KCB NEWS
February, 2021
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
KCB INFO LINE
Call KCB’s new telephone information line 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen to Sound Prints, this newsletter, and the latest news from our email list. Just dial (773) 572-6318 and choose the item you want to hear from the menu. If you are listening to an item and you want to change to a different message, press the star key to go back to the main menu.
New items will be posted several times a week, so call often to be sure you don’t miss any news.
FREE LARGE PRINT CALENDARS
Large print calendars are now 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 emailing kcb@kentucky-acb.org. Calendars provided through the generosity of the Louisville Downtown Lions Club.
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.
The power of working together on the local, state and national level is clear. Together we continue to work for Medicare coverage of low-vision devices. Together we advocate for better education, transportation, accessible voting, daily living and job-related programs for people with vision loss. Together we are increasing the number of movies, DVD’s and TV programs with audio description. Together we are helping to make technology, websites, and electronic books more accessible to blind and visually impaired people.
Help us make a difference. Use the enclosed form to join the Kentucky Council of the Blind; blind, visually impaired, and sighted members are welcome. Dues are only $8.00 for one year or $40.00 for a life membership.
If you are already a 2021 or life member of our team, update your contact information, join one or more KCB chapters, make a donation to support our good work, and update your newsletter, email list, Sound Prints and ACB Braille Forum subscriptions.
Checks for dues and/or donations should be made payable to KCB. Mail, along with your completed form, in the enclosed self-addressed envelope; be sure to add a stamp. Or call (502) 895-4598 to pay by phone with your credit card.
Help us touch lives and reach our goals. Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
2021 CROSSROADS – CREATING CONNECTIONS
Have you had a conversation with someone on the phone or while riding the bus, or at school, church, the grocery or the doctor’s office, who had questions about blindness or low vision? When the conversation is over, have you found yourself wondering if you have given them the infor- mation they need? Do you know how to follow up with more help, or are they lost forever when they walk away or hang up the phone?
Since 2013, KCB has hosted one- or two-day Crossroads Leadership Conferences designed to help attendees gain the skills they need to reach more people and build our organizations. This year KCB will hold short Crossroads events that will target very specific skills. Our first 2021 Crossroads, called “Creating Connections – Getting and Giving the Scoop”, will help us learn to share the information people need while building connections to grow our chapters and KCB.
Crossroads Creating Connections is scheduled for Saturday, March 6 from 2:00 to 4:30 PM Eastern. Sign up by calling the KCB office at (502) 895-4598 no later than Wednesday, March 3; open to all KCB and ACB members.
DOT SERVICE ANIMAL FINAL RULE
On Dec. 2, the U.S. Department of Transportation released the Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals. The Final Rule went into effect on Monday, Jan. 11. As a result, airlines may require passengers with service animals to provide written attestation to the behavior, training and health of their service animals up to 48 hours in advance of a trip and at the gate before flying. Please share your experiences with these service animal forms and implementation by airlines with ACB by emailing advocacy@acb.org. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y3hssqvv .
NEW BOOK CLUB BY PHONE
The Tri-state Library Users, a chapter of both the Kentucky Council of the Blind and the Library Users of America, invites everyone to participate in our new telephone book club.
The first meeting of the book club was in December, and the selected book was “The Christmas Train” by David Baldacci. For the February 20 meeting we are reading “King of Torts” by John Grisham, a spine-tingling suspense thriller about the development of new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.
Tri-state Library Users meets on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM Eastern. TLU also sponsors Page Turners, your chance to share good books, beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern on the fourth Friday of each month at the GLCB Roundabout. The number to call for both events is 669-900-6833 and the call code is 862 9889 6972.
KCB EMAIL LIST
Keep up with local, state and national events. Our KCB email list brings two messages a day to your inbox; news about events, products and programs; news you can use.
Join the KCB email list from any page on 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 – BETTER TOGETHER
The theme of the 2021 ACB virtual conference and convention is “Better Together Wherever We Are”. The dates are July 16 – 23, and the week will be packed with an amazing line-up of programs, exhibits, tours and entertainment – 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.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Many CE and PD opportunities will once again be offered at the ACB conference and convention. CE credits are recognized by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Individuals working in vision and many other fields may earn professional development hours from home or office through the power of ACB Radio and the Zoom platform.
For more information about CE and PD opportunities, contact Carla Ruschival, CE Chair, by phone at (877) 630-7190 or by email at continuingeducation@acb.org.
FIRST-TIMERS AND LEADERSHIP FELLOWS – Two ACB members who have never attended an ACB national convention in person will be selected to attend the 2021 ACB virtual conference and convention as Durward K. McDaniel First-timers. Five other individuals will be chosen as JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows, and will also attend the convention as guests of ACB. Each 2021 First-timer and Leadership Fellow will also attend the 2022 ACB Conference and Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, receiving round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), per diem meal allowance, and convention registration fees. First-timers and Leadership Fellows are expected to attend the entire convention and participate in all general sessions and other required selected events.
Applicants must be age 18 or older, be blind or visually impaired, and be a member in good standing of ACB. Applicants are expected to be actively involved in their local chapter, state or special-interest affiliate, and in their community.
We encourage KCB members to apply. Submit a letter introducing yourself and the work you have done in your chapter, KCB and community. Ask Matt Selm, KCB president, to write a letter of recommendation for you. All letters must be submitted by email to Kelly Gasque (kgasque@acb.org) in the ACB National Office by April 5. Applicants will be interviewed by phone by the ACB DKM First-timers Committee in mid-April. Contact the KCB office at (502) 895-4598, or email kcb@kentucky-acb.org, for complete details.
To receive important conference information in your inbox as it becomes available, subscribe to the convention email list by sending a blank message to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org.
JAWS TRAINING AND MORE ON ACB COMMUNITY
The ACB Community Podcast Channel is pleased to present a training series for users of JAWS and other Vispero Freedom Scientific products. ACB thanks Vispero for providing valuable information on how their assistive technology works with vital business and home office applications. Listen to the current and future podcast episodes on the ACB Voices blog at https://bit.ly/3qGbHn2.
ACCESSIBLE MOVIES AND TV
Are you frustrated when you don’t know what’s happening in your favorite movie or TV show? If your show is audio described, you’ll never miss those important details again.
ACB’s audio description website maintains a list of described DVDs, broadcast television, movies, performing arts, museums, and national park information. The website is the only repository of all audio described titles on DVD and the video streaming services (Amazon, iTunes, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix etc.). You can look up any movie or TV series to see if it is available anywhere for purchase or with a subscription.
Thousands of described videos are now available. For an up-to-date, complete list of audio described programs, and information about the Audio Description Project, visit www.acb.org/adp.
SOUND PRINTS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Each week Sound Prints brings you news, articles and interviews on topics of interest to people who are blind and visual impaired. Listen to the podcast on your smartPhone, Alexa device, Victor Stream, or computer. Listen on ACB Radio Mainstream (visit www.kentucky-acb.org for the latest schedule). Listen any time using your landline or cell phone; call (773) 572-6318 and choose option 9 from the menu.
Call the KCB office for more details on how to listen, or visit www.kentucky-acb.org for the complete broadcast schedule.
THE ACB COMMUNITY
The American Council of the Blind hosts about 90 community calls each week. There are calls about technology, crafts, and cooking. There are games, 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 from the menu. Receive a daily schedule in your inbox; send a blank email to acb-community-events+subscribe@acblists.org.
THE AIRA APP – HELPS’ ON THE WAY
Download the Aira app to your Android or iPhone and let their highly trained agents help you identify packages, read instructions and signs, go through the mail, match clothes – even shop at Walgreen’s, find your house if you get disoriented on your street, or troubleshoot your computer.
Aira offers two special pricing plans for ACB members. The Intro Power Plan includes 30 minutes per month for $20.00, and the Standard Power Plan includes 140 minutes per month for $99.00. Available for ACB members who sign up through December 31, 2021.
Stretch those minutes! Aira members can make a free 5-minute call every four hours every day. Nonmembers can make one 5-minute call every day; a great way to find out if Aira is for you.
Contact Customer Care at (800) 835-1934 for more information.
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.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND – chapter meeting; second Wednesday; 7:00 PM; dial (605) 475-4700, code 155619.
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
Chapter Representatives:
Frank Campbell, Eastern Kentucky, Hardshell
Kendall Perry, Greater Louisville, Louisville
Terrie Terlau, Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana, Louisville
Ristoria Ross-Jackson, Kentucky Council of Citizens with Low Vision, Louisville
Benjamin Wright, KCB Next Generation, Henderson
Gerry Slusher, Northern Kentucky, Covington
Bill Roberts, Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired, Owensboro
Adam Ruschival, Tri-state Library Users, Louisville
Become part of KCB and help us make a difference. Blind, visually impaired, and sighted members are welcome. Dues are only $8.00 for one year or $40.00 for a life membership.
If you are already a 2021 or life member of our team, use our online form to update your contact information, join one or more KCB chapters, make a donation to support our good work, and update your newsletter, Sound Prints, email list, and ACB Braille Forum subscriptions.
Make checks payable to the Kentucky Council of the Blind and mail to:
KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
148 Vernon Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Skip the hassle of writing a check; pay with credit card by calling (502) 895-4598.
Help us change lives for people with vision loss.
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