WHAT'S NEW AND WHERE TO GET IT
by Jackie Ohime
LaPorte, Indiana


Note: The inclusion of items in this column is provided as an informational service to readers. As with all purchases, readers are expected to investigate thoroughly before making transactions. Send items for possible inclusion in this column to magazine@blindskills.com.

PUBLICATIONS


The National Braille Press released USING THE ACCESSIBLE IPOD, which describes how to use the new iPods including the fourth generation Nano and the second and third generation Shuffles. This guide covers getting started with iTunes, downloading music, playlists, audiobooks and podcasts onto the computer and transferring to the iPod, getting the iPod to speak and using all accessible features. A troubleshooting section, a list of helpful resources, and information about how the iPod organizes music are also included. USING THE ACCESSIBLE IPOD costs $15 and is available in braille, PortaBook, ASCII text and DAISY formats.

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SUZE ORMAN'S 2009 ACTION PLAN is also now available. Orman answers such questions as: Are your savings safe? Should you continue to invest in your retirement account? Should you keep your home if it is worth less than you owe or should you sell it? How do you pay your bills if you've been laid off? No matter what situation you're in, you will find a plan of action and the answers to your questions about credit, retirement, savings and spending, real estate, paying for college, and protecting your family and yourself. The National Braille Press has included the latest advice from Suze Orman’s Web site. The book costs $9.99 and is available in braille and PortaBook. To order, contact the National Braille Press at 888-965-8965 or www.nbp.org.

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The American Foundation for the Blind is offering a reduced rate for its individual subscriptions to the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). For $65 individual subscribers receive 12 print issues of the journal and online access to more than 10 years of content. A one-year online individual subscription costs $25. To subscribe, contact AFB Press at 800-232-3044 or www.afb.org/jvibspecial.asp.

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The Web site of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign has information to help you prepare for an emergency. Ready’s Web site features downloadable emergency supply checklists and family emergency plan templates as well as videos of older Americans and individuals with disabilities making emergency supply kits and filling out emergency plans. For information, visit www.ready.gov or call 800-480-2520 to request Ready publications, including the manual “Are You Ready?” and brochures including “Disabilities and Special Needs” and “Older Americans.”

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“The Consumer Vision,” is a publication that covers topics of interest to people with disabilities. To read past issues, visit www.consumervisionmagazine.com. For information, contact Bob Branco at branco182@worldnet.att.net or 508-994-4972.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES


Freedom Scientific announced the availability of Focus 40 Blue, the latest addition to its Focus line of braille displays. The Focus 40 Blue offers 40 cells of refreshable braille, Bluetooth 2.0 for wireless connectivity up to 30 feet, a Perkins-style braille keyboard, and USB 2.0 support that also charges the unit when connected. It’s a new compact package that is 40 percent smaller than the current Focus 40. The new braille display is priced at $4,495. For information, contact Freedom Scientific at 800-444-4443 or www.freedomscientific.com

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Quick Pick Braille Contractions is a new product available from the American Printing House for the Blind. Quick Pick Braille Contractions consists of two cases of 50 cards with each case representing a cross-section of braille contractions. On both sides of the cards, a braille contraction is on the top and four uncontracted answer choices are across the bottom. To play, read the contraction, pick the uncontracted choice that matches, put the wooden tool in the corresponding hole for the answer, and try to pull the card out of the case. If the card slides out, the answer is correct. Quick Pick Braille Contractions costs $68. To order, contact American Printing House for the Blind at 800-223-1839 or www.aph.org.

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The Clarity PCMate enables you to connect your Clarity to your laptop directly. The PCMate comes with the Clarity Capture software which allows you to capture an image and use a split screen without the need for any accessories such as a battery or separate monitor. The PCMate gets its power through the USB connection. Clarity PCMate retails for $2,595. For information, contact Clarity at 800-575-1456 or www.clarityusa.com.

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Allsup is expanding its Allsup Medicare Advisor service to help both seniors and people with disabilities navigate the complexities of Medicare and enroll in the best program to meet their needs and budgets. The fee-based service provides customers with one-to-one access to Medicare experts who provide the knowledge and objective guidance they need to understand and choose the most affordable Medicare plan for their individual healthcare needs and preferences. To provide customers with the widest range of alternatives, the service now compares traditional Medicare and any other combination of additional coverage options, including Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D (prescription drug) plans. Allsup Medicare Advisor collects all the personal information on each customer, such as prescription drugs and attending physicians. Allsup Medicare experts then analyze the often dozens of options available in the individual’s area. A comprehensive, customized Allsup Medicare Advisor report is created that includes a detailed comparison of traditional Medicare with the three local area plans most likely to meet the individual’s needs. An Allsup representative personally reviews the report with the customer over the phone and helps them enroll in the plan of their choice. In addition to live, one-to-one guidance from an Allsup Medicare Advisor expert, many of the service features can be accessed through a secured Web site. To learn more about Allsup Medicare Advisor, call 888-271-1173. Seniors may visit http://www.ama.allsup.com People with disabilities may visit http://www.medicare.allsup.com.

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As of fall 2009, courses are available through a joint program between Utah State University and The Hadley School for the Blind. Students may enroll in any of four USU/Hadley courses for associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree credit: “Introduction to Blindness and Visual Impairment,” “The Human Eye and Visual System,” “Introduction to Braille,” and “The Role of Paraeducators with Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired.” Two additional courses, “Introduction to Multiple Disabilities” and “Introduction to Low Vision” will be available in spring 2010. The partnership between Utah State University and Hadley, announced in January 2008, offers courses as part of Utah State University’s SKI-HI Institute, a unit of the College of Education’s Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, which focuses on development and needs of young children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind or multi-disabled. The coursework is designed for paraprofessionals who work with children and youth who are blind or visually impaired, but it will be available to parents, professionals and blind consumers. To learn more about enrolling in USU/Hadley, please contact Linda Alsop at linda.alsop@usu.edu or 435-797-5598. To take courses on a non-credit basis, contact Fran Payne at fran.payne@usu.edu or 435-797-5591.



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