SUMMER 2003 BEACON
Career And Training Center Dedication A Success
On August 6, 2003, ABVI-Goodwill’s Skinner
Career and Training Center had its ribbon cutting ceremony to honor the
generous donation from Mr. Shirley Skinner and Nancy, his wife. Friends,
donors, employees and the press shared in this important agency event. The
renovation of the Center enables ABVI-Goodwill to offer enhanced programs,
services and call center jobs to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Blind from a childhood illness, Mr. Skinner
never let his vision loss stand in the
way of his goals. He enjoyed many successful
careers and accomplished the tasks he set for himself. Mr. Skinner’s drive and
quest for success plays out in the goal of the Skinner Career and Training
Center at ABVI-Goodwill. By allowing people who are blind or visually impaired
the opportunity and training to explore career options, they too can reach
their goals, just like the Center’s namesake.
The Skinner Career and Training Center houses
ABVI-Goodwill’s call center facility, which received a major five-year contract
from the Environmental Protection Agency (see “ABVI-Goodwill Thrives with EPA
Contract” for more details). This contract will pave the way for a prosperous
future for our call center and for the skilled employees who receive the calls.
Thanks to the contributions of Shirley and Nancy
Skinner, ABVI-Goodwill’s Skinner Career and Training Center is just the newest
example of how career training and job readiness can brighten any future. In an
economy where jobs are limited, ABVI-Goodwill is proud to provide the training
possible to open wide the doors of career opportunities for people who are
blind or visually impaired.
For more information about the Skinner Career
and Training Center, contact Carol Borsa at (585) 697-5755 or e-mail at cborsa@abvi-goodwill.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: ABVI-Goodwill’s President/CEO A.
Gidget Hopf and Shirley Skinner at Center dedication.
###
ABVI-Goodwill Thrives With EPA Contract
The newly renovated Skinner Career and Training
Center at ABVI-Goodwill continues to grow. In July 2003, our call center
received a five-year contract from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This multi-million dollar contract makes ABVI-Goodwill the National Lead
Information Center responsible for handling all lead-based paint inquiries.
Anyone calling 1-800-424-LEAD will speak with
one of ABVI-Goodwill’s trained Information Specialists who provide lead-related
technical support inquiries and
publication requests from federal, state and
local governments, the general public and the private sector.
With this EPA contract, ABVI-Goodwill hired five
new employees, four of whom are blind or visually impaired. Not only do these
positions offer competitive wages but they also provide excellent training for
the growing call center industry.
ABVI-Goodwill has positioned itself as a
competitive player in the local call center industry. We look forward to
expanding our call center contracts as well as continuing to provide programs,
services and jobs to people who are blind or visually impaired.
For more information about ABVI-Goodwill’s call
center capabilities, contact Carol Borsa at (585) 697-5755 or e-mail at cborsa@abvi-goodwill.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: Joanna Richardson, ABVI-Goodwill
call center employee.
###
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
There is nothing more gratifying than having a
vision and “seeing” that vision come to fruition. Several years ago, I
envisioned a new and innovative way to create training and career opportunities
for people who are blind or visually impaired. Based on a scan of the
environment and what types of jobs were taking off in our economy, I determined
that call center jobs were the wave of the future, and that these types of jobs
could be a perfect fit for people who are blind.
In thinking about call center jobs, I did not
envision the typical telemarketer, but rather a professional information
specialist, equipped with the latest adaptive technology, that could handle an
array of calls for businesses and organizations. Our board of directors agreed
that this would be a great new initiative and so our plan to launch a training
center for call center information specialists and customer service
representatives was realized.
Having a vision is only the first step of any
plan. Communicating that vision, bringing in the right people to make it happen
and having a supportive team are crucial to the success of any vision. In our
case, we were able to create much enthusiasm around the concept. First, I
appointed the right leader to make it happen. Cindy DeFalco, VP of
Organizational Development, made the vision for a state-of-the-art call center
and training program her own. She hired an experienced call center professional
in Carol Borsa and the rest is history. The New York State Commission for the
Blind and Visually Handicapped (NYS CBVH) saw the merit in what we were trying
to do and assisted with start-up funding for adaptive equipment.
ABVI-Goodwill’s board came through by approving additional funding for a new
telephone system to support the effort.
In short order we were up and running and
training people to compete in this highly competitive industry. Once we began
to prove ourselves, we sought out contracts to provide call center services so
we could hire our own trainees. One year ago, we secured a contract with
National Industries for the Blind (NIB) to provide worldwide customer support
to their government and military customers. The success of this project led us
to apply for a major contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). I am pleased to report that we won that contract and ABVI-Goodwill is
now the National Lead Information Center for the EPA. These contracts employ
eight people who are blind or visually impaired in well paying and challenging
jobs.
Realizing the vision of a comprehensive call
center career and training center has been made all the more gratifying by the
testimonials of our information specialists working on these important
contracts. Their positive comments about the opportunity this center affords
them to be economically self- sufficient in a professionally satisfying job is
what really makes realizing the vision all the more worthwhile.
###
FROM THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Back to school means many things for parents and
children. It’s a time of change—a time of transition. For young people who are
blind or visually impaired, returning to the classroom can be a challenge their
sighted peers can only imagine.
Building success at an early age for children
who are blind or visually impaired is essential if the child is to grow up
independent and self-assured. Our job at ABVI-Goodwill is to offer support and
advice to parents in an effort to ease this transition. There are many things
parents and teachers can do to lay the foundation for success in the classroom
and much of it begins at home.
Parents need to make sure that their child has
the appropriate support he or she needs to succeed. That includes making sure
the school is aware of their child’s special needs, ensuring that the teacher
is savvy to accommodations in the classroom that can enhance learning, checking
to see if the reading materials are in the appropriate format (i.e., large
print, Braille, high contrast, etc.), and learning what other special services
are offered in the district. Most importantly, parents need to establish a
relationship with the teacher.
With school districts more pressed than ever to
deliver services under tight budgets, parental involvement is crucial. Be on
the lookout for opportunities to educate instructors and school staff relative
to school trips, guest lectures, or other special events where a simple
accommodation like changing seats in the classroom can enhance the learning
experience. Look for opportunities where a parent’s sensitivity to blindness
can enrich the classroom experience. Volunteering in school can raise awareness
and make the classroom experience more accessible. The more a parent can help a
busy teacher, the more the student and the class will benefit.
For example, if the school is planning a field
trip to the zoo, parents should use this opportunity to supplement what’s going
on in school. Share pictures, use stuffed animals, or explain to the child what
to expect. This way, when the child gets to the zoo, he or she can make the
most of the experience.
Keep in mind also that as the child moves from
one grade to the next there are different visual demands. ABVI-Goodwill’s Low
Vision Center can help make the transition smoother by offering advice or
assistive devices. Explore your options with us regularly. Don’t just wait
until a problem arises.
A big part of our job at ABVI-Goodwill is
serving as a resource to parents, families and children. Our mission to assist
the patient is just the beginning!
###
PHOTO MONTAGE PAGE Annual Celebration 2003
Sponsors
Gracias to all of our generous sponsors at this
year’s Annual Celebration—South of the Border on South Clinton. Without your
support, our event wouldn’t have been the fiesta it was!
Big Enchilada:
Birds Eye Foods
Great Chalupa:
Dopkins System Consultants
Hatch Leonard Naples, Inc.
Heidelberg Digital LLC
Mercer
Columbia Management Group
Printpack, Inc.
Mighty Taco:
3M OSD
Advanced Marketing Direct
Compson Development
Bergmann Associates, Inc.
Excellus/BlueCross BlueShield of the Rochester
Area
Frontier/Global Crossing
LeChase Companies
Vision Automotive Group
Rochester Binding and Finishing
Grand Fajita:
Actuarial Pension Analysts
Advantage Professionals
Burke Group
ComTon, Inc.
Diamond Packaging
Evolution Impressions
Fusion Productions
JP Morgan Chase
M&T Bank
McGee and Noto
Mengel, Metzger, Barr and Co., LLP
Monro Muffler
Jim Pappas, CCIM/ReMax 1st Commerical
Sign Impressions
Telesensory’s Aladdin Video Magnifiers
The Harrison Group
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Hot Tamale:
ABF Freight Systems
American Fiber Systems
Antoinette and Harvey McCorvey
Archer Communications, Inc.
Conway Beam Leasing
EJ Footware/Barclay Shoe
Enhanced Vision
Hammer Lithograph
McArdle Rameran, Inc.
Milt and Ron’s Transmission Service
OcuSight Eye Care Center
Polyrom Disc
Schantz Homes, Inc.
Reed Eye Associates
Sysco Food Service
WorkSmart Learning Systems
###
AGENCY NEWS
ARTICLE 1
American Council of the Blind (ACB) News
ABVI-Goodwill Has A New Bus Shelter
If you have visited ABVI-Goodwill in the past
few weeks, you may have noticed our new addition, an RTS bus shelter. Thanks to
the hard work of a committee headed by Irma Herzog and the support of the
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), this new shelter
will provide a safe, dry place for those waiting for the bus.
The committee formed and addressed the need for
this shelter in February of 2003. Through the efforts of the committee and Paul
Holihan from RTS, this much-needed shelter became a reality. Now, the public
and ABVI-Goodwill visitors can wait for the bus in a safer, more comfortable
location.
The stop has been tested by mobility instructors
and does not distort sound or restrict sidewalk mobility. All in all, this
shelter is a great feature for ABVI-Goodwill and for the public. Many thanks to
RGRTA and ACB for their time and effort on this new project.
ACB Meeting in Rochester
On October 17th, the New York State American
Council for the Blind will hold its weekend conference in Rochester at the
Crowne Plaza downtown. For more information about the convention, please
contact Tom Flaherty at (585) 546-3450.
ARTICLE 2
ABVI-Goodwill Represented at International
Conference
Six hundred people from over forty-eight
countries attended the 2003 Deaf-Blind International (DBI) Conference held in
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. ABVI-Goodwill’s Orientation and Mobility
Instructor/Deaf-Blind Specialist, Nikki Llewellyn, and Patti Lago-Avery, an
agency volunteer, attended the conference and presented a workshop.
Nikki and Patti shared their knowledge and
experience in bringing together various local, state and national agencies, in
conjunction with consumers, to better understand and meet the needs of the
Deaf-Blind population. Patti and Nikki attended six days of workshops,
networked and increased their knowledge of available resources to better meet
the needs of consumers in the Greater Rochester Area.
Identifying Deaf-Blind consumers in Rochester is
a project Nikki and Patti will focus on over the next several months. By
identifying individuals who are Deaf-Blind, they will develop the “number
information” necessary to show the need for increased funding in our area to
provide adequate services for this under-served population.
ARTICLE 3
Save the Environment — Buy a Computer
Did you know that this year alone, 40 million
computers will end up in landfills around the United States? Are you interested
in helping our environment? Now you can! ABVI-Goodwill and Per Scholas have
joined to provide reconditioned, fully loaded, Internet-ready
computers–computers that will not sit in landfills–at our four Goodwill
locations.
For the extremely low price of $295, you can get
a reconditioned computer for your home, dorm or office. Each system includes:
• A Pentium III processor with 256 MB RAM
• Refurbished 17” color monitor
• 3.5” 1.44 floppy drive
• A sound card and new speakers
• 56 kbps V.90 Fax/Data modem
• New keyboard, mouse and cables
• Windows 2000 with the Microsoft Office 97 Pro
Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Outlook and Access)
• AOL 45 days of Unlimited Internet access
• Bilingual CD-ROM tutorial and toll free help
desk support
• Plus a one-year warranty through Per Scholas
Visit one of our four Goodwill retail locations
for more information or to place your order. Don’t miss out on this fantastic
opportunity! Stop by Bay Centre Plaza in Webster, Jefferson Plaza in Henrietta,
Stone Ridge Plaza in Greece or our Downtown location on 451 South Clinton Ave.
and take a look around.
Working through Goodwill, Per Scholas is a
nonprofit organization providing children and families access to technology at
the lowest possible cost since 1994. ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to announce our
partnership with Per Scholas.
For more information or to try out a display
computer, stop by one of our four Goodwill locations: Bay Centre Plaza,
Jefferson Plaza, Stone Ridge Plaza or Downtown. Come visit us today!
ARTICLE 4
Thank You Dr. Wynne
ABVI-Goodwill and the Low Vision Center would
like to thank Dr. Kevin Wynne for his many years of service as a low vision
specialist at our agency. Dr. Wynne has been with us for several years seeing
patients on Monday afternoons. Due to the growth of his private practice, Dr.
Wynne will no longer be able to work in our Low Vision Center.
Dr. Wynne’s talents will be greatly missed.
Thank you for your dedication, skills and service that you provided
ABVI-Goodwill for all these years. Best of luck!
ARTICLE 5
Our Newest Retail Location: Online
Have you been to shopgoodwill.com lately? Well,
if you have, you’ve seen the wonderful items that we have up for auction.
Goodwill’s E-bay-like site has been successful, but we need your help.
ABVI-Goodwill is looking for someone with a
background in collectibles and antiques to come up with a creative and inviting
way to describe items on shopgoodwill.com, clean and shine the pieces, take
digital pictures and upload them onto our auction site. Once the item has sold,
it needs to be packaged and shipped to the highest bidder. We would post about
20 to 25 items per day.
If you or someone you know loves antiques, then
this may be the perfect opportunity. Not only will you be doing something you
enjoy, but you would also help ABVI-Goodwill generate revenue to fund programs,
services and jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.
For more information, contact Paul Thompson at
(585) 697-5740 or e-mail at pthompson@abvi-goodwill.com.
ARTICLE 6
Congratulations!
Dr. Gwen K. Sterns, ABVI-Goodwill’s Medical
Director, received the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Secretariat Award
for her outstanding contributions to the field of ophthalmology.
In addition to working Friday mornings at
ABVI-Goodwill, Dr. Sterns has her own private practice at Rochester General
Hospital and is Chief of the Department of Ophthalmology. Additionally, she is
a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester and is a
board member of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and
Educational Professionals.
Even though Dr. Sterns is a very busy woman, she
still manages to see over one hundred patients a year at ABVI-Goodwill. Thank
you, Dr. Sterns, for your dedication and commitment to vision care in the
Greater Rochester Area!
ARTICLE 7
New Employee Spotlight
ABVI-Goodwill is constantly growing! We would
like to welcome all of our
new employees and staff who have joined us since
April 7, 2003:
Ana Cedeno April
7 Goodwill
Luz Rodriguez April
10 Goodwill
Zhaneta Mano April
15 Goodwill
Charlie Romans April
29 Career and Training
Michael Knight May
5 Goodwill
Marta Grzegorek May
7 Goodwill
Blake Kupski May
8 Goodwill
Shamaleitha Terry May 13 Goodwill
Ryan Palis May
24 Goodwill
Charles Nagel June
9 Goodwill
Eduard Ashurov June
14 Goodwill
Kathyrn Stanford June
16 Career and Training
Kenle Yatteau June
16 Career and Training
Joshua Cornell June
17 Goodwill
Kate Robin McMaster June 26 Goodwill
Teresa Jurgensen McCarthy June 28 Goodwill
Thomas Dougherty June
30 Career and Training
Michael Douglas June
30 Career and Training
Daniel Sudillo June
30 Career and Training
Deborah Bruce July
9 Goodwill
Alexander Pietrzykowski July 16 Manufacturing
Michael Pozzanghera July 24 Goodwill
Susan DiPiaza July
25 Food Service
Gina Buechel July
28 Marketing/Communications
Harvest Morgan July
28 Goodwill
Michael Di Lalla July
30 Information Technology (IT)
Richard Lane July
30 Goodwill
Ann Phelan Aug.
4 Manufacturing
Rhonda Thomas Aug.
4 Goodwill
Heriberto Rodriguez Aug. 5 Goodwill
Welcome aboard! We’re so pleased to have you
here.
###
SIDEBAR
What Is Deaf-Blindness?
Deaf-Blindness comes in many shades and
variations but the most functional definition is that you can’t read the
newspaper with regular eyeglasses and you need amplification to hear speech in
person or over the telephone. The dual sensory loss has a heavy impact on
independence, safety and socialization.
If you know of someone who fits the functional
definition of Deaf-Blindness, or if you are interested in learning more, please
contact Nikki Llewellyn at (585) 697-5727, TTY at (585) 232-1698 or nllewellyn@abvi-goodwill.com.
###
CONSUMER NEWS YOU CAN USE ARTICLES:
ARTICLE 1
Neckties and Glaucoma Risk
The British Journal of Ophthalmology conducted
research on 40 men to determine if eye pressure increases when wearing a tight
necktie. This study looked at 20 men with normal eye pressure and 20 men with
glaucoma. The researchers tested eye pressure before wearing a tie, and then
again three minutes after loosening the tight tie.
The results show that 60 percent of the men with
glaucoma and 70 percent of the men with normal eye pressure had an increased
pressure after wearing a tight necktie. A tight tie restricts the jugular vein,
which increases blood pressure and therefore, pressure in the eye. Also,
wearing a tight tie during an eye exam could lead to false diagnosis of
glaucoma.
So, as a rule of thumb, loosen tight ties to
promote healthy eyes.
ARTICLE 2
Helen Keller Online Museum
Children and adults can log on and learn about
the pioneering efforts of Helen Keller through the American Foundation for the
Blind (AFB) Web site. This site is W3C accessible and chock-full of inspiration
and information.
Visitors to the site can access videos and
pictures that follow Helen’s incredible life. There are inspirational quotes
and fun facts about her as well as links to the various stages of her life and
advocacy career.
This interactive site is suitable for all ages
and not only is informative but fun. Log on to www.afb.org and select the Helen
Keller Kids Museum link. You’ll be glad you did!
ARTICLE 3
Air Travel Hotline
The U.S. Department of Transportation has a toll
free number for air travelers seeking information regarding the rights of
travelers with disabilities as well as to report any disability-related air
travel service difficulties. The purpose of this hotline is two-fold: to
educate and to assist in resolving disability-related air travel issues.
This hotline, set up in August of 2002, is
available seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. If you
have questions or concerns about air travel for people with disabilities, call
1-800-778-4838 or TTY 1-800-455-9880 and let your voice be heard.
###
KUDOS CORNER
Project Eye Care Beats the Heat
By Kimberly Lawrence
Despite the summer heat and the unrest in Iraq,
ABVI-Goodwill’s Project Eye Care had a successful summer. Through the generous
donation of their time and talents, our volunteer eye doctors and optical shops
helped us survive in this economically difficult time.
Like many other places, ABVI-Goodwill felt the
strain of our country’s difficult economy. We weren’t financially hurt but
rather, and more importantly for Project Eye Care, we were “physically” hurt.
Optometrist Dr. Jim Crable has been providing free eye exams for Project Eye
Care for more than three years. He is also in the Army Reserves and, in January
of this year, was called to serve in Ft. Drum, New York.
Our thanks go out to Dr. Crable not only for
volunteering his time to provide free eye exams, but also for serving our
country in this time of difficulty. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dr.
Crable and we look forward to having him home again soon!
Project Eye Care depends greatly on the
dedication of doctors like Dr. Crable. Without their services, many people who
are uninsured in our community would not receive the eye care that they need.
After their eye exams, many also received free
corrective eyewear thanks to LensCrafters and Sterling Optical. Without these
optical shops, an exam would not be beneficial; people still would not have the
vision correction they needed. Project Eye Care is a team effort and without
the whole team, the services would not get done and the community would suffer.
If you would like to be part of the Project Eye
Care team either as a doctor, optical shop or a financial contributor, please
contact Kimberly Lawrence at (585) 697-5738 or e-mail at
klawrence@abvi-goodwill.com.
Thank you eye doctors and thank you LensCrafters
and Sterling Optical for making Project Eye Care the success it is!
###
CHARITABLE BEQUESTS
A charitable bequest in
your will is an exceptional way to support our mission and the people we serve.
If you are interested in making a bequest to ABVI-Goodwill, and would like to
become a member of the Foresight Circle, please call Tracy Schleyer, Director
of Development, at (585) 697-5780 or email at tschleyer@abvi-goodwill.com.
###
RAYS OF LIGHT
Rays Of Light
By Jen Enright
The generous and giving spirit of
ABVI-Goodwill’s volunteers leaves me astounded. Their willingness to give of
their time to help others inspires me to want to give of myself, too. I feel
privileged to have this opportunity to work with such an amazing, selfless
group of people.
I took over the volunteer program in June of
this year from Laura Townsend who did a great job for the last two and a half
years. I had big shoes to fill in Laura’s absence, but I happily accepted and
am so glad I did. I am fortunate to have this chance for personal and
professional growth.
A recent graduate from St. John Fisher, I came
to ABVI-Goodwill as an intern in August of 2002. After several months, I was
offered a full-time position and joined the Marketing and Communications staff
in January of 2003. While my primary duty is writing The Beacon, I am also now
the Volunteer Coordinator for the agency; two duties that keep me very busy!
When the transition process seems a bit
overwhelming or I’m just having a rough day, I can call a volunteer driver to
schedule a ride and my day becomes brighter. The men and women who volunteer in
different capacities all have the greatest sense of humor and make me smile. I
understand now why Laura named the program “Rays of Light.”
If you have any feedback, questions or comments
about the Volunteer Program, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to
call me anytime at (585) 697-5718 or e-mail at jenright@abvi-goodwill.com.
###
SIDEBAR
Preferred Format
Do you prefer to receive reading material from
ABVI-Goodwill in large print, e-mail, tape, or Braille? If you are not
receiving information from us in your preferred format, please call Sindy
Cantor at (585) 697-5713.
###
OUTSIDE AD
We’re working to make this community even
healthier.
For more than 65 years, we’ve created innovative
plans that make it easier for you to receive the care you need. We partner with
area companies and businesses, local doctors and hospitals, and members to
improve our community’s health care quality. We hope you continue to count on
us for the plans, the service, and the quality that keep making us all
healthier.
Excellus Rochester Region
###
BOXED ARTICLE
It used to be that you could count on a savings
account for reasonable earnings. Then, CDs became a solid investment with a
reliable return for those wishing to minimize their risk. Now, you may find
yourself searching for options that produce a higher, more stable rate of
return amidst the volatility of today’s financial markets.
Perhaps you’ve wished that there was a safer and
more secure way to increase your rate of return and minimize income taxes—at
the same time making a significant gift to the Association for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill Industries. Depending upon your current
financial needs, we may have a solution that’s a perfect fit.
Charitable life income plans, including the
charitable gift annuity, could be the answer. Depending on your age, you can
earn a rate of return substantially higher than many other non-charitable
plans—an important consideration in these days of economic uncertainty. Compare
the current rates for a charitable gift annuity and a Certificate of Deposit
and see the differences.
Gift
Annuity Certificate of Deposit Rates
Age Rate Years Yield
70 6.5% 5 5.20%
80 8.0% 3 4.35%
90 11.3% 1 2.85%
Your rate of return on a charitable gift annuity
is further enhanced because you are allowed a charitable contribution deduction
on your income taxes.
For additional information on how this life
income plan might serve your needs, please call Tracy Schleyer, Director of
Development, at (585) 697-5780.
This information is not intended as legal
advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples
are based on current rates at the time of printing and are subject to change.
###
Congratulations from your friends at Monro
Muffler/Brake & Service
###
CHILDREN’S CORNER ARTICLES:
ARTICLE 1
Summer Sizzle Has Ignited
ABVI-Goodwill’s third annual Summer Sizzle was a
huge success again this year! During the week-long event that ran from August
18–22, ten “sizzlers,” who are legally blind, participated in skill-building
activities, made new friends and increased their confidence and self-advocacy
skills through field trips and hands-on experiences.
The sizzlers went on three field trips during
the week, which encouraged and challenged them to use their other senses to the
fullest. At SUNY Brockport’s Camp Abilities, sizzlers worked together at
rollerblading and tandem biking as well as beep baseball and goal ball, games
which use balls that beep and have bells. At Lollypop Farm, the group had the
chance to touch many animals they may not have experienced before, such as
goats, llamas, horses, sheep and cows.
Hands-on exhibits at the Strong Museum
encouraged body movement, listening skills and entertainment as the sizzlers
played deejay and saw how a radio works, along with how some sound effects are
created. They also practiced their tap dancing skills in the dance room.
In between field trips, the sizzlers worked on
their daily living skills such as money identification, basic cooking and using
a computer. The program also focused on teaching the group assertiveness and
how to deal with teasing, issues of personal space and self-advocacy.
Sarah Favro, Children’s Specialist, said, “The
best part was that we all started out as strangers but at the end of the week,
new relationships formed between the children and the staff. Our goal was to
provide the sizzlers exposure to new opportunities and show them all that is
out there.”
For more information about our children’s
programming, call Sarah Favro at (585) 697-5746 or e-mail at sfavro@abvi-
goodwill.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: Fun and teamwork at this year’s
Summer Sizzle.
ARTICLE 2
Career Vision Offers Insight
ABVI-Goodwill’s second annual Career Vision
program was again popular this summer. The six-week program for young adults
between the ages of 14 and 21 ran Wednesdays in July and August and focused on
assertiveness and hands-on learning experiences.
The group participated in a variety of
activities, such as field trips around town. The goal of each experience was to
allow them to interact in the community and gain confidence. For example, the
group took an RTS bus to all field trips. Public transportation was a new
experience for some. Learning how to safely travel promotes independence and
increases self-confidence. Accompanied by ABVI-Goodwill staff, participants
applied their newly developed mobility skills in unfamiliar places and had fun
while learning new things.
The group’s first trip to T.G.I. Fridays for
lunch was not only a great way to get to know one another, but also a learning
experience in ordering and paying for their meals themselves. Another trip had
participants “flying” as they took a tour of the Greater Rochester
International Airport. The group experienced going through a security check and
boarding a plane. Once on board, participants familiarized themselves with
overhead compartments, flight attendant call buttons, overhead lights and
bathrooms. This was a valuable learning experience as air travel can be
overwhelming.
The group also spent a day on the RIT campus.
This was a unique experience because of campus construction, but nonetheless,
everyone had an enjoyable time and got to apply their new mobility skills. An
on-campus lunch enabled the group to experience cafeteria-style dining.
Frontier Field was the last outing for the group and a good time was had by all
watching the Red Wings.
Career Vision isn’t just a learning experience;
it’s a building block for the future. For more information, contact Sherry
Ortiz at (585) 697-5758 or e-mail sortiz@abvi-goodwill.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mark Dolby, Charlie Ingoglia,
Jeff Hodson, Emelio Vega, Briana VanParys, Candi Miller and Amanda Reed enjoy a
day out at the ballpark.
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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING ARTICLE
Computer Adaptation 101
By Kim Kline
When talking with people in the community about
my work, I’m often asked, “How does someone who is blind use a computer?” This
question can be answered in two ways. One way is to magnify the things shown on
the computer screen. The second way is through synthetic speech or Braille
output.
Magnification involves a program installed on the
computer that magnifies text and graphics on the computer’s screen from two to
sixteen times. However, when using magnification programs, such as Zoomtext® or
Magic®, one loses the ability to see the entire screen at a glance, but rather
only the slice of the screen immediately around the cursor or mouse pointer is
visible.
For some, speech or Braille adaptation may be
appropriate. Synthetic speech systems are generally made up of two components:
the synthesizer and the screen reader. Modern synthesizers are software-based
and use the computer’s sound card to generate the speech. The quality of speech
is greatly affected by the type of sound card, the speed of the computer’s
processor, and the amount of memory in the system. Today, multi-channel sound cards,
such as the Sound Blaster Live®, work best.
Screen reading programs tell the computer when
to speak and what to say. JAWS® and Window-Eyes® are two of the most popular
screen readers, although there are a variety of programs out there ranging in
price from $50 up to $1,200.
Braille output systems are similar to speech
systems in that they also require a screen reader, like JAWS or Window-Eyes,
but instead of using a speech synthesizer or sound card, these systems use a
piece of hardware called a refreshable Braille display. This display is a
device that raises or retracts a series of small pins that, when raised, form
Braille dots. These systems are also very expensive ranging from $5,000 to
$12,000 for the refreshable Braille display alone. They offer the advantage of
allowing the user to use the computer noiselessly, an important factor for
someone who is using a computer in a customer service job or the like.
Whether it’s Braille, speech or magnification,
adaptive technology has opened up the computer industry for people who are
blind or visually impaired like never before. With some minor adjustments, a
person who is blind or visually impaired uses a computer just like anyone else:
with a world of opportunities at their fingertips.
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ONE DAY AT A TIME ARTICLE
Something for Everyone
By Ruth Phinney
What do USA Today, the grocery ads, Fibber McGee
and Molly and the obituaries have in common? They’re all on WXXI Reachout
Radio. Although newspapers–local, regional and national–are the primary focus
of Reachout Radio’s broadcast, the service also provides information and
entertainment.
One of our goals is to share information from
organizations of and for people who are blind, about products, services, and
inspirational stories to uplift and encourage listeners. This information is
often read on Enabled (Sundays at 12:30 p.m.), but is also broadcast throughout
the day in public service announcements. If you hear something on Reachout
Radio but do not catch all the information, please call us at (585) 258-0333
and we’ll happily share the information with you.
In addition, each weekday at 1:30 p.m. old time
radio shows such as Fibber McGee and Molly, Jack Benny, The Shadow, Amos &
Andy, and You Bet Your Life, are aired, providing listeners with a break in the
information overload. These programs are favorites of our listeners, bringing
back memories of times gone by.
Recently, we were blessed by the donation of a large number of “new” old
time radio selections. Over the coming weeks and months, listeners will be
treated to recently acquired episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, The Lone
Ranger, Red Skelton, The Great Gildersleeve and more. We hope you’ll tune in.
Books are still read on Reachout Radio, weekdays
at 5:00 p.m. However, due to our construction, new books are not being
recorded. Meanwhile, we are re-broadcasting books that remain popular or have
remained on the bestseller list for many weeks so you can still enjoy a good
book while you’re preparing or sitting down to dinner. We hope you’ll tune in
and find something of interest to you on WXXI Reachout Radio.
For more information about WXXI Reachout Radio,
call (585) 258-0333.
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SIDEBAR
ABVI-GOODWILL’S INFORMATION SHARING POLICY
It is our policy to provide information and
resource referrals to anyone who contacts us. Interested parties may contact us
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by telephone
at (585) 232-1111, by TTY at (585) 232-1698, or by e-mail at info@abvi-goodwill.com.
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CREATIVE WAYS TO GIVE SECTION
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
·
To an anonymous donor for the funds to purchase
prism lenses as well as a TV with VCR and DVD player for our Practice Room.
The kindness and generosity of our friends and
donors help us offer the best and most up-to-date services possible. Thank you
for your support! If you or someone you know can donate the dollars to fund
these necessities, please contact Tracy Schleyer, Director of Development, for
more information at (585) 697-5780.
Children’s Program Items
With the Children’s Playgroup underway, we are
still very much in need of books, toys and other items to stock our children’s
activity room.
·
Children’s books with tactile features—about
$100.
·
Additional Children’s books on tape—about $100.
·
Disney read-along DVDs—approximately $15 each.
Miscellaneous Items
There is always something that needs fixing here
and every dollar we spend on major repair items takes away from our ability to
fund programs, services and jobs.
Projection Screen Tripod. Our newly renovated
Career and Training Center looks great and is in full swing! In order for us to
make the most of this new facility, we could use a projection screen tripod for
training and presentation purposes. A 60" x 60" tripod costs
approximately $170.
Replacement Steel Door. Our Goodwill store in
Bay Centre, Webster needs a new replacement exterior steel door. The cost for
this new door is approximately $1,000.
SureSight Vision Screener. To keep our low vision
screening as up-to-date as possible, we would like to purchase a SureSight
Vision Screener. This device is child-friendly, fast, accurate and can test for
a number of childhood eye conditions such as near- and farsightedness,
astigmatism and “lazy eye”, to name a few. This much-needed device costs around
$4,500.
Minus Cylinder Phoropter. Our Low Vision Center
needs a replacement minus cylinder Phoropter; this device houses the lenses
used during an eye exam. The one we have is cracked. We are not asking for a
brand new one, but rather a used one at the cost of $4,000.
Counseling Group Transportation Funds. Many
people experiencing vision loss seek counseling and support through
ABVI-Goodwill’s counseling groups. However, some participants may lack transportation.
A cab for one person to attend our 8-session group is $240; a cab for five
people is $1,200.
Computer for
Project Eye Care. Project Eye Care is growing and our computer system can’t
keep up! We would greatly benefit from a new Project Eye Care computer, which
is estimated at $1,500.
Scanner for Human Resources. Keeping track of
all the ABVI-Goodwill employees is a busy job. Human Resources needs a new
scanner to help make their job a bit easier. A scanner would cost approximately
$250.
Braille Printer. Our Vision Rehabilitation
Department and Adaptive Technology Center are in desperate need of a new,
up-to-date Braille printer. This new printer would not only benefit our
employees but would enable us to train students as well, which is something we
can’t do on our old equipment. A new printer would cost around $4,000.
Retail Receipt Printer. Our Goodwill stores are
in need of backup receipt printers. It would cost $520 to replace one receipt
printer, which includes the cost of the compatible cash drawer that must be
bought to go with the printer.
Cafeteria Renovations. Our cafeteria could use a
makeover. We estimate a new cafeteria floor to cost $5,000; a new five-well
steam and serving table to cost $5,600 and a new three-basin sink to cost
$4,675.