TVI Tidbits - Volume 2, No. 11
April 9, 2010
APH, Bookshare and RFB&D
NFB-NEWSLINE®
Relief Maps on Swell Paper Using Word to Edit Downloaded Maps
Hallmark Channel To Broadcast "Front of the Class"
Seedlings Book Angel Program
Review of Book Port Plus
RFB&D Request for Board Members
Hadley Launches Digital Talking Book Courses
The following information is for your information and not an endorsement of any product or service:
A new summary table providing information about the services available from APH, Bookshare, and RFB&D is now available at http://aim.cast.org/learn/practice/acquisitiondistribution/amp_survey. If you are interested in a more detailed FAQ, a link is provided on the left sidebar.
2) NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free service that gives print-disabled individuals anytime, anywhere access to over 300 national and local publications and wire feeds as well as TV listings. Subscribers can easily and independently access their favorite publications on the phone, on the Web, or by download to a digital talking-book player or MP3-playing device. To learn more about the service, please visit www.nfbnewslineonline.org. Please call me at your earliest convenience to discuss; my phone number is below in my contact data block. Access to the vital information contained in newspapers and magazines helps students achieve not only coursework requirements, but also a full-rounded and informed character that will serve them well in adulthood. We believe that access equals success, and I am very much interested in helping, through NFB-NEWSLINE®, to provide that access to your students so that they can fulfill their half of the equation. Thank you very much for your time and attention.
Renee West, Manager, Marketing and Outreach
Sponsored Technology Programs
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore MD 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2411
Fax: (410) 659-5129
Websites: www.nfb.org ; www.nfbnewsline.org ; www.nfbnewslineonline.org
Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/NFB_NEWSLINE
3) "Relief Maps on Swell Paper Using Word to Edit Downloaded
Maps" by Laura Blanco Zarate
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/33350615/Biographical-notes-for-session
This is a tutorial for making swell maps with Word from the 12th International Mobility Conference. The document is a Word file that can be read in a window on the page, but to download the .doc one must register.
4) Hallmark Channel To Broadcast "Front of the Class"
Don't miss "Front of the Class" airing on the Hallmark Channel Friday, April 9th at 9 PM/EST and Saturday, April 10th at 1 PM/EST. Based on the true story of Brad Cohen, who after being challenged by Tourette Syndrome from a young age defies the odds to become a gifted teacher. Brad shows the world that dreams can come true. A MUST WATCH movie for educators across the nation! Stars Jimmy Wolk, Patricia Heaton, Dominic Scott Kay and Treat Williams. It's a great way to help others understand TS!
5) Seedlings Book Angel Program
I just wanted to remind you all that your VI children/students (if they live in the US) are eligible to receive two free children's books in braille per year from Seedlings Braille Books for Children through the "Book Angel Program". Online registration is available here: http://www.seedlings.org/special.php or you can use the form in the back of our 2010 catalog. Choose from over 1,000 titles listed in the catalog. You list 4 titles and we will send 2 of them! "Placing a book in a child's hands is like planting a seed!"
Debra Bonde, Director
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
www.seedlings.org
800-777-8552
734-427-8552 fax
6) Read a review of the Book Port Plus at:
http://access4.us/2010/03/bookportplusaww/#more-94
7) RFB&D Request for Board Members
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) is seeking nominations for people who can make positive contributions to their Boards of Directors in the Mid-Atlantic Region (New York through Virginia). There is a Board in most states of the region plus there is a separate regional board that conducts similar work but with a regional focus. This memo includes a list of qualifications and the job description that describes the responsibilities of Board Members.
As an important reminder: RFB&D’s mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing and promoting the effective use of accessible educational materials. Our vision is for all people to have equal access to the printed word.
Characteristics of qualified candidates include:
- Enthusiasm for the mission of RFB&D
- Integrity, diplomacy and compassion
- Leadership, strategic planning and communications skills
- Individuals who are willing and able to recognize not only local goals, needs and activities, but also those of the Mid-Atlantic Region of RFB&D and the national organization, by making connections to foundations, state/federal education offices, etc on behalf of the organization and our members.
- Individuals willing to participate in the fundraising activities by any method: personal wealth, links to other individuals, links to corporate or foundation money, experience in special events.
- Individuals who are BVI, LD or who have connections to those in the BVI/LD community or educators in the disability field.
- Individuals with marketing/sales skills: outgoing advocacy types who can communicate a message
- Individuals with key resources or knowledge of what is involved in the distribution of content (special needs librarians, college DDS staff, etc)
- Individuals who are the next generation: new connectors to the younger community.
If you know of someone who might be interested in being considered, please send me their name and contact information so that I can have the appropriate person get in touch with them. Thank you for your consideration!
Please contact Luisa Rothwell in Charlottesville, regional staff administration (434)326-4958 or lrothwell@rfbd.org
8) Hadley Launches Digital Talking Book Courses
Hadley is now offering many of its courses in DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) format, available for download from the Hadley Web site. These courses are also available on removable media, such as USB flash drives and NLS cartridges. Learn more about Hadley's new DAISY DTB format at http://hadley.edu/PR_DTB_launching.asp.