The Bulletin

Statewide Vision Resource Centre

PO Box 201 Nunawading Australia 3131 Tel (+613) 9841 0242 Fax (+613) 9841 0878

Number 2  Friday 16th February 2001

Inside This Issue

PD, Publications and GST

It has come to our attention that GST (Goods and Services Tax) is payable on Professional Development activities conducted by the SVRC. Therefore there will be a 10% increase in cost for the PD activities this year: Costs will be as follows: SVRC Publications will be similarly affected: Postage and handling on these publications is $2.50.
We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause us all!

Term Professional Development 2001

SVRC PD Program – Change of Date for Low Vision Day to 30 March

Thanks for being understanding – we have had to change yet another date for our term 1 PD program! The Low Vision Day will now be held on Friday 30th March – fliers are available from the Statewise Vision Resource Centre. Please make sure you get these out to schools as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Braille Day, Mountbatten Morning and O&M Afternoon

Programs are included with the print edition of The Bulletin – please call if you would like copies or if you would like the program emailed.

Student Speakers

Please let me know if your student(s) would like to be student speakers at either the: We need primary, secondary and post-school students supported by Visiting Teachers – VI. Thanks!

VCE Students 2001

Lyn and I are happy to travel to the schools with VCE students (particularly those studying Units 3 and 4 subjects) and participate in decisions regarding Special Arrangements as invited members of the VCE Support Group. We then convey these requests to the Board of Studies and negotiate on the students’ behalf. We are aware of requests for Special Arrangements from the following students. If your student is not on this list, please contact Lyn urgently.

Equipment Recycling Network Inc.

Attached to the print copy of this edition of The Bulletin is an application form for equipment from Equipment Recycling Network Inc. The Equipment Recycling Network Inc. offers cheap, second hand PCs to people with disabilities. A standard 486 can be purchased for $75 or a Pentium for $100. CD-ROM and sound costs an additional $135. They also have a Trading Post of second hand equipment on their website at www.erni.asn.au/.  Contact them at 17 Greenwood Ave Ringwood 3134. Tel (03) 9879 5211.

‘Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy’

Spectronics has closed down its Melbourne office – but don’t despair!!! Gerry Kennedy will now be available through his own company: Gerry Kennedy IT Consultancy
Address PO Box 5073 Laburnum Vic 3130 Australia
Tel (+613) 9894 4826
Fax (+613) 9894 4936
Mobile 0411 569 840
Email specmelb@bigpond.net.au
Services include:

Braille ‘n Print Slimline

Have you got a Slimline in a dusty cupboard? One of our students needs one on a temporary basis. Please email me at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au

Accessibility Options and Windows Short Cut Keys

Most PC and Apple computer users employ a mouse and keyboard to navigate around the screen;  students with vision impairments may prefer to use Key Commands or Short Cut Keys as an alternative. Both PC and Apple systems have many inbuilt accessibility options – voice and/or enlargement – that may allow adequate access for students with vision impairments. Accessibility Options can be found at: If these options do not provide adequate accessibility, additional software (eg voice output or enlarging software) or additional hardware (eg enlarged screen or refreshable braille display) may need to be purchased. Ensure that the computer has adequate memory to run additional software – it is best to purchase the largest amount of memory that you can afford within the constraints of your budget.
There is always a plethora of summaries of the Windows Short Cut Keys – and Jeni Blake can even convince her students to work them out for themselves for a Mars Bar!!! Attached to the print edition of The Bulletin are two examples.

BCA Identity Card

The following information was provided in the December 2000 edition of BCA News:
People with vision impairments can obtain a Blind Citizens Australia Identity Card. It carries a photo, address and signature and may be used where photo identification is required. The BCA Identity Card is worth 25 points when opening a bank account or entering into business transactions.
Applications forms are available from the BCA Office or call (03) 9521 3433.

EMR Visiting Teachers – PD Day

Visiting Teachers in Eastern Region will be treated to the EMR Student Services Professional Development Day on 5th April at the Whitehorse Centre. Eastern Region is picking up the tab! Contact Carolyn Mentiplay on (03) 9882 5848 for further details.

SoundAbout - BCA Audio Magazine

Remember SoundAbout? I thought it had gone by the wayside, but it was listed as still being produced in the December 2000 edition of BCA Parent News. I remember it being a newsy and informative magazine on tape for students with vision impairments – I can highly recommend it! Contact the BCA Office on (03) 9521 3433 if you would like a copy.

Vision Impairment and Using the Mac

Attached to the print edition of The Bulletin is an article by Doug Cox in the October edition of the AUSOM newsletter. Doug became vision impaired in an accident and writes of his experience of using Fat Cursor

The Guide Dog Experience by Lauren

During the first week of my Christmas holidays at the end of 2000, I went to a camp at the Guide Dog Association in Kew. There, I received a gorgeous black Labrador named Hobo which I was to take care of for the week. I was to groom him, feed him and also relieve him. At first, I thought that relieving him meant giving him a rest but I soon discovered that my dog went to the toilet on command in a small yard called the Relieving Area.
I went on harness walks every morning with Bernadette and her dog Isabelle and Kushbu and her dog Delta. At first when I walked him blindfolded, I found it hard to trust him but as the days went on it became more natural to let Hobo do his job.
Hobo is now training with his new client which means that I will probably never see him again but I will always remember my little black Hobo.
Hobo the black labrador.

Free Braille Dictionaries

We have copies of the following titles that are free to a good home. If they are not claimed by the end of February they will be packaged up and sent to Bangladesh. Call Jenny Pearse on 9841 0242.

RPH: Stay in Touch Via the Radio

There are lots of interesting radio programs on RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped) from news and arts programs, book readings and children’s programs. One informative session is ‘Horizons Broadcast’ and includes the latest information from Blind Citizens Australia. You can tune in to Horizons Broadcast in Melbourne each Wednesday at 8.30pm with the show  repeated on Sunday at 6.30pm. RPH can be found at 1179 kHz on your radio.

EnVision – Free Magazine

Produced by Lighthouse International, EnVision is a newsletter focusing on vision rehabilitation issues from childhood into the career years. Published twice a year, it is free. You can subscribe via email at envision@lighthouse.org/
Current versions of this newsletter can also be accessed via their website at www.lighthouse.org/

RVIB Residential Training Programs

RVIB will be conducting four Residential Training Programs in 2001 for students who are blind or vision impaired.  The focus of the programs is to develop skills and knowledge in a variety of curriculum areas unique to the needs of vision impaired students. It also provides an opportunity for students to interact and network with their peers in a positive environment.
Eligibility: Priority will be given to those students unable to attend the RVIB Support Skills Program during the school terms. Eight places per program will be available. By request, there may be the possibility of some day placements for students with specific needs.
Cost: $80

Junior Programs (Years 4-8)

6-9 March (closing date for expressions of interest 2 February)
14-17August (closing date for expressions of interest 29 June)

Senior Programs (Years 7-12)

April 17-20 (closing date for expressions of interest 2 March)
October 2-5 (closing date for expressions of interest 17 August)
An Expressions of Interest form is below or call Garry Stinchcombe or Michelle Piggott on (03) 9808 6422.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

R V I B EDUCATION SERVICES
333 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
Tel: (03) 9808 6422     Fax: (03) 9808 2194
I would like to express interest for my child to attend the following program/s.  (Please tick).
Junior 1   March 6 - 9
Junior 2   August 14 - 17
Senior 1   April 17 - 20
Senior 2  October 2 - 5
I understand that I will be contacted several weeks prior to the program to be advised of acceptance into the program.
Student: ................................................................D.O.B.: ...................Year Level ..............
Name of Parent/s or Guardian:.............................................................................................
Tel. No: (Home) .................................................. (Work) ...............................................
Address: .................................................................................................................................
Signature: ..................................................................  Date: .......................................
Student's School: ..................................................................................................................
Student's Visiting Teacher:..........................................................Tel. No: ............................
Please return form to Michelle Piggott, c/o the above address by the closing dates on the information flyer.

Macular Degeneration with Norman Swan

Someone kindly sent me the transcript of the Radio National interview on The Health Report, 26 June 2000 with Dr Phillip Penfold and Associate Professor Paul Mitchell, Safe Sight Institute, University of Sydney. The discussion includes a discussion of the links between smoking and damage to the retina and the treatments available. The transcript is available in print by calling the SVRC.

KeyRead – Junior Screen Reader

The promotional material from the RJ Cooper website at www.rjcooper.com/keyread/index.html states:
KeyRead is a simple, but powerful, screenreader that is tailored for blind persons that may be new to using a computer.  Works entirely by the standard keyboard navigation controls, the arrow keys!  Also... KeyRead works with all software: word processors, web browsers, and even other types of applications. The Mac version is ready now, and we are working on the Windows version, which should be ready around March 2001. Costing US$99 you can order online!

New Resources for the SVRC

Janet Cronin from RVIB kindly sent us copies of several of their booklets which will be available at the SVRC. They include:

$20,000 Penalty for Olympics Website

The following article appeared in the November edition of E-Access and is reprinted (in part) below:
A blow has been struck for web site accessibility worldwide with an Australian ruling this month that the organisers of this year's Sydney Olympics and Paralympics must pay $20,000 compensation to a blind internet user. Bruce Maguire successfully took action against the Olympics committee (SOCOG) in Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission when SOCOG refused to make its websites accessible to blind and partially-sighted people. On 6 November, the commission ordered SOCOG to pay the compensation by way of damages for the ‘pain and suffering’ they had caused him. This is one of the highest disability discrimination damages awards ever made under Australian disability legislation. The commission’s rulings are not legally binding unless taken to the Federal Court, although Maguire had said he was prepared to take the court action if necessary. There is legislation being drafted to wind up SOCOG's operations and this would mean that there might not be anyone to take to the Federal Court. But last week SOCOG finally confirmed it would comply with the decision.

Youth Group – Young Blind Citizens

Maryanne Diamond recently let me know that BCA have established ‘Young Blind Citizens’ for people under 30 years. She writes: ‘It is busy and consists of some great people’. The president is Sean Tyrell and his email address is tyrelse@rvib2.rvib.org.au/.

Braille in a Word Document

We’ve long had a braille font for Apple computers in the form of ‘Braillit’, produced by Marion and Kevin Blazé – but now we have a braille font for Windows! It can be sent as a downloadable file via email – please call or email me or Jenny Pearse for your copy!

BCA: Have Your Say

The following article was written by Helen Freris and appeared in the December 2000 edition of  BCA Parent News:
During my time at BCA, I have had several discussions with parents of vision-impaired children who have expressed concerns about such issues as: the need for parent advocacy, confusion about the different services available to children, and the best way in which parents and children can represent their views to service providers.  With this in mind, I am proposing to hold a forum for parents in the New Year, depending on how much interest and response I receive from families.  Possible sessions at this forum could include: I would like to hear from any interested parents or others who would be interested in such a forum.  Please feel free to contact me on 9521 3433 with suggestions for topics which could be covered, or even if you are just interested in coming along.  Any feedback or comments are welcome.
As you can imagine, the time and effort needed to organise an effective forum is considerable, and this event can only be run if there is sufficient interest from families and others wishing to attend/contribute.  For this reason, I have set a cut-off date of 1 March 2001 to receive expressions of interest or comments and ideas.  If, by this date, I have not received sufficient indications of interest, a Families Forum will not be run.  So, please get in touch with me at BCA if you have any interest in either attending, or contributing to a forum for families of children who are blind/vision-impaired, and I will take your suggestions on board.

Telstra Yellow Pages Access

The following article appeared in the December 2000 edition of BCA Parent News:
Gunela Astbrink of TEDICORE (Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation) tells us that Telstra and Pacific Access have announced changes to the Yellow Pages Direct service. From 19 November, the service is only available to Telstra local call customers for a charge of $1.21 for each enquiry. However, for people with disabilities who are registered with Telstra’s Disability Assistance Helpline, there is no charge. In the interim period before the new Yellow Pages Direct phone number is available, to use Yellow Pages Direct, call the Helpline and, if registered, the operator will connect you to Yellow Pages Direct. If you are not registered with the Disability Assistance Helpline and cannot use a phone directory, email dah@team.telstra.com or ring the Disability Enquiry Hotline on 1800 068 424 to obtain registration details.

Creative Marketing Idea – ‘Blind Cow’

The following information was posted on the AERNET by Marshall Flax on 2 February, 2001. Go  to http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/swiss010131_blind.html to find further details including a news video.
Knowing What It’s Like – Swiss Restaurant Gives Clients a Blinding Experience
Z U R I C H, Switzerland, Jan. 31 — The shelves are marked in braille, the water level in a glass can only be determined on a weighing scale, where the needle can be felt, and the waiters cannot be flagged — you have to call out their names.
It's a part of the fine dining experience at the Blinde Kuh, a restaurant in Zurich whose name literally translates to ‘Blind Cow’. Here the blind — like the waitresses — lead the sighted into the world where they live. The brainchild of Joerg Spielman, a blind minister, the Blinde Kuh is the hottest meal ticket in town where customers pay good money to eat food they cannot see — and sometimes cannot even get into their mouths.
Patrons of this eatery sometimes find themselves shuffling empty forks into their mouths in the pitch dark. But it's a predicament, Spielman notes, he has to contend with on a day-to-day basis.
And that's the purpose behind the Blinde Kuh. ‘We have found an ideal platform of public relations work for disabled people, especially blind people,’ he says.
For restaurant manager Adrian Schaffner, it's a matter of turning the tables on his customers. ‘When you see blind people in the light — you always think they have a problem,’ he says. ‘But as soon as you come in the dark, they don't have a problem. But you have one.’
While dining in the dark can pose a major challenge, there are a few perks.
In the sighted world, it is sometimes rude to dip your bread in the sauce, but at the Blinde Kuh, nobody has a problem with it.
As for food presentation, not surprisingly, Schaffner receives no complaints. ‘We save on the flowers on the table,’ he chuckles. ‘No pictures on the wall, or maybe you can make them in your imagination.’
But it's not an easy place to run. Most restaurants keep track of orders on paper. Chef Thomas Hawney can see a little, but he and the blind waiters communicate by voice and intercom. To make sure no light leaks into the dining room, the food is passed through a special trap door.
There are three main courses on the menu, each served on a different kind of plate. The waiters can tell the plates apart by feeling them.
The blind know when a glass is full by using their finger. But that's not hygienic enough for a restaurant, so the waiters weigh the glass instead — on a scale where they can feel the needle.
Helen works as a waitress at the Blinde Kuh, but in the sighted world, she is a lawyer.
‘The difference is that in here I am the same as my guests,’ she said. ‘I am not regarded as a disabled person. They need me. In the outside world, in my other job, I am always noticed as different and can feel it.’
And that is the key to the phenomenal success of this restaurant: it reverses the disability — and makes you think.

A Thank You Letter!

Visiting Teacher Faye received the following letter from a student and wanted to share it with us all:
Dear Mrs Squires
Hope that you have a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Eleven years you have been with me and that’s a very long time. I passed my VCE and got a TER of 78.65. It is a good score although I was hoping to get around 85. I have had to rethink my Uni preferences for next year. Although my score is not overly high I’m happy with my individual marks, I achieved many A’s and A+ and a few B’s, B+.
All of your efforts and dedicated time you have spent helping me achieve, are more than appreciated. You are a friend. Thank you. Love Jessie.

Student News

Dean wrote the following: ‘recently I had my VCE awards night. I received a good report, and I passed all my subjects successfully. I received two awards for Media and Indonesian.’ Congratulations to Dean and we hope that he stays in touch!

Staff News

SVRC On the WWW

We have found links to the SVRC from all over the place including German and Swedish websites!

Challenge Camp 2001

We have dates booked at Delhuntie Park and are looking for 10 adventurous students to come to Challenge Camp 2001 in term 2 this year
Where: Delhuntie Park (Gippsland)
When: Tuesday 22 May to Friday 25 May
Transport: Train to and from Spencer Street to Moe; shuttle in VT car to and from Delhuntie Park
Activities: Leadership, team-building and adventure activities which will make your hair stand on end!!!
Accommodation: 2 self-contained cabins
Students: grade 4 to year 9 (but we are flexible!)
Cost: $180
RSVP: Please contact Deb Lewis to register you interest by 2 March on: If there is enough interest shown in this camp by the RSVP date of 2 March, further details will appear in the next edition of The Bulletin.

Space Camp 2001

We didn’t go last year, so there are lots of very keen people this year. Are you one of them?
We are looking for keen VTs and even more keen students to come on the adventure of a lifetime! Before a commitment is made, it is important for the students and parents to know that they will need to do the majority of fundraising themselves.
Take a look at the Space Camp website - http://www.tsbvi.edu/space - if you need help to make your decision.
Please contact Deb Lewis to register you interest on: deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au
We will be calling a meeting of interested students, parents and Visiting Teachers soon!

And Finally…

Got news? Got gossip? Tell me! Especially if I can reprint it in The Bulletin… (…but even if not…)
Deb Lewis – who can be contacted at deblewis@svrc.vic.edu.au

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Web page editor Lyn Robinson. Last updated February 2001.
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