Welcome to CVI's InfoLink. To help you access this information easily, we have three convenient sections: CVI News and Information, General News and Information, and What’s Trending. To access InfoLink by phone, please call 404-875-6418. If you have questions please contact Angie Clawson, Director of Communications at 404-602-4369, or
aclawson@cviga.org.
Here are the announcements as of Thursday, September 26, 2019:
CVI Events and Information
General Events and Information
What's Trending
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Reminder: September Featured Products – CVI VisAbility Store
September’s featured products in the CVI VisAbility Store are the Vario Digital FHD foldable desktop video magnifier and the Mobilux Digital Touch HD portable video magnifier. Stop by and check out these great products!
Vario Digital FHD – a foldable desktop video magnifier with outstanding image quality and compact design. It features a 15.6” full HD monitor with optical zoom from 1.3x-45x magnification and an FHD camera that provides a true color image with a large field of view. Learn more about this product at
https://www.eschenbach.com/products/video-magnifiers-desktop-vario-digital-fhd.asp
Mobilux Digital Touch HD – a portable video magnifier featuring a 4.3” HD TFT LCD screen with anti-glare coating and LED illumination! It has three brightness settings, adjustable ‘lines & blinds’ for precise page orientation, and various tone settings which will ensure a comfortable, accurate visual experience for users. Learn more about this product at
https://www.eschenbach.com/products/video-magnifiers-hand-held-mobilux-digital-touch-hd.asp
New: CVI Diabetes Support Group Kicks Off October 4
The CVI Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone who is blind/visually impaired and also has diabetes. During the meeting attendees can meet others who share their same experiences, gain support, share tips and ideas, learn about proper diabetes management, health, nutrition, exercise and the latest industry information on diabetes. The group meets monthly on Friday from 10:15 AM to 12:00 PM at CVI, 739 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta. Contact Rasheeda Wilkins at 404-602-4303 for more information. Next group class: October 4th.
Update: Join CVI for the Living with Vision Loss Support Group
This group is open to anyone who is visually-impaired, and their friends and family. The group focuses on life as a person who is newly blind or visually-impaired. Members discuss coping strategies and tips and also provide encouragement and support to each other.
The group meets weekly on Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at CVI, 739 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. The next support group meeting will be held today, Thursday, September 26. Contact Nell Robinson at 404-602-4293 for more information.
Update: Beyond Sight Communicator’s Toastmaster Club at the Center for the Visually Impaired
The Beyond Sight Communicator’s Toastmaster Club meets from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month at CVI, 739 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 on the 4th floor in the Bellsouth Room. The next group meeting will be Thursday, October 3.
For more information about the Beyond Sight Toastmaster Club contact President Willard J. Walker at 404-428-3666.
Reminder: CVI Alumni October Movie Night
Date: October 3, 2019
Movie: “Poms”
Starring: Diane Keaton and Jackie Weaver
Begin serving food at 4:30 p.m. Movie starts at 5:00 p.m. Please schedule your transportation pick up for 7:00 p.m. Menu: Hotdogs and Hamburgers, Baked Beans and Cole Slaw. The dessert will be Cherry Pie. Beverages are Sweet tea, Lemonade, and Water.
A $10.00 donation will be accepted at the door. A Door Prize of $15.00 will be given away.
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New: Next Eye on Blindness Show is October 12
Eye on Blindness is a monthly interview show produced by Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS). It airs the 2
nd Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. The show’s format is one or two guests answering questions posed by host and producer, Empish J. Thomas, a freelance journalist.
Everyone has the right to defend themselves from an attack. but many blind and visually impaired people might not consider taking a self-defense class. This month’s guest, George Freeman of the Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts, has implemented self-defense classes for the blind as part of his martial arts academy in Savannah. He participated in the one-Touch Self-Defense Project that provides self-defense training for the blind. He will share why he feels it is important for the blind community to take these classes and what he has learned as a sighted person.
Listen to Eye on Blindness airing Saturday, October 12th at 11 a.m. For more information log on to
www.garrs.org or call 404-685-2820.
New: Georgia Blind Sports Association Upcoming Events
Youth Goalball continues through the end of October on Saturdays from 9:00AM until 11:30AM. All practices are at Coan Park. For more information, contact Hal Simpson by email at halsimpson@gmail.com.
Beep Baseball returns to Atlanta. After an absence of two years a new beep baseball team will be formed in Atlanta. The Atlanta Chaos fall practice begins Saturday, October 5th. All practices will be at the baseball field at Coan Park. This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn about the sport and to check out the new team. For more information, contact Mrs. Cody by email at atlchaol2019@gmail.com.
Volunteers - We need your help with the following activities:
Audio Darts Tournament October 4-6. Call Jay Teagal at 536-566-8036
Beep Baseball - Help with practice each Saturday. Email atlchaos2019@gmail.com
Goalball - We are looking for those who would like to learn the sport and how to coach. Email halsimpson@gmail.com.
Coan Park is located at 1530 Woodbine Ave., Atlanta, GA 30317.
New: Next Eye on Blindness Show is October 12
Eye on Blindness is a monthly interview show produced by Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS). It airs the 2
nd Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. The show’s format is one or two guests answering questions posed by host and producer, Empish J. Thomas, a freelance journalist.
Everyone has the right to defend themselves from an attack. but many blind and visually impaired people might not consider taking a self-defense class. This month’s guest, George Freeman of the Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts, has implemented self-defense classes for the blind as part of his martial arts academy in Savannah. He participated in the one-Touch Self-Defense Project that provides self-defense training for the blind. He will share why he feels it is important for the blind community to take these classes and what he has learned as a sighted person.
Listen to Eye on Blindness airing Saturday, October 12th at 11 a.m. For more information log on to
www.garrs.org or call 404-685-2820.
Update: FREE Tickets to Georgia Vision 20/20 World Sight Day Speaker Event
CVI has two free tickets to the first 10 people who would like to attend the World Sight Day 2019 speaker event on Thursday, October 3 featuring Susan Robinson, a leader who blends 25 plus years of multi-sector leadership with her experiences being legally blind to shift thinking, elevate potential and inspire action. Contact Angie Clawson, Director of Communications at 404-602-4369, or by email at
infolink@cviga.org if you are interested in attending.
Join CVI and others for this thought provoking evening on October 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Buckhead Club. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by visiting
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-sight-day-2019-speaker-event-with-susan-robinson-tickets-64582730686?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Buckhead Club address is 3344 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 2600, Atlanta, GA 30326.
Reminder: Only Four Days Left to Take Advantage of the latest offering from the Computers For The Blind
Laptops with JAWS & Zoom Text for $150 for consumers and agencies.
Non-profit Computers for the Blind (CFTB) will be providing their laptops for $150 during the month of September only. This is $35 off the regular low cost of $185.
- Consumers and agencies can both take advantage of this great offer.
- Those on SSI/SSDI, parents of blind children, Veterans/Active military & spouses still get the $60 discount bringing the cost to $90! Our lowest price ever.
- For home use and self-employment use only.
- Offer only applies to laptops. Desktop price is $130.
- See attached CFTB FACT SHEET for specs and ad-ons!
Back by popular demand is a renewed grant to offer Typio talking typing teacher for $10. Retail cost is $100. Great for newer computer users, students, and those who do not have full command of the keyboard.
TO ORDER A COMPUTER, CONTACT US AT:
214-340-6328
service@computersfortheblind.org
www.computersfortheblind.org
Please share with consumers, consumer organizations, service providers, parent groups, and colleagues.
Don’t delay, price returns to $185 on October 1.
Reminder: 4th Annual VIBS White Cane Christmas Party & Fundraiser
Please join The Visually Impaired and Blind Society (VIBS) for our 4th Annual White Cane Christmas Party & Fundraiser. This year, the menu will consist of barbecue and New Orleans style gumbo with rice. We will also be giving away several prizes throughout the night. Tickets go on sale starting September 10th and will be $25 per person. A member of VIBS will be selling tickets in the client breakroom every Thursday.
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Time: 6:30p - 10:30p
Location: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Downtown
111 Cone Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
This event is BYOB. The dress code is business casual. No ball caps, jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers will be allowed. Rooms will be available for $99/night. If you are interested in reserving one, please contact Saving Ven at 404-528-4574 and she will provide you with the promo code.
For more information or to buy tickets, please contact Saving Ven at 404-528-4574 or Phillip Hodges at 404-566-1412. We hope that you will join us and can’t wait to see you all there!
New: Friends of GLASS Board Will Host a Meet and Greet Luncheon
This event is free to all GLASS patrons and friends. It is an opportunity to meet the Friends of GLASS Board members to learn about upcoming events, fund raisers and how you can support the Friends of GLASS. There will also be a fifty-fifty raffle ($1.00 per ticket) for those who are interested. Lunch will include sandwiches and chips at GLASS-Atlanta on Wednesday October 16
th from 11:30- 2pm. Again this event is free and will be held at GLASS-Atlanta 55 Park Place, Atlanta GA 30303, Suite 300. Please RSVP by Friday October 11
th by contacting Vanessa at 404-657-1452.
Reminder: A Royal Extravaganza featuring Epitome Showband
Join Epitome ShowBand for a Royal Extravaganza featuring special guests Violinist Chad Thomas “The Future of Music” and Point of View. Enjoy an evening of great music while giving back. $5 of every ticket sold will be donated to Center for the Visually Impaired and The National Federation of the Blind. General Admission price is $35 and VIP is $50. Limited seating so get your tickets early. No tickets at the door. Dresscode is cocktail attire. Purchase tickets call Eric Smith at 404-242-8077 or visit
http://www.epitomeshowband.com/EventDetails.aspx?id=106.
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2019
Time: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Location: South DeKalb Senior Center
1931 Candler Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Important Update: Just Us Blind Girls September Meeting
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE START TIME FOR THE NEXT TWO JUST US BLIND GIRLS GATHERINGS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. THE MEETINGS WILL BE FROM 2 PM UNTIL 4:30 PM. WHEN SCHEDULING WITH MARTA, DON’T HAVE THEM DROP YOU OFF ANY EARLIER THAN 2 PM DUE TO THE FACT THAT NO ONE WILL BE THERE TO OPEN THE DOOR.
The next Just Us Blind Girls meetup will be Saturday, September 28
th. This will be the fourth Saturday of the month. Just Us Blind Girls meetings are for adult women only due to topics of mature content. No children please!
The meeting will take place at Disability Link located at 1901 Montreal Road, Tucker, GA 30084. The meeting is from 1:30pm until 4:00 pm.
Our events calendar is set for the remainder of the year. Please join us at a meeting to find out about our upcoming trip to the gun range, our jewelry making class, our holiday party, and more. We will have guest speaker Dorothy Griffin of NFB news line at our next meeting. She will tell us about this invaluable service and how to get signed up. Vanessa will get us moving and grooving. Refreshments will be served. As always, we ask you to bring a blind woman that has never been with you to the meeting. Further questions should be directed to President Jamila Lane at 404-759-5913.
New: Research Participants Needed for 3 Different Studies
Opportunity One
Students in the Psychology Research Methods course at Georgia Tech’s Masters in Human Computer Interaction program in partnership with Zoo Atlanta are seeking participants of all ages who would like to help contribute to research and design aimed at helping make the new Savanna Safari exhibit more inclusive for those with visual impairments. We would love to interview you, observe you interacting with the current exhibit (free zoo visit!) and/or bounce our design ideas off of potential guests with visual impairments. Our hope is to provide Zoo Atlanta with recommendations for accessibility features that should be added to their Safari exhibit that can enhance the user experience for anyone with any kind of visual impairment.
We request that interested participants contact the researchers at 216-269-8401 or at
Jill.Niland@pwc.com by Oct 6 to opt into the project and set up an appointment. Thank you in advance for considering your participation in this important research that could one day greatly enhance the accessibility at Zoo Atlanta!
Opportunity Two
Students in the Psychology Research Methods course at Georgia Tech’s Masters in Human Computer Interaction program in partnership with NCR are seeking opinionated participants that are 18 years and above that have experience navigating self - service kiosks in grocery stores, fast food chains, or restaurants. We want to learn more about the challenge that users with visual impairments may have when trying to use self - service kiosks to order or pay for food in grocery stores, restaurants, or fast food chains. Our hope is to provide NCR with recommendations for accessibility features that should be added to their self-service kiosk that can enhance the user experience for anyone with any kind of visual impairment.
The sessions will be brief with 10-15 questions and shouldn't take more than 20 minutes per individual. The sessions will be held throughout the week based on appointments at Technology Square located in Midtown Atlanta throughout the month of September.
We request that interested participants contact the researchers at 678-328-8561 to set up an appointment. Although in-person meetings are preferred, the participants can choose to have a conversation over the phone by calling 678-328-8561.
At this point we are unable to provide any monetary incentive for participating in the study. However, through this study we will be able to provide recommendations that can shape the future accessibility of self - service kiosks developed by NCR, one day helping users with visual impairments everywhere.
Opportunity Three
The students of Tech Entrepreneurship course at Georgia Tech are seeking opinionated participants of age 18 years and above having experience navigating around using external assistance (can be some kind of device like a walking cane, guide dogs, or any other aid). We just want to understand the lifestyle of visually impaired individuals, their expectations and limitations of existing methods and technology."
We are looking to do short telephonic conversations (under 5 mins) with individuals who want to express their opinions so that we can design better products suited for your needs. Anyone who is not visually impaired but works closely with them and wants to contribute is also welcome. Please contact us at
470-283-9801 (Naresh) to go over the research or drop us an email at
aastha@gatech.edu (Aastha) suggesting your availability and a phone number and we'll contact you. We are also enthusiastic about meeting you in person, if possible. Please let us know if that would be feasible.
At this point we are unable to provide any monetary incentive for participating in the study. Hopefully, once things go our way down the line, we will definitely make sure to compensate for having spent your valuable time with us.
Reminder: NFB of Georgia’s 2019 State Convention
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia's (NFBGA) 2019 State Convention will be held in the great city of Augusta; from October 4th through the 6th at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Augusta Hotel.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Augusta hotel is located at 2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta, GA 30909.
Registration (includes lunch) is $35. Banquet is $45.
**Registration & Banquet Purchases are NON REFUNDABLE
To register online for the convention go to
www.nfbga.org or contact President Dorothy Griffin at 770-374-4832,
dgriffin@nfbga.org.
Reminder: Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter of the NFB of Georgia Remaining Meetings
Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter of the NFB of Georgia will be hosting our remaining meetings at the Decatur Library for the rest of 2019. The address is 215 Sycamore St. in Decatur. Time will be Noon to 2:30 pm.
DATES:
November 2
December (To be announced)
Upcoming guest speakers:
Saturday November 2, we will have a presentation on affordable housing.
Refreshments will be served, and time permitting, Vanessa will get us laughing and moving to burn off some of those calories. So, come join us for education, fellowship and fun.
If you have any questions please contact President Dorothy Griffin at:
dgriffin@nfbga.org or
770-374-4832.
Reminder: Upcoming GLASS Book Club Dates
Please join us in October for an exciting and thought provoking conversation with For Grown Folks Only Book Club.
Time: 2:00 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
DB089154, Lust a Seven deadly sins novel by Victoria Christopher Murray.
Location: Decatur Library
Address: 215 Sycamore ST
Decatur GA 30030
The room is on the ground floor.
If you have any questions please call Vanessa at 404-657-1452.
Reminder: Celebrate with GLASS!
Holiday Variety and Talent Show Celebration is back, but at a different time and location. If you can sing or rap, play an instrument, perform spoken word, or like telling jokes (clean ones-this is a family show after all) sign up to be a performer.
Deadline for registering is November 19, 2019. The show date is December 19 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: Decatur Library
215 Sycamore ST
Decatur GA 30030
The show will be in the auditorium on the lower level.
Please call Vanessa at 404-657-1452 for more information about performing.
Update: Angel Eyes Fitness and Nutrition with Dawn Wells
Angel Eyes Fitness and Nutrition now offering LIVE online group fitness classes every
2nd and 4th Saturdays from 12 pm – 1 pm EST!! Simply go to the calendar on the website
www.angeleyesfitnessandnutrition.com/calendar and click the link on the class you want to take on the day you want to take it to join in via Zoom. It is best to join from your laptop or desktop but phone access is also available. *once you join in a class you will be “physically seen” by participants and volunteers. It is an interactive experience. For more information please go to
www.angeleyesfitnessandnutrition.com, call 678.374.9302 or email:
angeleyesfitnessandnutrition@gmail.com
Locations:
Jefferson Park Recreation Center located at 1431 Norman Berry Drive East Point, GA
Rutledge Community Center Depot 112 Martha Lane, Rutledge, GA
Update: Last chance to sign up for the first annual 2019 Audio Dart League of Atlanta National Tournament
This event will take place the weekend of October 4-6, 2019 and is sponsored by Audio Dart League Southeast Region.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport North, 3437 Bobby Brown Parkway Atlanta, GA 30344. Reservations for rooms can be made by calling 404.477.6600 or clicking the following link:
https://bit.ly/2qvHFP1. The room rate is $110 per night for as many as two in a room. Breakfast is included.
Transportation: Complimentary airport shuttle rides from the domestic terminals at the airport to the hotel are available between the hours of 4am to 2am. For airport shuttle from the airport to the hotel, please go to Ground Transportation Zone 2. A complimentary Hilton Garden Inn ATL North Shuttle picks up every 15 and 45 minutes of the hour.
Please email your partner information to Audio Dart League of Atlanta
audiodartleagueofatlanta@gmail.com to pick your partner and team doubles.
Registration for the five events is $100.00; $30.00 for individual events. Total prize money TBA.
Friday evening’s event will be 501 doubles beginning at 7pm. Saturday afternoon will be round robin. (Other Saturday games TBA). Sunday morning will be picking your partner. A Two for One Fundraiser Raffle will be held throughout the tournament. For each game $1 will include .25 cents toward the fundraiser and the remainder .75 cent for a raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will be available upon request.
Make payments out to: Audio Dart League of Atlanta and mail to 2852 Joyce Ave Decatur, GA 30032 or use CashApp and enter my phone number. Payment should be submitted no later than September 20th, 2019.
For additional information or questions call Jay Teagal at 336-566-8036. This is also the number for CashApp. You can also reach me at: 678-984-3195 for specific tournament questions.
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New: Blind From A Bad Diet? Teen Who Ate Mostly Potato Chips And Fries Lost His Sight
New: After Illness and Loss of Eyesight, Woman Bowls For First Time In Years
http://bit.ly/2m19jol
New: Vision Portraits Review: A Study Of Talented Artists Struggling With Different Levels Of Vision Loss
How to submit announcements to InfoLink and Disclosure Statement:
InfoLink Announcement Submission Guidelines
The Center has created these guidelines to ensure that announcements are submitted in an efficient way, to ensure the best distribution of this valuable resource to the blind and visually impaired community. If you are interested in submitting an announcement to have posted on InfoLink, please follow the guidelines below:
- The deadline for all announcements is each Friday by 5 p.m. to be posted on the following Thursday.
- Announcements regarding the selling of products will not be permitted on Infolink.
- All announcements must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document attached to an email.
- All announcements must be emailed to infolink@cviga.org with the topic in the subject line.
- All announcements must include date, time, location and contact information.
- Please review your announcements for spelling/grammar and clarity before submitting.
- All announcements must not be longer than 3 paragraphs and no more than 300 words in length.
- If your announcement is not for an event or has no explicit cut-off date, please give some indication of when we should stop running the announcement.
- CVI reserves the right to edit the content for length and grammatical corrections.
For questions please contact Angie Clawson, Director of Communications at 404-602-4369, or by email at
infolink@cviga.org.
Please note: The announcement of information about organizations, products and services in InfoLink is not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Center for the Visually Impaired.
