Dear Friends,

INsight Online is a monthly news update from the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired. We're interested to know what you think of the content, or if you have any news or information that you'd like to share. Please give us your feedback at

In this month's issue...

Midtown exhibit to showcase works of VI kids
BIG BOWL is big fun
Accessible Computer Training opens doors through technology
My perspective – Cathy McAdam
Support GDABVI’s work to help children and seniors with severe vision loss

Midtown exhibit to showcase works of VI kids

“Insight: Many Ways of Seeing”, which runs from November 21 through November 28 at the work – detroit gallery, features the ceramic works of children with visual impairments from Detroit-area schools. The show is the result of a workshop collaboration between GDABVI and University of Michigan Professor Sadashi Inuzuka that aimed to give young people with severe vision loss an opportunity to explore their creativity through art.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008 from 6 – 9 p.m. The work – detroit gallery is located in Orchestra Place at the University of Michigan Detroit Center, which is located at 3663 Woodward Avenue.

For more information, including gallery hours, call 313-593-0527 or
visit art-design.umich.edu/galleries/?cat=9.

BIG BOWL is big fun

More than 50 friends of the GDABVI laced up their bowling shoes to raise money for those with severe vision loss. The event raised $3,800 for GDABVI programs and services, while also providing an opportunity for people to gather around our mission.

GDABVI thanks our event sponsors, Dr. Susan S. & Mr. David M. Thoms. The Agency also thanks our lane sponsors, the Canton Lions Club, Cross Plumbing, Design Home Improvement, Detroit Mid-City Lions Club, Detroit Northwest Lions Club, Garden City Lions Club, Grosse Pointe Lions Club, Harper Woods Lions Club, Low Vision Solutions, John Rhinesmith, CPA, PC (Trustee), Squeaky Clean Ducts, Judge Paul Teranes (Trustee), Wayne State VAC Training Program, Westland Lions Club, and a sponsorship in memory Beatrice Bennett.

Thank you to the Hantz Group for a donation of bowling balls and towels, the Target Corporation for a donation of a $100 gift card, the Looney Bakery of Livonia for providing delicious doughnuts, and the Detroit Ignition for donating t-shirts and bags.

Special thanks also goes out to volunteer Tania Allen, whose efforts contributed to the event’s success.

Accessible Computer Training opens doors through technology

If you or someone you know is legally blind and would like to learn how to use a computer, GDABVI’s Accessible Computer Training (ACT) program can help. ACT is an introductory training program that teaches computer skills to new users who are blind or visually impaired. Instruction is offered in free, weekly one-on-one sessions with a peer tutor.

Communicate with friends and loved ones through e-mail, or discover how to surf the Internet. Those with recent changes in vision are taught screen magnification programs, and those with no vision are taught screen-reading programs. Experience the power of technology or even prepare yourself to learn more advanced skills.

Instruction is available at the libraries for the blind in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, the city of Detroit, as well as senior sites in Dearborn, Novi and Farmington Hills.

To enroll, call one of the regional libraries for the blind, or contact Cathy McAdam at 313-563-1412 or
.

My perspective – Cathy McAdam

I took a bit of razzing from some friends for wanting to stand in line to vote in the presidential election. They couldn’t quite grasp why a 60-some-year-old blind woman wouldn’t just get an absentee ballot. Voting independently with the ability to verify my own ballot has been a truly awesome experience. Lines or not, I couldn’t go back to giving up my right to cast a secret ballot at my local polling place.

This didn’t make sense to some of my observant friends who correctly noted that I still needed a ride to the polls. Wouldn’t this, they ask, negate the whole notion of independence?

No, not at all! Because even though I am dependent on a car to transport me to the polls, just as a sighted person would be, I need no help in finding a ride (… as most of my closest friends can personally attest).

Voting at my local polling place is an amazing example of how technology has advanced the opportunity for independence for those of us with disabilities. It’s a statement about equal access and universal design. The voting machine talked to me, but someone who needed large print could have just as well used it. Someone with a mouth stick could use it. In fact, anyone can use it.

New technologies are a way of life that we can embrace as an opportunity for equalizing the playing field. So I’ll be proud to stand in line for my right to vote independently and celebrate technology as it helps me exercise my constitutional right!

Cathy McAdam, ASCW, is a career development and access technology consultant. She also is the director of GDABVI’s Accessible Computer Technology (ACT) program.

Support GDABVI’s work to help children and seniors with severe vision loss

As we come near the end of 2008, we hope that you will consider a donation to GDABVI as part of your end-of-year giving plans. Agency services help children and seniors with severe vision loss to live more independently, provide public education on eye health and safety, and connect people with visual impairments to a variety of community resources.

To make a contribution, simply download and fill out an Agency Donation Form and mail it in with a check or money order. Credit card donations can also be made online through Network for Good.

We encourage you to learn more about GDABVI programs and services by calling 313-272-3900 or visiting our website at GDABVI.org.