June Workshops at Hadley School

Seminars@Hadley Presents: Blind Woodworkers Workshop

Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Time: 4:00 PM CDT, 21:00 GMT

Have you ever considered working with wood? Did you previously enjoy woodworking, but feel that your current level of vision is no longer adequate? If so, join us for Seminars@Hadley as we broadcast live from the Annual Woodworking for the Blind Workshop in Deer Park, IL. Larry Martin, founder of the Woodworking for the Blind Workshop, along with the Workshop participants, will share with you how to get the most out of this activity, including their current projects and a discussion about “talking tools.”

Join Seminars@Hadley as the Workshop participants provide further information on the joys and challenges of woodworking.Larry Muffett, a member of Hadley’s Seminars team, will moderate this 60-minute seminar. A question and answer period will be included as part of the seminar.

Space in this seminar is limited. Please only register if you know you are available to attend so that others are not closed out. Register for the Blind Woodworkers Workshop seminar on June 4.

REGISTER: http://hadley.edu/SeminarDetails.asp?sid=187

Seminars@Hadley Presents: The Ladies Lounge 2

Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013Time: 10:00 AM CDT, 15:00 GMT

Grab a cup of coffee, herbal tea or iced latte and meet us in the (cyber) Ladies Lounge! We’re back to pick up where we left off in the first Ladies Lounge! We’ll finish up talking about make-up and nails and then continue on with hair care and styling, shaving and more. Do you have “how to” questions? Perhaps you’ve got a few techniques that work for you as a blind or low vision woman. Do share! We’ll be chatting it up during this seminar for ladies only.

Join Seminars@Hadley as Hadley instructor Sharon Howerton and Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Polly Abbott, from Second Sense in Chicago, share personal care tips and tricks.

Hadley Senior Vice President Dawn Turco will join in on the conversation and moderate this 60-minute seminar. Question and answers (and chatting!) will be included as part of the seminar. Space in this seminar is limited. Please only register if you know you are available to attend so that others are not closed out. 

Register for the Ladies Lounge 2 seminar on June 13. 

REGISTER: http://hadley.edu/SeminarDetails.asp?sid=188

Coming Soon: 

• Wednesday, June 19, 10:00 AM — Braille Exchange: Drawing Pictures On the Braillewriter

• Wednesday, June 26, 2:00 PM — Five Fishing Techniques Proven to Make Sure You Feel the Bite.

Support Group Information - DRS

For those of you who have family members with vision loss, there are support groups available to you, too.   

Caregiver Support Group - Tulsa County
3220 S. Peoria Ave.
Tulsa,  OK  74105-2003918-744-5595 Voice
Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 10:00 a.m.

Caregiver Support Groups - Tulsa County
Tulsa Senior Services
5950 E. 31st St.
Tulsa,  OK  74135-5114
Caregiver Support Group meets on the 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on the 4th Thursday on the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For groups outside Tulsa, see the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services website. 

E.A.R.S. for Eyes

E.A.R.S.  for Eyes

WHO ARE WE
E.A.R.S.  is a nonprofit public charity.  We provide, free of charge, audio lessons that teach adaptive daily living skills to the vision impaired and their caregivers.  The lessons, modeled after current vision rehabilitation techniques, are a must for anyone coping with loss of eyesight.  We are committed to teaching, each of the 1 out of 6 seniors who have developed limited vision, the skills necessary to continue living their lives with confidence and dignity.

WHAT IS LOW VISION REHABILITATION?
Quite simply, it's learning practical techniques to overcome the limitations of vision loss.  It provides solutions for safely moving about, making the most of available light and contrasting color, and using your sense of touch to replace information your eyes used to provide. It enables you to continue to live independently.  By listening to E.A.R.S.  audio lessons you'll learn many new ways to successfully continue to do everyday activities when you have reduced vision.

HOW E.A.R.S.  WORKS
Just call our toll free telephone number.  You'll talk with a vision counselor who will determine which lessons are appropriate for you to begin with.  The lessons are designed for use in the privacy of your home.  Within a week you'll receive free of charge your first lessons. We do not require any designation of legal blindness, and your call is strictly confidential.

YOUR INDEPENDENCE IS OUR GOAL
With the onset of declining vision comes the need to relearn how to do many daily activities.  By listening to E.A.R.S.  lessons, you'll hear uncomplicated, straight-forward ways to help you do the things made difficult by low vision.  Personal grooming, doing the laundry, dialing the telephone, can once again become simple, enjoyable events.  You can maintain your independence and E.A.R.S.  is here to tell you how, right in your own home, with low vision rehabilitation training.

LESSON TAPES
The subjects covered by our curriculum of 13 audio lessons have been chosen to provide instruction in the fundamental areas of daily living skills and mobility.  They specifically target those issues that most often impact independent living and the quality of life for adults with vision impairments, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and other diseases affecting the retina.

Four of the lessons teach adaptive skills that are used in the kitchen and in the preparation of food.  The ability to get around both in the house and when going out is covered by two mobility lessons.  Personal care is the subject of three tapes that cover personal grooming, doing the laundry, and managing medications.  One of the lessons teaches techniques which help avoid embarrassment when dining with others and another lesson delivers practical advice on using the telephone.  Additionally, the introductory lesson will always accompany the first lesson that is sent to a new client.  This introduction explains how to most effectively utilize the lessons.  Each lesson is designed to "stand alone" and there is no progressive order or sequence to the lessons.  An individual can choose the subject areas that are the most troublesome and order only those lessons, skipping those areas that are not problematic.

For more information about E.A.R.S.  please visit us at E.A.R.S. for Eyes

Muskogee Student Going to Washington, D.C.

12-year-old Richelle Zampella is practicing for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. So what's different? Richelle has been legally blind since she was five years old.  

This is Richelle's second year to be selected to go to Nationals. Let's wish her luck! 

Read more about Richelle on the KJRH Website. Another story on People Magazine website.

Tulsa Sidewalk Stories

Sidewalk Stories Video Link
http://vimeo.com/ballenphoto/tulsasidewalkstories

Thanks Juliet! 

Blind Birding in the News

Spring is here. Time to get out and enjoy nature. The CBS News tonight featured a story about Blind Birding. 

Sensing Nature's Beauty in Sound, Scent, and Touch contains an essay from Donna Posont, the Group Leader of the Michigan Bird Brains. 

Photo of Cedar Waxwing on
tree branches. 

Interested in bird sounds? Check out the All About Birds Website which features recordings of many of our favorite birds. 

The following web pages contain links to specific bird calls:

Eastern Bluebird: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/sounds

American Crow: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/sounds

Mourning Dove: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/sounds

Bluejay: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds

Northern Mockingbird: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/sounds

American Goldfinch: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/sounds

Cedar Waxwing: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/sounds

Bowl-a-Thon

Bowling ball and pins

Tulsa Chapter of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind Eighth Annual Bowl-a-Thon to be held at AMF Sheridan Lanes, 3121 S. Sheridan Road, June 15, 2013, 11 am - 2 pm

Donations $15 minimum - Two games and shoes

Proceeds benefit Tulsa Chapter, Oklahoma Council of the Blind. Our organization has helped many individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the areas of public awareness, encouragement and support of independence, communication with our legislators, improvement of equal access, and organization of a variety of social events to foster involvement in the community and prevent isolation. We also endeavor to educate and inform others about blindness. 

For more information, please call 918.832.7035 or email: jericooper@att.net

Come Bowl! Have Fun! 

What is Macular Degeneration

This video explains what macular degeneration is, the difference between dry and wet macular degeneration, the symptoms, and how it is diagnosed.

For Friends and Family of the Visually Impaired

Tommy Edison XP offers videos on YouTube that explain various aspects of being blind. Examples:
How blind People Use Paper Money, What Do Blind People See?, and What Blind People Fear. There are many more titles! Some are serious and some are extremely funny!

Here's one of his videos:

How Blind People Use Paper Money:



One more: How to Offer Help to a Blind Person:



For more Tommy Edison XP, see his YouTube Channel. LINK

TCB Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2013

TCB Board May 2, 2013

Meeting began 7 pm.

Quorum established: Julie, Allison, Jeri, Jesse, Darla, and Bill.

Jesse discussed various activities and it was decided to do the Aquarium possibly in July or August. $8 per person for tour and $6 box lunch. Another possible activity for this year or next was Disney outdoor theatre $18.75 for ticket and dinner, and drinks extra. Name of play Man Who Ran, and Elijah. 

Reviewed budget. Add lines for donation $50, Web cost $13, Printing $150, Donate to community. Table this vote until after meal issue is discussed. Add food after meal issue decided.

It was determined last November for TCB to provide meals at the meetings every other month. It was accidentally overlooked and we got out of sync. Darla will talk to the Pastor about providing dinner for May and we will discuss with the members on perhaps forming a committee for our turn to provide meals. Ideas were pot luck and Darla and others could coordinate. Bring before members to vote again on meals provision.

Discussed concerns for folks outside our area, assist with forming other groups within their area or assist in getting them to ours.

Discussed providing interpreter for Jean and Jeri will ask for volunteers. WE will pay volunteer interpreter meals. If volunteer can't be found, pay for interpreter. further discussion is needed. 
Meeting adjourned 8:20.

Springtime in Oklahoma Means Storm Season!

Yes, it’s spring time in Oklahoma and that means storm season!  Just as a reminder to us all, below are some safety tips from the city of Oklahoma City to help you prepare for tornado season.

If you have a storm shelter, register its location with the City. Registering your shelter's location will let rescue workers know you have a shelter and where to find it if a disaster covers it with debris. Call the Action Center at 405 297-2535 to register your shelter. (If not in OKC, then call your city’s or police office number to see if they have a registry)  

• Flashlight and extra batteries (do not use candles or open flame devices!) 
• Portable, battery operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• A set of spare keys to vehicles
• Personal identification
• Camera with several rolls of film (for documenting your damage)

If you are outdoors: If possible, go inside a building. If shelter is not available or there is no time to go indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Things to do now

Have regular tornado drills with your family. Designate an area in your home as a shelter, and regularly practice having your family go there as if there were a tornado. Have disaster supplies on hand.
Have a plan for getting back together in case family members are separated from one another during a tornado. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to act as the family contact. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.

When it's on the way

Photo of tornado on the ground with lightning
in the background and farmhouse in front.

When a tornado is coming, you have a short amount of time to make life or death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving.

If you are at home:  Go to the basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a small inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Get away from windows. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table and hold on to it. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are at work or school:  Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level. Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls. Get under a piece of furniture such as a heavy table or desk and hold on to it. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
If you are in a car:  Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building. Never try to outdrive a tornado. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.  If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not take cover under a bridge!

What should I do if I live in a mobile home? Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie the unit down. When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation. If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the unit.

After it's passed

Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid when appropriate. Don¬t try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help. Help your neighbors who may require special assistance, infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.  Turn on a radio or television to get the latest emergency information.  Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.  Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other flammable liquids as soon as possible. Leave the building if you smell gas or chemical fumes.  Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance purposes.

Dining in the Dark

Dining In The Dark Logo

Heartland Council of the Blind Presents the 5th Annual "Dining in the Dark" on May 18, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1117 N. W. 63rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. 

Experience food, drink and conversation as you may never have before! "Without Your Sight."

For more information, see the HCB website. 

From the President . . .

Don't forget the TCB Meeting on May 10. We eat at 5:30 and the meeting begins at 6 p.m. and adjourns at 7:30. Location is West Tulsa Freewill Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 930 W. 23rd Place.

Agenda for Friday's Meeting: 

Welcome
Secretary's Report
Treasurer's Report
Old Business:

• Bowl-A-Thon updateTCB Activities
• Any other old business

New Business:

• Meeting meals and possible committee 
•  OCB Convention /Hospitality Night
• Assistance with Revitalizing MCB?
• Any other new business

Guest Speaker:  John Dessauer from the Consumer Credit Counseling

Adjourn

ABC Radio

Photo of Radio Mic with
the words  "On Air"

American Council of the Blind streams via the internet, up-to-date and relevant information worldwide for persons who are blind or who have low vision, provides programming produced by blind programmers, and a platform on which blind musicians and artists express their talents.

Examples of radio shows offered include Book News, Ham Radio, U.S. and World News, Music, Interviews, Talk Shows, Economic News, Adaptive Equipment, Technology, Magazines, Children's Stories, and Cooking. 

Here is the weekly program lineup: ACB Radio.

In order to listen to the programs, you must download and install the player found on this page: PLAYER.

An Author in our Midst!

Photo of Marion

Photo of book,
Welcome Back,
Jimmy

Marion McFadden, a member of Tulsa Council of the Blind, has published a mystery novel. The story setting is rural Northeastern Oklahoma and Southwestern Virginia, in 1969-1970. The genre is soft or cozy mystery, and contains no explicit sex.

The book is available in e-book or print format, and can be purchased for $2.99 (e-book) or $14 (print), by searching for the title, Welcome Back, Jimmy, on Google.

At the Kindle store, the first two chapters can be read by clicking on 'Look Inside.'  If you do not have a Kindle Reader, free software can be downloaded at that site, allowing access on a computer, I-phone, or I-pad.

A signed print copy can be bought by e-mailing marion.webb.mcfadden@cox.net.

TCB Meeting - Friday, May 10th

Come one! Come all! There are many reasons to attend this month's meeting. Want a list? Okay, you ask for it!

1.  First and foremost to celebrate and congratulate President Julie Bailey for passing her Certification for Vision Rehabilitation Therapist exam!

2.  To be informed and enlightened by our speaker, John Dessauer, from the Consumer Credit Counseling. He has a lot of great information that everyone can benefit from!

3. To discuss upcoming activities and fun events!

4. Eat and visit with a great group of folks!

5. Celebrate that hopefully the cold weather is finally gone?

Let's eat at 5:30 and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and adjourn at 7:30.

Location is West Tulsa Freewill Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 930 W. 23rd Place.

Look forward to seeing you and come prepared to have a great time!

Jeri Cooper

Secretary

Ham Radio for the Blind or Visually Impaired

You can be a ham radio operator! Courage Center’s Handiham System will get you started with your ham radio studies, and you’ll be on the air before you know it. Having fun with electronics, talking to your friends on the radio, and helping your community with emergency communications are some of the new experiences you can look forward to with a ham radio license.

Classes are available at various locations. Week-long Radio Camp sessions each year are available at Camp Courage on beautiful Cedar Lake, if you want to study in a residential camp setting. The cost of camp is based on ability to pay. Self-study is possible anytime and anywhere with audio or print materials, or on handiham.org with your computer. Online courses are a self-paced member service, and are delivered as audio lectures each week: Beginner course (Technician Class License) Intermediate course (General Class License) Highest level course (Extra Class License) Operating Skills course (For those with any level of license who want to learn to operate better.)

There is also a Handiham World newsletter. (May 2013 edition) Find it online, delivered weekly in both text and audio, or as an audio podcast at handiham.org, or call toll-free, 1.866.426.3442.

For more information, visit the HandiHam website or use one of the contacts below:
Toll-free phone: 1-866-426-3442
E-mail: hamradio@couragecenter.org

Logo of Courage Center

Kitchen Tools for the Visually Impaired

Photo of Ove' Glove

Ove' Glove: five-finger, oven protection. This glove is flexible which makes it perfect for getting hot dishes out of the oven, AND it has a gripping feature so dishes won't slide from your grip!

Speaking of baking, the Cool Touch Oven Rack Guard is a nifty invention. Snap it on the front of your oven rack and no more arm burns! That's a great idea for everyone!

Photo of pasta boat.

Microwave Pasta Boat - I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! Pasta cooking has never been so easy. 1. Measure the pasta by inserting pasta into the round tube handle (one handle full = two servings). 2. Place the pasta in the boat. 3. Add water to the line (NOTE: The water line is very light so you may have to have someone mark the water line on the outside of the boat.). 4. Put the boat in the microwave and cook until done. No stirring, no watching, and no stuck-up noodles either! The pasta comes out perfect every time once you figure out the cooking time needed. It depends on pasta type and the watts of your microwave oven. I cook angel hair pasta for 10 minutes with an 1100-watt microwave. It's SO EASY and yummy!

Accessible Instruction Materials

Photo of students using
assistive technology. 

Oklahoma ABLE Tech assists Oklahoma's elementary and secondary schools by providing accessible instructional materials for students with print disabilities. 

This materials are available to students who are or have (1) low vision or are blind, (2) a reading disability such as dyslexia and/or (3) a physical limitation such as cerebral palsy.

For more information, see the ABLE Tech website. 

Guide to Disability Rights Law

From the U.S. Department of Justice: Guide to Disability Rights Law. This guide provides an overview of Federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.  LINK

How to Help App Developers, etc.

Lots of new apps are being developed for phones and tablets, but sometimes they are not accessible. Here's an article from Access World on how to help app developers add these features: LINK.

Another good article is Mac, PC, or Both: Choices for the Blind or Visually Impaired.