Archive for April, 2010

Northern California Entertainment and Recreation Listing April 30, 2010

northern-ca-entertainment-recreation-listing 4.30

If you do not receive this listing in your inbox every Friday, join the distribution list by emailing bberenson@lighthouse-sf.org.

This listing is compiled by the Vision Loss Resource Center at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is compiled weekly as a service to the blind and visually impaired community of Northern California. If you have a meeting or event information that would be appropriate for inclusion in this list, please email info@lighthouse-sf.org. This list will be updated every Friday. Information for each Friday’s listing must be submitted by the Wednesday prior to publication.

This week’s highlights:

Poi Fire Art Workshop, May 1   3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the LightHouse.

iPhone Interactive Workshop, May 8  1:00pm–3:00pm at the LightHouse.

New Episode of Blind Man's Bluff on Pushing Limits

Description: On Friday, April 30, 2010, we join our heroine Geri at her job interview at the local Independent Living Center as we play another scene from our original play, Blind Man’s Bluff. Starring Kris Yates, Mary Ann (Tidwell) Boussard, Doyle Saylor, Leah Gardner, Jan Santos and Patty Nash. From the memoir of the same name by Geri Taekens.

Pushing Limits is a local radio show by and for people with disabilities. Listen to the KPFA archive of PL shows including Blind Man’s Bluff at http://www.kpfa.org/archive/show/33.

Bill Barker's Braille Radio Reading Room – May 2010

Bill Barker’s Braille Radio Reading Room – May 2010

"Disability is a normal part of the world we live in." Video Contest

Video Competition: Reclaiming ‘Normal’

The Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco, an organization focusing on the rights of people with disabilities, invites one and all to enter a video competition to help commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The theme of the competition is Reclaiming ‘Normal’

Disability is a natural – and “normal” – part of the world we live in;  a world that belongs to all of us.  It is a part of the collective human experience. Disability is not special;  it’s a part of life.  Let’s reclaim the word “normal.”

Guidelines:
Submit a short video (less than 10 minutes) addressing the statement: “Disability is a NORMAL part of the world we live in”.  Submissions can be short documentaries, candids, scripted scenes, animated shorts, music videos, editorials…. we want to see YOUR version of people with disabilities Reclaiming Normal.

This competition is open to everyone.  There are no age limits or geographic boundaries.  You do not have to have a disability to enter the competition. You do not have to be an expert film-maker to enter.  You don’t even need a video camera.  You can make a short film and enter it in this competition if: you have access to a video camera, digital camera, or cell phone with video capabilities, or you have access to a web cam or a laptop with built-in camera,  or you have access to simple software that enables you to make and edit a slide show from still photos.  This doesn’t require a video camera, and this software is not only free – it’s already living on your computer.  Macs come with iMovie as part of the standard bundle,  and PCs come with Windows Moviemaker.  Both are easy,  drag-and-drop programs.

Submission details:
Individuals may submit as many entries as they like.  To submit a video,  go to the It’s Normal Facebook Group at http://tinyurl.com/27owl28 and either upload the video directly onto our wall or post a link to where you’ve uploaded your video on Youtube.  To be entered into the competition, entries must be submitted no later than June 10th, 2010.

Prizes:
A panel of judges will name the Grand Prize winner, 2nd and 3rd place
winners.  Grand Prize:  The Flip UltraHD 2 HR camcorder,  Second Prize: $50 iTunes Gift Card,  Third Prize: $25 iTunes Gift Card

Questions? Send an email with “Video Competition” in the subject line to lana@ilrcsf.org

iPhone User Review: iBart Live

by Lisamaria Martinez, LightHouse Public Affairs Coordinator

I have been a BART rider for 11 years. I usually know when trains arrive at certain stations – like the station closest to work or home. But, on occasion, I deal with delays or am at a new BART station and can barely hear the announcements over the roar of trains arriving and departing. What do I do?

Usually, I ask the nearest person what the next train is or what time such-and-such train will arrive. But this doesn’t always work.

I’ve recently purchased an iPhone and have fallen madly in love with its apps, including iBART Live.

For only $3.99 you can download iBART Live, a third-party app that allows iPhone users to check for real-time arrivals and plan trips. While there are other BART-related apps that are free, my experience with this particular app has been worth the cost.

iBART Live includes Trip Planning, Map and Arrival mode features, which each have their pros and cons in terms of accessibility, but overall can make BART travel much more seamless.

One of my favorite features is the Arrival Mode, which tells me when a train is due to arrive at a stop, helping me determine whether I need to run like a madwoman or can nonchalantly stroll.

For a demo of iBART Live features and many other useful iPhone apps, visit our free iPhone Interactive Workshop on May 8th, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the LightHouse.

Note: You do not need to own an iPhone to participate.

To learn more email lmartinez@lighthouse-sf.org.

Job Opening: Community Outreach Worker

Latino AIDS Services is in need of a Community Outreach Worker. This full time person would mostly work with the programs for gay, bi men/men who have sex with men and with youth. It’s an entry level position, ideal for an outgoing person with some experience in community involvement and interest in the HIV/health fields.

Thank you for helping spread the word.

J Armando Hernandez, MPH

Latino AIDS Services Manager
Instituto Familiar de la Raza
2919 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.229.0531 or 415.229.0500 ext 331

Oakland's ASSETS program helps seniors go back to work.

The City of Oakland Department of Human services offers ASSETS, a program to help seniors return to the workplace.

ASSETS Senior Employment Opportunities Program offers FREE job placement and training services to residents of Alameda County who are 55 years and older. You can earn minimum wage while getting the training needed to make the transition to full or part-time jobs outside of the program.

Read more here.

Getting the most out of your summer internship as a disabled student.

Check out Disability.gov’s recent blog post from guest blogger Jennifer Kemp from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP):

“12 years ago I interviewed to be a part of the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) – a program that connects federal employers with college students and recent graduates with disabilities to place them in summer internships and sometimes permanent jobs. I thought the interview went well, and hoped to get a call to work in Washington, DC. . .”

NBP edition of "Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online"

National Braille Press now offers a Braille version of Alison Doyle’s book “Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online”

If you are looking for a new job in today’s competitive market, using online job search tools is an absolute must. But where do you start? Which online sites are best, or most important to your search? And how can you use these online tools effectively and correctly?

Alison Doyle’s “Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online” tells you how to:
- Create your professional presence online
- Market yourself as a strong candidate for employers
- Connect with contacts who will help you with your job search
- Help prospective employers find you
- Use sites like Facebook, VisualCV, and LinkedIn to your advantage

In braille (2 volumes), and PortaBook (CD and downloadable), $11.95

Read the table of contents for this book, or order it, at
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/JOBONLINE.html

Visit NBP at http://www.nbp.org

"Social Networking and You: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for Blind Users," Tek Talk.

Recently, Anna Dresner discussed her book, “Social Networking and You: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for Blind Users,” on Tek Talk.

Social networking is now a key skill in finding job opportunities and even in insuring on-the-job success. Learn more about the ins and outs of social networking to look for work and to continue making professional connections once you have found a career.

Buy or download Anna Dresner’s book instantly at http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/SOCIAL.html

To listen to the recent Tek Talk show with Dresner, visit http://www.accessibleworld.org to download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives.