Press Release from NFB

A press release about the NFB Scholarship Program. Application deadline is March 31. Last year, four Georgia students won almost $20,000.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - The NFB Scholarship Program application is available online. This national scholarship program is available to persons who are legally blind and living in the United States and Puerto Rico. There are 30 awards, from $12,000 to $3,000. In addition, each winner will be assisted to attend the NFB Annual Convention for 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The annual contest began the first week of November 2010; all documents required from the applicants must be postmarked by the March 31, 2011, deadline.

Applications and full details are available online at:
http://www.nfb.org/scholarships

Questions may be emailed to: scholarships@nfb.org

Reminders on TBC Service

The New York State Library wrote a great review of the TBC service in their 2007 newsletter. Even if you have been a Talking Books patron for many years, this may be a good refresher for you.

This text came from the NYSL Fall 2007 newsletter, found here:

Service Options

We have explained this in the past, but it bears repeating. Your choice here is really important as it has a great effect on whether your library service works for you or not. There are two basic service options—how you receive books from the library—and we encourage you to make sure that we know which best suits your needs. This choice was presented to you when you completed the application to join the library, but perhaps you misunderstood or your requirements have changed since then. Call us at (800) 531-2063 to discuss or change your service options.

1. Automatic Subject Selection:

We send you a book from your request list for each one you return to the library. We encourage you to send your own requests, and these will receive priority attention, but whenever you are due for service and your request list is either empty or contains only books that are not available to be mailed because all copies are in circulation, our computer will choose for you. It is obviously vital that we know what your reading interests are, and also whether or not you will accept books containing sex, strong, language, and violence.

We recommend this type of service to those who (a) want a regular supply of books, (b) have difficulty using the catalogs and choosing books, and (c) have a problem contacting the library.


2. Request Only:

You send us lists of the books you want to read, and from your list we send you books up to your personal basic book supply. We send only the specific books that you request, though what we send is randomly selected based on availability. Of course, if your list is empty or the books it contains are all out to other borrowers, we can’t send you anything. Your request list should, therefore, match your reading pace and the longer the list the greater the likelihood that something you want will be available. You can add to your list at any time, by contacting us directly and by using our online catalog.

We recommend this type of service to those who (a) want only their own selections, (b) have no problem choosing books and contacting the library, and (c) understand that there may be delays in service should their specific requests not be immediately available.


Basic Book Supply

Your basic book supply is also an important feature of your service options, and impacts both kinds of service described above. It is usually referred to as your “quota” or “maximum.”

Your basic book supply limits the number of books that are charged out to you through the automatic process, though it can easily be exceeded by staff any time you want an extra supply of books. Your basic supply can be any number that suits your personal reading needs, and we encourage you to inform us what this should be for you. If you often ask for more books, it may be that your maximum is too low. We initially assigned you a fairly low number when you joined the library so as not to overwhelm you immediately, but perhaps now you need more. Once you become familiar with the service, you may want to fine-tune this maximum.

In choosing your maximum, please bear in mind that you probably won’t have all these books on hand all the time. Many of the books charged out to you will often be in the mail, going in both directions, and because of this the ideal maximum for you is probably larger than you may think.

We can change this on your instruction at any time, so contact us at (800) 531-2063 to discuss what your basic supply should be.

Meals on Wheels in Danger

The Georgia Department of Human Services could be facing a budget cut that would eliminate the delivery of prepared meals to thousands of seniors in Georgia. There are currently about 138,000 meals delivered annually, and over 4,300 seniors on the waiting list for the program.

The Athens Banner-Herald ran an article with these and other facts and figures about the crisis. Please visit the article at the following link: www.onlineathens.com/stories/020711/new_782016712.shtml.


In local news, the Athens Meals on Wheels program has about 100 people on the waiting list.

Walton Co. Resource/Transition Fair

Walton County Resource/Transition Fair
for students with disabilities and their families

Saturday, March 5, 2011
9:00am - 1:00pm

Loganville High School
100 Trident Trail
Loganville, GA 30052


Breakout Sessions:

Medicaid COMP/NOW Waivers

Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts

Vocational Rehab/Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehab Center

SSI Benefits Navigator

Project SEARCH

Summers Camps/Respite

AND MORE!!!


FREE ADMISSION & FREE CHILDCARE!!

There will be over 50 Exhibits/Vendors open from 9:00am - 12:00pm. These include support groups, independent living, employment options, service providers, estate/will information, financial options, respite care, summer camps, and more!

The Talking Book Center will be hosting a vendor table - come by and say hi!


For more information, contact: Sandy McDonald (sandra.mcdonald@walton.k12.ga.us) or Teresa Johnson (teresa.johnson@walton.k12.ga.us) or call 770-207-3372.

Blind Artist is Also Martial Arts Champion

AOL recently ran a story about Jim Stevens, a veteran who lost most of his eyesight in Vietnam combat. In addition to being a single parent, Mr. Stevens is also a national martial arts champion as well as a talented scrimshaw artist.

To read the story about Mr. Stevens, please visit: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/01/blind-martial-arts-champion-sees-future-as-scrimshaw-artist/?icid=maing|main5|dl8|sec1_lnk2|40546

TBC Available for Outreach

Did you know the Talking Book Center staff gives presentations? We are always glad to come to your club meetings, special events, or anywhere else people are interested in learning about the Talking Books service. If you would like us to come give a presentation in YOUR town, just call us at 1-800-531-2063!


TBC will be hosting booths at the following upcoming events - come see us!


Council for Exceptional Children Disability Expo
Saturday, February 26
8am - 1pm
Classic Center
Athens


Walton Co. Resource/Transition Fair
Saturday, March 5
9am - 1pm
Loganville High School
Loganville


Gwinnett Co. Transition Fair
Saturday, March 19
9am - 2pm
Peachtree Ridge High School
Suwanee


Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Heath Fair
Saturday, March 26
9:30am - 1pm
Hill Chapel Baptist Church
Athens

Athens Council on Aging News

Here are some upcoming events at the Athens Council on Aging:

• Did you know that our legislators are trying to raise the retirement age and cut benefits to Social Security? Let your voice and opinions be heard at the Town Hall Meeting for Social Security.
  
  February 22, 2011
  6 - 8 p.m.
  Lanier Gardens
  801 Riverhill Dr.
  
  RSVP to Jessica Bankston
  jbankston@accaging.org
  706-549-4850
  
  Visit www.accaging.org/nasi.php for more information.
  
  
  
• March For Meals 5K - March 26, 2011
  
  In 2010, our Meals on Wheels program celebrated with a Mayors for Meals campaign. Join us for the First Annual 5K Run/Walk to end senior hunger in our community.
  
  
  
• Railroad Days - April 16, 2011
  
  Each year, the community gathers to participate in fun train-related activities. Join us this year, and bring the kids!
  
  
  
• Ms. Senior Athens - May 21, 2011
  
  Join us for the First Annual pageant celebrating distinguished older women in the community.
  
  
  
• Did you know that we're now holding classes in Winterville?
  
  Classes will include:
  
  -Introduction to Computers
  -Zumba
  -Yoga
  -Ballroom Dancing
  
  ...and more!
  
  
  Visit our website for more information: www.accaging.org/winterville.php

Empty Digital Cartridges

We are getting many of the blue digital cartridges back empty or with the wrong book in it. Since we only have one copy of most digital titles, this means the book is not available for other patrons to borrow. Digital books cost about $9 each to produce, so it's important that we get them back for other listeners to use.

Before putting your book cases in the mail, please double check that the correct book is in it. If we receive an empty case from you, we will send it back with a note inside. Please replace the book and return it to the library.

Thank you!

Athens Library Offering E-Books

The Athens-Clarke Co. Library is now offering more than 800 e-book titles to their patrons. The Athens Banner-Herald recently ran a story about the expanding collection: www.onlineathens.com/stories/012911/new_777772110.shtml

IRS Forms in Alternative Formats

Here is some information from the IRS about getting tax forms in alternative formats:

IRS provides assistance for people with disabilities

Hundreds of the most popular federal tax forms and publications are available for download from IRS.gov for sight impaired individuals. These products range from talking tax forms to Braille formats, and are accessible using screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and voice recognition software.


More Help is Available

The IRS also offers customer service assistance for persons who are deaf or who have hearing disabilities. People with TTY equipment may call 800-829-4059, which is a toll-free number, for assistance.

People who are unable to complete their tax return because of a physical disability may get assistance from an IRS office, or through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by IRS. Taxpayers can find a nearby location by calling 1-800-906-9887.

Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities, explains the tax implications of certain disability benefits and other issues, and is available at IRS.gov.

Visit www.IRS.gov and click on the word “accessibility” for help and information.

Battle of Braille

Blind and visually impaired students recently participated in a Battle of Braille in Macon. Please visit the following link to the News Central Georgia website to read about the event: www.newscentralga.com/news/local/A-Battle-of-Brai-114745689.html

"You've Got Braille"

The East Athens Community Resource Center will be presenting the program "You've Got Braille" daily at 3:30pm during the month of February. This program is geared towards introducing Braille to children. For more information, please call 706-613-3657 or visit their webpage at www.clarke.public.lib.ga.us/eastathens/index.html.