The Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research

The Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research (JBIR) is the first international, interdisciplinary open access journal created by blind people, parents, teachers, administrators, and academic researchers designed to further efforts to address the real problems of blindness.

JBIR is a multidisciplinary publication presenting primary research, scholarly reviews, and reports of innovative information and research related to the blind. JBIR strives to publish research and professional discourse that broadens and deepens our understanding about blindness and the best practices for increasing the independence, self-respect, self-determination, and potential of individuals who are blind. JBIR is not a medical journal and does not intend to publish information related to the medical aspects of blindness. Relevant topics may include but are not limited to: the education/rehabilitation of the blind, innovations related to Braille and the use of Braille, techniques and tools for independent movement and travel by the blind, development of innovative technological approaches, findings that can effect advocacy related efforts, analysis of data sets providing descriptive information about the blind, and innovative practices in preparing professionals and paraprofessionals to work with the blind.

http://nfb-jbir.org/index.php/JBIR

Use of Indicator Dots

From: Eric Guillory 

Subject: Use of Indicator Dots

This link from Paths to Literacy takes an interesting approach to students marking answers.

http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/indicator-dots

Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services

Louisiana Center for the Blind

101 South Trenton Street

Ruston, LA 71270

Voice: 800-234-4166 (extension 3009)

Fax: 318-251-0109

Skype: brllovingdad

"Together, we are changing what it means to be blind."

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

From: Gene Fleeman 


Hi everyone,
I've started the petition "Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers: Incorporate voice technology, audio queues, and/or tactile buttons into your flat panel appliances to make them accessible to the blind and those with low vision." Thanks to 500 supporters, the petition is off to a good start. But to really make a statement to the Appliance Manufacturers of how important this issue is to those with sight impairment, I need your support to make the number of signatures to grow exponentially! Lets join together to make our voices heard.
Thank you,

Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/association-of-home-appliance-manufacturers-incorporate-voice-technology-audio-queues-and-or-tactile-buttons-into-your-flat-panel-appliances-to-make-them-accessible-to-the-blind-and-those-with-low-vision

Here's why it's important:
I started this petition on Change.org, because of the perceived lack of demand, appliance manufacturers have been reluctant to build inexpensive voice/touch technology into their products, thereby making them inaccessible to the blind.  There are approximately seven million blind or low-vision people living in the United States today, and that number is growing every day, due to causes ranging from birth defects, diabetes, to combat injuries, etc.  We clean, do laundry, iron, sew, and travel independently. We are foodservice managers, attorneys, scientists and more.  And yet, when it comes to operating our touch panel home appliances we are practically helpless.  Why?, because appliance manufacturers refuse to incorporate inexpensive technology that already exists­such as those used in smartphones and iPads that make their flat panel appliances accessible to the blind.
By including audio cues, speech output, or tactile buttons, manufacturers will reduce the likelihood that a blind or sighted person will inadvertently touch a spot on a panel and turn on a burner without knowing it, potentially causing a fire or serious personal injury. Without accessible technology being offered to consumers, people who were once able to cook and clean independently could well find themselves unable to live alone in their own homes.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! If manufacturers incorporate inexpensive audio and/or tactile technology into their products, they will make a huge difference in the safety of the blind and others as well as the ability of the blind to continue to lead their lives independently, while simultaneously gaining thousands, if not millions, of newly satisfied customers. This is good for blind people who will remain independent; good for manufacturers who will sell products that the blind can use and that are safer for all who buy them; and good for society, which will not be asked to help normally competent human beings live in assisted living or nursing facilities simply because new appliances do not have displays they can read.
By signing our petition, you will be showing your support and telling the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers to work in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind to get their manufacturer members to incorporate these immeasurable improvements in the quality of life, convenience, and safety of the blind and those who are losing their vision.
Again thank you for your support,
Gene Fleeman
Member,
National Federation of the Blind

Two Kids, One Story About Support for Learning Differences - NCLD

Two Kids, One Story About Support for Learning Differences - NCLD

Watch this stop action animation created by Abhay Gulati. The video tells the story of two children, and the life-changuing difference the right support fromparnets can make.



I've had students over the years that I knew had learning differences. A few parents were reluctant to have their children evaluated for fear of the children being "labeled". Sometimes I could get help for these children by describing how they learn in their IEP and the methods that were best for them without listing a label. A good specialist "gotta do what a specialist gotta do!"



To see the video, click the hot link above.

When to Contact Your Child's Teachers: 3 Signs It's Time to Speak Up - NCLD

At a Glance

• Frequent homework issues could be a sign of trouble at school.
• A change in your child’s attitude about school could be another telltale sign.
• Communicating your concerns early can sometimes head off bigger problems.

Have you ever wanted to call or email your child’s teacher but were
afraid of being a bother? Don’t worry! Gone are the days of waiting for a
parent-teacher conference, a PTA meeting or a chance meeting in the
school hallway to touch base with the teacher.

School websites,
social networks, email and texting have made it easier to stay in
contact. And communicating early can sometimes head off bigger problems
and enable you to build a solid relationship with the school.

Here are three situations when it’s wise to reach out: [This article continues at the Learning Disablities site at the link below]

When to Contact Your Child's Teachers: 3 Signs It's Time to Speak Up - NCLD

Philadelphia Salon Hosting Fundraiser For Indonesian Child With Rare Cancer

By Chelsea Karnash of CBS Philly 
[Source Link: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/01/29/philadelphia-salon-hosting-fundraiser-for-indonesian-child-with-rare-cancer/]

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A little boy is fighting for his life, and one local salon is trying to help.
Pieter, a two-year-old from Indonesia, is battling a rare form of eye cancer called bilateral sporadic retinoblastoma. The cancer already caused him to lose his left eye shortly after birth; now, the disease has reappeared in his right eye.

Luckily for Pieter, his parents were able to bring him to the United States to undergo treatment at Philadelphia’s Wills Eye Institute. Unfortunately, they had to sell their home in Indonesia and use most of their savings to pay for that treatment – over $50,000, with almost $25,000 more still needed to finish Pieter’s treatment.

That’s where Laurentius Purnama, owner of Philadelphia’s well-known Laurentius Salon and a native of Indonesia himself, comes in.

Purnama, who met Pieter and his family at the Church St. Thomas Aquinas in South Philadelphia where his son, Jude, goes to Sunday School, was touched by the family’s story and decided he wanted to host an event to help fund the boy’s treatment.

On Sunday, February 9th, Laurentius Salon will be donating the entire day’s proceeds to Pieter’s family so that they can continue his treatment here in Philadelphia. Customers can make an appointment for any service – cut, color, blowouts, manicures and pedicures – and the cost will go towards Pieter’s battle with cancer.

Additionally, Laurentius will host a silent auction for several mint condition designer handbags, including a Louis Vuitton Mary Kate bag and an Yves Saint Laurent Mombasa bag, as well as other great prizes.

For those unable to attend the one-day fundraiser, Laurentius has also set up a kickstarter fund for Pieter and his family.

“No donation is too small, and each and every donation adds one more ray of hope for Pieter,” the page says.

So far, online donors have contributed nearly $13,000, but more is still necessary to ensure Pieter is able to continue receiving treatment.

“If it’s determined on February 5th that Pieter needs additional treatment, or if another retinoblastoma appears,” Purnama writes, “Pieter’s family has no more options.”

To donate to Pieter’s cause online, visit: www.gofundme.com/6c11os. Or, to make an appointment for the Feb. 9th fundraiser at Laurentius Salon, visit: http://laurentiussalon.com/contact-us.

National Certification in Literary Braille

Thanks to Eric Guillory for forwarding this:

If you have not yet taken the NCLB test, or if you need to recertify, we have a great opportunity for you to take it in Baton Rouge immediately prior to the NFB of Louisiana State Convention.  Please see the details below, and spread the information far and wide.  A flyer is attached.

 

 

Distinguish yourself among teachers of the blind and visually impaired!  Don't miss this unique opportunity to take this nationally-recognized exam!

 

The National Certification in Literary Braille (NCLB) test will be administered by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) immediately prior to the

NFB of Louisiana State Convention on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Crown Plaza Hotel, 4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Deadline for Registration is March 4

 

Please go to our website, www.nbpcb.org/nclb, for more information and to register for this important test. If you have any questions or wish to inquire about future testing possibilities in your area, please contact us at braille@nbpcb.org.

 

 

Thanks!

 

Laura Bostick, MAEd, NCLB

Instructor, Professional Development

and Research Institute on Blindness

Louisiana Tech University

318-257-4554

lbostick@latech.edu

P.O. Box 3158

Ruston, LA 71272

www.pdrib.com