Focus Newsletter
Our Mission Statement:
"The Visually Impaired Center is committed to developing resources and collaborative programs, as well as providing services that enable independent life for people with vision loss."
1422 West Court Street, Flint, Michigan 48503, 810-235-2544 www.vicflint.org Summer 2006
Summer Donor Campaign
The Visually Impaired Center is kicking off our summer donor campaign. We hope the nice weather puts you in a giving mood, because we really need your help now more than ever!
For the first time in 35 years, we have had to face the possibility of closing our doors!
Due to major cuts in funding and charitable contributions, we have valid concerns about the future of VIC. In the past year, our client base has grown greatly. The need for vision rehabilitation services is increasing, and according to the Lighthouse for the blind, the number of persons facing vision loss is expanding at an alarming rate.
Lighthouse research indicates that one out of every six persons has a vision problem after age sixty-five. VIC is the only agency serving both low vision and blind persons in our community. If we were not here, persons losing their vision would not have diabetes management training, computer classes, support groups, and all of those other essential services to help them adjust to vision loss, and learn to function independently.
We need your support to continue providing services to the blind and visually impaired of this community. If you would like to donate, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 810-235-2544, or send your check or money order to:
Visually Impaired Center
Donor Campaign
The Visually Impaired Center is working on organizing a brand new fall event for 2006. We will be hosting our 1 st Annual “Tricks or Treats” Halloween Costume Party and Silent Auction on October 13 th at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club.
We would like to put together a planning committee to work on all aspects of this new and exciting event. We need people who can donate any amount of time to this project. If you would like to help in any way please call Kate Bugbee,
Fund Development & Marketing Manager
(810) 235-2544 or email at kbugbee@vicflint.org.
Please Support Our Cell Phone & Ink Cartridge Recycling Program!
We are currently having a used cell phone and ink cartridge drive, and we need your help! By donating your old cell phones and used ink cartridges to the Visually Impaired Center, you can help us earn much needed money for the vision rehabilitation programs and services that we offer.
Here is how you can help us earn funding for our programs. Start a cell phone and/or ink cartridge collection at work or at home.
Each time a printer runs out of ink, save the old cartridge. Tell your friends that when they upgrade their cell phones, that you want to save the old phone to benefit our organization. When you feel like you have enough drop them off at the Visually Impaired Center. Help us raise funds! If you have questions about the recycling program, please call Kate Bugbee, Fund Development Marketing Manager, at (810) 235-2544.
Assistive Technology Computer Help Desk
The Chicago Lighthouse has established a telephone assistive technology support line to accommodate people with visual impairments. Their intent is to offer a one-stop place where people who are blind or visually impaired can get the technical computer assistance that they need. This number can be called regardless of what computer product you are using and it can be either a hardware or a software problem.
This help line will make it easier for people to take advantage of the many technological advancements that are now more readily available. Teachers and other individuals who work with people who are visually impaired as well as other interested parties are also encouraged to call. 1-888-825-0080
Meet Our New Fund Development & Marketing Manager
We are pleased to introduce you to Kate Bugbee, the newest member of our staff. When our former Fund Development-Marketing Manager, Kylie Hodges, took a job as Promotions Manager at WSMH, Fox 66, Kate began working at VIC in January.
Kate is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, but attended Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. After graduating with a B.S. in Communications, she spent a year as a “Community Director” raising funds for the Northeast Indiana chapter of the March of Dimes. Last summer Kate married Jeremy, and moved to Mid-Michigan, and a few months later she began working here at VIC.
Kate has some great fundraising events planned for VIC, so watch for upcoming announcements.
Book of Common Prayer
The large print Book of Common Prayer is now available in large print and on CD. It is free except for the cost of postage. For more information, email Ann Dahlen at largeprinthelp@aol.com.
Diabetes Education Classes
Do you or does someone you know have diabetes? Did you realize that diabetes care is always changing and improving? Don’t assume that your doctor will teach you about what’s new in diabetes care; they may not have the latest information themselves!
The best way of staying up to date on diabetes care is to take a diabetes education class at one of our local hospitals. Hurley Medical Center offers an extensive series of classes that are available days or evenings. Many of these classes may be paid for by your insurance. No insurance? No problem! Hurley even offers a free diabetes education class. Ask your doctor to refer you or call Hurley Diabetes Center at 810-239-0485 for classes, times and more information.
Want FREE Help Finding a Phone Number?
BVI Women’s Health Project; Survey for Women
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School hope to survey 12,000 blind and visually impaired women in order to identify risk factors associated with certain health disorders, such as breast cancer and sleep problems. The results of the survey will help both blind and sighted women make more informed lifestyle choices.
The survey is open to all women aged 18 or over who are legally blind. All participants will be entered to win one of many prizes. You can register for and complete the survey in the convenience of your own home using our rigorously tested Section 508 compliant website at
www.bvihealthsurvey.com. This website also includes a tutorial on completing forms, written by expert screen reader users.
The survey may also be completed in Braille, by audiotape, on a CD, in large print or over the phone. If you would like more information or if you have questions please email Erin at bvihealthsurvey@rics.bwh.harvard.edu or call 1-888-828-4294
Movie Theater Movies
~ Now Accessible!
Showcase Cinema, Flint West on Graham Rd. now offers DVS services for the blind. DVS describes what is happening in the movie in an unobtrusive way so you can enjoy the movie right along side your family and friends without having to ask someone what just happened.
The visually impaired individual is given a pair of headphones that will describe the movie without disturbing anyone sitting around them. The theatre offers about a dozen pairs that are available on a first come first serve basis. This service is only available in auditorium #3 and not all movies are available in this format.
To find out what movie is playing, call the theatre directly at 1-810-230-6668 and ask what DVS movie for the blind is currently playing. You can also go online to www.nationalamusements.com or www.movietickets.com, select the appropriate theatre and scroll through the movies looking for the one with DVS next to it. A similar service is also available for the deaf community. A device that resembles a visor is placed in front of the deaf patron that will reflect a written description of what is being said in the movie. This device does not obstruct the deaf patrons view or anyone sitting around them.
Do you need an eye exam but are physically unable to travel?
Call Eye Travel at 1-248-569-7054. Dr. Zacks and Dr. Klepack are Board Certified Ophthalmologists. They are based out of Southfield but travel from Lansing to Port Huron to Saginaw and south. When you call, leave a clear message with your name, address and phone number, as no one will be present to take your call.
Visually Impaired Center Receives National Grant
From the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The Visually Impaired Center (VIC) of Flint has received a Healthy Vision Community Award for 2006 from the National Institutes of Health and the National Eye Institute. This funding will support diabetes self-management for the project teaches the use of adaptive devices and techniques for accurate insulin measurement, glucose monitoring, proper nutrition for improved diabetes control, and a series of safe and healthy cooking classes specifically designed for blind and visually impaired persons with diabetes.
“It took a lot of forethought and planning to submit this grant to National Eye Institute,” said Sharon Reigle, Executive Director of VIC. “We had to solicit letters of support, commitment and collaboration from our community partners, who will assist us in marketing the project, and getting the word out to their clients.”
VIC was selected as one of fifty-two agencies to win this national award. “The review committee indicated that our application proposed innovative approaches to a vision-related health education project, which placed the application among the select few."
“I am so pleased that our agency has been recognized by the National Eye Institute. We are so grateful that we will have the funding necessary to continue providing this essential service to the blind and visually impaired population of this community,” said Reigle.
For more information on our diabetes program or diabetes cooking classes please contact Leanne Ford or Lisa Marshall at 810-235-2544.
Would you like to take part in a research study for vision related conditions?
The Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit has various studies on-going. If you are interested you can contact Laura Schulz at the Clinical Research Center at the Kresge Institute at 1-313-577-8900.
The Visually Impaired Center does not endorse any research that may occur. Please talk with your Vision Specialist to be sure you understand the procedures involved.
Secretary of State
For most people, voting in an election is a private experience that can be accomplished with no greater obstacle than finding the time to do so. However, for many of Michigan’s 1.9 million residents with disabilities, exercising the right to vote means depending on others to cast the ballot for them.
Voting in person, in private and without assistance has always been a difficult if not impossible task for members of the state’s disability community. This will all change with the Aug. 8 primary election, when a new era in voting for people with disabilities will begin.
For the first time in state history, every polling location will have voting equipment available that is specially designed to enable members of the disability community to mark their own ballots.
The device is called AutoMARK and resembles a fax machine with a large flip-up screen and attachments including headphones. The same standard optical scan features on the screen, headphones with an audio function, a wand or personal sip/puff tube.
When the ballot is completed, it is scanned and stored in the same tabulator with all other ballots. Voters maintain the secrecy of their ballot throughout the process.
Under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, Michigan and other states are required to have a compliant accessible voting system in place for individuals with disabilities for federal elections in 2006. The $34 million cost to implement the equipment is covered by funds set aside by HAVA.
The new ballot marking devices were selected after an extensive evaluation process involving more than 80 representatives from the disability community and local election officials. AutoMARK was the overwhelming choice of both groups and was cited for its accessibility and ease of use.
Depending on their needs, voters may mark their ballot without assistance using the screen, Braille keypad or foot pedal.
They may also use magnification and contrast. The new equipment will make voting an easier process for voters with disabilities and will advance their independence and privacy in the voting booth.
It will give those with disabilities the opportunity to personally and fully exercise their right to vote. That is a tremendously important step forward for our state.
Additional Comments from Sharon Reigle, Executive Director
I had an opportunity to attend the unveiling of AutoMark in Lansing, and try it. I was very pleased that I was able to vote independently for some relevant issues in my life such as my favorite singer, favorite ice cream and the establishment of a four-day workweek, using the Braille keypad and set of headphones.
All kidding aside, the machine was user friendly, and I did not need any assistance as I have in the past. I had an opportunity to meet Secretary of State Land, and to speak with the inventors and thank them personally.
I was asked to address the attendees on how the AutoMark will make voting accessible for me and all visually impaired and blind residents of Michigan.
Thank you to HAVA for funding this project. What a great advancement for those of us who need that accessibility, and more importantly, the right to privacy when casting our votes.
Donations
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Visually Impaired Center. Please send your check to the address below.
Visually Impaired Center
1422 W. Court St.
Flint,Mi 48503
Please indicate the amount of the donation, if it is In Memory of or In Honor of , and the persons name.
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We appreciate the generosity of the many supporters of the Visually Impaired Center. Your donations do make a difference - and they're tax deductible. Many of our friends are choosing to make donations to honor the memory of someone close to them. |
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Visually Impaired Center Board of Directors
Jared Whittey – President
Aaron Whitson – Vice President
Ethel Mason – Treasurer
Lee Doll – Secretary
Visually Impaired Center Staff
Sharon Reigle - Executive Director
Susan Davidson - Administrative Assistant
Leanne Ford - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
Lisa Marshall - Diabetes Educator
Lori Bashore - O & M Teacher
Kate Bugbee - Marketing & Fund Development Manager
Jim McKee - Volunteer Receptionist
Carolyn Tambling - Volunteer Receptionist
Corky Reigle - Volunteer Receptionist
Visually Impaired Center
Volunteers
Jack Anderson
Libby anderson
Ed Benning
Russ Crissman
Judy Denker
Lee Doll
Eileen Dunning
Sharon Ewles
Scott Ford
Justine Herzog
Grace Johnston
Candace Jones
Delores King
Roger Layne
Ethel Mason
Liggy Maynard
Jim McKee
Gertrude Meredith
Deb Miller
Harry Mitchell
Josephine Northrop
Steve Peterson
Corky Reigle
Joan Schafer
Ruth Semerad
Michael J. Smith
Carolyn Stubbs
Dave Szczepanski
Carolyn Tambling
Filomena Tanner
Dr. Michael Wallace
Dale Weighill
Aaron Whitson
Jared Whittey
| Visually Impaired Center services are funded in part by the United Way of Genesee County and the Valley Area Agency on Aging |
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