This is the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE text edition for March 2005.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Inc.

Major funding provided by the Teubert (pronounced Tue-bert) Foundation

Volume 16, Issue 3

March 2005

In this issue: Mission and Vision Statements, GP Narrator Of The Month, New Handbook, From the "Director’s Desk", Building Model, MU Basketball, Accessible Cell Phones, Using 211, Nance in NY, Easter Eggs Coming, Rummage/Bake Sale, Easter Eggs Coming, New Audiobooks, Baked Steak Dinner, Potting Party, Valentine’s Social, Irish Myths, Recipe of the Month, Recreational Activities, Bowling Scores, Support Groups, Shopping Dates Set, Fund-raising Items, Control Your Assets, GP Supporters, Tasty Event, Bowling Tourney, Radio Outreach, CWAB Services,

A wintery scene is featured with the title in large print "Brrrr .... it’s cold!  But Spring Will Soon Be Here!"

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind

Mission and Vision Statements

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.

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

The GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE narrator base continues to grow. This month, we turn to a CWAB staff member - and that is In-Home Services coordinator Toni Walls.

Toni loves working with people and often volunteers to record CWAB’s grocery "hotline."

"The goal of In-Home Services is to provide needed assistance to our consumers, allowing them to live as independently as possible," Walls says.

"This has been a fun experience. I hope the readers enjoy it," she added.

For information on In-Home Services, call the Services Division office at 522-6991.

There is a photo with this article. It features Toni Walls as she sits at her desk with her hands on the computer keyboard. She is facing the camera and is broadly smiling.

Consumer Handbook Now Available

When taking a trip, a roadmap is always handy - it’s a guide to help you find your way. The same can be said of CWAB’s newly redesigned and reformatted consumer handbook.

The handbook, freely available to every consumer, tells how to receive services, gives brief program descriptions, and provides program specific contact information. To receive a copy, call 522-6991.

There is a graphic representation of the front cover of the new consumer handbook with this article. The cover has the word "handbook" in large letters from the bottom upwards on the left side of the page. "Cabell-Wayne Consumer Handbook" appears above the CWAB logo, while "Spring 2005" is centered underneath.

"From the Director’s Desk"

Hello Everyone!

I want to begin this month by congratulating Patricia Aldridge and Dana Horan for being selected as "King" and "Queen" at our annual Valentine Social which was held Friday, February 11th. The event was a tremendous success with everyone enjoying good food, music, and games. (Pictures appear in this issue). The staff did an outstanding job pulling everything together!

Spring will be here soon and we have a lot of activities planned. Those include: A baked steak dinner March 4th, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast March 19th, Rummage and Bake sale April 1st - 2nd, Employee Appreciation dinner, the annual Potting Party Friday, May 6th, and the annual consumer vs. staff bowling tournament on May 21st. As you can see, we have activities planned for everyone’s taste. For information on these events, please feel free to call the Services Division office at 522-6991.

Until next month .....

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.

There is a quarter-page photo with this article. CWAB Director Paul Slone is shown standing in front of a moded of the new CWAB Technology Center.

Marshall 2004-2005 Basketball Schedule

March 2 @Akron 7 p.m.

March 5 Miami 7 p.m.

Call 1-800-THE HERD or visit for more details.

Visit the CWAB concession stand during EVERY home game!

Cell Phones Use For The Blind and Visually impaired

Jerry Crabtree

CWAB Media-Marketing Manager

Personally, I am a "power user," especially when it comes to electronics. I like to use the "latest & greatest" with all the cool "bells and whistles" a device can muster - whether it’s my home PC or a cell phone, I’ll find something interesting to do with it.

Being a visually impaired individual, there are several things that irk me about most consumer electronics - mainly the manuals. Not only do manufacturers like to give you a "bare bones" booklet about the mega-buck device you just bought, they take for granted you have the eyesight of a fighter pilot! Sometimes the print is so small even my magnifying glass can’t enlarge it enough to make it out. Here’s where my curiosity starts - lets see now - output to input - setup - tools - trial and error - you get the picture.

This article really began as frustration about my cellular service provider charging for 411 calls - directory assistance. Being a residential Verizon customer and being visually impaired, my home 411 calls are waived by the company. Then, why can’t cell phone companies do the same? One guess - money.

The average 411 cost for cell users ranges from $.80 to $1.25 each depending on the service. That, my friend adds up. A recent cell bill had nearly $10 in 411 charges alone!

Placing informative calls to the cell phone provider about this matter revealed no results. Calls to 411 got the same response. Each refering my question to the other. Ho, hum, the bureaucratic run-around. And I thought that only happened in politics!

Luckily I knew that Cingular had purchased AT&T Wireless. A brief trip to the Cingular website (www.cingular.com) and a brief search brought some promising information to light.

The "about us" link at the very top of the page brought me to a company information page. A brief scan of the page revealed a "Disabilities Resources" link, which in turn gave way to a page revealing "Cingular’s Commitment":

"At Cingular, accessibility is more than a word — it's a commitment to our customers with disabilities, to provide the wireless products and services they need, and to anticipate and meet their communication needs. From working with vendors and the Wireless Access Task Force on accessibility solutions to providing alternate billing formats, we're committed to helping this important group of Cingular customers."

Underneath you will find the following"

Product and Service Highlights

General Resources

Of particular interest was the "TALKS by Cingular Wireless Software," the "National Center for Customers with Disabilities," and the "411 Directory Assistance" references.

TALKS by Cingular Wireless Software

Ever wish you could have the screen reading capability on your wireless phone that you have on your computer? Well now you can with TALKS by Cingular Wireless—unique speech-enabling software that essentially turns the new Nokia 6620 handset into a talking mobile phone.

The software itself is stored on a Multi Media Card (MMC) that is inserted in the phone similar to the insertion of a SIM card. Once inserted, this software runs in the background and translates screens, keystrokes, menu selections, etc. into speech output that is audible via the handset speaker or a connected headset, thereby making most phone functions accessible for customers with visual disabilities. This software can tell you if email or text messages have arrived, what calls you've missed and most other key screen functions—all things that before now were only accessibility "wish list" items.

So what exactly can TALKS and the Nokia 6620 facilitate? Specifically, once activated on the Cingular Wireless network, this TALKS/ Nokia 6620 combination will allow our customers with visual disabilities to:

While the TALKS/Nokia 6620 combination may not be for everyone, if you currently use a screen reader, consider yourself somewhat technically savvy, and are willing to undertake the usual new technology learning curve, this product may be exactly what you need to harness the full potential of your phone.

The 6620 is $219.99 after a mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract. The TALKS oprgram is $199 - with a $199 rebate if the customer signs a 2-year contract.

National Center for Customers with Disabilities

The National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD), based in Little Rock, AR, is Cingular’s specialized customer service for alternate billing format such as Braille or large print, as well as questions regarding the Voice Connect Exemption Program and the new TALKS Rebate Program. Representatives are knowledgeable on equipment and accessories, features and services and can help blind or visually impaired customers find a calling plan that fits them best.

Contact the NCCD at 1-866-241-6568.

411 directory assistance

Ah ha! Paydirt! A call to the NCCD as mentioned previously put me in touch with a very friendly and very knowledgeable Cingular representative who informed me that as a customer of Cingular I could receive a $15 a month credit toward my 411 calls placed on a Cingular service cell phone. Although not exactly free - it was the best alternative yet to reduced rate or free 411 directory assistance calls using a cel phone.

The obvious drawback is the price - $400 total for the phone and software. There has to be a better solution. There might be.

Not being one to give up on just one try, I visited the Verizon Wireless website (www.verizonwireless.com), again clicking on the "about us" link showed an "accessibility" option.

The Verizon Wireless Commitment:

"At Verizon Wireless, we are committed to providing wireless products and services that are accessible to all people, including individuals with disabilities. We continue to work with our vendors and suppliers to encourage them to develop and offer solutions that will enable Verizon Wireless’ products and services to be more accessible to all."

Items of particular interest on this page are the "Voice Commands and Text to Speech features" and the "411 Assistance."

Voice Commands and Text to Speech features

Here Verizon offers a LG VX4500 phone with many features easily accessible for the blind and visually impaired. Features include:

The phone is available for $39.99 with a two-year agreement and $89.99 with a one-year agreement. Unlike Cingular’s offer of TALKS with the Nokia 6620, the Verizon/LG combination has speech software built into the phone - no need to purchase additional software.

411 Assistance

Verizon does offer individuals who have residential service with their company exemption from 411 charges. However, since Verizon Wireless service is currently unavailable in West Virginia, it is difficult to determine what, if any, 411 related charges might be assessed with the Verizon Wireless service. It has been suggested that in as little as six months the service will be available in our area. But for now it’s just a wait and see game.

Given this small amount of research, I personally would rather use the LG VX4500. There are plusses and minuses on both phones. But all-in-all, I think ultimately, the price would be the determining factor in the final product decision.

Do your homework, know the capabilities of the phone of which you are interested - and KNOW YOUR PROVIDER’S CALLING PLANS!!

It is definitely clear that cell phone use for the blind and visually impaired user is coming into its own.

Some information from:

There are two graphics with this article. On the bottom of the right-hand page there are two photos. The photo on the left is the Nokia 6620 phone, on the right, the LG VX4500.

Dial 211 when you don’t know who to call

By CURTIS JOHNSON - The Herald-Dispatch

Thursday, February 10, 2005

HUNTINGTON -- Dispatchers hope West Virginia’s new 211 service will reduce the amount of non-emergency calls to 911.

The service provides residents a live operator sitting in front of a large database ready to give information concerning basic health, human and youth services, said spokesperson Trina Bartlett.

These important, but not urgent, requests often account for about 25 percent of the telephone calls answered by Cabell County 911 dispatchers, said Training Coordinator Mike Tatum. Those calls include questions about governmental telephone numbers and upcoming events.

"Any 911 call can ultimately be a life-threatening emergency," he said. "(Non-essential calls) take away your time, and the next phone call that could be a true emergency."

The state hopes to officially launch the statewide, information service Friday, even though it has been operational since its "soft launch" in November.

West Virginia is the nation’s eighth state to implement a statewide 211 system and the first to do it without governmental funds financing its operation.

Bartlett said operators provided 2,683 pieces of information between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. She expects "several thousand" calls once residents hear of its existence.

"We’re predicting pretty heavy usage for it," she said.

Operators for the 211 system will be stationed at a call center in Weirton, W.Va. From there, calls will be transferred to the resident’s local information referral service during business hours. The operators will tap into their database to provide information for after-hours calls.

Francie Roberts-Buchanan, director of Cabell County’s Information Referral service, said she does not expect any major changes and is pleased to partner with the statewide program. She said the partnership will allow rural Wayne County residents to use the toll-free 211 telephone number to contact her office.

"These are the same people that have been calling us for 25 years," Roberts-Buchanan said. "The advantage to us is that we are now part of a statewide partnership and to see that all residents have access to services."

The 211 database will have contact information for numerous nonprofit groups. That includes telephone numbers for food banks, relief shelters, counseling, insurance programs, Head Start, job training, financial assistance and scouting.

Shirley Lawson, 911 director for Cabell County, joined Tatum in hoping the service alleviates some unnecessary calls.

"(The 211 system) to me is just like 411 is for information," Lawson said. "They will not tell you the phone number for John Smith of Charleston, but they will give the telephone number for a food bank in Charleston, Huntington or anywhere else in the state."

Bartlett said a $180,000 state Department of Health and Human Resources grant funded the development of the statewide database, but she does not anticipate tax dollars paying for the service’s operation.

"We are making every effort at this point to find nongovernmental sources of funding," she said.

Bartlett hopes private foundations and commercial entities will contribute to 211’s operation.

For example, the 211 operators will be employed by Lauttamus Communications of Weirton. Bartlett said that partnership should be a model for other for-profit groups.

"It’s a true partnership between the nonprofit social service community and the for-profit business community," she said.

Bartlett hopes additional grants and funding will cover 211’s toll-free telephone service, staffing database development, training and marketing.

Nance Visits New York

During a recent trip to the "Big Apple", CWAB Computer Instructor Kermit Nance took time from visiting daughter Alisa to do a little sight-seeing. The tour took them to one of New York’s financial district’s famous landmarks - "The Charging Bull."

The 7,000 pound bronze bull sculpted by Arturo Di Modica in a two year period following the stock market crash of 1987 was left by the artist in front of the New York Stock Exchange in the early hours of December 15, 1989. Di Modica says the monument was meant to stand as an icon of the strength, power and hope of the American people. It was quickly shunted to a police impound lot.

Media attention roused the public to call for the return of the bull and the New York City Parks Department found this strategic spot at Broadway at Bowling Green for an icon embodying Wall Street's optimism.

There are two photos with this article. The first, as mentioned a half-page photo of "the bull". The second, a near full=-page photo of Nance standing beside a nearly two-story tall statue of president George Washington. The words "The Medici on Wall Street" appear on a banner on the left side of the picture.

Announcing CWAB’s Semi-Annual Rummage & Bake Sale

Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2^nd from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at CWAB’s Services Division office - 38 Washington Ave., Huntington, WV.

To donate items (no clothing except baby clothes) or for more information, please call 522-6991.

Shop early for best selection!

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind announces Easter Eggs Are Coming!

Beginning Tuesday, February 15th, CWAB’s Services Division will make available peanut butter filled Easter Eggs as a fund-raiser for the organizations building fund. These four-inch eggs will sell for $3 each.

Please call ahead to place your orders - 522-6991.

There is a half-page size up-close photo of an actual egg that is being sold.

Media Library Adds Audiobooks

CWAB’s Services Division has new audio books donated. They are:

Remembrance by Jude Deveraux

Diana -The Last Year by Donald Spoto

A Return to Christmas by Chris Heimerdinger

The Ghost by Danielle Steel

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Old Songs in a New Cave by Robert James Waller

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

This Year It Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy

To Love This Life by Helen Keller

I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind hosts a Baked Steak Dinner Friday, March 4^th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Services Division Activities Room, 38 Washington Ave, Huntington, WV.

MENU: Baked Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Dessert

Donation of: $5.00 for the meal.

Limited Local Delivery Will Be Available.

Please call 522-6991 for orders by Tuesday, March 1^st.

Potting Party Planned

The annual CWAB potting party is set for Friday, May 6th begining at noon.

Call the Services Division office at 522-6991 to make your plans to atend!

There is a photo with this item. A CWAB consumer is shown placing a plant in a pot during last year’s event.

Valentine Social Held

CWAB’s Valentine Social is one of the most popular events as over sixty consumers and their guests attended the annual event Friday, February 11th.

Everyone was treated to a festively decorated room filled with balloons, streamers, lights, and table decorations all revealing a red and white Valentine theme.

Dana Horan and Patricia Aldridge were crowned this year’s "King" and "Queen."

This article features seven photos, the first of which is a full page photo with the caption, "Brenda Blake (left) and Victor Milner enjoy a dance during CWAB’s Valentine Scoial Friday, February 11^th." On the next page there are six photos - the top photo is rectangular in size an dshows a wide view of the room as everyone is enjoying themselves, while the final five photos are arranged in a clover design with the sixth picture in the middle. Each of these pictures capture highlights of the party with the "King and Queen" photograph in the middle.

Irish Myths and Legends

Fairies

Fairies are said to be very beautiful, with long yellow hair & perfect delicate forms. They love milk and honey and drink flower nectar as their fairy wine. The fairies can assume any form & can make horses out of straw. They have the power to affect human life, especially unbaptized children. Fairies also love music, often luring mortals into an eternal dance with their piping & singing.

Leprechaun

Irish fairy. looks like a small old man (approx 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker with a cocked hat & a leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof, unfriendly, live alone, & pass the time making shoes...they also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun, he vanishes & all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

Banshees

Banshee is Irish for fairy woman who’s sharp cries and wails are also called 'keen'. The wail of a banshee announces a mortal's death. She is solitary woman, mourning and forewarning those only of the best families in Ireland, those with most ancient Celtic lineages, whose names begin with 'Mac/Mc' or 'O'. Each Banshee has her own mortal family.

When a member of the beloved race is dying, she paces the dark hills and sharply contrasts against the night's blackness.

White Lady of Sorrow some people name her, and Lady of Death. Unseen, banshees attend the funerals of the beloved dead. Although, sometimes she can be heard wailing, her voice blending in with the mournful cries of others.

Blarney stone

The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians & William III's troops).

The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly & convincingly. It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall & the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back & bend backward, holding iron bars for support.

Shamrock

When Ireland was the land of Druids, there was a Bishop, Patrick by name who was loved everywhere he went, but one day however, a group came to him and admitted it was difficult for them to believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. St. Patrick reflected a moment, then stooping down, he plucked a shamrock and held it before them bidding them to behold the living example of the "Three-In-One." The simple beauty of this explanation convinced these skeptics and from that day the shamrock has been revered throughout Ireland.

There is a quarter-page artwork graphic with this article showing an Irish dressed couple kicking up their heels dancing.

Recipe of the Month

(For the Irish)

"Pot of Gold Soup" From:

http://www.butlerrec.com

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 small onion, chopped

4 medium potatoes, cubed

4 chicken bouillon cubes

1 1/2 cups milk

3 cups chopped cabbage

2 cups corned beef, cut into bite-size pieces

Instructions:

In a Dutch oven, melt butter and cook onion until soft. Add the potatoes, bouillon cubes, and just enough water to cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. With a potato masher, puree the potatoes until smooth. Add the milk, cabbage, and corned beef, and simmer another 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

CWAB Recreational Activities

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.

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.

Bowling is a fun, non-athletic sport. Experience is not necessary to have a good time!

At least four consumers are needed. Volunteers are also welcome.

For more information, call Linda Worthy at 522-6991.

Recent consumer high scores include: Eddy Adkins, 183; William White, 146; Brandon Grayson, 146; Bill Waybright, 142; Bill Sayre, 142; Harvey Green, 120; Ronnie Kinser, 111; Christi Blankenship, 107; Nancy Harless, 99.

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.

Services Division Sets Shopping Dates

As a regularly scheduled activity, CWAB’s Services Division offers consumers free group transportation to shop at local Wal-Mart stores.

Date will be announced at the monthly association meeting. The following schedule has been set for the 2005 shopping year:

• March South Point, Ohio

• April Rt. 60

• May South Point, Ohio

• June Rt. 60

• July South Point, Ohio

• August Rt. 60

• September South Point, Ohio

• October Rt. 60

• November South Point, Ohio

• December Rt. 60

CWAB Fund-raising Merchandise

"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.

Contact Paul Slone, Executive Director at (304) 522-6991.

Club Announces Tasty Event

The East Huntington Kawanis Club has announced March 19th to be the date for their annual pancake breakfast. The day-long event, as usual, will be held at Veterans Memoral Field House on 5th Ave. The meal will consist of pancakes (of course!) sausage, and a drink.

CWAB consumers will be attending beginning 10 a.m. Transportation will be provided and deadline to make pick-up appointments is Friday, March 11th.

Please call 522-6991 for more details..

Attention

The annual bowling tournament usually held on the same day as the pancake breakfast has been moved to May 21st!

"Bowling has become so popular, and transportation is already stretched to the limit with people attending the pancake breakfast, we thought a separate date would be appropriate," stated Paul Slone CWAB’s Executive Director. "This change should allow everyone to enjoy these events without feeling rushed to get from one event to the other."

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind Services

TRANSPORTATION - Getting around is a major roadblock to the blind and visually impaired. Consumers are offered free transportation to work, doctor's appointments, shopping, group activities, and more. Limited vision no longer means limited transportation.

ORIENTATION & MOBILITY - Maneuverability is THE most frustrating issue for the blind and visually impaired. CWAB's O&M program utilizes a variety of techniques to guide consumers through everything from public transportation to local shopping malls. Orientation and Mobility is your key to the world.

REHABILITATION - Don't let vision loss affect your day-to day activities. Whether its cooking, using the telephone, or just knowing what time it is, CWAB's Rehabilitation program can provide you with a number it devices and techniques that will truly enrich your life.

COMPUTER TRAINING - Training is the key to taking advantage of computer technology. Utilizing keyboard keystroke combinations and enhancement software, the student learns to complete a variety of tasks sighted computer users take for granted. Limited vision should not limit your technical training. Computer Training can open your world.

ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY - A CCTV is a tool which can be used to magnify books, newspapers, and magazine print to the size of a regular television screen allowing individuals- with limited vision the ability to enjoy reading again. Adaptive technology can bring you back to the world, and the world to you.

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