keeping those referrals coming. Phyllis Dill reports the October meeting of the Rehab Council, which was scheduled in St. Petersburg, was cancelled due to Hurricane Wilda. It has been rescheduled for July. The quarterly meeting in Tallahassee convened on the 19th of January. The Governor appointed Dwight Sawyer, Richard Brown, Don Griffin, Suzanne Townsend, and Doug Hall to the council, escalating the total to 18 members. Because last year's summer transition program was a success, we are looking forward to another successful program. Transition programs are not new to this district as we've been successfully providing them to clients for many years. District one was the original pilot for transition. But let's not rest on our laurels, who remembers anyway? District one is optimistic about the coming year and we welcome each day as another challenge. With God's help we will continue the mission we are committed to. We will be better. We wish the very best to each of you and want your district to be successful too. Around the StateRehab Council Meets in TallahasseeFrom Jan 19-21 the Florida rehabilitation Council held its quarterly meeting in Tallahassee. The "rehab council" is made up of persons appointed by the Governor to represent stakeholders of the Florida Division of Blind Services and to provide oversight and assistance to DBS. Members of the council represent the National Federation of the Blind, the Florida Council of the Blind, business and Industry, Blind Veterans, and others with an interest in rehabilitation services for the blind and visually impaired. The council began its work by holding a public forum in which members of the community were invited to come and speak about their experiences with the Division of Blind Services, comment on what they think DBS is doing well or what needs improvement, and generally offer their thoughts. The Tallahassee forum boasted about 20 participants who shared their views and experiences as clients of DBS and as persons involved in blindness related issues. A lot of positive comments were made about DBS and its good working relationship with our universities and community college. Questions were asked about how DBS attempts to locate potential clients and concerns voiced about maintenance payments for students and how income is calculated. The conversation was lively with audience members and council representatives engaging in a quality dialogue about the Division of Blind Services while members of the Division stood on and fielded questions from both the council and from the audience. On Friday the Rehab council got down to business calling its meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Topics of the day included a report from division director Craig Kiser who updated the council on current happenings in DBS; a report from the Tallahassee district administrator who familiarized the council with local services; and updates from the bureau of client services covering policy changes and procedural revisions. After lunch the council heard from the DBS client advocate regarding issues and concerns and the progress being made to improve client/counselor relationships. Following the DBS client advocate, Commissioner of Education John Winn introduced himself to the council and described his approach to education and his desire to work with the Division of Blind Services to ensure quality services and support accessible technology within state government. Friday's meeting concluded with some training for the members on DBS client referrals and eligibility requirements and the process that DBS counselors and customer service representatives use to bring new clients on board. The next meeting of the rehabilitation council will be held during the third weekend in April in the Ft. Meyers area. Information regarding the meeting and public forum will become available as details are confirmed. Around the NationVision Problems in the U.S."Vision Problems in the U.S." is a report from the National Eye Institute on the prevalence of adult vision impairment and age-related eye disease. It is available on the web at: http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/ The report, issued in 2002, includes estimates for the number and percentage of the adult population (age 40 or over) with visual impairments in each State. Their estimate for Florida is 261,745 people with visual impairments, including 76,799 persons who are blind. This yields a prevalence rate for visual impairment of 3.42% of Florida residents age 40 and over. They also estimate that the number of people with visual impairments age 40 or over will double between 2002 and 2032. FDA Approval Sought for Blindness DrugGenentech Inc. filed for U.S. approval of the vision treatment Lucentis, which may topple OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Macugen as the leading drug for macular degeneration, the number one cause of blindness in the elderly. Genentech asked the Food and Drug Administration for priority review, which would give the agency six months to act. Lucentis improved vision in two key studies, helping restore sight in some patients with the most devastating form of the disease, the South San Francisco, California-based company said today in a statement. Macugen slows worsening of the disease. Both drugs target vision-damaging blood vessel growth in the eye. The disease affects 1.6 million Americans. Lucentis, developed with Novartis AG, may generate $1.2 billion in annual sales by 2010, while sales of Macugen, which OSI sells with Pfizer Inc., may reach $250 million, said Michael King, a Rodman & Renshaw analyst in New York. "This obviously puts a lot of pressure on Macugen," King said today in a telephone interview. "We've already seen weakness in Macugen sales." Degeneration of the light-sensing macula blurs the sharp, central vision needed to see straight ahead, read, or drive. About 90 percent of patients have the "dry" form of the disease, which progresses slowly and rarely leads to complete vision loss. Lucentis treats the "wet" form of the disease, which destroys vision as tiny vessels leak blood into the cells of the macula, the most sensitive part of the eye. Most people who become legally blind from it have the "wet" version. Similar to Avastin Genentech's shares rose 48 cents to $92.54 at 1:17 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. Novartis shares fell 5 centimes to 69.05 Swiss francs in Zurich. New York-based Pfizer's shares fell 18 cents to $23.27 and OSI's shares fell 3 cents to $26.99. Lucentis is an antibody fragment similar to the company's cancer drug Avastin, which works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors. Eye doctors have been using Avastin off-label after experience showed that injecting it directly into the eye helped reduce blood vessel overgrowth. Now Genentech will have to wean doctors off Avastin and sell them on Lucentis, which is manufactured with stricter rules for purity. Made specifically for injection into the eye, the new drug will probably be more expensive, according to analysts. The company hasn't yet set a price, said Genentech spokeswoman Dawn Kalmar in an interview today. QLT's Visudyne Use of Avastin "was a nice prelude to the launch of Lucentis," Rodman & Renshaw's King said. "I think Genentech will figure out how to control the off-label use when Lucentis is launched late in 2006." Other treatments include QLT Inc.'s Visudyne, the first light-activated therapy for the disease when it was approved in 2000. The treatment is used to destroy the abnormal blood vessels which typically grow back. Genentech's FDA filing is based primarily on the first-year results of two studies that are running for two years. The company also has a 5,000-patient study under way to see if the drug can be given once a month for three months and then only as needed. Most patients taking Lucentis maintained or improved their vision in both studies while those getting placebo treatment or Visudyne worsened. In one study, about 40 percent of patients taking Lucentis scored 20/40 or better on an eye test—the rating needed in most states to drive. The company plans to provide more detailed information from the studies at a medical meeting next month. 'We Move Quickly' There shouldn't be any problem getting the drug to patients who need it, said Kalmar, the Genentech spokeswoman. "We move quickly, especially in this case where people are going blind," Kalmar said. "We'll be ready when we hear back from the FDA." Almost 15 percent of people develop some form of macular degeneration by the time they are 75 years old. The number of Americans with the disease is expected to reach 2.9 million by 2020 as the population ages, according to the National Eye Institute. Phase II Human Clinical Trials Announced for Promising Retinal Disease TreatmentNeurotech, a biotechnology company with operations in the U.S. and France, has announced that it is initiating a Phase II human clinical trial of its Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) for the treatment of vision loss due to the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Two Phase II studies of the ECT for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa are also planned for the second quarter of this year, once the dry AMD trials are underway. The forthcoming trials for dry AMD will be conducted at the National Eye Institute (NEI) in Bethesda, Maryland. The ECT is a tiny device—six millimeters in length—that contains cells that produce a vision-preserving protein called Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF). In a Phase I clinical trial of the ECT with CNTF at the NEI, the device was well-tolerated and some patients also showed improvements in their visual acuity. The Foundation Fighting Blindness funded critical pre-clinical studies of the ECT to demonstrate its potential efficacy and suitability for study in humans. The Foundation continues to work with Neurotech to facilitate forthcoming human clinical trials. We are very encouraged by the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of a treatment for both dry AMD and many forms of RP, says Stephen Rose, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness. It is one of the first Phase II trials for both RP and the dry form of AMD. Not only has it shown to slow or halt vision loss, it has restored some vision for some Phase I participants. Rose adds, "A key benefit of the ECT is that it may be effective in treating many forms of RP. RP is actually a group of diseases which can be caused by any one of a large number of genetic variations. We believe the ECT has the potential to preserve or restore vision in many forms of RP, independent of the genetic abnormality. Furthermore, it is one of the few emerging treatments for dry AMD." Phase II clinical trial details (e.g., participation criteria) for the ECT are not yet available. More than nine million people in the U.S. are affected by retinal degenerative diseases such as AMD and RP. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older. The urgent mission of The Foundation Fighting Blindness is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments, and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Around the WorldIndia's First Blind Television Newscaster Shows the Way to SuccessNagpur--A gifted but determined blind girl in Nagpur may never see what appears on the television screen, but she has become India's first blind television newscaster and is now looking forward to scaling new heights. At 21, Amruta Bhople is a television newscaster with BCN, a local news channel in Nagpur. The channel had organized auditions for newsreaders to which Amruta, a gold medalist in English literature, went with trepidation. "The obstacles were that since everyone else in society holds biases and doubts the capabilities of a visually challenged person, I too would be hit by the occasional bug of self-doubt. I would pause to wonder if I could really make it, even though I had phenomenal interest. So, when the BCN channel called for screen tests, I applied, but also feared if I would make it at all. But right from the first test onwards I realized that I could and would make it to the top and also do it better than most," said Amruta. Amrita reads her news scripts in Braille. Amruta's mother Chhaya Bhople has stood by her through all her trials in life. As a mother, Chhaya feels that Amruta's success is a result of determination. She is not overtly worried about Amruta's future, as she believes that Amruta, who never says die, will succeed in life. "I would not call the impediments that Amrita faced as huge calamities. Had it not been for these obstacles she would have not been such a fighter, a winner. She continuously challenges herself to excel and pits her capabilities against the sighted, so she has no mean goals. She exudes a lot of interest in her studies and she also stood in the merit list amongst general candidates in her 10th matriculation and plus two examinations," said Chhaya of Amruta's endeavors. The young woman also plays chess, sings old melodies with as much élan as she lilts the remixed numbers. Her next goal is to read news for some national channel or any of the popular private television channels. India is a country of more than a billion people where millions of disabled live on the fringes of society, struggling to make a living. Critics say the government, still grappling with massive poverty and trying to provide basic needs such as clean water and education to the populace, cannot chart proper rehabilitation programs for its differently-abled sections. Government officials say that about two percent of the population have physical or sensory disabilities that include visual, speech, hearing, and mobility problems, but volunteers working in the field put the figure at five to six percent of the population or 50 to 60 million people. The Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995 says that India's disabled are entitled to a host of rights that would go a long way towards enriching the lives of its disabled, already harassed by nature's follies. But more than a decade after the act was passed, few public places and institutions are disabled-friendly. Virtually no buses are wheel chair accessible, the blind still cannot cross roads on their own, and the deaf face a host of problems. Copyright 2006, source: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=83867 WHO Surveys BlindnessGaborone -- The number of visually impaired people in the world is estimated to be in excess of 161 million and that of blind people to be 37 million, according to data released by the World Health Organization on visual impairment. The Principal Researcher with the National Survey of Visual Impairment in Botswana, Dr. Oatlhokwa Nkomazana, said in an interview with BOPA that 80 percent of all blindness was preventable. Dr. Nkomazana, who is also the superintendent of Princess Marina Hospital, said WHO's Vision 2020 states that all preventable and treatable blindness should no longer be a cause of blindness. Vision 2020, of which Botswana is a signatory, states that by the year 2020 there should be no blindness caused by glaucoma and cataracts, which are the main causes of blindness. She said a house-to-house campaign aimed at determining the age and gender specific prevalence of visual impairment in Batswana was ongoing. In addition, she said the campaign would identify causes of visual impairment (with emphasis on those which were avoidable) and also identify barriers to uptake of eye care service provision in those with severe visual impairment and blindness. At the moment, the magnitude of the problem (blindness) is not known, she said. All we know is that people come to us for operations and treatment, but some come when they are already blind and the situation is non-reversible. That is why we need to know the extent of the problem in Botswana. Dr. Nkomazana said the findings of the survey would assist in developing strategies that would deal with the problem. Where possible, we want to establish the highest and lowest hit areas in the country, she added. She explained that every country that had signed the Vision 2020 would have to develop a plan that states the magnitude of their problem, as far as visual impairment was concerned. The campaign started in rural areas in October 2005 and will continue in urban areas this month. Source: http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi? Asian Carnival Honors Louis BrailleIt took one blind man to make others see again. The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) and the National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) organized the first Asian Braille Day Carnival in January to honor Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille reading and writing system for the blind. The carnival, a contest for blind or sight-impaired participants, was divided into seven categories. Events included "pantun" and "sajak" (Malay poetry) writing, English poetry and lyrics writing, experience-sharing, and Braille reading. At stake were prizes worth RM20,000. The pantun, sajak, and English poetry categories were won by Abu Hassan Ashari, Romainun Zakaria, and Samiin Sualin respectively. Abu Hassan said: "I am happy to be part of this carnival, to honor the great Louis Braille. He inspired me to write." Romainun said she wanted to share what she thought about Braille, whose "legacy of love" gave the blind a whole new language to express their thoughts and feelings about life. The carnival was launched by Education Ministry Parliamentary Secretary
P. Komala said the Ministry has 870 blind people under its care and has established vocational training centers for them in Temerloh, Pahang, and Brickfields. Contestants from Vietnam, Myanmar, and Singapore also took part. Copyright 2006 Braille Makes Debut on 45c Stamp in New Zealand(Braille is used to spell out "45" on the first stamp of a series for the year of the dog) Braille has been used for the first time on a New Zealand stamp as part of a series honoring the contribution of dogs to society. On the Chinese Zodiac, this is the year of the dog and the series of stamps aims to recognize how dogs contribute to our daily lives. The 45c stamp depicts a Labrador retriever, widely used as a guide dog for the blind, with "45" spelled out in Braille. The series was released on the birthday of Louis Braille, the French boy who invented the series of dots representing the alphabet, now known as Braille. New Zealand Post communications specialist Lucy Jackson said that because the stamp showed a guide dog, New Zealand Post decided to include Braille on the stamp. It is the first time Braille has been used on a New Zealand stamp, but Ms. Jackson said there were no plans to introduce it permanently and it had not been used on the other stamps in the series. "The Braille is more symbol than practical," she said. Stamp paper was too soft and lightweight to effectively hold the dots used in Braille. Ms. Jackson said New Zealand Post had worked with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind to make sure the Braille on the stamp read correctly. The foundation's community education awareness manager, Chris Orr, said the body was pushing to have Braille used more publicly on signs in places like toilets or aircraft. "It's often looked upon as a bit of a mystery. We want to get it out more publicly," Mr. Orr said. He said to have a big organization like New Zealand Post use Braille on a stamp helped the cause. "It's simply fantastic, it's something that's mainstream." Stamps general manager Ivor Masters said New Zealand Post had included the stamp to acknowledge the crucial work of New Zealand's guide dogs. "From supporting the visually impaired to herding sheep, to providing friendship and fun, dogs play an essential role in helping New Zealand communities function effectively," Mr. Masters said. The other stamps in the series include the 90 cent stamp (which shows a German shepherd), a Jack Russell terrier on the $1.35 stamp, a golden retriever on the $1.50 stamp, and—while it is not recognized as an official breed by many kennel clubs—a huntaway on the $2 stamp. Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm? Legally-blind Manager has Vision for CommissariesGERMERSHEIM, Germany -- Commissaries are coated in color. From the produce section to where popsicles chill, the medley of colors is really overwhelming, a sensory overload if you will, providing a person takes the time to notice. Bradley Flagler, traffic manager for the Defense Commissary Agency Europe, falls short on that front, though through no fault of his own. A main cog in the overall operation, Flagler is legally blind. So the man who helps bring color to the commissaries can't view the bouquet of products. Keeping store shelves stocked "requires tight traffic management," said Arthur Eschenbach, chief of the central distribution center in Germersheim. "This is a business where the train never stops, and at the center of it is Mr. Flagler and his group." Flagler and his 15-member staff are responsible for regulating the flow of goods to nearly 60 commissaries stretching from England to Egypt. Commissary goods are also sent to troops in Iraq and Kuwait. Much of the merchandise that arrives from the United States is shipped across the Atlantic. It then travels by barge from northern Germany down the Rhein River to the German port at Germersheim. While some goods are flown to remote locations, such as Cairo, Egypt,
much of it moves overland to U.S. military bases. On average, about 650
shipments leave the depot each month, and choreographing it all are
Flagler and his staff. He keeps the lights off and the shades drawn to minimize the strain on his eyes. His left eye is sensitive to light, while the right affords him limited vision, about 2 percent. Flagler, 44, has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that afflicts the photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells capture and process light, which enable people to see, according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness. All of this was foreign to Flagler until a brother was diagnosed with the disease in the early 1980s. The New York native was tested afterward and doctors discovered that he, too, had the condition. At the time, Flagler was a soldier serving as a mechanic in Mannheim, Germany. The Army shifted him into the transportation field, though he didn't begin to show symptoms of the disease until 1987. He was medically retired from the Army in 1993. "I became unfit for active duty," Flagler said. "It makes sense. You don't want a blind guy running around with an M-16." Humor helps Flagler deal with his condition, which he doesn't exploit for personal or professional gain, co-workers said. Flagler answers his own e-mails and uses a special device that audibly reads incoming messages. He takes a bus to work and moves about his spartan office with ease. "There is nothing about him that represents blindness," said Eric Drummond, a traffic management specialist. And yet there are a few telltale signs: the collapsible white cane, a subtle tap of a wall or desk to verify his course, his heightened sense of hearing. But above all else, Flagler just wants to be judged for who he is as a person, his entire being. In his mind's eye he can still see the sunrise, a bowl of apples or his favorite color — blue. Although he has been recognized for his efforts by the Department of Defense and other organizations, a visitor to his office won't see a wall covered with plaques and certificates. Those stay at home. About his only flirtation with the life he left behind is a framed picture of a 1970 Chevelle Super Sport, similar to the one he bought when he was a teen. "My blindness isn't going away, as far as I know," Flagler said. Still, he firmly believes he has a lot to offer the U.S. military
community overseas. Used with permission from the Stars and Stripes DoD publication. Copyright 2006 Stars and Stripes RNZFB and HumanWare to Pilot Internet Distribution of Talking BooksChristchurch -- HumanWare is pleased to announce that it has been engaged by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) to assist with a world-leading pilot project to evaluate the distribution of Digital Talking Books (DTB) via the internet. HumanWare will design and develop the prototype internet-capable Digital Talking Book players and assist the RNZFB to conduct trials of the technology among its existing talking book clientele. The RNZFB's objectives for the trial are to find out whether a DTB player and service solution can be designed to replace the postal system with internet delivery of books and magazines for users of its library who are not computer literate. The RNZFB has a commitment to developing a DTB system that utilizes the latest technology to deliver a high-quality service to its dispersed customer base. Like many blindness organizations, RNZFB faces the enormous challenge of evolving its Talking Books Library from audiotape to digital media. The Foundation has been working on this multimillion dollar project for several months and expects to complete the project by 2008. "This is a major step forward for us and we are being extremely careful and methodical to ensure we get it right! Clearly, the internet is the future, and it will be the most economical distribution method for delivering books and magazines to print-disabled people. Obviously, we have to consider costs, but we also have to be mindful that the vast majority or our members are over 65 and half are over 80. The hardware—or digital download box—that's in our blind, deafblind, and vision-impaired members' houses has to be simple and easy to use, as close to fool-proof as possible. We've worked with HumanWare (when they were called Pulse Data International) for years and we are pleased to work with them on this project," said Mary Schnackenberg, Divisional Manager of RNZFB's Adaptive Support Division. Mary was born blind and has always been a keen user of Talking Books. "We are delighted to partner the RNZFB to evaluate the potential benefits that internet distribution of digital audio media can deliver to New Zealand's visually impaired and print-disabled community," said Gilles Pepin, Acting CEO of HumanWare. "This appointment is further recognition that HumanWare is the leader of the Digital Talking Book industry and is committed to implementing the latest technological innovations in our products for the benefit of our customers." HumanWare has designed and commercialized Digital Talking Book players since 1999 under the Victor Reader product line. HumanWare offers the widest choice of both hardware and software playback devices, starting with the smallest and most affordable hardware player in the industry (Victor Reader Vibe) and offering adapted solutions for students, professionals, and the elderly with the Victor Reader Classic family. In March 2005, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)—the world's largest provider of audio material to the print disabled—appointed HumanWare as a member of a consortium led by Battelle and involving the National Federation of the Blind and the Trace Center to design and develop their next generation of Digital Talking Book players. About HumanWare HumanWare was formed in February 2005 from the merger of VisuAide and Pulse Data International, two companies that are recognised as world leaders in their respective fields. Products like the SmartView video magnifier and more recently myReader, the world's first low vision auto-reader, are redefining the way people look at low vision while the Victor Reader family of Digital Talking Book players has been at the forefront of the industry since its inception. The BrailleNote is the best-known solution in the notetaker market today and is complemented by the Maestro handheld notetaker for the blind. HumanWare also produces the world's only commercialized GPS-based orientation solutions for the blind—Trekker and BrailleNote GPS. About the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind RNZFB, founded in 1890, is the primary service provider for 11,500 blind, deaf-blind, and vision-impaired members. For further information please contact: HumanWare: Ivan Lagacé VP Sales & Marketing +1 450 463-1717 ext. 360 http://www.humanware.com/about/news/news151205.asp Tools for LivingFreedom Scientific Launches New Low Vision Product Line(St. Petersburg, Florida, December 8, 2005) -- Freedom Scientific, the world leader in assistive technology products for the blind and low vision markets, today announced a new line of video magnification products. These new products enable low vision users to read printed material and easily customize how the information is displayed. A large illuminated working area makes activities like sewing, painting, and repairing items easier as well. The TOPAZ™ Desktop Video Magnifier, available in five models, makes for easy reading of a wide variety of printed material including numbers in the phone book, labels on prescription bottles, tiny printed contracts, bills, and much more. Simply place the material on the movable slide table and adjust the magnification level for the best reading comfort. With 16 magnification levels, the TOPAZ (with a 19-inch LCD flat panel monitor) can magnify material from 2X all the way up to 70X. "There are more than 10 million Americans with low vision and over 100 million worldwide," said Dr. Lee Hamilton, President of Freedom Scientific." These numbers are growing as the population ages. Products like these help people maintain their independence and privacy by reading their own mail, handling their own finances, and doing things for themselves. They are a natural extension of our current low vision products, MAGic® screen magnification software for low vision computer users and the SARA™ scanning and reading appliance for both blind and low vision users. These new products are particularly gratifying because they go beyond reading to support other pleasurable pursuits like crafts and hobbies." Best known for their blindness products like the JAWS® screen reader, PAC Mate™ accessible Pocket PC, and refreshable Braille displays, Freedom Scientific stunned the assistive technology industry last December by introducing a new line of Focus Braille Displays at prices 40 percent below then current prices. "We demonstrated with Braille displays what we could accomplish with a concentration on design for manufacturability," said Brad Davis, Vice President of Freedom Scientific. "With these new products, we are extending that same approach into the video magnifier segment—modular design, ergonomic controls, and standard features others charge extra for or don't offer at all. These are the first products in what we intend to be the most comprehensive product line in the industry." Pricing and Availability The five TOPAZ models range in price from $1,945 to $2,995 depending on monitor size and type. For complete specifications and pricing details, visit: http://www.low-vision-help.com/ or contact Freedom Scientific at (800) 444-4443 or (727) 803-8000. Products will begin shipping in January 2006. 3M MicroTouch(TM) Plays Leading Role in Enabling Award-Winning Reading Technology3M Touch Systems monitors have been used to create an award winning reading station for the visually impaired and other groups with reading difficulties. Silvercreations Software AG and Tagarno A.S. have chosen the 3M M170 MicroTouch touch monitor as the interface for their LiveReader reading station that helps people who are unable to read or understand material presented in text format to benefit from otherwise inaccessible information. These include people with impaired vision as well as dyslexics, non-native speakers, those with low literacy, and other groups who have reading difficulties. LiveReader's developers cited the superior performance of 3M's MicroTouch capacitive touch sensor technology and in-depth technical support as the major reasons for choosing MicroTouch. Large, clearly visible buttons displayed on the screen enable the user to quickly and easily navigate the LiveReader menus using the MicroTouch touch monitor. The user then puts the document to be read or edited under an integrated digital camera. The system then scans and processes the text within seconds and reads the words to the user. Patrick Hoffmann, Marketing Manager of Silvercreations Software, said, "High contrast, quality, and readability are the most important features for visually impaired people—and the M170 delivered the best performance in each respect. The accuracy of MicroTouch, as well as its short reaction times, also enhance the performance and usability of LiveReader." Nick Hughes, European Marketing Executive for Monitors at 3M Touch Systems, said, "LiveReader provides an excellent example of how to design for touchscreen. The creators have intelligently combined good touchscreen design principles with their own insights into the needs of their target market and have also exploited the properties of large screen sizes and graphical software capabilities to maximize the effectiveness of touch-driven computing." Examples of design features optimized for use with touchscreen technology include large and easy to understand symbols, which help the visually impaired or people with other reading difficulties to make use of all the system functions. Silvercreations Software and Tagarno have also implemented features supporting easy on-screen instruction entry, reader-friendliness, and uncomplicated, intuitive, easy to recognize user guidance. The MicroTouch monitor allows users to adjust controls such as contrast, color settings, and font size using just a few finger touches—allowing users to quickly and easily set-up LiveReader to meet their needs. For example, some visually impaired people prefer white text on a black background which can be easily set-up using the touchscreen. LiveReader has won awards for its contribution to inclusiveness. Potential applications include workplaces (allowing visually impaired workers to realize their full potential) and in education for adults or children. The easy controls, engaging appearance, and rapid progress create an effective motivator for learning. Further possible application areas are public institutions, particularly those responsible for enabling migrants (who can speak the host language but cannot read it) to access information and get help with official forms. Other groups likely to benefit by using LiveReader include dyslexic students (who would otherwise suffer restrictions in their studies) as well as those who experience trouble with tired or irritated eyes when reading for long periods. Source: http://www.thescanengine.com/new/viewArticle.php?article_id=4327 Blind to Have Access to Information Contained Within Charts, Graphs, and MapsCORDA Technologies, Inc. announced it has been issued a patent regarding a method for dynamically generating a textual description of online charts and graphs, thus enabling the visually impaired to have access to information contained within charts, graphs, and maps generated with Corda's software tools. "This patent is of particular value to Corda, especially as it relates to the government and socially responsible companies in the public sector," said Neal Williams, CEO of Corda Technologies. "We are the first company to develop the capability of creating automated textual descriptions of charts and graphs. This feature is important for the visually impaired—it enables them to have the same access to information in charts and graphs as a person with full sight would have by simply glancing at a chart." The descriptive text enables government agencies to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. Descriptive text is automatically attached to each graph so that a visually impaired individual can understand the contents of the graph through the use of a screen reader. The descriptive text feature is an inherent component of Corda's award-winning developer tools: PopChart, OptiMap, and Highwire. Not only does this feature describe the data, it also provides the same interactive ability and annotations that sighted users would see viewing the graph. For example, visually impaired users can navigate from one text-description to another using drill-down links. Navigation through large amounts of data is simple, fast, and convenient. Patent No. 6,972,763 was invented by Troy Millett of Lindon, Derrick Shadel of South Jordan, and Mardell Cheney of Highland, assigned to Corda Technologies, Inc., of Lindon, Utah. Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104& Introducing the Clarity CarrymateClarity is proud to announce the release of our most portable video magnifier yet! This ultimate portable video magnifier is able to fit any lifestyle. The self contained system offers more than 6.5 hours of battery life with over 11 inches of viewing space and only weighs 10 pounds. The Carrymate is an ideal compact design that will fit easily into any
work space from a desktop to a countertop. The internal rechargeable
battery powers the product for over 6.5 hours. You just turn on the
Carrymate and its ready when you need it, anywhere, anytime. If you need magnification to match your active lifestyle, then the
Carrymate is the system for you. The system boasts an 11.3" viewing
screen, self contained battery, and high powered camera. You can use the
carrying case or the attached handle for your traveling
convenience. Like all Clarity products, the Carrymate is backed by our lifetime
warranty (one year for internal batteries) and our excellent customer
service. Every Clarity system is individually handcrafted in the
U.S.A. Please contact Clarity or your local Clarity representative for more information or an in-home demonstration. To locate your local Clarity representative, please visit our web site at: Douglas Gerry Sales Director Clarity Voice: (775) 782-5611 Ext 207 Fax: (775) 783-0966 Capital Accessibility Presents the Owasys 22CThe Owasys 22C provides:
Order now and receive this incomparable phone that everyone's talking about at the special low price of just $199.95 (plus shipping and handling) when you activate your ScreenlessPhone with a new one-year service plan from T-Mobile! This is a special, limited time offer from Capital Accessibility and T-Mobile. With no eligibility forms to fill out and no rebates to wait for, ordering the Owasys 22C is now as easy as using it. NEW! Audio Tour Available You can take an an audio tour of the Owasys 22C with Marc Mulcahy from their mainpage. Where Can I Use It? The Owasys 22C is currently only available for GSM networks like Cingular or T-Mobile in the U.S. If you already have service from Cingular or T-Mobile, you can simply move the SIM card from your existing Cingular or T-Mobile telephone to the 22C to start using it. NEWS FLASH -- Save $100 Order your Owasys 22C with service from T-Mobile and save $100.00 off the retail price. This offer is valid with new and most renewal T-Mobile one-year service contracts. View their site at: http://www.screenlessphone.com/ to learn more about this incomparable telephone. The 22C in the News The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) technology magazine, Access World, July 2004 says: "Among the 10 cell phones we have evaluated over the past year, this phone has the most accessible keyboard design. The hemispherical-shaped keys protrude from the panel and are spaced sufficiently apart from each other so that it is easy to distinguish one key from another. Moreover, the dialing keys and other control keys are laid out in a pattern that is simple to learn and understand. There is also an easy-to-feel nib properly placed on the 5 key, allowing for quick orientation to the dialing grid." Contact Us: Capital Accessibility, LLC Voice: (877) 292-2747 or (240) 715-1272 Website of the MonthOld Time Radio ShowsThayne Multimedia Inc., sponsor of the Connections Website, provides free listening & download access to over 6,000 Old Time Radio shows for the blind, visually impaired, and disabled. This service is provided by Thayne Multimedia Services, Inc, a non-profit organization. The reasons we feel these services are needed—and find them growing in popularity are obvious. Blind and visually impaired people can listen to TV and movies, but the actors and actresses aren't up there describing what's going on. The blind can listen to Old Time Radio as if it was made for them. The stories unfold without anything missing and they're on equal ground with the sighted when listening. We are also creating new radio shows such as MindsEyeTheater.com and we will employ blind actors and actresses in future productions. Also coming soon: ChildrensRadioTheater.com and Kidsradiotheater.com featuring only juvenile appropriate shows. For More Information, contact: Troy R. Thayne Phone: 801-562-1641 MSN Messenger ID: troyrthayne@hotmail.com email: troy@thayne.com http://www.fearyoucanhear.com/ AnnouncementsNew Online Bookstore for the Blind/VIAssociated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired in Philadelphia, PA, is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of our Online Braille Bookstore! For the first time Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired ASB) has opened up its archives and has created a bookstore to give worldwide access to our vast collection of Braille Books. The ASB Braille Bookstore currently has 9 categories and over 100 books ready for immediate sale. With updates every week, we plan on having over 300+ books in our catalogue. The ASB Braille Bookstore currently contains classics like "Lord of the Flies" and "The Call of the Wild." Other selections include "Cajun Cooking" and several books from popular authors like Stephen King, Clive Clussler, Dean Koontz, and Romance Queen Sandra Brown. With most books ranging from $15.00 - $35.00 (bound and shipped via free matter), our collection of books is affordable. All books are proofread and transcribed by certified Braille transcribers and proofreaders. Braille Books make great gifts, and if you include a short message (under 20 words), we will include your note (in print and Braille). If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please feel free to write to us at: Scholarships available to Blind StudentsThe American Council of the Blind will present more than two dozen scholarships and awards to outstanding blind students in 2006. All legally blind, full-time students admitted to academic and vocational training programs at the post-secondary level for the 2006-07 school year are encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships. Part-time students who are working full-time are also invited to apply for the John Hebner Memorial Scholarship. A cumulative grade point average of 3.3 is generally required, but extenuating circumstances may be considered for certain scholarships. Applicants must be legally blind in both eyes. Information and a link to complete an application on line is available at: online: http://www.acb.org/scholarship-info2006.html. Supporting documentation must be submitted in hard copy print, post-marked by March 1, 2006, and sent to: Terry Pacheco American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program 1155 15th St., NW Suite 1004 Washington, DC 20005 Please note: We will determine which scholarships you qualify for based on the information you provide on your application. It is not necessary for you to submit more than one application. If you have additional questions or wish to request a hard copy of the application package, please call (202) 467- 5081 ext. 20. The ACB Scholarship Committee will interview leading candidates by telephone in April. The winners will be notified by May 31, 2006. Scholarships will be presented at the 45th annual national convention of the American Council of the Blind to be held July 8-15, 2006, in Jacksonville, Florida. Scholarship winners are expected to be present at the convention if they have reached their 18th birthday. Generally, ACB will cover all reasonable costs connected with convention attendance. Former leaders in and near the ACB community who have been memorialized by generous benefactors include Delbert Aman, Dr. S. Bradley Burson, William G. Corey, Dr. Mae Davidow, Nicholas S. DiCaprio, Eunice Fiorito, John Hebner, Grant M. Mack, Alma Murphey, Floyd Qualls, and Arnold Sadler. Special thanks should also be extended to those who remembered Duane Buckley and James Olsen in such fitting manners. The Ross N. and Patricia Pangere Foundation scholarships are also given as a way of giving back to the community. ACB also administers scholarship programs for its affiliates in Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and Oregon. We wish to thank Kurzweil Foundation for its anticipated continued annual gift of the Kurzweil 1000 software to our winners. Note: Potential candidates will be considered for other scholarships not yet verified, if available. National Federation of the Blind Scholarships The National Federation of the Blind has the largest scholarship program for legally blind post-secondary students in the country. The Federation grants thirty scholarships annually to legally blind persons in higher education from college freshmen to doctoral candidates. The scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $12,000 and generous donors like the internationally famous scientist and thinker Dr. Ray Kurzweil often enhance these values with additional gifts. Federation scholarship winners also win a trip to the organization's annual convention and the opportunity to develop mentoring relationships with the nation's most dynamic leaders of the blind community. Winning a Federation scholarship is a lifetime distinction since winners must compete in a pool of 500 applicants. Winning is also an honor since the selection process is performed by successful blind persons. Winners recognize that they have been chosen by their blind peers who are not fooled by lowered expectations of blind people but rather seek out true quality. The annual filing deadline is March 31 and all scholarships are granted in July of each year. For the detailed program rules and the application form, please visit: http://www.nfb.org/services/schlprg02.htm. Register for a Free Braille BookSeedlings Braille Books for Children would like to present the new and improved "Anna's Book Angel Program!" Thanks to several generous donations from Anna's friends, family, and the W.H.O. Foundation, now every child can receive one free Braille book per year! In loving memory of Anna Kirstina Bonde, hundreds of Braille books are being made in her name and given away free to children around the world. How does it work? Just register online at: http://www.seedlings.org/bkangel.html or use the form on page 40 of the 2006 Seedlings catalog or call Seedlings at (800) 777-8552. We randomly pick at least 10 children per week from those who have registered. Each child will receive one free book from his or her "wish list." This will continue as long as the memorial funds permit. Blind parents are also eligible to win one book per year to share with their children. Effective January 2006: every child is eligible to win at least one free book per year (please re-register each year, even if you previously received an "Anna" book). Seedlings Braille Books for Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high quality, low-cost children's literature in Braille. Best Wishes and Happy Reading, Debra J Bonde, Director
Seedlings Braille Books for Children PO Box 51924, Livonia, MI 48151-5924 (800) 777-8552 Email: seedlink@aol.com 2006 Summer Youth Programs(Carroll Center for the Blind)
Youth in Transition (July 24-August 24) The Carroll Center presents its annual summer program to assist teens, ages 15-21, in learning to live independent and satisfying lives. Students improve interpersonal and communications skills through classroom activities and interaction with blind and visually impaired peers. Teens strengthen organizational skills, daily living skills, and community travel abilities. Field trips may include beach activities, historical sites, and amusement parks. Club and evening options include games, art, gardening, exercise, shopping, canoeing, cooking, and more. Students learn to increase their confidence, self-reliance, responsibility, and accountability in the transition from youth to adulthood. Student Assessment (July 10-20) This course, designed for students age 15-21, evaluates ability to function independently in activities in daily living, travel skills, use of remaining vision, information management, computer access, and interpersonal skills. Recommendations for further training result. Computing for College (July 10-31 and August 14-25) Strong written communication and computer skills become a necessity for students who attend college. In two weeks, students advance their computer skills in internet access, email, research, word processing tasks, and scanning with various formats. Students learn to navigate various websites to access e-text. Effective note taking skills are integrated into the classes. Students should be upper high school or current college students with Windows computer experience and familiarity with Jaws or ZoomText software. Real World Experience (June 26-August 4) Do you want to work this summer? If you are age 16 or older, need work experience, and want to spend time with peers, then sign up quickly. This program provides students with paid summer part-time work experiences at local businesses. During the first two weeks, students participate in job readiness and mobility travel classes. The remaining four weeks are spent working part-time, visiting employees who are blind, and engaging in recreational activities with peers. Students must have a work permit from their school systems to be able to travel and work a minimum of 15 hours per week. Previous Youth in Transition are given priority in this program. CarrollKids (July 10-21 and July 24- August 2) CarrollKids is an academic and social enrichment program designed for visually impaired and blind students between the ages of six and 16 years. Individual and small group classes provide instruction in Literacy and Nemeth Braille Codes, Orientation and Mobility, Adaptive Computer Skills, Communication and Organization Skills, and Assistive Technologies. Elements of the Expanded Core Curriculum will also be addressed through a variety of stimulating and fun activities. Sessions will meet from 9:30-3:00, four days per week. Students may enroll in one or both two-week sessions. Optional evening activities may be offered, including weekly overnights. Transportation and meals are not provided. Pre-requisites may apply. Summer Computer Classes One or two week computer courses will be available during the summer for students who need individualized instruction. Contact Dima Rosenbaum for pricing and scheduling information. Attend a Free Orientation (February 22, 2006 and April 19, 2006) Hear about summer activities. Visit the Center and meet staff, summer student alumni, and other prospective students. Presentations will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations required. For more information contact: Margaret E. Cleary Director of Admissions, Ext 216
Dina Rosenbaum Marketing Director, Ext. 238
Karen Ross Director of Educational Services, Ext. 237 karen.ross@carroll.org or jessica.erlich@carroll.org
617-969-6200 800-852-3131 Fax 617-969-6204 RecipesThis month's recipes feature a Valentine's Dinner for two
Radicchio Leaves Stuffed with Tuna Mousse(makes 2 servings)
2 ounces water-packed tuna (will come as a 3 1/4-ounce can) drained 3 ounces low fat cream cheese 1 ½ tablespoons fat free sour cream a few drops fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon fresh or bottled grated horseradish freshly ground pepper to taste 8 to 10 small radicchio leaves, rinsed and drained on paper towels ¼ cup minced fresh chives Weigh out the needed tuna. Reserve and refrigerate the rest for a salad or sandwich the next day. Put weighed tuna into a food processor and pulse to chop. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, horseradish, and pepper.
Pulse until well blended. Remove from food processor and place the tuna
mousse in a plastic food container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to
use. Per serving: 169 calories (51 percent calories from fat), 13 g protein, 9 g total fat (5.1 g saturated fat), 7 g carbohydrates, trace dietary fiber, 46 mg cholesterol, 694 mg sodium) Diabetic exchanges: 1 lean protein, 1 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1 1/2 fat Beef Medallions with Shiitake Mushroom Sauce(makes 2 servings)
½ tablespoon olive oil 2 shallots, minced 1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced 2 beef medallions, about 4 ounces each, trimmed of all fat 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed ¼ cup dry red wine ½ cup low-sodium canned beef broth ½ teaspoon crushed dried thyme In a heavy cast-iron or nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over
medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and steaks. Cook steaks 2 1/2
to 3 minutes per side, turning once, for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to a
carving board and keep warm. Discard fat from skillet. Add wine to the skillet and stir to deglaze the pan, loosening any browned bits. Add beef broth and thyme. Cook, stirring, until reduced by half. Return mushrooms to skillet. Thinly slice steaks on the diagonal. Pour any steak juices into the sauce. Arrange steaks on heated serving plates and spoon mushrooms sauce over the meat. Serve hot. Per serving: 260 calories (41 percent calories from fat), 27 g protein, 12 g total fat (3.6 g saturated fat), 6 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 71 g cholesterol, 75 mg sodium). Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean protein, 1/2 carbohydrate (1 vegetable), 1/2 fat Mashed Potatoes with Arugula(makes 2 servings)
8 ounces baby white potatoes, scrubbed 1 large clove garlic, cut into quarters 1/3 cup skim milk, heated 1 2/3 ounce package fresh arugula, rinsed and drained on paper towels 1 teaspoon soft reduced-fat margarine freshly ground pepper to taste If potatoes are 1 inch in diameter, leave whole. If larger, quarter or cut in half. Drop potatoes into a pot of boiling water. Add garlic and cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return potatoes and garlic to the pan. Cover and keep warm. Heat skim milk in the microwave oven until hot and steaming. Begin mashing potatoes with a potato masher or electric mixer. Slowly add the hot milk until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Stir in arugula and margarine, mixing until arugula is evenly distributed. Arrange potatoes on the serving plate. Serve hot. Per serving: 118 calories (8 percent calories from fat), 5 g protein, 1 g total fat (0.1 g saturated fat), 23 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 51 mg sodium. Diabetic exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate (bread/starch) Orange and Ginger Glazed Beets(makes 2 servings)
2 medium fresh beets, about 3/4 pound, trimmed and scrubbed 1 small navel orange ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger Ahead of time, preheat oven to 425°F. Wrap beets in pieces of aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until beets are tender when pierced with a fork, about one hour. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Working under running water, peel beets and cut into quarters. Set aside. Using a zester, remove a quarter of the orange rind in long, thin strips. Cut away the remaining rind and pith with a sharp knife. Cut orange in half, cutting one half into crosswise slices. Squeeze the juice out of the remaining half and place juice in a small saucepan. Add vinegar and ginger to the pan. Set aside until ready to assemble. When almost ready to eat, reheat the juice mixture. Stir in orange slices and orange zest strips. Add the beets to the pan and toss until heated through and glazed. Transfer beets to the serving plates and serve at once. Per serving: 72 calories (0 percent calories from fat), 2 g protein, 0 total fat (0 saturated fat), 17 g carbohydrates, 4 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 89 mg sodium Diabetic exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (1/2 fruit, 2 vegetable) Coeur á la Crème with Fresh Strawberries(makes 8 servings)
2 cups plain nonfat yogurt 2 cups nonfat ricotta cheese grated zest of 1 lemon or orange ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 6 to 8 large fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced Using a food processor or electric mixer, combine the yogurt and ricotta cheese. Process until smooth. Line a colander or basket with a double layer of cheesecloth, letting the cloth drape over the edges. Spoon cheese mixture into center and fold cheesecloth over the top. Place over a bowl or baking dish to catch the whey. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Scrape the cheese away from the cheesecloth and combine with zest and vanilla extract. Line a 3-cup heart-shaped mold or the draining basket with new cheesecloth, letting the excess cloth hang over the edge. Spoon cheese mixture into the mold or basket, smoothing the top. Fold the cheesecloth over the top and refrigerate for 3 hours. Unmold from cheesecloth and if not already shaped into a heart, do so with the back of a spoon. Transfer heart to a serving plate and surround with sliced berries. Per serving with berries:84 calories 0% calories from fat), 12 g protein, 0 total fat (0 saturated fat), 8 g carbohydrates, trace dietary fiber, 6 mg cholesterol, 167 mg sodium Diabetic exchanges: 1 very lean protein, 1/2 carbohydrate (1/2 skim milk) Reprinted with permission from Diabetic Recipes.com. Visit the website at: http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/. 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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