Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind the source for blindness news and information since 1907

Phil Jones wrote:

I’m writing to express my appreciation to John Christie for sharing with us the article Georgia Man Gets No Break in Life. The reason I say this is because all too often many of us who are blind or visually impaired become too focused on the negative side of blindness and the native attitudes board us and the barriers that we face. The fact is that the vast majority of us have it pretty good and most of us can turn our situation around if we really want too. We’ve made a lot of progress over the years and the fact that we have shows that we still can if we really want to. The individual written about in this article had no breaks at all, was never given a chance and died at a very young age. So folks let’s try to keep that in mind the next time things don’t seem to be going the way we think they should.

In response to Terri’s comment in last week’s Reader’s Forum, David McElroy wrote:

Regarding marriage to an SSI beneficiary, that benefit is technically a Welfare program. Therefore, significant restrictions apply which would not be as onerous were this spouse receiving funds under his own account. Would this couple not have been better served by dropping SSI initially and remaining in one apartment?

Sue wrote :

In response to the reader about having things accessible out of the box, yes there are some products that will work and for some well the fact is you do need someone sighted to set up the appliance for you. If I were you I would not give up on the iTouch, if you really want to set it up yourself use iTunes. It is a great piece of software and yes it is accessible whether you are using Jaws, Window Eyes, NVDA, or System access. I think any screen reader will work. I know when I got my new computer last year I had my husband set it up, that was pretty easy, but once that was all done I installed Window Eyes, and everything works. It does not hurt to have an extra set of eyes to set up your computer, phone, or whatever you have. Be glad they are helping you out. What is really nice is I am using a windows computer with windows 7 and it is a lot better than XP. On the other side, maybe get a Mac. I know they cost a little bit more, but it is worth it, since the products do come with voiceover screen reader already built in, and if you want to go that route, from what I have heard it really does talk out of the box. For me having grown up with DOS, and Windows, going the Windows way is what I am use to. When I installed iTunes on my windows machine, it talked and with Window Eyes, reads really well. And yes on the Mac iTunes is on there. I don’t have an iTouch yet, but from what I have noticed iTunes works great. I mainly use it to listen to radio stations and a few podcasts. I don’t have wifi so what I am going to do is when I get my iTouch, I’m going to plug it into the PC and go through the set up using iTunes. I know it does take some time to learn this stuff, but it is worth it. Whoever recommended the blue tooth keyboard email them back, or maybe Skype them to ask for help. Also check out applevis.com. They have a lot of podcasts and another great resource is nbp.org, and they do have a few books on helping out with i-devices.

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In response to Op Ed with Bob Branco – Media Overkill Wesley wrote:

May I suggest turning off the news? I no longer watch news on TV, and limit my consumption of print media to a couple of stories on the internet. The sad reality is news has become entertainment, and it is not the kind of entertainment I enjoy. For those of us who have been around a few decades, I am sure we can remember the days when news was actual reporting, rather than talking heads providing their opinions. Turn it off – that is my answer!

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Terri wrote in to comment on two previous articles:

Starting with John Christie’s article in the April 29th 2013 Ziegler, I have never had the exact experience you described with the couple living in separate group homes. A similar experience which I feel enables me to relate to this couple’s plight, though, is that of having to live separated from my husband so that he does not lose his SSI benefits. Although I looked into this possibility prior to our marriage on July 8th, 2005, I obviously did not explore the possibility thoroughly enough nor did I request a response in writing as I now wish I would have. That being the case, both my husband and I were appalled when he lost all of his benefits a month after our marriage. I responded by adding my name to a friend’s lease, paying a portion of her rent accordingly, and spending a lot of time at her apartment while refusing to give up my matrimonial right to live with my husband. Though I thought that the above actions resolved this dilemma, that was not to be. In January 2006, my husband’s SSI benefits were again suspended on the basis that we were defrauding the system by living together when we had previously maintained that we weren’t. Not knowing what else to do, I moved out of the apartment my husband and I had been sharing, and we have been living apart since. I find governmental regulations that separate people who either are married or want to be unfair and oppressive. I’ll be interested in hearing the experiences and opinions of other readers.

Finally, I couldn’t agree more with Bob Branco’s Op Ed which appeared in the April 22nd 2013 Ziegler. While I totally agree with and respect the public’s right to know and the media’s right to report as outlined in our Constitution’s First Amendment, I also think that the media often goes too far. Is it really necessary, for example, to show the same images and play the same sounds over and over? It seems that freedom of the press somehow needs to be balanced with rights to privacy and those of victims to be treated sensitively as they work through the pain of the grieving process.

In response to Op Ed with Bob Branco – They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To, Theresa wrote:

Boy, did you hit a nerve with me. As you stated, the electronic items we purchase no longer seem to be “blind-user” friendly. You simply just can’t open the box, remove the item, plug it into the wall (if batteries do not come with the item or if the item only runs on electric current) and last but not least, you need a sighted person to help you through in order to have the item set up for you to use. Sounds very familiar. For lack of a better way of saying it, I share your pain.

What I find more appalling, however, is that if I state my frustration over such issues to other blind individuals who have seemed to conquer this obstacle, I oftentimes get a run-around and hear statements like “it’s doable.” I invested close to $300 in an iPod Touch last summer
and over $50 in a Bluetooth wireless keyboard at the recommendation of someone, and they still have yet to get with me to help walk me through how to use it. Talk about an investment that could have been put to use somewhere else, or at least, maybe I should have waited? I only know
that by the time I do learn how to use it, a newer version will be out, and my version of the iPod Touch will, for lack of a better word, seem ancient.

Theresa

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Feature Writer Ann Chiappetta – Left at the Curb, George wrote:

I’ll tell you my experience back in 1998. I had been on a long preaching tour visiting several churches over a 3 week period of time. I caught a flight out of Las Vegas and arrived home to Houston at the Hobby Airport at about 11:00 AM on a Saturday morning. I had my guide dog “Buck” with me. I located my luggage and went outside to where the cab lineup was. I went to the first cab in line which is the accepted procedure. The cabby met me and asked me in broken English where I wanted to go. I told him the address. He then told me that I would have to give him specific directions to get to my destination. I told him this was out of the question and that I did not know! He also informed me that I would have to put something down so dog hair wouldn’t get in his cab! I retorted, “Are you serious?”

I then proceeded to the second cab in the lineup. An “attendant” suddenly appeared and went to the first cabby and read him the riot act for not taking me (the fare) I stood by, smiled, listened and enjoyed the conversation between them. She asked me for my input and I told her. The cabby then turned to me and offered to take me for 1/2 the fare. I refused and told him that I wouldn’t go with him if he took me for free. The attendant made him go to the back of the line–about 12 cabs back. I smiled and got in the second cab and had no problem getting home.

One other time when I was in Boston I needed a receipt for my cab ride. The cabby gave me a receipt about the size of a postage stamp. I believe he tried this tactic simply because I was blind. I refused the postage stamp receipt and held out for a more suitable one.

Perhaps taking a quick picture of the cab’s license plate and/or the driver and then notifying the cab company might help with this issue.

Rev. George Gray

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Mary wrote in to say:

I recently applied for retiree benefits via the online Social Security web site, and thought I’d mention a few things about how accessible the site is. I hope this information will help some readers out there.

I took early retirement after working for almost thirty years, and as the time to apply for benefits approached, I was a bit nervous. I imagined that I’d have to dig out old W-2 forms and go through all sorts of research and difficult questions. How wrong I was!

I took a quick look at the socialsecurity.gov site in January, and found that Jaws could read it very easily. I also use a Braille display, and Braille access was great. I created an online account because there’s a lot of information you can access via your account, including the annual statement that Social Security sends you.

One of the first things I discovered when applying for benefits was a page that lets you determine what format you want to receive notices that are normally sent to you in standard print. Blind people can receive information in standard print, Braille or large print with a standard print copy attached), or via CD. The CD can contain either audio, or a Microsoft Word document. All formats are sent via first class mail.

I found the retiree application very easy. The advantage of using the online method is that most of the required information is available, so you usually won’t need to fill in your income or employer history. The questions were clear and the process was painless. I could even set up direct deposit so the amount can be deposited into a bank account.

As I navigated the site, I noticed that supplemental security income (SSI) was mentioned, so I suspect there’s a way to get more information about this and other benefits.

There are a number of books on the NLS BARD site that discuss social security in detail. If you’re a BARD user, you can type “social security” as a search term and find some helpful information. There are a couple books in Braille and at least one audiobook.

I’ve probably missed something that needs clarification, so thanks in advance to other readers who have other pointers to share in Readers Forum.

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Op Ed with Bob Branco – A New Age for College Radio, Wesley wrote:

Having been a radio broadcaster myself, I absolutely agree that the dignity of the institution should be represented by the radio station. Likewise, it has long been the policy of the FCC to restrict profanity and obscenities for broadcast radio and television. However, these restrictions do not apply between the hours of 10pm and 6am, when children are less likely to be listening. Furthermore the FCC doesn’t extend these restrictions to cable and internet broadcasts. While I may not agree with the station manager’s policy, if the college radio station is strictly an internet radio station, they are free to use profanity. However, if they are also broadcasting this over the air, especially during restricted hours, filing a complaint to the FCC should be done – see this article: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/oip/

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In response to Editor Ross Hammond – ATM Skimming, Chantelle wrote:

I was twenty years old when I first started to use a bank card. I used to go to the bank and went straight to the teller for my money until one afternoon when the teller told me to go get my money at the ATM outside of the bank. He told me that we pay more when we come to get money inside the bank and that it’s cheaper at an ATM. They don’t give us a discount or give our money for free without banking fees inside the bank. Even when it’s safer for us inside than outside the bank. We can also get our money at the shop when we buy something which is nice and a way I go by a lot when I’m alone. So for us who only get disability grants, it would cost more to get our money inside the bank.

As a college student back then, I didn’t always get someone to walk with me to the bank. I was told to ask a security guard to keep watch for me outside at the ATM or ask them to help me to get the money since the ATM doesn’t have any speech on it. So I have to trust the guard to tell me the truth when he helps me to get the money I want. I also get a text message each time I withdraw money, but even so, it’s not easy to trust a total stranger. Here in my home town, I have to get the bank manager to come out and help me get the money I want.

Just a question for those of you getting disability grants in other countries: Do you pay any banking fees? Here in South-Africa, we pay like everyone else unless you don’t have a bank account and have a Sassa card, which doesn’t have any banking costs.

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In response to Editor Ross Hammond – ATM Skimming, Chela wrote:

Regarding the article about identity safety and ATM Cards information being stolen, my mom has experienced someone stealing her card info from Texas, believe it or not, and we live in California, so I had to help her with expenses.

This brings me to another solution, because thinking about it, when you pass by the cashier stations or self-checkout places in grocery stores for example, even when your leather wallet is in your pocket, if you have a credit or debit card with an RFID tag in it, your information can be read by crooks, so what about the idea of switching wallets from the current one you have which is all leather, to a steel defense wallet that can block the signals from being read? The Blind Mice Mega Mall site sells one. You can read more about it by visiting: https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Item_Detail?itemid=1890530

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Feature Writer John Christie – Berklee Summer Music Program A Great Opportunity for Musical Minds, Wesley wrote:

Thanks John for writing about the Berklee Summer program. It brought back a lot of fond memories! I attended this program in the late 70′s, and came away with an experience worth a lifetime. I won’t kid anyone, this is a serious program, I was practicing my guitar for several hours a day, playing with many musicians, improving ear training, and getting out for concerts. However, all of this was done at a time when I could actually see and read standard sheet music. It was great to find out that the program is supporting the blind and visually impaired students. Kinda makes me want to go back 35 years later and experience the program again from a different perspective.

Musically Yours,
Wesley

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In response to questions regarding reading Braille left-handed, David wrote:

I read Braille left handed and never use my right hand. I seem to just find each line with no trouble. I need to add my right hand, but find everything looks so strange, feels strange, doing that, in reverse, so to speak. Using my right hand does increase my speed to over 300 wpm, but I rarely do it.

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Kit wrote in to say:

I have been going to the local Apple Store for computer training. I thought that everyone should know how wonderful they have been to me. Only one trainer knows voiceover, but the others are learning it. I am the only blind person to come in for 1 to 1 training and know more than most of the guys training me. The majority of them though are learning how to use voiceover. Instead of throwing me to the wayside, they are helping me out and I am helping them. They all have been wonderful and are trying their best to help me. I did pay for the 1 to 1 training, so it is not like they are doing this for free. I would highly recommend them to both sighted and non-sighted people alike. The Apple Store at the King of Prussia Mall is where I have been going. It is located in Pennsylvania. I love what they are doing for me and thought others should know.

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Feature Writer Lynne Tatum – The Many Ways to Learn and Teach, David wrote:

How do you help yourself or others learn a new subject? I dread this very thing. I have to ask around or try to find someone who might possibly know what I need to learn, a very hard prospect. Then I have to figure out how much it might cost, if the adaptive software has good tech support, and go from there. I find it quite an effort to upgrade computers, change software, and then find some things are easier; others, not. As it is, I am trying to learn scopist skills, but it’s an uphill battle.

I don’t find learning fun anymore – too much hangs on my getting it right.

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In response to Feature Writer John Christie – Justice or Leniency? Dave wrote:

I would like to say he should, since it’s his first offense, receive 5 years probation, and pay back all the value of what he stole, unless she drops the charges. He should be treated like everybody else who is not blind.

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Linda wrote in to say:

I completed Grade Two Braille about 5 years ago and try to practice about 30 minutes each day. I read with the index finger of my left hand and, as you can guess, do not have this hand free to maintain the margin position on the page. I can attempt to relearn with my right index, but know that this will be a laborious task that will definitely make Braille reading less enjoyable. I may prefer to fight than switch at age 69!

Can I hear from those who have had success with switching or those who have perfected the art of left-hand reading?

Thanks a lot and kind regards.

Linda Tennent

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Op Ed with Bob Branco – Please, Don’t Serve Those Cupcakes, Jean wrote:

My granddaughter can’t even have home-made cupcake in her school. They have to be ordered through the cafeteria so they are made according to health codes in the state. Things are definitely no longer “Leave it to Beaver.”

Jean Marcley
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In response to Feature Writer Karen Crowder’s Series on the Ingalls Sisters, David wrote:

I enjoyed the article this week about Mary Ingalls. That school sounds very nice. I’m glad Mary had that opportunity. I wish she had become a teacher. I wonder why she did not. She sounds like she had a nice life. A rather genteel life.

I wonder what blind people did in the 1890s and early 1900s. Were there opportunities or did it depend on your family, who you knew, and if you could get on at a school for the blind?

By the time I went to a residential school, blind teachers were rare. Most teachers were sighted. What blind teachers we still had were elderly maiden ladies who taught Braille or the elementary grades. They either lived with a relative or at the school.

Speaking of teachers, I thought Steven Famiglietti’s article about his resource teacher was interesting. I mainstreamed part of each day for three years in high school. I attended several high schools–it could have been managed better. I kept being changed from one high school to another. No continuity. Blind schools can be little kingdoms ruled over by dictatorial authorities.

Tammy wrote in to say:

It seems like to me the BRL Book review is always running late getting to us patrons of the NLS program when our leaders in Washington are bickering. For example, The November/ December issue was mailed out on December18th and mine didn’t arrive until January 7th. The January/ February issue was mailed out February 19th and I have yet to receive mine. What’s the deal here? Is the postal service slowing down getting our free matter for the blind material to us because of the colossal mess they have created for us all?

For your convenience, all Reader’s Forum submissions are separated by the ## symbol.

In response to Feature Writer Terri Winaught – Low Vision Awareness Month, Christine wrote:

I have a lot of experience of being low visioned. Not only am I registered partially sighted here in the UK, but my husband is registered blind–he is totally blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other, but the sight could deteriorate so he’s registered blind.

How do we cope with other people? To me, it’s very obvious my husband has one non-formed eye and the other one is far too small (although he’s not labeled ‘microthalmic’: I think were he born today he would be). Adults will and do make rude or snarky comments about people with Nystagmus (though never to me personally) yet they fail to notice Mike’s eyes. Children, however, do notice and when he used to visit schools as part of his job doing audio recordings with student teachers, little infant and junior aged children would happily ask away and he’d happily answer back (His late dad and his elder sister were school teachers, my husband and daughter are teachers with adults).

I now have to mention the fact that I find reading in public impossible since I had cataracts removed. Not so much the cataract removal as the fact that putting on distance reading specs still doesn’t allow me to read most things as they’re way above my five foot nothing head or so small that I simply can’t get close enough. Oh, people are so embarrassed. So obviously the Nystagmus does not show up.

From time to time, I have written to public bodies and complained about the size of print and its placement on things like bus stops, but my visual problem is never addressed, so presumably the words ‘partial sight’ are not really recognized in the UK.

To be honest, now that the world is becoming made up of people five foot six and over, it’s a waste of time muttering about visual impairment: I get far more help when someone has clocked me one on the head by their waving about elbow. It’s one of the best ways of embarrassing someone I can think of, especially someone so tall they just don’t notice what’s at their feet!
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In response to Feature Writer Karen Crowder – Timeless Tools, DeAnna wrote:

The thing I love about slates is that there are so many sizes and types that it is easy to keep one in each briefcase, purse, and even wallets to quickly give someone your e-mail address, phone number, or any other piece of information on the fly if they don’t have the way to take the information and are Braille readers. I can also copy appointments, numbers, etc. for myself and don’t have to try to navigate multiple screens and edit boxes to get down the info I need. I have note takers and an iPhone, but even there, I tend to want a quick way to get what I need down and in my pockets. Airline flight info, lists, there is no end of use for the simple portable slate and stylus. I can make a quick note on a receipt or document to be able to locate it again. I am probably not as quick as some at Braille production with one, but I do find them worth slipping in a pocket.
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In response to Feature Writer John Christie – How Does the New Stream Stand Up to the PlexTalk, Shelia wrote:

John Christie talked about the difference between the Stream and the PlexTalk. My question is, do either of these devises support epub books? Our public library has epub books. I would like to use this service, but don’t want to be tied to my computer.