Learning Ally's Annual Read-A-Thon

Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) is holding its annual Read-A-Thon this month. Learning Ally records books for the print-disabled, including textbooks. Memberships are provided at a nominal charge.

For the Record-A-Thon, local celebrities are coming to help. Noted volunteers include former UGA football coach Vince Dooley and former Miss America Sherry Goggin, as well as local authors and dedicated volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering with Learning Ally, please contact them at (706) 549-1313.

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-02-27/celebrities-line-read-books-learning-allys-record-thon

Outdated Magazine List in TBT

The most recent issues of "Talking Book Topics" catalogs contained an incorrect, outdated magazine list. Here is the current list of magazines available through NLS. If you would like to subscribe to any, please contact the Talking Book Center.


-American Heritage (quarterly)
-Analog Science Fiction and Fact (10 issues)
-Asimov’s Science Fiction (10 issues)
-The Atlantic Monthly (10 issues)
-Das Beste aus Reader’s Digest (German; 12 issues)
-Bon Appétit (monthly)
-Consumer Reports (monthly)
-Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country (bimonthly)
-Cricket (for children, on one cassette with National Geographic Kids; 9 issues)
-Diabetes Forecast (monthly)
-Discover (10 issues)
-Ebony (11 issues)
-Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (10 issues)
-Foreign Affairs (6 issues)
-France-Amérique (French; 11 issues)
-Good Housekeeping (monthly)
-Health and Nutrition Newsletters (includes The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter—Health after Fifty, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and Nutrition Action Healthletter; monthly)
-Horticulture (7 issues)
-Magazine of the Month (monthly)
-Money (monthly)
-The Musical Mainstream (quarterly)
-The Nation (47 issues)
-National Geographic (monthly)
-National Geographic Kids (for children/teens, on one cassette with Cricket; 10issues)
-National Review (24 issues)
-The New York Times Book Review (weekly)
-Odyssey (9 issues)
-Outdoor Life (10 issues)
-People (51 issues)
-People in Español (Spanish; 11 issues)
-QST (monthly)
-Quarterly Music Magazine (quarterly)
-Smart Computing (monthly)
-Sound & Vision (8 issues)
-Spider: The Magazine for Children (9 issues)
-Sports Illustrated (51 issues)
-Sports Illustrated for Kids (monthly)
-Talking Book Topics (bimonthly, also contains selections from NLS News irregularly)
-Travel & Leisure (monthly)
-True West (monthly)
-Vanidades (Spanish; 12 issues)
-The Week (48 issues)
-The Writer (12 issues)
-Young Adult Magazine of the Month

Legally Blind Gymnast

Lola Walters, a 13-year-old gymnast in Washington, recently competed in the American Gymnastics Academy Long Beach Open. Although Walters in an accomplished athlete, she is legally blind, suffering from an eye condition called nystagmus.

To read about Miss Walters, please visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/13-year-old-lola-walters-_n_1296630.html?ref=good-news&icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl5|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D137957.

The National Federation of the Blind Announces the 2012 NFB Project Innovation Program

An announcement from the National Federation of the Blind:

The National Federation of the Blind Announces the 2012 NFB Project Innovation Program

Students Charting Their Own Course Into Scientific Exploration

July 25-29, 2012*

In 2012, the National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS), a program of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, is introducing an exciting science program for students ages 7-11 and 14-18 called NFB Project Innovation. This pioneer program will focus on fostering a sense of innovation and autonomy in young students by allowing them to determine their course of study during the week of the program. Students will ultimately focus on one investigation which they will showcase at the Innovators Expo. However, multiple branches of science will be explored throughout the program through extension activities.

A unique component of NFB Project Innovation is how it will serve two unique age groups simultaneously. The first of these two groups will be comprised of students in grades 3-6 (ages 7-11). This group, called Junior Innovators, will stay at the NFBJI for three days, July 25-29.** Twenty blind students will be accepted into this group. Each student will be required to attend with an adult chaperone. In this age group, students will interact with science professionals, blind mentors, and Senior Innovators. They will have the opportunity to show off their final innovations, which reflect their own personal interests and research, at the Innovators Expo.

The high school students, called Senior Innovators, will serve as junior advisors. They will not only participate in this science program but will model blindness skills, scientific investigation skills, and techniques to their younger counterparts. Senior Innovators will also have the opportunity to exhibit at the Innovators Expo. Students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18) are eligible to apply to be a Senior Innovator. The Senior Innovators will stay at the NFBJI for four days, July 24-29, 2012.** Ten blind students will be accepted into this group.

There will be a $250 fee for each Junior Innovator/Chaperone pair and a $250 fee for each Senior Innovator attending. Other expenses, such as the cost of travel, room, board, and program materials, will be covered by the NFB Jernigan Institute for all students and student/chaperone pairs.

Apply now at www.blindscience.org. Applications are due by April 1, 2012. For more information on this exciting new program, please contact Abby Bispo at 410-659-9314, extension 2312 or by email at abispo@nfb.org

*Exact program dates differ based on grade level
**Date range reflects travel time.

Actress Judi Dench Diagnosed with Macular Degeneration

Actress Judi Dench has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, the common eye disease which can cause blindness. The actress reports that her eyesight has deteriorated in recent years.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=705162

BARD Updated More Often

Books have traditionally been added to BARD once a week or so, but now books will be added as soon as they have passed Quality Assurance. Look for new books in the "Recently Added Books" section on the BARD main page.

Tax Documents in Alternative Formats

The IRS has provided the following information about tax documents and preparation:

IRS provides assistance for people with disabilities

Individuals who are blind or visually impaired can download hundreds of the most popular federal tax forms and publications from IRS.gov. These products range from accessible PDFs to e-braille formats and are accessible using screen- reading software and refreshable braille displays. Visit IRS.gov Accessibility at www.irs.gov/accessibility/index.html?portlet=113page to download these forms and publications. You can also view a video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4PfzKqpXmg that highlights IRS products and services for people with disabilities.

Tax return preparation help is also available

People who are unable to complete their tax return because of a physical disability may get assistance from a local IRS Tax Assistance Center or through a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site (VITA or TCE). To find a Tax Assistance Center near you visit IRS.gov, select Contact IRS, and then select Contact Your Local IRS Office. You can also find a nearby VITA or TCE location by calling 1-800-906-9887. The IRS sponsors VITA and TCE. 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 enter “accessibility” in the search box for more information.

NFB - Training the Trainers

Save the Date

Training the Trainers: Teaching and Supporting Users of Access Technology
May 9-11, 2012

National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute
200 E. Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230

Learn about blindness technology from the best!

Technology is in a constant state of flux. New devices, software, and services are being implemented by business and education on what seems like a daily basis. Blind and low vision users need access to these same technologies in order to compete with their sighted peers. Access technology vendors are constantly working to help consumers meet these needs. With the challenges come opportunities for users, and the people who train and support them. This two-and-a-half-day seminar is designed to provide trainers and content creators with the information they need about these powerful tools to ensure that their blind and low vision users can succeed in their endeavors. To meet this goal, the training will provide hands-on involvement with:

Screen access software
Braille
DAISY eBooks
Tactile graphics creation
Apple�s iDevices
Mac computers
Notetakers
Low vision solutions
Other tools


Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experts in the access technology field, experience the latest in the industry, and visit the largest showcase of blindness technology in the United States.

More information and registration at www.nfb.org/trainers. For questions, please contact Clara Van Gerven at cvangerven@nfb.org or at 410-659-9314 x2410.

Long Term Care Seminar Offered This Weekend

Start Living Your Best Life

Iris Place Retirement Presents

Long Term Care and You:
A Discussion of
Important Topics

Presented by
Tim Golden,
representing BrightStar Healthcare

Saturday, February 11, 2012
At 10:00 a.m.


This is a free event open to the public
Light refreshments will be served
Register for a fabulous door prize


Iris Place Retirement
755 Epps Bridge Parkway
Space is limited: Please call to RSVP: 706-425-0301

Extra Special People Gets Big Donation

Extra Special People, an organization that provides programs for children with special needs, got a big donation this weekend. The Linda and Jerry Strickland Foundation offered to match up to $100,000 in donations given at the annual Big Hearts Pageant, and ESP is optimistic that they reached that fundraising goal!

To read more, please visit http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-02-06/esp-given-100000-strickland-foundation.

2012 Northeast Georgia Transition Expo and Conference

Don't forget the 2012 Northeast Georgia Transition Expo and Conference being held today at the Tate Center on the UGA campus in Athens. The Expo runs from 9am - 1:30pm and offers parents and students many resources available from the community. To read more about the expo, please visit the Athens Banner-Herald:

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-02-03/lifes-transitions-focus-expo

and come by the Tate Center to check it out. Talking Books will be there!

Updating Your BARD Settings

This is from an instructional email that went out to BARD Support listserv members. If you are interesting in subscribing to this listserv, please email your request to: NLSDownload@loc.gov.

In our ongoing series on tips for using BARD, we now look at a specific set of tools that allows you to make changes to your account. The link to these tools is labeled, "Update account settings." You can tab to the link, jump by headings, or use your screen reader's search function to search for the word, "account." This link is a level 3 heading.

When you hit Enter on the link, the new page provides ten links, one combo box, and no headings, so this is a simple but powerful page. The most important links are labeled as Follows:

Change your password
Change your e-mail address
Add a purchased player
Maximum number of books to be displayed on one page:
250

We'll start with the "Change Your Password" link. This is a catch 22 problem. If you already have a working password, you can log in and get to this link. However, if you can't log in, you can't change your password with this link. The only time you might use this method for changing a password is if you suspect that the privacy of the password has been compromised. If you do proceed to change your password, you will be sent a new temporary password. Then you'll have to log in again and create a totally new password. So, the saying, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" applies here. Remember, if you haven't forgotten your password, there's never a need to change it.

A more commonly used link is "Change your e-mail address." There aren't too many people who go through life with one e-mail address. Maybe you move, or your Internet service provider changes, so it's time to register a new e-mail address.

First, open this link.
You'll be asked to enter the new e-mail address twice. You do not have to supply your old one. You next come to a button saying, "change e-mail address." Hit Enter on the button, and your e-mail address is changed.

Now there is a surprise that we think some people miss. This is a case where you must read everything. Here's the message you receive after the e-mail address has been changed:

"SUCCESS - Change your BARD user ID and e-mail address
You have successfully changed your e-mail address.
You will need to use your new e-mail address to login. For security purposes, a new password has been sent to that e-mail address. You will need to use this password to login. That is a temporary password so you will need to go through the steps of creating a new permanent one."

We believe that when some people receive an e-mail saying their password has been changed, they probably don't bother to read the rest of the e-mail. However, in that e-mail is a new temporary password that must be used for the next login.

Now life goes on and your happily reading books on the large digital player from your library, but keep hearing about new players that can fit easily in a purse or pocket. To find out what players are available, visit http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/compatible_players.html

You do your research and decide to buy. But you discover that the new $300 plus machine won't play NLS books. What is wrong? The machine needs to receive an authorization "key."
This process is started by your activating the "Add a purchased player" link.

At the top of the new page, you are asked to enter your name and address. This is to verify that you are who you say you are and that you are registered with NLS. One note here: this is why you should always keep your local library for the blind informed of any changes in your contact information. In many cases, this information will already be filled in for you.

Now comes a somewhat more complicated section. You'll find a list of NLS-approved players.
Below the name of each player is a number, generally a zero. This represents the player or players you've already registered. The zero simply means you've never registered that type of player.

Next is a combo box that also has a zero in it. If the combo box is under the name of your new player, press Alt-Down Arrow to open the combo box and change the zero to one; otherwise, leave it alone.

Now move down to the Submit button, hit Enter, and you're done.

The process that follows is this. First, someone at your library will see the request and verify that you are a registered NLS member. Next, the library sends a message to the vendor of your player who in turn will contact you to get your specific player's serial number. Once you reply with that information, the vendor will send you a small file that is the authorization key for your specific player. The same e-mail will also include instructions on how to proceed. It may seem a little cumbersome, but you only have to go through this once.

Back on the "Update account settings" page, the next item is the "Maximum number of books to be displayed on one page" combo box. The default number is 250 books per page. You can adjust this number from 25 to 10,000. We have found that people using screen enlargement programs seem to have a much easier time reading the screens if the number is cut back to 25 or 50. If you use a screen reader, however, you might prefer to display a larger number so that you can use its searching capability to search the page for the book you want. Experiment to figure out what setting suits you.

Finally, when you first registered a permanent password, you were asked to supply a security question and answer. This is optional, but if you do forget your password and want to set a new one from the login screen, you'll be asked for the question and answer.

About two or three times a week, we are told that a person's secret answer doesn't work. The key to creating a perfect answer is to use a question that has an answer that can only be written one way. Even names can trip you up if you don't remember whether you capitalized the first letter.

And there you have the "Update account settings" section of the BARD site. We hope that you found this information helpful.

Enjoy your downloads.