THE BEACON EDITION 1, 2006 A PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (ABVI)- GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF GREATER ROCHESTER, INC. 2-1-1 CALL CENTER CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR OF SERVICE One year ago, Senator Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter joined with local business and community leaders to announce that Rochester had become the first community to launch a 2-1-1 Call Center in New York State. Today, and more than 14,000 telephone calls later, 2-1-1 is quickly becoming a vital community resource. “Our local 2-1-1 program is well on its way to becoming the one number to call when you need any kind of help for non-emergency problems but don’t know where to turn,” said Peter Carpino, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Rochester. Mr. Carpino was among the business and community leaders and elected officials who joined with ABVI-Goodwill to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the launch of 2-1-1 and to commemorate National 2-1-1 Day, held annually on February 11. In 2005 during its first year of operation, 2-1-1 logged 14,401 calls, connecting callers with vital health and human services. Of that total, 27% involved requests for information to address a person’s basic needs, including emergency shelter, food, housing assistance and utility assistance. Another 17% of the calls related to legal and criminal justice issues. 13% of calls involved information about organizational and community services and 12% requested information about health care resources. Other calls requested information for individual and family life issues, mental health services, environmental concerns and others. “We are very pleased with the first year of operation, the responsiveness of the community agencies that are such a vital part of this effort and the assistance and support of both the 2-1-1 Finger Lakes Collaborative and the 2-1-1 Advisory Board,” added A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D., President and CEO of ABVI-Goodwill. “While we’ve had a great start, we still have much more to do to fully evolve 2-1-1 as the number to call when you need help but don’t know where to turn. We’re looking forward to that challenge and are very excited about what the future holds.” NEW PROGRAM TARGETS SENIORS IN WAYNE COUNTY Older adults in Wayne County will now have increased access to education and outreach about low vision and vision rehabilitation services through a new grant program to be implemented by ABVI-Goodwill. Funded through a generous gift of the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Wayne County Community Endowment, ABVI-Goodwill will raise awareness of low vision and vision rehabilitation services among older adults in Wayne County. This will help them maximize their remaining vision, enhance their independence and confidence, and maintain a safe and active lifestyle. By 2020, the incidence of blindness is expected to be twice what it was in 2000. For older adults, age-related eye diseases, which include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, account for a large percentage of visual impairment and blindness. In Wayne County, the estimated number of adults age 65 and older who are blind or visually impaired totals more than 2,400. To reach out to this growing population, ABVI-Goodwill plans to offer community education and outreach to seniors throughout Wayne County. Plans are underway to hold at least six community-based programs in Wayne County in the spring and fall of 2006. Specific locations are currently being arranged, but preliminary plans include presentations in May and June in Macedon, Newark and Sodus, and then similar programs in September and October in Palmyra, Lyons and Ontario. The Caring For Your Vision programs will be provided to residents of Wayne County and include information on age-related vision loss and the many resources available to older adults who are faced with the challenge of gradual or unexpected loss of sight. The presentations will also include demonstrations and expert advice on the variety of vision rehabilitation services available through ABVI-Goodwill, including low vision services, rehabilitation teaching, adaptive skills training, orientation and mobility training and others. For more information about ABVI-Goodwill’s Wayne County outreach program, or to place your name on the invitation list to receive more information about the schedule and location of the Caring For Your Vision programs, please call (585) 697-5713. FROM THE PRESIDENT ... Time flies. (I’m sure we’ve all said that many times. In fact, it’s often a challenge for many of us to remember what we did five minutes ago, not to mention what we did five years ago.) As difficult as it is to “wonder where the time went,” it can be equally as challenging to look forward in time and imagine what our world might be like in five years. Yet that’s precisely the challenge facing us here at ABVI-Goodwill. In five years, our organization will celebrate its Centennial Anniversary – 100 years of service to our community (1911-2011). And while five years may seem like a long time away, time flies and it will most certainly be here before we know it. So, we are starting now to think about the exciting things we can do to celebrate this momentous occasion. Before we celebrate our Centennial, we need to forge the path that will get us there. To accomplish that, our Board of Directors and leadership team are developing a new five-year strategic plan that will affirm and strengthen our mission, vision and values, identify action steps to address organizational and community assets and needs, and develop the roadmap that will move the organization where it needs to be for continued success. Through our strategic planning process, we will look to lead with our strength, which is and has been serving people who are blind or visually impaired. We will do this by empowering people who are blind or visually impaired to make a real difference. We will also identify and capitalize on our core competencies and organizational strengths to determine the growth opportunities, program and service needs, partnership opportunities, and new business development initiatives that will lead us into our next 100 years. Central to this strategy is an aggressive growth plan for our Goodwill stores which will enable us to serve the broader community by building mission-related opportunities into the operations. This includes challenging jobs, on-site vision screenings, and the sale of low vision aids and devices, to name a few. Our retail expansion offers ABVI-Goodwill a solution to better serve our outlying communities by building a community room and program space into each of the new stores. The French writer and recipient of the 1921 Nobel Prize for Literature, Anatole France, stated, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” For ABVI-Goodwill, the very essence of our strategic planning efforts and our Centennial celebration will be created from a dream that can be turned into action. This dream will be realized through a powerful new mission that will enable our organization to go boldly forth into its next century of service. As we begin to close the chapter on our first 100 years of service, we celebrate all that has been accomplished in helping people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their highest level of independence. In five short years, our Centennial celebration will begin and because time flies, we are beginning the planning right now. I look forward to sharing the vision for this once in a lifetime event and keeping you apprised of our efforts to make it a truly significant celebration. As our Centennial approaches, I am very excited about what the future may hold and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. FROM THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ... Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. In the past few years there have been new treatments which have been successful in preventing blindness from the wet form of macular degeneration. In wet macular degeneration, new, abnormal blood vessels form and grow under the retina. These new vessels can cause fibrovascular tissue growth in the macula and bleeding and scarring can occur. New treatments for the wet form of macular degeneration include Lucentis, Retaane, Macugen, Avastin and steroids. In some cases the medications need to be injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye. Some medications are approved for use in the eye but others are not yet approved for treatment in the eye. We are fortunate to have several experienced retina specialists in our area who can best advise patients on the most appropriate treatment. Patients should consult with their retina specialist and ask about the pros and cons of available treatments. Sometimes combination treatments may be preferred. Current treatment for the dry form of macular degeneration includes antioxidant vitamins with zinc; the AREDS (Age- Related Eye Disease Study) showed that this therapy slows progression of the disease. Patients need to report vision changes to their eye care provider because decreased acuity and distortion of vision are important complaints that should be evaluated. Patients with dry age-related macular degeneration may develop the wet form of the disease which can cause further vision loss if it is untreated. These patients may be candidates for one of the newer treatments. Our goal at ABVI-Goodwill is to help restore function from vision loss. With the advent of these newer treatments we hope there will be fewer people needing our services. FRONTIER COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ABVI-GOODWILL Frontier Corporation has once again demonstrated its commitment to and interest in our community through the creation of a unique philanthropic program of which ABVI-Goodwill will benefit with your help. The Frontier Community Connections program is an easy way for you to support ABVI-Goodwill with one simple telephone call or a visit on-line to: www.frontieronline.com/communityconnections. The idea behind Frontier Community Connections is simple. Frontier will donate a portion of your current Frontier monthly bill directly to ABVI-Goodwill. Frontier will donate about 2.5% of your monthly charges back to ABVI-Goodwill, and the donations continue month after month. If you’re an existing Frontier customer all you have to do to participate is currently have one of the following Frontier services: Frontier Choices (Tiers 1, 4, 5), Frontier Connections, or FrontierWorks Business Connections or upgrade to these services. If you’re not a current Frontier customer, you can still participate in this program and give back to ABVI-Goodwill simply by signing up for one or more of Frontier’s services. With your one or two-year commitment, a portion of every monthly Frontier bill you pay will go to support the mission of ABVI-Goodwill to assist people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their highest level of independence in all aspects of their lives. Employees, volunteers, business associates and other friends of ABVI-Goodwill can participate. Remember all you need to do to participate is sign up or even extend your existing qualifying service. It’s that easy. Call Frontier at (585) 777-5323 or go on-line at www.frontieronline.com/communityconnections. To ensure that ABVI-Goodwill is the beneficiary of your participation, be sure to provide the following code: 12105 - Association for the Blind. Help us to continue providing vital vision rehabilitation programs, career and training services, community outreach, and employment opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired. Participate in Frontier Community Connections and start giving 2.5% of your Frontier bill to ABVI-Goodwill today! BRAILLE AND LARGE PRINT TAX FORMS AVAILABLE Braille and large print tax forms are available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help you prepare your taxes this season. As April 15th grows closer, the earlier you call the IRS and request the proper format, the sooner you can prepare your taxes. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 to request your free large print and Braille tax forms today. Once you place your order, please allow 10 business days for it to arrive in the mail. ABVI-Goodwill has information in Braille and on CD for the IRS produced publication, Living and Working with Disabilities. This publication presents basic information about existing tax credits and benefits that may be available to qualifying taxpayers with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and businesses or other entities wishing to accommodate persons with disabilities. The CD contains documents that work with screen reading software and the Braille information comes bound in a 10 page book. Please call ABVI-Goodwill’s Marketing Department at (585) 697-5713 to request your copy today. VERIZON WIRELESS IS FIRST TO PROVIDE WIRELESS 2-1-1 SERVICE IN REGION Verizon Wireless is the first wireless carrier in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region to offer its customers access to the 2-1-1 service. This announcement was made at the celebration of National 2-1-1 Day and the commemoration of the one-year anniversary of our local 2-1-1 program, held on February 10, 2006. Verizon Wireless customers can now dial 2-1-1 from their Verizon Wireless phones and get connected to the trained counselors at 2-1-1 who can provide important information and referral to health and human service organizations throughout the area. “We’re excited our customers will be the first to have wireless access to this valuable community resource,” said Ken Dixon, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York region. “We also congratulate 2-1-1 on its first year of providing Rochester and Finger Lakes area residents with 24/7 access to important human services information and referral.” ABVI-Goodwill hopes that other wireless carriers will follow Verizon’s lead to continue to improve region-wide access to the vital community service provided through 2-1-1. YOUR COMMENTS COUNT! ABVI-Goodwill is constantly striving to make your trip to Goodwill a positive one, and your comments help us reach this goal. Now every Goodwill store has comment cards, to allow our customers an opportunity to tell us about their shopping experience. We love reading the comments from our customers and we want to hear from you! The next time you are in a Goodwill store, take a second and tell us what you think. Your comments help us continue to make your shopping experience at Goodwill a memorable one. CLINTON STORE SEES NEW LEADERSHIP Rhonda Thomas may be a familiar face to local Goodwill shoppers. Rhonda started working at the Clinton Avenue Goodwill store in August 2003 and was quickly promoted to the key holder position. In December 2003 she was promoted to Assistant Manager at the Webster Goodwill store and in January of this year she began her position as Store Manager of the Clinton Avenue Goodwill. Her responsibilities as manager include overseeing employees, managing budgets and maximizing customer service and she is already working on ways to increase the store volume and sales. She enjoys the friendly atmosphere that the retail industry offers and loves to interact with customers and staff. “My team is great and working here makes you want to get up and go to work in the morning,” she said. Rhonda also commented that her experience working with Goodwill has made her proud to be part of the organization. “When you go home at night, you feel good because what you’re doing here is important.” ABVI-Goodwill is proud to welcome Rhonda Thomas to the Goodwill management team and looks forward to the leadership she will provide. GOODWILL SHOPPERS GET MONEY-SAVING TIPS! Goodwill has always offered shoppers quality merchandise at low prices and now we want to make it even easier for shoppers to save money. Goodwill has created a new Shopping Tips brochure for savings-minded shoppers who are looking for more ways to find great deals at their local Goodwill. This useful brochure has money-saving shopping tips to help you save even more on the already low-priced merchandise. The brochure also has information about the merchandise at Goodwill and important information about how purchases and donations help enhance the mission of ABVI-Goodwill. Here are just a few of the many strategies found in the new Shopping Tips brochure: Shopping Strategies to Save Money and Find Great Deals at Goodwill! Shop Often Smart shoppers visit our Goodwill retail stores frequently so they don’t miss out on the new merchandise that is put on display daily. Each Goodwill retail store has different merchandise, so it is worthwhile to visit each one and often! Keep an Open Mind If you came in looking for a great pair of jeans, be sure to take time to look at the other merchandise. Goodwill stores get new items everyday so you never know when or where you’ll come across a real treasure. Don’t Underestimate Your Dry Cleaner Dry cleaners can make repairs and alterations quickly and inexpensively. If the garment is only slightly wrinkled, visualize what it will look like when it is cleaned and pressed. Sometimes replacing a button is a small price to pay for a beautiful wool sweater. Find this brochure at all four Goodwill locations and start saving money today! CLEAN OUT YOUR CUPBOARDS AND CLOSETS: HELP THE BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS AND GOODWILL! On Saturday, March 18th be on the lookout as eager Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts deliver food and clothing bags to hundreds of thousands of homes across Monroe County. Fill the bags with non-perishable food and gently used clothing and then leave them on your doorstep one week later on Saturday, March 25th. All clothing donations collected during Scouting for Food and Clothing go directly to ABVI-Goodwill and provide funds for programs, services and jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired living in the Greater Rochester area and Finger Lakes region. Your non-perishable food donations will go to local food cupboards, shelters and kitchens in Monroe County that will meet the needs of people throughout the Greater Rochester area. If no one picks up your donation bag on Saturday, March 25th please bring your clothing or food donation to any Rochester-area Wendy’s location or the Goodwill store nearest you and place it in the collection barrels from March 25- April 1, 2006. For more information on Scouting for Food and Clothing please call (585) 232-1111. GOODWILL IS WARMING HEARTS AND HANDS DURING THE WINTER The children at school #8 are going to be warmer this winter, thanks to Goodwill. ABVI-Goodwill donated boxes of warm winter wear to the children of School #8. Gloves, hats, scarves, mittens, boots and socks found their way to the children thanks to the generosity of Goodwill donations. Goodwill was very fortunate to receive multiple donations of warm weather accessories this season and those generous donations brought bright smiles to the faces of the children at school #8. “All of the children were overjoyed at receiving these gloves and hats. For many of the children, they have to walk to school in the cold weather, and hopefully this winter clothing will help keep them warm,” commented Michelle Cavalli, Director of Retail for ABVI-Goodwill. “It was a very rewarding project for Goodwill and we were extremely happy to put smiles on the faces of these very deserving children.” This project shows how your simple donation to Goodwill can brighten the lives of children and adults all around Rochester. When you donate your new and gently used clothing to Goodwill, you are helping to fund programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you are also touching the lives of many others in our community. ABVI-GOODWILL’S DIRECT LABOR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Virgie Ercolamento has been selected as the 2006 Direct Labor Employee of the Year and the agency’s nominee for the Peter J. Salmon Award, sponsored by National Industries for the Blind (NIB). Virgie Ercolamento began working for ABVI-Goodwill almost 20 years ago. Over the years, Virgie has very capably performed every job within our manufacturing division, including in the tubing fabrication area, notepads division and several assembly positions. She has served as a supervisor, a training instructor and as direct labor. When asked about her favorite position over the years, she reflects on her beginnings in the tubing fabrication program. Virgie’s father was also blind and he worked in the same area at ABVI-Goodwill for many years. In fact, Virgie’s father was a member of the team that started the tubing fabrication contract at the agency. Doing the same work as her dad once did strikes a very significant and highly personal note for Virgie, particularly since his death several years ago. “It’s as if he’s right there with me,” she says. In addition to Virgie’s hard work on a daily basis, she is an excellent ambassador for the work we do at ABVI-Goodwill. She speaks positively about not only her career at the agency but also the vision rehabilitation services she received. She remains grateful for the orientation and mobility services she received which allowed her to ride the bus for the first time in her life, navigate her home, neighborhood and work environments, and helped her read again through the use of visual aids and adaptive devices. As a result, she always recommends that people who are blind or visually impaired come to ABVI-Goodwill to learn what we can do to help maximize their remaining vision. Virgie’s story is clearly an inspiration in itself, and yet what is even more astonishing is her ability to maintain a successful career and enjoy the kind of life she has while faced with past and present personal challenges. When thinking of her life right now, Virgie sums things up in this way – “I live for the moment. You just never know what each day will bring.” Virgie is an outstanding member of the ABVI-Goodwill team and an exemplary role model for her fellow employees. Her strength, perseverance and ability to maintain a positive outlook in the face of significant personal challenges all combine to make her an exceptional choice as the 2006 Direct Labor Employee of the Year. DEPARTMENT 11’S EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to announce Debbie Scheg as Department 11’s 2006 Employee of the Year. With almost 25 years of service to ABVI-Goodwill, Debbie’s dedication, hard work and pleasant attitude combine to make her a valuable resource to her department and to the organization. In fact, Debbie is a two-time winner of this award, having also been named Department 11’s Employee of the Year in 2004. “Debbie is a very pleasant person to work with and has a great attitude and work ethic,” says Hubert Phillips, Department 11 supervisor. She loves coming to work, is goal-oriented and quality-focused, and challenges herself to always do better. Her determination to succeed and her willingness to take on new challenges make her a wonderful role model for other employees. Debbie’s visual impairment hasn’t stopped her from enjoying the things that she likes to do, including reading Braille magazines and books, listening to music, and playing the piano. Debbie also likes to sing and is a member of ABVI-Goodwill’s Morning Star Choir. Her piano skills are a real delight to those who have heard her perform. Congratulations to Department 11’s 2006 Employee of the Year, Debbie Scheg, for her outstanding commitment to her department and her exceptional service to ABVI-Goodwill. CALL CENTER RECEIVES NEW YORK STATE CIVIL SERVICE CONTRACT ABVI-Goodwill’s Call Center now operates the New York State Department of Civil Service’s Accident Reporting System hotline. The hotline is expected to handle about 35,000 calls annually and is open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. ABVI-Goodwill’s Call Center utilizes advanced, adaptive technologies so that workers who are blind or visually impaired are able to respond to the telephone inquiries. Call center representatives electronically record telephone calls made by New York State employees when reporting work-related accidents directly to the Accident Reporting System. As a result of this five-year contract, seven full-time equivalent positions were added to the Call Center. “This contract will not only add to the range of capabilities our Call Center offers, but also provides additional employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired,” said Carol Borsa, Director of Business Services. “We’re excited about this newest undertaking and to meeting the needs of the New York State Department of Civil Service.” EXPANDING MANUFACTURING’S LINE OF QUALITY PRODUCTS The manufacturing department is proud to announce a new contract for memo books. This new contract expanded the ABVI-Goodwill workforce by opening up six new full-time jobs. Over 10,000 hours of work by employees who are blind or visually impaired will go towards the manufacturing of these memo books during 2006. And with 1.3 million memo books estimated to sell this year, everyone in manufacturing will be busy! The manufacturing division of ABVI-Goodwill is known for producing high quality products. This new memo book contract is a great addition to the quality products that ABVI-Goodwill’s manufacturing department produces. PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS AT ABVI-GOODWILL Bruce Cavallaro has been appointed as the Director of Information Technology. Bruce has worked at ABVI-Goodwill since 2004, serving as Information Technology Manager. His responsibilities in the IT department revolve around voice and data communications and network technology. Bruce has more than 19 years of experience in designing, implementing and managing technology solutions. Joyel Bennett has been appointed Director of Manufacturing for ABVI-Goodwill. Joyel began working at ABVI-Goodwill in 2002 and has worked as both an industrial engineer and the engineering and quality manager before being promoted to director. Joyel is in charge of all the manufactured items at ABVI-Goodwill from the order entry to shipping of the product. Sharon Schwalm, rehabilitation teaching manager at ABVI-Goodwill, is among the first graduates of the Business Management Training (BMT), a national training program with the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. This program was created to promote greater job opportunities among adults who are blind through business skills development. BMT is part of National Industries for the Blind’s larger Business Leaders Program that provides qualified candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to advance from manufacturing jobs up to senior management. Sharon is among 28 blind individuals from around the country to be chosen for the two-year business program sponsored by NIB. ON DEMAND LISTENING BY RUTH PHINNEY For people with visual impairments, new technology can provide challenges. But this same technology can also provide great opportunities! The wave of the future is having access to information when and where you want it– referred to as “on demand.” iPods and MP3 players are allowing individuals, even those with visual impairments, to access information and programming to be heard at a time that is more convenient for the listener. WXXI Reachout Radio recognizes that not every person will be available to listen to programs at the time they are broadcast over our radio station. So recently, Reachout Radio began making some of our locally generated programs available for download to your iPod or computer, to listen to at your convenience. The programs currently available for download are: Enabled (a weekly program that provides information to encourage and inform people with visual impairments about services, research and concerns regarding dealing with vision loss), AudioFile (a weekly program of reading from AudioFile Magazine, with reviews and articles about books available in an audio format) and New Beginnings (a monthly program produced by ABVI-Goodwill featuring discussions of issues of importance to people with vision loss). To listen on your computer, all you’ll need is a computer that is connected to the Internet. But to download these programs to take with you, you’ll need an iPod or MP3 player, and the appropriate offloading software to transfer the downloaded audio. For more information about how to download WXXI programs for “on demand listening,” go to wxxi.org/podcast and click on Learn More. POCKET PCS: THE NEW FRONTIER IN ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY BY KIM KLINE It seems these days that new improvements are happening to the Pocket PC technology. Instead of adding small additional features to the existing technology, many companies are creating entirely new software and versions of programs. Units such as the Pac Mate, Braille Note, Voice Note and the Braille Sense are captivating the interest of users who are blind or visually impaired, and with good reason. Many people do not spend all their time in an office or computer room and most of the information that they store and retrieve is done on-the-go. These devices are starting to put users who are blind on the same footing with the rest of the population, finally having access to the same Pocket PC applications as their sighted peers. There are also some specialized applications that are being developed for blind users. Both Freedom Scientific and Humanware offer GPS solutions for those who find it hard to navigate the streets and recognize their surroundings. While this technology still has some quirks, it is clearly breakthrough technology. Freedom Scientific also offers software for the Pac Mate that allows a user to scan barcodes on cans and packages for the purpose of identification and the retrieval of related information such as instructions. Freedom Scientific is making great strides in developing technology for the Pac Mate which allows it to be used as a communications device for users who are deaf and blind. Most manufacturers of these devices now have features available for playing back DAISY books, as well. Perhaps one of the most intriguing developments is the release of Dolphin Computer Access’s newest screen reader, Pocket HAL. Pocket HAL is a screen reader for Pocket PCs. It allows the user who is blind to take a common “off the shelf” Pocket PC and run a speech program on it, unleashing the same power as the HAL screen reader for desktop computers. For information on applications for the Pac Mate, you can visit www.freedomscientific.com. For information on the Braille Note and Voice Note, visit www.humanware.com. For more information on the Braille Sense, visit www.gwmicro.com. For more information on Pocket HAL, visit www.dolphinuk.co.uk. PREFERRED FORMAT Do you prefer to receive reading material from ABVI-Goodwill in large print, email, tape or Braille? If you are not receiving information from us in your preferred format please call our Marketing Department at (585) 697-5713. ASK THE EXPERT Ask the Expert is a column that answers questions our readers have about low vision. Every edition a new question is featured with a response from one of the many experts at ABVI-Goodwill. If you have a question that you would like to Ask the Expert please email mhogan@abvi-goodwill.com or call (585) 697-5712. Lately I am having trouble reading small print and I’m looking to purchase a magnifier. Can I come the ABVI-Goodwill Consumer Shoppe and purchase a magnifier or do I have to see an eye doctor first? ABVI-Goodwill doesn’t sell prescription magnifiers to people unless they have been referred to and seen by a low vision specialist, or their doctor has sent over a current prescription. This is because we want to make sure that people are getting proper medical care for their eyes. We don’t want to simply sell magnifiers that may help people read better, because it may be neglecting a medical condition. If you are interested in purchasing an over the counter magnifier, please be advised that the highest magnification you can purchase over the counter is 2x, whereas the magnifiers at ABVI-Goodwill start at 4x. Also, it isn’t enough to just have a magnifier, you need to be trained on how to use it. At ABVI-Goodwill, we provide education on how to properly use your new magnifier to get the most out of it and to make sure that it is the best fit for your needs. The low vision specialists at ABVI-Goodwill specialize in low vision aids, so it is in your best interest to call and schedule an appointment with one of our five eye doctors to learn how you can make the most of your remaining vision. This question was answered by Wendy Micca, a Licensed Optician, who has been with ABVI-Goodwill for 15 years. If you wish to contact Wendy please email her at wsmicca@abvi-goodwill.com. TAKING THE FIRST STEP BY KIMBERLY LAWRENCE Project Eye Care is sometimes a step in the right direction for basic eye care. Many times a first visit to Project Eye Care encourages the treatment and care of a diagnosed eye disease. Dennis is an example of Project Eye Care being the first step towards medical treatment and services from ABVI-Goodwill. At age 45, Dennis came to Project Eye Care for an eye exam because he didn’t have medical insurance. His first visit was four years ago and during this free eye exam, Dennis was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and dense cataracts in both eyes. Dr. Hanuch, a volunteer eye doctor for Project Eye Care, saw Dennis after this first examination at no charge and provided cataract surgery for free. Although the cataract surgery improved his vision for a while, Dennis still had decreased vision from Retinitis Pigmentosa and suffered greatly from decreased night vision. Working as a service station attendant for many years, Dennis found he was not able to perform his daily work duties without bumping into things he couldn’t see. Dennis was referred to ABVI-Goodwill’s Low Vision Center for additional services that would help him cope with his vision loss. In January, one of our Orientation and Mobility Instructors visited Dennis in his home and showed him how to travel safely by using a cane. “I can’t believe what a difference using this cane makes!”, Dennis reports. “I know when there is a fence next to where I am walking and the cane helps me to find it without walking into it. And the cane finds dips in the sidewalk that would have caused me to trip and lose my balance before. Now I can tell when there are dips in the sidewalk and I don’t trip!” In addition to the orientation and mobility skills, one of the social workers from the Vision Rehab Department is helping him find a job within our Manufacturing Department. If Dennis had not come to Project Eye Care almost four years ago for a routine eye exam, he may not have known about the services ABVI-Goodwill provides. Today, Dennis is benefiting from our Vision Rehabilitation services. “There are services available for people like me that I never even knew existed,” Dennis says. “I’m glad I went to Project Eye Care when I did.” If you know someone who needs an eye exam and has no medical insurance, refer them to Project Eye Care today. It may be the first step towards many new opportunities that can change their life forever. JOIN OUR FAMILY OF DONORS Helen Keller once said, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” It is in this same spirit that we carry out our mission at ABVI-Goodwill to assist people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their highest level of independence in all aspects of their lives. We hope every person we serve considers us a friend—a friend that will walk with them as they triumph over challenges and discover a world full of new opportunities. At ABVI-Goodwill, we make it possible for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to reach their fullest potential by offering vision rehabilitation programs designed specifically to meet individual goals. We offer programs like rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility instruction, counseling groups, adaptive technology training, children’s programs, career and training programs, and community outreach programs for the uninsured or under-insured. ABVI-Goodwill serves over 2,500 people annually. Everyday people turn to us when their vision fails. As our fiscal year end draws to a close on March 31, 2006 we need your support more than ever. Please help support people who are blind or visually impaired overcome the challenges associated with their vision loss and help us be that friend that walks with them in the dark. Please take a minute to join our family of donors and send a contribution today. Your support will make a lasting difference in the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. WISH LIST As with many organizations, ABVI-Goodwill is dependent on computer technology in order to deliver our mission and for our employees to perform their jobs. At ABVI-Goodwill, we employ over 100 people who are blind or visually impaired. Our technology needs are much greater than most organizations. To do their jobs, our employees who are blind or visually impaired need software and hardware that are not standard items. Currently, we are in need of the following technology that is not covered in our budget. Adaptive computer software: Jaws and Duxbury- Special software programs that magnify print, speak and Braille the words on the screen. Cost: $4,820 Software upgrade- Adaptive software requires the most up to date version of Microsoft Office. Upgrading the Office software will further expand the capabilities for people who are blind. Cost: $1,100 Open Book- A software package that interfaces with scanners. This software offers both magnification and text-to-speech for scanned items. It also has capabilities that offer conversion from scanned document file types to Microsoft office file types. Cost: $1,600 Desktop Video Magnifier (also called CCTV)- This magnifier will allow employees with visual impairments to see handouts that are distributed in meetings, as their sighted co-workers do. Cost: $1,806 QuickLook- This hand-held magnifier restores reading independence on the go. It’s small enough that employees can carry it from the manufacturing floor to the conference room, but big enough to make a difference. Cost: $1,700 Mounted projector- This projector will provide a clearer view of items that are presented in meetings held in our conference room. Cost: $7,500 If you or someone you know can donate the dollars to fund the necessities or items above, please contact Tracy Schleyer, CFRE, director of development, at (585) 697-5780. DISCLAIMER The products, services and programs of other organizations mentioned in The Beacon are not endorsed by ABVI-Goodwill. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Megan Hogan at (585) 697- 5712, or send an email to mhogan@abvi-goodwill.com. By giving to ABVI-Goodwill in memory or in honor of a family member or friend, many generous people have found a way to express their caring spirit while helping to ensure the success of ABVI-Goodwill. Thank you to the following friends who made contributions from November 18, 2005 to February 16, 2006: IN MEMORY OF Frank Bartolotti, Sr. Michael F. Cucinotta Dotty Bayer Jill Kelly Huska Beslagic Samra Beslagic Iris Cote Barbara J. Sorg Billie M. Couch Cheryll Baker Cecelia M. Couch Esther M. Cox Ann Horsch Marilyn Scheible Mary B. Wilson Anna DiLella Ruth E. Andrews Edward H. Dreier Evelyn D. Taillie Edward S. Groszewski Ronald N. Bianchi Wilma Hobin Richard Jamison Rita Housaman Spencerport Lions Braille Services Bill Howe Deborah Allen Mary Ottalagana Anonymous Walter L. Pear Robert Boesel Joseph A. Burnett Brian Daly Barb Grady Greece Central School District, Office of Student Services Carolyn Greif Marianne P. Hirsch Richard Jamison Diane Koetter Shirley Locke William L. Raymond Anonymous Cynthia Schlauch Loretta Stumpf Tops N.Y. 288 Rochester June Rohe Avon Lioness Club Herman Schwartz Samuel Schwartz Dwight Stevens Howard Kessler Ruth Topham John H. Dengler IN HONOR OF Toby Cherry Paychex, Inc. Scott W. Davis Anonymous Eli Eckman Karen Schuhle-Williams Howard L. Warren Hubert Hill David C. Ayers A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D. Jean M. Fiannaca Claire Soule Sue Soule HEALTHY VISION MONTH 2006: EYE SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS May is Healthy Vision Month and ABVI-Goodwill has joined with the National Eye Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to spread awareness about eye safety and reducing the risk of occupational eye injuries. Each day about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. However, 90 percent of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper eyewear and safety measures. Healthy Vision Month’s goal is to raise awareness about eye safety and the steps to take to protect your eyes. To be effective in preventing injury, eyewear must be appropriate for the job and properly fitted. Nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection, or the wrong kind of eye protection, at the time of the accident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that employers provide workers with suitable eye protection. To be effective, the eyewear must be of the appropriate type for the hazard encountered and properly fitted. Healthy Vision Month is a national eye health observance and this May the focus is on reducing the risk of occupational eye injuries. For more information about Healthy Vision Month or the programs and services available through ABVI-Goodwill to help protect the safety of your eyes, please call (585) 232-1111. 2006 ANNUAL CELEBRATION- SAVE THE DATE Monte Carlo Night at Locust Hill Wednesday, July 12, 2006 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm 2000 Jefferson Rd. Pittsford, NY 14534 For more information please call (585) 697-5713