This is the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE text edition for October 2004.
All material property of C-W-A-B, Incorporated. Reproduction of audio, and or printed articles or photos in the original printed issue, may not be reproduced or distributed in whole or in part without prior written consent.
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Inc.
Executive Officers: Brenda Blake, President
Bill Sayre, Vice President, Ted Childs Sr., Secretary
Laundle (Lon-dl) Powers, Treasurer
Board Members: Kenneth Hicks, Ernie Golder,
Juanita Souder, (pronounced Sow-der),
Margie Simmons, Patsy Dixon,
Cheryl Justice, and Patricia Walker
The Guide Page Magazine published monthly by:
CWAB, Incorperated 38 Washington Ave. Huntington, WV. 25701(304) 522-6991 - Fax (304) 522-6924
e-mail: cwabadm@cabellwayne.org
Internet: or
Paul Slone, Executive Director
Jerry Crabtree, Guide Page Editor
Major funding provided by the Teubert (pronounced Tue-bert) Foundation
Volume 15, Issue 10
October 2004
In this issue: Mission and Vision Statements, GP Narrator Of The Month, Daylight Savings Time, From the "Director’s Desk", MU Football Schedule, 2004 5K Walk/Run, Event Photos, The Ballot Ballet, Open Letter, Basket Draws Interest, C-W-A-B Halloween Party, C-W-A-B History, The Northeast Corner, Recreation Activities, Christmas Party, Taxi Tickets, Braille Classes, Support Groups, Radio Outreach, Weather Watch, Fund-raising Merchandise, Recipe of the Month, Control Your Assets, GUIDE PAGE Supporters,
The magazine cover for October features an artwork sketch of C-W-A-B founder Charlie Harris.
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind
Mission and Vision Statements
Our Mission:
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is committed to promoting and advocating the economic, educational, and social welfare of the blind and visually impaired of all ages so that they can maintain a lifestyle comparable to other members of society.
Our Vision:
CWAB will be seen nationally as a model for organizations and agencies that help blind and visually impaired persons achieve maximum independence. CWAB will be known for timely and appropriate state-of-the-art responses to the changing needs of consumers throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.
Guide Page Magazine Reader of the Month
WSAZ NewsChannel 3's Tim Irr
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Tim graduated from Duquesne University and started his career in radio at KDKA.
His first job in television was at WDTV-TV in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Then, at WCHS-TV in Charleston, he served as the station's assignment editor.
Tim moved on to WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh as an assignment editor. He then took a public relations job at a Pittsburgh hospital for two years before coming back to West Virginia, to work at WSAZ.
He currently works as the six and eleven o'clock anchor. Tim, his wife and their two daughters live in Huntington.
Contact Tim at WSAZ: tim.irr@wsaz.com.
There are two photos with this article. The first - a nearly half-page "professional" photo of Tim - the kind the station issues as a "publicity shot." Tim is broadly smiling. The second - a "screen capture" is placed inside a graphic of a console TV set giving the appearance that Tim is "on TV".
At the top of next page of the printed edition there is a photo of CWAB Executive Director Paul Slone as he stands near the architectural model of the proposed new CWAB technology building. The side caption reads: "CWAB Executive Director Paul Slone invites everyone - consumers, volunteers, and the general public to visit the Services Division office at 38 Washington Ave. to view an architectural model of the proposed new technology building.
For details, call 522-6991.
Daylight Savings Time is right around the corner!
Daylight Savings Time begins for most of the United States at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of April. Time reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday of October. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.
Change your clocks BACK one hour Sunday, October 31st at 2 a.m.
There is a small graphic with this article - it’s a representation of a watch showing the time as 8:30.
"From the Director’s Desk"
Hello Everyone!
As we begin another fiscal year here at CWAB we have a variety of projects scheduled for the coming year. Hopes are high for financial support for our technology building. I hope you share the same enthusiasm as the staff and I that goals for this project will soon be met.
Our second annual 5K Walk/Run was held September 11th. It was a wonderful day for the outdoor activity. We had a large number of participants and attendees - some returning from last year - as well as a good number of staff and volunteers. Believe me when I tell you this kind of event takes hours and hours of hard work and planning to make sure all goes smoothly. Orientation & Mobility coordinator Nancy Henderson is to be commended for her efforts during the past year making sure this event was a successful one. Race results will soon be available on our website, race photos appear elsewhere in this magazine. I want to personally thank everyone who attended, volunteered, and participated. Here’s to a successful third annual event .....
There will be a consumer Halloween party October 30th at the Services Division. Make your plans to attend.
Don’t forget to purchase your ticket to win the hand-made picnic basket donated by consumer Heather McComas. The item will be given away during our Christmas dinner in December. For tickets and information, call the Services Division office at 522-6991.
Until next month ....
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY THUNDERING HERD
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Oct 9 Ohio Athens, OH. TBA
Oct 16 Kent State Kent, OH. 4:00 p.m.
Oct 23 Buffalo Home 4:30 p.m.
Oct 30 UCF Home 4:30 p.m.
Nov 5 Akron (ESPN2) Akron, OH. 8:00 p.m.
Nov 13 Bowling Green B.G., OH. 4:00 p.m.
Nov 20 W. Michigan Home 4:30 p.m.
Dec 2 MAC Championship (ESPN or ESPN2) TBD
Dec 2 MAC Championship (ESPN or ESPN2) TBD
All dates and times subject to change.
1-800-THE HERD - www.HerdZone.com
Visit the CWAB concession stand during EVERY home game!
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind’s "5k Walk/Run For Sight"
The Second Annual "5K Walk/Run For Sight" was held Saturday, September 11th in Huntington’s Ritter Park. Over fifty runners registered to participate. Awards were given to winners in gender and age classes as well as special awards were presented to the blind and visually impaired.
The event raised money for CWAB’s new technology center.
Numerous businesses provided support for the event.
There is one photo with this article - it features a half-page photo of the winning runner in the race.
The next two pages of the print edition contain 11 photos of the 2003 "5K Walk/Run For Sight." Five photos on the left page show runners as they prepare for the race. On the right - six photos show - left column top to bottom - consumer Virginia Chappell being interviewed by WSAZ Newschannel 3, consumer Wanda Annis and race companion, consumer Lindsey Clagg as she crosses the finish line. At the top of the right hand column - Jack Harless (in wheelchair) is assisted by three race companions, moving downward, staff member Frank Stull )wearing an orange safety vest) speaks into a microphone - Frank was the race "announcer", and finally three race attendees are photographed as they discuss the event.
Product Evaluation Article
"The Ballot Ballet:"
The Usability of Accessible Voting Machines
Darren Burton and Mark Uslan
AccessWorld (magazine) - July 2004 - Vol 5, No. 4
Funding for this product evaluation was provided by the Teubert Foundation, Huntington, West Virginia.
Ever since the 2000 election fiasco, when the term hanging chad became a household word, industry has been rushing to design and build the best voting machine, one that is usable by everyone, including people who are blind or have low vision. In October 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which is intended to modernize the country's election processes. One important part of HAVA is that it provides money for states to purchase electronic voting systems with the requirement that they be accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.
In our previous evaluation of voting machines ("Cast a Vote by Yourself: A Review of Accessible Voting Machines") in the November 2002 issue of AccessWorld, we judged four machines on the market according to how they measured up to the following criteria:
• Speech quality and whether the speech is produced via a recording of a human voice or synthetic speech,
• Clarity of both printed and spoken instructions,
• Controls that are identifiable tactilely or have braille,
• A means of avoiding undervoting (not choosing a candidate for a contest) or overvoting (choosing more than one candidate for a contest).
• Users' control of the font size and screen contrast,
• The ability to use visual and audio voting simultaneously,
• Overall ease of use.
In general, we found that the four voting machines were a tremendous improvement over voting with assistance from friends or poll workers, but there is certainly room for further improvement, especially in the areas of low vision accessibility and overall ease of use.
Security Issues
Since 2002, a new issue has emerged: Can these new electronic voting machines provide sufficient security to prevent election fraud and, at the same time, safeguard the anonymity of a secret vote? Can a voting machine provide privacy, security, and verification and still be accessible to all voters? Recently, several researchers and academics have called into question the security, accuracy, and reliability of many of the electronic voting systems that are currently in use across the country. They have claimed that these systems miscount election results and that they can be easily "hacked" by unscrupulous officials to alter the outcome of elections. To read more about the controversy from the perspective of those with a decidedly negative stance toward electronic voting, you can visit the web site www.BlackBoxVoting.com.
This controversy has prompted a groundswell of support for requiring these electronic voting systems to produce a paper output of each voter's marked ballot. The idea is that this paper output could then be used by the voter to verify his or her choices and by election officials to verify the electronic results in the case of a recount. The support for what has been called an "auditable paper trail" has reached Washington, and a bill is making its way through Congress that would require this paper trail. This paper output would certainly be of no use to a voter who is blind or has low vision, and one could argue that the requirement of paper output would add more complexity and opportunity for error. However, this paper trail may soon become a reality, so how will voters who are blind or have low vision be affected? Will this call for an "auditable paper trail" affect our right to a private, independent, and dignified voting experience?
When we published our initial evaluation in November 2002, none of the machines we evaluated had the ability to produce paper output of a marked ballot. So we contacted the manufacturers to see what they were doing to face this new challenge. One manufacturer had already instituted a paper-trail system and had it certified. All the other manufacturers were working toward a solution. An interesting approach was brought to our attention by IVS, a Louisville, Kentucky, company that brought its Inspire system to our laboratory. The Inspire uses speech output to guide a voter who is blind or has low vision, who uses a telephone-style keypad to navigate and mark the ballot. The system actually physically marks a paper ballot that is then fed through an optical scanning system to count and record the vote. One other interesting and helpful feature of the Inspire system is that IVS has designed a way for voters to use their own telephones to call in ahead of time to read the ballot and practice voting with the system.
Now that the 2004 election is drawing closer, we wanted to get a better sense of what really may happen in the voting booth on election day. Will voters who are blind or have low vision be asked to vote on machines that are short on accessibility features and difficult to use? Will this be a banner year for accessible voting, or will we be moving from chads to worse? In this article, we report on our observations of users who tried out five voting machines, including one that was not part of the previous evaluation. Our objective was to get an idea of how much help users may or may not need to cast their votes.
A Usability Study
In December 2002, 13 people who are blind or have low vision came to the AFB TECH lab in Huntington, West Virginia, to test the following electronic voting machines: the iVotronic from Election Systems and Software, the AVC Edge from Sequoia Voting Systems, the eSlate from Hart InterCivic, the Vote-Trakker from Avante International Technology, and the AccuVote TS from Global Diebold. Although there are at least eight other electronic voting systems on the market, these five machines represent over 95% of the systems that are currently in use.
For each machine, the users were given a basic orientation tour, similar to one that would be provided by a poll worker at a voting precinct. Then, they were given the following tasks to accomplish: vote in three contests, review the ballot and change the selection for one contest, and cast a final ballot. The users with low vision were asked to test each voting machine twice: once using the visual interface and once using the audio interface; those who were blind were asked to test each voting once, using the audio interface. Instances of problems the users were having were noted, and assistance was provided as needed. All tests were videotaped. After the tests, each user was questioned as to what aspects of the voting machines he or she liked and disliked.
The Participants
Of the 13 users who participated in the tests of voting machines, 8 had low vision and 5 were blind. The 13 users ranged in age from 19 to 70; 5 were retired, 3 were students, 3 were unemployed, and 2 were white-collar workers. The users were highly educated: 1 had a master's degree, 4 had bachelor's degrees, 3 had associate's degrees, 2 had high school degrees and had taken some college courses, and the remaining 3 had high school degrees and had not taken any college courses. All but 1 of the users had at least some experience using a personal computer, and 3 had previously voted using an electronic voting machine (they all had used the iVotronic).
The Voting Machines
The iVotronic
The iVotronic uses a touch-screen display measuring 9.75 inches by 7.25 inches, and the unit has four large control buttons that voters who are visually impaired can use to navigate and mark the ballot.
The iVotronic uses a hierarchical menu structure. To navigate through the ballot, the voter is initially placed in the top level, or contest level, of the hierarchy, then uses two control buttons (Up and Down) to move up and down from contest to contest, and presses the diamond-shaped Select button to enter a race. The voter is now in the bottom, or candidate level, of the hierarchy and again uses the Up and Down buttons to move from candidate to candidate. The voter then presses the Select button to choose the candidate of his or her choice. If a voter scrolls past the last candidate in a particular contest, he or she is taken up a level in the ballot hierarchy and is placed in the next contest. To cast his or her final ballot, the voter presses the oval-shaped Vote button at the top of the display screen.
AVC Edge
The AVC Edge uses a touch-screen display measuring 9 inches by 12 inches. Voters who are visually impaired use a handheld control box that has four control buttons (not shown in the accompanying photo) to navigate and mark the ballot.
The AVC Edge uses a hierarchical system that is similar to the iVotronic interface. However, unlike the iVotronic, it does not automatically take you to the next contest when you scroll past the last candidate of a contest.
eSlate
The eSlate voting machine is not a touch-screen unit, so both voters who are sighted and those who are blind or have low vision use the same push-button interface: five control buttons and a round Select wheel that the voter rotates to scroll through the ballot. The eSlate display screen measures 7.75 inches by 10 inches.
This machine uses a straight linear ballot. Rotating the Select wheel clockwise one notch brings you to the title of the first contest. Subsequent rotations scroll through the candidates for that race, and pressing the Enter button makes or cancels a selection. Scrolling past the last candidate in a particular race takes the voter to the title of the next race and then to the candidates for that race.
Vote-Trakker
The Vote-Trakker is a portable touch-screen unit with speech output that is generated via synthetic speech, rather than via a recording of a human voice, as is used by the other machines. The touch screen is 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches high. The interface used by voters who are blind or have low vision is a modified QWERTY computer keyboard. The Escape, Minus, Enter, and Control keys on the four corners of the keyboard are the primary controls, and these keys are raised about twice as high as the other keys for easy identification. The speech output is produced by the IBM ViaVoice TTS Runtime speech synthesizer, and the voter is able to adjust the voice's gender, rate, and pitch.
When voting begins, the Vote-Trakker reads the title of the first contest, followed by the names of the candidates. There is a pause after each candidate's name, during which the voter may press the Enter button to choose that candidate. If a voter misses a candidate, he or she can use the arrow keys to scroll back, but if the voter waits too long after the name of the last choice is read, "Abstain" is entered for that contest, and the voter is taken to the next contest. After the final race is completed, the machine reads a review page with the choices that have been made. After each contest is read, the voter has a preset time to press Enter to go back and change the selection for that contest.
AccuVote TS
The AccuVote TS uses a touch-screen display measuring 9 by 12 inches. It features a standard 12-digit telephone-style keypad for voters who are visually impaired to use to navigate and mark the ballot.
The AccuVote TS uses a linear ballot style and provides audio instructions throughout the voting process. The user presses the 4 and 6 keys on the keypad to move backward and forward through the ballot and the 5 key to select or deselect a candidate. Other keys on the keypad are used for features, such as repeating instructions and casting a final ballot.
What We Found
We encountered an unexpected problem with the visual displays of all but one of the five machines. The 8 people with low vision were able to vote visually only with the Vote Trakker because of its large screen font and its use of contrasting colors. The font size and contrast on the remaining four voting machines were not sufficient to enable the 8 users with low vision to vote visually. Also, on two machines, the visual display goes blank during audio voting, so voters with low vision are not able to both see and hear the ballot simultaneously.
When they tested the audio voting features, almost all 13 users needed at least some assistance with each of the voting machines; in fact, most users needed assistance many times. The most assistance was required in tasks associated with scrolling through the ballot hierarchies of the voting machines. The task that was the most difficult on all the machines was changing voting selections for one of the contests. The number of the 13 users who required assistance on this task on each machine was as follows: • iVotronic: 7 users • Vote-Trakker: 11 users • eSlate: 8 users • AVC Edge: 10 users • AccuVote TS: 8 users.In addition, on each machine, certain tasks were more difficult than others. On the iVotronic and the AVC Edge, the most help was needed for entering the first contest. On the Vote-Trakker, the most help was needed for setting the synthetic speech controls. On the AccuVote TS and the eSlate, the most help was needed for casting the final vote. The users said that the most important aspect of the voting experience was overall ease of use, especially the ease of moving through the ballot. They also asked for simple instructions and a button that would provide context-sensitive help.
The Bottom Line
The participants in this study were highly educated, and most were users of personal computers. Nevertheless, they had difficulty using these machines without assistance. The task of changing a vote before casting the final ballot was the most difficult to accomplish without assistance in all the voting machines, but other tasks, specific to each machine, were also difficult. The logical recommendation to manufacturers of voting machines is to focus on streamlining and simplifying the menu structure in their products and improving instructions to users, paying special attention to the ease of moving through ballot hierarchies.
With regard to the needed improvements in accessibility that were uncovered in this study, one major recommendation stands out: Users with low vision need a visual display with enhanced screen characteristics—specifically a high-contrast display with the option of reverse polarity and zoom capability. In addition, users with low vision should be able to use visual and audio voting simultaneously, instead of having the screen go blank during audio voting, as is the case with some systems. We also recommend that local election officials provide a way for voters to practice on the systems, so they can become more comfortable with them before they actually vote.
We know that the manufacturers of the voting machines we tested have a commitment to accessibility, and we know that at least two of them have made improvements in the designs of their machines on the basis of the results of our previous evaluation. We hope that these manufacturers and all the others in the market continue their efforts not only to meet the accessibility requirements of HAVA, but to continue to improve the overall ease of use of their systems. As more and more accessible voting systems are put into place across the country, we hope to see an increase in the ability of people who are blind or have low vision to vote independently, privately, and with dignity—rights for which many Americans have fought and died.
Please contact AccessWorld (jaylev@afb.net) and let us know about your own voting experience when you voted in the 2004 primary elections and when you vote in the general election in November.
AccessWorld® is published bi-monthly by AFB Press, American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001. Products included in AccessWorld® are not necessarily endorsed by AccessWorld® or AFB staff.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2004 American Foundation for the Blind.
AccessWorld is a trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind.
Copyright © 2004 American Foundation for the Blind. All rights reserved. AccessWorld is a trademark of the American Foundation for the Blind.
The printed edition of this article features photos of each item it describes.
A Letter to Jerry and Paul,
Thank you for printing the article about the mentor workshop we did last month. We appreciate the space you gave us in the magazine. I have two requests surrounding the article that I hope you will grant.
First, I’m afraid there has been some misunderstanding about the operation of AFB CareerConnect. Please let me explain. The mentors with AFB CareerConnect are not SIGHTED as stated in the article, but are all blind or visually impaired. That’s what makes this mentoring program so unique. To the best of our knowledge, CareerConnect is the only mentoring program that matches persons with disabilities with mentors of like disability; in this case, blindness or visual impairment.
The program is intended for use by blind or visually impaired youth who are transitioning into college or the work place, adults going back to work for the first time after vision loss or, perhaps wish to re-career and, those who advocate for them - teachers, rehab counselors, and parents. Employers are also welcome to contact working individuals to discuss how they might accommodate a blind employee. The program allows the aforementioned individuals to talk with other blind or visually impaired folks who are already working in a career that they are interested in. They get the opportunity to learn from someone who has first hand experience what it is like to do a particular job as a sight impaired person, discuss what types of job accommodations are needed or other issues particular to that job.
Also, the URL was incorrect. The correct web address is: www.afb.org/careerconnect. Could you please make these corrections in the next Guide Page? Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Detra Bannister - CareerConnect
American Federation fo the Blind
Basket Draws Interest
CWAB offers a variety of on-going fund-raisers. Each offers consumers and the community an opportunity to obtain items crafted by individuals associated with CWAB.
A hand-woven basket made by CWAB consumer Heather McComas, owner of "Three Blind Mice Basket Weaving" will be available as a prize during the annual CWAB consumer Christmas dinner.
This basket is a double-handle picnic basket stained in golden oak and filled with all the necessities for a picnic. Items inside include a tablecloth, plates, tumblers, bowls, silverware, salt and pepper shakers and condiment bottles.
Tickets are $1 each. Drawing is December 4 at the annual Christmas dinner.
Call 522-6991 to learn more.
The article features a quarter-page photo of the picnic basket and its contents.
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind will present a
Halloween Party for Teubert Prep - Thursday, October 21st
6 to 8 p.m. and for Consumers - Friday, October 22nd
7 to 10 p.m. at CWAB’s Services Division Activities Room
38 Washington Ave.
Entertainment, games & refreshments
Call the Services Division at 522-6991 for transportation
On the opposite page of the print edtiion there is a errie-looking artwork sketch of a "haunted" house.
October is Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind’s "Birth Month"
For a quarter of a century Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind has been serving residents of Cabell and Wayne Counties of West Virginia. Offering goods and services to a specific group of individuals - the blind and visually impaired.
Founded in the Fall of 1975 by Charlie Harris, CWAB has grown from small quarters on the edge of Wayne County to a spacious facility on the edge of downtown Huntington providing transportation, computer training, rehabilitation services, mobility instruction, and many other services which allow those with low, or no vision to lead normal active lives.
The History of CWAB
CWAB was organized on Oct. 9, 1975, when the charter was filed with the state of West Virginia by Charles Harris of Huntington, the founder of CWAB.
The preamble to the bylaws reads in part,
"We the blind of Cabell and Wayne counties bind ourselves to the cause of exploring, expanding and exploiting our abilities as free and equal citizens. We are the blind speaking for ourselves, relying upon each other for the accomplishment of those goals defined for ourselves by ourselves."
As it grew, CWAB began to offer social programs and held fund-raisers so it could provide specialized prescription eyeglasses to needy children and adults.
As more blind and visually impaired residents in the two counties became members, it became apparent that a vital component was missing - integrated services for that population that would be available through a single source. For that, additional funding was needed.
The means to expand became available in 1979 on the death of retired U.S. Postal Service worker C.J. Teubert of Huntington. In his will, Mr. Teubert directed that the bulk of his estate, with a value of $3 million, be used to "relieve the hardships resulting from blindness." After several years of litigation over the validity of the handwritten will, the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust was formed in 1987; it began awarding grants to area agencies in 1988.
In April, 1989, following a detailed needs assessment performed by Marshall University’s School of Medicine, the Services Division component of CWAB was activated. The Teubert Trust provided initial start-up funding.
CWAB’S Service’s Division
Since June of 1989, free door-to-door van transportation has been offered in Cabell and Wayne counties. This service continues today with three custom-built 13-passenger vans and a four-passenger mini-van. In addition, Toyota donated a 2004 sIENNA van in March of 2004.
The Services Division’s mission of serving the blind and visually impaired continues in a variety of ways, all geared toward promoting independence and self-reliance.
Association Membership
Cabell and Wayne county residents over age 18 with vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye may become CWAB association voting members if they wish. You do not have to be an association member to receive services. Dues are $2 per year
How To Receive Services
To receive services, a person must:
1. Be a resident of Cabell or Wayne county.
2. Have central visual acuity of 20/100 in the better eye after correction; or visual field restriction of no more than 20 degrees in the better eye; or have a half field or greater vision loss in both eyes;
3. Meet income guidelines with regard to exam and eyeglasses purchases only.
Once those items are verified, a person then becomes a client, or consumer, of CWAB’s Services Division and is eligible for all required services.
Services include: Rehabilitation, Orientation & Mobility, Transportation, Recreation, Adaptive Technology, In-Home Services, Computer Training, Support Groups, Teubert Prep, Free subscripion to the "Guide Page Magazine"
The print edition includes the following photos:
Close-up of CWAB building sign, photos of each staff member:
Paul Slone - Executive Director
Lori Spears - Administrative Assistant
Linda Worthy - recreation
Nancy Henderson - Orientation & Mobility
Don Means - Transportation Supervisor
Jerry Crabtree - Media-Marketing Manager
Dianna Ward - Adaptive Technologist
Frank Stull - Technologist
Kermit Nance - Computer Instructor
Toni Walls - In-Home Services
Nancy McKenzie - Rehabilitation
Rhonda Spears - Office Manager
The Northeast Corner
by Steve Albro
"SCAN" Agency News - Cleveland Sight Center
September 2004
Last month we discussed the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on the public landscape and the lives of persons with disabilities. Many architectural and transportation barriers have been removed. With increased public awareness and better technology, there will be many more opportunities to make the environment and public services more user friendly. Having said that, there are two pitfalls worth considering.
The first is the complacency that comes with thinking that because we have the ADA there is no more need for advocacy. As I write this column, Congress has still not passed the reauthorization of the national transportation bill (TEA-21). Unfortunately, this bill was where the President and Congress drew their line in the sand on this year’s federal budget. Funding for public transit and the roads and rails it runs on is sitting between maintaining current levels of service and slow starvation. On the state level, the second year of the biennial budget funds public transit at the 1980 level. We all know that today’s dollar does not buy what it did almost 25 years ago. Finally, the US Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 decision, decided that the ADA applied to county court houses, narrowly saving people with disabilities from having to crawl or be carried up the stairs when they have business with the court. Progress doesn’t just happen. To be heard, we need to speak. One of the most powerful forms of public speech is the vote. Don’t be silent November 2nd.
The other pitfall is thinking that accessibility is a substitute for having independent skills. The ADA does not say that the government owes a person with a disability every accommodation needed for everything, from transportation to employment. In order to make the most of public accommodation, there must be personal accommodation. It’s still important to build job skills, look alive, and have people that can say good things about what you can do. In transportation, too many people have accepted paratransit as "the ride for the handicapped." People who couldn’t use regular buses lay down on the road, in front of buses, to obtain the right to use what their taxes funded. They wanted to be able to present themselves at a bus stop or train station with their fare and ride like everyone else. Paratransit eligibility is based on the disabled person’s inability to use accessible public transit, either all of the time or some of the time.
There will likely never be enough public resources to give every person with a disability a door-to-door ride whenever needed. Mobility skills and living near a transit line are the best personal accommodations one can make toward their own independence.
The article features a photo of the author, Steve Albro. He appears to be somewhat stocky in build with grey-white hair. He is wearing a business suit and is broadly smiling.
Recreational Activities Resume
With end of Summer near and the beginning of the school term, it’s time to turn our attention once again to popular CWAB recreational activities.
Linda Worthy - CWAB Recreation Coordinator - has announced the resumption of both Goalball and Bowling.
"Since Labor Day is Monday, September 6th, and I will be at Space Camp the following week, the first date for Bowling will be Monday, September 27th. Goalball will begin on Friday, October 1st," Worthy said.
Bowlers meet each Monday from Noon to 2:30 p.m. at Colonial Lanes on 5th St. West in Huntington.
Goalball is played at the Second Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.
For information on each of these activities, call 522-6991.
The article features two artwork graphics. One, at the top shows two bowling pins being struck by a bowling ball with the word "Bowling" curved around them. The bottom graphic shows a artwork rendering of a goalball player with the word "goalball" arched around it.
The annual Consumer Christmas Party will be Saturday,
December 4th at the Guyandotte Baptist Association
Church Camp, Ona, WV. Sign-up deadline for transportation is Wednesday, November 26th. Party time Noon - 3 p.m.
Call 522-6991 for transportation and for more details!
Walk and Roll 2003
Octiber is Disabilities Employment Awareness Month and to celebrate, Huntington is again hosting a "Walk and Roll" to recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses who assist individuals with diaabilities to become productive and gainfully employed.
The Mayor’s Committee for Persons with disabilities will recognize these individuals during a "Walk and Roll: to take place Friday, October 8th. A parade down Fourth Avenue will begin at 11:30 a.m. and an awards ceremony will follow on the 9th Street Plaza.
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind and other organizations will attend featuring an information booth and refreshments. CWAB will celebrate National White Cane Day also.
If you would like to attend and need transportation, please contact the Services Division office at 522-6991.
Braille classes offered
(The title is also printed in braille characters in the print edition)
Braille: an organized system of dots representing the English language has been a lifeline for millions of individuals throughout the world. Braille isn’t just for the blind anymore.
Now anyone with a desire to learn this form of communication can do so in a few short weeks. CWAB’s Orientation & Mobility instructor Nancy Henderson is offering instructional sessions to anyone interested. Classes will be arranged on a twice-weekly basis.
`For details and scheduling, call CWAB’s Services Division at 522-6991.
There is a graphic representation of the braille magazine cover design included in the print edition article.
CWAB Support Group Schedule
Here is an updated list of meeting times for CWAB’s support groups.
Group A: Mattie Smith - 2nd & 4th Thurs.
10 a.m. to Noon
Group B: Juanita Souder 1st & 3rd Thurs.
10 a.m. to Noon
Group C: (Working) Patty Aldridge 2nd & 4th Thurs.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Group D (Diabetic) Kim Blake 1st & 3rd Tue.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Group F: Brenda Blake - 2nd & 4th Tue.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Group I: (ages 18 - 30) Brooke Dowdy - 2nd & 4th Fri.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Support groups provide a vital link between news, information, social activities, and friendship between individuals with the same interests. Transportation is provided free to any CWAB consumer. Support groups regularly meet in CWAB’s activities room with many taking the opportunity to take special trips to area places of interest. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with arrangements such as snacks, crafts, or being a sighted guide. For information on support groups or volunteering, call the Services Division at 522-6991.
There is a photo with this article. The picture shows a group of CWAB consumers seated around a table as taken during a recent support group meeting.
Continuing CWAB’s radio Outreach
CWAB Executive Director, Paul Slone, joins "Tri-State Today" host Geof Sturm each month for discussion, interviews and up-to-date information about services and activities from Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.
Tri-State Today can be heard Wednesday evenings at 7:30 on WEMM
Weather Watch
Adam Joseph - Meteorologist
WSAZ Newschannel 3
AJ’s Summer School
All summer we have done easy weather projects you and your family can put together at home.
Lightning
Lightning is a natural phenomenon that catches our senses. The sight, sound, and even taste of a lightning bolt are fascinating, yet dangerous.
When you see a bolt of lightning it is the moment the negative charges in the cloud connect with the positive charges at the ground. When lightning is close, it will give off a blue color.
The sound of a lightning bolt is known as thunder. Thunder is actually lightning. Lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This is roughly 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit! When the bolt connects from the ground to the cloud it heats the cool air so fast is sends a sonic wave outward. This wave is the loud rumble you call thunder.
If lightning is trying to connect with you or an object close by you will taste metal in your mouth. At this point you want to crouch down for protection. Close to 65 people are killed by lightning a year. This surpasses the number of people killed from tornadoes a year! Two in every ten people are killed when struck by lightning. Ohio is in the top ten states for lightning related deaths.
Here is how you can find out how far a lightning bolt is from you. When you first see the bolt start counting; every 5 seconds that goes by before you hear thunder, one mile of distance is covered. For example: lightning flashes and you start counting. If you counted to 10 than the bolt of lightning was 2 miles away.
Next time there is a thunderstorm, from a safe place try it and then send me an e-mail and tell me how it came out.
PROJECT
Lightning In A Pan
Lightning is beautiful, dangerous, and mysterious. The same brilliant flashes that inspire poetry and paintings can cause city-wide power outages and raging forest fires. While the average lightning bolt is only about five kilometers long and the width of a finger, it heats the surrounding air to a temperature five times hotter than the surface of the Sun and produces enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for three months. Try this easy experiment to make your own miniature version of a lightning bolt.
You will need: an aluminum pie plate, a ball point pen, thumb tack, a wool sock, a piece of styrofoam.
Here are the Instructions:
1. Push the thumb tack up through the centre of the pie plate.
2. Push the end of the pen onto the tack. Secure it with glue if necessary.
3. Rub the styrofoam quickly with the wool sock.
4. Pick up the aluminum pie plate with the pen and put it down on top of the styrofoam. Be sure not to touch the pie plate with your hands.
5. Turn out the lights and slowly bring your finger close to the pie plate. You should hear, feel, and see a tiny spark.
What’s Happening
As you rub the styrofoam, it steals electrons from the wool and becomes negatively charged. Because like charges repel (move apart) and opposite charges attract (move together), the excess electrons on the styrofoam repel the electrons on the pie plate and push them to the top edge of the plate. The pen acts as an insulator, preventing the built-up charge from moving through you to the ground until you are ready. When you bring your finger close to the edge of the plate, the repelled electrons jump across the gap and escape through your body, giving you a small shock. When you turn off the lights, you should be able to see (as well as hear and feel) the discharge.
This is the last of A.J.’s Summer Weather School articles for this summer. The web page will be left up so students can use other weather experiments during the school year.
You can subscribe to the WSAZ First Warning Personal Forecast to receive severe weather e-mail alerts on your home and work computers by logging on to:
http://www.wsaz.com/signup.htm
Reach Adam Joseph at adam.josepf@wsaz.com.
"Lightning In A Pan" is Copyright © 2003 Peter Piper Publishing Inc. Used by eprmission All Rights ReservedCWAB Fund-raisers
"Golf Ball Dog"
These creatures take on a character of their own after careful customization. The "dogs" can be fashioned to represent virtually any sports team color combination! Reserve yours by calling 304-522-6991.
"Hanging Rock Rebel"
Lt. John Blue's war in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley
by Dan Oates - Narrated by Dave McLain
Relive the travels of Lt. Blue through the Battle of Gettysburg to life in four Confederate prisons.
"Spring 2001 Gospel Concert"
CWAB is offering its September 29, 2001 Gospel Concert on CD or tape. Featured performances by: Kayla Carter, Kermit Nance, Patty Aldridge, Lisa Blankenship, The Bible Apostolic Church Choir, and Redeemed.
These CWAB produced items make great gifts!
Call 522-6991, to place your order
Recipe of the month - Chocolate Cream Pie
From The Kitchen of Gerry Meadows
Crust: 1 cup plain flour, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup oil, (Crisco or vegetable oil), 3 to 4 Tbsp. cold water
Filling: 1 cup white sugar (less 2 Tbsp.), 3 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 cup canned milk, 1 cup water
Meringue: 3 egg whites, 6 Tbsp. sugar, 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1 Tbsp. water, 1/2 cup water
Last Three Ingredients: 3 egg yolks, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 Tbsp. margarine
Crust: Roll dough between two sheets of waxed paper, to fit a 9" pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 or 13 minutes.
Meringue: Mix cornstarch and waters together and boil until thick. Let cool to room temperature. Whip egg whites until stiff and gradually add sugar until very thick (stiff peaks). Now add cornstarch mixture and continue to whip until stiff. Make cornstarch mixture first and mix the meringue last.
Filling: Mix first six ingredients and boil until thick and boiling. Add a few spoons of hot pudding into the beaten egg yolks, and then add them to the boiling hot pudding, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add vanilla and 2 Tbsp. margarine. Pour into a baked pie shell. Put meringue on top and bake 350o for 30 to 35 minutes, until brown.
Control your assets after you are gone.
Please remember Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind when you write your will or would like to make other charitable gifts.
Gifts may be made In Memory of, In Honor of, In Celebration of, or other occasions or reasons. Your support is greatly appreciated.
All donations to CWAB are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact Paul Slone, Executive Director at (304) 522-6991.
GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE supporters
GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE supporters are important. They provide goods and services, and offer support for this publication in some small way. If, in the course of your day, you patronize one of our sponsors, please tell them you saw their name mentioned in the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE, and let them know how much you appreciate their support.
This month’s supporters are:
Marshall Hall of Fame Café 857 Third Ave., Huntington, WV. 697-9800 City National Bank 1900 Third Ave. Huntington, WV. 526-6200 El Haijj Salon & Spa 1119 20th Street Huntington, WV. 522-7553Call CWAB’s Services Division ofice at 522-6991,
ext. 15 to learn how you can be a supporter of the
GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE!
This is the end of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE text edition for October 2004.
All material contained on this website is the sole property of CWAB, Inc. and may not be copied, reprinted, or otherwise redistributed without the prior written consent of CWAB, Inc.
(C) 2000 CABELL-WAYNE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND
All Rights Reserved