Lighthouse of the Big Bend Newsletter "As We See It," Summer 2011 In this issue: 1. StarMetro's New Bus System 2. June 25: Hands Helping Anglers 3. Save the Date! Dining in the Dark: 10/2 4. My Story: Sam Copeland 5. It's Easy-If I Did It, You Can Too! 6. What is Legal Blindness & Low Vision? 7. Tech Tip: Using the Windows Key 8. Strategies for Vision Loss Class 9. Welcome Summer Transition Students! 10. Top Ten Ways to Relieve Stress 11. Lighthouse Summer 2011 Classes & Events 12. Frequently Called Numbers 13. Helpful Websites 14. About the Lighthouse 1. StarMetro's New Bus System As you may already be aware, our Tallahassee city bus system is about to receive a major 'make-over.' StarMetro has announced that the new system, Nova2010, will officially be launched on July 11th - just a few short weeks away! In this article we hope you will gain a general overview of the new bus system. StarMetro has set up a Nova2010 Hotline for questions at 891-5281. Nova2010 will decentralize our current single-transfer, downtown-oriented bus route structure by breaking apart the current routes and re-orienting them to follow a more grid-like pattern. It will create 41 new transfer options across the city. The new routes will run north/south or east/west to transport riders to their desired destinations. With only 3 routes actually entering the C.K. Steele Plaza downtown, Tallahassee's public transportation patrons will soon be completing bus transfers at shelters and other designated transfer points around the city. One of the biggest changes will be that more walking is required for bus patrons to transfer routes. However, this should result in faster 'A to B' travel due to a higher frequency in service, lower travel time and more transfer options. Per the StarMetro website (http://www.talgov.com/starmetro), the Nova2010 system will utilize 766 bus stops, 473 of which are currently being utilized in today's system. Come July, there will also be 266 new bus stops added to the mix, located along strips that are not currently served today. All of the Nova2010 bus stops currently have double-sided red and blue signs are that are posted at the designated StarStops with single-sided information plaques. Routes that are currently in use have and 'Active' sign attached to the pole. Each StarStop will eventually feature an octagonal pole for riders who are visually impaired, along with Braille and large print information placards. Information included on each stop includes StarMetro's phone number and website, in case travelers have questions during their travels. Shelters will be provided at many of these locations. StarMetro will offer a 'Next by Text' service where travelers can text their StarStop ID number (available on the stop signage or by contacting the StarMetro office) to 27299, in order to receive a responding text indicating the next bus arrival times for each bus serving that stop. Another change coming with the new system is the way the various routes are identified. All routes under the current system are recognized by their numerical assignment. Nova2010 will introduce named routes that reflect some of the city's culture and geography (Tall Timbers, Red Hills, Evergreen, San Luis, etc.). Transfers will still be free with each one-way fare purchase and will be valid for 90 minutes from the time of issue. A transfer ticket may be used for up to 2 transfers within the allotted 90-minute timeframe. For more information on the new system, public transit users can contact StarMetro at 891-5200, and press 1 for 'Route and Schedule Information' during business hours. StarMetro also has a Nova2010 Hotline that can be accessed at 891-5283. Ride Guides are available online, at the C.K. Steele Plaza, or at the StarMetro offices on Appleyard Drive. Electronic information about anticipated route coverage and timing, or stop and shelter locations can be accessed through StarMetro's website at http://www.talgov.com/starmetro/routes2.cfm. Other ways to view information include liking StarMetro's official facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/starmetrotransit and following StarMetro's Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/ridestarmetro. If you need specific mobility training on the use of bus travel, please contact one of the Lighthouse's Orientation & Mobility Specialists at 942-3658 ext. 203 or email eworley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Questions about the New Bus System? Call the StarMetro Nova2010 HOTLINE at 891-5283! 2. June 25: Hands Helping Anglers On Saturday, June 25th, the North Florida Gulf Fishing Club and the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) will be holding the 18th annual Hands Helping Anglers event. Much thanks goes to the volunteers from the North Florida Gulf Fishing Club, Tallahassee Northside and Tallahassee Capital Rotary Clubs for providing this opportunity. Individuals with disabilities are invited to enjoy fishing at NO CHARGE. The event includes lunch and transportation. Individuals with disabilities can bring an assistant along for the fishing trip. The first 25 people to reserve a spot by calling (850) 201-2944 x 4 will enjoy a wonderful time of fishing. Please call! 3. Save the Date! Dining in the Dark: 10/2 The Lighthouse of the Big Bend is pleased to announce that the 7th Annual Paula Bailey Dining in the Dark benefit is scheduled for Sunday, October 2nd. We are also more than thrilled to share that this year our Honorary Host will be TCC President, Dr. Jim Murdaugh! Upon learning the date, he said, "That is my birthday and I can't imagine a better way to spend it." We are honored and excited to have him aboard. Our "DID" event committee is already up and running with volunteers meeting every month. From planning the reception, to deciding the menu, to organizing the logistics of the pitch-black dining room, and making the public aware of the benefit-these volunteers are outstanding. It couldn't happen without them. In addition to "saving the date" in your calendar, it is never too early to reserve your table! We have always been fortunate to sell out, so if you missed the opportunity last year and would like to make sure you get to experience Dining in the Dark 2011, please contact Lynda at 942-3658 or ljones@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 4. My Story: Sam Copeland My name is Sam Copeland and I am totally blind. I lost my vision due to diabetic retinopathy about four years ago. I've tried many eye surgeries, including laser surgery, cataract removal, and steroid shots in the eyes. First I lost sight in my right eye. The eye surgery was not successful so the doctor did everything he could for my left eye. I had low vision in that eye but after all the surgeries I lost all of my vision and can't see any light. When I first lost all my vision I was very angry. I couldn't see how to turn on the stove, I couldn't see television and my football games anymore and I couldn't even go fishing. I was still going to the doctor, taking six to nine drops a day in both my eyes, day and night. Everything went to complete darkness and I went into depression. I first contacted DBS three years ago but did not get signed up. Thankfully, I tried again this year and I got a response. DBS referred me to the Lighthouse and two weeks later I met Toni when she came out for a house visit. I waited two more weeks for Dial-a-Ride to approve my application and then immediately came to the Lighthouse of the Big Bend. I met Jeanine who has been my teacher for the Independent Living class and I have also started Braille class. I met Evelyn who has been teaching me mobility. Neither a thunderstorm or a hurricane could keep me from coming in to the Lighthouse for classes. The Lighthouse of the Big Bend taught me that things I used to do with sight, I could do without sight. I never thought I'd be cooking and cleaning. I have learned how to use my sense of touch and smell. I figured out how to grocery shop by myself and stock my groceries so I know what everything is. I found out the different feel of coins in order to tell them apart. The adaptive items from DBS and the Lighthouse make it very easy for me to be more independent. With Wayne as a guide, I discovered I could actually go fishing again and have been about every weekend! I never thought I'd be walking into the mall again myself. Amanda showed me how to identify the different stores so I wouldn't get lost. She taught me how to maneuver up and down steps, elevators and escalators too. Through Braille class, I can now read the numbers on the elevator. My plan is to finish Braille and take computer classes. After that I want to prepare for my Hadley GED course. And my dream is possibly, one day, to become a restaurant chef. Thanks to the Lighthouse, DBS, and everyone I've met here. I've been inspired by the many other people I have met who are blind. Many doors have opened in my new life that I thought were closed forever. 5. It's Easy-If I Did It, You Can Too! In May, Lynda Breen (Board Treasurer) and I went to a fundraising workshop. We didn't agree with the presenter; he insulted people who wasted time on special events. I wanted to stand up and tell him he was wrong because Dining in the Dark makes such a difference! I knew what he meant, though. He was trying to teach us that organizations spending all their time holding special events could be raising money more effectively through planned giving. Lynda and I agreed that we had always thought to do planned giving we needed to understand taxes and gifts of property and have a lawyer. I learned we were wrong. It's easy. So we each went back to our office and called up our life insurance agent. Now, when Lynda and I eventually pass away, 95% of our life insurance will go to a loved one, and 5% will go to the Lighthouse. It was so easy. It took 5 minutes. And if we can do it-so can you. Will you join us in donating a portion of your life insurance or retirement plan to the Lighthouse? All it takes is changing your beneficiary. It's easy! Thanks for considering it. ~ Barbara L. Ross, Executive Director 6. What is Legal Blindness & Low Vision? All people who are totally blind are legally blind, but all people who are legally blind are not totally blind. Confusing? Legal blindness is defined in two ways: 1) 20/200 best correction in better eye. Simply put this means the individual who is legally blind must be within 20 feet to see an object someone with normal vision sees at 200 feet. 2) A person whose peripheral vision is blocked except for a 20 degree angle in the center is legally blind. His or her vision may be 20/20 in the center, but the area is no wider than the view through a drinking straw. This is commonly called tunnel vision. More than 75% of people who are legally blind have some usable vision, commonly called "low vision." This vision may be blurry like looking through an extremely dirty windshield. Others may have no central vision at all, making it difficult to read without magnification, but they may be able to see to get around quite well using their peripheral vision. Still others may have splotchy vision as if something is constantly obstructing parts of their view. Some people recognize faces at a close distance and use various types of magnifiers to read and do other tasks. People with tunnel vision may recognize a friend across the room but without mobility training may stumble over a chair trying to get to the friend. Individuals with low vision can do many tasks using their vision, but find many activities easier by following three simple tips: 1. Magnification: Some individuals find increasing the size of the print, picture, sewing machine needle, etc. through magnification increases success. 2. Contrast: Other tasks can be made easier by adding background contrast, i.e. slicing a red tomato on a white cutting board or white onion on a dark surface or playing with black dominoes on a light table cloth. 3. Lighting: For people with low vision, lighting is very important Some people need strong concentrated light while others prefer very little light depending upon their visual impairment. For more information on low vision, please feel free to contact the Lighthouse at 942-3658 or info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 7. Tech Tip: Using the Windows Key Did you know there is a key on your keyboard that you may not have used? The Windows or Microsoft key is usually located beside the "Alt" key on either side of the keyboard. One command you may find useful is to press the Windows key by itself. Using the windows key alone activates the start menu without having to use your mouse click the icon at the bottom of the computer screen. You can then use the up and down arrows to go through the items in the start menu quickly. Another shortcut is to press the Windows key and "E" together, which activates the Exploration of "My Computer." This is an easy way to get to the same display as the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, and allows you to access your hard drive or a pin drive plugged in to your computer, or any network to which you may be connected. This is often faster than using your mouse. These commands can be activated at any time; you do not need to be in any particular area of the computer to initiate these Window key commands. For more information or technology training, please contact Elizabeth Bowden at 942-3658 extension 214 or ebowden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Happy Computing! 8. Strategies for Vision Loss Class Talking with others who are also dealing with vision loss can be very beneficial. If this might assist you, we'd like to invite you to the monthly "Strategies for Vision Loss" class held the first Wednesday of each month, from 1pm until 3pm at the Lighthouse of the Big Bend. The focus of each class will be to exchange ideas and strategies for coping with various issues and tasks with limited or no vision. The group will provide an opportunity for everyone to share about their experiences, as well as learning a variety of techniques from Lighthouse instructors. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jeanine Kane, CVRT at 942-3658 or jkane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx We look forward to see you! 9. Welcome Summer Transition Students! We are excited to welcome the Transition Students to the eight week Lighthouse Summer Transition Program starting June 13th. This summer, teens who are visually impaired will be have the opportunity to gain new abilities that will help them "transition" from high school to college or a job after they graduate. This summer's theme is "Get Fit, Get Smart & Get a Job!" The students will be taking swimming & self defense lessons. Each will gain experience in how to budget, shop for groceries and cook meals. They will learn how to use a computer with assistive technology, practice job interviewing, explore different career options, and tour college campuses. Students will discover how to use the new bus system and Dial-A-Ride. They will get to participate in team building, problem solving and self confidence exercises. A combination of practical knowledge and fun will assist these teens in learning the skills they need to become independent adults. Questions about the Transition Program? Please contact Amanda or Leslie at 942-3658 or email akan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 10. Top Ten Ways to Relieve Stress 10. Take a deeeeeeep breath. Let the tension go as you exhale. 9. Put on music & dance wildly (maybe with the door/blinds shut!) 8. Vent about it to a friend, spouse, co-worker, or random stranger. 7. Hide-in the bathroom for 5 minutes or play hooky for the day. 6. Take a walk outside to get away from the source of your stress. 5. Do something fun or silly to make yourself (and others) laugh: wear your clothes backwards, tell a joke, or re-arrange the furniture. 4. Buy something for yourself or for someone else. 3. Stop watching the news. Watch a funny movie instead. 2. Do something relaxing: nap, meditate, bath, massage, garden, etc 1. Take another deeeeeeep breath and know this too shall pass! 11. Lighthouse Summer 2011 Classes & Events - Assistive Technology Seminar: Fourth Thursdays, 3-7pm - Braille Class: Every Thursday, 10:30am-2:30pm - Quarterly O&M with Dog Guides: Saturdays-July 16, October 15, January 21, and April 21 - Strategies for Vision Loss Class: First Wednesdays, 1-3pm - Transition Summer Program: June 13 through July 28, Monday-Thursday, 9am to 3pm - Transition End-of-the-Summer Trip: August 1-3 12. Frequently Called Numbers 211 Big Bend (24 hours) 211 Big Bend Transit 574-6064 DBS 245-0370; 1(800)672-7038 Dial-A-Ride 891-5199 Elder Care 921-5554 Insight Support Group 878-1923 Lighthouse of the Big Bend 942-3658 Magnifiers & More 671-3936 Medicaid 921-8474 Project Insight 24-hr Helpline 1-800-267-4448 Senior Center 891-4000 StarMetro 891-5200 Talking Book Library 1-800-226-6075 VA Low Vision Clinic 878-0191 ext. 2086 Yellow Cab 580-8080 13. Helpful Websites American Foundation for the Blind - http://www.afb.org/ American Printing House for the Blind - http://www.aph.org <http://www.aph.org/> Blind Bargains - http://www.blindbargains.com/ Family Connect - http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp Florida Braille and Talking Book Library - http://webopac.klas.com/talkingbooks/florida Hadley School for the Blind - http://www.hadley.edu/ Lighthouse of the Big Bend - http://www.lighthousebigbend.org <http://www.lighthousebigbend.org/> National Federation of the Blind - http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Resources.asp Self-help Resources for Vision Loss - http://www.visionaware.org/ 14. About the Lighthouse Lighthouse of the Big Bend provides free services to individuals who are visually impaired or blind in Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor & Wakulla Counties. NEW Address: 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace Phone: 850-942-3658 Toll-free: 1-888-827-6063 Fax: 850-942-4518 Email: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Website: http://www.lighthousebigbend.org <http://www.lighthousebigbend.org/> Lighthouse Board of Directors President: Norine Labitzke Vice President: Evelyn Sewell Treasurer: Lynda Breen Secretary: Jamie Ito Members: Norris Coster Caroline Mathews Sila Miller Fred Sanguiliano Christopher Thomas Susan Whaley, OD Lighthouse Staff Assistant Director: Evelyn Worley, ext 203 Assistive Technology: Liz Bowden, ext 214 Data Entry Specialist: Joyce Warner, ext 213 Driver: George Harper Early Intervention: Jennifer Crowder, ext 202 EI / O&M Specialist: Sharon Scherbarth, ext 220 Executive Director: Barbara Ross, ext 201 Independent Living: Jeanine Kane, ext 215 Toni King, ext 211 Public Awareness: Lynda Jones, ext 212 Receptionist: Lauren Moore ext 213 Specialist Assistant: Mike Worley, ext 204 Transition Specialists: Amanda Kan, ext 208 Leslie Jorgenson, ext 206 Transition / O&M Specialist: Amanda Bernath ext 216 Vocational Services Director: Wayne Warner, ext 210 Vocational Specialist: Eva McElvy, ext 205 FREE SERVICES: Do you know someone in your life who might benefit from services? We'd love to help. It's easy-just call 942-3658 or email info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thanks! Lighthouse of the Big Bend "Guiding People Through Vision Loss" 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 942-3658 Fax: (850) 943-4518 <mailto:bross@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <http://www.lighthousebigbend.org/> www.lighthousebigbend.org Get our Specialty License Plate and $25 will help the Lighthouse! ~ Please consider the environment before printing this email ~ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "lighthousebigbend" group, an announcement only group from the Lighthouse of the Big Bend. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to lighthousebigbend+unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/lighthousebigbend?hl=en Questions? Call the Lighthouse at (850) 942-3658. Thanks for your support! Lighthouse of the Big Bend “Guiding People Through Vision Loss” 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: (850) 942-3658 Toll-free: 1 (888) 827-6033 Web: http://www.lighthousebigbend.org Email: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- Lighthouse of the Big Bend Guiding People Through Vision Loss 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 942-3658 www.lighthousebigbend.org