The UCB
Flier
A publication of
Utah Council
of the Blind
January
2017
For the latest news
updates call the Utah Connection 801-299-0670 or 1‑800-273-4569. (You may
also leave a message at the end of the announcement.)
Mail
correspondence to: UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415. E-mail us at info@utahcounciloftheblind.org.
In This
Issue
President's Message.................................................................................. 1
Upcoming
Events for UCB.......................................................................... 2
Calling All Chocolate Lovers................................................................... 2
For the Snow Bunnies Among Us........................................................... 3
St. Patrick's Day Celebration.................................................................. 3
State Training Conference...................................................................... 3
Yellow Cab of
Ogden Announces New Services........................................ 4
Narrated
Movies Available from the UCB................................................... 4
Mark the Date
and Spread the Word!!!....................................................... 4
Results of
the National Audio Description Survey...................................... 5
ACB
Scholarships...................................................................................... 7
The UCB
Credit Union Has A New Name.................................................. 7
Light in the
Shadows: Feelings About Blindness DB19874........................ 7
Latest
Calendar with Updates.................................................................... 8
General UCB
Information........................................................................... 9
Membership
Drive.................................................................................... 10
Greetings UCB Friends,
Well, we are now full into the holiday season. I love this time of year. I love the change of seasons, the smells in the air and the feelings of gratitude for others.
The UCB held its annual budget meeting and we have successfully budgeted for all of our programs and committees. We are excited for the new year.
We are looking forward to the 2017 National Conference and Convention of the American Council of the Blind which happens next July. It will be held in Reno, which is pretty darn close to us.
We also discussed our state training conference with a focus on technology.
You can also look forward to more great activities. TerriLynne has done a great job with a wide variety of activities and we are looking forward to next year.
I want to thank all of you who have purchased things on Amazon Smile as well as Smith's. When your accounts are linked to the UCB we receive small donations, and every bit counts.
It was fun to see many of you at our Christmas Party Saturday, December 3. Cordie Weed and her committee did a great job. The program focused on Christmas around the world. It was fun and interesting to listen to presentations by people from several other countries.
Until next time keep smiling.
--Anna Jeffery
President, Utah Council of the Blind
Mark your calendars and plan to attend events now scheduled for January through April.
On Saturday, January 28th, come to DSBVI to hear the story of Mrs. Cavanaugh's candy business. The current owner, daughter of the original owners, will be telling us the story and sharing samples with us. There will also be lots of chocolate for sale--just in time for Valentine's Day. The program will begin at 10 a.m., will be followed by lunch, and will wrap up by 1:00 p.m. We must receive your reservations by January 23rd. Send your name, telephone number, the number in your party, and payment for $5.00 per person to: UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415.
On Saturday, February 18th, we have the opportunity for a winter adventure with Splore. We can choose snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Snowshoeing is a little more like hiking. On the other hand, cross country skiing is more of a sliding motion. You use poles to balance yourself for both types of activity. If you have a preference, please let your thoughts be known by calling TerriLynne at 801-299-8522 or e-mailing tl1@ml1.net. We will be meeting at DSBVI at 9:00 a.m. to go to the mountains, and will be returning to the center by about 4:30 p.m. The cost for this activity is $15.00. There will also be a lodge where you can take a break and have lunch or a hot drink. The cost for your food and drink will be on your own. Money needs to be received by Monday, February 6th. The number of people who can participate is limited, so the earlier you get your money in, the more likely that you can participate.
On Saturday, March 18th, we have an Irish experience planned for you. It will be held at DSBVI at 10:00 a.m. and will include lunch. More details next month.
In April, on Saturday the 15th, we will be having an education day! Our focus will be on technology. We are looking for ways technology impacts the lives of all of us from thermometers to computers. It should be fun and informative.
Yellow Cab of Ogden is now offering runs from Ogden to the Salt Lake City Airport. To learn more, call 801-394-9411.
The UCB now has narrated movies on VHS tapes for your use. If you have a VHS player, you can borrow these movies for two weeks at a time to watch over and over again. If there is a particular title you wish to view please call the Utah Connection and make a request. Leave your phone number so we can call you back and talk to you about the availability of the particular movie. Remember that most of these are older movies. There is nothing like a narrated movie. You can actually tell what is happening. We will mail the movies to you. You can have them for up to two weeks and then mail them back. If we get any movies on DVD we will let you know.
On Friday, March 10th, the Ogden Association of the Blind 2017 Spring Gala dinner and fundraiser, "Planting Seeds For The Future", will be held at Ogden's historic Union Station. This evening of fun will get underway at 6:00 p.m. and include dinner, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 drawing, entertainment and much much more. Come celebrate with us and help us make this one of the premier social events of 2017. Proceeds will benefit the Ogden Association of the Blind, the oldest continuously operating chartered organization in Ogden.
Hope to see all of you there.
Chris L. Green
Board Member
Ogden Association of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) indentifies
major demand for the increase in available audio-described programming carried
through television broadcast, satellite, and cable programming. The findings
come after ACB held a national survey on described audio content that had more
than 479 respondents.
The study painted an interesting portrait of the
use of audio description for television, with responses coming from Americans
who were blind, visually impaired, or had other relationships to Americans with
vision loss. Findings indicated that three out of four respondents felt the
current amount of available audio-described content was significantly below
demand, and other obstacles still exist for accessing currently available
content.
· 91% of respondents reported listening to audio
description in the past, with 69.7% blind, 21.1% visually impaired, and 8.2%
sighted.
· 75.3% of respondents strongly agree to a greater
amount of audio-described programming is needed.
· Almost half (45%) were having difficulty in finding
programs with audio description.
· More than half, 53% of respondents, were over the
age of 50, with one-third between the ages of 50 and 64.
· Breakdown of data showed overwhelming majority of
use, regardless of the degree of vision loss, with nine out of ten being blind
and eight out of ten partially sighted.
· More than three-quarters of respondents who were
sighted reported using audio description in the household, noting among the
reasons being other disabilities or roommates who were blind as a factor.
· One respondent who reported having no visual
impairment but was autistic said that audio description is used in conjunction
with closed captioning, in order to better assist with following the content.
Described audio programming is not just for
individuals who are totally blind, but significantly used within the
low-vision/partially sighted community. With this in mind, the Center for
Disease Control (COULDC) reports through their Vision Health Initiative (VHI)
that the current number of legally blind Americans is 3.4M, while over 21M have
visual impairment even with corrective lenses, and an estimated 80M have
potentially blinding diseases like diabetes. The COULDC reports that this
number will likely double by 2030.
Past studies have shown that over 75% of
individuals who are blind or have significant vision loss live in a household
with more than one individual. Understanding this, ACB recognizes that a
notable share of American households will be appreciably impacted, requiring
that greater steps be taken to make homes more universally accessible.
Television provides a window into the outside world, and while the COULDC's VHI
acknowledges that increased morbidity, depression, and other factors that
prevent social inclusion are greater for individuals with severe vision loss,
ACB as well as the UCB encourages any action that can be taken to improve the
quality of life through universal access in a manner that creates equal
participation and inclusion in American society.
ACB asserts that the demand for audio description
will continue to rise for the next two decades. Furthermore, the need will be
greatest within households having residents 50 years or older. According to
industry data from 2015, this demographic is the most loyal to the cable
industry, with 83% of Americans over age 50 subscribing to cable, compared to
only 65% for younger adults who are leaving cable for alternative viewing
experiences. The more audio-described programming that is able to be televised
via broadcast, satellite, and cable, then the greater the benefit for an
increasingly growing segment of Americans. The UCB is on board with this study
and in support of legislation which promotes audio description. Please let your
congressman and senators know what you think. Does it help you?
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) annually awards approximately 20 scholarships ranging in amounts from $1,000 to $2,500 to entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate college students who are legally blind, maintain a 3.3 GPA and are involved in their school/local community.
Applications may be submitted beginning November 1, 2016, and all materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 15, 2017.
To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an on-line application, please visit www.acb.org/scholarship-application.
If you are interested in applying, or know someone who is, please contact Dee Theien by phone at (612) 332-3242 or by email at dtheien@acb.org for more information.
We look forward to receiving your application materials!
The UCB Credit Union is now called The Credit Union for Blind and Visually Impaired of Utah. Everything else about the Credit Union is the same. Remember, one of its best programs is that of providing low interest loans for adaptive technology. Presently these loans are available for only 2% interest.
The Credit Union is presently seeking people to serve on its Board of Trustees. If you are a member and wish to run for a position, call 1-801-220-0800 for more information. Your resume will be needed to apply to be considered. For more questions call the number above.
By Elizabeth C. Perry and F. Hampton Roy. Reading time 2 hours and 45 minutes
Read by Art Metzler.
This book was an interesting read. It includes information gained from interviews with seven people who share their experiences with varying degrees of visual impairment. One experience is of parents whose child is born blind. The people interviewed tell about their adjustments with clarity and honesty, expressing their hopes and fears about living with their disability. Although this book may be especially interesting to people who have recently become visually impaired, I enjoyed it very much and have been blind most of my life.
The book had a list of suggested adjustment techniques which were:
1. Assume the appearance of a sighted individual.
2. Do for others.
3. Take pride in personal appearance and body cleanliness.
4. Retain visual memories.
5. Be challenged to overcome obstacles.
6. Educate the sighted to your adjustment.
Mail checks or money orders for any activities to UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415. They need to reach us by dates given. Unless otherwise noted, classes and activities listed below are held at the Division of Services for the Blind, 250 N. 1950 W., Suite B, Salt Lake City.
· Friday, January 27, 2017, 3:45 p.m.: UCB Board Meeting, DSBVI Conference Room R
· Saturday, January 28, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candy
· Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing at Silver Lake
· Friday, February 24, 2017 3:45 p.m.: UCB Board Meeting, DSBVI Conference Room R
· Friday, March 10, 2017, 6:00 p.m.: Ogden Association of the Blind (OAB) Spring Gala: Ogden's Historic Union Station
· Saturday, March 18, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: St. Patrick's Day celebration
· Friday, March 24, 2017, 3:45 p.m.: UCB Board Meeting, DSBVI Conference Room R
· Saturday April 15, 2017: State Training Conference with focus on technology
· Friday, April 28, 2017, 3:45 p.m.: UCB Board Meeting, DSBVI Conference Room R
We are always looking for articles or interesting tidbits of information from our readers or other interested persons. The deadline for submitting items for publication is the 1st of the month, e.g. the deadline for the March newsletter is February 1st. You may e-mail any articles you wish to submit for our newsletter to our newsletter editor, TerriLynne Pomeroy, at tl1@ml1.net, or send Braille or large print to UCB Newsletter, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415; please allow extra time for processing Braille or large print.
The UCB Flier is available in large print, Braille, audio cassette tape, audio CD, as a Microsoft Word and a plain text file on CD, and by e-mail. If you would prefer to receive your newsletter in a different format, please call the Utah Connection or send an e-mail to ucb.board@gmail.com and let us know.
Disclaimer: Articles and announcements included in this publication are presented for your information and interest. They reflect the opinions of the respective authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the UCB.
NOTICE TO OUR LIFETIME MEMBERS
It is that time of year, again, when we are doing our membership drive. Because we use an agency mailing list, you may receive one of these membership drive packets. Be assured that we have your membership recorded, and you do not have to pay dues for the upcoming year. However, we ask that you verify that we have your correct contact information and preferred newsletter format. If any of the information that we have is incorrect, simply call our office at 801-292-1156 or return the form with any corrections noted.
**FOR ALL OTHER MEMBERS**
It is Membership Renewal Time
As the year comes to a close, we would like to remind you that it is time to renew your annual membership with the Utah Council of the Blind. We have included a membership form at the end of this newsletter. Please also be aware that we are sending out membership packets via an agency mailing list, therefore, you may receive more than one membership drive packet. In the event that you receive duplicate packets, fill free to share it with a friend.
The annual dues are $10 per person and the lifetime membership dues are $250 per person. You may pay your dues by sending a check to UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84010-1415 or you may pay by credit card at the following link: https://gateway.itransact.com/h/cp/public/payments/hBnJv8wZBOIAb6xKq4v , Or you may request a link to be sent to you via e-mail to pay for dues by sending an e-mail to ucb.board@gmail.com and provide your name, e-mail address, and what you wish to pay for. You will then receive a return email that has a link to pay with your credit card, or by calling us at 801-292-1156.
UTAH COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
Membership
Application
To help further the work of the Utah Council of the Blind and
enjoy the privileges of membership, please complete the following application
and return it with your membership dues to: UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, Utah
84011-1415.
Name:_______________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________
City, State,
Zip:________________________________________________
Phones
Home: ______________________ Cell:______________________
Date of Birth:____________________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________
I am
(Please check one):
____Totally
Blind
____Legally
Blind (Visual acuity no more than 20/200 or visual field subtends an angle no
more than 20̊ in best eye with best correction)
____Visually
Impaired (Visual acuity no more than 20/70 or visual field subtends an angle no
more than 20̊ in best eye with best correction)
____Sighted
I prefer
to receive UCB correspondence in:
Print______ Braille_____ Cassette_____
Print
Document on CD_____ Audio CD_____ E-mail______
I prefer
to receive the Braille Forum (ACB
national publication) in: Print______
Braille_____ Cassette _____ E-mail_____
None_____
Enclosed
is my check or money order for:
_____$10.00
Adult Membership _____$5.00
Jr. Membership (Under 18)
_____$250.00
Lifetime Membership $____________Additional
Donation
Total
Enclosed: $___________________
If you
would like to pay by credit card, please visit our website at www.utahcounciloftheblind.org or call 801-292-1156 for
more information.
Utah Council of the Blind FREE
MATTER
PO Box 1415 FOR
THE BLIND
Bountiful UT 84011-1415 AND
DISABLED