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.
I hope everyone is having, or has had, a wonderful holiday season. I'm writing this on the Monday after our holiday party. We're finished with partying this year, and leftovers are crowding the freezer and refrigerator. But now it's quiet and peaceful here. Star is getting over a cold, which I expect to get soon, so we're staying close to home!
I had lots of fun at SVCB's holiday party. I met people I haven't seen in a long time. The party was at the Santa Clara Blind Center, and I was very happy to note that the acoustics there are much improved. The Jingleers were there, and we heard wonderful performances from Susan Schulter and Beverly Clifford. Brandon Biggs, a new member, gave us a memorable recitation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Many door prizes were distributed, and there was the gift exchange. But it was the socializing and good food that made the party. After walking around and greeting people, I settled at a table with John Glass, Steve Nakagawa, Sandy and Tony Gouveia, Lupe and her friend, and Alice McGrath, where there were sometimes three conversations going on at once.
I want to thank Lupe, Naomi, Victor and Dawn (and if I forgot anyone, please forgive me) for all the hard work they put into making the party such a success.
And now to other details. If you haven't paid your 2009 membership dues, please send a check (not cash) to the address in the masthead of this newsletter. Dues are $10. You can also bring dues to the January meeting, but sending them to the P.O. box address is preferable. The deadline is January 26, after which you won't receive a newsletter. I'm sure you don't want that to happen!
SVCB's 2009 administration takes office at the January meeting, often termed the annual meeting. The annual Business Calendar will be approved; please see the draft with this newsletter.
I'll also be formally announcing committee chairs for SVCB's standing
committees. At this time, they are:
Publications: Mike Keithley; Program: Roger Petersen; Fund-raising: Michelle McGrew; Braille Literacy: Susan Schulter; Hospitality: Dawn Wilcox; Membership: Lorraine Brown; and Transportation: Walter Schinke. All these committees need your help, so if you're interested in, say, transportation, contact Walter Schinke by looking him up in the membership list.
Return to the Table of ContentsThe board has been discussing whether the organization is on the right track in every respect and wanting to know what the members think. So we thought that at our Annual Meeting in January, a brainstorming session might be an opportunity for the members to tell the board what they would like to happen in 2009 and beyond. Our lovely and talented flutist and new vice- president, Susan Schulter, has graciously agreed to conduct this session, utilizing the group dynamics skills that she practices on a day-to-day basis as a college teacher.
So think about how the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind meets your expectations and how it doesn't and come to the meeting prepared to talk about it. We will endeavor to listen without judgment and not get into arguing among ourselves about our visions of the future.
Return to the Table of ContentsLooking Forward for 2009
I sincerely hope that we, as a group, can have a better 2009 than 2008. We need to look forward to a better year, but we also need to reflect on the happenings of 2008. We gained many new members, but we also lost some dear friends and family. In a very short time, Allen Jones lost both his wife, Hope, and his father, Vernon. In October, the SVCB and CCB lost a very good friend when Barbara Rhodes passed away. Just before I began writing this article, I learned of the recent passing of Ken Carey's father, Gus. I also learned of the December death of our former member, Larry Seiber. Our condolences go out to his family as well as to the families of other members who lost friends and loved ones this year.
I am looking forward to being the Membership Chair again for 2009. I do want to request that if any members have news, hopefully the positive kind, they will contact me so I can give it some mention in the Membership Corner.
Finally, our monthly birthday salute! This month we wish many happy returns to members Kenneth Frasse, Margaret Hardy, Kenneth Hoag, Kari Kelley, Cathy Marvin, Lupe Medrano, Roger Petersen, Walter Schinke, Norma Torres, and Stephen Webb.
Return to the Table of ContentsHappy holidays, my fellow grown-up children,
Bev Clifford here, with exciting news! If you look up in the sky, or listen very hard for the patter of little hooves on rooftops, you may see or hear eight tiny reindeer (or is it nine counting Rudolph)? What ARE they up to? Oh my goodness: they are pulling a big sleigh loaded with electronic adult toys, and all sorts of other goodies we've been wanting! And there's this jolly, round man on the sleigh shouting "Ho-ho-ho!" Oh my gosh, you won't believe this! The poor little man is clinging precariously to the sleigh with one hand, while with the other hand he's waving a huge, red and green banner that says, "Attention, attention!--just three more opportunities to bring goodies to SVCB meetings in 2009!" (Now how would he know a thing like that, I wonder?--h'mmm, someone must have whispered it in his ear.) Oh well--anyway, it appears that he isn't just waving the banner--he's got a bullhorn or something, and he's shouting those words on the banner as he flies along over the Bay Area.
So listen up, or look sharp, for here are the months that are still free (according to Santa's banner, of course). Are you paying attention?--good! Okay, here they are: April, June, and November.
Santa and I thank you so much for helping SVCB out here--his arm's getting awfully tired from waving that blasted banner, and he's getting terribly hoarse from all the shouting through that bullhorn. So do please aid Santa, and contact me, Bev Clifford (your Goodies Chairperson), at bevclffrd@sbcglobal.net
Return to the Table of ContentsA unique benefit concert at the Presidio Yacht Club on January 23 will benefit a unique sailing program. The cost is $75/person, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres included. For more information please contact me at ewtr1977@yahoo.com.
Return to the Table of ContentsThanks to all who supported SVCB with your purchases of See's holiday candy and gift certificates. After expenses, we raised $127.
By the way, remember that I can always get gift certificates: for you to give to someone as a special gift, or to exchange to purchase items that are not otherwise available through See's fund-raising program. For example, I can exchange gift certificates for See's sugar-free candy. If you're interested, contact me to check on pricing.
See's candy bars are still available! We have dark chocolate with almonds, milk chocolate with toffee, and plain milk chocolate bars for $1.50 each, and we have walnut squares and nut and chew bars for $1 each. Contact me to place your orders.
If you have not yet ordered your calendar for 2009, we do still have a few remaining. These large print/braille calendars feature artwork by blind and visually impaired people of all ages. They cost $9 each. To reserve yours, please contact me.
Remember to save your recyclable aluminum cans and plastic water bottles. Donna Sanchez is collecting plastic water bottles, and Charlie Stein is collecting aluminum cans. You may bring these items to an upcoming meeting or call the appropriate contact to make other arrangements. Donna and Charlie redeem the bottles and cans for funds which are then used to support SVCB activities.
If you have suggestions for fund raisers, do let me know. I'll see you at the January meeting!
Return to the Table of ContentsAll application materials must be completed and postmarked by Monday, March 16, 2009.
Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass' new federal grant (New National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families). Please note that these are new awards and have different application procedures than in the past. There are two separate scholarship awards, each with separate eligibility requirements. In each case, individuals may submit only one application per award period.
1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2009, planning to attend college in Fall 2009, and have at least one parent with a disability. Five separate $1000 awards will be given out in Fall 2009.
2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a college or university, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 16, 2009, and have at least one parent with a disability. Five separate $1000 awards will be given out in Fall 2009.
Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letters of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.
These scholarships are also part of a research study on young adult children of parents with disabilities. As explained in the Consent Form in the Application, you may participate in an optional survey about young adult children of parents with disabilities. The additional information you submit on this survey will not affect your scholarship chances and will not be disclosed to anyone outside the project researchers; all identifying information will be removed. If you consent to participate in this optional survey, we will email you the survey after we have received your completed application.
Please send inquiries to:
Scholarships Coordinator, Through the Looking Glass,
The National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families, 2198
Sixth Street, Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94710
Voice: 800-644-2666, TDD/TTY: 800-804-1616, Fax: 510-848-4445 Lbr:
Website: http://www.lookingglass.org
Annual credit reports are now available in Braille, Large Print and Audio formats for consumers who are blind or visually impaired. On-line versions are designed to meet the web accessibility standards set forth in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
The three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) have worked hard to meet the deadlines set forth in the agreement negotiated by the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the California Council of the Blind (CCB) and individual blind consumers. This agreement was reached using Structured Negotiations. Please email Lainey at LF@LFLegal.com or call Linda's toll-free number at 1-800-822-5000 with any questions or concerns.
About on-line accessible reports: Federal law requires the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States to provide consumers with one free credit report each year. These reports are available online on the Annual Credit Report website: www.annualcreditreport.com. On-line reports available through this site are now designed to meet the standards set forth in Priorities 1 and 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For security purposes, the site includes a CAPTCHA designed to prevent computers from hacking into the site. There is an alternative, audio CAPTCHA for blind consumers who cannot see the standard visual image of distorted letters and numbers.
Ordering by telephone: People who are blind or visually impaired within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act may order Braille, Large Print or Audio credit reports from any of the three credit reporting agencies by calling, toll free: 877-322-8228.
Additional credit reports not covered by the free annual credit report system are also available in alternative formats. These may be ordered from each credit reporting agency individually at the following numbers: Equifax: 800-685-1111; Experian: 888-397-3742; TransUnion: 800-888-4213. Please note that when ordering a credit report by calling any of these numbers you will not reach a live person, but will be given the option of selecting Braille, Large Print or Audio formats.
Return to the Table of ContentsMany disabled taxpayers may be overlooking a valuable tax credit that could increase their federal income tax refunds by as much as $4,824. The IRS estimates that up to one in four taxpayers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to claim the credit.
You may qualify if your income was under $41,646 last year and you, or your spouse, worked or received disability retirement benefits under an employer plan while under the minimum retirement age. The amount of your EITC depends on several factors, such as the amount of your earned income, your filing status, whether you have children and how many, etc. Special rules apply if you have a child who is permanently and totally disabled.
To get the credit you earned, you must 1) file a federal income tax return and 2) claim the credit. Many communities have volunteer income tax assistance sites or local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers, which will compute your EITC and prepare your return without charge. To locate a volunteer site, call your community's 211 or 311 number for local services or call the IRS at 1-800-906-9887.
Some states have a similar tax credit, increasing the dollars due eligible EITC recipients.
Find more information about EITC in alternative formats for people with print disabilities at www.irs.gov/. Link to ŝAccessibility", then link to "Accessible IRS Tax Products" and select the appropriate link to download accessible forms or publications. The IRS web site provides accessible electronic files in formats including: ASCII Text (.txt), Braille Ready Format (.BRF), and Talking Tax forms in PDF that work with MSAA- compliant screen reading software and Braille display devices.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and co-counsel initiated a lawsuit on behalf of people with visual disabilities against the Social Security Administration (SSA) for failing to provide materials in alternate formats such as Braille, large font print, accessible computer disk, and/or audio-recording that Plaintiffs require to participate in SSA's programs (e.g., social security insurance, SSI). Our clients are 10 individual plaintiffs and the American Council of the Blind. Plaintiffs' claims are brought under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and our co-counsel includes the National Senior Citizens Law Center and Disability Rights Oregon.
Our Motion for Class Certification was granted on September 11, 2008. Questions about the case may be directed to DREDF. Additional information is also available at www.dredf.org.
Silvia Yee, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, 2212 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. Voice/TTY: 510-644-2555, Fax: 510-841-8645, syee@dredf.org
Attention: legally blind individuals who have attempted to visit Target.com while in California since February 7, 2003.
You may be entitled to payment of money as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed against Target concerning access to its website. The settlement has been granted preliminary approval by the court in charge of the case. If you are a legally blind individual who tried to access Target.com while in California at any time since February 7, 2003, you may be eligible to be paid damages of up to $7000. To find out more about the settlement and to submit a claim, please go to www.NFBtargetlawsuit.com and follow the instructions on this settlement website. You may also request a claim form from the Claims Administrator whose contact information is set forth below. Please provide your name, address, and phone number when you contact the Claims Administrator. All claims must be submitted by January 8, 2009, either online or postmarked no later than that date. Late claims may be denied.
All questions should be directed to the Claims Administrator. Please do not contact Target Corporation concerning this settlement.
Contact information for Claims Administrator: NFB v. Target Claims Administrator, RG2 Claims Administration LLC, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479. 866-742-4955.
Return to the Table of ContentsBowling: every Saturday at Moonlight Lanes in Santa Clara. Contact Tom Keiser.
January: Braille Literacy and Glaucoma Awareness months.
Jan 2, 10 a.m.-noon: SAF lab tour. Call 408-245-7330 for reservations.
Jan 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SMCCB meeting. Contact Philip Kutner.
Jan 7, 7-9 p.m.: SVCB Board meeting on the MeetingPlace.
Jan 17, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SVCB annual meeting; dining room, Monte Vista Terrace Apartments, 1101 Grant Road, Mountain View. Lunch orders must be made by 9:45. 9:30: Coffee and conversation, 10: Program, 11: Business, 12: lunch. Program: Brainstorming about the Future of SVCB. Business: New administration takes office. Approve 2009 business calendar.
Jan 23, noon: February In Touch newsletter deadline. Distribute 2009 budget.
Jan 23: Marin Sailing Club Program for the Blind Benefit. See article this issue.
Jan 25: Membership dues are due to avoid disruption of newsletter subscription.
February: Eye Donor Awareness Month.
Feb 4, 7-9 p.m.: SVCB Board meeting.
Feb 6, 10 a.m.-noon: SAF LAB TOUR.
Feb 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., 8 at 2 p.m.: TheatreWorks presents TWENTIETH CENTURY with descriptions by the Visual Voice.
Feb 7, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SMCCB meeting.
Feb 8: Deadline for membership dues payment to CCB.
Feb 21, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SVCB membership meeting. Approve 2009 budget, elect delegates for CCB Spring Convention, distribute Human Race info.
Feb 27, noon: March In Touch newsletter deadline. Distribute membership list.
Mar 4, 7-9 p.m.: Board meeting.
Mar 6, 10 a.m.-noon: SAF lab tour.
Mar 12-15: CTEVH 50th anniversary conference, San Francisco Airport Marriott at 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy in Burlingame. 650-692-9100 or 888-236-2427. Website: www.ctevh.org/conference.htm
Mar 16-21: Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, 2009; Los Angeles; Phone: 818-677-1200; Email: conference@csun.edu; web: www.csun.edu/cod/conf.
Mar 21, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: monthly meeting. Discuss resolutions for CCB Spring Convention.
Mar 27: April newsletter deadline.
Mar 28: Art Slam 2009; slide Exhibition of Art by Artists with Disabilities. Included in Access Advisors Open House and Disability Arts Festival. Presented by The Arts and Disability Network and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum, 50 Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. Contact tbrown@famsf.org.
Return to the Table of Contents