Digital Presentation in Homer

Our next digital presentation will be at the Homer Library this Friday, September 4, at 10:30am. Come by and try out the new digital player!

And don't forget, you are always welcome to come by the Athens-Clarke Co. Library to see the digital machines.

UF Vision Trial

The University of Florida medical center is working with three patients who have Leber congenital amaurosis type 2, a rare and incurable form of blindness that strikes infants and children. These volunteers received injections of corrected genes that were targeted to their retinas.

A year after receiving the injections, the patients have begun to develop slight vision. It is thought that the brain is retraining itself to use different parts of the retinas to see.

To read the entire article, please visit http://news.ufl.edu/2009/08/12/gene-blindness/

Novelist Elmer Kelton Dies

Elmer Kelton, a popular author of western novels, died Saturday at age 83. He has at least two novels to be released in the next year.

To read the full article about Kelton, please visit www.onlineathens.com/stories/082409/liv_485276651.shtml

Family Afternoon at the (Described) Movies

Our next Family Day movie will be Tuesday, August 28 at 3:00pm in the Athens-Clarke Co. Library Auditorium. This months' described film is "Toy Story". Bring your family and friends and watch this Pixar classic on the big screen!

Talking Book Awareness Day

Today, public libraries across Idaho are celebrating Talking Book Awareness Day. This event is designed to raise the general public's awareness of the Talking Books service.

You can celebrate Talking Book Awareness Day, too! Tell a friend about the service - perhaps they know someone who would benefit from signing up. If you are a member of an organization, invite us to come give a presentation about the service. Most of our patrons learned about Talking Books by word-of-mouth, and we strongly believe our patrons are our biggest advertisers!

To read about all the events going on in Idaho, please visit http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/beat-heat-how-to-thrive-after-45

Upcoming Webinars from HumanWare, Inc

Taken from the web newsletter found at www.humanware.ca/web/en/newsletter/53-t.htm:

Transitioning to Postsecondary

Learn how disability-related legislation impacts your rights and the responsibilities of post-secondary institutions. Plus, what colleges can
do to ensure a smooth transition.

Guest speaker: Nina Ghiselli, PsyD

Discussion will include information on legislation and services that are provided by the Disability Resource Office. Take a closer look at how to access textbooks and resources in an accessible format. Answering questions regarding what colleges can do to help ensure smooth transition?

Thursday August 20, 2009
19:00 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time

Location: Webinar through the HumanWare weblink.

All participants go to: http://www.tcconference.com/humanware
(Note: if you are a first time user, you will need to select the Download button prior to entering the session. This will take a few minutes. Once done, select "Enter the room". Follow the instructions, no password required please type your name to join the presentation).

Nina Ghiselli, PsyD. is the system-wide director of disability services and adjunct faculty at Alliant International University and a psychologist in private practice. She also teaches courses at U.C. Berkeley Extension and Argosy University and consults with schools and agencies on how to make their programs more accessible to people with disabilities.

Dr. Ghiselli, who has a language-based learning disability, teaches courses on disability law, application to the clinical population, effective teaching, and diversity. Her clinical work focuses on adults with disabilities.


Future webinars session:
Please save the date and register for this upcoming webinar as we continue this educational series.


Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic - Preparing for Fall 2009
Guest speaker: Stephanie Turner

August 27, 2009
19:00 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time

Webinar Presentation

Stephanie Turner will be speaking about the services that are offered by Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. During this hands-on workshop you will learn about player authorization, "fee or free" services, how to download books, and find out about what is coming up for RFBD. We will conclude with a questions and answers session.

If you have any questions regarding Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, please forward them to Brenda.mcbride@humanware.com or sturner@rfbd.org before August 25, 2009.


ClassMate Reader 101: how to download the free Save as DAISY
Add-in for WORD. Walkthrough describing the basics steps to
creating accessible files using WORD and the Save as DAISY add-in. (Full Text/ Full Audio)

Guest speaker: Stephanie Turner

August 27, 2009
19:00 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time


Webinar Presentation

Stephanie Turner will be speaking about the services that are offered by Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. During this hands-on workshop you will learn about player authorization, "fee or free" services, how to download books, and find out about what is coming up for RFBD. We will conclude with a questions and answers session.

If you have any questions regarding Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, please forward them to Brenda.mcbride@humanware.com or sturner@rfbd.org before August 25, 2009.


ClassMate Reader 101: how to download the free Save as DAISY
Add-in for WORD. Walkthrough describing the basics steps to creating accessible files using WORD and the Save as DAISY add-in.

Speaker: Brenda McBride

Tuesday, September 1 , 2009
21:00 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time

Webinar Hands-on Presentation Discussion will include information on how to download the Save as DAISY WORD add-in and use it to create a DAISY file which can then be copied on the ClassMate Reader.

If you have any questions, please forward them to Brenda.mcbride@humanware.com before August 28, 2009.


Dyslexic Brain - Learn the latest
Guest speaker: Rene King

Tuesday September 15, 2009
23:30 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time

Webinar Presentation

How is the dyslexic brain different from another brain? What kind of gifts do the dyslexics have? How does technology best work for persons who have dyslexia? What is the latest research and information about dyslexia?

If you have any questions, please forward them to Brenda.mcbride@humanware.com before September 10, 2009.


Parenting: how to work with "the system" to best provide
services for your child.
Guest speaker: Marion McBride

Thursday, October 8, 2009
21:00 (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Saving Time
4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time


Webinar Presentation

Discussion will include information on unfamiliar terminology, ways to work with the school system before the first report card comes out, resources from the web and videos that will help you understand your child and what it is like to have a learning disability in addition to ways to connect with the local support groups in your state or province.

If you have any questions, please forward them to Brenda.mcbride@humanware.com before October 6, 2009.


About HumanWare
HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind or have low vision, and individuals with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products, including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business, and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players; myReader2, HumanWare's unique "auto-reader" for people with low vision; and the ClassMate Reader, the only portable book player to offer synchronized text and audio for individuals.

Error in Talking Book Topics

The July-August 2009 issue of "Talking Book Topics" and "Braille Book Review" contained an announcement that Walgreen's Script Talk device was available at no cost to visually-impaired patients.

This is an error, as the program is currently a pilot program only available in nine stores and not nationwide.

NLS apologizes for this error.

New Digital Presentation Added

The Talking Book Center has added a digital presentation Friday, December 4 at 11:00am at the Toccoa Library. We hope our Stephens County patrons will be able to attend this session.

We also plan to host a digital presentation in the Athens-Clarke County Library in January. Details will be posted after the calendar is finalized.

Digital Presentations Tomorrow!

Don't forget if you are in the Cornelia or Cleveland area, we will be doing digital demonstrations tomorrow! Join us at the Cornelia Library at 10:30 or the Cleveland Library at 12:30 to try out the new digital players.

Eyeglasses That Change Focus

The New York Times has an article about Dr. Stephen Kurtin, an inventor who has designed eyeglasses with a small switch, allowing the wearer to change between lenses devoted to difference tasks.

Many people with both poor near and far vision require bifocals or trifocals to see both up close and at a distance. These new TruFocals have a small lever on the bridge of the nose to move from one lens to another, so the entire lens is devoted to the required sight distance.

The glasses will priced around $895.

To read the article, please visit this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/science/04prof.html?_r=2&em

Upcoming Digital Presentations

We have more digital presentations planned for the next two weeks. If you are in the area, come by and check out the digital player!


Friday, August 14 - Cornelia Library (10:30am)
Cleveland Library (12:30pm)


Saturday, August 15 - Elberton Library (9:30am)
Lexington Library (11:00am)


Tuesday, August 18 - Winder Library (10:30am)
Lawrenceville Library (1:00pm)


If you have any questions, please call the Talking Book Center at 1-800-531-2063.

CVS Enchancing Acessibility

A press release from the American Foundation for the Blind:

CVS/pharmacy Enhancing Accessibility for the Visually Impaired To
Its Web Site and Store

Point-of-Sales Devices Initiative Announced In Collaboration with
State and National Organizations for the Blind

July 30, 2009: CVS/pharmacy, the nation’s largest retail pharmacy, announced today that it is implementing functional improvements to benefit its customers with visual impairments and other disabilities. The company has installed tactile keypads in all CVS stores and it will enhance its website in 2009.

Today’s announcement is the result of a collaboration between CVS/pharmacy,
the American Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and California Council of the Blind. CVS/pharmacy’s actions were applauded by these groups.

“We are pleased to collaborate with organizations committed to advocacy for the blind and introduce service enhancements in our stores and online that will increase access for our visually impaired customers,” said Helena Foulkes, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CVS Caremark.


Point-of-Sale Improvements

CVS/pharmacy’s point-of-sale improvements are designed to assist customers who cannot read information on a flat-screen point-of-sale device and therefore cannot privately enter their PIN or other confidential information. All CVS stores have been equipped, at a minimum, with a tactile device at both the front check-out counter and the pharmacy counter to ensure that customers unable to use a flat-screen keypad do not have to provide their PIN to a store employee. The company is also training its store employees to provide appropriate interaction with visually impaired customers regarding the use of the new tactile devices.

“Without tactile keys, blind and visually impaired people have no choice but to share their PINs with strangers,” explained Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind. “Today’s announcement, and the collaboration that led to it, demonstrates CVS/pharmacy’s ongoing commitment to its blind and visually impaired customers.”

Web Site Access

The initiative includes CVS/pharmacy’s commitment to ensure that its online pharmacy, www.cvs.com, is accessible to persons with a wide range of disabilities, including blind computer users who use a screen reader or magnification technology on their computers and those who rely on a keyboard instead of a mouse. CVS.com will implement these enhancements by the end of 2009.

“An accessible web site is crucial if people with vision loss are to obtain goods, services and information on an equal footing,” said Paul Schroeder, vice
president, programs and policy group of the American Foundation for the Blind. “We appreciate CVS/pharmacy’s commitment to ensure that CVS.com is usable by the broadest range of online consumers, including those who have disabilities.”

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy with more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and Longs
Drugs store locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those
we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at www.cvscaremark.com.

About American Council of the Blind (ACB) and California Council of
the Blind (CCB)

American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans throughout the country with members organized through 70 state and special-interest affiliates. California Council of the Blind is the California affiliate of the ACB and is a statewide membership organization with 40 local chapters and statewide special-interest associations. ACB and CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Their members and affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence for people who are blind and visually impaired. More information about ACB and CCB can be found by visiting www.acb.org and www.ccbnet.org.

About American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over 40 years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information, visit us online at www.afb.org.

Get on the Digital Sign-Up List!!

We are getting close to giving out digital players to our patrons!

First priority is given to veterans, so if you are a veteran and a patron of the Talking Book Center, we will be contacting you this month to see if you are interested in a digital player. You may also call us and let us know your preference. After all our interested veterans have machines, we will begin drawing names from the list of patrons who have requested a digital player.

Don't forget to call the library at 1-800-531-2063 to put your name on the list!

ACB Visits Disney World

A press release from the American Council of the Blind:

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Mitch Pomerantz, President
(626) 372-5150
mitch.pomerantz@earthlink.net

American Council of the Blind Conventioneers Give High Marks to
Disney's New Audio Description Device

ORLANDO, July 20, 2009 - Building on an existing relationship, Walt Disney World Resort recently invited the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to test its new audio-description device at Epcot while the organization was in Orlando for its national convention.

The Disney-patented* technology delivers audio description of the visual images inside attractions for guests who are blind or have low vision. The device, slightly smaller than a TV remote and a bit wider, can be attached to a lanyard and worn around the neck.

Once at the park, approximately 36 ACB members divided into three work groups. Each group was accompanied by a Disney employee as they visited several attractions with descriptions in order to try the new device in a variety of settings.

Greg Hale, vice president of Worldwide Safety and Accessibility, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said, "We have a long-standing commitment to providing outstanding services for guests with disabilities. We appreciate members of the American Council of the Blind taking the time to try our new device and look forward to working with the organization in the future."

Rick Morin, a blind managing director for HP, stated: "I used the 'Attraction Description Device' during April break. I've been going to Walt Disney World since 1977. With attraction description, I was able to see, from the audio descriptions, details that I never knew were there. I've ridden the Haunted Mansion dozens of times and I saw certain details that my wife never noticed. It was a very liberating feeling."

Robyn Walker, who visited the pavilions in Epcot during the conference, added, "I travel extensively and I spend a lot of time looking for things like restaurants and restrooms. This device helped me find things quickly."

Following the tour, the groups gathered in a conference room to talk about the device.

"Disney employees asked very specific questions and gave us ample opportunity to provide constructive feedback. They seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say," said John Weidlich of St. Louis, Mo., who was one of the participants.

The American Council of the Blind is a national membership organization. Its members are blind, visually impaired, and fully sighted individuals who are concerned about the dignity and well-being of blind people throughout the nation.

Formed in 1961, the ACB is one of the largest organizations of blind people in the world, with more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates and a nationwide network of chapters.

For more information about the American Council of the Blind, contact Melanie Brunson, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201;phone (202) 467-5081 or (800) 424-8666; or visit the web site www.acb.org.

*U.S. Patents 6,785,539 and 7,224,967 may apply.

Scyamore Ridge Community Planned

Today's Athens Banner-Herald has an article about Sycamore Ridge, a non-profit company planning to build a residential community for developmentally disabled adults. The community is planned for an 87-acre lot in Winterville, and will be mixed-use, with retail shops, restaurants, and home occupying the walkable space.

To read the article, please visit www.onlineathens.com/stories/080509/new_477693086.shtml

Welcome to the New Blog!

This is the new blog for the Northeast Georgia Talking Book Center. All new posts will be published here.

Here is a reminder of our Digital Outreach Schedule. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-531-2063.


August 4, 11:00am - Morgan Co. Public Library (located in Madison)
August 4, 1:30pm - Greene Co. Public Library (located in Greensboro)

August 14, 10:30am - Cornelia-Habersham Library
August 14, 12:30pm - Cleveland Public Library

August 15, 9:30am - Elbert Co. Public Library (located in Elberton)
August 15, 11:00am - Oglethorpe Co. Public Library (located in Lexington)

August 18, 10:30am - Winder Public Library
August 18, 1:00pm - Lawrenceville Public Library

September 4, 10:30am - Banks Co. Public Library (located in Homer)

September 19, 1:00pm - Royston Public Library

September 25, 10:30am - Duluth Public Library
September 25, 12:30pm - Elizabeth H. Williams Public Library (located in Snellville)

October 10, 10:00am - Rabun Co. Library (located in Clayton)
October 10, 12:00pm - Habersham Public Library

November 3, 11:00am - Commerce Public Library
November 3, 1:30pm - Madison Co. Library (located in Danielsville)

November 6, 10:30am - Suwanee Public Library
November 6, 12:30pm - Lilburn Public Library

November 17, 11:00am - Hart Co. Public Library (located in Hartwell)
November 17, 1:00pm - Lavonia Public Library

November 20, 10:30am - Monroe-Walton Co. Public Library
November 20, 12:30pm - O'Kelly Memorial Library (located in Loganville)