APH News: May 2013

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

Read on to learn about these new products – now available!

• NEW! Large Print Textbooks for Your eReader!
• APH Spring Fever Sale
• REVISED! Tactile Treasures Kit: Tactile/Color Edition
• NEW! Genetic Code Large Print Braille
• EZeeCOUNT Abacus Now Available on Shopping Site!
• NEW! APH InSights Calendar 2014
• APH Braille Book Corner

ESAC Returns to APH!

1st Row: Jim Olson (Chair), Charlotte Lowry
2nd Row: Christine Hinton, Jim Durst, Julie Kagy

The Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) is charged with providing oversight and leadership in the planning, evaluation, and delivery of product-related services provided by the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind at APH, and on April 8-12, they did just that.

The committee, led by Chair Jim Olson (CO), met with APH staff to discuss topics including definitions and categories in the Student Registration System for Federal Quota, the APH website, the Tactile Graphic Image Library, federal funding and quota spending, and much, much more. Along with Jim, committee members Julie Kagy (NC), Charlotte Lowry (AL), Christine Hinton (NJ), and Jim Durst (IN) heard reports from Advisory Services departments, including Resource Services, Communications, and Field Services. They provided input on discussions about Annual Meeting, and building relationships with agencies that provide services to adult clients and those that provide services to infants and preschoolers.

The committee provided APH with a concise, comprehensive report before departing. The report contained commendations for our accomplishments over the last year, and, more importantly, excellent recommendations for projects, activities, and improvements for the upcoming year.

APH appreciates the dedication shown by ESAC members to take time away from their important work to assist us in support of our mission. Thanks, ESAC!

Summer 2013 will be Unforgettable!

This summer, capture a 5-minute APH product video while you are having fun with your friends at summer camp or as a summer school project. It can make you an instant APH Star.

Every entry in our Unforgettable APH Star contest is eligible to win up to $150.00 cash and will be entered into a random drawing for three $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificates. Entries must be received by September 17, 2013.

We already know you use APH products, so capture your best moments in a quick video and have an unforgettable summer!

For complete guidelines and submission form, go to: sites.aph.org/contest.

Reminder: Typhlo & Tactus Tactile Book Contest 2013-Entries Due July 15

Once again APH is the U.S. national contact for the international biennial competition created to encourage improvement of the quality and quantity of tactile books for young children with visual impairments. Don’t miss the chance to submit your tactile book, designed for children with visual impairments from birth to 12 years of age. Visit archive.aph.org/research/tactile-book-contest/ for rules and deadlines.

APH’s Nearby Explorer Android App will be Found at the ACB Convention

APH’s Terrie Terlau is scheduled to demonstrate Nearby Explorer at the ACB Convention on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:45 to 7:00 p.m. She will have Nearby Explorer on an Android Phone, on the Braille Plus 18™, and also for APH Talking PC Maps.

ACB Discovering New Worlds
American Council of the Blind
52nd Annual Conference and Convention
July 4 – 12, 2013
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Columbus, Ohio

Oldies but Goodies: The "Established" APH Product Series

IntelliKeys®

IntelliTactiles® Overlay Companions

IntelliTactiles Pre-Braille Concepts®

IntelliKeys® is an alternative keyboard designed to meet the needs of students with physical disabilities. It is a customizable, flat, touch-sensitive device that provides auditory feedback for overlays placed on the touch-sensitive surfaces. Unlike standard keyboards with a fixed set of keys, the configuration of IntelliKeys can be easily changed by sliding different overlays onto the touch sensitive area. The IntelliKeys keyboard, related software, and standard overlays are available exclusively from IntelliTools®. APH has developed overlays for the IntelliKeys keyboards designed specifically for users who are blind or visually impaired.

IntelliTactiles® USB Overlay Companions and the IntelliTactiles® Standard Overlay Companions align with the IntelliKeys keyboard’s visual overlays developed by IntelliTools, making them accessible to braille readers. Each durable clear-plastic tactile overlay is designed to slip under the ledges of the IntelliKeys keyboard. The User’s Guide presents reduced visual images of the overlays and details notable features that make the print and tactile overlays different in any way, such as the incorporation of braille abbreviations or the use of special point symbols. A short introductory presentation about IntelliTactiles Standard Overlay Companions, along with other APH product presentations, can be found on the APH website at archive.aph.org/videos.

IntelliTactiles Pre-Braille Concepts® includes seven tactile overlays that can be used with the IntelliKeys keyboard, or as stand-alone “worksheets” to develop young children’s tactile discrimination skills, shape recognition ability, and understanding of many spatial/positional concepts. Although these overlays would be beneficial to any child, the overlays are especially ideal for children with visual impairments and blindness. The User’s Guide for this product provides the quiz scripts recorded for each of the overlays to allow teachers/parents to use the overlays apart from the IntelliKeys keyboard.

You can access the complete set of User’s Guides for these IntelliTactiles products from APH’s downloadable products manual page at archive.aph.org/manuals/index.html. Downloads are available in both print (.pdf) and braille (.brf) file formats and are free of charge.

If you have any suggestions for other products you would like to see highlighted in this monthly feature, please send your comments to Monica Turner at mmturner@aph.org.

From the Field:

Miami Lighthouse and Carroll Center Collaborate on Braille Music Distance Learning Project

The Braille Music Distance Learning Curriculum, launching June 1, is a series of braille music lessons that will enable contracted braille readers to learn concepts of musical notation through 26 comprehensive lessons. Each lesson can be completed in 45 minutes. Students will submit their assignments for review online.

The teacher is Jin Ho Choi who serves as the Braille and Assistive Technology Distance Learning Instructor at the Miami Lighthouse. Jin, totally blind since age 19, is a prolific composer and author of this course.

For additional information, contact Virginia Jacko at 305/856-4176 or vjacko@miamilighthouse.org.

Texas School Enjoys New Campus

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired celebrated the near-completion of its new campus on April 4. Superintendent Bill Daugherty shares that $110 million in state bond funds were used to pay for 30 new buildings that replaced those originally constructed in 1916 on the beautiful 40-acre campus. The APH exhibit Child in a Strange Country was featured in the campus tours to a crowd of about 300 friends of the school, including Dr. Natalie Barraga.

Around the House:

Vice President of Development Named

APH is pleased to welcome Bob Belknap as the new Vice President of Development. Bob has a strong and diverse background in fundraising, and comes to APH from USA Cares, a national non-profit organization that helps post 9/11 veterans and their families. Before that, he was a branch director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Bob is a former Army officer and a graduate of Western Kentucky University.

APH President Tuck Tinsley said, “We conducted a national search and believe we have the right person for this challenging job. Bob is qualified, energetic, and has the experience APH needs to garner funding for future projects.”

Bob and his wife, Miriam, have two grown sons, Chris and Michael.

National Prison Braille Network (NPBN): Annual Forum News

Nearly half of the known prison braille programs in the U.S. were represented at the 2012 Forum.

We are pleased to announce that the notes and handout materials from the 2012 National Prison Braille Forum are now posted on the APH website. Thanks to everyone who traveled to Louisville last October and made the Forum a very productive gathering! Here is a link to that information: archive.aph.org/pbf/2012-report.

It’s not too soon to save the date for the 2013 Forum, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16. Once again, professionals from the fields of vision and corrections will come together to share information about prison braille programs – both the challenges and the success stories. If you would like to be added to a mail list to receive notices about future National Prison Braille Network activities such as the Forum, contact Becky Snider: rsnider@aph.org or 502-899-2356.

NEW! Large Print Textbooks for Your eReader!

The Accessible Textbooks Department of APH now offers hundreds of large print textbooks for digital download! Hundreds of textbooks created using APH’s exclusive accessibility process are available for purchase through the File Repository of the Louis Database.

High Quality Large Print at a Substantial Savings

APH electronic large print textbooks feature the complete content of the original print edition, formatted for improved accessibility using APH’s proprietary in-house process. All textbooks use a minimum 18-pt. font, enlarged images, and a color palette designed for accessibility and clarity. The digital format provides greater portability and convenience for the user. Also, many of these digital editions now feature image descriptions.

Several subjects are available, including language arts, science, and social studies, from the nation’s best-known publishers. Search Louis for titles you need and download your textbooks today!

Notes

• While APH is not taking orders specifically for the digital format, current large print textbook orders are being offered in print and digital file form.
• One copy of each desired large print file must be purchased for each student user.
• APH electronic large print textbooks are intended for use on an eReader only; they cannot be printed.

The electronic large print books are available using quota funds, and are available only to students served by the quota system. The billing process is the same as for all other repository downloads; a monthly bill/statement is sent out from the Finance Department.

To transfer files to the student’s device, consider looking into the free program/app Dropbox. You can load the program onto your PC or Mac, and then put the Dropbox app on the student’s device. You can then quickly transfer files from your computer to the student’s. Or there is the option to send a link to the student, and he/she can download the file by clicking on the link and accessing the Dropbox website. Here is the link to their website, so you can investigate it further: https://www.dropbox.com/

NEW! Building on Patterns (BOP) Kindergarten and the Common Core State Standards

Recently posted on the Research page of the APH website is a reference document with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and information on where they are addressed in the BOP Kindergarten curriculum. BOP lesson numbers are listed next to the standard when a particular lesson addresses that standard.

Information about the BOP First Grade and Second Grade curricula will be added over the next few months.

The document is available in HTML and Excel (.xlsx) formats. Follow this link to Research Resources: archive.aph.org/research/#research-resources or visit the APH homepage and click the Research Resources link, then select either the HTML or Excel link following the heading BOP Kindergarten and the Common Core State Standards

APH’s Jan Carroll Tapped as NBA President—Staffers Attend Conference and Participate

Gary Mudd, Bill Beavin, President Jan Carroll, Cathy Senft-Graves, DeAnna Morrison, Jayma Hawkins

APH Vice President Gary Mudd along with staff members Jan Carroll, Cathy Senft-Graves, DeAnna Morrison, and Jayma Hawkins attended the Spring 2013 National Braille Association (NBA) Professional Development Conference in Gaithersburg, MD, April 18-20. The conferences of the NBA are held twice each year and are attended by braille transcribers, teachers of the visually impaired, paraprofessionals, and administrators of braille programs.

Sessions provide instruction on the preparation of braille materials according to the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) rules and guidelines and other information. The topics for this conference’s sessions included braille transcription software, chemistry, formatting, math, music, tactile graphics, and more.

APH Vice President Bill Beavin also attended the banquet on April 19 where Jan Carroll was installed as the President of NBA for 2013-2015. The next NBA conference will be held October 24-26 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Becomes First Publisher to Reach 10,000 NIMAS files in the NIMAC!

In its 7th year of operations, the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) now has 35,000 NIMAS file sets available. These files, which we receive from over 100 publishers, are used by APH and others across the U.S. (and its outlying areas) to produce accessible educational materials needed by students in the classroom. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) has reached a milestone as the first participating publisher to reach 10,000 file submissions to the NIMAC! The NIMAC extends its congratulations to HMH for this accomplishment and sincere appreciation for its ongoing commitment to serve students with print disabilities.

University of Arizona Loves APH!

As part of APH’s Collaborative Instructional Partnership (CIP) Program, on April 6 and April 9, Field Services Representative Kerry Isham presented to two very enthusiastic University of Arizona classes in Phoenix and Tucson. These events were initiated by Dr. Irene Topor, Associate Professor of Practice, and Coordinator in the Department of Education. Each presentation began with an overview of APH, our products and our services. Following that was a discussion of APH products for the core curriculum and the expanded core curriculum. Then everyone enjoyed some hands-on time with products (including Tactile Town, Picture Maker, Giant Textured Beads with Pattern Matching Cards, and the VisioBook) while participating in a group exercise, after which the students’ knowledge of APH products was tested in a spirited game of “Are You Smarter than an APH Field Services Representative?” Lots of fun and learning took place on those days as the dedicated university students eagerly listened, asked questions, and tried out products.

Getting a Feel for Tactile Graphics in Baltimore

Karen Poppe, Fred Otto, Steve Mullins, Adam Clark, Yan Zhang and Kerry Isham represented APH at the National Federation of the Blind Tactile Graphics Conference held in Baltimore on April 12 and 13. The conference drew approximately 150 international attendees, many of whom made it a point to stop by the APH booth to try out products such as The Best for a Nest, Tactile Town, Little Breath of Wind, The DRAFTSMAN, Sudoku Partner 6X6, Tactile Tangrams, and World at Your Fingers. Karen, Fred, Steve, Adam, and Yan all presented at sessions and Kerry exhibited products at this exciting event, where individuals explored a wide range of topics related to the creation and use of tactile products for persons who are blind/visually impaired.

Vanderbilt Students Visit APH

APH was pleased to welcome Dr. Karen Blankenship and nine students from Vanderbilt University on April 12. The students, all in training to become teachers of students with visual impairments, spent the day learning about APH. They were treated to a short history of APH from Museum Director Mike Hudson, toured the production plant, visited the Museum and the Hall of Fame, heard presentations from several APH staff members, and viewed demonstrations of the APH website and the Tactile Graphics Image Library. A highlight of the day was a number of product demonstrations from APH Research Department Project Leaders.

We welcome these future leaders to our field, and hope they’ll be fans of APH for life!

Treasures From the APH Libraries

The APH Barr Library supports research initiatives at APH, while the Migel Library is one of the largest collections of nonmedical information related to blindness in the world. Although the collections do not circulate, arrangements can be made to use the materials on-site. In addition, an ongoing digitization effort means APH will continue to make materials available through the online catalog at http://migel.aph.org.

Two of the many "Treasures from the APH Libraries" are described below.

From the Migel Library: Koestler, Frances A. The Unseen Minority: A Social History of Blindness in America. New York: AFB, 2004.

Originally published in 1976 for the 50th anniversary of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), The Unseen Minority is a detailed and comprehensive history of the issues, individuals, and organizations involved with blindness in the United States. As the first book to be awarded the C. Warren Bledsoe Award from the American Association of Workers for the Blind, this 658-page classic builds a broader, inclusive history around the story of AFB. It is a definitive work that brings together an account that is not collectively available elsewhere. Not only is a history of M.C. Migel presented, for example, but also a history of the M.C. Migel Library in which this copy of the book is held. This reissued edition also includes an outline of recent issues and a collection of historical chronologies.

From the Barr Library: Vadasy, Patricia F. and J. Ron Nelson. Vocabulary Instruction for Struggling Students: What Works for Special-Needs Learners. New York: Guilford Press, 2012.

With the goal of equipping educators with pragmatic methods for fostering the growth of at-risk learners’ reading, writing, and speaking skills, the authors explore the body of cross-disciplinary research on vocabulary learning and instruction. Concepts such as morphology and collocations ground a subsequent analysis of the effectiveness of popular word lists, which are relied upon in the teaching of high frequency, root, and academic words. The book culminates into an evaluation of the most commonly accepted pedagogical techniques for teaching vocabulary, from as early as preschool and extending into middle school and adulthood. Ultimately, Vadasy and Nelson concede that there are still some areas that demand more understanding, such as unconventional forms of vocabulary assessment, along with the most effective ways to teach and retain students who are not native English speakers.

APH is working with the Lyrasis Consortium and Internet Archive to digitize portions of the M.C. Migel Library. Search the phrase “full text” to find these items at http://migel.aph.org. The digitized texts are available in a variety of formats, including DAISY, Kindle, EPUB, PDF, etc.

Contact Library staff: library@aph.org, 800-223-1839, ext. 705

More New Braille Plus 18 Videos Added!

We’ve added links to more new videos created by talented student Chase Crispin and his teacher LeAnna MacDonald. Visit our products video page to view these videos, which cover hooking up the Braille Plus 18 to a TV and updating its software.

Check Out Book Port DT!

Have you considered APH’s Book Port DT Digital Talking Book Player/Recorder? This desktop unit is really two Talking Book players in one:

• Simple: If you want an easy-to-use playback device with a large, great sounding speaker, just use the Book Port DT with the included removable mask that simplifies the controls. Plays standard NLS Digital Talking Book Cartridges.
• Sophisticated: Want to listen to podcasts or internet radio, make your own recordings, or read computer files? You can do all of this and more with the Book Port DT!

Learn about the