Fred's Head from APH

Identification by Color, Not for Me

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:24:50 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan

When I had sufficient vision, I used to depend heavily on colors to help me identify things. I could remember that when I was growing up, the yellow cup was mine. The blue cup belonged to Robert and the red one was Jeff's. The green towel was mom's, the pink one was granny's and dad had a multi colored one. Colors, colors, that's how I did it.

It carried on into adulthood. I used colors to differentiate things. Documents were filed in folders of various colors to help me keep things straight. CDs were mainly identified by colors; a red patch at the bottom or a blue one at the top, or a green bar at the top left hand corner or a yellow one somewhere else. I even used colors to help me mix and match my clothes. Mom used colors to help me identify things as well and my friends followed suit.

That was then and this is now. I can no longer use colors to help me identify things. So that when a pair of headphones comes with two identical jacks and the manufacturer has used different colors to distinguish between the one for the headphone and the one for the microphone, it means very little for me. I have to use tape to help me distinguish the difference. I put tape on one of the jacks and then I have to make sure that I remember which one I have put it on. The jack for the microphone or the one for the headphone.

Nowadays, there are talking color detectors to help a blind person overcome the challenge of colors. You can visit this link to learn more about one of them, called the Colorino from APH.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

Are the blind easier victims?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:15:49 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan

This is a topic that often arises among my clients and friends and there are several ways to look at this question. On the one hand, some would argue that some suspects may think twice before making a blind person their victim but on the other hand; there are some suspects who would not think twice to do so.

One can only guess as to why anyone would want to make another person their victim of something such as fraud, dishonesty, or anything else that is dubious or underhanded. As to the question at hand, here are my thoughts on this subject.

Blind people may be easier victims because suspects may feel that it is easier to take advantage of them because of their lack of sight. For after all; blind people cannot read printed matterial without the aid of adaptive technology such as scanners with voice output capabilities, and large print magnification. If there is a trusted sighted person on hand, then you can add this to the resources that a blind person would have at their disposal.

A blind person is unable to decipher facial expressions, gestures, and other visual cues and accordingly, they are going to be at a disadvantage when dealing with a cunning sales person. So picture this example. A sales person comes to the door of a blind person to sell their vacuum cleaner. They quickly realize that their potential client is blind and bingo! They decide to attempt a scam! They show their blind victim the vacuum but then proceed to sell them something else. It has happened in cases that I personally know of.

What I want to say is this! A blind person is a more vulnerable person when it comes to potential scams and schemes. Without eyesight, blind people are more at the mercy of potential scammers and schemers.

Do you agree? Just my two cents for today.

SpokenLayer Helps You Listen to the Web

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:17:03 PDT

Plenty of startups give you new and different ways to read content on the Web, but NY-based SpokenLayer wants to give you a way to hear it.

The SpokenLayer iPhone app takes text articles online and either gives them to a human to read and record, or it uses text-to-speech synthesis to meet instant demand in a matter of seconds. Founder and CEO Will Mayo said he created the app to address his own difficulties growing up with dyslexia. The company already has partnerships with publishers including The Atlantic, National Journal, TechCrunch and Endgadget.

While about half a dozen other companies provide RSS to speech services, SpokenLayer is distinguished by the involvement of authors and professional readers who give an emotional layer to the content.

Click this link to visit http://www.spokenlayer.com.

Insignia Narrator, a Talking HD Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:17:56 PDT

The Narrator is the first IAAIS-certified HD Radio product, ergonomically designed for people who are visually impaired, with audible voice prompts and a wealth of niche programming, all in crisp CD-like digital sound. The Narrator eliminates the need to see the display. Audible voice prompts tell the user which button was pressed, and when the radio's functions are activated.

The Narrator's key features include:

Button layout and markings that are intuitively designed
Hi-fidelity HD Radio table top FM radio delivering CD-like sound quality without any static
20-program memory so that your favorite stations are just a touch away
3.5 mm headphone jack for convenience and privacy

The Narrator incorporates HD Radio Technology, which provides crisp, clear sound and a wealth of added formats via HD2/HD3 Channel capability on the FM dial, including sports, comedy and foreign language programming, among others.

IAAIS is a volunteer-driven membership organization of services that turn text into speech for people who cannot see, hold or comprehend the printed word and who may be unable to access information due to a disability or health condition. Find local member stations at http://iaais.org/findservices.html.

The radio is available for preorder from BestBuy right now. It will be available for regular purchase online this July. Click this link to visit BestBuy.com to learn more or purchase the Insignia Narrator.

APH’s TOAD KIT and The Blue Light Special

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:25:32 PDT

by Kristie Smith, M.Ed, CTVI

“If you see a tree as blue, then make it blue.” Paul Gaugin (French Post-Impressionist Painter)

OK K-Mart shoppers, APH offers the best, and I mean the best blue light special for children who have cortical vision impairment (CVI).

The little blue light comes in the TOAD Kit from APH, and like the big black blanket, its benefits are quietly tucked away in the bottom of the brilliant TOAD Kit.

Take the black blanket, add a 9 volt battery to the unpretentious wired object, a piece of black cloth and “poof” you have a book full of activities using only two items that encourages all fields of vision as well as creating many lessons that enhance visual/brain understanding.

The black blanket and the blue light may also encourage movement for the child with CVI. In children with CVI the brain responds to movement as well as the color blue. Did you know that the color blue sends out eleven neurotransmitters that encourage the brain to relax and take in more information? A student will crawl, roll and walk with encouragement while the brain tracks the movement and brilliant blue light from the TOAD Kit.

Why do we as educators and parents unintentionally make daily living more difficult for our child’s vision by not eliminating visual clutter and distractions or by forcing movement that is not motivating or fun? Simply place the black blanket approximately 3-4 feet away from the child and make the blue light dance to the music.

The other day my young student with CVI began to follow the blue light and used all fields of vision for the first time since she lost her vision through Shaken Baby Syndrome. She moved to the music and began to dance while watching the light over and over again. If the music is too much to process, then simply create a soft quiet environment using only the blue light and black blanket.

Another fun activity with the little blue light is to reinforce positional words: up, down, left, right while the child is watching the light. I tease the student and sing, “up, down, shake it all around” and continue with the words from The Hokey Pokey.

Some of the ideas have helped my students, the past several years, to view and understand objects and their concepts better, is to add the little blue light that will enhance visual activity.

Movement encourages the troubled brain to see objects especially when glare and visual clutter are eliminated. My own preference is to begin with the strongest field of vision and gradually work to the weaker field, therefore, making the strong side stronger, and the weaker side improved.

Make every lesson fun and motivating. Find finger plays and music that appeal to the student and flood them with their favorite items during visual play.

The vision specialist is obviously there to first work the eyes, so place the child in a comfortable position, so that they are only exerting visual activity. Watch for glare and room temperature.

Other Fun Ideas for the little blue light:

Sing the “Color Song” from Frog Street Press. “B. L. U. E. spells blue. B.L.U.E. spells blue, heigh ho did you know, B.L.U.E. spells blue.
Finger plays develop the brain, speech, pre-reading and pre-writing. Take time out of each lesson to sing and remember to use blue colored lipstick and a mirror to reflect the color blue.
Use large print color pictures of the ocean and discuss the color blue.
Share a plate of blueberries and spell the color blue.
Listen to the sound of the ocean.
Use the All-In-One Board to scribble and select the color blue.
Melt a pan of blue crayons and add a blueberry scent.
Add blue food coloring to Vanilla pudding.
“Autism Speaks” – It’s time to listen! With children ages 5-10 discuss how a child with autism struggles with intense sound, smells and sights.

Simplify your lessons and watch all the goals that you will create by using two simple items from the amazing TOAD Kit- “the little blue light and black piece of material and like the poem suggest, “If you see a tree as blue, make it blue”. Allow the child to color or paint beautiful pictures using all shades of blue.

The Tadpole Kit is a Swimming Success for Children with CVI Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:04:52 PDT

by Kristie Smith, M.Ed, CTVI

Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head”- William Shakespeare

Recently, I wrote about how excited I was to be one of the first teachers to see the TADPOLE Kit for infants and toddlers who have a visual impairment. As I said in Part 1, the kit is amazing and helps educators to see what is truly being seen or not seen, understood or not by the little one.

I was also excited when I took the kit to a daycare to assess one of my toddlers who lost her vision through Shaken Baby Syndrome. Although the baby has physical and emotional trauma from the event, she is beginning to make progress and is even tracking the blue light from the TOAD Kit (that’s my next article). It was wonderful to be able to carry a case that was, along with the items for testing, light in weight and easy to carry.

With my black blanket, and items such as the banana puzzle, a real banana, and the large puzzle book, I began to notice that my student was actually using her right central visual field. The baby turned her head using “eccentric” vision and look from the black and yellow picture of the banana to the real banana that was placed in front of the black blanket. Because she has cvi, my student can see objects easier with the dark blanket available from the TOAD Kit.

I opened the large puzzle book and held a large print picture of a woman in front of her while I wore the black apron. She once again went directly to her right central field of vision and smiled. Although she struggles with hand-to-eye coordination, the baby was showing an interest visually and slightly began to move her hand toward the banana puzzle.

Some activities that my student and I did with the real banana, and the one from the puzzle was to sing, “Banana split! Go bananas, go, go, bananas, go bananas, go, go, bananas.” She moved her head to the beat to my unfortunate lack of talent but seem to enjoy the finger play. As we sang, I continued to allow her to smell the banana and look at the puzzle version. It is crucial for children especially ones with a visual impairment, to have someone draw attention from the real object to the representative one.

The next student, Javier, enjoyed the puzzle, the toothbrush and began to look from object-to-object with no hesitation as long as the black blanket was covering the beige countertop of a table. Javier and I sang, “This is the way you brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth, this is the way you brush your teeth so early in the morning.”

Since Javier is behind verbally I took the blue cup from the cup and began echoing sound which he thoroughly enjoyed and began to copy. He also began to match the colored bowls with the colored balls and began throwing them across the room. Educators need to realize that throwing and mouthing items is a part of learning and exploring the world.

Thanks to kits like the TOAD and TADPOLE from APH, educators and parents will witness visual strengths and weaknesses and apply fun activities with the items in this awesome kit.

Our children and families have many obstacles to overcome however like Shakespeare said, “adversity is ugly and venomous like the toad but wears a precious jewel in his head.”

The Tadpole Kit is a Swimming Success for Children with CVI Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:45:43 PDT

by Kristie Smith, M.Ed, CTVI

"Theories fade. The frog lives on."- Jean Rostand

A few months ago I wrote a blog about an incredible assessment and activity kit that I use frequently, "The TOAD Kit". I discussed wearing my black apron from the kit, using Billy Bird and my bright yellow pompom to entice my students with Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) to visually attend to their world.

Imagine my excitement when I was chosen to give my thoughts on a version of the TOAD Kit that is designed for little ones. The TADPOLE Kit is especially designed for infants/toddlers who struggle with CVI and other vision issues.

What is really cool is that on page 10 there is a General Preparation page that teaches: support and alignment of the child's body, especially the head, appropriate lighting, limitation of distraction, simplifying the child's environment and adjusting the student, so that he is physically ready and relaxed to explore and and understand his surroundings.

Teachers will also enjoy definitions for TADPOLE Skills and a TADPOLE Tool Chart such as the word "fixate"- The ability of the eyes to directly gaze on an object and hold the gaze so the object remains in view. As I quickly read down the list of definitions, I, too, felt more knowledgeable before I begin testing and doing fun activities with my little ones who have CVI.

Great Materials- I am a shopper for by anyone's standards, so imagine my excitement when I opened up the black (easy-to-carry) case that spells out INNOVATION in white print and in Braille with a clear label and order number marked on the outside of the bag. Open up the bag and out come the amazing items that are not only good for testing but for activities that will help a younger student with CVI ready for pre-school goals. Some of the helpful and durable materials from both the TOAD and TADPOLE Kits are: the TOAD Mirror, Billy Bird Puppet, TOAD spoon, a blue cup, toothbrush, a bright yellow mylar pompom, a tangle toy, Bowl and Ball which include bright yellow bowls and happy blue and yellow balls with a red apple - great for teaching object permanence, a blue slinky, the already cool Swirly Mats, numerous Match 'n Sort Cards, Tasha TADPOLE Puzzle Book, TADPOLE cards, and a wonderful TADPOLE Report for children (child information, activity, tools used, distance environment, skill and result. I dare not forget to mention TADPOLE Tools and Activities for Development of Visual Skills with 0-2 Year-Level Learners.

When I opened my black bag and took out real concrete objects from the kit (adding my own banana and apple) it was amazing how much vision or lack of that my student was using or not using. The large and high contrast pictures demonstrate where the child is looking and how much of the picture he or she is actually seeing. When I placed the real spoon up against the really large picture spoon with the red backdrop, my student smiled letting me know that he was making the connection from concrete to the abstract.

One of the best Early Childhood Case Workers saw my kit and began to beg (literally) for a kit to use with my students while she was working on different skills. I smiled and told her that I would allow her to use my TOAD Kit and when the TADPOLE comes out then she may borrow that one as well, but, I teased and meant it, "These are my kits and I am going to write my name and "VISION" in bold black letters, so that it comes back to me." Michelle smiled and eyed the case. "Michelle, do not dare walk off with my black apron or someone is going to get hurt."

We chuckled and walked out of the Daycare when she looked back over at me and said, "I still want my own kit, so you see what you can do."

Watch for the next Fred's Head blog post on this amazing tool where I will list many fun activities that will encourage a child with CVI to understand and love his surroundings because he knows there is so much more that he can see and be in this world.

Henry David Thoreau- "There's a part of every living thing that wants to become itself: the tadpole into the frog and the chrysalis into the butterfly."

The Problem with Printing

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:12:57 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan

For those of us who do not have enough vision to see whether or not there is printed text on a page, here are some daily challenges that we face as blind people.

We need to ensure that when we print a page, it does contain text. When the page comes out of the printer, there is no way to tell if the page does indeed contain text or if it is blank. So for me, I use my scanner to help me out. I scan the page and then I use my access software to tell me what is going on. I can hear what is on the page through voice output. However, there is more for me to be concerned about. I have to ensure that all of the text is there and often enough, I have to ask for sighted assistance to ensure that everything is okay an that it looks okay.

When it comes to the printing of labels and envelopes, I have to be very meticulous. In my case, I have learned how to line up my envelope in the printer so that the text is well centered when it is printed but to be safe, I almost always ask for sighted assistance. The other day for example, mom told me that the text on the envelope was not centered and I had to make two efforts before I got it right.

Nothing could be worse for me than to have missing text on a page, or an envelope with an address that is not properly centered. So I have to use a combination of patience, my trusty scanner, and sighted assistance. If you'd like to learn more about software that enables blind people to use mainstream scanners, visit http://www.kurzweil.com.

The World of Blind Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:06:13 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan At the best of times, it is often difficult and/or interesting for parents as they strive to ensure that their kids are brought up to be good contributors to society and all round good Human Beings. All parents want the best for their kids. The best lives for them and a future full of promise.

This is a much easier process for sighted parents as opposed to blind parents. For blind parents, there are additional challenges to face. One of the biggest challenges is attitude and another is to find ways to protect their independence.

I myself am not a blind parent but I have close friends who are and I never stop admiring the way they cope. My friends Melanie and Brian are blind parents of a little sighted boy Graham. They both work and follow a very hectic life. Graham is a normal little boy who does everything that all kids of his age do. Melanie and Brian are blind parents who are determined to protect their independence as blind parents.

From talking to other blind parents, attitude problems probably start as soon as their blind child is born and it continues on as they encounter doctors and medical professionals, teachers, other sighted parents and sighted kids, and up the ladder to others.

There is a whole world of compassionate people out there who will undoubtedly help to make things smoother for blind parents but at the same time there are those out there who through ignorance and naivety will continue to make life challenging.

Blind parents must be allowed to protect their independence, their right to be parents, and their right to live healthy normal lives with their kids whether or not those kids are blind or sighted. We as a society need to recognize and respect this.

Just my two cents worth for today.

APH News: May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:43:29 PDT

APH News

Your monthly link to the latest information on the products, services, and training opportunities from the American Printing House for the Blind.

May 2012

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

Read on to learn about these new products - now available!

APH Spring Fever Sale
NEW! VisioBook: Portable Electronic Magnifier and Distance Viewer
APH Braille Book Corner

YOU Could Be an APH Video Star!

You could be a star, just like the first place winner of our winter 2012 contest, Maddie Stomberg of Minnesota!

Announcing the Unforgettable APH Star Video Contest, Summer 2012

We want you to be the first to know! We are now accepting entries to our Summer 2012 Unforgettable APH Star Products Video Contest!

This is our third video contest, and we invite students, parents, teachers, administrators, rehab instructors, and all of our customers to shoot their own videos demonstrating uses of their favorite APH products. We received 14 entries to the winter 2012 contest and the top three received cash prizes! Contest guidelines are simple, and you don't need to be a video professional—just be yourself and have fun! Entries for the summer 2012 contest must be postmarked by Wednesday, September 12, 2012.

If you want ideas on how to create your video, or haven’t had a chance to view the winter 2012 entries, visit our video contest page. Also note that all 2011 and 2012 Unforgettable Videos now have a link to our shopping site, where you may purchase the product featured in the video.

The summer is all yours, make it unforgettable by recording your teacher, your friends, or yourself using an APH product or products. So what will you do on your summer vacation? Will you be on your way to becoming an APH video star?!

Great Resources for Young Braille Readers!

Did You Know that the Early Braille Trade Books Website has a link to Building on Patterns? Log on to see what books your young braille reader can now enjoy reading independently. If you just purchased the latest release, Building on Patterns: Second Grade: Unit 4, your student now has 17 books from the Early Braille Trade Books Collection to choose from. There are 29 additional titles that are "An Almost Perfect Match"—within 1-4 contractions. The website is free, accessible, and a great tool to use to match books to a student’s knowledge of braille contractions.

How About Some Good Advice?

Good advice is always welcome at APH, and April was our month for a double dose – from the Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) and the Educational Products Advisory Committee (EPAC) .

ESAC Committee EPAC Committee

ESAC joined us April 2–5, and under the leadership of Chair Jonn Paris-Salb (CA), committee members Jim Olson (CO), Sally Giittinger (NE), Charlotte Lowry (AL), and Julie Kagy (NC) met with APH staff members for discussion surrounding key topics, including training in support of products, the APH website and social media presence, the Louis and AMP databases and more. They also had the daunting task of selecting five 2012 APH Scholars from 15 well-deserving candidates. They succeeded in completing all their tasks and, before leaving to return home, presented APH with a well written, thoughtful report containing commendations on things done well, and recommendations for the future. Thank you, ESAC!

Not to be outdone, EPAC arrived in Louisville on Sunday, April 22, and began their task of providing support and advice concerning APH products. Chair Marty McKenzie (SC) guided the group through presentations by relevant APH staff and many dialogs with Research Department Project Leaders, who discussed their progress and processes with APH products in many stages of development. The Committee, made up of Yvonne Ali (MO), Collette Bauman (MI), Joe Catavero (NY), Jerry Kitzhoffer (PA), Linda Lyle (NM), and Paula Mauro (OH) also approved several products for sale using Federal Quota Funds. The diligent work of this committee also resulted in an excellently written report presented to APH staff prior to their departure.

Congratulations to the 2012 APH Scholars!

Each year, during their spring meeting, the Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) is charged with choosing the five APH Scholars who will attend Annual Meeting in the fall. These first-time attendees are nominated in collaboration with the Ex Officio Trustee who registers the students and adults with whom they work. Ex Officio Trustees—please be thinking now about your nomination next spring for the 2013 Annual Meeting!

Fifteen nominees were submitted this year, and the task of choosing was, as always, a very difficult one. While committee members review and rank the candidates, they are not allowed to vote on their own nominees.

Congratulations to the following outstanding individuals selected as the 2012 APH Scholars:

Deborah Bennett (LA), nominated by Ex Officio Trustee Bobby Simpson
Liz Cooper (CA), nominated by Ex Officio Trustee Jonn Paris-Salb
Robin Coxe-Harris (LA), nominated by Ex Officio Trustee Robin King
Adrienne Shoemaker (NH), nominated by Ex Officio Trustee Kim Stiles
Liz Shomerus (NE), nominated by Ex Officio Trustee Karen Duffy

Please Give Us YOUR Opinion on a Possible Change to APH's Popular Super Sized Folders!

Recently a teacher recommended that we consider changing the color options of our Super Sized Folders. Currently, these heavy duty folders, intended to hold Braille materials, are available only in blue. The suggestion is to provide the set of three folders in blue, green, and yellow -- the same color combination found in our Floppy Braille Binders and Braille Pocket Folders. The teacher offers that different colored folders will be easier to discern by her students with some vision. A very practical suggestion!

To make this feasible, we would no longer offer blue-only packets. The price could increase very slightly due to increased labor costs.

We basically need to know the following:

Yes, I would continue to order and use the multi-colored pack.
No, blue is sufficient.
Makes no difference.

Other thoughts or comments? Please contact: Kate Herndon, Project Manager of Research, kherndon@aph.org, 800/223-1839, ext 234.

Thanks for your assistance!

AFB Migel Medal Recipient Honored on Wall of Tribute in the Hall of Fame for the Blindness Field

Dr. Lylas Mogk receives her duplicate stone of the original which is installed on the Wall of Tribute in the Hall of Fame. The gentleman presenting her the stone is Dr. Paul Edwards, Chair of the Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology, Detroit, Michigan.

For information on how you can honor a person or agency with a beautifully engraved stone, visit the Hall of Fame website.

Annual Vandy Day at APH

APH welcomed Dr. Karen Blankenship (back row, far right) and the students of the Vanderbilt University Personnel Prep Program for a day of touring and product training! We enjoyed having the students with us and encourage other groups of students, teachers, and consumers to come to APH for a day. Let us host you! Contact Janie Blome, jblome@aph.org, for details on scheduling YOUR visit to APH!

Future TVBIs Get To Know APH!

Future Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired enrolled in the University of Arizona's Visual Impairment program became familiar with APH during a class April 10. Cathy Johnson, Field Services Representative, provided an overview of the many aspects of APH, with particular emphasis on understanding the Federal Quota program and how that impacts acquiring APH products for their students. A portion of the class time was devoted to hands-on opportunity with a sampling of the products. Students were engaged throughout the activity and very excited to have the chance to review and become more familiar with the many types of educational materials!

Meeting in the Colorado Mountains!

APH's Mary Robinson, Kerry Isham, Janie Blome, Jeanette Wicker, Loana Mason, and Bob Brasher provided an APH presence at the Council for Exceptional Children 2012 Convention and Expo, April 11 through April 14. The convention drew approximately 6,000 international attendees, many of whom made it a point to stop by the APH booth to try out products such as Best for a Nest, Tactile Town, the CVI Complexity Sequences Kit, DRAFTSMAN, MathBuilders: Unit 6, Life Science Tactile Graphics, the Mini-Lite Box and Pegs and Peg Board, and Sense of Science: Astronomy. Kerry also made a presentation on "New Developments in Appropriate Lighting for Individuals with Low Vision," where she discussed the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light, recommendations for appropriate lighting environments, and the kinds of light that are most harmful to the eye. Participants then got an opportunity to apply their knowledge in an interactive group exercise at the end of this session.

Oldies but Goodies: The "Established" APH Product Series

By adding braille embossing to your business cards, you will not only make your contact information accessible to braille readers, but you will also leaving a lasting impression on the community at large.

The Impressor is a braille business card embosser available from the American Printing House that is similar in design to the stamp used by notary publics. The labeler is made of metal with an acrylic base for one-hand operation. The metal die, which embosses braille on your card, is custom-made with your information. You can emboss up to four lines of braille with 13 braille cells per line onto a standard 3.5 x 2 inch business card. Insert a business card into the embosser, squeeze the handle, and your card is brailled instantly!

Business card information is customized at the time of ordering, and can be easily revised later for an additional fee. Please note that this product requires special handling and cannot be ordered online. Please call us at 800-223-1839 to initiate your order. This product is not available with Federal Quota funds.

If you have any suggestions for other products you would like to see highlighted in this monthly feature, please send your comments to Monica Turner at mmturner@aph.org.

From the Field:

Make a Difference through Research Participation

APH supports and encourages your participation in the following research studies conducted by universities across the country. Contact information for each study is provided.

Ben Davison, Human Centered Computing Ph.D. Student [featured in photo during his recent visit to APH] with the Georgia Tech Sonification Lab (GTSL), invites math teachers and teachers of the visually impaired who work with blind and low vision students on number lines and graphs to participate in a research program. GTSL would like to understand teachers’ particular teaching situations and see how they can assist them and their students with math and science questions based on the Common Core Standards.

Since 2010, the GTSL has worked with teachers in Georgia to design technologies that will give visually impaired students the tools to make graphs independently, while only requiring everyday computers. GTSL has developed several software solutions, including the Graph and Number Line Input and Exploration (GNIE) system; their research is now expanding to reach more classrooms. Several studies are available that teachers can choose to participate in. Please visit http://bit.ly/graphteacher for more information and to join the participant contact list. You may also contact Ben Davison at davison@gatech.edu or 404-894-7314.
Kimarie Whetstone, doctoral student at Capella University, is conducting a study on the current uses and accessibility of podcasts in online college courses. The current uses of audio podcasts and the accessibility of audio podcasts in U.S. online college courses as perceived by learners with vision loss is unknown. For that reason, visually impaired college students are invited to complete a survey and share their perspective. A link to the online survey on Survey Gizmo is below. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be anonymous. Please pass this announcement on to visually impaired college students who you know or forward to any student listservs that you are on: http://edu.surveygizmo.com/s3/725357/Current-Uses-and-Accessibility-of- Podcasts-in-Online-College-Courses
Tilly Steele, a doctoral candidate under the direction of Dr. Sandra Lewis and Dr. Amy Guerette in the School of Teacher Education’s Program in Visual Impairment at Florida State University, is investigating the instructional practices of teachers of students with visual impairment as they relate to tactile graphics. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which teachers of students with visual impairment provide instruction in tactile graphics, as well as the instructional curricula that may be used during this instruction. Ms. Steele is recruiting teachers to participate in this study. The following link allows those interested in participating to gain access to the study and survey: http://www.survey.coe.fsu.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=96LHmm4L
The Knowledge Discovery Lab in the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University is conducting a survey on flowchart accessibility. They are currently building and testing prototypes of a system that can take an image of a flowchart and convert it for presentation and navigation in an accessible manner using a touch interface. The survey below will help them ensure that their system is relevant to real users with real world problems instead of simply addressing an academic novelty. Feel free to widely distribute this survey that can be accessed with the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/formResponse? formkey=dEVZLWRJaGdpVi1yTEVNSUppOXBmM3c6MQ&ifq

USABA Announces New Sponsor—Vanda Pharmaceuticals and 24Sleepwake.com

USABA announces their newest sponsor, Vanda Pharmaceuticals and 24Sleepwake.com, who are conducting an awareness campaign for a sleep-wake disorder commonly experienced by people who are blind. “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check out their website.

If you are—or someone you know is—totally blind and suffers from irregular sleep patterns, USABA wants to hear from you. The study does not require any overnight stay in a lab and participants are compensated for their time and travel expenses. For more information on the clinical trials and to complete a survey to better understand the condition and determine if you may be eligible to participate, call 888/389-7033, Email info@non24registry.com or visit www.non24registry.com

"Like" APH at Our Facebook Page!

We invite you to visit our Facebook page and "Like" us! You can find APH at these social media sites: Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and at our blog, Fred's Head from APH.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Printing-House-for-the-Blind/122879984400686

APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

Karen Olson, the Board of Education and Services in Windsor, Connecticut, replacing Jeanette Haines.

Rosa Gomez, the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany, California, replacing Henry Leng.

Jeanne Prickett,the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, replacing Daniel Hutto.

APH Travel Calendar

May

May 3-5, 2012
AFB Leadership Conference/Florida AER;
St. Pete Beach, FL

May 4, 2012
Webcast: BookPort Product Training;
presented from APH in Louisville, KY

May 9-11, 2012
Training the Trainers: Teaching and Supporting Users of Access Technology;
NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, MD

May 17-18, 2012
CIP Event: APH Product Training at California State University;
Huntington Beach, CA

May 24, 2012
Government Event—APH Product Demonstration: Diversity at University Hospital;
Louisville, KY

June

June 7, 2012
CIP Event: University of South Carolina;
Spartanburg, SC

June 14, 2012
Webcast: Refreshabraille Product Training;
presented from APH in Louisville, KY

June 14-15, 2012
NIP Event: Adaptive PE with Lauren Lieberman; North Carolina

June 15-16, 2012
CVI – Visions of Change Conference;
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh, PA

June 15-17, 2012
Family Café, The 2012;
Orlando, FL

June 18, 2012
CIP Event: North Carolina Central University;
Durham, NC

June 22, 2012
Western Michigan University Product Showcase;
Kalamazoo, MI

June 22-23, 2012
National Braille Challenge 2012;
Braille Institute in Losa Angeles, CA

June 24-30, 2012
Camp Abilities;
SUNY in Brockport, NY

June 25-29, 2012
Building on Patterns: Planning the Next Phase;
at APH in Louisville, KY

June 26, 2012
2012 National Conference on Student Assessment: Learning, Instruction, and Assessment for the Next Decade;
Minneapolis, MN

June 28-July 1, 2012
Visions 2012 National Conference;
Minneapolis, MN

June 30 – July 5, 2012
NFB 2012;
Dallas, TX

July

July 7-14, 2012
ACB 2012;
Louisville, KY

July 11, 2012
Webcast: Presentation on Technology Products in Collaboration with Hadley School for the Blind and APH;
from APH in Louisville, KY

July 12-15, 2012
NOAH’s 14th National Conference;
St. Louis, MO

July 17-22, 2012
AER International Conference 2012;
Bellevue, Washington

July 27-29, 2012
Families Connecting with Families;
Newton, MA

August

August 20-23, 2012
Blinded Veteran’s Association 67th National Convention (BVA 2012);
Galveston, TX

September

September 12-15, 2012
Envisions 2012 Conference;
the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, MO

September 18-19, 2012
Kentucky Office for the Blind Assistive Technology Expo and Conference 2012 AT Odyssey “A New Vision”;
Louisville, KY

September 21-22, 2012
NIP Event: Adapted PE;
Bowling Green, KY

September 29, 2012
2012 Indiana Vision Expo;
the Indiana State Library, IN

APH Spring Fever Sale

Load up a world of savings on selected APH products with APH's Spring Fever Sale 2012, April 1—June 30. As always, first come, first served.

www.aph.org/products/springfever.html

NEW! VisioBook: Portable Electronic Magnifier and Distance Viewer

1- 03913-00 -- $3,000.00

VisioBook IS available with federal Quota funds.

VisioBook—view your world wherever you are!

First in its class of portable electronic magnifiers, VisioBook® is a high quality, full-color reading device for visually impaired users of all ages.

Features

Use VisioBook for magnification, distance viewing, and as a mirror
Compact and light (less than eight pounds!)
12-inch HD full-color widescreen monitor with LED-backlight
Intuitive operation with clearly marked buttons
Viewing modes: 5 reversible color combinations, full natural colors, automatic focus can be switched on and off
Smart folding mechanism with 3 safe articulated joints
Aesthetically pleasing space-saving design
HD camera: 1366 x 720 pixels, for both close range and distance views
External power adapter/battery charger
Lithium-ion battery, 5+ hours operating time
Only 2" thick when folded!

Use your portable VisioBook everywhere!

at work or home
at school
in the library
while traveling

VisioBook Specifications

Magnification: 1.8–30X with dynamic contrast adjustment and picture optimizing control settings
Dimensions: 12.2 x 13.4 x 2.1 inches folded; 12.2 x 13.4 x 19.9 inches unfolded
Weight: 7.7 lbs. with power adapter

Manufactured by BAUM, www.baum.de

Distribution and service in the U.S. through APH, www.aph.org

SHIPPING CHARGE: All shipments will incur actual UPS shipping rates based on the destination. Signature required for delivery. Not eligible for Free Matter for the Blind shipping.

APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow several weeks for delivery.

Just Grace Goes Green
by Charise Mericle Harper: T-N1832-40 -- $22.00
Grace can do a lot of things ... but can she save the planet? Or at the very least, can she help her best friend Mimi get her favorite stuffed animal back? Lots of exciting things are happening to Grace and her friends. Most exciting of all, Mimi's older cousin Gwen is coming to stay with Mimi, and Miss Lois's class is going green! Grades 2-4. *(AR QUIZ #130420, BL 5.2, Pts. 3.0)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A Fable
by John Boyne: T-N1830-50 -- $47.00
Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-With" in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence. Grades 6-9. *(AR Quiz # 109203, BL 5.8, Pts. 7.0)

The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty
by Donna Kauffman: T-N1837-00 -- $96.00
In this companion to The Black Sheep and the Princess, Rafe Santiago, of the Unholy Trinity rescue organization, suspects new stable manager Elena Caulfield is hiding something and needs help. Meanwhile, their attraction for each other quickly builds. Adult Reader.

The Day of the Locust
by Nathanael West: T-N1838-30 -- $50.50
Formerly a fine arts student at Yale, Tod Hackett hopes for success in Hollywood as a set designer. Through his apartment neighbor, aspiring actress Faye Greener, Tod meets a cast of seedy characters and has a series of misadventures. Adult Reader.

Blood and Circuses: A Phryne Fisher Mystery, Book 6
by Kerry Greenwood: T-N1836-70 -- $62.00
Australia, 1928. Detective Phryne Fisher's former love interest Alan Lee asks Phryne to investigate vandalism at the circus, including poisoned animals, sabotaged tightropes -- and murder. When ex-performer Amelia Parkes is arrested, Phryne goes undercover at the carnival to expose the truth. Adult Reader.

*Accelerated Reader quiz number, book level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/

APH News Credits

President:
Dr. Tuck Tinsley
ttinsley@aph.or&# 103;

Designer:
Malcolm Turner, APH Website Coordinator
webmaster@aph.o rg

Thanks to the following APH staff:

Cindy Amback, Support Specialist, Field Services
Ralph Bartley, Director, Research
Janie Blome, Director, Field Services
Scott Blome, Director, Communications
Maria Delgado, Field Services Representative
Kate Herndon, Project Manager, Research
Kerry Isham, Field Services Representative
Stephanie Lancaster, Graphic Designer, Communications
Drew Lueken, Communications Support Specialist
Karen Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader, Research
Becky Snider, Coordinator of Public Affairs
Monica Turner, Field Services Representative
Jeanette Wicker, Core Curriculum Consultant, Research

Editor:
Bob Brasher, Vice President, Advisory Services and Research
bbrasher@aph.org

Visit APH on

Read our blog: Fred's Head from APH.

For additional recent APH News, click the following:
April Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2012adv04.html
March Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2012adv03.html
February Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2012adv02.html

Archive of all previous issues - www.aph.org/advisory/advarch.html

The APH News is a monthly publication from the American Printing House for the Blind:
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
800/223-1839

Please share this web link or any items that appear in this publication with anyone who might benefit.

Thank you.

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Free Downloadable APH Product Manuals

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:27:09 PDT

Did you know that APH products have manuals available for immediate, free-of-charge download. Examples of downloadable manuals include Crafty Graphics, Let's See, and Basic Tactile Anatomy Atlas.

Manuals available for download.

The next time you have a new APH Instructional Products Catalog, look for the yellow & black book icon to find the manuals available for download. APH will add new manuals to the download page on an ongoing basis. We will announce additions in the APH News.

The following manuals were recently posted to our manual download page, www.aph.org/manuals/index.html

ToAD: Teacher's Guidebook, Braille
Using Cranmer Abacus for the Blind, Large Print Edition
The Color Beam Book (7-08390-00)
Light Box Activity Guide Level Two, Large Print (7-08680-00)
Light Box Activity Guide Level Three, Large Print (7-08690-00)
Teaching Touch: Manual, Large Print (61-173-006)
Teaching the Student with a Visual Impairment: A Primer for the Classroom Teacher (61-205-001)
Braille: A Different Approach Instructor's Manual, Braille: 5-16750-04
Reach for the Stars, Planning for the Future: A Transition Process for Families of Young Children, Braille: 5-08410-01
Parent Early Childhood Education Series, 1P, Braille: 5-96201-00
Moving Ahead: Goin' on a Bear Hunt Reader's Guide only, Braille: 6-77907-00
Reclaiming Independence: Braille Resource Guide, 2V, Braille: 5-30020-00
Sense of Science: Animals, Guidebook, Braille: 5-08990-00
Tactile Connections: Symbols for Communication Guidebook, Braille: 5-08837-00
StackUps: Teacher's Guidebook, Braille -- 5-08960-00
Beginner's Abacus Guidebook: 5-03180-00
Basic Science Tactile Graphics: 5-08850-00
Teaching Touch Manual: 5-08861-00
Word Associations Print/Braille Labels Braille Manual: 6-39051-00

U.S. Puzzle Map Braille Guide: 5-01140-00
Braillewriting Dot by Dot, Teacher's Manual, Braille: 5-17401-00
Crafty Graphics: Stencil Embossing Kit, Large Print Guidebook: 7-08844-00
Crafty Graphics: Stencil Embossing Kit, Braille Guidebook: 5-08844-00
IntelliTactiles: Pre-Braille Concepts User's Guide, Print: 7-08516-01
IntelliTactiles: Standard Overlay, User's Guide, Braille: 5-08515-00
IntelliTactiles: USB Overlay, User's Guide, Braille: 5-08513-00
Let's See: Sensory Activities Kit, Braille Manual: 5-08141-00
Let's see: Perceptual Activities Kit, Braille Manual: 5-08151-00
Tactile Treasures : Math and Language Concepts for Young Children with Visual Impairments, Braille Guidebook: 5-08842-00
Braille Connection: Mentoring Manual, Braille: 5-11102-00
ENVISION I, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Braille, 10 and Younger: 5-08551-01
ENVISION I, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Braille, 11 and Older: 5-08551-02
ENVISION II, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Braille, 10 and Younger: 5-08552-01
ENVISION II, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Braille, 11 and Older: 5-08552-02
Sense of Science: Plants: Guidebook, Braille: 5-08980-00
Braille: A Different Approach, 5-16750-04
Going Places: Braille Worksheet Packet, 5-13091-00
Portable Sound Source: Sound Localization Guidebook, Braille, 5-03045-00
Quick Draw Paper: Suggested Uses, Braille, 5-04960-00
Tangle Toy Guidebook, Braille, 5-08750-00
Tangle Toy: Guidebook, Large Print, 7-08750-00
Walk-Run for Fitness: Guidebook, Braille, 5-07520-00
Tactile Treasures: Guidebook, Print, 7-08842-00
Basic Science Tactile Graphics: Guidebook, Large Print, 7-08850-00
Sense of Science: Animals: Guidebook, Large Print, 7-08990-00
Good Tactile Graphics: Guidelines, Resources, and Samples Booklet, 7-30006-00
HANDS ON: Guidebook, Print, 7-52210-00
US Puzzle Map, Print Edition, 7-01140-00.pdf
Tactile Connection, Spanish, Print Edition, 7-08837-sp.pdf
Sense of Science: Plants, Print Edition, 7-08980-00.pdf
Light Box Activity Guide Level One, Large Print (7-08670-00)
Light Box Activity Guide Level One, Spanish Edition (7-08670-SP)
Light Box Activity Guide Level Two, Spanish Edition (7-08680-SP)
Light Box Activity Guide Level Three, Spanish Edition (7-08690-SP)
Miniguide Reference Sheet: Braille Document (single document number: 45-202-026; multi-pack number: 1-07006-01)
Miniguide Reference Sheet: Large Print Document (single document number: 45-202-025; multi-pack number: 1-07006-01)
Splish the Fish Reader's Guide, Braille (6-77906-00)
Using the Cranmer Abacus for the Blind, Braille (6-50100-00)
Adapting Science for Students with Visual Impairments: Advance Preparation and Skills Checklists (7-00001-00)
Portable Sound Source: Sound Localization Guidebook, Large Print (7-03045-00)
Making Picture Recipes, Manual Only (7-03450-00)
Walk-Run for Fitness: Guidebook, Large Print (7-07520-00)
Talking Cooking Thermometer, text file, 1-03992-00
The Wilson Digital Recorder, text file, 1-03993-00
Life Science Teacher's Guide, Braille, 61-151-212
Braille Connection Teachers Edition, Braille, 5-11101-00
Notes to Reader Alphabet Scramble, Braille, 5-01198-00
Color Beam Book, Braille only, 5-08390-00
ENVISION I, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Print, 11 and Older (7-08551-02)
ENVISION II, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Print, 10 and Younger (7-08552-01)br>
ENVISION II, Teacher's Instruction Manual, Print, 11 and Older (7-08552-02)
Reach for the Stars: Transition Planning Pages only, Large Print (7-08411-00)
Tactile Connections: Guidebook, Large Print (7-08837-00)
Tactile Graphics Kit: Guidebook, Large Print (7-08851-00)
Braille Connection: Mentoring Manual, Print (7-11102-00)
Braillewriting Dot by Dot: Teacher's Manual, Print (7-17401-00)
Chang Tactual Diagram Kit: Instructional Guidebook, Print (7-21900-00)
Fine Motor Development Materials: Teacher's Guidebook, Print (7-40400-00)
Freund Longhand Writing Kit: Teacher's Manual, Print (7-73970-00)
Getting in Touch with Reading: A Fresh Approach, Teacher's Manual, Print (7-47160-00)
Multiplication and Division Table: Instruction Booklet, Print (7-82700-00)
Multiplication and Division Table: REVISED Instruction Booklet, braille file
Program to Develop Efficiency in Visual Functioning: Volume I, Diagnostic Assessment Procedure (8-16040-00)
Tactile Graphics Starter Kit: Manual, Print (8-08839-00)
Touch and Tell: Instruction Booklet, Print (8-44660-00)
Word Associations Print-Braille Labels: Manual, Large Print (8-39051-00)

You are free to print or emboss these manuals as needed. APH will continue to package hard copies of these manuals with their products. We will also continue to sell hard copy manuals as replacement items. If, however, the manual is posted as a free download, we will not carry inventory on the shelf for immediate delivery. If you order one of these manuals separately, delivery time will be 4-6 weeks for large print and 8-10 weeks for braille orders.

Test Ready: Plus Reading

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:58:17 PDT

This test prep series offers practice for today's standards-based assessments for grade levels 3 through 12.

Test Ready®: Plus Reading provides preparation and review, in as little as two weeks before testing day. It also provides a program of instruction and remediation.

Students practice test-taking skills for:

Recalling information
Constructing meaning
Evaluating literary forms
Interpreting fact & opinion
Evaluating & extending meaning

Test Ready: Plus Reading is a review program that provides practice in test-taking skills in reading comprehension and open-ended writing tasks.

In just 14 days, students can be test ready with:

Timed pretest to diagnose skills gaps
Standards-based skill-specific lessons
Timed mixed-practice post-test, mirroring pretest to show growth

Accessible Formats

The APH Teacher Guides and Student Books are available in several accessible formats, so that the entire class can work on math together in a multi-media approach. The large print and braille editions include a CD with an .html file and a Digital Talking Book (DTB) file with built-in player.

The large print student edition includes a specially formatted large print answer document. However, it is recommended that each student have a book in his or her preferred reading medium, and should feel free to mark answers in the test books. Used this way, the student books become consumable items.

Note: Copies of regular print Teacher Guides and Student Books are available from the publisher at: Curriculum Associates, Inc., 153 Rangeway Road, North Billerica, MA 01862-0901, 800-225-0248, Fax: 800-366-1158, www.curriculumassociates.com

Test Ready: Plus Reading

Book 3, Teacher Guide:

• Large Print:
Catalog Number: 7-00521-00

Braille:
Catalog Number:5-00521-00
Click this link to purchase Test Ready: Plus Reading: Book 3, Teacher Guide.

Book 3, Student Book:

Large Print:
Catalog Number: 7-00522-00

Braille:
Catalog Number: 5-00522-00
Click this link to purchase Test Ready: Plus Reading: Book 3, Student Book.

Book 4, Teacher Guide:

Large Print:
Catalog Number: 7-00523-00

Braille:
Catalog Number: 5-00523-00
Click this link to purchase Test Ready: Plus Reading: Book 4, Teacher Guide.

Book 4, Student Book:

Large Print:
Catalog Number: 7-00524-00

Braille:
Catalog Number: 5-00524-00
Click this link to purchase Test Ready: Plus Reading: Book 4, Student Book American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@aph.org
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org

Scizza: Scissors for Your Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:35:30 PDT

We all know how incredibly frustrating the traditional pizza wheel is - it just doesn't work. It never cuts right through your pizza, and you have to run the wheel back and forth trying to complete the cut, dragging the toppings from one side of the pizza to the other. All you end up doing is making a great big mess of your meal.

Scizza has re-invented the wheel by cleverly combining two precision- ground blades that create perfect cuts with a nifty spatula on the bottom blade that slides under the pizza protecting your cooking surface and non-stick cookware. Scizza is also perfect for parents who have to cut their kids meals into small bite size pieces and is brilliant for cutting fabric, pastry and an endless list of household items without worrying about scratching the kitchen table or cutting the carpet or bed sheets when you wrap presents.

Click this link to purchase Scizza, Scissors for Your Pizza, from Amazon.com.

The Frobo Pet Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:19:15 PDT

Keeping your dog guide's water nice and cold can be a complicated task.

The FroBo is simple to use. Pop the freeze core in the freezer and wait two hours. If you have some vision the core will turn a pleasing blueish-white, then put core back in the base and fill it with water. The water in the dish will stay nice and cold for about 8 hours. Holds 24 ounces. Bowl measures 10.41"D x 2.77" H. Not dishwasher safe.

Click this link to purchase the Frobo Pet Bowl from ThinkGeek.com.

Get That Old Folding Cane Repaired

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:43:38 PDT

Received this via email and wanted to share.

We can repair the elastic in that favorite folding cane of yours for $17.00, and that includes shipping with in the 48 states. Just send Paypal payments to repair2012@embarqmail.com and include the length of the cane if known. The turn around for our repairs are about 7 to 10 days, and you save from having to buy a new folding cane. Also, you can send questions to the same email address.

APH Shopping Site Showcases Teacher's Articles

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:36:27 PDT

For those seeking a hands-on explanation about some of APH’s products, author and teacher Kristie Smith is a well-versed and enthusiastic resource. Smith has been an educator for nearly thirty years and teaching children with visual impairments is her passion. Her literary output includes the Abby Diamond series of children’s detective mysteries, and Dottie and Dots See Animal Spots, which is a fun introduction to the braille alphabet.

Recently, the Fred's Head from APH blog has benefited from her articles about experiences she’s had using a wide variety of APH products in the classroom. Her inventive suggestions and insight are also now featured prominently in several product listings on the APH Shopping Site. We are grateful to Kristie Smith for taking the time to share her experience with us!

A few product listings featuring Smith's articles include the following (articles appear at the bottom of page):

Meet The APH Executives in Residence!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:03:25 PDT

Three APH Executives in Residence pose together at Annual Meeting 2009: Kay Ferrell, Phil Hatlen, and Jane Erin.

APH has launched a web page devoted to our Executive in Residence program.

From time to time since 2005, APH has been privileged to host several luminaries in our field as Executives in Residence (EIRs), beginning with Dr. Cay Holbrook (University of British Columbia). Of the four EIRs to date, three are university professors who participated while on sabbatical, and one is a former university professor who retired as a residential school superintendent.

By being in residence at APH in Louisville, the executives have access to APH facilities, resources, and staff. In turn, APH staff members have a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from seasoned professionals. We are grateful for the generosity of EIRs in sharing their expertise with APH.

Treasures from the APH Libraries

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:56:23 PDT

The APH Barr Library supports research initiatives at APH, while the Migel Library is the largest collection of nonmedical information related to blindness in the world. Although the collections do not circulate, arrangements can be made to use the materials on site. In addition, an ongoing digitization effort means APH will continue to make materials available through the online catalog at http://migel.aph.org.

From the Barr Library: Protection of Vision in Children—Arnall Patz and Richard E. Hoover, with contributions by Ruth L. Gottesman and Robert M. Worthington. Charles C Thomas, c1969.

Note: both Dr. Patz and Dr. Hoover have been inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Blindness Field

Although written from the point of view of medical professionals, this title also offers some interesting insights into the social and educational issues of the time. The book does deal with the more common vision disorders of childhood, but addresses them in terms of screening and early remediation programs, which the authors advocate for universal adoption. They also suggest that medical professionals should consider visual health as an issue from birth. A chapter on genetic screening talks about using the genetic history to mandate closer screening for early treatment without raising the specter of eugenics that might have been included in similar books written decades earlier.

The book also pushes forward the relatively new concept for the time that existing vision should be used and optimized where possible, and notes that any recommendations should be customized for the needs and comfort of the individual child. The social and emotional needs of the child and family are also addressed.

Although the scientific basis for this book may be dated, the compassion and social awareness of the authors would be absolutely on point today.

From the Migel Library: Seeing Beyond Sight: Photographs by Blind Teenagers—Tony Deifell. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2007.

Chronicling the experiences of Sound Shadows, a photography class conducted at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina, Seeing Beyond Sight: Photographs by Blind Teenagers investigates the relationships between photography, education, and perception. Started as an after school photography club, Sound Shadows progressed from the basic premise of teaching students with a range of visual impairments how to use cameras to becoming a valuable tool in supporting the school's reading and writing curriculum. Categorized in five thematic chapters, student photography is featured with captions coming from teaching notes, memories, taped interviews, and writing assignments.

One project participant, who had been struggling with learning to read and write in braille, was a very active oral communicator. Through sharing her photographs and describing them in both oral and written language, she found the words to come much more easily. Subsequently her reading and writing improved. Another student made a deeper connection in his understanding of metaphors. After describing a dream in which he was ambling in a snow storm, he took a blurry picture of a descending staircase, a representation of the feeling he had in the dream. Seeing Beyond Sight provides just enough description and background to invite the reader into the students’ worlds while still allowing for one’s own interpretation of their photographic expressions.

Seeing Beyond Sight has ties to prior acquisitions held in the Migel. The foreword, written by Robert Coles, is adapted from School (Little, Brown, and Co, 1998), a photographic work featuring three Boston area schools, including the Perkins School for the Blind. References are also made to Shooting Blind (Aperture Foundation, 2002), which features adult photographers, as well as to George A. Covington, whose Let Your Camera Do The Seeing: The World's First Photography Manual for the Legally Blind (National Access Center, 1981) is also a part of the Migel collection.

Contact Library staff: library@aph.org, (800) 223-1839, ext. 705

The Power of Learning Braille

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:49:43 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan

True it is that the use of Braille may be on the decline in the world but believe me when I tell you that there is definitely a great benefit to learning Braille.

Much of today's generation of blind people tend to forget this, choosing instead to follow the growing trend of using voice technology to get by. All well and good but let us not forget what Braille has done for us and how it can continue to be useful.

Here are some important points.

It helps to sustain literacy.
It helps to ensure that one's spelling remains in tact.
It helps when giving presentations if having a computer or mobile device close by is not convenient.
If Braille notes are used when giving presentations, a blind person has a better chance of coming across more smoothly in that they can read quickly and speak both at the same time.
It is the best thing that you can have at hand if electricity goes.
You can use it to label your files, folders, CDs, and much more.
It is a great way to take notes whenever you are in a hurry and don't have access to an electronic device.

On a personal level, I grew up learning Braille and when I lost my functional vision, I was able to slip back into my use of Braille without having to ask someone sighted to help find my folders etc or to label my stuff. My final words for the power of using Braille are as follows: A great backup mechanism, a way to keep in touch with my literacy and spelling, and a way to stay ahead of the game when electricity goes.

As a Blind Child

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:43:49 PDT

by Donna J. Jodhan

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate; as a blind child I was surrounded by loving and devoted parents who were determined to help me live as mainstream a life as possible. I also had two brothers, a granny, and other family members who helped me to enjoy so much. This does not mean that they did not try at times to protect me from certain obstacles, objects, and daily challenges.

I learned to fly a kite and pitch marbles. My dad used a big ball to play football and cricket with me, and he taught me how to swim in the ocean and ride a bicycle. Heck, he even showed me how to surf and ride the waves. Dad was my nature buddy; walking with me in the lush green meadows, smelling and identifying the various flowers, and holding those timid little butterflies in my hand. He ran with me, walked with me, and we had so much fun! He even took me fishing and showed me how to make boats out of large coconut leaves.

My brothers played hide and seek with me, ball games with me, and helped me to embrace the mainstream world. Mom and granny were my teachers of the domestic side of things. I hung out in the kitchen with them, learned how to write printed letters, and got a wonderful education on fashion and design. My cousins filled in so beautifully, helping me to grow up in a wonderful world. They read to me, cut out clippings from magazines for me, and walked with me on the beach as well as everywhere else; from quiet spots to busy streets.

I had pets; big happy dogs and delicate little birds. I played with all of them and I learned so much from everyone. I looked at it like this: Dad was my teacher of all things outside the home; from nature to politics, and from economics to religion and literature. Mom and granny were my tutors of life; from the kitchen to the clothes closet and from the school to the church. My brothers and cousins helped me to have fun.

O what it was to be a blind child and I loved it all! Then came the skates and skis and I was moving on to other things. I grew up but still I continued to be a blind child! I still am in so many ways; if only it is in my mind on those quiet nights as I wait for the Sand man to escort me into dreamland.

The Accessibility of Baseball

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:21:23 PDT

by Paul Ferrara

Many of my fondest childhood memories either center around or are somehow related to Major League Baseball. When I was four or five years old, dad taught me how the game was played, and I've been hooked on baseball from that day forward.

Although NBC offered their Game of the Week for several years and ABC showed Monday Night Baseball for a few years, usually you watched or listened to the team that was closest to where you live. For me growing up in Delaware, that team was the Philadelphia Phillies.

Being forced to listen mostly to one team on the radio was fine at that time because I was, and still am, a huge Phillies fan. Things changed, though, when I left Delaware. I moved to other places around the country including my current residence in Louisville, Kentucky. Each of these different areas featured broadcasts of a team other than the Phillies. I enjoy a good ball game no matter who is playing, but I truly missed being able to turn on a Phillies game whenever I wanted.

For a number of years, there was not a solution to this problem. Advances in technology did, eventually, provide opportunities for people to watch or listen to their favorite team(s). Major League Baseball via MLB.com began to offer MLB TV and Gameday Audio provided video and audio broadcasts respectively.

Watching the video feeds requires a computer, Apple TV, or another similarly-connected device while listening to the audio broadcasts requires you to be near your computer.

As a subscriber to XM Radio I can listen to any game as it happens; however, if I am away from my radio, then I cannot listen to the game. SiriusXM has developed an app for mobile devices, but it is terribly inaccessible and, therefore, totally useless for blind people at this point in time.

The options I described are good ones, but none of them allow you to listen to games wherever you might be. But the MLB At Bat 12 app now provides access to the radio broadcasts of every team whenever they are playing. None of the radio broadcasts are blacked out, something which cannot be said for MLB TV. The MLB 12 app is available for iPhones, iPads, select Android phones and tablets, BlackBerries,and Windows phones.

Some of the app's features include:

EVERY GAME. EVERYWHERE: The #1 sports app of all-time and Hall of Fame inductee for iPhone, iPad and Macworld, MLB.com At Bat is the official app of Major League Baseball.
Customizeable home screen to select a favorite team and access information about that team from the home screen: The app also includes news, scores, video highlights, and the ability to select push notofications for starting and ending of games involving your favorite team. You get all of this for $14.95 for the entire season or for $2.95 per month. You need to buy gameday audio with in at bat.

Click here to see a complete list of devices which utilize the app. I use the app on my iPhone and love it! If you're a fan of Major League Baseball and you want access to every radio broadcast, including the playoffs and World Series, get this app--you will love it!

Out Of the Whirlpool: A Valuable Resource for Those Wanting to Learn About Blindness

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:02:24 PDT

by Terrie Terlau, PhD
APH Adult Life Project Leader

If you work with adults who have lost vision, if you have a visual impairment yourself, or if you want to acquire a more personal understanding of the rehabilitation process, you may find Sue Martin's on-line book, Out Of the Whirlpool, to be a valuable resource. Sue has worked for many years as a vision rehabilitation therapist and assistive technology specialist for a non-profit in Main, and as a vision rehabilitation therapist and now a systems analyst for the VA in Alabama. Sue is active in many sports and life activities. However, the focus of her book is on her loss of sight and her experience of self-discovery as she went through the rehabilitation process.

Sue's book captures the essence of the rehabilitation process with candor, depth, warmth, and technical accuracy. Sue's book brings readers the intimate experience of depression, the trauma that resulted in her blindness, and the discovery of her deepest self as she acquired new skills--as if it is happening to them.

This book provides a valuable read for orientation and mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation therapists, teachers of students with visual impairments, and other adults. It is not recommended for K-12 students because it deals with the adult psyche. The book can be read on-line free of charge at http://www.outofthewhirlpool.com/rehabilitation.

Accessible Places to Purchase Coffee and Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:05:23 PDT

My good friend Paul ferrara is a Coffee Connoisseur. He drinks coffee all the time and wrote the following for Fred's Head to help others find the online resources he uses to get the best coffees out there.

Today I will show you a few of my favorite snacks and drinks. As you will see, they go together quite well.

Any time is a good time for a snack. You will fine plenty of great ones at one of my favorite sites, nuts.com. They have plenty of nuts as well as sweets & chocolates.

Now, we need something to drink with our snack. While some may prefer a soda, I would rather have coffee. Starbucks has great coffees from all over the world but no flavored coffees. When I want a flavored coffee, I like to go to Berres Brothers Coffee. Be sure to check out their 47 flavors of coffee. Some are quite unique, such as their sweet and tasty banana nut bread or the scrumptious French Caramel Cream

Happy eating and drinking everyone. If you have any questions or comments, please click this link to email me.

Use a Muffin Tin to Portion Out Ice Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:32:16 PDT

Muffin tins are great for lots of things, not just making muffins. Here's one you're really going to love!

Pop in muffin papers, and serve out single scoops of ice cream into each cup before covering them with wrap and putting them in the freezer. This way you have quick, single-scoops of ice cream ready to go when you want one, without waiting for a whole tub of ice cream to warm up enough to scoop some out.

Braille Writer Repair

noreply@blogger.com (Michael McCarty) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:20:47 PDT

American Printing House for the Blind

1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Email: info@aph.org
Web: http://www.aph.org

Braillerman

Alan Ackley has been repairing Perkins Braillers for more than twenty years. He learned about braille and braillers in his spare time from his day job at the Iowa Commission for the Blind (ICB), where he worked first in the accounting department and now works in the library. After experimenting on his own with a "guinea pig" brailler provided by the ICB, "Braillerman" received factory training in Brailler repair and reconditioning and has worked on over 2000 Braillers for people and institutions all over the United States and Canada.

Ackley Appliance Service
4301 Park Avenue #540
Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: 515-288-3931
Email: aackley@braillerman.com
Web: http://www.braillerman.com

The Selective Doctor

Bring your brailler back to life! The Selective Doctor, Inc., specializes in the repair of Perkins braillers.

Average turnaround time is about a week or less.
Labor charge is $60 per manual Perkins brailler, plus parts & postal insurance since they mail the braillers back to you thru the post office "Free Matter for the Blind".

You can send your brailler to:

The Selective Doctor, Inc.
P.O. Box 571
Manchester, MD 21102

If you send it UPS or FedEx the street address is:

3205 Laverne Circle
Hampstead, MD 21074
Website: http://www.selectivedoctor.com

Clark Brailler Repair Service

"I am a certified Perkins Braille Writer repair technician. I was employed by Howe Press as a Perkins Braille Writer assembler and repair technician and as an international Braille Writer repair trainer. I have been a teacher of the visually impaired for over 25 years and understand the importance of having a machine that works."

Clark Brailler Repair Service
Mary Jane Clark
P.O. Box 1271
Rangeley, Maine 04970
Phone: 617-699-5045
Email: clarkbrailler@hughes.net
Web: http://www.clarkbraillerrepair.com

AIRC, The Foundation for Blind Children, Inc

AIRC, The Foundation for Blind Children, Inc. has been repairing braille writers for many years through a prison in the area. $55.00 per Braille Writer for maintenance. Cost of replacement parts are additional.

1235 E. Harmot Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: 602-331-1470
Web: http://www.seeitourway.org

The Braillery

The Braillery provides complete brailler repair service as well as selling reconditioned braillewriters. They recondition foreign, domestic and out-of-production braillewriters.

5 Cumberland Circle
El Paso, TX 79903
Phone: 915-565-0179
Email: resimon@the braillery.com
Web: thebraillery.com

Howe Press

Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02172
Phone: 617-972-7308
Email: howepress@perkins.pvt.k12.ma.us

Kentucky School for the Blind

If you live in Kentucky, they will repair Perkins braille writers for free.

1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
Phone: 502-897-1583