Posts Tagged ‘featured’

Early Detection of Glaucoma Key to Protecting Vision

Did you know that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve. The most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). An estimated 2.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with POAG and an additional 2 million have glaucoma and don’t know it.

There are often no symptoms or pain associated with the onset of glaucoma. As it progresses, a person may notice his or her side vision decreasing. As the glaucoma worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness may result.

Glaucoma can be detected through a dilated eye exam. A dilated eye exam allows an eye care professional to see inside the eye to check for signs of glaucoma and other vision problems. Treatment options for glaucoma include medicines, laser surgery, conventional surgery or a combination of any of these.

While anyone can get glaucoma, the National Eye Institute (NEI) encourages those at higher risk to get a dilated eye exam every one to two years. Individuals at higher risk include African Americans over age 40; everyone over age 60, especially Mexican Americans; and people with a family history of glaucoma.

To help spread the message about glaucoma, NEI has developed a series of e-cards that people can send as reminders about the importance of dilated eye exams in reducing the risk of vision loss. For more information about glaucoma or to send an e-card to family members or friends at risk for glaucoma, visit the NEI website at www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma.

The Department of Justice’s Changes to Audio Description and Movie Captioning: Hearing Highlights and More

By Brian McCallen, LightHouse guest blogger and volunteer

The Department of Justice (DOJ) just held three hearings on the Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRMs), containing changes to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) that call for upgrades in digital cinema equipment and increases in audio-described film offerings. According to published and broadcasted highlights, all three hearings in Chicago, Washington and San Francisco featured disability organizations, service providers and the general public.

At the San Francisco hearing, Marilyn Piepho, who spoke by phone, said that there are too few theaters in the country utilizing descriptive video service. Piepho recommended that the Department of Justice not only call for more movie theaters to add audio-described movies, but also use a test pattern with an audible tone to let people know that the film they’re watching has descriptions at the beginning of the show.

I tried to contact several small Northern California movie theaters, including Sierra Theaters in Grass Valley, about the possibility of their offering descriptive video service in the future. None of the theaters returned my emails or calls for comment.

Even though the hearings are over, you still have a chance to speak out about the proposed changes! The period for public comment continues until January 24th, 2011. To learn more, go to http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/anprm2010_comment.htm. There, you’ll find the link “Movie Captioning and Audio Description.” Just click on the link, and type your name, address, email and comments inside the special box on the next page. You can upload a word processing document with your comments to the site as well.

So speak out and make your voice heard about these new and exciting changes to the ADA. And for all the information on the ANPRMs, log on to http://www.ada.gov/!

Help the LightHouse Purchase New Cookware

We need to replace some very old cookware used in our cooking classes. Through February 22, for every $10 you spend on qualified purchases, Lucky Supermarket is giving out a stamp that can be redeemed for professional cookware. Please consider donating these stamps to the LightHouse. Bring them into our office or mail them to LightHouse for the Blind, Attention Kathy Abrahamson, 214 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102. Thank you for your support!

Changing Definition of Service Animal – Live Webcast

Are you or someone you know interested in acquiring the services of a guide dog or other service animal? The State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind is hosting a Question & Answer session in Sacramento on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This Q&A session will address the recent changes to the legal definition of a service animal and why you should know. Speakers include Christina Galindo-Walsh from the U.S. Department of Justice, along with Fred Nisen and Stuart Seaborn from Disability Rights California. Not in the Sacramento area? Fortunately for you, the session will be streamed live over the internet. For more information and instructions to view the broadcast on the day of the event, please visit www.guidedogboard.ca.gov.

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic Survey

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (http://www.rfbd.org/) works with leading publishers and technology innovators to bring accessible materials to individuals with visual and learning disabilities. Since their founding, they have advocated for programs for individuals who learn differently. The combined voice of volunteers, students, parents, educators and other concerned citizens has driven the educational system forward to be more inclusive and inviting for those who learn differently.

As they plan for 2011, they are asking you to share your thoughts about the changes and improvements you’d like to see in state and federal law for the education of our students. To do this, please take a few minutes to take their 2011 Public Policy Survey, by going to http://www.rfbd.org/2011survey/. Your individual responses will be anonymous and your insights will be invaluable.

President Signs Quiet Car Bill

Blindness organizations such as the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) applaud President Obama for signing the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (S. 841).

This legislation will require the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin writing standards that would set requirements for an alert sound that allows blind and other pedestrians to reasonably detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle. It also requires that those rules be finalized within three years.

Half Marathon Update: This Blind American Life

By Serena Olsen, guest blogger

Act One: Training
Okay, so my days of “rest” are actually Fridays and Sundays. I have discovered, however, that “rest,” in this context, is not the verb meaning “take it easy; relax.” It is more like a noun—as in, “this is the only time you have to get everything done that you never get to because you are too busy working and training.”

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, I get in anywhere from 2 to 4 miles of running a day currently—this distance is creeping upward as the Big Day draws near. Mondays and Wednesdays are for that all-important cross-training. Fridays and Sundays, of course, are for the “rest” of my life. This, on top of my split job personalities—commuting alternately into the East Bay, then the City, the East Bay, then the City … and so on—some days hitting both of them in the same day and often being out after a full work day for some work-related evening event. Then comes the training, packed in with my social events, like hosting my roommate’s baby shower for 30, catching Flowers of the Four Seasons at the Berkeley Art Museum and a work holiday party. But, the training is important and I am sticking to it!

Act Two: Let’s Get This Party Started!
The LightHouse Half Marathon is more than just a personal goal for me to conquer something new and get in great shape in the process—I am also doing this to benefit the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I do this because it is important to me to make as many people aware as possible how important the services of agencies like the LightHouse are to the blind and how vital financial contributions are to its programs. I could easily just be running the half marathon for my own purposes, but have pledged, instead, to also raise $100 for every mile I run. A hundred bucks. Thirteen miles. A summer of memories and empowerment for Enchanted Hills’ youth.

Act Three: The Big Picture
There are over one million blind people in America. Some 57% of working-age blind people do not work. A great number of these people eke out a sub-poverty existence on a variety of government programs. For me, these programs were a springboard to a higher standard of living—they enabled me to get the education and training I needed to make a better life for myself. When blind youth connect with competent blind peers and mentors and get the skills training and opportunity they need, their chances for living a successful and independent life skyrocket.

I know a better life is possible because I am living it. $100 a mile. Thirteen miles. How far can you help me get? How far will America’s blind youth get?

To donate to a fundraiser for Team LightHouse, go to http://active.com/donate/teamlighthouse and search by name to support LightHouse programs like Enchanted Hills Camp.

Share Your Thoughts on Proposed ADA Changes

The Department of Justice will be holding a hearing in San Francisco on Monday, January 10, 2011, to seek public comment on proposed changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department of Justice is in a position to make decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for years to come.

If you are interested in making public comments or submitting your comments about the proposed changes, please visit the following URLs. Please note that there is a different URL for each topic the DOJ is seeking commentary about.

1. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities and Public Accommodations:

http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/web%20anprm_2010.htm

2. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Movie Captioning and Video Description:

http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/movie_captions_anprm_2010.htm

3. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services; Accessibility of Next Generation 9-1-1:

http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/nextgen_9-1-1%20anprm_2010.htm

4. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Governments and Places of Public Accommodation; Equipment and Furniture:

http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/equipment_anprm_2010.htm

To schedule your public testimony, email Scott Shea at scott.shea@crt.usdoj.gov.

Survey for Guide Dog Users

One of the biggest dangers guide dog users face while traveling with their guide dogs is attacks or interference from aggressive dogs.

In an attempt to help increase awareness of this problem and the importance of responsible dog ownership for the pet-owning public, The Seeing Eye has launched a survey across the U.S. and Canada that will take an in-depth look at dog attacks and interference. The data collected from the survey will be essential in strengthening cases with law enforcement and animal control officers, as well as with legislators who can help shape future laws to protect guide dog teams.

The survey is open to all guide dog handlers in the United States and
Canada, and a summary of results can be shared upon request. The survey will take from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on your answers. You may access the survey at the following link:

http://alturl.com/a5kcg

For those who can’t take the survey online, call The Seeing Eye’s main number at 800-539-4425 and ask for extension 1520. Leave your name and phone number, and a volunteer will return your call to conduct the survey by telephone.

All those who respond by Friday, January 7, 2011, will be entered in a
raffle to win a $100 gift card.

Medi-Cal Recipients Needed for Focus Groups

Medi-Cal recipients can earn $100 for participating in a two-hour discussion group about how people with regular Medi-Cal feel about the program. The discussion groups will help a local organization learn how to improve care, work better with patients, and understand patient needs and problems with getting services. You must be a San Francisco County resident to participate.

WHO
• People with disabilities between the ages of 21 and 64 years who have Regular Medi-Cal (also called Fee-For-Service)
• Parents of children (up to age 21) with special needs; children must have MediCal (either Regular Medi-Cal, also called Fee-For-Service, or Medi-Cal through a health plan)
• Caregivers for people with a disability between the ages of 21 and 64 years who have Regular Medi-Cal (also called Fee-For-Service)
• Seniors (65+ years) who have Regular Medi-Cal (also called Fee-For-Service)

WHAT
Each two-hour discussion group will be in downtown San Francisco. Participants will receive $100 for their time. This is not clinical research. All responses are strictly confidential.

WHEN
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 or Thursday, January 13, 2011
(You must qualify to participate. The time and date depends on the group you are in.)

Please call Elizabeth at (650) 871-6800 between 10:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. as soon as possible since seating is limited. You can also leave a message during other times with your first name and phone number, and you will receive a call back within 24 hours.