EYE ON DBS
The Florida Division of Blind Services Internal Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 10, November, 2003
EYE ON DBS |
The Florida Division of Blind Services Internal Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 10, November, 2003 |
District 12 serves clients with enthusiasm and compassion. We serve Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, which includes the Florida Keys and Key West. Our area is multicultural serving Hispanics from many different countries, Haitians, native-born Americans and many other countries. Our staff members include individuals who speak Spanish, English and Creole. Enthusiastic and energetic Chenel Chavalier is our representative from the Bureau of Business Enterprise and he speaks French and Creole. We have 21 staff members who provide excellent service to 800-900 clients in all three programs.
Two of our fine staff were recently promoted. Janet Alterman was promoted to Supervisor and Aida Kendrick was promoted to Senior Word Processor.
We were fortunate to obtain four new outstanding individuals in our office to compliment our highly professional and energetic staff.
Linda Solomon is our new Senior Rehabilitation Specialist who is from Long Island, New York. She earned a Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University in New Jersey and has 10 years of counseling/social work experience. She enjoys working at DBS with the clients and staff. She has learned quickly and is doing a great work.
Robert Carroll is our new Customer Service Specialist who started in July and has already placed three clients and has made numerous employer contacts. He is from Delaware and received a Bachelor in Science in Behavioral Science from Wilmington College in New Castle, Delaware. He has seven years experience in rehabilitation including job development and placement. He has enrolled in a Master’s program in counseling at Florida International University. Robert has a gregarious personality, which is extremely helpful with job development. He is also partnering with Sylvia Perez, supported employment counselor at the Miami Lighthouse in various corporate job developing.
Denise Valluerca, a proud recent graduate of Florida State University, is our new Rehabilitation Technician. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is extremely eager to support the VR Senior Rehabilitation Specialists and helps Robert with job development and job coaching. Denise has helped our office tremendously with her work ethic, positive attitude and ability to learn quickly.
Sharon Jadoo is our new word processor who serves Linda Solomon and Juan Guzman. She is from Trinidad and has 10 years of secretarial experience. She is very dependable, hard working and extremely good with the clients. She is easy going and has a pleasant personality.
Bob Seemer conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) meeting on October 3rd at the State Office Building. There were almost 40 participants in this meeting. Lydia Perzoff, ILAP Counselor translated for the Spanish clients. It was very successful.
White Cane and Guide Dog Awareness was a success on October 15th in Coconut Grove at Shake-a-Leg. The sponsors were Division of Blind Services, Shake-A-Leg, Talking Books Library, Rehabilitation Services, Inc., National Federation for the Blind, National Council for the Blind, Miami Lighthouse, City of Miami, Center for Independent Living. The event attracted approximately 200 people and was covered by the press. The agenda was:
10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Welcome/Introduction/Proclamations, Explanation of the White Cane laws, Benefits/Problems
12 p.m.-1p.m.: Lunch provided by Center for Independent Living in Shake-A-Leg, Miami’s new building on Biscayne Bay
1p.m.-on: Free sailing and boating for participants, visually impaired and sighted.
The Marriott International Inc.’s call center is one of our new employers who have expressed interest in having a long relationship with DBS. They have hired two clients who have been employed over 10 months. These clients have been hired to take reservations for the Marriott Hotels. They are both doing a great job. The call center will be moving in November to central Miami and would like to hire more clients after the move.
We have two new contracts as of July 1st for job development and placement. Florida Job Search, Wayne and Carmen Davis, who have given over 30 job leads to DBS clients. Miami Lighthouse has the supported employment contract and are conducting employability skills training and job development and placement.
We have two VR client success stories:
“Christopher” is one client who has been served by two DBS offices. He became a DBS client of the Miami Office during high school. After his first year of Miami Dade Community College, he was forced to relocate due to loss of his home caused by Hurricane Andrew. His case was transferred to Pensacola Community College and he received his Associates Degree. He attended the University of West Florida where he majored in Computer Sciences. He graduated in May of 1998. After graduation he returned to the Miami Office where he immediately began searching for a job on the internet at the encouragement of his counselor. In early July of 1998, he received an invitation to come to Washington and interview for a position at Microsoft. He became a Microsoft employee in August of 1998. He has performed an outstanding job at Microsoft. He works as a developer and trouble shooter in one of Microsoft’s many areas of software development. He makes in excess of $60,000 and is grateful to DBS for enabling him to attain his childhood goal working with computers for Microsoft. He has been there now for over five years. There is an article in the Microsoft employees monthly newspaper for his development (on his own) of software to make Microsoft’s hand held product accessible to the vision impaired.
Ms. X is a 65 year old woman with a diagnosis of glaucoma OU and uncontrolled hypertension, referred herself to DBS. She was insecure, unemployed and highly concerned about her disability. She was living with her sister and had no health insurance. She was provided with supportive counseling and was referred to Jackson Memorial Hospital for a clinic card so she could follow up and manage her physical health and eye problems. Ms. X ‘s counselor, Juan Guzman placed her as a telephonic panel operator where she has been successfully employed. DBS provided her with magnification equipment that became indispensable in the performance of her job duties. Through counseling, referral and supportive services, Ms. X was able to regain self-confidence, the ability to manage her disability independently and the capacity to obtain and maintain employment. Services provided by DBS were significant in the vocational rehabilitation of Ms. X.
Ted Hull was honored as a Man of Motown by the Motown Historical Museum on October 11, 2003.
Hull, who is the district administrator for Tampa, Florida Division of Blind Services, spent six years as Stevie Wonder's private tutor and road manager during the early days of Motown. His memoir, The Wonder Years—My Life and Times with Stevie Wonder, published this past summer, recounts his experiences with the teenaged musical genius and others who helped build Barry Gordy's infant music company into a powerhouse, and made unknown kids from the streets international singing superstars.
"Motown means glamour now," Hull said. "In those days the only glamour was on stage. Off stage, we did what had to be done to make tours a success. And that meant when the bus died, which it did every trip, we all got out and pushed. Including Stevie."
"The Men of Motown" was featured at the Motown Historical Museum's Annual Gala Fundraiser on October 11 at the Detroit Marriot Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. The memorable event began with a private pre-gala reception for Motown alumni, sponsors, and dignitaries. The reception was followed by a strolling supper, brief program, and dancing—plus live performances by the Four Tops and the Funk Brothers before a grand finale tribute.
The Museum is a non-profit 501(c) organization dedicated to preserving Motown history for generations to come. It was founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards, who hired Hull to work with Stevie Wonder in 1963.
The Wonder Years—My life and Times with Stevie Wonder, co-authored by Paula Stahel, is available for order through Booklocker.com, Amazon.com, and bookstores. It recounts how Hull turned the world into Stevie's classroom, and as a man with his own severe visual impairment, helped the teen discover that blindness does not have to impair independence, nor limit life's adventures.
For more information, contact Paula Stahel at 813-251-8187 or via e-mail at pstahel@tampabay.rr.com. Ted Hull can be reached at 813-871-7190.
The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services announces a new Florida addition to the roster of national talking book Quality Assurance (QA) magazines. Vital Speeches of the Day survived a period of intensive development—including 14 separate reviews–to earn acceptance into the Library of Congress QA program in October 2003.
Cathy Johnson, Materials Production Coordinator for the Bureau, initiated volunteer production of the title at Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind (BAAB) studios in Satellite Beach. Despite many technical and artistic demands inherent with Vital Speeches of the Day content, BAAB’s production team handled the challenge with competency and professionalism, according to QA Review Specialist Chris Mundy.
Vital Speeches of the Day publishes transcripts of public speeches and addresses representing a cross-section of contemporary American thought. A diverse mix of authorities, elected officials, and opinion leaders are featured in each biweekly issue. The Library of Congress has encouraged regional and subregional talking book libraries nationwide to add Vital Speeches of the Day to their magazine subscription lists.
The Bureau and offsite studio partners record and emboss books and magazines to supplement the Library of Congress national collection. Florida is the only state besides Nebraska producing cassette magazines that have passed the strict scrutiny and standards of the QA program. Several other Florida-produced cassette magazines have been a part of the national QA program for many years.
The Division of Blind Services state office hosted a fall picnic at Tom Brown Park on October 18, celebrating White Cane Safety Day and Vision Awareness Month. Representatives from DBS, Florida State University, Florida Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (FAER), Florida Council of the Blind (FCB), National Federation of the Blind (NFB) attended and volunteered at the picnic. Music was provided by Tasso, a local blues band featuring Adam Gaffney, the State Office Management Information administrator, on bass guitar.
Dartmouth researchers are working on a new treatment for the 1.5 million people worldwide with an incurable hereditary disease called retinosis pigmentosa. Currently, RP results in blindness but the Dartmouth Medical School team may be on to a possible treatment. RP results from a single genetic mutation that causes the retinal protein rhodopsin to mis-fold, triggering a domino effect that destroys the retina. By mapping the sequence of molecular events leading to the mis-folding, the researchers are close to devising a treatment strategy. "We now have a molecular understanding of the abnormal proteins," said lead author John Hwa. "We can move ahead to the ultimate goal of designing effective drugs to delay the degeneration that occurs to people suffering from RP."
The owner of a riding stable says he turned down two women who wanted to rent and ride horses on his trails because both women are legally blind.
"If they can't drive cars, they shouldn't ride horses where they have to cross creeks, make turns and steer on rough terrain," said Bill Spell, an owner of Ace Stable in north St. Louis County, Missouri.
The women responded by filing a discrimination complaint this week with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, arguing that the stable violated state and federal law.
"It made me want to take action so the next blind person won't be treated this way," said Chasity Jackson, 22, one of the women.
"Blindness is something you get used to," she said. "For us, riding is easy."
The stable is located on 40 acres near Interstate 170 and Natural Bridge Road. Spell's family has owned the stable and raised and trained horses for 60 years. The location is a mile west of the University of Missouri at St. Louis, where Jackson lives and is a senior majoring in mass communications.
Last Wednesday, her friend, Ellen Nichols, 23, flew in for a week's visit. Nichols lives in Seattle and has a job traveling and raising money for a nonprofit charity. On Sunday, the women decided to go riding. Jackson, who can see trees and other large objects, used speech-reading software to check the Internet for local stables. They settled on Ace, which advertises that its riding instructors are "experienced working with children and adults."
Jackson called to check the prices - $15 for 45 minutes - and says she did not volunteer that they are blind.
"I felt that since the stable is open to the public, it shouldn't make a difference," she said.
They rode in a cab to the stable—where employees immediately noticed their white canes. Everyone agrees on what happened next: Spell turned them down flat. Not because they wanted to ride, he says. Plenty of blind people and others with disabilities ride horses.
But not, he said, on trails.
"They can't turn or make the hills or slant," he insisted. "Everything about this place is predicated on the fact that you have to balance and see where you're going. It would be like training blind with a bat at a baseball game. I don't know how you could hit the ball."
State law requires stables to post warning signs. Ace's sign is posted in front of the main building and also inside the arena. It reads:
"Warning. Under Missouri law an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risk. ..."
Both women say they have ridden trails before. Jackson says she rode horses "three or four memorable times" in Wentzville a few years ago. Nichols rode six or seven times, between the ages of 11 and 16.
At Ace, a trail guide rides with each group. The women say all they needed was for the guide to ride in front and warn them of coming turns and low branches.
"We tried to reassure him that all he had to do was have a trail guide tell us which way to go," Nichols said.
Spell and his wife, Beverly, said they feared for the safety of the women as well as the horses. "I wouldn't be comfortable if I were blindfolded on a horse," Beverly Spell said. She said anyone with a serious disability "would be a problem" on the trails.
Missouri law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, or disability. It is unlawful to withhold or segregate services for any of those reasons. Most states have similar laws, which are based upon the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
Many blind people ride and even compete in riding competitions, says Michael Kauffman, educational director for the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. The association represents 670 riding centers for the disabled nationwide.
Blind riders often need assistance so they know where the jumps and gates are in arenas, Kauffman said. "They can become tremendously competent," he said.
"The question is, did this place just turn them down? Or did they try to accommodate them and offer alternatives?" Kauffman said.
Bill Spell says he suggested that the women try one of the association's riding centers, two of which are located in the St. Louis area.
"Those don't have trails," he said.
That's just the problem, the women said. It's the trails they wanted.
Said Kauffman: "This is a very complicated question. There's definitely two sides to it."
Reprinted with permission by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, © 2003. By Michael D. Sorkin (msorkin@post-dispatch.com). September 16, 2003.
NASA math whiz and computer software designer Robert O. Shelton considers himself lucky, even though he lost his sight when he was 11-years-old. He felt lucky to have parents and teachers who spotted his talent in mathematics and science, encouraged him, and provided tools that helped him pursue his interest.
Shelton was born with congenital glaucoma, a disease that is usually treatable with today's laser surgery technology but was hard to cure in the 1950s, when Shelton was a child. After suffering through 40 operations, he said, "It was almost a relief to lose my sight and have it over with."
"Before I lost my sight, I was a smart kid, but rather sloppy," Shelton said. "My mother told me, 'you're going to have to use different muscles now—the ones between your ears.' She was tough on me. She said I could do whatever I wanted, but I would have to work even harder because I was blind," Shelton added.
As a child in Houston, Shelton enjoyed working with his father, an electrical engineer, tinkering in the family garage, building things and tearing them apart to see how they worked. After losing his sight, he continued that trend in a new way—learning mathematical equations and scientific laws that explain why things work. His teachers helped him study advanced mathematics and science and taught him to visualize concepts in his mind.
Shelton earned bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in mathematics from Rice University in Houston in 1971, 1973 and 1975, respectively. While at Rice, he was a graduate intern at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston. He worked with computer scientists and engineers designing the navigation system for the Space Shuttle.
"NASA has always been committed to hiring individuals with disabilities," Shelton said. "They provided me with the help and technology I needed to do the job, and made it seem simple."
When NASA offered him a job working on artificial intelligence systems in 1987, Shelton, his wife and four children returned to Texas. He joined the JSC Software Technology Branch, designing computer technology used to analyze data sent from the Space Shuttle to the Mission Control Center in Houston.
Shelton uses his math and computer expertise to head up JSC's contributions to NASA's Learning Technologies Project. He works on technology tools for teachers and students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The tools are available through Web sites, and Shelton's leadership has ensured sites are accessible to students with disabilities.
"I want blind and sighted students who use the site to find out what they can do," Shelton said. "I want teachers to have easy-to-use, cutting-edge technology tools that make math and science accessible to all students. Most importantly, I want employers to emulate NASA by hiring blind people and using their talents, " he added.
Shelton believes using NASA technology and know-how to reach people with disabilities is a natural match. Improved technology, such as synthetic speech software that reads content, has helped him be more independent as he works.
The Web site is filled with appealing activities: students can build, test and run a remotely controlled rover in simulated environments and compete in skill-based games against other students around the country. The site also offers software tools that make it easier for teachers to manage information related to their science and math curricula. Shelton's creative team is working on a new product that will be available soon: a graphing tool to make NASA science and math activities accessible to people who cannot see. It uses tones to help blind people visualize graphs and mathematical concepts.
According to Shelton the unemployment rate for blind people is high and many who are employed are not working at jobs that fully use their education or potential. He hopes the NASA Web site will help students learn valuable skills to improve employment prospects.
To access the NASA Learning Technologies Project on the Internet, visit: http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov.
Farther Than the Eye Can See, the story of Erik Weihenmayer and his team's record-setting climb on Everest in 2001, took home the grand prize at the Taos Mountain Film Festival last week. Because the expedition was so fantastically successful, the triumph so heartwarming, and the real life story so powerful, critics have wondered if the film could possibly do it justice. We are told the jury awarded the "Best of Festival" honor without debate, on the basis of the cinematography, the musical score, the editing and, perhaps most of all, on the way the story was told. Farther Than the Eye Can See is:
A Film by Michael Brown (Serac Adventure Films)
Written by Michael Brown and Joshua Colover (Aperture Films)
Produced by Chris Blum (Aperture Films) and Joshua Colover
Co-Produced by Ed Weihenmayer
Les Guthman, Executive Producer (Outside TV)
Congratulations to all of the above, to Kim Johnson Morris who worked with Michael Brown on the cinematography, to Pete Coggins who worked on editing, and to the fabulous climbing team, headed by Expedition Leader Pasquale Scaturro.
The documentary is playing around the country, at film festivals, schools and corporations, and at special events, often for the benefit of non-profit organizations. If you have an interest in arranging for a showing in your area, please contact Ed Weihenmayer, 904/321-1938, or Ben Witherell, 303/903-8824.
The documentary has played at New York’s Lincoln Center, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe’s Lensic Theater, the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, and at many other prestigious venues. A schedule of future showings is available on www.touchthetop.com.
The 2001 Everest Expedition and filming were sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind and the allergy product Allegra.
A new children’s cancer centre at the LV Prasad Eye Institute will save children’s lives, as well as their sight. Around 1,000 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma every year in India. A malignant tumour of the retina, retinoblastoma occurs almost exclusively in infants. If left untreated, it is nearly always fatal, but with modern methods of treatment, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, there is a good prognosis, and the success rates for primary tumours is over 95 percent. However, early identification and treatment are essential.
Sight Savers has worked with the LV Prasad Eye Institute since it was founded in 1987. The first and only Ocular Oncology Centre in India was established at the institute in 2000, and since then 1,500 patients have been treated for eye cancers, of whom 20 per cent have been children.
The Children’s Eye Cancer Centre, which is due to open in January 2004, will be able to provide exclusively for the specific needs of children and their families. The center will employ a team of psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation and physical therapists and educators who will support the entire family. When a child is referred for treatment to the center, they will undergo active treatment for about six months. Close follow-up monitoring will be provided for a further three years.
Located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, the center is well placed to treat children from around India. The institute will run awareness-raising and education campaigns, which should bring in referrals from pediatricians, ophthalmologists and medical college hospitals in surrounding states. Treatment will be provided to all children, irrespective of their family’s capacity to pay, and those who cannot afford treatment will receive it free of charge.
Reprinted with permission by Sightsavers International, ©2003.
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) today launched a compact disk tool kit to help countries and non-governmental organizations develop programs to combat the problem of increasing numbers of people who are needlessly becoming blind.
The kit, unveiled at Word Sight Day activities today in Geneva, is a compilation of governmental and non-governmental experience in organizing blindness prevention programs, and contains what WHO said were the latest information, documents, websites and slideshows on preventable blindness. The kit is aimed for use by policy makers and civil leaders.
WHO Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook said, “The latest research shows that the numbers of people who needlessly become blind are increasing. WHO is committed to reversing that trend.”
According to WHO, 80 per cent of visual loss can be prevented or cured. An estimated 40 million to 45 million people are blind and 135 million have low vision. An estimated 90 per cent of blindness occurs in developing countries. The leading causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment are cataract, trachoma, river blindness, some conditions in children, such as vitamin A deficiency and retinopathy, and the lack of glasses and low vision aids, the agency said.
The new tool kit is aimed at helping governments carry out a resolution on Elimination of Avoidable Blindness unanimously adopted at the 56th World Health Assembly last May, calling on all states to develop and evaluate National Prevention of Blindness Plans, with a view to implementing them by 2007.
The Blind People's Association, in Vietnam, is striving to reduce the number of its impoverished members to 15 percent by 2007 with poverty reduction and employment programs.
In doing so, the Association has worked out measures to improve the living conditions of its members and has called on them to be proactive in their own recovery.
According to reports delivered at the September 29 conference which reviewed a five-year poverty reduction program for the blind in the north, 23 percent of blind households nationwide are currently impoverished, a sharp drop of 30 percent from 52.6 percent in 1999.
Over time, the Blind People's Association's chapters have set up 120 production units offering employment to 3,000 people and generating revenues of billions of Vietnamese dong annually.
Apart from 23 billion VND borrowed from the National Employment Fund which helped create jobs for more than 36,000 people, blind people's chapters at all levels have received over 1.3 billion VND from various local sources which generated jobs for another 1,000 members.
There are currently 13,000 visually-impaired people who are unable to work and receive regular subsidies from the State.
The Blind People's Association has built and upgraded a total of 3,000 houses and provided 18,5000 health insurance cards to its members.
Vietnam News Agency, ©2003.
Color Teller is a compact, portable, easy to use talking color identifier that will enable people who are blind or have a color vision impairment to determine the color of materials and objects. It will enable you to match clothes, enjoy the pleasures of the garden and home, access color-coded products for easy identification, and much more.
Color Teller announces all of the common colors, plus many tints and shades like pink, pale blue-green, dark brown, and vivid yellow. It is six inches long, about three ounces and is very durable. Color Teller allows you to set up the unit to suit your needs. It has three volume levels, English, French and Spanish language selection, two levels of color announcement detail, and operates with the single press of a button.
Color Teller comes with operating instructions in large print and on audio CD, protective case with a belt-loop, wrist strap, long life battery and a six-month warranty.
Features:
- High degree of color resolution.
- Familiar color names with qualifiers such as light, dark and pale.
- Small, light and ergonomic.
- Durable and easy to use.
- Announces in English, French and Spanish.
- Adjustable volume.
- "Hold" answer, to allow you to bring it to your ear before announcing.
- Powers on and off automatically.
- Tether strap and protective pouch with belt loop.
- Long life battery.
- Continuous battery monitor plus talking battery tester.
- Operating instructions on CD and large print.
You can request any of the following electronic formats, Please colorteller@brytech.com with your requirement: on screen, text file download, large print PDF, or streaming audio.
Bottom of Form 1
For more information contact 800-263-4095 or visit the website at http://www.brytech.com/colorteller/.
The JAWS team at Freedom Scientific and its dedicated Public and Private Beta Testers have been working hard during 2003 on this project. The time has finally come to release and begin shipping this great new version. If you are an SMA customer, you will be getting your Program CD along with the What's New CD during the next two weeks. In the meantime, you are welcome to download and begin using this version after reading the information below.
This release of JAWS 5.0 still uses the existing Quella Authorization Scheme. The new Internet Based solution is still being worked on and information regarding its implementation and availability will be announced in the coming months. We are still committed to the Internet based solution but we must be certain that a smooth transition will happen and our testing is not complete.
Note that installing JAWS for Windows software on any computers running other Access Technology products, should be done at your own risk.
JAWS 5.0 is a DCM compatible release and you should consult other manufactures of Screen Readers or Magnification Products regarding their DCM status before installing on the same machines that run Windows NT4/W2K/XP specifically. The only exceptions to this would be previous versions of JAWS for Windows and Connect Outloud as well as updated versions of MAGic 8.02.
The update for MAGic is found at:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_downloads/magic.asp
The MAGic update is called "MAGic 8.02 Patch required to run with JAWS 5.0."
Before installing this release of JAWS for Windows 5.0, we recommend that you uninstall any previous Beta versions of JAWS 5 you may have installed during the last few months. This version will not cause any problems with earlier versions of JAWS installed on your machine such as 4.51, 4.5, 3.7, etc.
If you have script files you have created and used in earlier versions of JAWS, you will need to recompile them in JAWS 5. The JAWS Merge Utility is currently not available in this release. We plan on returning this feature in future releases. Sorry for the inconvenience.
For Focus Braille Display users: The drivers for the Freedom Scientific Focus Braille Display have been updated from earlier versions of JAWS so that it now includes support for the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display. When installing JAWS 5, you will receive a message asking you to unplug the Focus Braille display so the driver can be updated. Please unplug the device and activate the OK button to continue the installation. After you complete the installation and start JAWS, reconnect your Focus display and complete the New Hardware Wizard. You can then restart JAWS and your Focus will work properly.
This month’s featured website can be found at www.blindworld.net. Blindworld is an online magazine for the blind and visually impaired featuring national and international news, resources, and other items of interest.
The Center on Self-Determination and Independent Living Resources are proud to announce Career Journeys.
Career Journeys is a web based mentoring program designed for youth with disabilities and other challenges who are interested in learning about how to choose and achieve career goals.
The purposes of the Career Journeys are:
1.) To help youth to believe that they can aspire to the full range of careers and occupations. Currently, about 30 adults who experience a variety of different disabilities and who work in a wide range of different careers have shared their story of how they achieved their career goal.
2.) To provide youth with the opportunity to gain advice, support and mentoring from one or more adults. The youth can email a question to one of the adult mentors, and the youth and mentor can have an email conversation about career-related issues.
3.) To share the stories of youth who are taking their own Journeys
To learn more about Career Journeys please visit the web site at:
http://www.everyonecanwork.org.
IRS Order Entry Clerks
Hundreds of part-time IRS Order Entry (OE) Clerks will answer calls from the public that have been routed from the IRS's Forms and Publications Order line to their home computers.
These jobs may match the needs of VR consumers who do not have the stamina for full-time employment but who want to supplement Social Security Disability Benefits.
Order Entry Clerks will:
- Work 15-25 hours per week.
- Earn from $8-$12 per hour depending upon residence location.
- Receive an additional $2.56 per hour worked in health and welfare benefits.
- Live anywhere in states, which have agreed to provide support via their state VR agency. (California is a participating state).
Requirements include:
- Minimum High School diploma or equivalent
- Good verbal skills and pleasant telephone manner
- Proficient in using a computer and the Internet with a minimum 20-wpm typing speed
- Internet access required to complete an on-line application
- Internet access to log onto and perform the work
- Candidates bilingual in Spanish and English encouraged to apply—not a requirement but considered a plus
Please refer interested VR consumers to complete an on-line application at: http://www.nticentral.org/
Applicants are being interviewed in October-December of 2003.
Distance training classes start in December and January.
Applicants meeting the minimum criteria will be contacted for a phone interview.
The IRS is setting aside hundreds of Order Entry jobs for people with disabilities under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD). National Telecommuting Institute Inc, (NTI) is a JWOD affiliated nonprofit disability organization selected by the IRS to screen and hire qualified individuals with disabilities. NTI has partnered with targeted State VR agencies that have agreed to support VR consumers selected for these telework positions.
VR Agency Support
Distance training fee:
$4,700 payable to NTI only if the consumer attains a home-based employment outcome that exceeds 90 days duration. No fee will be paid for training if a consumer fails to complete 90 days of employment (training typically occurs concurrent with the consumers working).
Some IRS jobs will be seasonal. In the event that the telework opportunity for which NTI prepares the consumer is greater than 90 days but less than 270 days per year, NTI will be paid a reduced training rate of $1,200. However, in the event that NTI is successful in later training the consumer for a year round telework position (at least 9 months per year), the balance of the $4,700 training fee will be paid.
Equipment Support:
Consumers will require a computer, headset, and second phone line to perform this work. Some may require special accommodations to their equipment. Information about applicant's existing equipment will be collected during the initial NTI interview. If the applicant is offered a position, NTI staff will provide the consumer's VR counselor with a list of equipment needed by the consumer.
VR consumers must complete their own on-line application. They will be provided more detailed information about these IRS positions as they proceed through the application process. If VR counselors have questions not addressed in this announcement they can call: NTI at (617) 787-4426 or e-mail:joenti@hotmail.com
The California central office VR agency contact for this telework project is Michelle Alford-Williams at mafordw@dor.ca.gov.
Blind and Vision Impaired:
NTI has not yet been successful in having all aspects of these IRS positions modified such that they are accessible for individuals who use screen readers or screen enlargers with a magnification greater than 2X. An announcement will be sent to all VR counselors once these positions are made fully accessible.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in Sacramento, CA.
Appointed by the City Manager, the City's ADA Coordinator works in the Human Resources Department. This newly created position is charged with the responsibility for enhancing the City's ADA programs citywide; working with internal and external stakeholders; coordinating ADA activities and providing leadership relative to the City's commitment to a strong and effective ADA program. The ADA Coordinator will serve as the City's spokesperson on ADA issues; staff the City's Disabilities Advisory Commission; and recommend policy and programs to the Council and City Manager. This position will be responsible for ensuring that Sacramento's ADA programs are in compliance with the letter and spirit of federal and state ADA regulations, while facilitating the City's efforts to meet the needs of people in our community with disabilities. The ADA Coordinator will work closely with city departments and their ADA Coordinators in a proactive manner to maximize accountability and responsiveness to issues of accessibility, facilities and employment. The ADA Coordinator will serve as a facilitator and consensus builder to resolve issues and concerns relative to the city's ADA programs.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is an experienced, ADA program manager who is interested in helping to enhance the City's ADA program. The successful candidate must be trained and experienced in ADA compliance and program development. Management experience is required. Good writing and verbal skills and the ability to creatively solve problems and confront difficult issues are essential.
Application Process
Candidates for this position will initially be evaluated by The Hawkins Company (Consultant).
The most qualified individuals will be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process, which may include telephone and in-person interviews. To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity, please submit a letter of interest and resume as soon as possible, but no later than November 7, 2003, to:
Here are some healthy and tasty recipes for a great Thanksgiving meal. Bon Appetite!
(makes 10 servings)
Lightly coat a six-quart pot with cooking spray. Add olive oil and place over low heat. Add onion, leek, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are limp, about five minutes.
Raise heat to medium-high. Add mushrooms and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender, about 12 minutes.
Stir in broth and thyme. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.
In batches, puree in a food processor or blender. Return to pot and stir in evaporated milk. Season with salt (if using) and pepper. Heat through, but do not allow mixture to boil.
Serve in small soup bowls. If desired, sprinkle each serving with chopped parsley.
Per serving: 79 calories (19% calories from fat), 8 g protein, 2 g total fat (0.3 g saturated fat), 10 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 94 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (2 vegetable), 1/2 fat
(makes 10 servings with leftovers)
Place oven rack in lowest position; preheat oven to 325°F, Gas Mark 3.
Remove and set aside neck and giblets for gravy. Remove and discard any fat from turkey. Wash turkey; pat dry with paper towels. Combine thyme, and sage. Sprinkle turkey with the mixture. Place turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan. Place garlic cloves in body cavity.
Loosely tent turkey with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Roast turkey, breast side up, for 3-1/2 hours or until an instant meat thermometer registers 180°F when inserted in the thickest part of a thigh, rotating the pan and removing the foil tent after 2 1/2 hours roasting time. If using wine, baste turkey several times with white wine.
Rinse neck and giblets; remove and discard neck skin and any fat. Place neck and giblets in a large saucepan with onion, carrot, celery, chicken broth, parsley sprigs, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes. Discard the neck and giblets, parsley sprigs, and bay leaf. Strain the broth and vegetables through a fine sieve, forcing as much of the vegetables as possible into the strained broth. (You should get about 2 1/2 cups liquid). Chill strained liquid until ready to use.
When turkey is done, remove from oven and place on a carving platter. Remove the garlic cloves from the body cavity. Squeeze the roasted garlic pulp into a small bowl and set aside. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
Pour the pan drippings from the roasting pan through a fine sieve into a small freezer-proof bowl. Place bowl in the freezer for 20 minutes to solidify the fat.
Stir the red wine and two tablespoons of the reserved giblet broth into the roasting pan and cook on top of the stove over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer the mixture to a medium saucepan. Skim off all fat that has formed at the top of the pan drippings. Add the de-fatted drippings and remaining reserved broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil and whisk in reserved roasted garlic pulp. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the gravy mixture has thickened slightly. Taste and add salt (if using) and pepper to taste.
Carve the turkey, discarding the skin. Arrange the turkey on a serving platter. Pour the gravy into a sauceboat and pass separately.
Per 4-ounce turkey + 2 tablespoons gravy serving: 197 calories (27% calories from fat), 24 g protein, 8 g total fat (1.9 g saturated fat), 0 carbohydrates, 0 dietary fiber, 86 mg cholesterol, 85 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean protein
(makes about 3 cups)
In a food processor fitted with a knife blade, pulse cranberries with sugar, 1 tablespoon sugar substitute, and cinnamon until coarsely chopped.
Add apples and continue to pulse until mixture is finely chopped. Stir in lemon juice. Taste, adding additional sugar substitute, if needed.
Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve cold.
Per 1/4-cup serving: 39 calories (0 calories from fat), 0 protein, 0 total fat (0 saturated fat), 10 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (fruit)
(makes about 12 cups)
Preheat oven to 325°F, Gas Mark 3.
Melt margarine in a large nonstick skillet. Add celery and onion. Sauté until vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in thyme, sage, salt (if using), and pepper. Set aside.
Place bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly toast on both sides, about 10 minutes per side. Break bread into bite-size pieces. Mix in vegetable mixture and parsley. (At this point stuffing can be made one day ahead, placed in a self-sealing plastic bag, and refrigerated).
In a medium saucepan, heat broth to a simmer. Place dressing mixture in a large mixing bowl. Pour on hot broth and stir until bread is evenly moistened, starting with 2 1/2 cups broth and adding additional broth to reach desired consistency.
Transfer dressing mixture to a shallow baking casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until lightly browned and heat through, another 15 to 20 minutes.
Per 1/2-cup serving: 116 calories (20% calories from fat), 4 g protein, 3 g total fat (0.6 g saturated fat), 20 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 237 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (bread/starch)
(makes 10 servings)
Preheat oven to 400°F, Gas Mark 6.
Arrange squash, cut side up, in two large roasting pans and lightly coat tops with cooking spray. Season with salt (if using) and pepper to taste.
Roast for 20 minutes. Switch pan positions and continue to roast another 25 minutes, until squash is tender when pierced with the tines of a fork. (Squash may be made ahead to this point, covered, and refrigerated until next day.)
When ready to serve, preheat broiler. Lightly brush cut surfaces of squash with margarine and sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil until sugar begins to bubble, about three to four minutes. Transfer squash pieces to a serving platter and serve hot.
Per serving: 96 calories (22% calories from fat), 2 g protein, 3 g total fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 19 g carbohydrates, 5 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 29 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1/2 fat
(makes 10 servings)
Cook onions, according to package directions, until tender. Drain and keep warm.
Cook green beans in a large nonstick skillet in water to cover until crisp tender, about five minutes. Drain and keep warm.
In same skillet, melt margarine over medium heat. Add balsamic vinegar and onions. Toss to glaze. Add green beans and gently mix to combine.
Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.
Per serving: 60 calories (21% calories from fat), 2 g protein, 2 g total fat (0.3 g saturated fat), 11 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 37 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (2 vegetable), 1/2 fat
Sweet Potato Pie
(makes 10 servings)
Preheat oven to 350°F, Gas Mark 4.
In a large bowl, beat together margarine, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, allspice, and egg yolk. Whisk in sweet potatoes and evaporated milk.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into sweet potato mixture. Pour into unbaked pie shell.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a rack until ready to cut into wedges to serve.
Per serving: 203 calories (30% calories from fat), 5 g protein, 7 g total fat (2.3 g saturated fat), 32 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 26 mg cholesterol, 203 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1fat
Reprinted with permission, ©2003 diabetic-recipes.com.
For additional information and recipes, visit their website at http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/
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).
Guidelines for Newsletter Submissions
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