[guide.chat] The Matilda magazine
- From: "Carol O'Connor" <missbossyboots33@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "guide chat" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:32:02 +0100
This is the Matilda Ziegler Magazine
Weekly Edition for July 10, 2012
Address: 20 Thorndal Circle
Darien, CT 06820
Local Phone: 203-604-8601
Toll Free: 877-424-5481
Website: www.matildaziegler.com
Email: editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ross Hammond, Editor
Table of Contents
Letter from the Editor
Feature Writer Alena Roberts - My First Orientation and Mobility Class
Feature Writer John Christie - A Traditional Treasure
Feature Writer Terri Winaught - New Frontiers
Feature Writer Lynne Tatum - Another Successful Alumni Weekend
Op Ed with Bob Branco - What Does He Want in his Coffee?
Contributor Valerie Moreno - Open Mouth, Insert Foot
Reader's Forum
Recipe of the Week - Chicken Fiesta Chili Mac
You may skip to a new article or section at any time by using your browser or
word processor's Find or Search function to look for the ### symbol. For
entries within a section of the magazine, search for the ## symbol.
Letter from the Editor
Hello Everyone,
As always I hope you had a nice week. For those of you here in the US, I hope
that you enjoyed the last days of the July 4th celebration.
I just have a couple quick announcements for this week. First of all, I'd like
to recognize our own Alena Roberts, as her article this week marks her 100th
contribution to the magazine. She has been a wonderful asset to my staff and
has offered up some great information on numerous topics that affect the blind
and visually impaired community. Please join me in thanking Alena for her
wonderful work.
On another note, there has been some debate regarding whether or not the
popular Tell Me service is still in operation after last week's special notice.
As of this writing, the Tell Me service (phone number 1-800-555-8355) is still
working. The comparable service, BING 411, is, at the time of this writing, no
longer in service. If anything changes, I will let you all know as soon as
possible.
In other news, starting back on July 1st, the big four TV networks--ABC, NBC,
CBS, and FOX--as well as the top five cable networks--Disney, Nickelodeon, TBS,
TNT, and USA--will all begin offering audio description of their popular TV
shows. According to information released in June, they will begin by offering
4 hours per week of shows available with audio description for those who wish
to listen to it. However, some networks have offered this feature on their
popular shows for quite some time--like CBS and NBC.
This is still a new attempt at creating an industry standard, so it will take
some time for all of the terms to be set regarding notifications of programs
that include audio description, as well as other features. But this is
definitely an exciting time and reveals an active attempt to further
entertainment equality. As more information becomes available, I will update
you on any progress.
That should cover everything for now. I hope you all have a great week.
Take care, and as always, thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Ross Hammond, Editor
###
Feature Writer Alena Roberts - My First Orientation and Mobility Class
One of the courses we're taking this term in my masters program is Orientation
and Mobility. I myself have had numerous O and M sessions, but I've never
learned how to teach O and M skills. This is one of my favorite courses this
term because I'm excited about learning new things and helping my peers leave
the class knowing a little more about what their students will be experiencing.
I wasn't too worried about the first class, but once I learned we were going to
do a walk, unaided, under a sleep shade, I got nervous. I haven't had usable
vision for years now, but I still rely on the small amount that I have in
certain situations. My biggest fear of walking unaided was knowing that I'm not
capable of walking in a straight line. I was proud that my pace didn't slow
down too badly, but even though I knew I was veering, I didn't know how to
straighten myself out. My focus was to keep the fountain on my left and then
somehow it ended up on my right. I appreciated having one of my classmates
there to make sure I didn't hit anything or fall, but once the fountain was on
the wrong side, I really just wanted to stop and ask for help the rest of the
way.
After we completed our unaided walk, we learned how to properly guide someone.
Doing the guided exercise was fun for me because I enjoy going guided, as it
allows me to interact with my human guide. Having a guide dog is great, but it
doesn't allow for much interaction when walking because our pace is so quick.
Being guided was relaxing and comfortable, but I didn't know what it would be
like to be a guide myself--I've never had that opportunity before. When I was
given the option of using my guide dog, I felt a little more confident. I'm not
a skilled cane user because I don't use it that often and I was worried that if
I was using my cane and guiding that I wouldn't be confident.
Midge was great during our guiding exercise. My partner was very hesitant while
we were walking, but by the end I think she realized that both Midge and I were
going to keep her safe. I could relate to her in that I often slow down while
being guided in a new area or if I'm not confident that my guide will remember
to tell me about stairs. Getting to guide someone was my favorite thing I did
all week. It's empowering to know you can provide someone guidance even when
you can't see.
If any of you would like to share your experiences with orientation and
mobility courses, please share them in the Reader's Forum.
###
Feature Writer John Christie - A Traditional Treasure
The oldest Fourth of July parade took place once again this past Wednesday in
Bristol, Rhode Island. The parade is 227 years old and is known throughout the
country and the world. This year, as with many others, it attracted hundreds
of thousands of spectators. Many famous bands and drum corps are included in
the parade and come from all around the country. Chief Marshal Antonio (Tony)
Teixeira was chosen to lead the marchers and floats throughout the parade
route, which started on the corner of Hope Street and Chestnut on Route 114.
Parade goers also had the opportunity to meet the Miss USA winner and Rhode
Island native Olivia Culpo. For those who weren't able to be at the parade,
but reside in the Rhode Island area, they were able watch the the festivities
on ABC 6.
The parade has a very interesting and long history. It was established in 1785
as a show of simple patriotic exercises by Rev. Henry Wight of the First
Congregational Church and Veteran of the Revolutionary War. Later, he expanded
its importance and established the parade as we know it today. The parade is
now organized by a special Bristol Fourth of July Committee.
The events that lead up to the parade began back on June 14th, Flag Day,
beginning with outdoor concerts, soap-box races, and a fire fighters muster at
Independence Park. The celebration climaxed with the oldest parade in the
country. The military (including a Navy ship), civic organizations, as well as
the fire department, take part in the event. Santa Claus even comes to
participate in the parade even though Christmas is six months down the road.
This massive event regularly draws 200,000 people, and due its popularity,
Bristol has been given the nickname "America's most patriotic town."
While rare, the parade has been canceled several times. However, there has been
some sort of celebration every Fourth of July since the tradition began.
It's great to see that a tradition has been carried forward for 227 years,
which today, is a very rare feat. Because of this tradition, people can feel a
wonderful sense of patriotism and pride in both their city and their nation.
Hopefully, this Bristol celebration will continue for years to come.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade
http://portsmouth.patch.com/articles/country-s-oldest-fourth-of-july-celebration-offers-unique-experience
###
Feature Writer Terri Winaught - New Frontiers
Founded in 1942 and chartered in May of that year, Guide Dogs for the Blind was
the first guide dog school established on the West Coast. Founders Lois
Merihew and Donald Donaldson started the school to pair service dogs with
veterans who had become blind through combat in World War II.
From 1942 to 1947, training took place out of a private home in Santa Rosa,
California. In 1947, Guide Dogs moved to its current San Rafael, California
location. In October 1995, the school opened a branch campus in Boring, Oregon.
Though German Shepherds were initially trained as guides, the school in San
Rafael graduated its last German Sheperd/student team in 2009. The breeds that
they use now include: Labrador Golden Retriever crosses, Black Labs, and Yellow
Labs. Chocolate Labs are not used because they have a genetic predisposition
to behavioral and health problems, according to Wikipedia. Although most of
the breeding is done on the San Rafael campus, Guide Dogs also partners with
breeders worldwide to ensure a diverse gene pool.
Preparing dogs for guide work begins when they are just 8 weeks old, at which
time they are placed with families who raise them. To socialize dogs and get
them used to people, raisers take them everywhere. About a year and a half
later, or when dogs are between 14 and 18 months old, they are returned to the
school and undergo continuous assessment throughout training. Dogs deemed
unsuitable for guide work are referred to as "career change dogs," and serve in
capacities like Community Canines, companions for blind/vision-impaired
children, and Dogs for Diabetics. Some dogs, however, are adopted by their
raisers or by other individuals in the community.
Community Canines are sometimes placed at agencies for the blind, and
companions for children enable prospective guide dog users to learn proper care
and responsible ownership before receiving a guide dog of their own.
Guide Dogs for the Blind has also developed presentations for blindness agency
workers, law enforcement personnel, mobility specialists, and prospective
employers
Some final notes about the school are that they offer guide dog lifestyle
workshops, financial veterinary assistance, and keep interested individuals
informed through newsletters, podcasts and social media (The school can be
found on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube).
For more information or to apply for a dog, go to www.guidedogs.com, or call
toll-free: 1-800-295-4050. The school's website gives addresses to its
California and Oregon campuses; phone numbers for each, and fax numbers. There
are also links through which topic specific E-mails can be sent.
In 1980 and 1982, I received dog guides from the San Rafael campus and really
enjoyed my time there. I'd be interested in hearing in the Reader's Forum from
others who lived on the San Rafael campus and have had other interactions with
the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.
Sources: www.guidedogs.com and www.wikipedia.org
###
Feature Writer Lynne Tatum - Another Successful Alumni Weekend
Last week's article found us at the back gate to our beloved school. I'd now
like to briefly describe our alumni weekend that allows us to come together for
a sentimental and humorous look back, but also to learn about current and
future plans for our Alumni Association and school.
Beginning and ending my four-year residential stay in Van Cleve Hall as a
little girl, I yearned to visit the place where I received my formal education
by some truly kind (and slightly eccentric) teachers. After years of requests,
the gracious director of the school arranged to have Van Cleve Hall opened for
the Alumni Association. We filed in, marveling at all the changes. The main
building structure was the same, but the rooms had been changed to meet the
needs of the current students and faculty. After the tour, we sat exchanging
customs and, often humorously peculiar, memories of staff and events. It was a
most gratifying experience that I'll always cherish.
As children, we attended daily assemblies where we learned songs, listened to
records of bird calls and other nature-oriented activities thought up by our
principal. In keeping with this tradition, our alumni holds an assembly where
we enthusiastically sing our Alma Mater, patriotic songs, hymns and camp
favorites--including our seemingly 15-verse Camp Wapanaki song. We are
fortunate to be led by a president who knows the lyrics to them all. We then
sit back and listen to the director's report of the school. I am always
interested in hearing how and what the young people are doing and am especially
pleased to note that their music program is alive and well as this was a robust
feature of the school in years past.
Currently, alumni members can participate in a range of activities from
swimming to attending the business meeting to bowling. They can also visit the
museum, which houses antique desks, Braille writers (which look as if they
could have been used by early humans), and other artifacts. Members are also
free to stroll the verdant, expansive grounds and garden. We end the day with
an outdoor barbeque.
As with many alumni associations, we aim to bring more of our alumni back to
the school for the weekend as we want to see the group endure. New members
mean new ideas and a chance to renew old friendships. Understanding that money
and time are constant factors, I welcome descriptions of alumni activities and
recruitment drives. I also extend an invitation to anyone who attended the New
York Institute for the Education of the Blind, now known as the New York
Institute for Special Education. We welcome your presence at the weekend
and/or on our email list.
###
Op Ed with Bob Branco - What Does He Want in his Coffee?
How often, if you are blind, has a member of a restaurant's wait staff asked
your sighted companion what you would like to eat or drink? While it's safe to
assume that the wait staff is at least reasonably intelligent, some of them act
as if you can't answer the question yourself. I have had this unfortunate
experience happen to me on several occasions, and whenever the waitress asks my
sighted companion what I would like, I answer her.
This experience is popular--in fact, popular enough that it appeared in a
public service announcement for the American Council of the Blind nearly 30
years ago. Being that most of us have had an experience like this at a
restaurant, why do you suppose this happens? What makes wait staff all over
the country think that they can't ask you a direct question about your food
preference? I don't want to believe that they think that all blind people
can't hear or speak. I am having trouble thinking that restaurant employees
would act this way if they have some form of common sense.
Could it be fear? Is it possible that these people are afraid to talk to
someone who is blind? If so, why? What is it about the blind that strike fear
in a waiter or waitress? We eat like the sighted, drink like the sighted, and
pick up the tab and tip like the sighted.
Also, have you noticed that when some waiters or waitresses actually speak to
you as a blind individual, they raise their voices? Do we need to keep
reminding them that our only problem is lack of vision, which does not affect
our perceptions or desires, and that it doesn't affect our hearing either?
I would like to hear about your experience in the Reader's Forum, and how you
decided to handle it. I'm sure I will hear many interesting stories about
those types of wait staff members. With all that said, there are those
restaurant employees who do treat us as normal human beings, and for that, I am
extremely grateful.
###
Contributor Valerie Moreno - Open Mouth, Insert Foot
It was 108 degrees. Sitting silently at the kitchen table with the swamp
cooler chugging--a useless generic of a bonified air conditioner--my eyes began
to close, vaguely aware of my home teacher, Dolores, who sat beside me copying
recipes in large print. She'd insisted on guiding me through making a pork
roast, even though no one in my family liked it. We'd made sweet potatoes from
scratch and banana pudding for dessert.
Though I was grateful for all she was teaching me, we often bunked wills. She
demanded complete silence from me while she filled sheets of paper with huge
letters, her magic marker squeaking. The recipes were for a notebook I was
keeping of everything concerning food preparation.
As I drifted in to a daydream of cool, swirling waters (the color of bananas),
suddenly there was a screeching thud that made me jump, my eyes popping open.
"OW!" shouted a voice directly outside my living room window. It was Rob, our
apartment manager, who'd tripped on the steps, sending the unlocked gate
crashing in to the patio wall. "Shoot!" It was his squeaky, Kermit-the-frog
type yells that made the laughter burst out of me.
Immediately, there was banging on the door and I ran to open it as Dolores sat
stony-faced.
"Where do you get off laughing at me, lady, I almost broke something!"
Robert stood in the doorway, hands on hips, a note of teasing outrage in his
voice. He began jingling his keys, tapping a foot.
"I'm sor-r-r-ry!" was all I could get out, laughing so hard my eyes watered.
"Yeah, sure," he said now. "What are you cooking in there? It's too hot--just
go to the Tastee-Freeze and buy some taco salad! What kind of nut-job cooks in
this heat?"
Dolores was next to me suddenly, smoke curling out of her ears. I felt her
fuming as her eyes shot fire at him.
"Excuse me, sir," she began. "You're interrupting our time."
Rob slapped a hand on his forehead. "Oh, I'm sorry. I remember now. No
wonder you're cooking! This must be your mom, right? How are ya? I hope your
brains don't bake in our Arizona heat. I knew you were coming out from back
east for a visit. You know, you could just slam the food on the sidewalk for
ten minutes. It'd be well done."
"I am not her mother!" Dolores snapped as I collapsed in hysterics against the
open door. "I am Mrs. Fricky from the Association for the Blind and we were
having a cooking lesson."
Rob was taken aback. He ran a hand through his John Denver-ish hair, dropping
the keys.
"Oh" he sputtered, "I thought...I mean, excuse me--I'll be running along now,
ladies. Have fun with the food."
"Bye, Rob," I gasped as Dolores started for the kitchen, her footsteps quick
and angry.
"Lovely woman," Rob whispered as I shut the door. "You should cook her on the
sidewalk!"
###
Reader's Forum
For your convenience, all Reader's Forum submissions are separated by the ##
symbol.
In response to Op Ed with Bob Branco - Lack of Skill Results in Labeling, Chris
wrote:
In response to your writer who wonders why it's not possible to use Braille on
envelopes, the answer would be two-fold: who would have the job of transcribing
it into print since one can't expect a postman (especially a short term postman
such as those doing it as a holiday job) to learn to use Braille fluently, and
what about the quality of the Braille? I don't know about US postal sorting
offices, but in the UK all mail is scanned electronically using our post code
system to sort - only the unreadable, non-post coded are rejected and hand
sorted. The Braille would be flattened long before it reached the hands of the
delivery postman.
We have to work out a system of sticking on our own stamps. In a small post
office where one would be known, the counter staff would gladly help, but most
of us have to do it ourselves. One answer is to buy books of stamps only and
annotate the cover so one knows the book will open so the stamps are facing the
right way up - then it's just a case of peeling off from the book and sticking
quickly on the envelope. Yes, I have stuck on stamps upside down more than
once when in a hurry but have noticed and got it right before posting!
Many blind people using computers take the sticky label template approach and
print their labels and for those for whom this is not an option (I would be one
if I couldn't handwrite reasonably easily), our Royal National Institute of
Blind People sells a device known as a notepaper and envelope writing guide.
In essence you put the guide under plain paper and the raised tactile lines can
be easily felt under the paper - imagine tracing something using a raised edge
under paper.
A third way round it is the opposite. The same charity sells A5 and A4 guides
where one puts the paper into the guide and the lines which are made of elastic
is raised in front of the paper. With practice one could easily use that for
envelopes, as well as for writing on letter paper. These are old fashioned
bits of equipment and I feel sure they would be available in some guise in the
US from one of your many organizations.
Sincerely Chris
(Reading, UK)
##
In response to Mina's comment in last week's Reader's Forum regarding writing
addresses in Braille, Allison wrote:
In response to Minas comments, the idea of insisting that blind people be able
to write addresses on envelopes in Braille is so outlandish and unrealistic
that I don't quite know where to start.
First of all, a very small percentage of the blind and visually impaired
population read and write Braille fluently. Second, postal workers would need
to learn Braille, which is laughable. Third, the dots would get crushed in the
postal service machinery. I could go on, but you get the point.
There are several ways to address an envelope like sighted help, using a
printer, or finding a typewriter and using that.
Now if I could just figure out how to consistently put the stamp on the right
way.
##
In response to Beth's comments in last week's Reader's Forum, Elaine wrote:
I agree with Beth. I do not represent all blind people. There are things I
can do that other blind people can do and there are things I can't do that
other blind people can do. I don't use the mail much anymore, but I've always
had help addressing envelopes and I've never written checks, either. I learned
to type in the seventh grade, but I couldn't proofread what I wrote because
there was no talking software available to tell me what I'd written.
Someone suggested that we be allowed to address envelopes in Braille. Even if
you have Braille on an envelope the envelope has to be written in print so the
post office will know who to send your mail to.
There are all kinds of ways to accomplish the same thing. For example, you can
pay your bills on the phone, online or through the mail in some cases. It
doesn't matter how you pay your bills. The important thing is that you pay
them. I think we as blind people put each other down too much about petty
issues. If you can address your mail and send it without assistance that's
great. If you can pay your bills online that's fine too. We in the blind
community need to support each other and quit condemning other blind people who
don't have the same skills we do or who don't do things the same way we do them.
##
In response to comments regarding his recent article, Bob Branco wrote:
I would like to explain further about my observations toward the blind
gentleman who admittedly does not know how to mail a letter. First of all, I
know about the free matter stamp. Second, the opinions I expressed in the
column are not necessarily my own, but those of Consumer Organizations,
independent blind people who want to protect all of us from an unfair
reputation, and rehab teachers who know that the task is not hard to learn. I
do not condemn this man for what he doesn't know. All I'm saying is that, if
he had sight, his lack of knowledge about mailing a letter would be disregarded
by society, but where he's blind, many people in the blind population will
admit that they feel he's setting an example that society will thrive on.
Bob Branco
##
In response to Feature Writer John Christie - Two New Displays Help to Make
Mobile Devices More Accessible, David wrote:
Interesting Braille display article. I wish the prices were even cheaper. I
have an older Braille printer and hope I can get it up and running with my new
computer. It may not work well because of changes in the platform from a
32-bit to a 64-bit system. We still do not have a multi-line Braille display.
I hope that comes in my lifetime. But I doubt it.
##
In response to Feature Writer Terri Winaught - Gifted Canines, Patti wrote:
I would like to thank Terri Winaught for her very nice article "Gifted
Canines." I am a 20 year graduate of Southeastern Guide Dogs, having gotten 6
out of my 7 guides from there.
As in a lot of cases, some have worked out, some not, but I got the two best
guides I've ever had from that school, and am thinking my current one who I
haven't had very long, will be the third.
While you are in class you couldn't be treated better; in fact one of my
classmates in an earlier class said the staff does everything but tuck you in
at night.
I appreciate their training philosophy, and it is a relaxing place to train
with a dog, especially in the winter months when everybody else is being
bombarded with ice and snow.
When I was in a class in January 1994 there was a blizzard that basically shut
down my home town, and I was sitting in Florida, in spring-like weather.
Just wanted to say thank you for the very well written article.
##
Rita wrote in to say:
My husband got sick two weeks ago, and he has been in the hospital since then.
He is supposed to go to a rehab facility for a short time.
Being by myself is a little scary, but it is also a new experience for me
because I never lived alone before. I depended on my husband for things such
as what to get out of the freezer, and what kinds of canned goods were in my
cabinet.
I know that there are many blind and visually impaired people who live by
themselves. My question is how do you manage by yourselves as a blind and
visually impaired person? I do have some skills, but how do you manage when
your husband or wife is not around, and how do you fix things when no one is
around?
If anyone has any ideas, please write them here in the reader's forum.
Thank you,
Rita Pulsoni
###
Recipe of the Week - Chicken Fiesta Chili Mac
Submitted by Dave Hutchins
Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
1 can chili with beans, (15 oz.)
1/2 pound Velveeta cut into 1/2-inch cubes, (8 ounces.)
1/2 cup your choice of salsa
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
2 cloves garlic minced
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook macaroni as directed on package.
Meanwhile, cook chicken in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray 5
to 7 minutes or until done, stirring frequently.
Drain macaroni.
Add to chicken in skillet along with remaining ingredients; mix well.
Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Stir before serving.
Special Extra:
For added heat, add 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce to the chicken mixture before
spooning into baking dish.
###
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