AS
What: SDAB
Annual Convention
When: October
10-11, 2008
Where: Governor's
Inn in
Theme: “Learning As We Go”
Agenda: will include sessions on:
Learning about Social Security Benefits;
Learning how to make Survival Kits;
Learning about what is new in the Game, Fish, & Parks Department;
Learning from members (panel) about helpful ideas to increase our independence;
Learning about options for
descriptive television for the blind & visually impaired; and
Learning from our legislators.
Banquet: The highlight for the end of our first day will be the
annual banquet where scholarship winner and other awards will be presented.
Auction: Steve Kelsey has once again agreed to be the Auctioneer.
We all hope he can beat his award winning performance of last year. He
feels he can sell anything with the help of his trusted sidekicks, but he will
need our great stuff. Let’s put him to the test, start gathering your auction
items. One of his sidekicks will be Steve Hart, who is also anxious to
show off their talents again. Word has it that the siren will once again
be in attendance. Start gathering your fun and useful treasures to bring to
the auction.
Sunset Cruise: To close out the Convention on Saturday night (5:00
pm) a 2-hour cruise is being planned on the Capital City Queen, a
Coastguard certified vessel that runs up and down the
Attention: If you bring a non-SDAB member to the convention who then
joins the SDAB, your membership could be free (2 for the price of 1).
All people who pre-register by October 1st will have their names
put in a drawing for the following prizes:
Capital City Queen Cruise ticket (2)
SDAB Banquet ticket (1)
If you have any other suggestions
or ideas for activities, please share them with
Why make dollar bills
accessible? By Frank Strong Jr;
Can you imagine a country printing blank currency which the
sighted folks could not readily identify? Can you imagine receiving a
blank piece of paper in exchange for your hard work? Well, as far as blind
citizens are concerned, this is reality. The paper currency may as well
be blank as blind people cannot identify it anyway. All
Focus on Success III
When: Sept 30 –
Where: Best Western Ramkota
Hotel, Sioux Falls, SD
Who: Everyone is welcome but individuals who are blind or visually
impaired, parents, family members, students, teachers, professionals in
education, rehabilitation and independent living are encouraged to attend. The
program will address options for education, vocational rehabilitation, and
adult services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Featured Speakers and
Topics
Olegario D. Cantos
Ardis Bazyn – Bazyn Communications;
Dan Roberts - Age-related Macular Degeneration;
Karen Gerety - Keys to Success at College; and
Priscilla Rogers- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Topics
Age-related Macular Degeneration, Assistive Technology Solutions,
AFB Resources for All Ages, Low Vision Options, Career Exploration, College
Preparation, Parenting a Child with Vision Loss, Orientation and Mobility,
Deaf-Blindness, Overcoming Adversity, Vendor Exhibits and many other topics
Continuing Education credits will be available.
Questions or for more information contact:
Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired @ 605-773-4644 or
1-800-265-9684; at: http://dhs.sd.gov/sbvi/fos2008.aspx
SD School for the Blind
and Visually Impaired @ 605-626-2580 or 1-888-275-3816
Braille and Talking Book Library @ 605-773-3131 or 1-800-423-6665
Additional details and registration information will be sent out
and will also be available on the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually
Impaired website at: http://dhs.sd.gov/sbvi/fos2008.aspx
An
SBVI Update By Sandy
Neyhart
SBVI’s newest Rehabilitation Teacher Erin Swenson, is originally from
Updates from the Center By
Dawn Backer
Ione Carlson and Lori Smith were hired to provide clerical support
at SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind.
They both have experience in the private sector with various
organizations and are doing an excellent job supporting staff by performing a
variety of duties. We appreciate having
them on board. Ron Gehrts, former employment consultant, became the home
management instructor with Taryn Sietsema’s resignation. The Rehabilitation Counselor position vacated
by Bob Smith will be announced soon, so hopefully we will have a full staff
again. Transition week is July 27- August 1, 2008 at SDRC. Currently we have 10
students attending the week long vocational training program. Tours of local businesses and evening
activities are planned to create a fun and educational experience for these
high school students. SDRC is hosting a
beep ball game and picnic Thursday evening, July 31st starting at 5:00 pm so
anyone interested in playing beep ball or watching the game is welcome. We will be playing at the field on the west
side of SDRC so if you come by taxi after 4:30 have them drop you off on the
west side of the building. If you would
like to play beep ball please RSVP to 367-5260 by Friday July 25th. Another event of interest coming in July is
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Picnic Celebration on Saturday July
26, 2008. This free picnic is being held to celebrate the passage of the
Free Directory Assistance!
By Frank Strong Jr;
New telephone directory assistance for business is now available
and is as close as your nearest telephone. The directory service is
funded by Google and you can access this service by calling the following
toll-free number: 800-466-4411 After you dial the toll-free number, your call
will be answered by a voice recognition system. The next step is for you
to give the name of the city and state of the number you desire. You will
then be asked for the business name. You give the business name and the
directory assistance system will search its data base and give you a series of
choices. You press the number of the selection which appears to be the
one you are seeking. The business phone number will then be called. This
service has at least two advantages over conventional directory
assistance. One is speed. The Google system is very fast.
Secondly, the Google system is portable. You do not need to request a
directory assistance waiver to take advantage of this free service. Try
Google directory assistance and see if you like it. You can’t beat the
price! By the way, this service is national so you can use it when you travel
or when you are doing out of state business.
The Real Gus Zachte By
Robert Zachte
Gus and Agnes Zachte were my Uncle and Aunt, Gus being my father's
brother. We are honored that the Gus Zachte award continues to keep his memory
alive. I thought you might enjoy some anecdotes about Gus. Gus and another
individual were blinded in the 1930's when an early refrigeration compressor
filled with acid, exploded in their faces. The other individual regained his
vision. Gus did not. Gus always wore cotton balls over his eyes, covered with
black welder’s goggles. Gus loved to hunt and fish. When goose hunting, we
would position Gus in a "goose pit" and when we saw a flight coming
toward us we would face Gus toward the flight and he would kneel with a double
barrel ten gauge shotgun on his knee, like a mortar. He would "lead"
the wing-beat by sound and fire both barrels of the ten gauge shotgun.
Occasionally he would score a hit and his picture would be published in the
Argus Leader, holding his goose. On one occasion, Gus and dozens of other
hunters all fired at the same time and Gus turned his shotgun around like a
baseball bat and threatened to clobber anyone that attempted to take "his
goose". Whether the goose was his or not remained to be seen. So many guys
hit it that the goose was just feathers. Gus loved to drive when we went
"road hunting" for pheasants. Yes, I said drive! Agnes
would sit in the passenger’s seat directing Gus "right",
"left" and so forth. I would be in the back seat of their two-door
car. A couple of times Agnes spotted a bird and jumped out to shoot. You just
can't imagine the thrill of being trapped in the back seat of a two-door car
with a blind man at the wheel, running off into a ditch! Being a twelve or
thirteen year old kid I loved to pull pranks on Gus and he pulled pranks on me.
When we would go fishing, Gus would ask if there were any other boats around
and I would tell him "no". Of course there were; because boats always
congregate where fish are biting. Gus carried a two pound coffee can and a
world war one great coat that he got in CC camp before he lost his sight. He
would stand up in the boat, wrap the coat around himself and hold the coffee
can underneath to pee in. At one point, being a kid, I just couldn't contain
myself - and cut the bottom out of his can. I believe that Gus spent his
remaining years trying to get even with me for that one! Just prior to his
death, Gus started to regain vision in one eye. He took off the cotton balls
and goggles took one look at my Aunt Agnes and put them back on. I had the
greatest respect for my Uncle Gus. He had a great sense of humor, did not let
his visual impairment hold him down and was FUN. I never forgot him
and never will forget him.
Parent Conference
Parents often wonder how they can become more involved in their
children’s schooling. A FREE conference slated for Aug. 15-16, 2008 in
Blind Man gets Killed in Biker
Bar
A blind man wanders into an all Girl’s Biker Bar by mistake. He
finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee. After sitting there for awhile,
he yells to the waiter, “Hey, you want to hear a blonde joke?” The bar
immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman
next to him says, before you tell that joke, sir, I think it's only fair, given
that you're blind, that you should know five things:
1) The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2) The bouncer is a blonde girl.
3) I'm a 6 foot tall, 175 lb. blonde woman with a black belt in karate.
4) The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5) The girl to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler. Now, think about it seriously mister, do you
still want to tell that joke? The blind man thinks for a second, shakes
his head, and mutters, “No, not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times.”
Membership
We realize how IMPORTANT our supporters are, and would like to
recognize the following that have graciously contributed to our organization
since the last newsletter was published.
Regular Members:
Rolland Wieczorek Beverly
Krietlow Julia Kleinschmit Ed/LeeAnn Pinkman ` Amy
Scepaniak Terri Jordan` Dorothea Peterson
Keith Bundy Peg Bundy Clifford
Foley Donna Puetz
Associated Members: $10 - $24
Timothy Minton, MD Robert
Elizabeth Ellender, OD
Sustaining Members: $25 - $99
All people who pre-register by October 1st will be eligible for a
drawing of 2 Capital City Queen Cruise tickets
2008 SDAB Convention
Registration Form
We are asking as many people as possible to pre-register by
sending or emailing this form or just the information to the address below by
October 1. You can pay at the convention. To help get an accurate meal count we
are asking as many people as possible to pre-register. Please remember everyone is WELCOME to attend
the convention, so if you have not pre-registered join us anyway!
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZIP:
PHONE #
EMAIL ADDRESS:
Vegetarian meals are available.
Please indicate which meals?
SDAB MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION:
To recognize and welcome new members/donors the SDAB publishes
their names in our newsletter. Please indicate your preference: Yes ___ (my
name can be published) No ____ (please
do not publish my name)
With your membership, you are entitled to receive a copy of our
newsletters. If you are not interested in receiving either one or both of them,
please indicate.
Check the format you wish to receive the "As Eye See It"
(SDAB Newsletter)
_____ Large Print ______ Braille _____
E-mail _____
None
Check the format you wish to receive the "Braille Forum"
(ACB Newsletter)
_____ Large Print ___ Braille
____ E-mail ____Cassette ____ CD Rom
_____ No
An attendee may register for individual conference events at the
following rates.
COSTS:
# of persons
Registration $10.00 x ________
Banquet $18.00 x ________
SDAB Dues $12.00 x
Cost of cruise will depend on the # of people signed up - Wheelchair ____ Yes _____ No
Make checks payable to: SDAB Convention (Don’t send money … just form)
Send to: Dawn LaMee,
Email: lameed@sdsbvi.northern.edu
2008
Mailing address:
Co Presidents: Chelle Hart:
Keith Bundy:
Past-President: Linda Biffert,
1st Vice President: Linda Biffert,
2nd V-Pres: Virginia Miller,
Secretary: Lerae Olesen,
Treasurer: Steve Hart, Treasurer,
Newsletter:
Gadgetry Program: Brenda Fish, 1101 N. Garfield,
Board of Directors
Ed Pinkman,
Mary Sjerven
Jack Hogarth,
Sharleen Meyers,
Deb VerSteeg,
James Madsen,
Committees
Amendments/By-Laws/Resolutions:
Lerae Olesen (Chair), Keith Bundy, Sharlene Meyers, Leighton Meyers, Deb
Ver Steeg
Membership: Dawn LaMee
(Chair), Marge Kaiser, Dawn Srstka
Nominations: Keith Bundy
(Chair), Dawn Brush,
Fund Raising: Virginia
Miller (Chair), Mary Sjerven, Jim Madsen, Jack Hogarth
Scholarship: Dawn Brush
(Chair), Keith Bundy, Lerae Olesen
Gadgetry: Chelle Hart
(Chair), Dawn Brush, Sharlene Meyers, Brenda Fish
Finance & Budget: Steve Hart (chair), Keith Bundy,
Legislative:
Program/Social:
Awards: Lerae Olesen
(Chair), Andrea Barker, Virginia Miller, Deb Ver Steeg