KCB NEWS
September, 2020
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.org
President: Debbie Deatherage
Editors: Rick Boggess and Carla Ruschival
ACCESSIBLE ABSENTEE VOTING IS HERE
Gov. Andy Beshear has issued an executive order allowing any Kentuckian who is registered to vote to do so by absentee ballot. A limited number of in-person polling places will also be available throughout the state.
In the past, it has not been possible for a person who is blind or who has a print disability to vote independently by absentee ballot. Now, thanks to the combined efforts of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy, the National Federation of the Blind and NFB of Kentucky, and the American Council of the Blind and the Kentucky Council of the Blind, absentee voting for people with print disabilities will be provided by VotingWorks for the upcoming general election. Accessible voting options will also be available at in-person polls throughout the state.
The selection of VotingWorks was just finalized on Thursday, September 3. Please watch our e-mail list for more information, coming soon.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
The 2020 Kentucky Council of the Blind convention is going virtual, and everyone everywhere will be able to attend by telephone or by Internet radio. The theme is “the sky’s the limit”, and the dates are November 5, 6 and 7.
Plan now to join us for tours, exhibits, programs – even our annual auction – all from the comfort of home. More information and pre-registration details coming soon.
The 2020 American Council of the Blind Virtual Conference and Convention was an incredible experience. Packed with 18 hours of general sessions, 108 break-outs on an amazing array of topics, exhibits and tours and even a virtual banquet, the ACB big event put us all on a path to the future and brought over 250 hours of content into our homes.
ACB convention podcasts are now available for free download. Discover more by visiting www.acbradio.org/acb-convention.
An NLS-type cartridge containing all of the convention content is also available for purchase. For more information, call the ACB Mini Mall at (877) 630-7190.
CVS PHARMACY UNVEILS SPOKEN RX™
On July 8, CVS Pharmacy announced that it has developed Spoken Rx™, a new feature of the CVS Pharmacy app that can read a specific type of RFID label for patients with visual impairments and those who cannot read standard print labels. This information, including patient name, medication name, dosage and directions, can be accessed by users using Siri or Google Assistant on smartphones.
CVS hopes to offer these labels at 1,500 pharmacy locations by the end of this year, and at all CVS Pharmacies by the end of 2021. We are hopeful that the labels will be coming to Kentucky soon.
Enrollment is seamless and can be done either over the phone or in store where a pharmacist can ensure the patient’s app is appropriately set up.
This new service is the result of collaboration between CVS Pharmacy and the American Council of the Blind, which worked with CVS and tested the technology throughout its development. “Spoken Rx is a positive step that offers same-day access for prescriptions filled in CVS stores, allowing for a greater level of privacy, safety, and independence for blind and visually impaired customers of all ages,” said Kim Charlson, immediate past president of the American Council of the Blind. “We’re pleased about this addition to the existing braille, audio, and large print accessible prescription labels provided by CVS Caremark and cvs.com.”
For more information on Spoken Rx and a list of active stores, please contact your local store, call 800-746-7287 or visit www.CVS.com/spokenrx .
KCB will award its second annual assistive technology matching grant at our virtual convention in November. The grant covers both hardware- and software-based assistive technology, upgrades and maintenance agreements, subscription services, computers, and other stand-alone electronic devices. KCB will match up to 50 per cent of the cost of a product or service, not to exceed $750. Visually impaired Kentuckians who were members of the Kentucky Council of the Blind in good standing as of March 15, 2020 are eligible to apply.
Deadline to submit applications is October 1. Call 502-895-4598, email techgrant@kentucky-acb.org, or visit https://www.kentucky-acb.org/grants-and-scholarships for more information.
KCB will award its new $1,000 scholarship at its virtual conference and convention in November. 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 are encouraged to apply.
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 recipient is required to participate in the Kentucky Council of the Blind virtual state convention, to be held November 5 through 7, 2020, unless reasonable circumstances prevent him/her from doing so.
The application deadline is October 1. Obtain complete instructions and download the application form by visiting https://www.kentucky-acb`.org/grants-and-scholarships, or call 502-895-4598 or email scholarship@kentucky-acb.org for more information.
Kentucky has been selected as one of four states for the NLS Braille eReader Pilot Program, scheduled to begin soon. Under the program two different braille reading devices will be distributed to selected patrons for evaluation and feedback.
For more information about the Kentucky Talking Book Library and its services, call 800-372-2968.
The APH ConnectCenter provides free information for all ages on virtually every aspect of vision loss. APH has taken over management of the FamilyConnect, CareerConnect and VisionAware webpages which were maintained by the American Foundation for the Blind for many
years. The Center is updating information and is open weekdays from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time. Call 800-232-5463 or email connectcenter@aph.org.
Aira is a subscription service which allows visually impaired people to use their smartphones to connect with trained agents to assist with completing visual tasks to simplify daily life. Several monthly subscription plans are available, but there are also several ways to use Aira for free.
Beginning on August 25, the first five minutes of an Aira call are free for subscribers every 4 hours, and non-subscribers can make one such call every 24 hours. They also offer several free promotions and offer free access points including several airports, Walgreens, ATT stores, Target and Meijer.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, Aira recently ran a promotion allowing users to vote on a choice to receive free service through the end of 2020. United States users selected Walmart.
For information on how to use free minutes at Walmart and other Aira promotions and plans, call 800-835-1934 or visit http://aira.io.
In late June, ACB announced a collaboration with Peloton Interactive to bring the TalkBack screen reader to all Peloton Bikes. The screen reader provides blind and low vision members with audio feedback when they interact with the bike’s touchscreen.
This update is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to expand accessibility features to as many members as possible over time. The company hopes to continue working to ensure new features are as usable and comprehensive as possible.
For basics on operating the Google Talkback feature on these devices, read the article on Peloton Accessibility: https://support.onepeloton.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045166672/.
To reach out with questions or feedback, email accessibility@onepeloton.com.
The KCB email list has moved to Constant Contact and it has a whole new look. New colors and larger fonts make it easier to read. We can schedule when messages post so you usually receive two messages a day.
Subscribe to our list from any page on our website, or request to be subscribed by sending an e-mail with the word subscribe in the subject line to kcb@kentucky-acb.org.
Anyone from anywhere in the country can participate in ACB Community Calls. Choose from over 60 calls each week. Topics are sometimes serious, like sobriety or coping with loneliness, or fun, like accessible games and favorite books, easy chair yoga and sports. Sometimes there’s no subject – just a coffee chat and a chance to make new friends. There’s even tech support, games to play, crafts and cooking, and karaoke.
Get in on the conversation. Watch for community call announcements on the KCB email list, sign up for a daily schedule delivered to your inbox by sending a blank message to acb-community-events-subscribe@acblists.org, or call 202-467-5081 and enter 1017 for an upcoming schedule.
Sound Prints is KCB’s weekly audio magazine filled with features, articles, news and information about blindness and visual impairment. Listen on your iPhone, Alexa device, Victor Stream, telephone, or computer. Visit www.kentucky-acb.org for details, or call us at (502) 895-4598.
Sound Prints is available on audio CD; request a free subscription by calling (502) 895-4598.
Take part in these events, no matter where you live. All times are Eastern. To join calls, dial the number shown, enter the call code and then press the pound key. Please note that these are not toll-free numbers.
GUIDE DOG USERS OF KENTUCKIANA – meeting and support; open to all. Fourth Monday; 7:00 PM. (605) 475-6006, code 294444
GREATER LOUISVILLE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND – Roundabout meeting by phone each Friday during the coronavirus; includes announcements, time for questions, support, games, and a different topic or speaker each week; 7:30 PM. (669) 900-6833, code 86298896972
KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF CITIZENS WITH LOW VISION – telephone support groups with tips, ideas, and resources on living with low vision. First and third Wednesdays; 7:30 PM. (669) 900-6833, code 86298896972
KCB NEXT GENERATION – meeting for everyone 40 and under. Second Sunday; 8:00 PM. (669) 900-6833, code 86298896972
NORTHERN KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND – chapter meeting. Second Wednesday; 7:00 PM. (605) 475-4700, code 155619
SUPPORT ALLIANCE OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (Owensboro) – chapter meeting; second Tuesday, 1:00 PM Central; by phone during the coronavirus; call (270) 684-4418 or (270) 686-8689 for details.
TRI-STATE LIBRARY USERS – Page Turners, a chance to share good books; fourth Friday of the month on the Greater Louisville Roundabout call. (669) 900-6833, code 86298896972
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF BLIND LIONS – for visually impaired Lions from all states. First Thursday; 9:00 PM. Call (502) 897-1472 for details.
ACB FAMILIES – program and support, first Sunday; meeting, third Sunday. Both at 9:00 PM. Call (502) 897-1472 for more information.
ACB NEXT GENERATION – Saturday Night Live Chat, fourth Saturday; 8:00 PM. Call (502) 750-1774 for more information.
KCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Debbie Deatherage, Louisville; second term
First Vice President: Gerry Slusher, Covington; first term
Second Vice President: vacant
Secretary: Natalie Couch, Louisville
Treasurer: Carla Ruschival, Louisville
Immediate Past President: Deb Lewis, Louisville
Directors: Shirley Cain, Bellevue, first term; Joey Couch, Louisville, second term; Sheryl Lott, Owensboro, second term; Jonathon McCarty, Louisville, second term; Bill Wright, Louisville, second term
Chapter Representatives: Frank Campbell, Eastern Kentucky, Hardshell; David Smith, Greater Louisville, Louisville; Deb Lewis, Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana, Louisville; Alan Shrebtienko, Kentucky Council of Citizens with Low Vision, Sellersburg, IN; Matt Selm, KCB Next Generation, Louisville; Gerry Slusher, Northern Kentucky, Covington; Bill Roberts, Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired, Owensboro; Melanie Peskoe, Tri-state Library Users, Louisville
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