|
|
|
|
Where Are They Now?
Meet Amy Mullins
Amy Mullins was a BEGIN student during the earliest years of her life. Now, she is reaching new heights as a climber with Catalyst Sports. Amy, who has coloboma and nystagmus, climbs as part of an adaptive climbing team that holds indoor and outdoor climbs and competes against other teams.
During competitive climbs, participants are awarded points according to the difficulty of the routes they complete. Climbers are given a total score by combining the points from their three most difficult climbs.
Routes are indicated by the color of hand holds: a convention that presents a unique challenge for climbers with low vision. Amy is generally able to see the holds, but some climbers work with a “caller” who gives information on the location of the holds in each route.
Amy has achieved great things in adaptive climbing, and recently ranked high enough in the US national championship to qualify for a place in the world championship in Paris.
Catalyst Sports provides individuals with an opportunity to try rock climbing and/or provide coaching for anyone who might be interested in adaptive climbing. For more information, visit http://www.teamcatalyst.org/atlanta.html.
|
|
White Cane Safety Day:
Celebrating a Symbol of Independence
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, recognizing the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and use a white cane to navigate the world.
White Cane Safety Day is an essential reminder that laws in all 50 states require drivers to yield the right of way to people with white canes, even when they’re not on a crosswalk.
It’s also a chance to consider the white cane as an important tool, helping people live with independence and dignity. CVI’s Orientation and Mobility Specialists empower our clients by teaching them white cane skills. We asked them for some white cane advice for people who are sighted, and this is what they had to share:
- Don’t touch someone’s white cane.
- Don’t assume that someone needs help because they’re using a white cane.
- If someone using a white cane does ask for your help, use specific instructions like “five feet to your right” or “continue straight ahead.”
- Move out of the way when you are approaching someone with a white cane in a hallway or on the sidewalk.
- Don’t call it a stick: It’s a cane!
|
|
Each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and teaches the value of a diverse workforce.
This year’s theme is “#InclusionWorks,” reflecting the important role disability plays in workforce diversity. The hashtag theme invites everyone to engage with this topic via social media.
NDEAM is a great opportunity to highlight the skills and abilities of people who are visually impaired. CVI’s New View Program offers clients an array of employment services to develop these skills, from career counseling and job readiness classes to resume and cover letter writing. Our graduate clients in the workplace demonstrate every day that “inclusion works”!
|
|
Georgia Gives Day: Coming Soon
On November 17th from midnight to midnight, CVI will participate in Georgia Gives Day 2016, and you can too!
Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Georgia Gives Day is a 24-hour, virtual flash mob of giving that brings together more than 2,000 participating nonprofits and supporters across the state.
Last year, with your support, we were able to raise more than $8,000. This year, we plan to beat that goal, and you can help us do it. Please donate on Georgia Gives Day to show your love for the Center for the Visually Impaired and support our work empowering people with vision loss to live with independence and dignity.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and get ready to participate in this year’s Georgia Gives Day!
|
|
Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal
Donates to CVI
First Lady of the State of Georgia Sandra Deal presented a donation of braille books to CVI New View staff members Rasheeda Wilkens and LaKeisha Holmes at the Governor’s Mansion on September 21. CVI would like to thank Mrs. Deal for her donation, and Mr. Carson Cochran at the Department of Education for connecting the First Lady with our agency.
|
|
BRAND NEW! CVI is offering two series
of assistive technology classes for a fee.
Read below to find out more!
|
|
|
Low Vision Mobile Tech Classes
In this two-session course designed for individuals who are visually impaired, you will learn how to:
- Use basic operating functions of iOS devices (iPhone or iPad)
- Understand the speech features on the iOS device
- Learn to use address book, make calls, send and receive text messages
- Learn ways to access reading material using accessibility features
- Discover the abundance of iOS applications increasing access to reading print materials and completing daily living tasks (i.e., identifying paper money, identifying items in the kitchen, etc.)
- Explore alternative community resources such as audio books, Newsline, large print materials and magazines as access printed reading material
Session Dates: October 5; October 26
Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $120.00 (paid prior to class)
Location: Center for the Visually Impaired
For more information or to register for classes, call
404-875-9011 or email info@cviga.org.
|
|
iPhone Using VoiceOver Classes
In this four-session course designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, you will learn how to:
- Explore your iPhone using speech output
- Make and receive phone calls
- Send and receive text and email messages
- Set and retrieve reminders and calendar appointments
- Explore apps for reading print materials, accessing news, and completing daily living tasks (i.e., identifying paper money, identifying items in the kitchen, etc.)
- Purchasing and downloading apps from the App store
Session Dates: October 14; October 21; October 28; November 4
Day/Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $240.00 (paid prior to class)
Location: Center for the Visually Impaired
For more information or to register for classes, call
404-875-9011 or email info@cviga.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
