DISCLAIMER: This publication contains announcements from the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind and is also a forum for opinions relating to blindness issues. Signed articles reflect the views, and research, of their authors.
STATUS: SVCB is a 501(c)3 non profit, tax-exempt organization under the California Council of the Blind.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
Contact Julie, database@svcb.cc.
MEETING LOCATION
SVCB's monthly meetings are held in the dining room of the Monte Vista Terrace Apts. at 1101 Grant Road, Mountain View. Meetings run 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of the month and are open to all. Monte Vista Terrace is one block from the intersection of Grant Road and El Camino Real and is accessible by bus #22.
On July 15, I participated in a wayfinding study conducted at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco. This project is developing standard methods to describe efficiently how to get from point A to point B. They were particularly interested in working with hearing impaired people who spent some time traveling independently.
The first hurdle was getting to San Francisco. I could have taken the train, but I'm still not able to localize sounds reliably, so it's rather unsafe being on the streets alone. So I got my ID info sent to Reddi Wheels and San Francisco Paratransit. If you've never tried to schedule rides over three paratransit facilities, let me tell you, it's hard! If you want to do such a thing, get your ride set up at a week in advance and work from your destination to origination, not the other way around. As it turned out, I had to use taxis to get to and from the city.
I had a lot of fun during the study. The two-hour traveling appointment took three as there were delays caused by a misbehaving BrailleNote GPS system, which I helped fix. We met at Philz coffee shop, which felt very much like Starbucks, at 4th and Berry, next door to the station.
We worked around the CalTrain station. I traveled a four-block route from verbal instructions, which made me quite apprehensive; but the session went really well and the O&M people helped me cross streets. There was a lot of construction going on with lots of noise and sewage smells, but I went past two bakeries and a coffee shop, great markers!
I then worked in the station by getting general instructions such as "it's in front of you and to the right."' from "strangers," who were actually the O&M people walking with me. I got to a flower stand, whose smell fooled me; a drinking fountain; and track eight. I'd walk twenty steps, ask where I was, walk some more. I enjoyed it; and after it was over, I had to "point" to where I thought the points I had visited were located.
I then did a route with GPS to reach the station from four blocks away. That was difficult because the system wouldn't properly update my position as the proximity of buildings muddled communication with the satellites.
And last was the neat adventure of being directed by Talking Signs inside the station. These signs are Infrared devices that help you find specific areas like the waiting room and the telephone and restrooms inside it. You hold a receiver in front of you and move it from left to right, while walking, until you hear a message from a sign. You then walk toward it while keeping the receiver homed onto the message. I took my time with this, and was probably a spectacle (I found a benchful of people); but I was a kid having a blast!
After a visit to "Subway Sandwiches," (the sign was excitedly saying it) and a hearing evaluation, I went home after a productively fun day.
So why did I tell you all this? Aside from sharing an interesting, I hope, account, I believe it underscores the fact that projects that need volunteers, need you; and you can have lots of fun helping them.
Now to local events. We have 42 people registered for the picnic, 6 shy of the number we expected. And we haven't heard from Paul Raskin, who, it is hoped, will bring some visually impaired kids and their families. Don't forget to contact Victor Clifford if you have questions and Naomi Grubb about raffle prizes.
The program segment at our July meeting featured Casey Kho from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP), which offers free telephones to visually impaired and deaf people. She described the corded and cordless phones they offer (cell phones may soon be available) plus some interesting services you should know about.
At our business meeting, Susan Hyatt was elected Corresponding Secretary for the rest of 2008. She replaces Allen Jones, who had to resign. We also had an informal reading of three amendments to SVCB's constitution, and these will be formally dealt with at September's meeting.
The Holiday Party committee was announced. Lupe Medrano is its Chair and Naomi Grubb is working with her. In addition, it was decided that the party will be at the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center.
There won't be a meeting in August--it's picnic time! Hope to see you there on August 16.
Return to the Table of Contents.SVCB needs YOUR help with fund-raising. It will soon be time to sell the entertainment coupon books again. As you may recall, Ken Carey has been in charge of this project for a number of years, but had indicated at the end of 2007 that he wished to have someone else take over this fund-raiser. We still need someone to do this. This is an important fund-raiser, so I sincerely hope that someone will be willing to take on this project as I am unable to do so. If you would be willing to do this, please contact me or Ken Carey ASAP! We typically begin selling the coupon books in September, so we need your help now!
I will soon be sending in the order form for our 2009 large print/braille calendars. Last time I ordered calendars, we ordered 65, but we have about 15 calendars remaining. So unless I hear a compelling reason to order more this time, I plan to order only 50. If you plan to order a large number of them, or have additional comments that I should consider before placing our order, please contact me. SVCB is selling these calendars featuring artwork by blind and visually impaired people of all ages for $9 each.
CCB will have a sweepstakes drawing at their fall convention banquet on October 25, 2008. The grand prize is a one-week stay at a time-share in Las Vegas, and other prizes are to be announced. Tickets are $1 each. I'll have tickets available at our August picnic.
If you have contributed one or more recipes to our SVCB cookbook, but have not yet reserved your copy, please contact me.
We still have some See's candy available. We have milk chocolate with toffee bars and plain milk chocolate bars for $1.50 each, peanut brittle bars for $1 each, and five-ounce boxes of peanut brittle for $5 each. To purchase or help sell See's candy, please contact me. I will not have the candy at our picnic, but if you are interested in purchasing some, please call me so we can make appropriate arrangements.
See you at our August picnic!
Return to the Table of Contents.We have two months' Happy Birthdays here: belated best wishes for July, with apologies, to Jim Brown, Rose Deterding, Barbara Dickinson, Raymond Fahey, Greg Fowler, Ana Guerrero, Kathy Hoag, Susan Hyatt, Ernie Molina, Joanne Molina, and Carol Silveria; and happy August birthdays to Beverly Clifford, Charlie Stein, Barbara Rhodes, and Marsha Marciano!
Return to the Table of Contents.I am attaching the job posting for the position of Executive Director for the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center. I am working with the board of directors in a temporary capacity to assist them in finding and transitioning to a new ED.
Your assistance in posting this opening or passing it along to qualified individuals you may know is very much appreciated.
Thank you for your assistance.
Paula
Paula L. McElwee,
Interim Executive Director,
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center,
2306 Zanker Road,
San Jose, CA 95131;
Office phone: 408-894-9041,
Cell phone: 559-250- 3082
The mission of the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is to empower people with disabilities by providing the advocacy, training, skill development, and services which enhance every individual's capabilities. SVILC was founded in 1976 by a small group of people with disabilities and has grown to an organization that has two locations--one in San Jose that serves Northern and Central Santa Clara County and the second in Gilroy that serves Southern Santa Clara County. Recently the SVILC was named a People's Choice Best Nonprofit to Work for by Opportunity NOCS.
SVILC is currently seeking a dynamic, visionary and experienced leader who will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Center, which includes the planning, development, implementation, and administration of all independent living programs and services. In addition, the Executive Director must serve as an advocate for people with disabilities by being an active liaison and face of the organization with the community.
Qualifications include:SVILC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous employee benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation and sick leave, and a 403b plan.
SVILC encourages qualified people with disabilities and persons from diverse backgrounds and populations to apply. SVILC is an equal employment opportunity employer.
To apply, please forward your cover letter and resume to esue2@mac.com or mail to Eleanor Sue, President, Board of Directors, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, 2306 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131.
Date: Posted until position is filled.
Return to the Table of Contents.After eight years of sharing the joy of partner dancing, Connecting Through Dance is closing its doors. Our primary focus has been the blind and visually impaired (VIP) community. We hope that our VIP friends will be with us to remember and celebrate.
Connecting Through Dance's Grand Finale will be held at the Lake Merritt Dance Center on August 30, 2008 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Merritt Dance Center is located at 200 Grand Avenue at Harrison Street, Oakland, California.
The Grand Finale will begin with a Samba lesson from Gene Russo, co-founder and former artistic director. Many of you have experienced Gene's special gift for creating verbal images of the dance and will want to learn this joyous dance from him.
There will be ballroom dancing throughout the evening and many dancers will seek VIP partners. A scrumptious dessert bar will be available throughout the evening to replenish your energy.
Tickets to the Grand Finale are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are available at http://ctdgrandfinale08302008.eventbrite.com/ or by sending your check to CTD Grand Finale, c/o Brenda MacGregor, 278 Maywood Dr, San Francisco, CA 94127. You may reach Brenda MacGregor at 415-585-0150, if you have questions.
Please join Connecting Through Dance for its Grand Finale on August 30, 2008.
Return to the Table of Contents.Please contact your legislator in our state capital to support the funding required by SB105. Here's the background: several years ago, CCB, along with other organizations and agencies in the blindness field in California, convinced the legislature to pass SB105 to separate administratively services for the blind and the deaf from the general rehab population. Specialized services provided under contract by specialized agencies have resulted in significantly improved placement rates. But flexible funding of these agencies' services has been critical to this improvement.
At the end of June, agencies serving the blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing were told that they would no longer have contracts but they would now work with Fee-for-Service due to the funding cuts proposed in the Department's FY 2008-09 budget, which eliminates one category of funding and places significant reductions on the fee for service category that remains.
We strongly urge the legislature to mandate the Department of Rehabilitation to maintain funding levels that have permitted them to achieve the improved employment outcomes for consumers served by SB105. Please let the legislators in your area know of CCB's, and your, concern in this matter.
Secondly, here's a request for your personal input on revising ADA regulations /ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
On Friday, May 30, 2008, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey signed proposed regulations to revise the Department's ADA regulations, including its ADA Standards for Accessible Design. On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, the proposed regulations were published in the Federal Register. The proposed regulations consist of a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the ADA regulation for State and local governments, a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the ADA regulation for public accommodations and commercial facilities, a Regulatory Impact Analysis, and two supporting appendices.
While the Department of Justice seeks comment from disability organizations, they also want to hear from individuals with disabilities. The deadline for submission is August 18.
Several organizations have published guidance for individuals who wish to comment. As an example, here is what the American Foundation for the Blind says about the disappointing proposed regulations regarding online accessibility.
Suggested Comments: Advocates should tell DOJ not to shy away from acknowledging the existence of the Internet and its ubiquity in American life. The DOJ should make reference to the Internet and the need for greater accessibility throughout its regulations wherever possible. The effective communication and equipment-related provisions of the regulations could contain such references. The DOJ should clarify that public accommodations cannot freely discriminate against people with disabilities simply by moving their goods and services exclusively online.
Finally, just as the DOJ has already done in providing guidance to state and local governments, the DOJ should issue guidance to public accommodations in making their presence online more accessible.
Below is the link and mailing address to send comments.
Submit electronic comments to
www.regulations.gov
Search for "CRT 105" for Title II; "CRT 106" for Title III. Click on "Send a Comment or Submission".
Address written comments concerning this NPRM to: ADA NPRM, P.O. Box 2846, Fairfax, VA 22031-0846.
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