KCB NEWS
Published by the
Kentucky Council of the Blind
148 Vernon Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-4598
e-mail: kcb@kentucky-acb.org
Facebook: kcbonline
Website: www.kentucky-acb.info
President: Matthew Selm
Editors: Rick Boggess and Carla Ruschival
IN THIS ISSUE
KCB Tech Grants and Scholarships
Free Large Print Calendars
The Braille Forum – Not Just for Braille Readers
Join the KCB Team
KCB’s Virtual Trip to DC
Chapter Spotlight – SAVI of Owensboro
KCB Email List
ACB 2021 Convention – Stipend Available
Free Audio Magazine
ACB Community
KCB Events
KCB Board of Directors
KCB TECHNOLOGY AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
by Terrie Terlau
KCB is pleased to offer once again our assistive technology matching grants and our $1,000 academic scholarship for 2021. Any visually impaired resident of Kentucky and any visually impaired KCB member in good standing regardless of place of residence is eligible to apply.
TECHNOLOGY GRANT – The tech grant covers hardware- and software-based assistive technology, upgrades and maintenance agreements, subscription services, computers, and other stand-alone electronic devices. Depending on availability of funds, KCB will match up to 75 per cent of the cost of the technology requested by visually impaired KCB members and up to 25 per cent of the cost of the technology requested for Kentucky residents who are not KCB members. Visually impaired Kentuckians and visually impaired members of the Kentucky Council of the Blind in good standing as of March 15, 2021, are eligible to apply.
The KCB Scholarship and Technology Committee will process tech grant applications quarterly. The total amount of funds available may vary from year to year. If funds are exhausted at the time an application is received, the applicant will be notified of this fact within thirty days of the date the application is received and will be offered the option of keeping the application active for consideration when funds are again available. All applicants will be contacted with results of their grant application as soon as possible, but no later than 120 days after receipt of their application and all required supporting documents.
For instructions and to download the tech grant application, visit https://www.kentucky-acb.info/kcb-tech-grant.
KCB ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP – KCB is again offering a $1,000 scholarship to visually impaired residents of Kentucky and visually impaired members of the Kentucky Council of the Blind (regardless of their state of residence) who are enrolled in or under consideration for admission to post-secondary in-state and out-of-state certified college and vocational training programs. The applicant shall have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, have a specific realistic goal in mind, and be a well-rounded individual involved in extracurricular activities or community service. The application deadline is June 1. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their approval or denial no later than July 15, 2021.
For complete instructions and to download the scholarship application, visit https://www.kentucky-acb.info/scholarships.
All scholarship and technology grant recipients are required to participate in the Kentucky Council of the Blind virtual state convention, to be held November 11 through 14, 2021, unless reasonable circumstances prevent them from doing so.
FREE LARGE PRINT CALENDARS
A few large print wall calendars are still available upon request. They measure a big 11 by 17 inches, and have plenty of room for writing appointments, notes etc. Request a calendar by calling KCB at (502) 895-4598 or by emailing kcb@kentucky-acb.org. Calendars provided through the generosity of the Louisville Downtown Lions Club.
THE BRAILLE FORUM
NOT JUST FOR BRAILLE READERS
by Kathy Farina
(Reprinted from “Vision Access”, a publication of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI).
…Some folks with low vision don’t read “The Braille Forum.” They think that, because the name has braille in it, it is not for them. Time to set the record straight.
“The Braille Forum” is the official publication of the American Council of the Blind (our parent organization). It contains information about what’s happening in ACB, as well as interesting and informative articles written by ACB members and others who have something to share about topics of interest to all blind and visually impaired persons.
“The Braille Forum” is published in January, March, May, July, September and November. It is published in braille, large print, digital cartridge and email. In February, April, June, August, October, and December, the “E-Forum” is published in email only. All issues of “The Braille Forum” and the “E-Forum” are available in a podcast at https://acb-braille-forum-and-e-forum.pinecast.co/ and on acb.org. As a member of an ACB affiliate or chapter, you are automatically a member of the American Council of the Blind, and you are entitled to receive “The Braille Forum”. So, next time these publications come to your doorstep or your email box, read them and enjoy!
(Editor’s note: “The Braille Forum” and “E-Forum” are also available on NLS audio cartridge.)
JOIN THE KCB TEAM
KCB and its chapters help people with vision loss learn about resources and products that improve their daily lives. Our weekly magazine, website, Facebook page, newsletter, support groups, chapter meetings and programs combine to touch the lives of people with vision loss across Kentucky.
Help us make a difference. Become part of our team; blind, visually impaired, and sighted members are welcome. Dues are only $8.00 for one year or $40.00 for a life membership.
To join using your credit card, call us at (502) 895-4598. Checks for dues and/or donations should be made payable to KCB and mailed to the Kentucky Council of the Blind, 148 Vernon Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206.
Help us touch lives and reach our goals. Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
KCB’S VIRTUAL TRIP TO DC
Each year in February the American Council of the Blind invites affiliates to send representatives to Washington for leadership training, a legislative seminar, and a day on Capitol Hill visiting Congressional offices. This year, due to COVID-19, these meetings were virtual, and they were a re-sounding success!
Due to the high cost of travel and hotel accommodations, KCB usually sends three people to this conference. This year, because all meetings were held on Zoom telephone lines and no travel was involved, 30 KCB members registered for the conference and participated in part or all of the weekend. Normally, visits to the offices of our Congressmen and Senators are limited to those who are at the conference in person; this year nearly 20 KCB members from throughout the state were able to participate, many for the first time, because the visits were virtual and they could join in right from their homes. It was very exciting to know that we, along with hundreds of other ACB members from across the nation, were working hard to educate our elected representatives on issues of importance to blind and visually impaired people.
We met personally with Reps. Brett Guthrie (Owensboro, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown), Andy Barr (Lexington), Thomas Massie (Northern Kentucky), Sen. Rand Paul, and with lead staffers in all Kentucky offices. We discussed the three major issues, called imperatives, selected by ACB for this year’s conference with all of them; the topics were improved transportation options and policies, Medicare coverage for low-vision devices, and accessible exercise equipment and related reasonable accommodations in public facilities.
Find out how you can help with these and other advocacy issues. Watch our email list for up-to-date information. Join our Advocacy Committee by contacting Shirley Cain, Chair, at (859) 307-3720.
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
SAVI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
by Sheryl Lott
The Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired (SAVI) is a KCB chapter in the Owensboro/HENDERSON area. Earlier this year, the SAVI Board decided to pay 2021 dues for all current members wishing to renew, as well as for new members joining by March 15.
We would like to welcome eleven new members from the Owensboro/Henderson area. This brings our current membership to 33, which is an all-time high.
SAVI currently meets from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Central Time on the second Tuesday of each month on Zoom. Each meeting is filled with information, tips, and a chance to make new friends. All are welcome. We hope to resume in-person meetings at Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church in Owensboro in the coming months. At the same time, we plan to continue on Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.
To join our Zoom meetings, call 669-900-6833 and enter the code 862 9889 6972. For more information about SAVI, call Sheryl Lott, SAVI President, at 270-686-8689.
KCB EMAIL LIST
Keep up with local, state and national events. Our KCB email list brings one to two messages a day about events, products, programs, and important issues to your inbox. Join the KCB email list from our website at www.kentucky-acb.org, or send an e-mail with the word subscribe in the subject line to kcb@kentucky-acb.org.
ACB 2021 CONVENTION
STIPEND AVAILABLE
The theme of the 2021 ACB virtual conference and convention is “Better Together Wherever We Are”. Dates are July 16 – 23, and the week will be packed with an amazing line-up of programs and exhibits, tours and entertainment, continuing education and professional development opportunities – all coming to you on Zoom and/or ACB Radio using your phone, Alexa device, Victor Stream, computer etc. Networking, friends, fun – it’s all part of this incredible week designed especially for people with vision loss.
The Kentucky Council of the Blind is offering a stipend for any member who registers for the convention. Pre-registration opens May 20 and closes June 28.
For more information, call KCB at (502)895-4598 or email kcb@kentucky-acb.org.
FREE AUDIO MAGAZINE
Sound Prints is a free weekly audio magazine from the Kentucky Council of the Blind that brings you news, articles and interviews on topics of interest to people who are blind or have low vision. Here’s how to listen:
* Call the KCB office to request a free CD subscription; we’ll mail one to you every week.
* Listen to the podcast on your Victor Stream or smartphone; find us in the Victor Stream database or iTunes store.
* Listen on ACB Radio Mainstream – visit our website at www.kentucky-acb.org/soundprints for the broadcast schedule.
* Listen any time using your landline or cell phone – call (773) 572-6318 and choose option 9 from the menu.
THE ACB COMMUNITY
The American Council of the Blind hosts over 90 community calls each week. There are calls about technology, crafts and cooking, games and exercise groups, coffee chats, gospel sings and karaoke. There are discussion and support groups about diabetes, vision loss, finding a job, dating, sobriety, mental health and so much more. What a wonderful way to make new friends and stay in touch!
Join the community using your landline, cell phone, or computer. Some calls are broadcast on ACB Radio. Calls are free and open to everyone; you don’t have to be a member of ACB to participate.
Find out what’s happening in the ACB Community every day. For a schedule by phone, dial (202) 467-5081 and enter 1024; choose the day you want to hear. To receive a schedule each day in your inbox, send a blank email to acb-community-events+subscribe@acblists.org.
KCB EVENTS
Take part in these regularly-scheduled telephone events, right from your couch or easy chair. Unless indicated, all times are Eastern. Join all calls by dialing the KCB Zoom Line at (669) 900-6833 and entering the code 862 9889 6972.
GREATER LOUISVILLE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND – Roundabout each Friday from 7:30 to 9:30 PM; includes announcements, question time, support, games, and a different speaker or topic each week.
GUIDE DOG USERS OF KENTUCKIANA – meeting with program or discussion topic; fourth Monday; 7 PM.
KCB NEXT GENERATION – for everyone 40 and under. Meeting, second Thursday; support group, fourth Thursday; both at 8:00 PM.
KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF CITIZENS WITH LOW VISION – tips, ideas, and resources on living with low vision. First and third Wednesdays; 7:30 PM.
SUPPORT ALLIANCE OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (Owensboro) – chapter meeting; second Tuesday, 1:00 PM Central.
TRI-STATE LIBRARY USERS – New event with a book club or program on the third Saturday at 11:00 AM; Page Turners, a chance to share good books on the fourth Friday at the Greater Louisville Roundabout.
KCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Matthew Selm, Louisville, first term
First Vice President: Terrie Terlau, Louisville, first term
Second Vice President: Shirley Cain, Bellevue, first term
Secretary: Natalie Couch, Louisville
Treasurer: Carla Ruschival, Louisville
Immediate Past President: Debbie Deatherage, Louisville
‘Directors: Joey Couch, Louisville, second term; Sheryl Lott, Owensboro, second term; Jonathon McCarty, Louisville, second term; Bill Roberts, Owensboro, first term; Bill Wright, Louisville, second term
Connect with Us! Social Media - Phone - Email
