Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Number 17, Friday 22nd October 1999
Inside This Issue
Two staff and six students all had an absolutely fabulous time at Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama. We all survived the many adventures that our travels provided us with along the way, and all came away changed people… Annette Godfrey-Magee, who most ably provided us all with Bulletin 16, kindly promised that I’d write a ‘special Space Camp supplement’!!! You will find it attached, complete with pictures, thanks to the digital camera which Trish Potter brought along.
Thank Y’all
Thank you to everyone who assisted us on our adventure to Space Camp this year. Thanks to all our sponsors including:
Thanks a million to the staff of the SVRC for support and especially to Dianne Skillern for her money-juggling expertise.
Thanks to Lyn Robinson for filling in as Co-ordinator during my absence; to Yvette Higgins and Marion Blazé for help with the exams; and to Annette Godfrey-Magee for writing Bulletin 16.
Professional Development for 1999
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First Aid – Basic Life Support Level 1 and/or
CPR Update
St John Ambulance will conduct a one-day course at the SVRC. Details in Bulletin 15. |
25 November |
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Visiting Teacher Professional Development
Day
Program attached. |
29 November |
Staff News
Production of books in alternative format for next year will begin in earnest very soon – please get your requests in early.
Please note that all students must provide their own copy of the book for production in alternative format – Large Print, Braille and Audio Tape.
Logitech Internet Keyboard
Yvette recently purchased a keyboard from Harvey Norman. This keyboard includes 17 web buttons which allow you to access and navigate around the internet using key strokes as an alternative to the mouse. The keyboard also includes a palm rest. Take a peak into Annette and Yvette’s office next time you are in the resource centre if you wish to have a look at this new keyboard.
Chat Group for Blind and Vision Impaired Students
From Blind Citizens Australia Parent News, September 1999.
Blind Citizens Australia and RVIB are currently working together to establish a chat group for blind and vision impaired students and interested people. Watch for further information on the Blind Citizens Australia website at www.bca.org.au/.
Fun Sites You Can Go To With Your Kids
Space Camp Photos - http://www.tsbvi.edu/space/99pics.htm
See photos of some of the activities from this year’s Space Camp on line! See the 1/6 gravity simulator, see the SCUBA diving tank, see some of the simulation activities and think about your very own trip to Space Camp.
Homer Hickam’s Official Web Page - http://homerhickam.com/
Still on a Space Camp theme, you can visit Homer Hickam’s Official Web Page. Homer Hickam Jnr’s memoirs have become the basis for the recently released movie, ‘October Sky’. You can see Homer as a 5 year old; scenes from his home town, Coalwood; and read his answers to frequently asked questions! See a review of his book, ‘Rocket Boys’, below.
‘Rocket Boys’ and October Sky’
Here is a review by Wendy Smith, lifted from the Amazon website which you can find at www.amazon.com/.
Inspired by Werner von Braun and his Cape Canaveral team, 14-year-old Homer Hickam decided in 1957 to build his own rockets. They were his ticket out of Coalwood, West Virginia, a mining town that everyone knew was dying – everyone except Homer’s father, the mine superintendent and a company man so dedicated that his family rarely saw him. Hickam’s smart, iconoclastic mother wanted her son to become something more than a miner and, along with a female science teacher, encouraged the efforts of his grandiosely named Big Creek Missile Agency. He grew up to be a NASA engineer and his memoir of the bumpy ride toward a gold medal at the National Science Fair in 1960 – an unprecedented honour for a miner’s kid – is rich in humour as well as warm sentiment. Hickam vividly evokes a world of close communal ties in which a storekeeper who sold him saltpetre warned, "Listen, rocket boy. This stuff can blow you to kingdom come." Hickam is candid about the deep disagreements and tensions in his parents’ marriage, even as he movingly depicts their quiet loyalty to each other. The portrait of his ultimately successful campaign to win his aloof father’s respect is equally affecting.
‘Low Vision: Practical Tips for Independent Living’ Website
Here are some more tips from this website, authored by registered nurse, Kathy Olin. It has lots of interesting tips for people with low vision. Here is a sample of some of the tips in the ‘Household Chores’ section:
From The Internet
Ideas for Increasing Tactual Awareness
From Danna Showalter, AERNET, on Saturday, 9 October 1999
Some fun things to do:
From Tom MacMahon, ADAPTECH, on Wednesday, 15 September 1999
An huge number of speech-friendly games are available from Ann Morris Enterprises Inc.
Contact details: ANN MORRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.
890 FAMS COURT, EAST MEADOW, NEW YORK 11554-5101
PHONE: (516) 292-9232 / FAX: (516) 292-2522
Email Address: annmor@webspan.net
Web Page: http://www.annmorris.com
WINDOWS GAMES: Many of the MS-DOS games have been converted for use in windows, (played through the RUN dialog box or in DOS) without any need for a speech card other than the sound card in your computer. Games come on a CD-ROM and consist of wav files which speak. Games marked with a "W" are available in a Windows version. Here are descriptions of some:
PACK MAN: You are the rolly-poly PackMan, a glutton for fruit. All you do is travel around searching and eating all that can be found. Oh, yes, and don’t let the ghost get you. Play Pack Man from a new perspective. You are Pack Man himself moving around a simple maze at ground level. Try this real time arcade game and see if you have the quickness needed to win big!
CPM1 $30.0; CPM1W WINDOWS $49.950
A TO Z: A keyboard game for the little ones. Beginners become familiar with the keyboard playing alphabet games with real sounds.
CAZ1 $30.00; CAZ1W WINDOWS $49.95
MONOPOLY: Very speech-friendly game with multimedia sounds heard from your PC speaker or Soundblaster. This 2-disk, text-based game has over 50 real sounds including sounds for moving around the board. Up to 4 people can play and monetary transactions are calculated instantly.
CMO1 $30.00
MOBIUS MOUNTAIN: Math adventure game with real sound effects, written for blind children. Up to 4 people can compete or play against the computer alone in a race up a mountain. Along the way are caves, animals and steps; but watch out for the pits! To help you race up the mountain, answer easy to difficult math problems depending on skill level chosen.
CMO2 $20.00; CMO2W WINDOWS $49.95
DESTINATION MARS: Take a spaceship to Mars from Earth without meeting any calamities.
CDM1 $20.00
More Speech Friendly Games
From Tom MacMahon on Wednesday, 6 October 1999
I Can See Books Software market a large number of DOS-based speech-friendly computer games and utilities which have been designed to work especially well with any speech synthesiser. The rules of each game are available on the disk. All programs are mailed on a 3.5 inch high density floppy disk, unless otherwise specified. A discount is available to anyone purchasing four or more computer programs.
Contact Details: I Can See Books
88 Captain Morgans Blvd.
Nanaimo, B.C.
V9R 6R1 Canada
Phone: [250] 753-3096
Email address: dr100@ncf.ca
Web address: http://www.ncf.ca/~dr100
BATTLE SHIP: This strategy game requires much thought and concentration. Each player is presented with a grid containing one-hundred squares, on which five boats are strategically placed. Your goal is to defeat the other player’s fleet before your opponent sinks yours! You can even play against the computer, with 3 different skill levels! Complete with over fifty real-life sounds, you will find it virtually impossible to leave this game alone! $25.
DOMINOS: You can now play the famous game of dominos on the computer! In order to win, you must be the player with the most points when the game finishes. In order to do this, you must play as many dominos as possible that add up to five, ten, or fifteen. Then, when someone runs out of dominos, the computer evaluates your points and decides who wins! $20.
UNO: This delightful card game is fun and easy to play for all ages. Your goal is to have played all of your cards before your opponent gets a chance to win. Draw two, wild and wild draw four cards ensure that there is never a dull moment while playing this game. And the computer knows all the rules! $20.
BALLOON GAME This is an exciting game of chance. The goal is to blow up a huge balloon without popping it. This user-friendly, interactive game, complete with many realistic, hilarious audio clips, introduces such common mishaps as having someone step on the balloon, weak rubber and not enough money to buy the package of balloons. $25.
Books Featuring Characters with Blindness and Vision Impairment
A list of books featuring Characters with Blindness and Vision impairment is available on the most excellent Texas School for the Blind website at www.tsbvi.edu/Education/books.htm/. The list includes over one hundred titles with a description including brief synopsis, publishing details, age levels. A further one hundred titles without additional information complete this extensive list. As Jan Humphries, author of the list comments, make sure you read the book before giving it to a student and remember, these books are a starting point for discussion and understanding. Many are available in alternative format.
If you do not have access to the Internet, but want a copy of this list, please call the SVRC with your request.
Tactile Markers for Multiple-Choice Questions
The AERNET discussion group has been exploring ways for brailling students to independently indicate to teachers (and themselves) their choice in, for example, multiple-choice questions.
Fuzzy stickers – buy small ones or large ones and cut them into smaller pieces. Stick them in a sticker book. They can then be peeled off easily and used by the students.
Crayon (1) – this makes a tactual mark when a wire board is placed beneath the page. Draw a line under or beside the selected response.
Crayon (2) – rub out the braille number or letter of their choice with a crayon.
Stylus – place a piece of foam beneath the page and have the
student poke a hole in the paper.
Blu-tac – the student can stick a blob to the paper to indicate
their choice.
Eraser (1) – use an eraser or fingernail to scratch out the
letter indicating the correct answer. Circle the answer in pencil for the
teacher.
Eraser (2) – braille a "for" sign (or any other sign) before
each choice and have the student erase the symbol next to the chosen answer.
Hole punch – put a hole in the paper to indicate the choice.
Stapler – put a staple in the paper to indicate the choice.
Drawing pins – attach the braille paper to a piece of cork board
with large clips. This works best if only one or two sheets of braille
are used. The teacher can check the answers immediately.
Masking tape – folded a little bit over itself so that it makes
a small tab to indicate the choice.
Paper reinforcers – they look like life savers and you lick
them.
Paperclips – slide on to the paper to indicate the choice.
New Technology Magazine from American Foundation for the Blind
The AFB is now producing a new technology magazine called AccessWorld. The preview issue is available on line and includes product evaluations and interesting world news. Subscription details are included also at http://www.onlinejournal.net/afb/AW/1999/1/0/toc1n0.html/.
The Road to Employment for a Vision Impaired Person
This article by Natale Cutri appeared in the September 1999 edition of BCA Parent News.
I am a partially sighted 30 year old male. After completed my VCE I completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne and then a Graduate Diploma in Accounting at the Victoria University of Technology. I am currently Administration Officer with Victoria Police.
When I completed my studies in 1994 I was looking forward to entering the workforce. I expected to find employment within a couple weeks of completing my second degree as I thought new graduates would be in demand. I was wrong and I had a lot to learn. I had a new discipline to study that of actively seeking employment. It took me fourteen months to complete this course before I got a job with Victoria Police. Before I discuss the fourteen months job hunting I would like to say that I do not regret this period of my life as I have learnt a great deal in this period. I particularly learnt that seeking employment is difficult for most people, but for people with disabilities there are obstacles that make it even more difficult.
I decided to look for a job in my chosen field accounting. I was already registered with the then CES before I completed my Graduate Diploma as I was seeking work experience with the family’s accounting firm while I was still studying. Unfortunately I never did receive the work experience as the adaptive equipment I needed was not compatible with the equipment used by the firm and it is difficult to justify funding for modifications simply for a work experience position. That was my first hurdle. Unfortunately I was unable to overcome that hurdle.
After graduating I went back to the CES as they suggested previously seeing if they could help me find employment. They referred me to an employment agency that caters for unemployed people with disabilities. The employment agency I was geographically aligned to was W.I.S.E. and they helped me to prepare a resume. They also helped me look for jobs through the newspapers, the CES and through other contacts they received from time to time. There was peer support through our weekly job club. W.I.S.E liaised with RVIB whenever the need arose. I found W.I.S.E to be a very professional agency, which treated its client according to their needs, and not according to stereotypes as can be the case in many welfare type organisations. I learnt interview preparation and presentation skills as well as how to remain positive in your job hunting.
In the period that I was with W.I.S.E, I did some Skillshare courses to update my computer skills. This was quite invaluable to me as most of the software programs I learnt at Skillshare I currently use in my employment.
I attended many interviews in the fourteen months looking for work. Each interview was different. I could tell from some of the interviews whether I was any chance for the job or not. I do think that I may have not got a job because of my vision impairment. I didn’t feel resentful in these situations as I lacked some self confidence simply because I was unsure of what I was capable of in the workforce, and, as a result, found it difficult to sell myself to employers. I had no work experience in the accounting area and that didn’t help.
There was one particular interview which was very positive to the extent I was offered the job there and then, but I actually refused the job after finding out more about it. I found this to be a difficult decision and many in my family said I should have taken the job, as it was better than nothing was. The problem with the job was that it was reception work. It had no accounting requirements though it was a small accounting firm there was no possibility of me moving into that area. I honestly told them at the interview what I felt and I apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Finally after completing the public service exam with the support of W.I.S.E. I applied for the state public service through Progressive Personnel. They have a special program for people with disabilities. I was then asked to go for an interview with Victoria Police for two positions that were available at the time. I presented well at the interview but I didn’t get either position. One of the positions it was felt was not suitable for my qualifications and the finance position that was suitable required a driver’s licence. A couple of weeks later I was called in and offered the position I now hold. W.I.S.E and RVIB organised the special equipment I needed and this equipment I still use. Without my text enlargement, large computer monitor and closed circuit television I could not function in my job.
After fourteen months I did get a job and I enjoy it very much. I do everything in the job that a sighted person in the same position is required to do. Occasionally I have difficulty reading things like photocopier metre not serious problems. I initially felt nervous particularly when answering the telephone and taking down telephone messages or finding telephone numbers, but as I got to know my organisation I was able to overcome these problems. I feel fortunate to be working with excellent people. While they know I am vision impaired they don’t let it become an issue for them or for me. They recognise my ability to do the job I am employed to do and have given me feedback accordingly.
Finally, a person’s achievements are measured by one’s personality. This is particularly so for a person with a disability. People cannot expect things to happen for them, but must work to make things happen. It may be hard work, but the rewards are also great.
BCA Employment Forum
The Victorian Advocacy and Information Officer, Maryanne Diamond recently sent us the following:
Blind Citizens Australia invites you to an Employment Forum on Saturday November 13 between 10 AM – 3 PM. The forum will be held at the John Pierce Centre, 2 Donald Street Prahran. It will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues and concerns to blind and vision impaired people when accessing and maintaining employment.
Blind Citizens Australia is the united voice of blind and vision impaired Australians and has the respect of governments and independent agencies for its work in representing the interests of all vision impaired Australians.
The Forum is free and a light lunch will be provided. The program will include guest speakers from Centrelink, employment agencies, Blind Citizens Australia and panel of blind and vision impaired people sharing their experiences in looking for and changing employment. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues that you believe are important.
We look forward to seeing you at the Forum.
If you would like to attend the Forum or would like further information, please telephone our Melbourne office, toll free on 1800 033 660.
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Australian Braille Authority Forum
On: Sunday, 21st November, 1999
Time: 9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Venue: Blind Citizens Australia Meeting Room
87 High Street, Prahran, Victoria
This forum will be held following the visit of the Australian delegation to
the Assembly of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) in Baltimore,
USA.
The purpose of this forum will be to receive the report of the outcomes and discussion held at the ICEB. The forum will also include discussion on intended strategic directions and the Braille 2000 initiatives in light of the ICEB meeting. A brief report of the Baltimore meeting stating the issues to be discussed will be forwarded prior to the forum.
Cost of the forum will be $20 per head which includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea.
If you wish to attend this forum please complete the registration form below and return to the above address, together with registration fee by Friday, 5 November 1999.
If you require accommodation Best Western Hotel Saville of South Yarra is the closest. Their prices are $99 per night single and $108 per night share. They can be contacted on (03) 9867 2756 or Fax (03) 9820 9726.
Registration Form - Forum Australian Braille Authority
Name:
Organisation:
Amount enclosed: $
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Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games 18-28 October
Bruce Maguire provided us with the following information via email:
Be Part of the Paralympic Experience
In October 2000 the world will join Australia in celebrating the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. We invite you to be part of this spectacular international event showcasing some of the finest sporting talent in the world.
The Paralympic Games, the elite competition for the world’s top athletes with a disability, promises to be a great spectator experience. The 2000 Paralympic Games will be larger than the 1956
Melbourne Olympic Games and the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and twice the size of the Nagano Winter Olympics. Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay will host 14 of the 18 Paralympic sports, plus the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Tickets to the Paralympic Games go on sale on 18 October this year. If you would like information on the Paralympic Games including ticket prices and competition detail phone from 18 October the Sydney 2000 Games Information Service 13 6363 for a Paralympic Games Ticket Brochure and Order Form. TTY (61 2) 9212 5950
If you would like a copy of the Ticket Brochure in large print, braille, audio or ASCII disk phone (02) 9297 2342.
Mountbatten Questionnaire
Thanks for your replies to the Mountbatten Questionnaire. I have sent them off to Trevor Boyd of Quantum Technology who will dream up a program for early next year.
Guide Dogs Association of Victoria Courses – Term 4
Young Adults Exploring Guide Dog Mobility
Monday 6 December to Friday 10 December 1999
Due to popular demand we are running this program for the second time this year.
Are you 15 - 21 years of age, developing Orientation & Mobility Skills and have an interest in learning more about the benefits and demands of Guide Dog mobility? Spend the week living in the Training Centre and working with a trained guide dog allocated to you for the week. This hands-on program provides an opportunity to realistically explore the demands and rewards of Guide Dog mobility.
Young People’s Program - Secondary School Aged School Children
Monday 10 January - Friday 14 January 2000
Our traditional January program is on again. During the 1999 school year we targeted primary school age children, so this time we are focusing on the mobility needs of secondary school aged young people.
This is one week of fun and learning, living in at the GDAV Training Centre. The mornings will focus on one to one development of mobility and independent living skills (training goals as recommended by family, VT and O&M) and the afternoons and evenings will be fun (it is school holidays!). This program, inclusive of accommodation and meals, is free of charge. Please ring Kaye Jones, Guide Dog Association of Victoria, on 9854 4450 for further information and registration.
New Address for Pulse Data
The head office for Pulse Data is now:
Suite 2
7-11 Railway Street
Baulkham hills NSW 2153
Tel (02) 9686 2600
Fax (02) 9686 2855
Please note that the Victorian distributor, Jim Pipczak, can still be contacted at RVIB on
(03) 9525 2366.
‘Positive Exposure’
An article in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27th September 1999 by Jackie Dent included the following:
‘He was getting sick of shooting photos of Kate, Naomi and Cindy so New York fashion photographer Rick Guidotti started taking photographs of people with albinism.
At first the National Organisation for Albinism and Hypo-pigmentation in the United States was sceptical of his motives: albinos were always portrayed in Hollywood films as red-eyed, evil characters. Now, two years later, the organisation (NOAH), along with genetics groups and New York’s Cornell University, have helped fund Mr Guidotti’s trip photographing albinos throughout the Pacific for a book called Positive Exposure. He hit Sydney last week and has already photographed about 25 local children and adults. He is also hoping to track down Aborigines with albinism.
"This is really about self-esteem. It is about telling a kid you are amazing, celebrate your difference and don’t you dare be ashamed of who you are," said Mr Guidotti…’
Expressions of Interest for TABMAP Interest Group in Victoria
Mike Durinck recently sent us the following information about TABMAP:
What is TABMAP?
The New South Wales Tactual and Bold Print Mapping Committee (TABMAP) is a Sub-Committee established in 1979 by the "Mapping Sciences Institute, Australia" formerly known as the Australian Institute of Cartographers.
TABMAP is a group of volunteers who design, produce and test a wide range of raised line, large print and graphic material, most of which is based upon requests from people who have sight impairment.
The membership of TABMAP consist of individual producers and users, as well as representatives from a number of organizations with an interest in the supply of graphics for people who have sight impairment.
A large variety of maps and diagrams have been produced on more than 3,000 A4 and A3 size sheets, for educational and mobility purposes. These include continents, countries, school layouts, bus routes, automatic teller machines, children’s books, train stations, bushwalks, cricket positions, keypads, embroidery patterns and anatomy diagrams.
TABMAP also encourages the development of national standards for the production of tactual graphics. The committee has published several editions of "A Guide for the Production of Tactual and Bold Print Maps". Another manual "Touchdown Sheepville" is available for consumers who may need some assistance in learning how to read tactual maps. It is a self-help guide available in braille and print.
In addition to the design and production activities TABMAP also
If you would be interested in contributing to the development of a Victorian group, basically conducted as an "after hours - volunteer" function please contact Mike Durinck at
7 Fairlie Street, Hamlyn Heights, 3215
Email - durinck@ozemail.com.au
Phone 0412 179 259 (24hrs)
JVIB
The following articles appeared in the August edition:
Trish and I are almost back down to earth from our Space Camp adventure …
Regards from Deb Lewis
(who would love to receive your email at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au on any topic at all, but especially on things to be included in The Bulletin.)
For more information about The Bulletin contact:
Deb Lewis