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, October 10, 2019:
CVI Events and Information
General Events and Information
What's Trending
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Reminder: CVI Hosts White Cane Awareness Day on October 15
Join CVI for White Cane Awareness Day on October 15! Councilmember Amir Farokhi, District 2 will be on hand to read a Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council in recognition of White Cane Awareness Day. The reading will kick off three different opportunities for CVI clients, alumni, staff and supporters to take to the sidewalks, strolling the surrounding Midtown neighborhood to highlight how the white cane enables individuals who are visually impaired to travel independently and safely on their own. At the same time, those who live and work in Midtown will be reminded that CVI is part of the neighborhood and to be mindful of our visitors.
Our STARS students will be making signs for us to carry, but feel free to show your personality and make your own to bring it with you.
Are you in need of a new white cane? Be sure to stop by the VisAbility Store while you're here to see what's new!
Walk Route: North on W. Peachtree, right on 5th Street, right on Peachtree and right on 4th Street. Ending back at CVI.
Schedule:
9:45 a.m. – Proclamation Reading
10:00 a.m. – First walk opportunity
12:30 p.m. – Second walk opportunity
4:30 p.m. – Third walk opportunity
Reminder: CVI Diabetes Support Group
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 11.
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, October 10. 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 17.
For more information about the Beyond Sight Toastmaster Club contact President Willard J. Walker at 404-428-3666.
New: October's Featured Products of the Month – CVI VisAbility Store
CVI's featured products of the month in the VisAbility Store are Zoomax Snow 12 and See More Vision's Talking Alarm Clock and Men's Touch Talking Watch
Zoomax Snow 12 is a portable video magnifier that delivers true visual independence for people with low vision. It features a unique foldable stand that elevates Snow 12 so that you can more easily read, write, look at objects or even perform full-page scanning using the powerful OCR and text-to-speech. With standard features like a 12-inch full-HD touch screen display, magnification up to 19x, and a simple accessible interface, Snow 12 is perfect for all situations.
Talking Alarm Day Clock
https://www.seemorevision.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=31656&idstore=6&product=Talking-Alarm-Day-Clock
Men's Touch Talking Watch
https://www.seemorevision.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=30775&idstore=6&product=Mens-Touch-Talking-Watch---Extra-Large-Face---Leather-Band---English
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New: October is Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Month
Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind (MSAB) is an initiative that spreads the word about accessible prescription labels that are available throughout the country for individuals who are visually impaired. One such option is ScripTalk, a talking prescription reader or app that will read all prescription label information out loud, including: drug name; dosage; instructions; warnings; pharmacy information; doctor name; prescription number and date. This is a life-saving awareness program that can make a difference. Stop by the CVI VisAbility Store to learn more about the talking prescription reader.
New: Visual Artist with Low Vision Participates in Local Art Shows
Chetta D a visual artist with low vision invites you to two upcoming events.
Open studio event is an public event for all SCAD student's, faculty, alums & staff. It's an opening reception for artists to display their artwork of any kind in the hallways of the building. I have two spoken word installation pieces where you can view my installation of a veil that covers butterflies & a QR code that you can scan with a QR code scanner to listen to my spoken word that accompanies the visual.
The photo battle is a fun public event where two photographers at a time go head to head displaying their photography on a large screen and the audience decides who the winner is by cheering. Atlanta photo battle is an event happening during the Atlanta Celebrates Photography photo festival.
If you have any questions, contact Chetta D at 678.961.4937 or by email at
chettadtheartist@gmail.com.
Details for the Atlanta Photo Battle
Date: Friday, Oct. 18
th
Location: Ambient Studio
Address : 585 Wells St SW, Atlanta, GA 30312
Time 7 - 10pm
Details for SCAD Atlanta Open Studio Night
Date: Friday, Nov. 1 from 7 – 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: SCAD
Address : 1600 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
New: Last Outing of the Year with GLASS!
GLASS’s last outing for this year is with the Culinary Explorers. Need some spice in your life? Come and join the Culinary Explorers. This will be a group of individuals who like to try different types of cuisine, for example French, Vegan, and Mediterranean. We will find different restaurants throughout the Atlanta Metro area that will be MARTA accessible. The group will educate the restaurants and their staff about blind people and people with other disabilities.
The next outing will be Saturday, October 19, 2019.
Location: Tuk Tuk (this is Thai food)
Time: 5:30-7:30(The restaurant does not open until 5:00 p.m.)
1745 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
(678) 539-6181
Seats are limited.
This will be a fantastic voyage! If you are interested please RSVP Vanessa at 404-657-1452 by October 15th.
Reminder: The East Georgia Chapter of GCB to Celebrate “Blind Americans Equality Day/ White Cane Safety Day.”
President Patricia Cox Ganger of The East Georgia Chapter of GCB has set forth a Proclamation that our chapter celebrate “Blind Americans Equality Day/ White Cane Safety Day.” The Chapter members will wear T-shirts designed solely for us by BEJ’s (Brandy Era Jones Jarrard) Design Company. Please feel free to wear your chapter’s / organization T-shirts. We will walk down Main Street in Conyers, Georgia. All Blind/Low Vision/Deaf Blind people, and Blind organizations serving this population are invited to join us. This is a monumental event.
On October, 6,1964, HR 753, a joint resolution of the US Congress was signed into law authorizing Presidents of the United States to proclaim October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon V. Johnson was the first President to do so.
In 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed October 15 to be Blind Americans Equality Day. The change in name reflects the significant progress made by the Blind/ Low vision community to be recognized as equals in society.
The “Blind Americans Equality Day/ White Cane Safety Day” Walk will proceed from the Conyers Presbyterian Church, 911 Main Street, N.W. Conyers, Georgia 30012. The meeting will be Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 10 a.m.-Noon. For further information, contact First-Vice-President Cecily Nipper at (770) 786-1551.
Reminder: 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:
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.
Reminder: 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.
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, please contact the Holiday Inn Express at 404-524-7000 and use code VIS (V, I, S) or you can click on the following link to book online:
bit.ly/2mnUR9P
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!
Reminder: 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 SOLD OUT. Limited seating so get your tickets now. 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
Reminder: Research Participants Needed for 2 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. Alternatively, you may complete this anonymous 5-minute survey to share your thoughts with us:
https://b.gatech.edu/2mHPpPL.
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
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: 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: 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.
Reminder: 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
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New: Hulu Adds new Accessibility Features
http://bit.ly/35kz5pu
New: Mattel Releases Braille Version of Uno for Blind Players
http://bit.ly/2MxYyU1
New: This Tech Gives Visually Impaired Patrons Unique Experience at Museum
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.
