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LightHouse News

Hey Kids: Review a Described Film and Win Prizes

The American Council of the Blind – Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program recently announced their Third Annual Young Described Film Critic Contest.

If you’re a young person who can’t see or can’t see well, audio description provides access to all the visual images of the movies that your sighted peers enjoy.

Some films in movie theaters and certain DVDs have description available; many of those DVDs and the older VHS tapes with description can be borrowed at public libraries or state libraries for the blind.

The Young Described Film Critic Contest wants you to experience these films and the description soundtracks. Young people with a visual impairment have a chance to win prizes for themselves, recognition for their schools and the title of Young Described Film Critic of the Year!

All you need to do for a chance to win is write, type or record your own film review of any described movie. Keep it short: 250 words maximum.

There are three age categories: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14) and Senior (ages 15 to 18). You can enter as many times as you like!

The top nominees in each age category will be invited to an awards ceremony at the American Council of the Blind 2011 convention in Reno, NV, during the week of July 11. Special guest award presenters will be in attendance. Prizes are still to be determined.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, June 3, 2011

Enter online at:
http://listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html

Send your written entry in regular or large print or Braille via email or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine) to:

ACB-Young Described Film Critic
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201 USA
E-mail: jsnyder@acb.org
Phone: 202-467-5083

Include the following details:
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Age category: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14) or Senior (ages 15 to 18)
Name of school and class
School address and phone number

For “Top Tips for Writing the Ultimate Film Review,” visit:
http://listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html

LightHouse News

Free App Helps Identify U.S. Currency

3 Commentson Free App Helps Identify U.S. Currency

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has developed a free, downloadable application (app) to assist the blind and visually impaired denominate U.S. currency. The app is called EyeNote.

EyeNote is a mobile device app designed for Apple iPhone (3G, 3Gs, 4) and the 4th Generation iPod Touch and iPad2 platforms, and is available through the Apple iTunes App Store. Research indicates that more than 100,000 blind and visually impaired individuals currently own an iPhone.

EyeNote uses image recognition technology to determine a note’s denomination. The mobile device’s camera requires 51 percent of a note’s scanned image, front or back, to process. In a matter of seconds, EyeNote can provide an audible or vibrating response, and can denominate all Federal Reserve notes issued since 1996. Free downloads will be available whenever new U.S. currency designs are introduced.

The EyeNote app is one of a variety of measures the government is working to deploy to assist the visually impaired community to denominate currency, as proposed in a recent Federal Register notice.

These measures include implementing a Currency Reader Program, whereby a United States resident who is blind or visually impaired may obtain a coupon that can be applied toward the purchase of a device to denominate United States currency; continuing to add large, high-contrast numerals and different background colors to redesigned currency; and possibly adding raised, tactile features to redesigned currency, which would provide users with a means of identifying each denomination via touch. More information is available at www.eyenote.gov.

LightHouse News

Attention: BART Passengers Who Use the Civic Center BART Station

As of April 21, 2011

The LightHouse would like to inform you of important stair and escalator closures happening at the Civic Center BART station. The stairwell at 8th and Market (near the Hotel Whitcomb and Starbucks) will be closed for repair with an expected finish date of May 13, 2011.

Additionally, the escalators at the Burger King at Hyde, Market and Grove have limited functionality due to a needed repair.

The LightHouse is advising its community members to use the stairwell that exits in front of the Orpheum Theater. That stairwell is the FIRST stairwell on your right after exiting the BART fare gates that are located between the transit store and station agent. At the top of the stairs, continue straight to cross Hyde to the corner with Burger King. Veer right to walk along Grove towards LightHouse.

Note that changes in this situation occur frequently. If you want to be sure that you know all options for coming to the LightHouse from Civic Center BART, please contact Donna Kazanjian, who coordinates the LightHouse Orientation and Mobility services at the LightHouse. One of our instructors will make sure you are familiar with your options. Donna can be reached at 415-694-7308 or dkazanjian@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Two Blind Sea Lions Coming to SF Zoo in May

Last January we learned that a sea lion blinded by gunshot but otherwise healthy might have to be euthanized by the Marine Mammal Center. We’re happy to report that after considerable uproar, including advocacy from the LightHouse, sea lion Silent Knight and another will soon take up residence in San Francisco. A link to the San Francisco Examiner article follows.

Although animal rescue isn’t part of the LightHouse official mission, the profound symbolism of possibly euthanizing otherwise healthy animals just because they are blind affected us all deeply, and we couldn’t be happier about this resolution. Congratuations to Jeff Boehm of the Marine Mammal Center for finding a positive conclusion to this matter.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/04/it-s-official-sightless-sea-lion-pair-coming-san-francisco-zoo-may

LightHouse News, Resources in the Community

A Site for Healthy Eyes

1 Commenton A Site for Healthy Eyes

By Brian McCallen, LightHouse guest blogger

“Natural Eye Care” is a new and exciting site for healthy eyes! Based on the easy-to-follow book, this insightful web resource covers nutritional, diet and lifestyle approaches for some of the most common eye conditions, including floaters and macular degeneration.

Ten years ago, I suffered from a retinal detachment in my one good right eye. Just recently, I learned about “Natural Eye Care” and, just out of plain curiosity, used the site to search for natural tips that may possibly prevent another detachment. The advice of daily aerobic exercise, anabolic pills along with the elimination of fatty foods to reduce potential retinal toxins gave me a wakeup call to cut back on the burgers at my favorite fast food joint and take more classes at my local health club in order to protect my eyesight.

Related research, articles, videos, health conditions and much more fill the breadth of information in this valuable resource there are even sites where you can learn about other supplements that help with health conditions. So go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/ now and learn how to maintain your good eye health today!

LightHouse News

You Asked for It – You Got It: Adaptations, the LightHouse Store Announces New Hours, Branch in Berkeley

By popular demand we have increased the hours for our store in San Francisco. Beginning May 1, the new store hours will be Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We have also made it more convenient for those of you in the East Bay to shop by opening a branch of Adaptations in our Ed Roberts Campus office in Berkeley. Our satellite store in Berkeley will be open every Tuesday and Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Toll-Free Number: Did you know that our store has a toll-free number? Just call 1-888-400-8933 to place your order with our courteous sales staff.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Commits to National Fitness Challenge

LightHouse is proud to announce we will be partnering with the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to promote physical fitness for blind and visually impaired children and youth.

Incentives will include prizes and the opportunity for top participants to attend a Paralympic Sports Camp.  We will roll this exciting fitness program out to campers attending Enchanted Hills Camp this July and August.

For further details, please contact Brandon Young at 415-694-7372 or byoung@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Blind People with Recurrent Sleep Problems Needed for Clinical Research Study and/or Survey

Totally blind people with recurring sleeping or napping problems are needed to answer a survey and/or take part in a clinical research study.

Sleeping or napping problems occur in some people who are totally blind. This may be caused by the lack of light needed to reset the “body clock”. The result is recurrent sleep problems similar to jet lag.

Eligible volunteers who take part in the clinical research study will be compensated for their time and will receive all study-related investigational medication, medical evaluation and transportation at no cost.

Eligible volunteers are:

• between 18 and 75 years old

• totally blind

• having recurrent trouble sleeping at night or with daytime sleepiness or napping

If you are interested, please call toll-free, 1-888-389-7033, M-F from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET or email info@non24registry.com.

LightHouse News

Seats Available – Charter Bus to American Council of the Blind’s Annual Conference and Convention

The LightHouse will charter a bus to American Council of the Blind’s 50th annual conference and convention this July. Presently, plans are in the making for pick-up and drop-off at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ed Roberts Campus (Ashby BART) in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento.

The bus will travel leaving the Bay Area at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, July 9 and make two additional stops before arriving mid-afternoon at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino in Sparks, Nevada. The bus will depart at noon on Wednesday, July 13, reversing the drop-offs and returning to the LightHouse by 6:00 p.m.

There are a limited number of seats available for purchase. One-way seats are $100.00; round-trip seats are only $150.00. Deposits are due mid-May. For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Rich Russo, Community Services Program Assistant at 415-694-7352 or rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

California Department of Rehabilitation – Public Meetings/Comment Requested

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is inviting the public, particularly those who represent individuals, groups or agencies, who impact or are impacted by the Department of Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Services, including Supported Employment Services, to provide public comment on the Proposed 2012 State Plan (effective October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012).

To facilitate comment, the DOR has scheduled three (3) public meetings throughout the State, including one in May at the Ed Roberts Campus, for interested parties to present comments to the DOR Directorate and staff. Meeting dates and locations are listed below.

If you wish to provide public comment, please let them know by emailing planningsurvey@dor.ca.gov.

Public Meeting Dates & Locations:

Note: The DOR will link the Sacramento and Fresno meetings via teleconference, and may also link them via videoconference.

Monday, April 25, 2011(9:30am – 12:30 pm)
Department of Rehabilitation Headquarters
721 Capitol Mall, Room 242
Sacramento, CA  95814

Monday, April 25, 2011 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Department of Rehabilitation
2550 Mariposa Mall Room 1036 (1st Floor)
Fresno, CA 93721

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Dayle McIntosh Center
13272 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Thursday, May 12, 2011 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline
Berkeley, CA   94703