APH News

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

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

• APH Spring Fever Sale
• NOW ON QUOTA! Math Robot™ App
• NEW! Chameleon
• NEW! USB Charger, 2 Amp
• APH Braille Book Corner

Annual Vandy Visit!

On March 30, Vanderbilt University Personnel Prep students visited APH for a full day of touring and product training! Go Commodores! Also joining us were students from Western Michigan University and Indiana State University. So glad to have you all!

New! The Wild Initiative (Dr. Tiffany Wild)
The Provision of APH Products for University Research

APH Director of Educational Product Research Kate Herndon writes, “With ever-shrinking budgets, researchers struggle to get the tools they need to conduct research. At the same time, the American Printing House for the Blind seeks feedback in order to improve the products it develops. To that end, we have developed, in collaboration with Dr. Tiffany Wild who brought the idea to us, a product loan program. As with our University Product Loan program, researchers will have the opportunity to borrow APH products, but for an extended time, in order to collect invaluable research data on product effectiveness.”

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Kate Herndon at kherndon@aph.org or 502-899-2234. We look forward to partnering with you in this new way to benefit those we serve.

HELP! Short 40-Cell Braille Display Survey

The Technology Product Research (TPR) Department is looking for informed opinions about use cases for 40-cell braille displays in the classroom. Whether you have used a 40-cell braille display or not, we need and value your input. The information we gather could help determine our course of action on future products. Please take 10 minutes of your time to complete the 40-Cell Braille Display Survey. We appreciate your time and valuable feedback. If you have any questions or are interested in field testing, please contact technology@aph.org.

Survey on Teaching Students to Understand Landforms

We are interested to know whether or not students who are blind or visually impaired are receiving instruction in understanding landforms (such as mountains, plains, rivers, canals, tributaries, and so on). We are also asking teachers and learners familiar with the subject whether existing materials available for teaching about landforms are useful or need improvement.

If you have taught about or studied landforms in geography, social studies, mobility, or other classes, we would appreciate your responses and comments in the short survey linked below. Please forward this link to others who may be interested, too.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PG6DNT6

Louis Database Adds Textbook Cover Images

Resource Services has begun adding textbook cover images to the APH titles in Louis! While searching, you will notice the cover images on our braille and large print titles. By clicking on the image from the book detail page, you can see a larger version of the image. We hope this enhancement assists you in finding the correct edition for your students.

Here is a simple search you can do to see an example: Type 0205856004 in the search box at louis.aph.org. We hope you enjoy this new feature of the Louis database.

Last Call to Submit Your Unforgettable Star Product Videos

In just a few weeks, we will showcase the new 2015 APH Video Contest Stars on our website. Who will win the $150.00, the $75.00, or the $50.00 prize? It can be you!

Don’t wait any longer. Grab your camcorder, iPad, or smart phone and share with us something about your favorite APH product. Then send us your Unforgettable APH Star product videos! Doing so automatically enters your name in a random drawing for one of three 3 Amazon.com gift cards.

The deadline for submission is Wednesday, May 13. Find the guidelines and other contest info at: archive.aph.org/contest.

If you have questions or problems uploading your videos, please contact Maria Delgado at mdelgado@aph.org. Best of luck!

Learning Without Limits: APH to Host Historic Exhibit and Technology Demonstrations in our Nation’s Capitol in June

APH hopes to broaden understanding of the unique learning needs of students with vision loss among members of the US Congress, their staff, and the general public by presenting an educational program on Capitol Hill in early June.

This two-part exhibition includes APH’s traveling museum exhibit, Child in a Strange Country: Helen Keller and the History of Education for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Using Helen Keller’s educational journey as a lens, this fully accessible exhibit uses tactile reproductions and authentic artifacts to uncover the roots of modern education for children with vision loss. It focuses on four subject areas: reading, math, science, and geography. Several of APH’s technology products — including the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator, Math Robot, and Nearby Explorer — will be demonstrated by staff and students to illustrate how digital technology is changing the way that students with vision loss can access educational materials.

The exhibit will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer from noon on Monday, June 8, through noon on Wednesday, June 10. On Tuesday, June 9, a reception will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, also in the Rayburn Foyer. APH’s first Building Independence Awards will be presented to both Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman John Yarmuth, for their commitment to ensuring that students who are blind and visually impaired have the same educational opportunities as their sighted peers.

We welcome you to join us for this historic exhibit and award presentation in our nation’s capitol, and we encourage you to pass along an invitation to your members of Congress. If you would like to receive a copy of the event invitation to forward along to congressional members or anyone you know living in the DC area with your personal message, please contact Nancy Lacewell in the Public Affairs Department [nlacewell@aph.org, 502-899-2339].

APH Receives AFB Access Award!

On April 10, APH was presented with the AFB Access Award along with Comcast, Microsoft, MIPsoft, Odin Mobile, Joel Snyder, Ph.D., Texas Instruments Education Technology, and Orbit Research. Chosen annually, the Access Award honors individuals, corporations and organizations that eliminate or substantially reduce inequities faced by people with vision loss.

APH was honored for its collaborative work with Texas Instruments Education Technology, and Orbit Research on the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator.

Top row: AFB President and CEO Carl Augusto; Rob Sinclair, Chief Accessibility Officer of Microsoft; Tom Wlodkowski of Comcast; Rob Nevin, Global Accessibility Director of AFTERSHOKZ for MIPsoft; AFB’s VP Programs and Policy Paul Schroeder. Front row: Robert Felgar, General Manager of Odin Mobile; Joel Snyder, President, Audio Description Associates LLC; Venkatesh Chari, President of Orbit Research; Peter Balyta, President, Education Technology Division of Texas Instruments; and American Printing House for the Blind President Tuck Tinsley.

Unified English Braille (UEB) Training Guides!

We thought you might find the following list to be a handy resource as we all hustle to learn UEB! Additional information is available at the websites.

Note: Some local trainings, including webinars, may contain information (e.g., policies and timelines) that only apply to a particular state or area.

Information from the BANA website
http://www.brailleauthority.org/ueb.html

Learn UEB

• 2015 UEB Training Calendar – File types: Word, print PDF
• NLS Braille Transcriber Course – For information about the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) braille transcriber course: https://nfb.org/braille-transcribing
• CNIB Unified English Braille (UEB) Transcription Course
  https://www.cnib.ca/en/sight-loss-info/braille-services-and-courses/writing-braille-courses/unified-english-braille-ueb
• The Hadley School for the Blind UEB Courses; For information on Hadley UEB courses, visit http://hadley.edu/UEBTransition.asp
• New Zealand UEB Manual – NZ UEB manual pdf tutorial
• Unified English Braille: Australian Training Manual 2014 – Australian Training Manual website
• UEB Online – New online UEB course from the RIDBC in Sydney, designed for sighted readers

Wisconsin UEB online series

• Introduction to Unified English Braille
• Unified English Braille for Transcribers
• Unified English Braille for Vision Teachers
• http://www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us/outreach/ueb-introduction

UEB Ready? Introduction to Unified English Braille Webinar

Videos from Fall 2014 Indiana teacher and staff training:
http://dgmpresentations.pbworks.com/w/page/90921945/UEB%20Intro%20Videos

Unified English Braille Online Training (UEBOT): Presented by Northern Illinois University

• Designed for teachers in the field
• Starts summer 2015 (possibly June)
• Free one-month massive open online course (MOOC), will be offered for four years
• https://www.facebook.com/UEBOT1, or Google+ http://bit.ly/uebot-google

UEBOT-2: Presented by Northern Illinois University

• No prior training in English Braille American Edition (EBAE) needed
• Is scheduled to launch Fall 2017
• Free MOOC, 16-week braille training program
• https://www.facebook.com/UEBOT1, or Google+ http://bit.ly/uebot-google

Unified English Braille through a Powerful and Responsive eLearning Platform (UEB PREP)

Presented by Portland State University

• Target audience: Consumers who are blind and visually impaired, family members of individuals who are visually impaired, professionals who work with those who are visually impaired
• Pilot in September 2015 to train those currently familiar with EBAE
• www.uebprep.com

National Braille Association (NBA)

Training at their conference in Louisville, KY, October 22-24, 2015. Information will become available at http://www.nationalbraille.org/

Getting in Touch with Literacy conference

November 18–21, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Information will become available at gettingintouchwithliteracy.org

State-Specific Trainings

Kentucky: Making the Move to Unified English Braille: Principles and Practice

• Gateways to Independence Summer Institute for teachers of the visually impaired
• Kentucky School for the Blind, Louisville, KY, July 15–16, 2015
• www.ksb.kyschools.us/Content/34

Ohio: Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST): A Statewide Project of Professional Development, Technical Assistance and Product Development Dedicated to Braille Literacy, Braille Instruction, Braille Materials, and Braille Technology in Ohio.

• If there is someone who lives close to Ohio and wants to participate, they could attend the trainings.
• cisam.ossb.oh.gov/BestGrant.php

Historic Gift to the APH Museum

The Museum received a very rare gift this month from the Ireland Memorial Library in St. Paul Minnesota: the eight-volume Holy Bible embossed in raised letters by the American Bible Society in 1846. It is in excellent condition for its age, with very tight text block and minor cosmetic damage to its leather and cloth bindings. The 1846 ABS Bible was the third U.S. bible for blind readers. The first was incomplete, but very significant. When Jacob Snider, a Philadelphia wine merchant who served on the board of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Education of the Blind—now Overbrook, embossed his “Gospel of St. Mark” in 1834, he issued the very first book embossed in raised letters in the Americas.

Samuel Gridley Howe, superintendent of the New England Institution for the Education of the Blind—now Perkins– reported in 1836 that the New Testament was in press at his school in Boston. Howe used a font designed specifically for his press that became known as Boston Line Letter. By 1842, the entire Bible had been completed, condensed to eight volumes, and sold for $20 per set. Funds for Howe’s printing department, however, were always in short supply. Embossed books were very expensive to produce. This eight-volume set weighs a little under seventy-two pounds!

In 1843-44, Howe sold the stereotype plates for his bible and the remaining unsold copies for about $10,000 to the American Bible Society, who continued to sell the Howe edition while experimenting with their own printing equipment. The project had captured their imagination, but they were also surprised at how expensive the process was. The ABS embossed their edition from the Perkins plates in 1846. The only difference between the two editions was the absence of Howe’s name from the frontispiece. For many years, the ABS raised letter bible was one of the few tactile books readily available to blind readers, and this intact 1846 example is a magnificent gift to our collection.

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 migel.aph.org.

From the Barr Library: Fraiberg, Selma. “Separation Crisis in Two Blind Children”. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child. Vol. 26 (1971): 355-371.

This paper contrasts two blind infants and how their mothers are able to survive critical events and facilitate adaptive solutions. The author’s primary interest is with the developmental crisis experienced by both the mother and two-year-old child, who is blind since birth, because that is the age at which separation anxiety most frequently occurs. Fraiberg argues that they work together as partners, as the baby utilizes coping mechanisms and assimilates elements of the mother’s style at the same time. In the case of the sighted child, the mother’s absence is defined by when she leaves the child’s visual field. Alternatively, for the blind child, the mother can be in the same room, but if she refrains from speaking, she has left the child’s perceptual field. Thus, most of the second and third years of life are spent living in a world where others “evaporate in some mysterious way” and reconstitute themselves when they return.

From the Migel Library: Hussein, Taha. An Egyptian Childhood: The Autobiography of Taha Hussein. London: George Routledge & Sons, Ltd., 1932, and The Stream of Days: A Student at the Azhar. London: Longmans, Green, 1939.

Taha Hussein (Husayn) was an Egyptian writer and reformer who was blinded by treatment for an illness at age three. He became the first student to receive a doctorate from Cairo University in 1914, and completed a second doctorate in 1919 at the Sorbonne. After becoming a professor of Arabic literature at Cairo University, he quickly emerged as one of the most prominent leaders of the modernist movement and Egyptian Renaissance. His book “On Pre-Islamic Poetry” cast doubt on early religious texts. Another book, “The Future of Culture in Egypt,” argues that Egypt was part of the Mediterranean culture that gave birth to Western civilization. Egypt should therefore, he believed, be part of Europe. Hussein’s autobiographies are considered a turning point in modern Arab literature. Works by Taha Hussein that have been digitized by the Migel Library are available at archive.org/search.php?query=migel%20library%20taha

APH is working with the Internet Archive to digitize portions of the M.C. Migel Library. Search the phrase “full text” to find these items at 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

Executive in Residence Diane Wormsley Says Goodbye!

As April came to a close, Dr. Wormsley completed her three months in residence and said goodbye to us, and to Louisville, with a last visit to Churchill Downs. Stay tuned for Diane’s reflections on her time at APH in the next APH News. We are very grateful to her and already miss her terribly!

APH Quick Tip Corner!

Here in Louisville, it’s Kentucky Derby time! This horse race, around which an entire 2-week festival is built, is often called "the fastest two minutes in sports!"

In APH-land, there is another fast two or three minutes that keeps folks in anticipatory festival mode ALL YEAR ‘ROUND! That, ladies and gentlemen, is the weekly APH Quick Tip! These brief, educational videos about all things APH never fail to keep the masses coming back! So, put down those racing forms, put on your coolest, quirkiest Derby hat, have a sit-down at your computer, and point your browser to our very latest Quick Tips!

Win, place or show – for APH factoids and info – you know where to go!

• Book Port Plus, Part IV – In the last installment of the Book Port Plus series, Maria Delgado talks about the kinds of files the Book Port Plus plays.
• The Unforgettable APH Star Video Contest – It’s not too late to enter the video contest. The deadline is May 13th! Everybody’s favorite band, The APH Stars, is here to tell you all about how to send in YOUR video!
• Ex Officio Trustee Duties, Part I – What are some duties for which APH Ex Officio Trustees (EOTs) are responsible? Watch today’s Quick Tip to find out!
• Ex Officio Trustee Duties, Part II – Here’s more about APH EOT responsibilities.

Gallop over to archive.aph.org/quick-tips/ for more Quick Tips! Give us feedback by emailing Kerry at kisham@aph.org. And, thanks for watching!

Around the House:

APH Welcomes New Employees

Sheli Walker

Elizabeth (Liz) Schaller

Jose Tapia

Jonathan Carson

James Williams

We welcome Sheli Walker who has joined APH as National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) Digital Assets Librarian. Sheli holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Social Science from Spalding University.

Welcome to Elizabeth (Liz) Schaller who joins us as a Digital Assets & Metadata Librarian in Resource Services. Liz graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2013 with Bachelor’s degrees in History and Art History before going on to obtain her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014.

Welcome also to Jose Tapia. Jose comes to APH with Literary Certification along with completion of the Nemeth Course. He has just completed the UEB Online Course and is ready to tackle more learning. Jose also has experience in creating tactile graphics for publications he has transcribed.

The Braille Department also welcomes Jonathan Carson and James Williams to our Braille Improvement Trainee Team. They are both well on their way to completing the UEB Online Course of instruction.

APH on the Road

CIP Event at the University of Arizona

As part of APH’s Collaborative Instructional Partnership (CIP) Program, Field Services Representative Kerry Isham presented for Dr. Penny Rosenblum’s very enthusiastic University of Arizona methods class in Tucson, AZ, on March 31st. The 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 Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table Study Set, Touch ‘em All Baseball, and the Quick & Easy ECC) while participating in a group exercise. After that, the students’ knowledge of APH products was tested in a spirited game of “APH Products Jeopardy.” Lots of fun and learning took place as the dedicated university students eagerly listened, asked questions and tried out products.

AFB Leadership Conference Has an APH Presence

The 2015 AFB Leadership Conference was held in Phoenix, AZ, April 9-11, and attracted approximately 500 attendees. Representing APH were President Tuck Tinsley, Vice President of Advisory Services and Research Bob Brasher, Executive Director of Research Ralph Bartley, and Director of Educational Product Research Kate Herndon. Field Services Representative Kerry Isham rounded out APH’s presence, exhibiting products including Address Earth Large Format Atlas – Section 2, Braille Beads, Geometro Student Workbook Kit, Match Sticks, Quick & Easy ECC, and the classic board game called Web Chase. APH was so pleased to be a part of the AFB Leadership Conference, which provided an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues and new and old friends.

APH Goes Country at AOTA Annual Conference and Expo Exhibit

APH’s booth was consistently busy with inquisitive conference-goers at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference and Expo, held in Nashville, TN from April 16-19. APH Field Services Representative Kerry Isham exhibited products such as Experiential Learning, Picture Maker, DRAFTSMAN, Prevocational Skills Development Materials, Spangle Tangle, and STACS for a record crowd which was just shy of 8,000 attendees.

APH Shares In the Fun of GRREC Family Day!

Field Services Representative Kerry Isham represented APH at the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative Family Day on April 25 in Bowling Green, KY. Event planner Wendy Strode-Ross, Regional Outreach Consultant, made sure the approximately 50 children, parents and vision professionals had plenty to do. Along with several exhibits – where attendees showed particular interest in Flip-Over Concept Books: Line Paths, Sound Adapted Tangle Balls, and Spangle Tangle – there were crafts, a goal ball demonstration, scooter and jump rope activities, a ball pit, and bubble blowing! The group was also excited to be visited by “Big Red,” the Western Kentucky University mascot, who hilariously posed for pictures with everyone. A wonderful time was had by all, and APH was happy to be a part of this event!

From the Field:

Have You Gotten Your Free Currency Reader Yet?

The Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing is now providing a free iBill currency reader to all eligible blind or visually impaired individuals. The device is small, compact, and runs on a triple-A battery, which is included. To use the currency reader, simply insert a U.S. bill into the reader and press the button. The device will announce the note’s denomination with voice, tones or vibration.

To request your currency reader, fill out an application form, which is available to download at www.bep.gov. It must be signed by a competent authority, such as a doctor or social worker, who can certify your eligibility. Then simply mail it to the address on the application. Once your application is verified, a reader will be mailed to you at no charge. For more information about the U.S. Currency Reader Program, visit www.bep.gov or call toll-free 844-815-9388.

Attention Blind and Low-Vision High School Students

Are you interested in pursuing work in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) after high school? Do you enjoy investing your talent and energy in solving real-world problems? Join the National Federation of the Blind for NFB EQ, a week-long engineering program for blind and low-vision high school students.

At this program, you will collaborate with other students to solve authentic problems that exist in developing countries. You will spend the week working on a team to engineer solutions to a given problem. Your team will create proposals with accompanying models, which you will pitch to various stakeholders. After constructing life-size prototypes of your designs, you will test them in authentic settings. You will also have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a number of engineers from across the country, some of whom happen to be blind.

To learn more and to apply, visit www.blindscience.org/NFBEQ.

Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind Seeks Principal

There is an opening for Principal on the ASDB Tucson campus serving blind/visually impaired students enrolled from K through 12.

Applications are now being accepted at https://azstatejobs.azdoa.gov/ If you have questions, please contact Bill Koehler, Assistant Superintendent, william.koehler@asdb.az.gov.

Bob Brasher, Retiring APH Vice President and Curator of the Hall of Fame, Honored with Engraved Wall of Tribute Stone

Bob Brasher was honored as Curator of the Hall of Fame with a special Wall of Tribute stone. Pictured are APH’s Gary Mudd, Janie Blome, Bob Brasher, and Tuck Tinsley.

Bob Brasher, Vice President of Advisory Services and Research, is retiring from APH this summer after 17 years of service following his retirement from Arkansas. Aside from his APH duties, Bob has volunteered as the Curator of the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field from its inception in 2001. The Hall, dedicated to the recognition of professionals in the field of blindness who have made significant contributions to the field, is housed at APH but is a project of the entire field.

The Hall of Fame’s board of directors honored Bob for his service by presenting him with a stone placed on the Wall of Tribute. The Wall of Tribute, located in the same space as the Hall, gives Hall of Fame supporters the opportunity to honor those who have made a difference in their lives. Dr. Jane Erin, past Hall of Fame Board Chair, presented the stone to Bob at American Foundation for the Blind’s recent Leadership Conference.

In her remarks, Dr. Erin stated: "As chair of the Governing Board for three years, I was fortunate to be a witness to Bob’s commitment to this extraordinary element of our professional history. His positive attitude and exceptional communication skills were critical in raising the funds to support the physical and virtual presence of the Hall…He was eventually called curator of the Hall, but he was so much more…He worked to establish board policy, raise funds, and serve as the key point of contact for the Governing Board, and develop the Hall of Fame space at APH…Bob has been the wind beneath the wings of each new addition. He has created ways to make the Hall available to people who live thousands of miles away."

The stone reads “Bob Brasher, Hall of Fame. First Curator. Architect of Our Dream, Guardian of Our History.”

Order Fall Textbooks Now!

It’s not too early to order your fall 2015 textbooks!

Braille Textbooks formats available:

• Hard copy braille
• Downloadable braille-ready files (.BRF) from the APH File Repository that are ready to be embossed at your location

Large Print Textbooks formats available:

• Hard copy large print
• Downloadable digital files to be used on computers, iPads, Book Port Plus and other digital players
• Downloadable digital files with image descriptions

Check out all the options by visiting the Accessible Textbook Department or calling 1-800-223-1839. Order your textbooks now for timely delivery for the upcoming school year!

Social Media Spotlight

Mondays Matter!

Every Monday, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for a great deal! We’ll be posting APH products that are currently on sale. Don’t miss out!

"Like" APH at Our Facebook Page!

We invite you to visit our Facebook page and "Like" us! You can find APH at these social media sites: Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Flickr, Pinterest, and at our blog, Fred’s Head from APH.

APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

Marty McKenzie, the South Carolina Department of Education, replacing Lee Speer.

Dawn Jackson, the Division for the Visually Impaired in Delaware, replacing Dorothy Mumford.

Carol Phipps, the Oregon Department of Education, replacing Robert “Bob” Disher.

Olive Isaako, the American Samoa Department of Education, replacing Faanati Penituse.

APH Travel Calendar

May

May 6, 2015
Cal State LA CIP Event
Los Angeles

May 11-15, 2015
Legislative Visits on Capitol Hill as scheduled
Washington, DC

May 13-15, 2015
N/S Dakota AER
Grand Forks, ND

May 17-20, 2015
VAVF
Orlando, FL

May 27-28, 2015
International Digital Publishing Forum
New York, NY

June

June 2-5, 2015
32nd Annual Opening Doors to parents and their young Children with Vision Loss
Jacksonville, IL

June 3, 2015
Transforming Braille Group Managing Members Meeting
Arlington, VA

June 5-7, 2015
The Family Cafe 2015
Orlando, FL

June 6, 2015
KSB Alumni Weekend
Louisville, KY

June 8-10, 2015
APH Exhibit on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC

June 19-21, 2015
Conference for Families of Children with Blindness
Janesville, WI

June 20, 2015
Braille Challenge Finals
Los Angeles, CA

June 17, 2015
National Braille Challenge Advisory Committee Meeting/National Braille Challenge Finals
Los Angeles, CA

June 19, 2015
Conference for Families of Children with Blindness
Janesville, WI

June 22-24, 2015
CCSSO/NCSA (National Conference on Student Assessment) 2015
San Diego, CA

June 25-28, 2015
Visions 2015
Baltimore, Maryland

June 26-27, 2015
Pediatric CVI Conference
Omaha, NE

July

July 4-8, 2015
ACB 2015
Dallas, TX

July 10-12, 2015
NAPVI-National Family Conference of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Chicago, IL

July 19-24, 2015
Yale Publishing Course
New Haven, CT

July 27-29, 2015
2015 ACTS Conference
St Louis, MO

July 30-August 2, 2015
12th International CHARGE Syndrome Conference
Chicago, IL

APH Spring Fever Sale

Load up a world of savings on selected APH products with APH’s Sizzlin’ Summer Savings Sale 2014, April 1—June 30. As always, first come, first served.

archive.aph.org/products/springfever.html

NOW ON QUOTA! Math Robot™ App

D-30000-APL — $4.99

Note: Please use this special catalog number ending in "-APL" for purchasing this app on Quota.

We have exciting news for our Quota customers: Our fun and accessible Math Robot app for iPad is now available with Quota funds!

How to Purchase Math Robot on Quota

• Ordering: Ex Officio Trustees can submit a signed Quota order to APH by fax or mail. The order can be for one or more Math Robot licenses. Please provide APH with a contact person’s email address or telephone number on your Federal Quota order. Note: At this time, Math Robot cannot be ordered via shop.aph.org.
• Receiving: APH will then email you an Apple Content Code for each license that you order. You will also receive a hard copy confirmation of each code printed on the invoice APH will mail to you.
• Distribution: EOTs are responsible for distributing Apple Content Codes to those teachers or others in their states who have ordered Math Robot on Quota.
• How to Install: The end user will install Math Robot by: going to the App Store on his or her iPad and using the Apple Content Code to download Math Robot: open App Store > select the "Featured" tab > scroll to the bottom of the Featured screen > select "Redeem" > enter the password for the iPad > follow instructions on Redeem screen.
• Purchase from Apple Using Non-Quota Funds: You will still have the option to purchase the app from the App Store using non-Quota funds.

About the Math Robot App

While there are many arithmetic apps, most are not accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired. Math Robot for iPad was designed for use by blind, visually impaired, and sighted students alike, making it ideal for use by an entire class.

Math Robot provides fun drills and practices for simple math problems. The app is both self-voicing and accessible with VoiceOver. Math Robot announces each problem as it comes up. Teachers, parents, and students can set the range of numbers, the mathematical operations, the number of tries, and more.

A low vision mode adds extra contrast. When using a refreshable braille display, like APH’s Refreshabraille 18™ Bluetooth device, VoiceOver shows the problem in braille and allows the user to enter their answers using the display’s braille keyboard.

NEW! Chameleon

6-77951-00 — $189.00

Chameleon is a print, braille, and tactile book featuring a friendly chameleon! Readers are introduced to concepts such as soft/hard, smooth/rough, big/little, on/under, heavy/light, short/long, and alone/together.

The colorful chameleon shapes can be felt and seen. From a smooth black chameleon, to a fuzzy green chameleon, to the big purple chameleon, contrasts are presented. Some illustrations involve the child in manipulation. A shy chameleon hides “under” a textured leaf. To illustrate heavy and light, each chameleon can be lifted from the page.

Chameleon is intended to be read aloud and shared with children with visual impairments, ages three years and up. Reading aloud can be one of the most powerful contributions adults can make to a young child’s development of literacy. Awareness of written language is developed. Sharing books in an interactive manner, talking about the text and illustrations, has been demonstrated to build vocabulary and strengthen oral language skills.

For emergent print readers, pictures often act as an important bridge helping the child take a more active role in reading, as a listener and as a reader. In addition, they offer critically important opportunities to build tactual discrimination and exploratory skills and to encounter spatial relationships and the conventions of 2 dimensional graphic displays.

Chameleon‘s text is provided in large print and contracted braille. The clear, silk-screened braille is of high quality and extremely durable. Originally produced in Italian, French, and German, the English version is produced for APH by Les Doigts Qui Rêvent (LDQR) workshop in Dijon, France.

Recommended ages: 3 years and up.

NEW! USB Charger, 2 Amp

1-03966-00 — $32.00

This handy USB wall charger may be used to charge three different APH products: Orion TI-84 Talking Graphing Calculator, Refreshabraille 18, or Braille Plus 18 (discontinued). Works with the USB cables that are included with these three devices. This wall charger has a jack that accepts a Standard A USB plug, the most common type of USB plug. Power output is 2 Amps. This unit will also charge many commercial devices that recharge via USB cable, such as smartphones.

APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow several weeks for delivery.

The Girl Who Could Fly
by Victoria Forester: T-N1963-20 — $93.00
When homeschooled farm girl Piper McCloud reveals that she can jump into the air and fly, officials whisk her away to a top-secret government institute for exceptional children. But Piper learns that the school is full of danger and longs to escape. Grades 5-8. *(AR Quiz No. 122797, BL 6.0 Pts 11.0)

The Elephant Scientist
by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna M. Jackson: T-N1960-90 — $26.00
Scientist O’Connell chronicles her observations of elephants in Africa. Describes the creatures’ communication using vibration-sensitive cells in their feet and trunks. Includes resources and a pachyderm term guide. Grades 5-8. *(AR Quiz No. 144396, BL 8.4 Pts 2.0)

Privacy
by Garret Keizer: T-N1964-00 — $82.50
The author draws a connection between the widening gap of wealth and the shrinking of personal privacy. Defines privacy, discusses its worth, and describes the difference between alienation and the preference for a private life.

Where We Belong
by Emily Giffin: T-N1964-60 — $144.50
In Manhattan, Marian Caldwell is a successful television producer who has a satisfying relationship — with her boss. But her life is upended when teenaged Kirby, Marian’s biological daughter, appears on her penthouse doorstep and demands help finding her father. Some adult content.

Three Strong Women
by Marie NDiaye: T-N2025-20 — $95.50
French lawyer Norah is summoned to Senegal by her estranged father, who needs her legal counsel. Teacher Fanta is brought to France by her white husband, where she struggles with poverty. Childless widow Khady tries to smuggle herself from Senegal to France to seek refuge. Some adult content.

*Accelerated Reader quiz number, book level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/