Well, it finally happened to me; something I'm sure has happened to many of you, something I've heard many stories about, but have never experienced for myself.

It all started when my sighted friend and I were working out at our local rec center. We were making our rounds on the track and discussing optional forms of exercise. I mentioned to her that I thought it would be fun to try square dancing. I explained to her that I know nothing about it, but that as a blind person, it might be something I could do. We both have fairly active husbands, and if they could be persuaded to join a class, we could have a lot of fun with it. I also told her I thought it would be easy for me to learn, because the caller calls out the different steps and dance styles as you go. My friend was excited about the idea. I told her I thought there was a lady in our neighborhood that went to these classes already. I suggested that maybe we could talk to that neighbor and to get more information.

As we were finishing our exercise routine, my friend informed me that the square-dancing neighbor was standing by the door. It was perfect. There we were talking about it, and there she was at the door. I asked my friend to take me to the lady, and I would ask her the questions we had. I held my friend's arm, and we walked over to the door where she was standing. I began by introducing myself and my friend. I proceeded to explain that we were both interested in square dancing. And then it happened! The lady looked right past me and started talking with my friend as if I was not even there. She said things like "I just don't know how she would do it," and "I don't know how she would hear the music or understand what the caller is saying." Both my friend and I were shocked by her dismissal of my presence.

Well, what do you do when that happens? I told my friend that the next time we talk to this neighbor I should tell her that my friend is deaf.

I hope you guys have a wonderful month, and good luck out there.

Anna Jeffery, President

Make Note of ...

1. On Friday, October 28, the regular board meeting will be replaced by a combined board and budget meeting beginning at 9 a.m. in the East Training Room at DSBVI. It will run until 4 pm, or until it is finished. Everyone is welcome, but it is important that you let our secretary, Aunilie Hathaway, know if you plan to attend. Please contact her at 801-244-5505 or by email at ucb.board@gmail.com.

2. A Christmas boutique will be held at DSBVI on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19. If you would like to sell your own handiwork, the cost of a table is $10. To reserve a table, call Patricia Beaman at (801) 864-9775.

3. On Saturday, November 26, the Utah Voices choir and the Salt Lake Symphony will be presenting a free Christmas concert at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The concert is 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Several of our friends who are blind sing in this choir.

4. UCB's ceramics class: we’ll be spending November and December finishing up projects for Christmas. This will include finishing up the clay beads and the Lladro dolls. Projects need to be finished by the second week in December since the class will then be taking a break until January.

Note from Cordie Weed

Hello, my name is Cordie Weed. In September, I was elected to be the Vice President of the Utah Council of the Blind. So here is a little information about me.

I have served on the board of directors off and on for several years and have worked on several committees and sub-committees such as the Nominating Committee. Currently, I am chairing the 2016 UCB annual Christmas party. I hope to see you all there. I will do my very best in this position and desire to serve those who are blind and deaf-blind.

Note from Patricia Beaman

Dear Utah Council of the Blind,

My name is Patricia Beaman and I am writing this to introduce myself to you. I am a longtime member of the Utah Council of the Blind and am a brand new member of the Board of Directors, just elected at last month's annual membership meeting.

My interests include crafts and handiwork, and so I enjoy being involved each year with the UCB's boutique. I am also interested in the legislative process and have had the opportunity to go to the state capitol in behalf of the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. I also enjoy people and have introduced several new members to the UCB.

I am looking forward to the opportunity you have given me to contribute to the organization by serving on the Board of Directors.

UCB Christmas Party, "Christmas Around the World"

By Cordie Weed

I am excited to announce our Christmas party, which will be held on December 3, 2016 at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City. The party begins at 11:30 am and will wrap up by 2:30 pm.

Please see the end of the newsletter for a reservation form.

We will have speakers who are from different countries talking about how they celebrate Christmas in the countries where they were born. Some of them or, maybe all of them will sing a Christmas song in their native language. I thought this would be a good learning experience for us all.

Texas Roadhouse will be catering our meal. There will be activities for the children along with a visit from Santa and, also, a bake sale where you can shop.

The cost for the Christmas party will be five dollars for each person and those who are ten years and younger will be three dollars. You must prepay for the Christmas party no later than November 21, 2016. In the past there have been some who arrived at the party without making a reservation and received a meal, which caused others who reserved not to get their food. Those who don't prepay will not receive any food. Paying at the party will not be allowed. We need to have a count of those who prepaid to order the food that is being catered.

Bake Sale

We are looking for those who are willing to donate baked goods to the Bake Sale to raise funds which are greatly needed for many of the services the UCB provides the people who are blind living in Utah. Each baked good must be individually wrapped or placed on a plate and then wrapped. In the interest of good health and hygiene, we cannot accept anything that is open or unwrapped. If you are willing to donate something, please call Cordie Weed at 801-298-6330.

Time to Renew Your Membership

**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 the extra 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 84011-1415, or you may pay by credit card at the following link: https://gateway.itransact.com/h/cp/public/payments/hBnJ2v8wZBOIAb6xKq4v 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 e-mail that has a link to pay with your credit card, or by calling us at 801-292-1156.

Book Review: Breaking Barriers: Working and Loving While Blind

Review by Leslie Gertsch

BARD number DB76081 is 6 hours and 50 minutes long and is read by Jack Fox.

This book by Peter Altschul is the autobiography of a blind musician, composer, and social worker. Peter Altschul is presently an active member of the ACB. In his book, Peter describes his youth in New York state, where his family, especially his mother, were very supportive in allowing him to be as independent as he wished. However, everyone was very surprised when he was able to receive his education at Princeton University and the New England Conservatory because it was quite an accomplishment for a person who is blind.

His adventures as a dog guide user are an important part of the book. He describes obtaining his dog guides through Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The training process is intriguing and explores some aspects of developing a relationship with the dog. Peter tells of the challenges and sadness he experienced as a dog owner. It was especially difficult to lose a dog to age when they had become so close living and working together in the big city.

Peter also discusses the ups and downs of his career as a blind person. I could identify with Peter as he described his search for employment. His experiences were particularly true to life for a person who is blind, as he interviewed for jobs, but was then not hired.

I enjoyed the description of his courtship and eventual marriage to another ACB member, who also had children.

Their efforts to work out how they will make it as a couple in which both members have sight loss were especially touching. I was particularly impressed at how well Peter was able to draw the children to him and join in their lives. His music and love of animals stand him in good stead as he grows close to his adopted family while starting a new job.

I really liked what Peter accomplished in his life while reaffirming the idea that any of us can live a normal life with normal accomplishments. In most instances I could identify with his frustrations and join in applauding his successes. Try the book, you will enjoy it.

News for Persons Who Are Deaf-Blind

By Laura Benge, Deaf Blind Specialist

The deaf-blind community is excited to say there is a lot going on in the world of deaf-blindness. With the collaboration of several consumers, we have created a newsletter to inform people about what is new in the deaf-blind community and with deaf-blind services. Aspects of this newsletter are geared toward self-advocacy, community involvement, and minimizing/maximizing independence. Deaf-blind consumers as well as people who will be interacting with those who are deaf-blind will benefit by joining the newsletter mailing list. The newsletter will include information about upcoming social events, new technology, and important updates about services for those who are deaf, blind, and deaf-blind.

Newsletters will be e-mailed monthly. If you would like to be included in the mailing list to receive a newsletter, please email Laura Benge at lbenge@utah.gov, and you will be added. If you know of someone who may be interested, please feel free to share this information.

Also, if anyone has an event or topic that they would like to share with the deaf-blind community, please e-mail the details to lbenge@utah.gov."

Thank you!

Laura Benge, Deaf Blind Specialist

Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

250 North 1950 West, Suite B

Salt Lake City, Utah 84116-7902

801-323-4358

Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System

The Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System ("Argus II") is also known as the bionic eye or the retinal implant. It is intended to provide electrical stimulation of the retina to induce visual perception in blind individuals. It is indicated for use in patients with severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa. A miniature video camera housed in the patient's glasses captures a scene. The video is sent to a small patient-worn computer (i.e., the video processing unit — VPU) where it is processed and transformed into instructions that are sent back to the glasses via a cable. These instructions are transmitted wirelessly to an antenna in the retinal implant. The signals are then sent to the electrode array, which emits small pulses of electricity. These pulses bypass the damaged photoreceptors and stimulate the retina's remaining cells, which transmit the visual information along the optic nerve to the brain, creating the perception of patterns of light. Patients learn to interpret these visual patterns with their retinal implant.

The Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System ("Argus II") is intended to provide electrical stimulation of the retina to induce visual perception in blind individuals.

HUMANITARIAN DEVICE: Authorized by Federal (U.S.) law to provide electrical stimulation of the retina to induce visual perception in blind patients with severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa and bare light or no light perception in both eyes. The effectiveness of this device for this use has not been demonstrated.

http://www.secondsight.com/g-the-argus-ii-prosthesis-system-pf-en.html

Sandy England's Story About Her Argus II Implant

I recently returned from Minneapolis, Minnesota where I was for 6 weeks. I received the Argus II implant on June 6th. There was no pain, but some minor discomfort. After the healing, Second Sight was able to program the small computer that I wear on my hip on July 6th. With the glasses and the unit (computer) turned on, I was able to see flashes of light somewhat like flash bulbs. This was very bright, so we had to close the window, and I inverted the image (which is dark with light) and was able to make out the shape of my daughter, husband, and dog, etc. This was exciting to see them and to start learning what else I can "see" with this device. It is a learning curve, and I must practice and learn all I can. It will help with mobility in time. I can make out large things, and my brain will have to learn how to recognize the shapes I'm seeing. I was able to make out the moon, fireworks, Christmas tree lights, windows, a flag pole, the LDS Temple, and many other things. This is the beginning of a new world for me, and this is just the start of what is coming up for the blind and visually-impaired community. There are already upgrades coming, plus a chip for other eyesight issues, which will give others the opportunity to see how I am starting to see. If anyone has any questions, please call or write me. As time goes on, I would like to give talks about this, show people the glasses and the computer. I want to look into a foundation that I would start to help people with the cost of this. There are tests you go through and things that need to be considered with each person who is interested. No hospitals in Utah perform this surgery as of yet. However, we believe in the near future there will be.

“Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System ("Argus II") is intended to provide electrical stimulation of the retina to elicit visual perception in blind individuals with severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa. The implant is an epiretinal prosthesis surgically implanted in and on the eye that includes an antenna, an electronics case, and an electrode array. The external equipment includes glasses, a video processing unit (VPU) and a cable."

Second Sight customer service: (818) 833-5000

Sandy England

Email: syeangel@centurylink.net

Phone: 801-282-1905 Cell: 801-634-8002

Computers for the Blind Press Release: Effective Aug 1, 2016

By David Jeppson, Executive Director, Computers for the Blind

In an effort to make accessible laptops more affordable to those who are blind, Computers for the Blind is dropping the price from $160 to $130. These laptops come loaded with powerful software that will enhance the education, employability, independence and quality of life of those who can least afford them.

There are no age or income requirements. And, we will also honor this price for organizations. So, join the 9,000 consumers who have benefited from our computers.

Note: Talking Typing Teacher is still available on CFTB computers for $10 (90% off retail) through Marvelsoft.

Check us out at www.computersfortheblind.net.

You can contact us by calling 214-340-6328 or e-mail info@computersfortheblind.net

Updated 2016-2017 Calendar

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, October 28, 9 am-4 pm: UCB combined budget and Board meeting

· Friday and Saturday, November 18-19, 9 am-3 pm: Christmas Boutique, DSBVI Multipurpose Room.

· Monday, November 21, reservations for Christmas party must be received.

· Saturday, November 26, 7:30-08:30 pm: free Christmas concert with the Utah Voices choir, Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

· Saturday, December 3, 2016: UCB annual Christmas Party, 11:30 am

· Saturday, January 28, 2017, 10:00 am: Mrs. Cavanaugh's candy

· Saturday, February 18, 2017, snowshoeing at Silver Lake

Recipe: Zucchini Cupcakes

Frosting instructions: combine brown sugar, butter and milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm.

General UCB Information

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.

All members are invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. The meetings are at 3:45 p.m. at DSBVI, 250 N 1950 W, Ste B, Conference Room R, Salt Lake City, UT except where noted. Upcoming meetings are:

· Friday, October 28, 2016, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., DSBVI East Training Room

· Friday, November 18, 2016

· Friday, December 16, 2016

· Friday, January 27, 2017

· Friday, February 24, 2017

· Friday, March 24, 2017

If you have questions or concerns for any board member or to be placed on the agenda of a board meeting, e-mail ucb.board@gmail.com, and you will receive a timely reply.

A volunteer mans the UCB Office at DSBVI, 250 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT, from 12:00 to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays. You can give her a call at 801-520-3766 or visit to purchase cab coupons, t-shirts, screwdriver/hammers, 20/20 pens, signature guides, or measuring cups and spoons.

The UCB maintains a listserv to keep our computer users up-to-date on interesting information as it comes along and to help facilitate an open dialogue between our members. To join the UCB Listserv, send a blank email message to ucb-talk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will receive a request to verify your wish to subscribe. Just reply without changing or adding to the message.

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.

The UCB Flier is available in large print, Braille (please note the transition to UEB format), 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.

Reservation Form for Christmas Party

Your payment must be received in the mail no later than November 21, 2016. Please send your check and reservation to: Utah Council of the Blind, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Phone number: _______________________________________________

Category	Number in Party	Please list ages of children 12 and younger below:
Adults (11 or older) $5.00		Girls
Children (10 or younger) $3.00		Boys
Total Enclosed	$

Do you need any accommodation such as, special diet, listening device, interpreters, etc.? If so, please tell us what you need so that we can have these things available for you.

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.

FREE MATTER

FOR THE BLIND

AND DISABLED

Utah Council of the Blind

1301 W 500 S

Woods Cross UT 84087-2224

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