EYE ON DBS

District 7

Around the State:

Talking Book Library

Tallahassee "Collision" Makes Goalball Finals

Beep Baseball in Broward

Telephone Discounts for Low Income Floridians

Around the Nation:

Libraries Go Digital

OPM to Propose More Flexible Hiring Rules

Maryland Governor Signs Bill Establishing Department of Disabilities

Wilderlust Explores the Outdoors

Around the World:

GTECH Provides Terminals for Blind

Climbing Blind: Tibet Expedition 2004

Consumer News:

FCB Project Insight

NFBF Update

Writer's Corner

Good-Bye Old Friend

Tools for Living:

Trekker

Talking Tactile Tablet

Virtual Pencil Algebra

Website of the Month (IBSF)

Announcements

Job Openings

New Programming Rules for Disabled

New Program Director at Blind Rehabilitation Service

Talking RX

Recipes

To Our Readers

District 7

It All Started In Tampa

In the spring of 1941, the Florida Legislation passed House Bill 153 creating the Florida Council for the Blind (FCB), today known as the Division of Blind Services. Governor appointed Henry P. Johnson, a visually impaired Tampa attorney, was the agency’s first director and instrumental in its development. The agency operated out of a converted funeral home and served more blind residents than any other state in the nation.

Earl B. Brant, a lifelong member of the Lions Club, was a charter member of the FCB and active in the pursuit of its establishment through legislation when he was Lions district governor. He was named chairman of the council in 1952 and re-appointed by all governors until his death in 1962. Mr. Brant, as director of Lions International, held the title of "Ambassador of Good Will" and in 1955 received the Pinellas County Optometric Society’s recognition as the "layman who had done more than anyone else in the county for sight conservation."

In 1956, FCB headquarters was moved to a newly erected building on the block between Tampania and Armenia Streets. The new headquarters were named the Brant Building in honor of Mr. E.B. "Sunshine" Brant. In 1964 Murdock Martin became the Director of FCB and oversaw the move of the agency’s headquarters to Tallahassee and in 1968, the Florida Council for the Blind was re-established as the Bureau of Blind Services and assigned as a department of HRS. This designation served until 1976 when the bureau transferred to DOE and was re-designated as the Office of Blind Services. One short year later, the Florida Legislature passed a bill elevating us to the Division of Blind Services.

The Brant Building, now headquarters to DBS District 7, has undergone changes from its 1956 conception. In 1985 the building underwent renovations which temporarily housed the staff in parking lot trailers and conference rooms. In the near future staff may again be finding temporary quarters. Money is appropriated for building renovations with current plans to rework the entry vestibule and reception area, relocate employee break area, provide larger conference room with separate entrance, update restroom fixtures and plumbing; replace air condition system, re-paint and replace the carpeting. Exterior plans include landscaping, window replacements, re-painting, and replacing the perimeter fence providing a buffer from the street to bring the location up to current neighborhood codes.

The Brant Building, with its prime location has always been a great asset for DBS and in the near future will once again shine like the star it is.

District 7 Office Focus

Our 12th annual Office Focus, held on April 16th, was hosted by our Lakeland office and they did a great job. For our outdoor affair they chose a pavilion on beautiful Lake Parker in Lakeland. This location provided an additional bonus to the District 7 crew, it was chosen by "Sun N’ Fun" as the floatplane splash down lake. The shores were covered with beautifully restored floatplanes, colorful flying boats, and some very rare airplanes.

Our Focus Theme: What can we do to improve our jobs?

Our questions for this year:

-What would you like to see in the new Tampa office remodeling program? What do you wish to avoid?

-What do you like about inter-office processing? What don’t you like about inter-office processing?

-What do you like about your job? What do you not like about your job?

Bonus Questions:

What types of additional training would you like to see this district provide?

How can we improve communications within and between our two offices?

Lunch was grilled by Chef Tony Ames and consisted of hot dogs and hamburgers. Our district of healthy appetites and good cooks made sure all the tables were laden with delicious side dishes and delectable goodies.

Most of the Tampa staff had never visited our Lakeland office and this focus was a wonderful opportunity. Their 3rd floor office is house in a beautiful building with private covered parking and overlooking Lake Morton, home to hundreds of beautiful, rare ducks and geese. Only six blocks from downtown, their building also houses other agencies such as the FBI and Social Security offices.

Just across the street we caught a bright yellow trolley and took a tour around the downtown area. This wonderful trolley is provided by a special grant secured by the Citrus Connection Transportation Corporation and it allows citizens to get on and off without charge.

We enjoyed our day of good eats, trolley tours, and office visits; but we mostly enjoyed the chance to relax with friends where the sun was shinning and the breezes blowing. At 3:30 we headed back to Tampa with ideas and suggestions gathered from the focus meeting. The information gathered shall be reviewed and acted upon by a committee of staff members.

Finding Referrals

Cutbacks in the eye medical services provided by DBS reduced our contact with local ophthalmologists causing a significant drop in VR and ILAP referrals. It became imperative that something be done immediately. To address this issue, District 7 launched a marketing campaign to educate local medical office staff and professionals on the various services DBS can still offer their patients.

Our campaign began by updating our office list of Ophthalmologists. Starting with our old list of providers and adding new resources from the phone book and the Internet, all ophthalmology offices were called and a master list created. It was decided that we needed to reach all members of the medical office staff, not just the doctors. We designed a flyer of DBS services and printed it on brilliant blue card stock. Dividing our Ophthalmologist list into territories, teams of ILAP and VR Specialists prepared their presentations and set-up appointments. They visited each office and not only spoke with the doctors and staff but distributed the highly noticeable flyers to techs and other support staff to put on their bulletin boards with instructions to "remember DBS."

Six months into our marketing plan, our list of providers continues to grow and we search for alternative avenues in the pursuit of new referrals. District 7 already has ideas on other sources for referrals and will develop other campaigns. The results of this campaign are still unknown, but we are enthusiastic and consider this a first step in a long-term endeavor.

High Potential But Under Employed.

Nehemiah toiled in several local Lighthouse workshops for 10 years until the last one closed their doors in 2002. Now, unemployed in a town with little transportation and a poor job market, Nehemiah must look for competitive employment and returns to DBS for assistance. VR counselor Marc Grosskopf and Placement specialist Rich Pietras dust off an old contact, Sam the Human Resource man at ICT, a local customer service call center. ICT previously hired a partially sighted DBS consumer, but Nehemiah is total and has no Braille skills, could it work for him? Everyone got to work. Nehemiah starts training to improve his JAWS skills and mobility lessons to master new travel demands. Various technicians and engineers labor hundreds of hours matching the idiosyncrasies of JAWS and the high demands of the ICT computer system. In early May, 2004, the technical twitching was finalized and Nehemiah became an AOL Registrations Telephone Associate. Collaboration between DBS, our consumer, Tampa Lighthouse, and ICT proved successful. Today Nehemiah likes his new work and is consistently and accurately delivering scripted messages to AOL members.

A Very Happy Consumer

A Jordi low vision aid mounted on his head and looking like an extra in a sci-fi movie, Ado sits at his computer and answers customer service calls for the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Tampa. After loosing much of his vision to Occular Histoplasmosis, Ado left his job on medical leave and saw a future of disability checks. But, a Miami eye specialist referred him to DBS and VR Counselor Louise Peyton gave him hope with "job retraining". Ms Peyton contacted the Marriott Human Resources office explaining our training programs and orchestrated a meeting between Marriott supervisors and the Tampa Lighthouse rehab technologist. Aldo conquered the bus system, learned the magnifying program ZoomText, and mastered using the Jordi. Aldo returned to work three months ago.

Yesterday, Aldo called with appreciation to his DBS counselor, "No words can express how grateful I am to you for all of your efforts on my behalf. I am really happy to be working and doing the job I love!"

Enriching Lives

For some DBS senior citizens, Independent Living training goes further than learning how to identify money and kitchen safety. Mrs. Nadine of Lakeland lives alone in a low-income residential facility for seniors and she lost her central vision from Macular Degeneration. Mrs. Nadine wanted to take care of her own finances, get the daily news, and return to ordering her clothing through favorite magazines. Each of these small duties became a huge undertaking without her vision. One day she was put on the caseload of Rob Risavy, ILAP Specialist at DBS in Lakeland. Rob brought her case before the District 7 ILAP Committee who evaluated her needs and approved her for the purchase of a CCTV. The CCTV, purchased by DBS and delivered to her home, allows her to not only reach her stated goals, but she can apply nail polish and view pictures of her grandchildren through this great device.

DBS and her counselor Rob Risavy found other ways to improve Mrs. Nadine’s quality of life. Although she had a computer, she did not understand how to activate or operate the machine. Mrs. Nadine received training from DBS in computer operation, JAWS software, and Internet accessibility. Now she can read her daily newspaper, access favorite magazines, conduct on line research, and correspond with family and friends through email. This was a very successful closure for both Mrs. Nadine and DBS.

ILAP Is Our Safety Net

Many changes impact our life. Sometimes we need a transition period, a safety net to protect us as we learn to meet the demands of those changes. Thankfully, our ILAP program is sometimes just that, the safety net that keeps new clients from falling through the work-force cracks. Providing that needed transition period from the loss of sight and life as known, through the grieving process, and into the support of those who understand.

Marcus Rios suffered with diabetes and kidney failure and lost sight from diabetic retinopathy. His life impacted by this disabling disease, Marcus could no longer drive, read, or work. He spent his days tripping over toys, searching for lost items, and getting hooked up to dialysis. Marcus says, "You never give up." And he did not give up. Realizing his need for independent living skills and orientation & mobility, he called DBS and referred himself for services. Since Marcus was only 37-years old, ILAP Specialist Imelda Vitug-Llanos took VR Specialist Allan Hunt with her when she met with Marcos. But one short month later, on July 4^th, 2001 Marcus went through two transplant surgeries. After his initial recovery Marcus started rehabilitation training through the DBS Independent Living Program. And Marcus did not stop there. His successful completion of the ILAP training gave Marcus back his independence and enabled him to consider job training. He decided on a vocation in food service and his ILAP counselor, Imelda Vitug-Llanos transferred him to the VR program and into the hands of Allan Hunt.

Allan Hunt introduced Marcus to the "Hands On Education" culinary training program which was started in 1998 in partnership with the Hyatt Hotel Corporation. This program targets non-traditional applicants with a broad range of disabilities and other issues that make traditional schools impractical. Applicants must be over 18 years of age and drug free to participate. The program provides a variety package including employability skills training, job coaching, evaluation, placement assistance, lodging, meals, and other client needs. Program Director, Mr. John L. Ficca, with a culinary background and a degree in special education, embraces each student with a personal devotion that almost guarantees success with the clients’ participation.

Marcos recently completed his training with the "Hands On" program and was profiled on Tampa Bay’s television WTVT, Fox 13 in their segment "What’s Right With Tampa Bay." When asked about his training, Marcos flashed his irresistible smile and replied, "Look, I’ve still got all ten fingers!"

"If My Parents Only Knew"

Districts 7 & 8 children’s Counselors Rose Moyer and Angela Daughtry presented an independent living skills workshop held at the Watson Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Largo, Florida. This workshop was an organized effort to assist family members to understand independent living skills and the adaptations that help the visually impaired. Families participated in classes related to personal care, mobility, communications, and home management. They received instructions and an opportunity to ask questions of the experts on how to work with their children at home. A panel of young adults, college students, and employed adults shared their experiences with the families.

Kathy and Jim Warth and David Harbach, Bureau of Business Enterprise owners in the St. Petersburg area, provided breakfast and lunch for the children, families, and helping DBS staff. The Pineallas and Tampa Chapters of the Florida Council for the Blind donated money for food and paper goods. The Watson Center employees and others provided free childcare.

Everyone enjoyed this day of learning and there are plans to continue this success story.

Our Facility Partners

District 7 is fortunate to have three excellent private facilities to partner with; the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind (TLH), the Pasco-Hernando Lighthouse of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Cite Center. We began contracting with our facilities over 30 years ago and through the years have purchased rehabilitation services as they became available. Our co-operative partnership is healthy and thriving allowing DBS to purchase a variety of services for our clients that we alone could not provide.

The two hot facility programs at the moment are the Blind Babies Program (Early Intervention) and the Summer Transition Program. Roxanne Mayros, former director of the Pasco-Hernando Lighthouse, and two colleagues are responsible for asking and receiving from their legislators the first Million dollars to start the Blind Babies Program. Their program is both center based and itinerate while the Tampa Lighthouse Program for babies is mostly itinerate, utilizing other facilities such as Family Fundamentals as a center base for some of their babies. District 7 has 52 blind babies serviced with the two programs.

Summer Transitional Program

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind’s newest service is the Summer Transitional Program based in Tampa and Winter Haven Lighthouse facilities. Through funding from DBS, the lighthouse’s summer program centers on the Tote System & Planning developed by Karen Wolfe and the DBS state office. This year, 16 students attend class on Monday and Wednesday where they focus on work readiness and independent living skills. Students are able to do mock job interviews, purchase work appropriate outfits and hair styles, vote on touch screens with audio, acquaint themselves with the city bus system, shop for and prepare their own lunch and participate in many other adventures. On Tuesday and Thursday, after choosing an area of interest, each student participates in a work experience. One student, who wants a future in law, works with a prominent Tampa attorney who is blind while another, who wishes to become a hairstylist, works in a local hair salon. On Friday, each student receives a paycheck for their work experience and then goes to the bank to learn the banking skills they need to be independent. The rest of Friday is devoted to a field trip, previously voted on by the students.

Thanks to the funding provided by DBS, local vision teachers, familiar with both the students and the Tote System, are hired as instructors making this program even more of a success in helping these students meet high school requirements and making that transition from school to work.

A Departure

Our family at the Tampa DBS office bids a sad farewell to ILAP Specialist Maxine East. Maxine’s husband is a member of our nation’s Coast Guard and their family has been re-assigned to a Virginia base. Her move leaves a void in our hearts and we cannot wait to hear from her once she is settled in her new home.

Article Contributors: Tony Ames, Marc Grosskopf, Maureen Fink, Ted Hull, Allan Hunt, Rose Moye, Louise Peyton, John Reynolds, Rob Risavy, Lakeland Co-Ordinator- Geraldine Kressin, Photography/Technicial Assistance-Tony Ames, District 7 Editor-Vicki Likens

Around the State:

Greg Carlson Attended Talking Book Library Conference

Greg Carlson attended the biennial conference of talking book librarians, sponsored by the Library of Congress (LC), May 2-6 in Rapid City, SD. The program’s digital future dominated content, though several other issues received attention. Highlights included the following:

-LC announced a plan to restore historic talking book recordings by famous entertainment, sports, and political figures;

-Peter Osbourne from the Royal National Institute for the Blind informed attendees of digital audio initiatives in the British Isles and Europe;

-LC reported two Web-Braille Bibles in process and invited local Braille production programs to submit titles for Web-Braille distribution;

-Attendees discussed the draft of new standards and guidelines governing the national talking book program.

-LC described a nationwide outreach program targeting older adults, schools, veterans, and libraries.

Conferees attended a program on Native American issues at the Crazy Horse Memorial on Monday afternoon. A hoop dance performance from a Lakota father and two young daughters followed in the auditorium. The group ended the evening with dinner at Mount Rushmore National Monument. The Black Hills excursion and presentations were powerful reminders of our nation’s history and natural splendors.

Pensacola, Florida will host the southern states’ regional talking book conference in 2005.

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Talking Book Library Contributes Book Files to the National Web-Braille Collection

The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services has joined an elite group of regional libraries contributing book files to the national Web-Braille collection. Library of Congress project director Dr. Judith Dixon accepted Where Angels Glide at Dawn, Dynamite Dinah, and Grandfather Tang’s Story as Florida’s first Web Braille entries. "We are delighted to have Florida books added to Web-Braille and look forward to more arrivals," she added. Customers and staff can search Web-Braille cataloging records via the International Union Catalog, which is a link from the NLS web site-www.loc.gov/nls.

As of June 15, 2004, Dr. Dixon reported 3,520 Web-Braille registrants nationwide. After selecting the materials from the catalog, customers download Braille files directly to their PC for embossing or reading with a refreshable Braille display. The collection includes 6,471 NLS titles and 173 books from five regional library Braille programs. Besides the FBC, or Florida Braille book collection, the Bureau also produces several Braille magazines that may be of national interest including Biography Today.

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Collision's rally falls short vs. NWABA

It was a comeback that was eventually denied.

The highest scoring game of the first day of the National Goalball Championships, held at USC Spartanburg, came down to the final 10 seconds.

The Tallahassee (Fla.) Collision were down 10-5 to open the second half, but rallied to tie their game with NWABA (North West Association of Blind Athletes from Vancouver, Wash.) 14-14 with 47 seconds remaining following a goal by Donte Mickens.

On NWABA's next throw, player/coach Murray Elbourn scored, which was immediately followed by Bobby Blackmon's score.

A highball penalty on the Collision gave NWABA a chance to win in the final 10 seconds and Joe Hamilton made the most of the opportunity, as he scored for the 16-15 win.

HIGH ROLLERS: Aysa Miller of the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Chaos leads female goal scorers with 19 goals in three games. She is followed by New Jersey's Lisa Banta, who has 18 in four games, and Colorado Bandits' Jennifer Armbruster, who has 13.

On the men's side, Mickens has scored 24 times, including 13 in one game. The Pennsylvania Venom's John Mulhern has 17 goals, as does NWABA's Joe Hamilton, while Kalamazoo's Carl Love has 15 scores.

ROLLING TEAMS: Only the Chaos is undefeated in women's round-robin play after Day 1. They have nine points, but are closely followed by the Illinois Tsunami with seven points. New Jersey and the Colorado Bandits each have six points.

In men's action, the Pennsylvania Venom and New Jersey teams are undefeated after three games and have nine points. The Kalamazoo Hurricanes are in second with seven points.

The top four teams, by points, after the round robin is complete advance to the semifinals on Saturday. The semifinal winners play for the championships on Saturday also. Reprinted with permission from the Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, South Carolina, ©2004. Story by Jason Gilmer,Staff Writer, jason.gilmer@shj.com.

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Beep Baseball in Broward

The Broward County area is interested in forming a new Beep Baseball Team and is looking for members. Please contact Ansel Davis at Anzelclub40@Yahoo.Com or Anzel39@Comcast.Net.

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Telephone Discounts for Low Income Floridians

Telephone service is a necessity in modern life, but some Floridians have no access to telephone service due to their limited income. Consider, if you will, what your life would be like without a telephone in your home. You would be cut off from much of the world outside your own neighborhood or, in some cases, your own residence. There are two programs available to address this need: Link-Up Florida and the Lifeline Assistance Program.

Link-Up Florida is a program designed to help low-income households get telephone service connected. If a customer qualifies for Link-Up Florida, the customer will receive a 50 percent reduction in the total service connection charge (installation charge) up to the amount of $30.00. The customer is then responsible for all other charges, including monthly local service charges. Lifeline then helps with the monthly charges.

The Lifeline Assistance Program provides qualified residential telephone customers up to $13.50 per month credit on their telephone bill. Customers qualify for Lifeline and Link-Up Florida if they receive benefits under any of the programs listed below.

-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

-Food Stamps

-Medicaid

-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

-Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

-Federal Public Housing

Bureau of Affairs Programs:

-Tribal TANF

-Head Start Subsidy

-National School Lunch Program

You may also be eligible for benefits if your household income is no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Check with your local telephone company for details.

To get a copy of the form to apply for Link-Up Florida and the Lifeline Assistance Program visit the website at: htpp://www.floridapsc.com/industry/telecomm/lifeline/index.cfm or call 1-800-342-3552.

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Around the Nation:

Libraries go digital.

Libraries across the country are going digital.

More than 200 librarians from across the country showed up at Rapid City to discuss the future of books on tape—a service used by more than 700,000 blind and physically handicapped people.

A new digital flash memory chip was showcased today to replace the conventional tapes.

The new chip contains no moving parts, eliminating the need to switch tapes or fumble with complicated buttons.

"Many visually impaired people are elderly. It would be much simpler for them to use. My oldest user is 107. I was just talking to her last week and she loves them--they are just great," says United Kingdom librarian Peter Osborne.

The National Library Service is currently converting more than 23 million books and magazines over to the digital format.

They hope to be finished by 2008.

Reprinted with permission by Blindworld at www. Blindworld.org. ©KOTA TV, Rapid City,SD, May 04, 2004, by Bill Sutton.

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OPM to propose more flexible hiring rules

By David McGlinchey, dmcglinchey@govexec.com mailto:dmcglinchey@govexec.com

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) plans to introduce a pair of reforms designed to give federal agencies more hiring flexibility, a senior OPM official said Tuesday. During a meeting of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council in Washington, Ronald Sanders, OPM's associate director for strategic human resources policy, laid out a proposed overhaul of hiring rules applying to student interns and people with disabilities. The revisions are in an "early stage," according to OPM Director Kay Coles James.

Under the revisions, opportunities for students to gain experience as part of the Student Career Experience Program would be widened.

Currently, students who intern for a federal agency as part of the program may be noncompetitively appointed to a federal job after they finish their schooling and log 640 hours of federal work experience. The new rule would allow students to accrue up to 320 hours of service while working for an agency on behalf of a sanctioned nongovernmental program or while serving in the military.

OPM looked into changing the rule after receiving feedback from a parade of organizations that funnel interns into agencies, Sanders said. OPM Officials said they would maintain strict guidelines to make sure that work completed under the new rules "is truly comparable" to work done within agencies under the current system, he said.

OPM also will propose allowing agencies to waive up to 320 hours of an intern's work requirement if that student has an exemplary academic record and receives stellar work reviews.

Sanders said the Student Career Experience Program needs to be kept up to date as a means of attracting college students to the government. It is "a very effective way of bringing young folks into the federal service," he said.

Several labor representatives expressed concern about the new guidelines. Jacque Simon, a representative of the American Federation of Government Employees, said she feared the move could be used to block current federal workers from gaining merit-based promotions.

Howard Schwimmer of the National Treasury Employees Administration told the Chief Human Capital Officers Council that OPM should work just as hard on retention efforts as on recruiting new employees. OPM officials said the revised hiring rules would not negatively affect existing employees. James said also that she believes it is a top priority to retain talented federal workers.

The proposal for revising the hiring process for disabled workers was prompted by frustration in dealing with seemingly straightforward cases, James said. Currently, the Veterans Affairs Department or a recognize rehabilitation agency must certify that job seekers are legitimately disabled and are able to do a particular job. But in some cases, James said a person's disability is obvious.

Suppose, she said, a blind applicant with an impressive resume applies for a federal job. "It doesn't take the VA to tell us that he has a severe physical disability ... If that person were to walk in today, we would have to say sorry, go see the VA," James said. "So we are asking a person who can't see to go get a piece of paper that says they can't see."

OPM will propose to let agencies determine disability in some cases. That idea met with general approval from personnel officers at the meeting. Several had their own stories of job seekers with clear disabilities -

such as blindness or amputations - who were required to obtain official certification.

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Governor Ehrlich Signs Bill Establishing Department of Disabilities

Annapolis--Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today signed into law more than 190 bills, including historic legislation establishing a Cabinet level Department of Disabilities to empower Maryland’s individuals with disabilities.

Elevating the Office for Individuals with Disabilities to cabinet-level status is a promise I made before taking office, and it is a promise I now keep," said Governor Ehrlich. This office will direct State employment, education, healthcare, and transportation policy on issues affecting Marylanders with disabilities. I look forward to working with Kris Cox, the Office’s Director, and Maryland’s disabled community to make this historic initiative successful.

Governor Ehrlich also signed into law his substance abuse treatment initiative, which seeks to divert certain nonviolent offenders into substance abuse treatment rather than incarceration. Specifically, the bill establishes parole eligibility for qualified nonviolent offenders who are ordered to undergo drug or alcohol treatment. The Governor’s plan will rehabilitate nonviolent offenders and give them a meaningful opportunity to become productive citizens. Additional bills signed into law by Governor Ehrlich include:

HB 86 – Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities: This bill establishes the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

SB 620 – Money Follows the Individual Accountability Act: This legislation requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to assist nursing facility residents in transferring to home- and community-based settings.

SB 738 – University System Governing Authority: Provides that the authority of the Board of Regents may not be superceded by any other State agency except by provision of law.

SB 570 – Limited Health Benefit Plan: This bill establishes a limited health benefit plan that may be sold in the small group health insurance market.

A complete list of bills signed into law can be found at www.gov.state.md.us/billsignings2004.html.

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NHEST Inc. Launches "Wilderlust"

BRADFORD, MAINE -- NHEST Inc. announces the publication of a new book entitled "Wilderlust." Eighteen authors show how blind and visually impaired people enjoy the outdoors.

"It is not only a matter of enjoyment," NHEST CEO Don Tarbet explains. "People can affect the world around them, no matter what their sensory packages. Our writers not only participate in the world, they help shape it."

"The World Health Organization estimates there are 180 million blind or visually impaired people worldwide," says "Wilderlust" editor, Chrissy Laws. "So this book serves an important purpose. We want to inspire people to get outside and to get involved."

"I've been visually impaired my whole life," Laws explains. "And when I read about others like me who hike, garden, fish, ski, and do other things, it helps me realize that I can do all those things, too. That's what we want our readers to discover."

"Whether you are visually impaired or fully sighted," Tarbet says, "you can learn from these active and aware people. You can learn about your world and more importantly, about yourself."

"Wilderlust" comes in regular print, large print, and CD-ROM versions; it will soon be available on audio CD. Visit www.nhest.org or call (207) 327-1453 for more information.

NHEST Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides educational and recreational opportunities for blind and visually impaired people of all ages. Visit www.nhest.org to learn more about NHEST Inc.

Excerpt from Hiking Blind - Sue Wiygul Martin

One time on Parkman Mountain, the hike began with a stroll up one of the carriage roads. Then we turned left as it led us into the woods. Most trails in Maine are pretty rough and this was no exception. I extended my hiking stick, slowed my pace and tried to get into cautious mode which this kind of trail requires.

We began to ascend. Soon I was confronted with a steep rock face that had to be scaled; there was no way Beverly could guide me up such an incline. I took off her leash, draped it over my shoulder and commanded her to go forward until she could guide me no farther. I dropped both her harness handle and my hiking stick—I let it dangle by its strap from my wrist. Then I moved cautiously forward, feeling for handholds and footholds on the rock face. I climbed the rock outcropping. I swung the hiking stick back into my right hand and dropped my left hand to my side. Beverly had found her own way up the rocks and moved smoothly into position by my side. My hand dropped onto the harness handle and off we went.

Jim and I have learned a lot since our first hike on that smooth, well-defined trail. The steep, more-challenging paths are riskier, but the freedom and confidence that come from hiking make pushing beyond the "limits" all worthwhile.

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Around the World:

GTECH Provides Terminals for Spanish Organization for Blind

WEST GREENWICH, Rhode Island--GTECH Holdings Corporation (NYSE: GTK) today announced that Organizacion Nacional de Ciegos Espanoles (ONCE) has exercised an option in its existing agreement with GTECH for the provision of an additional 7,000 handheld lottery terminals. ONCE, also known as the Spanish National Organization for the Blind, is authorized by the Spanish government to administer lottery and wagering games in Spain.

"Last year, GTECH collaborated with ONCE to bring their existing lottery activities online, and introduced a new handheld lottery terminal to the thousands of visually impaired retailers who sell lottery tickets," said GTECH President and CEO W. Bruce Turner. "We appreciate ONCE's continued confidence in GTECH's products and services. With this new order, ONCE's handheld terminal count is expected to rise to approximately 14,000 by the end of this year."

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Climbing Blind: Tibet Expedition 2004

As some of you know, in a few days I leave for Lhasa, Tibet for the start of an unprecedented adventure. Accompanied by five Everest teammates, two new members, and my dad, we will train a small group of blind Tibetan teenagers and their blind teacher to climb using some of my specially-adapted techniques; and then, in the fall, attempt to lead them to the summit of a 23,000-foot peak north of Mt. Everest.

In the words of Sabriye Tenberken, founder of Braille Without Borders, a Lhasa-based training center for the blind where the Tibetan teens attend school, "After Erik reached the top of the world, our Tibetan neighbor rushed into our center and told the kids about his success.

Some of them didn't believe it at first, but then there was a mutual understanding: if Erik could climb to the top of the world, we also can overcome our borders and show to the world that we can accomplish great things."

Although the mountains are the setting for our journey, it isn't my purpose to make future climbers out of these teens. Instead, I see this project as the second half of a story begun on Mt. Everest in 2001. A blind man standing on top of the world went a long way in reshaping people's perceptions about what is possible in our lives. If we can now enable six blind Tibetan teens to achieve their own Everest-like summits, our message will permeate through the third world and carve out new opportunities for young people around the globe, no matter what their challenges may be. There is a blurry line separating what the world sees as impossible yet what we know in our hearts to be fully possible. If I can find a way to reach out across race and culture, and shatter the boundaries which have been established through generations for the disabled people of Tibet, and pass on to them that same sense of joy and achievement with which I have been blessed, it will be the fulfillment of my climbing career.

The educational outreach of Climbing Blind is an important focus. Integro and ccintellect, Denver-based website and design companies, have developed www.climbingblind.org, http://www.climbingblind.org/, a fully accessible website with captioned photos, audio and video clips, and written dispatches. Young people and adults around the world, both sighted and blind, can follow the adventure throughout, and will even be able to interact with the team along the trail in real time. Telenor, the climb's official communications sponsor, and Brunton are enabling the transmission of videos, audio clips, and dispatches from the field. We'll be sure to send you regular updates.

Our crew will also train the Tibetan students to use specially-adapted computers, donated by Freedom Scientific and Hewlett Packard, so they can share their thoughts and feelings during the expedition and throughout the spring/summer as they train for the fall climb. The Lhasa school and its students will also benefit from curriculums for the blind, in Chinese and English, courtesy of the Hadley School for the Blind, which are already used in an approved educational program in the PRC. The expedition will be captured in a documentary film by Steven Haft, producer of many Hollywood blockbusters such as Dead Poets' Society. After the project, we'll develop a curriculum, including the film and material from the website, which we'll distribute through schools and disability organizations.

On the mountain, it's amazing to see how a diverse team comes together: climbers fixing lines up steep sections of the mountain, others setting up camps and building snow walls, and still others organizing from base camp and from behind the scenes. I've been equally impressed by the many committed sponsors who have come together to make this project happen. Mountain Hardwear, GoLite, Trango, Bolle, Leki, Montrail, Sterling Rope, and Thorlo have all donated essential mountain gear to the team; organizations like Hewlett Packard, Toro, Medtronic, American Foundation for the Blind, AOL, Woodlynde School, and Foundation for a Better Life have all helped to fund the project website, in

coordination with the National Sports Center for the Disabled; and dozens of Outreach Partners are helping to spread the message of the adventure.

To follow along on the adventure, to meet the team, to join our worldwide discussion, go to http://www.climbingblind.org. On the homepage, click on CommunityBase Camp. Ask your questions. Make your comments. Register your classroom. In short, come with us to the summit.

Climb High !

Erik Weihenmayer

For Erik's Corporate Events/Speaking Engagements: Leading Authorities at 202/783-0300; www.leadingauthorities.com

For Books and Posters: Ben Witherell, 303/903-8824 or

ben@touchthetop.com <mailto:ben@touchthetop.com

For All Other Matters: Ed Weihenmayer at 904/321-1938 or

ed@touchthetop.com mailto:ed@touchthetop.com

Erik's Website: www.touchthetop.com

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Consumer News:

Project Insight

The Florida Council of the Blind is an organization made up of blind people and their friends and families. This blindness organization serves the state of Florida with chapters in most areas. Project Insight is an outreach of this wonderful and helpful group. Project Insight is a service, which would benefit those who have lost or are loosing their sight.

Project Insight is a one-stop phone number to call to find out about agencies serving the blind; support groups and businesses that provide special equipment for those who have little or no vision.

There are trained peer volunteers throughout the state who are sight impaired themselves and who are available to assist callers and meet their needs.

Here is how it works: The caller simply calls the (800) number, 1-800-267-4448 or 1-800-26sight. The person answering the phone then assesses the needs of the caller and takes contact information to give to a peer volunteer in the caller’s area. The peer volunteer makes contact with the caller and gives support with vision loss issues and gives out information about resources on a local level.

If you know someone who is loosing their sight, please give them this toll-free number. They will never feel that they are facing their vision problems alone because they will have the support of someone who has been through many of the same things they are going through and has learned to cope with vision loss.

The Florida Council of the Blind cares and understands the problems associated with vision loss. Project Insight can help. Please call 1-800-267-4448. You have lost your sight, not your vision.

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NFBF UPDATE

For those who might ask, what has the NFB of Florida been doing for the past twelve months or so, I cannot think of a more fitting response than to give you the a look at this year’s "Presidential Report." A more detailed version of these remarks was delivered, at the 2004 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.

At our 2003 convention, we adopted a new constitution. It changes the way we conduct some of the business of the affiliate. It does not diminish our dedication or significantly change our direction.

In July, 2003, NFBF was extremely well represented at the 2004 national NFB Convention, with close to 100 of us present and registered, putting us in the top ten states for attendance.

I was pleased to be able to present a check for approximately $104,000.00 at the National Board meeting, with a pledge of another approximately $108,000, which was transferred in October.

On July 26, James and Patti Johnson went to Pensacola to represent the NFBF. A constitution was ratified and a new chapter was born, with Judy August as president.

In October, most of our chapters held white cane events. Some of us secured proclamations from local government officials.

On October 4, we all lost a dear friend, and the Jacksonville Chapter and the NFBF lost more than we can afford to lose. Early that morning, Jim Bowen passed away. Jim and Barry are probably the two people who deserve the largest amount of the credit for this convention’s being held in Jacksonville. You will hear more about Jim, and about another dear friend to us all, Barry Feazell, later. It is these two men to whom this convention was dedicated.

On December 6, several members of the Chapter Building Committee and the State Board went to Brooksville, to attend a meeting which would end in the formation of the Hernando/East Pasco Chapter. David Bearden is President of that chapter, which is quickly becoming known as a force to be respected and reckoned with in its local area.

January 30 was the Grand Opening of what came to be called the Kenneth Jernigan Center for the Blind, in Baltimore. Thirteen Floridians attended. Most of us who attended the Grand Opening stayed for the Washington Seminar in early February. We visited the offices of all of our representatives, but did not get to keep appointments we had made with the Senators, because of the discovery of Risin contamination.

In March, the Fundraising Committee, chaired by Dwight Sayer, worked hard on two fundraisers—the "Your Ticket to Paradise" raffle and our long term project to attract planned giving interest.

On April 18, two busses traveled throughout the state, picking up Federationists to attend NFBF’s version of the Washington Event—the Tallahassee Seminar. About 40 of our members were in attendance. Twelve of our fifteen chapters were represented. Many people worked to bring this event to its successful conclusion. Gloria, as chairperson of both the Legislative and Events Committees, deserves a special thanks for all of the work and planning she put into Tallahassee Event, as well as this convention.

As well as serving as First Vice President, Kathy Davis has served as Scholarship Chairperson and as Chairperson of the Chapter President’s Committee. In past years, we have had chapter presidents remark that they were not receiving enough information from national and the state board of directors. I trust Kathy has done much to satisfy the wishes of any president who might have felt that he or she was not receiving enough e-mail. Now, if only some of you presidents would respond in kind!

Second Vice President JD Townsend has worked hard on many state projects. Most recently, JD has been serving as Chairperson of the Resolutions Committee. This is a very important task, as Resolutions are one of the important ways that this organization decides what its policies and actions will be from year to year, and in the very long term future.

Carol Feazell is our State secretary. She creates the minutes for our board meetings. Our board meetings are usually held by teleconference. Imagine a meeting-of the-minds of nine opinionated, outspoken men and women, who are tasked with conducting a meeting to transact business which might be reasonably taken care of in six or eight hours. Now, imagine that this business is taken care of in two or three hours. Carol is the one who is able to take part in this frenetic activity, while acquiring enough information to be able to turn all of what takes place into several pages of readable text, which, when referred to, will remind us all exactly what went on in that meeting, weeks, months, or years later. She does a great job.

Dr. Tom Hartig, besides being our Treasure, has been able to grow the NFB Newsline service to the point that Florida is now the number one state, in terms of Newsline users and the hours they utilize the service.

Throughout the year, Carolyn Lapp has managed to keep us supplied with valuable, timely information, via the Florida Federation Focus, which she has managed write and edit, which means pleading, nagging, and threatening chapter presidents and committee chairs, to get their articles in on time, or somewhere in the same month as her deadline.

Besides being chairperson of the transpiration subcommittee of the Legislative Committee, David Evans has worked hard to get the cassette edition of the Florida Federation duplicated and mailed to NFBF members. He has been a valuable board member. He has chosen not to run for his office, giving all of us attending this convention the very important task of replacing him on the state board of directors. We will all miss having David as a board member, but will look forward to working with him as we continue the mission of the NFBF.

That is all for my report for 2004. There is so much more that I could have reported on. We have accomplished so very much. But there is so much more to do.

I hope that we will all resolve to accomplish even more in the coming year, to work even more closely as an affiliate, and to be an ever more vital part of the national organization that is the National Federation of the Blind.

Please be assured that the NFB of Florida will continue to be a vital and integral part of the National Federation of the Blind and will continue to do its part to meet the challenges of changing what it means to be blind in Florida and throughout the nation.

Please feel free to contact me for more information about our organization, or any other information you might need about blindness.

Thank you all!

Dan Hicks, President

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

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Writer's Corner

Good-Bye Old Friend

By Peter Poliey III

Together, I walked many a mile with you

always guiding my way.

You never made an excuse or complained.

I simply picked up the harness and you were there;

Know that without you I was incomplete,

but with you, I was able to take on the world.

No matter where I went you were my guide.

The things I could not see, you saw for me,

and kept me from harm.

You became part of me and with you I was complete;

And for this my faithful friend, I will always be grateful.

In my mind the obstacles that lay in front of me

were so hard to overcome, but with you by my side,

and the wag of your tail, gave me the confidence to overcome. With your eyes guiding me, the paths and roads I took were clear. Now you are called back, for your job was done. You have devoted your life to make mine easier and all I can say is, thanks old friend for leading my way.

Editor's note: This is a poem about Peter's first guide dog, Tabitha. Tabby was born the same day and year he was hit by a car and lost his sight.

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Tools for Living:

Trekker 2.0

A GPS System for the Blind and Visually Impaired

A revolutionary system that uses GPS and digital maps to help blind persons find their way in urban and rural areas Trekker users can pinpoint exactly where they are, learn about area attractions, and find out how to get to specific destinations. GPS lets them know their location, anywhere in the world, with continually growing precision.

Fitting in the palm of the hand, Trekker offers the visually impaired greater freedom, raising their confidence in their ability to travel near or far, for business or pleasure. It also helps them access and enjoy the most valuable and interesting opportunities their surroundings have to offer.

"Trekker gets me where I'm going."

Trekker helps guide the visually impaired through their environment. It complements existing aids (white canes and guide dogs). It does not replace them. Sleek and discreet, Trekker provides information in the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and written notes.

A wide variety of maps are available covering most Western countries. Maps can be bought online and downloaded, or ordered and delivered on CD or Compact Flash™ cards. User-friendly Trekker employs off-the-shelf hardware for GPS input. Trekker is fully upgradeable, so it can expand to accommodate new hardware platforms and more detailed geographic information.

Main features:

-Real-time information detection (Intersections and Point of Interest)
-Real-time/offline map browsing (Route Preview)
-Route planning and recording (Guiding Rules)
-Flexible level of vocal information
-Vocal Point of Interest creation
-Access to GPS status information

Weight: 600 g (1.3 lbs)
Size (W'H'D): 87mm (3.4") x 134mm (5.26") x 27mm (1")

"I couldn't do without my Trekker GPS. It's just as useful on daily commutes as on business trips.

"Before I leave on a trip, I download the map for my destination city from the VisuAide Web site. Then, once I'm comfortably settled on the plane, I can start exploring the city using the Browsing Offline mode. Trekker points out attractions near my hotel—restaurants, stores, museums, and so on. I can save talking notes about points of interest—for example, a reminder about a restaurant someone really liked.

"Evenings before business appointments, I often have a little free time to explore the city with my Trekker. Once I'm on the sidewalk, cane in hand, the magic of GPS goes to work. As I walk along, Trekker tells me about points of interest on the way, and the name of streets and intersections. I no longer have to stop people to ask where such-and-such a place is. Using the Where Am I feature, I can find out my position at any time, the name of the street I'm on, and the approximate address.

"In the morning, I check my Trekker to learn the route to my appointments. With the help of instructions obtained beforehand, I visualize my route in Browsing Offline mode. It's like using a talking map. Once I leave the hotel, my Trekker tells me how many streets I still have to cross before the intersection where I need to turn right. If I try to turn onto a dead end, Trekker says 'Can't go that way.' VisuAide's Trekker has truly revolutionized my travel independence—around town and on the road."

Andre Dubois, Technical Advisor

Motorized Mode

Trekker 2.0 can now be used in a moving vehicle. The user can access information while traveling by taxi or bus to know in advance intersections to be crossed, when a destination is approaching and what route the driver is following.

Route Mode

Trekker can now provide an itinerary by simply entering the addresses of the departure point and destination. It's also possible to consult the provided itinerary in Browsing Offline mode.

Free Mode

This feature allows reception and entry of information when away from street networks, such as parks, sporting areas, parking lots, university campuses, etc. The user can create points of interest, for instance, and find out the main thoroughfares surrounding.

For Product information contact:

Tel. (450) 463-1717, Toll free: 1 888 723-7273 Canada & U.S.A., Fax: (450) 463-0120 ,
Email: info@visuaide.com

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Talking Tactile Tablet

Touch Graphics has begun work on a sophisticated Authoring Tool that will allow teachers of blind and visually impaired students to create their own talking tactile pictures for the talking tactile tablet, a new computer peripheral device. The Talking Tactile Tablet, better known as the TTT, is an innovative device that plugs into the USB port of a computer. With the Authoring Tool software package simple to complex graphics with audio capabilities can be created in just a matter of minutes.

Under a two year grant from the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the United States Department of Education Touch Graphics Company will be giving away 75 TTTs and the Authoring Tool software package. A contest is being held April 1 to July 31, 2004. To learn more about the TTT and to enter the contest visit the web site: http://www.ttt-at.com/ We have a demo of the TTT and Authoring Tool that will show you the power of this new and exciting tool.

As a person with a visual impairment myself and as someone who prepares teachers, I think the TTT is really going to enhance access to tactile graphics for children and adults with visual impairments. I'd be happy to share more information with any of you. Contact L. Penny Rosenblum at rosenblu@U.arizona.edu.

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Website of the Month

The International Blind Sport Association (IBSA) constitutes the supreme international authority on sports matters for the blind and visually impaired and has the broadest authority and functions that could correspond to any international federation with respect to each sporting specialty.

For more information visit the website at: http://www.ibsa.es/eng/.

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Announcing Virtual Pencil Algebra

Henter Math is pleased to announce the release of a beta version of Virtual Pencil Algebra, computer software for interactive access to algebra for students who are blind or visually impaired. This standard Windows application presents the equations visually for the sighted teachers, and audibly for the blind students.

VPAlgebra provides solutions to the basic issues that a blind student encounters when dealing with simple Algebraic equations:

-The presentation of the Algebraic equation audibly in an understandable fashion, so blind students can more effectively read and understand the equation.

-A mechanism to navigate around an Algebraic equation, including equation specific location information.

-A mechanism to input data and manipulate the equation, making it possible for a blind student to work through and solve the problem.

Using VPAlgebra a blind student can read, create, or manipulate equations involving a variety of elements and expressions, such as quantities, radicals, exponents, subscripts, matrices, fractions, and Greek symbols. VPAlgebra can be used by the student just like a pencil working through the problem step by step creating new equations. Teachers can use VPAlgebra to create an assignment or test, password protect it, and then send it to the student via email, save it to a diskette, print it or emboss it in Braille. The password prevents students from changing the assignment. The same assignment can be printed-out for able-bodied students in the class, saving the teacher a lot of time.

Future versions of this product will handle higher levels of math, such as advanced algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and graphs. There will also be support for nemeth Braille output on embossers and refreshable Braille displays, alternative input devices for motor impaired students, and enhanced visual/audio displays for learning disabled students. For this first version a blind student will need the Jaws screen reader to work with VPAlgebra. We plan to configure other screen readers and screen magnifiers to work with this product in the future.

You can read more about VPAlgebra at www.HenterMath.com, Beta info link, and download the beta version for a free trial. Henter Math Vision: To make math education accessible and positive for all pencil impaired students, adding to the learning experience, multiplying academic successes and broadening career opportunities.

Henter Math, LLC

P.O. Box 40430

St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0430

Info@HenterMath.com www.HenterMath.com

(888) 533-MATH (6284) – Toll Free, (727) 347-1313 – Phone, or (727) 302-9422 – Fax.

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Announcements

Emil Fries School of Piano Tuning and Technology

is hiring an Executive Director

The Board of Trustees of the Emil Fries School of Piano Tuning and Technology seeks a unique individual to provide leadership and direction for a special school that provides education and training to students from throughout the world. The Mission of this 54 year old School is "Providing specialized, quality education in piano tuning and repair for the blind and visually impaired". The School’s Purpose includes:

-Providing specialized training in piano service to blind and visually impaired students. Sighted students are also accepted for enrollment.

-Operating a demonstration and resource center for piano technicians.

-Providing students with the necessary skills to operate a successful small business.

-Enabling students to obtain additional training necessary for successful careers, such as daily living skills, organizational skills, orientation and mobility skills, and business skills. The School is private, self supporting, has a staff of eight and operates a piano sales and service business that generates most of its $400,000 annual operating revenue.

The Executive Director reports to the Board and is responsible for the overall success of the School. The Executive Director is expected to work with the Board in direction planning and implementation to assure the Mission and Values of the School are upheld. The Board believes that the School can expand its services and impact, and is looking for an entrepreneurial Executive Director with the leadership and networking skills to make it happen.

Requires a bachelors degree in an appropriate field and/or at least two years successful experience as an executive director or general manager of an entrepreneurial organization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have strong leadership, communication, marketing, recruiting, fund raising, and management skills. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, problem solving and team building skills are also required, along with honesty, enthusiasm, and a positive, can-do attitude. You must believe in the potential of blind and visually impaired people, and have the ability to recruit students and market the School, its programs and the capabilities of its graduates. A working knowledge of piano tuning and technology would be a plus.

Compensation is expected to be $42K to $55K, depending on qualifications, plus a benefits package.

Send resume, salary history, and cover letter explaining how you meet these requirements to: Search Committee, c/o Ms Janet Merz, 2214 East 13th St., Vancouver, Washington 98661; or fax to 360-737-2120, or e-mail to janet.merz@wssb.org.

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National Program Director for Blind Rehabilitation Service

The Rehabilitation Strategic Health Care Group in the Office of Patient Care Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles H. Crawford as the National Program Director of Blind Rehabilitation Service. The Secretary of

Veterans Affairs approved the appointment of Mr. Crawford as the new National Program Director on May 24, 2004. Mr. Crawford assumed his new position on June 1, 2004.

Mr. Crawford served as the Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, Washington, DC, for five years beginning in November 1998. Prior to moving to Washington, he was the Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind from 1984 through 1998. Mr. Crawford is an active volunteer and advocate for the blind and disabled. He received numerous awards including the Morris Frank award for distinguished service to the blind, from The Seeing Eye, a leadership award for developing technology for the blind, given by the Massachusetts Projects with Industry, the Access award from Microsoft which resulted in Microsoft making its software accessible for the blind, and the George Card Award from the American Council of the Blind. Mr. Crawford was elected as the President of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. He attended the Inter-American University, Puerto Rico from 1966-1970.

Mr. Crawford completed the Senior Management Training Program at the Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, and New Management Strategies and

Creative Approaches to Computer Utilization program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Crawford is also fluent in Spanish.

As the Director, Blind Rehabilitation National Program Office, Mr. Crawford reports directly to the Chief Consultant, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group (SHG), Patient Care Services, and has oversight responsibilities of VA's comprehensive blind rehabilitation services to veterans. The National Director leads in guiding effective criteria and standards; consultation with field stations in rehabilitation related matters; and assessing trends and development in rehabilitation and other related fields to predict future impact on blind rehabilitation in the VA Health Care System. As National Director, Mr. Crawford will serve as the principal liaison with Veterans Service Organizations concerning issues related to blind rehabilitation.

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Below are two job postings for Bender Consulting Services, Inc. We provide consulting in technology and create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The first position is for a unix computer operator in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The second is for a QA Analyst in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Job Posting: Unix Computer Operator; Cambridge, MAassachusetts.

Bender Consulting Services, Inc.

Providing consulting in technology and creating employment opportunities for all people with disabilities

Title: Unix Computer Operator

Contact Person: Nathan Gambill

E-mail address: resume@benderconsult.com

Fax: 412-787-7178

Specialty Area(s): Information Technology

Experience Level: Entry-Level

Company Description: Bender Consulting Services, Inc. (BCS) is a for-profit, technology consulting firm that focuses on employing technology professionals with disabilities. Our President and CEO, Joyce A. Bender, received the 1999 President's Award, the highest honor bestowed by the President of the United States upon an American who furthers the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities. For more information, please visit us on the World Wide Web at: www.benderconsult.com.

Position Description:

Responsibilities include the following:

-Will be a key contributor on the Operations Support Specialist team supporting the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS).

-Responsible for daily maintenance of ETMS in a 24 x7 environment.

-Will support, maintain, and enhance the application software used to manage ETMS, a real-time mission critical software system, in a multi-user environment.

-Use software, hardware, and network tools to troubleshoot, identify, and diagnose problems affecting performance (network connectivity, communication, workstation, and application problems) by phone and on-site.

-Serve as contact for users to obtain clarification of these problems and provide resolution for system failures or degradation.

-Document system errors, problem calls, software, hardware, and communication failures using an on-line log.

-Handle customer concerns and inquiries, and ensure that the customer receives a rapid, professional, and accurate response to any questions or problem by resolving it directly or directing the call to the appropriate group.

Qualifications:

-Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or the equivalent is preferred. An Associate's degree or equivalent technical training/experience will be considered.

-Must have a strong background working with UNIX operating systems, preferably HPUX, in a production environment.

-Knowledge of LINUX operating system is helpful.

-Experience with UNIX commands and directory structures. Knowledge of UNIX shell scripting, PERL, and HTML are helpful.

-Understanding of network components including switches, routers, firewalls, hubs, and other security devices are helpful.

-Will work in a mission critical 24x7 operation, the successful candidate must be willing to work 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift, holidays and weekends as required.

-Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment, with a professional attitude and good communication skills.

Job Posting: QA Analyst; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Title: Entry-Level Quality Assurance Analyst

Contact Person: Nathan Gambill

E-mail address: resume@benderofcanada.com

Fax: 412-787-7178

Specialty Area(s): Information Technology

Experience Level: Entry-Level

Company Description: Bender Consulting Services of Canada, Inc. (BCSC) is a for-profit, technology consulting firm that focuses on employing technology professionals with disabilities. Our President and CEO, Joyce A. Bender, received the 1999 President's Award, the highest honor bestowed by the President of the United States, upon an individual who furthers the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities. For more information, please visit our company Bender Consulting Services of Canada on the World Wide Web at: www.benderofcanada.com.

Position Description:

Responsibilities include the following:

-Responsible for the verification of the standard operating environment(SOE) including the operation systems, applications, and patches for servers and desktop machines.

-Will perform generation and maintenance of quality records.

-Establish quality processes within the development organization and

the QA department.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or the

equivalent is preferred. An Associate's degree or equivalent technical training will be considered.

-Broad background in Microsoft computing environment with an emphasis on network computers, troubleshooting, and desktop and server systems.

-Highly prefer MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), but not required.

-Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment, with a professional attitude and strong communication skills.

Competitive Jobs Mean Freedom

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Wizzard Software Corp. & MedivoxRx Technologies Inc. Continue Developments of ``Rex'', the Talking Prescription Bottle

(OTCBB:WIZD) and MedivoxRx Technologies Inc., a

division of Wizzard, has announced they are in the process of completing development of the next generation of "Rex", their talking pill bottle, for release in the next 90 days.

The new version of "Rex" is fully automated through text-to-speech technology, allowing pharmacists to electronically record the label information to the pill bottle in a natural sounding computer generated voice using the pharmacy's current software and data. Not only will this increase the speed of recording to the bottle by making it a one-step process, it also eliminates room for error by transferring information directly from the pharmacy's existing database as opposed to the pharmacist recording the information.

Created by a VA Pharmacist and VIST coordinator who recognized the need for an assistive aid device for seeing impaired individuals, the current version of Rex is an inexpensive, convenient and completely self-contained device that allows users to hear prescription information and instructions with the push of a button. The latest version is currently in use by VA pharmacies, certain state agencies, private agencies, and individuals.

The current version of Rex has already tested positively with many visually impaired individuals.

Bill Scott, 42 of Portland, Oregon, lost his sight in a bad car accident nearly six years ago. "Whenever I had a bunch of medications that I had to take at the same time, I would mark the bottles with rubber bands. One rubber band meant this, and two rubber bands meant that. I would get confused sometimes and would not take my medicine until I could get a sighted person to come to my house and help me out. I knew there had to be a better way to keep track of my medicine. I was introduced to the talking pill bottles at a National Federation for the Blind convention in Louisville, Kentucky and have been using them ever since. I've talked to many people who have vision impairment, and they think it's a great idea. It's definitely helped my independence. I can go into my medicine cabinet, and whether it's aspirin or a prescription pill, it's a lot easier to know what I'm taking. It's so great that you can feel that much more independent because you have control over your medication."

Erna Reves of Nashville, Illinois has been using the talking bottles since late 2003. "I'm 90 years old and have macular degeneration, diabetes, and osteoporosis. I have to take all different kinds of pills, and the bottles make it easy for me to fill up my pill box for the week. All I have to do is press the button, it tells me exactly what I need to know, and I can have all my daily dosages. I think it's wonderful!"

Rex not only benefits the individual user, the issuing pharmacy, and the healthcare system. There are approximately 3.2 billion prescriptions filled each year in the U.S. and pharmaceutical errors create $45-$80 billion in additional medical spending with the number one error being identified as labeling problems and education.

Wizzard also plans to eventually make the talking bottles available in retail pharmacies throughout the world. For more information on MedivoxRx and to hear an audio sample of the talking bottle, please visit www.rxtalks.com.

About Wizzard Software

Founded in 1996, Wizzard Software has become a leader in the speech technology application development market. Wizzard architects solutions to business problems using its expertise in consulting, speech development tools and building speech based applications for the Desktop and Internet. Wizzard has achieved global recognition because of its expertise with voice communication whether it is via PC or telephone. Wizzard's successes have lead to expanding opportunities in both the government and commercial sectors. In April of 2004, Wizzard acquired the Pittsford, NY company MedivoxRx Technologies. Founded in 2000, MedivoxRx is the originator of "Rex", the talking prescription pill bottle, which "talks" to the patient, allowing them to distinguish what type of medication is in the bottle and hear information on dosage and refill instructions. Additional information can be found at www.rxtalks.com. More information on Wizzard can be found in Wizzard's Investor's Corner www.wizzardsoftware.com.

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Recipes

Crudites with Savory Cheese Dip

(makes about 24 servings)

Crudites:

4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

4 medium celery ribs, cut into sticks

1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

1 large green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips

2 small zucchini, cut into diagonal slices

1 bunch radishes, cleaned, trimmed, and cut in half

1 10-ounce bag cocktail cherry tomatoes, rinsed

1 medium cucumber, cut into sticks or slices

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Savory Cheese Dip:

3 cups 1% low-fat cottage cheese

3 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise

1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

6 scallions, white part plus 2 inches green, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste

3/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Prepare the vegetables. Pack like vegetables in self-sealing plastic bags. Add a few ice cubes and seal. Refrigerate until ready to assemble on a large decorative tray, leaving room for the bowl of dip in the center.

For the dip: Place all dip ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth using on/off pulses and scraping down the bowl once or twice. Transfer dip to a serving bowl; refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, place the dip in the center of the vegetables. Serve at once. (If it's quite hot, place a few ice cubes over the vegetables to keep them cool and crisp.)

Per serving (dip only - 2 tablespoons): 28 calories (30% calories from fat), 4 g protein, 1 g total fat (0.3 g saturated fat), 1 g carbohydrate, trace dietary fiber, 2 mg cholesterol, 130 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 lean meat

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Smoky Brisket Sandwiches with Barbecue Sauces (makes 24 servings with leftovers)

2 whole beef briskets, 6 pounds each

presoaked mesquite, hickory, and/or apple wood chips (optional)

1 Recipe Texas Barbecue Sauce

1 Recipe Carolina Barbecue Sauce

24 Kaiser rolls, split

Spice Rub:

3 tablespoons chili powder

3 tablespoons paprika

2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon crushed dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground cumin

salt (optional)

Combine the ingredients for the spice rub. Store in a covered jar until ready to use.

Rub the spice mixture into both sides of the briskets, coating evenly. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. Return to room temperature before cooking.

To cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 325°. Wrap the briskets separately in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in a shallow baking pan on a rack. Fill the bottom of the pan with 1/2 inch of water. Bake for five to six hours, until the meat is very tender, adding more water to the bottom of the pan, if needed.

Light a grill. Add presoaked wood chips (if using). Unwrap the briskets and grill over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes per side, until meat is nicely browned.

Transfer meat to a carving board and let stand for 15 minutes before thinly slicing across the grain. (May be done ahead to this point: spread the top of each brisket with one cup of one of the barbecue sauces, rewrap in foil, and refrigerate.)

To reheat the brisket. place the wrapped packages in a 300° (149°C) oven for about 1 hour, until meat is hot.

Just before serving, reheat the barbecue sauces to a simmer. Transfer the hot meat to a serving platter and place a basket filled with the sliced rolls alongside. Offer the sauces in decorative bowls to spoon over the beef as your guests assemble their own sandwiches.

Texas Barbecue Sauce:

2 teaspoon olive oil

2 large sweet onions, 8 ounces each, finely chopped

2 jalapeño chiles, seeded and minced

2 large cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tablespoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups ketchup

2 cups bottled chile sauce

½ cup molasses

½ cup white wine vinegar

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

2 large bay leaves, broken in half

salt (optional) to taste

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onions, chile, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until onions are limp, about five minutes. Stir in the dry mustard, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until spices are fragrant.

Add the remaining ingredients; stir to blend well. Simmer gently, uncovered, stirring often for about 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Use the sauce at once or cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Reheat before using. Makes seven cups sauce.

Carolina Barbecue Sauce:

4 cups white wine vinegar

1 ½ cups ketchup

spoonable sugar substitute to equal 2/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

salt (optional) to taste

In a medium saucepan, mix together the vinegar, ketchup, sugar substitute, honey, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt (if using). Simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Use the sauce at once or cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Reheat before using. Makes six cups sauce.

Per serving (roll + 3 ounces beef & 2 tablespoons Texas barbecue sauce): 374 calories (27% calories from fat), 32 g protein, 11 g total fat (4.2 g saturated fat), 38 g carbohydrate, 2 g dietary fiber, 79 mg cholesterol, 617 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 carbohydrate (2 bread/starch), 1 vegetable

Per serving (roll + 3 ounces beef & 2 tablespoons Carolina barbecue sauce): 374 calories (27% calories from fat), 31 g protein, 11 g total fat (4.2 g saturated fat), 35 g carbohydrate, 1 g dietary fiber, 79 mg cholesterol, 461 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 carbohydrate (2 bread/starch), 1 vegetable

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Cabbage and Bell Pepper Slaw

(makes 24 servings)

8 cups shredded green cabbage

1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

4 scallions, white part only, thinly sliced

1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

1/2 cup 1% buttermilk

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar or sugar substitute

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/8 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

salt (optional) and freshly ground pepper to taste

In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, bell pepper, and scallion.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over cabbage mixture; toss. Use at once or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Per serving: 30 calories (53% calories from fat), 1 protein, 2 g total fat (0.4 g saturated fat), 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g dietary fiber, 2 mg cholesterol, 54 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: ½ fat (vegetable portion is FREE)

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Carrot Cake

(makes 20 servings)

refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray

2 large egg whites, at room temperature

1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2cups unbleached all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup shredded carrots

4 ounces unsweetened crushed pineapple with juice

1/4 cup dark raisins

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Position the top rack in the center of the oven. Lightly coat a 9 inch bundt pan with cooking spray. Dust with flour and tap out excess.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, yogurt, oil, applesauce, brown sugar, and vanilla. On a piece of waxed paper, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add to egg-applesauce mixture, stirring until incorporated.

Stir in the carrots. Drain and reserve the juice from the pineapple. Stir the drained pineapple and raisins into the cake batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the edges and center of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert onto a rack to cool.

When ready to serve, transfer cake to a serving platter.

Per serving (cake only): 103 calories (20% calories from fat), 3 g protein, 2 g total fat (0.2 g saturated fat), 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g dietary fiber, 123 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 1 ½ carbohydrate (1 ½ read/starch)

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To Our Readers

We 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: via email monthly email subscription with a link to that month’s news letter and an MS Word file, http://dbs.myflorida.com/newsletter/index.shtml (for current or previous issues), and via Newsline.

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 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 then will 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 then be asked to select option 2.

Guidelines for Newsletter Submissions
1. Do not include any information within your article that could identify a client. This includes last names or employment information specific enough to determine that someone is a DBS client.
2. If a client wishes to be named in an article or wishes that information be included that could lead to them being identified (i.e. name of small business), the newsletter staff must have a permission form signed by the client specifying they acknowledge and allow DBS to make their name public.
3. If you have photos you wish to accompany your story, the newsletter staff must have copies of completed photo permission forms for every individual who appears including DBS employees. If individuals are under 18 the permission forms must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
4. If you wish your article to be accompanied by materials previously printed in another source we must have the following information:
Where the material was originally printed
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The sooner you can provide this information to newsletter staff the more likely it is we will be able to include materials with your article. Newspapers and magazines are not required to give us reprint permission, so there is no guarantee we will be able to include the material.

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