On June 16, the UCB will host a day at Lagoon. The Rose Terrace has been reserved for your convenience. Bring your picnic or eat at the food concessions in the park. For this day only all-day ride passes will cost $25.30. However, if you just want to enter the park, picnic, and enjoy the entertainment and the Pioneer portion of the park you may use your coupon to enter free. Ride passes will be purchased at the front gate using a free coupon for the discount. Coupons for the ride discount or for free entrance can be obtained by mail from the UCB address or from Elaine Hall at the UCB office at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 N. 1950 W. SLC, Wednesdays 3:30-6:00 p.m. UTA travels to Lagoon. If your group drives you will be responsible for parking charges.

If there is enough interest, Bingo will be played and treats served at 1:00 p.m. at the Rose Terrace. For more information call the Utah Connection and leave your name and number. Look in the next issue for lunch possibilities to be announced.

Utah County Chapter Meeting

Remember that the Utah County Chapter of the UCB meets the second Saturday of every month at the church on 450 E. Center Street in Orem from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join us to make plans for future activities. Call Rod Bulloch at (801) 225-1835 for questions or transportation. Refreshments will be served.

UTA Letters

As many of you are all too aware, UTA is severely cutting its bus service as well as planning to raise its rates this summer. This will mean hardship for many. Some will lose service altogether and others will lose service to vital locations such as work and doctors. If you are one of these affected by these changes we want to hear from you. We need to hear what the change will mean to your life. We also wish to hear of problems you have had or are presently having with both UTA fixed route services as well as with the Paratransit service if you use it. For many of our readers this will not make a difference, but if you know someone who will be affected we want to hear about it. Write your story and send it to the address above or leave your name and number on the Utah Connection and someone will call you and write your story down over the phone.

We will use these stories to demonstrate the problems the current actions of UTA are creating for people who have no other choice for transportation. Thank you for getting involved.

Highland Games

Thanks to Rod Bulloch, for the first time ever, the UCB has been invited to attend the Highland Games at Thanksgiving Point on June 9, 2007. The UCB has chartered a bus which will begin picking up folks at the west side of the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake at 10:00 a.m. It will then proceed to the Rite Aid just off of North Temple and 900 West. The return trip will be at 3:30 p.m. and will back track the drop locations. Because of this special invitation entrance will only be $5 which you will pay at the gate. However, you need to leave your name and the name of those in your party on the Utah Connection to be sure of this discount. A list of these reservations will be left at the ticket gate to identify you as being with the UCB. More information on this event will also be left on the Connection. Young children will be free. You may drive your family or ride on the bus. To reserve a seat on the bus send your $5 to 1301 W. 500 S. Woods Cross, UT 84087 by June 5. There must be significant number in order to justify chartering of the bus.

The Highland Games is an annual event celebrating Scots and their traditions. There will be bag pipes, bands, highland flings, other dance competitions, and athletic competitions, as well as traditional foods and crafts. It should be great fun for the whole family. Join us for this day of Scottish culture and music. Lunch will be on your own at the Games. Bring money to shop and eat. Hope to see you there.

UCB Credit Union

Adaptive equipment loans for 3% are still available through the UCB Credit Union. That piece of adaptive technology may at long last be affordable to you with this assistance. Call (801) 220-0800 and ask for John or Teresa to learn more. The Credit Union also offers bill paying service. A 3.5% dividend was paid on savings and CD's are still available at 4% and up. Just call and talk to the fine folks at the office and learn how this unique Credit Union can assist you. Applications and other information can be found at www.ucbcreditunionfortheblind.org

Electronic Aids Available

You may now purchase the following talking items from the UCB: talking medical thermometers $10, talking bathroom scales $55 plus shipping and talking food scales $45 plus shipping. Of course, if you pick up the items, they will not have shipping. Place your order on line at ucbucc.org or call Mr. Rod Bulloch at (801) 225-1835 or leave your order on the Utah Connection.

How You Can Help the UCB

There is a fantastic opportunity for people who are between the ages of 70-90 to help the UCB. If you or a relative or friend fall into this age group, you are eligible for this exciting way to contribute to the programs and services of the organization. A large bank and a group of insurance companies have offered to buy annuities on individuals in this age group at no cost to the organization or the individual. The only contribution the individual must make is that of their name, age and evidence that they are willing to see that the contribution comes to the UCB. The UCB will receive a portion of the annuity if you agree to participate in this program. You agree to use your name for the annuity and designate the UCB as the recipient. With your help the UCB will be able to expand and or increase its services to people who are blind living in Utah.

The truly exciting thing is that the UCB will receive its portion of the annuity before anyone dies. This means that you will benefit from your generosity when you use the services of the UCB. No one has to die to contribute to the work of the UCB. What a marvelous way to help people who are blind at no monetary cost, with no impact on your estate and with yourself as one of those who benefits.

Too good to be true? Not at all. Congress recently passed the laws which make this possible. Even IRS cannot see a problem with this program. Please say yes when someone asks you to hear more about this terrific way to support your organization. Thank you for your support.

For information about the UCB look on the web at www.acb.org/utah

Cab Complaints

By Elaine Hall

There have been many complaints about drivers from both cab companies. I spoke with those responsible; they have both said that they need to know about problems as quickly as possible. Please notify them if you have difficulty ordering a ride or if a cab does not come when scheduled. Please let them know if a driver is discourteous. If there is any problem at all with your service from the cab company, they want to know so they can take the necessary disciplinary actions

For Yellow Cab Company contact Bonnie phone number 521-1856

For City Cab Company contact Dave or Bruce phone number 887-7792

They want to help you have a good ride.

Our wonderful Utah Opera

is graciously inviting people with visual impairment

to the dress rehearsal of

Ricky Ian Gordon’s Opera

The Grapes of Wrath

Based on John Steinbeck’s Classic Novel

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Doors open at 5:45 pm

Presentation begins promptly at 6:00 pm

Opera at 7:00 pm

The Capitol Theatre

50 West 200 South

This will be the western premier of a beautiful opera which Utah Opera describes as…”a journey with the Joad family during the Great Depression as they make their exodus from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to a ‘land of milk and honey’ in California. Composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s soaring and deeply-felt melodies combine with Steinbeck’s words to create a fitting musical setting for this American classic.”

This exciting event is offered free of charge to persons with visual impairment, plus one driver. At 6 PM, Education Director Paula Fowler and Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will talk about the opera, the staging, composer, costuming, and sets. Then, enjoy the production with large print or Braille programs and with headsets to describe the action on stage.

Reservations are required. Space is limited-call soon.

Moran Eye Center-Brenda-585-2213

or Utah Council of the Blind-Linda Braithwaite 532-5443

DEADLINE-Monday, May 7

The State Library for the Blind has taped copies of Grapes of Wrath.

The Library will also have large print and brailled copies of the libretto

and synopsis that can be mailed to you or picked up at the library.

Call the library soon for this service-715-6789

Touch Tours

Blind visitors to museum get a feel for art hands-on

By Jeremiah Stettler--The Salt Lake Tribune

A hands-off world became touchable Saturday as the blind received a first glimpse into the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. With blue latex gloves over their fingertips, these sightless visitors handled a statue of French King Louis XIV in Roman uniform, traced the skeletal frame of a horse made to resemble driftwood and tapped a statuette of a stone mason to hear the hollow thud of bronze.

“This is a chance to feel what everybody else gets to see," said visitor Matthew Barnhill.

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts played host to tours for 40 blind visitors Saturday, allowing for the first time a hands-on exploration of its exhibits. Kira Larkin, vice president of the Utah Council of the Blind, called it an advancement for the blind in an art world so often characterized by "No touching" signs.

Since childhood, Larkin said her exploration of museums has required rule breaking to find out what lies beyond the display ropes. On Saturday, those ropes came down.

"This time I don't have to fudge the rules," she said. "This time I can actually do it right."

With hands on shoulders and arms - some hands gripping the coats of the people in front of them - blind visitors meandered the museum's halls. They examined with curious fingers an eighth-century limestone Buddha and Greco-Roman statue of Aphrodite.

But the blind weren't the only ones intrigued. Mary Ann Samowitz, a guide for one of the tours, said she had longed to touch the driftwood frame (actually made of bronze) of a larger-than-life horse known as Rex. Until now, she couldn't.

"We are forever telling the children not to touch and to keep an arm's length away," she said. "We tell them that over and over again."

But Saturday, as patrons handled the exhibit for the first time, she did, too. "This is so exciting," she said.

The museum's accessibility coordinator, Jenny Woods, hopes to make touch tours a more common occurrence at the museum.

"It's a slightly different way of experiencing art," she said. "But it's certainly a great way to experience art."

Disabled and Unemployed?
ABC News Wants to Hear From You

Americans with disabilities are far more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than Americans without disabilities. The law says employers are supposed to make accommodations to help disabled workers manage in the workplace. But despite legal protections, disabled workers have higher unemployment rates and lower incomes than workers who are not disabled. Are you skilled, educated and able to work but unable to get hired? Do you think you have been discriminated against on the job as a result of your disability?

ABC News wants to hear from you. Tell us your story, and let us know if you are willing to be contacted by an ABC News producer. Be sure to include information regarding how we can reach you by phone during the day.

Tell your story at the ABC News website http://tinyurl.com/2ubagv

College Preparatory Training

We are now taking applications for the College Preparatory course, which will begin June 4, 2007, and end August 3, 2007. The curriculum is designed to evaluate the student's basic skills and to provide training needed for a successful college experience. This course may be taken as an intensive nine-week course or incorporated into a general program at Lions’ World Services for the Blind.

Throughout the course, students are given guidance for the often difficult transition into college life. The curriculum includes three general areas of training: academic, assistive technology and computer literacy, and psychological and social adjustment.

Academic Instruction - Students are taught note-taking skills, good study habits, library utilization, use of readers, instructor/student relationship, stress/time management, and college class selections. An LWSB counselor provides individual case management services.

Assistive Technology and Computer Literacy - All students can utilize training available in the state-of-the-art assistive technology and computer training area. The instruction and technology are adapted for each student's needs.

Psychological and Social Adjustment - Individual and group counseling is provided. Orientation and mobility instruction and counseling services are provided while on campus.

LWSB also provides a variety of organized recreational activities including hiking, swimming, water skiing, movies, plays, and other cultural and social activities. Students are taught how to balance recreation and study.

For referrals or more information contact:

Kristin Sangalli, Director of Admissions:

(501) 664-7100 (800) 248-0734

training@lwsb.org <mailto:training@lwsb.org>

www.lwsb.org <http://www.lwsb.org>

Bee Stings

If you're allergic to bee stings, you need to get to a doctor fast, or always carry your bee sting kit with you.

For everyone else, the next time you get stung put a penny on the sting for 15 minutes. The penny takes the sting out of the bite immediately. Somehow the copper in the penny counteracts the venom.

Food for Thought

How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

Jury Duty Scam

Most of us take the summons for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of scam has surfaced. Fall for it and your identity could be stolen, reports CBS.

In this con, someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Sometimes they even ask for credit card numbers. Give out any of this information and .... Bingo! Your identity has just been stolen.

The scam has been reported so far in 11 states. This scam is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they're with the court system.

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud. Here is a link that talks more about the scam. http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp.

SPICY SALAD

1 cucumber

1 green pepper

1 small onion

2 medium tomatoes

Chop vegetables and toss lightly with dressing.

Dressing

3 Tbsp. vinegar

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. chili powder

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (if desired)

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour over vegetables and gently toss.

New Candles

Country Fair candle fragrances are: Apple pie, pink lemonade, frosted cinnamon roll, fruit tart, carameled apple, blueberry muffin, homemade root beer, salt water taffy, banana cream pie, Cherry licorice

Here are the new candles. The company is starting with these on a 90 day trial to see which ones people like the most, then they will give us other fragrances to smell and buy.

The candles come in only one size for now --26-oz. for $16.95. Because the Country Fair line is new I will give 15 percent off. Time is short so call me with your order.

Mother's Day candle. This is a triple wick candle with three candles that go from one to the other. This only comes in 26-oz. for $16.95

Gardenia includes gardenia, musk, vanilla

Lavender Vanilla includes french vanilla, lavender,

Garden Lilac includes lilac, lavender, jasmine, wood

Wicky Wacky Candles

Sandy 801-282-1905, Cell: 801-634-8002

FCC Seeks Comment on Section 504

Although this has a lot of reference numbers through which you'll need to wade, it is about your opportunity to comment on the government's need to make materials accessible. You may, therefore, wish to read all the way to the end. This came from the NCD News list serve which Mark Quigley moderates.—Terri Lynn Pomeroy

This message is sent as a courtesy from the National Council on Disability.

Questions should be directed to the Federal Communications Commission. Thank you.

THE CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION’S POLICIES AND PRACTICES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

CG Docket No. 03-123

PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED

Comments Due: May 22, 2007

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) initiates review of the Commission’s policies and practices under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

[1] Pursuant to Section 1.1810 of the Commission’s rules, this Public Notice seeks comment on the accessibility of the Commission’s programs and activities.

[2] The Commission’s rules mandate that it conduct a review of its current policies and practices in view of advances in relevant technology and achievability every three years.

[3] The Commission’s rules also require that the Section 504 Handbook

[4] be updated at least every three years.

[5] Therefore, the Bureau further initiates review of the Section 504 Handbook, which contains procedures for releasing documents, holding meetings, receiving comments, and for other aspects of Commission programs and activities to achieve accessibility.

[6] The Bureau seeks comment on the overall accessibility of the Commission’s activities and programs. This includes, but is not limited to, the availability of sign language interpreters, physically accessible buildings and meeting spaces, Braille documents, assistive listening devices, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), captioning, and other forms of reasonable accommodation for access to Commission programs and activities.

[7] The Commission further seeks comment on the procedures set forth in the Section 504 Handbook, pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules,

[8] interested parties may file comments on or before May 22, 2007. All comments must reference CG Docket No. 03-123. Comments may be filed

using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies.

See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).

* Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments.

* Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number.

* Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

* The Commission’s contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building.

* Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.

* U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

* Pursuant to section 1.1810(b) of the Commission’s rules, “Written comments shall be signed by the commenter or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf. The signature of the commenter, or signature of someone authorized by the commenter to do so on his or her behalf, shall be provided on print comments. Comments in audio, Braille, electronic, and/or video formats shall contain an affirmative identity statement of the individual, which for this purpose shall be considered to be functionally equivalent to a commenter’s signature.”

[9] A copy of this document and any subsequently filed documents in this matter will be available during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-0270. This document and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor at their website,

http://www.bcpiweb.com, or by calling 1-800-378-3160. A copy of the submission may also be found by searching on the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at http://www.fcc.gov.cgb/ecfs. (insert CG Docket No. 03-123 into the Proceeding block).

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This document can also be downloaded in Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro

For further information, please contact Diane Mason, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at (202) 418-7126 (voice), (202) 418-7828 (TTY), or e-mail at Diane.Mason@fcc.gov.

APPENDIX A

47 C.F.R. § 1.1810. Review of Compliance.

(a) The Commission shall, beginning in 2004 and at least every three years thereafter, review its current policies and practices in view of advances in relevant technology and achievability. Based on this review, the Commission shall modify its practices and procedures to ensure that the Commission’s programs and activities are fully accessible.

(b) The Commission shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in the review process by submitting comments. Written comments shall be signed by the commenter or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf. The signature of the commenter, or signature of someone authorized by the commenter to do so on his or her behalf, shall be provided on print comments. Comments in audio, Braille, electronic, and/or video formats shall contain an affirmative identity statement of the individual, which for this purpose shall be considered to be functionally equivalent to a commenter’s signature.

(c) The Commission shall maintain on file and make available for public inspection for four years following completion of the compliance review –

(1) A description of areas examined and problems identified;

(2) All comments and complaints filed regarding the Commission’s

compliance; and

(3) A description of any modifications made.

Appendix B

47 C.F.R. § 1.1805. Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook.

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau shall publish a “Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook”(“Section 504 Handbook”) for Commission staff, and shall update the Section 504 Handbook as necessary and at least every three years. The Section 504 handbook shall be available to the public in hard copy upon request and electronically on the website. The Section 504 Handbook shall contain procedures for releasing documents, holding meetings, receiving comments, and for other aspects of Commission programs and activities to achieve accessibility. These procedures will ensure that the Commission presents a consistent and complete accommodation policy pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 794, as amended. The Section 504 Handbook is for internal staff use and public information only, and is not intended to create any rights, responsibilities, or independent cause of action against the Federal Government.

[1] See 29 U.S.C. § 794.

[2] 47 C.F.R. § 1.1810.

[3] Id.

[4] See Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs & Activities Accessibility Handbook (Section 504 Handbook). The Section 504 Handbook is available in Word, PDF, Text, HTML and Braille at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section_504.html

[5] See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1805.

[6] Id.

[7] See Section 504 Handbook at 2.

[8] 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419.

[9] 47 C.F.R. § 1.1810(b).

UCB Contact Information

Newsletter Submissions:

Linda Braithwaite, Editor

8 Hillside Ave., Unit 405

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Telephone: 801-532-5443

e-mail: kitten87@sisna.com

(Submission deadlines are the 10th of each month unless specifically announced otherwise. E-mail or disk submissions are preferred, but submissions can be accepted typewritten, in Braille, or on cassette tape. No handwritten material, please.)

General Correspondance:

Utah Council of the Blind

1301 West 500 South

Woods Cross, UT 84087

Telephone: 801-292-1156

e-mail: lgertsch@comcast.net

Cab Coupons:

UCB

C/o Elaine Hall

1120 N. Topaz Dr.

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

(Coupons may also be purchased in person at the UCB office at DSBVI, 250 N. 1950 W., Salt Lake City, UT, from 3:30 until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons.)

Board of Directors:

President: Bernece Stradley 801-266-4915 nece@networld.com

Vice President: Kira Larkin 801‑281-1993

Secretary: Cindi L. Vega 801‑265-1916 vega1223@sisna.com

Treasurer: John England 801-282-1905

Director: Tammie Hansen 801-265-3460 tammiehansen73@msn.com

Director: Belva Frandsen 801-566-4908

Director: Michael Lisle Smith 801-933-5827 lisle@att.net

Director: Todd Stephens 801-876-2027 tstephens@mstar.net

Director: Cordie Weed 801-298-6330

Director: Grace Goff 801-706-2076

Director: Sandy England 801-282-1905

Executive Director: Leslie H. Gertsch 801-292-1156 lgertsch@comcast.net

Thanks to:

Diana Murphy for maintaining the membership database—contact her at 277-9365 if you move, need to change formats for the UCB Flier or the Braille Forum, or for dues questions

Anna Jeffery for distribution of the print Flier

Cordie Weed for duplication and distribution of the tape Flier

Leslie Gertsch for production and distribution of the Braille and disk Flier

Board Meetings:

Members are encouraged to attend board meetings, which are held the third Friday of each month, excluding July and December, at 5:00 p.m. at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 N. 1950 W., Salt Lake City, UT. Call the Utah Connection at 801-299-0670 or 800-273-4569 to check for occasional schedule changes or additional meeting announcements.

The UCB Flier is available in large print, Braille, cassette tape, computer disk, or MS Word e-mail attachment. For address changes or to receive your magazine in a different format, please use the general correspondence information above.

Utah Council of the Blind FREE MATTER

1301 West 500 South FOR THE BLIND

Woods Cross, UT 84087-2224 AND DISABLED