13 Barrett Street Kensington

PO Box 24 Sunshine

Victoria 3020 Australia

Telephone 03 9372 6400

Toll Free 1800 033 660

Facsimile 03 9372 6466

TTY 03 9376 9275

bca@bca.org.au

Hello to everyone! As you may have noticed from the front page, we have moved!!! We are now located in Kensington and have been here for the last 9 months or so.

I must apologise for the huge gap between Newsletters, however, I am now back on track to producing them at the end of every term.

In this Newsletter, there are many items which I am sure you will find interesting including: some information from one of our youth branches; some new websites of interest:; and an article about a site which has some free mp3 books.

Finally, please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or wish to include an item in the next edition of Parent News! Happy reading!!!!

Happy Easter!!

Nadia Mattiazzo

What is Young Blind Citizens Victoria?

(Taken from The Bulletin, No 13, 1^st August, 2003)

Young Blind Citizens Victoria (YBCV) is one of two current Youth Branches of Blind Citizens Australia.

Our purpose is to support blind and vision impaired youth who want to lead full and independent lives. YBCV has a vital role to play in representing the needs and ideas of young people to both Blind Citizens Australia and to the broader community. YBCV offers its members an exciting and diverse mix of social, policy and discussion activities.

Our goal is to represent the needs and ideas of young people who are blind or vision impaired. We want to provide an opportunity for discussion, action and peer support in a relaxed atmosphere that combines formal and social activities.

Since our formation, YBCV has held a number of successful social, and formal activity’s, these include a trivia night were we raised approximately $2000, social nights out, participation and hosting of sessions at BCA conventions and a dinner for delegates of the WBU just to name a few.

Membership of YBCV

Membership of Young Blind Citizens Victoria is free for all current Blind Citizens Australia members living in Victoria. We particularly value involvement from rural and regional Victoria.

YBC welcomes new members, especially those who have very little contact with the blindness community. It is only by working collectively against issues affecting us that young people who are blind or vision impaired can achieve independence and equal rights within the community and amongst ourselves.

The branch currently has two e-mail lists running. They are both simple to join, and are used to provide information to members.

Education Mailing List

Young Blind Citizens Victoria is pleased to announce a new discussion list for all aspects of education as they relate to blind and vision-impaired people:

This list is for students, DLO'S, teachers, care givers, note takers, readers, assistants. Anyone in the education or access to education field, parents are also welcome to join this list.

YBCV Mailing List

WordWeb - the Free English Thesaurus and Dictionary

Source: OnLine Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3, 2003 by Tom Macmahon

The free version of the WordWeb program has proven very popular and invaluable to many. Once downloaded (as a 5 MB file), WordWeb can be installed with a link to Microsoft Word, but if this option has not been chosen, or if you do not have Word on your PC, the program is still very useful for quickly finding concise definitions or helpful thesaurus entries. For US$18, the Pro 2 version can be purchased, offering enhanced search capabilities, expanded database, cross-referencing and access from most Windows programs.

The following information is designed to assist non-mouse users, but will undoubtedly make good sense to (and even prove edifying for) all the ‘point-and-click’ readers out there!

To open WordWeb at any time, either:

or:

or:

3. From within Word:

Proceed as described below.

When you have opened WordWeb:

To close WordWeb, tab again to the Close button and press Enter, or simply press Escape.

Tip: To select a single word when within Microsoft Word, either:

Colour Vision

(Taken from The Bulletin, No 14, 15 August, 2003)

Intended as a discussion of web design which is inclusive of people with colour blindness, this website has some interesting information including:

There are four kinds of colour vision:

• Protanomaly: reduced red sensitivity.
• Deuteranomaly: reduced green sensitivity.
• Tritanomaly: reduced blue sensitivity.

• Protanopia: unable to receive red.
• Deuteranopia: unable to receive green.
• Tritanopia: unable to receive blue.
• Monochromat (Achromatopsia) People with Monochromatic vision can only see one colour, so their vision contains no 'colour'.

Statistics

• 1 in 12 people have some sort of colour deficiency. About 8% of men and 0.4% of women in the USA.
• 0.38% of women are deuteranomalous (around 95% of all colour deficient women).
• 0.005% of the population are totally colour blind.
• 0.003% of the population have tritanopia.
• Protanomaly occurs in about 1% of males.
• Deuteranomaly occurs in about 5% of males. It's the most common colour deficiency.
• Deuteranopia occurs in about 1% of males.

Cortical Mechanisms of Colour Vision

Source: ‘Cortical Mechanisms of Colour Vision’ by Karl R. Gegenfurtner in Nature Reviews Neuroscience 4 (7), (July 2003) pages 563 –572

The perception of colour is a central component of primate vision. Colour facilitates object perception and recognition, and has an important role in scene segmentation and visual memory. Moreover, it provides an aesthetic component to visual experiences that is fundamental to our perception of the world.

Despite the long history of colour vision studies, much has still to be learned about the physiological basis of colour perception.

Summary

Colour vision is an integral part of the human visual system. It relies on the presence of three types of cone photoreceptor in the retina, which have different but overlapping wavelength tuning curves.

Colour information is sent in three colour-opponent channels from they eye to the brain. These ‘cardinal’ mechanisms, which are usually termed black–white, red–green and blue–yellow, have been characterized psychophysically, physiologically and computationally to be independent and efficient.

In the primary visual cortex (area V1), a large proportion of neurons respond selectively to colour information. Most of these neurons also respond to variations in the brightness of visual stimuli. The colour combinations that are preferred by these neurons are no longer constrained to the three cardinal directions. In higher visual areas, neurons become more selective in their colour tuning and respond only to a small range of colours.

Colour is processed jointly with other visual attributes, such as orientation, depth and motion. Neurons in different anatomically defined compartments of the second visual area, for example, show joint selectivity for these different attributes. For most psychophysical tasks, the visual system works just as well for coloured stimuli as it does for black and white stimuli, once the magnitude of the different stimuli is made comparable.

Colour constancy describes the ability of the visual system to discount large changes in illumination, so that objects look the same colour even under different illuminations. Both retinal and cortical factors contribute to colour constancy.

It even simulates the colours as seem by people with various colour vision problems.

Cute Online Game

(Taken from The Bulletin, No 14, 15 August, 2003)

Wanna play a cute concentration type game on your computer? Go to the web address above and you’ll find Alpha-Zoo. It’s a four by three grid of ‘cards’ which also have sound effects. The idea is to match the letter with a picture beginning with the same letter. The names of the letters are read out and a sound – cheering for correct or buzz for incorrect – gives feedback. The letters are large and contrast is pretty good.

Technology Reviews

(Taken from The Bulletin, No 14, 15 August, 2003)

Source: Online Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 3, 2003 by Tom Macmahon

There’s an interesting and quite informative little UK web site, owned and developed by a computer user who is vision impaired. At her site, Jackie Cairns offers a range of Technology Reviews which ‘are intended to give a fair and balanced view from a blind user’s perspective’.

Here are some of the current reviews offered by Jackie Cairns:

Franklin Language Master Talking Dictionary Special Edition

You can find Jackie Cairns’ Technology Reviews at:

Scanning & OCR News

Want to see exactly what you’ve scanned??? …. Read on!!!

Premier Assistive Technology announces its new Exact Match Scanning and OCR Technology. We are happy to announce the WYSIWYG technology "What You Scan Is What You Get! We will be incorporating this new technology into all our scanning and reading packages. The scheduled release date is April 15, 2004.

You will be able to scan and read in color keeping the page as close to original as possible.

Our new technology will:

• Scan in and read in full color.

• Work with ANY Twain 4 compatible and higher scanner.

• Keep tables intact – and keeps them screen reader friendly.

• Fast work in color or black and white mode.

Why spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the exact same scanning technology. We have improved our product but not raised the price - showing that quality does not need to be expensive. Scan and Read is now being used by over 8,000 schools and with the new technology soon to be many more. By keeping the price down we are able to make assistive technology accessible to everyone.

Seeing is believing! To see a sample of our new scanning technology go to

www.readingmadeeasy.com and in the upper right hand corner you will find a link to the sample.

Scan and Read Pro $US149.95 Scan And Read Lite $US89.95 to see what else Scan and Read can do go to following Link

http://www.premier-programming.com/Products.htm

For more information contact

Steve Timmer

Premier Assistive Technology

13102 Blaisdell Dr.

DeWitt, MI 48820

Phone 517-668-8188

Fax 517-668-2417

COMPANION CARD

(Taken from Tilly Aston Council Autumn 2004 Members' Newsletter)

A new discounting system has been introduced in Victoria to allow people with a disability easier access to sporting and entertainment activities.

The Companion Card, a Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD) initiative, allows companions accompanying people with a disability free entry into a range of events. The card has a photo of the user and remains in their possession, identifying them as someone who requires the assistance of a companion to access events and activities.

The card, which was introduced in November 2003, is a not-for-profit program funded by the Victorian Government. To apply for the card call 1800 650 611 during business hours.

Free Books Available as MP3 files.

(From the BrailleNote Update Summer 2003)

LiteralSystems.com have recently launched their website aimed at providing MP3 audio recordings of classic literature and poetry to anyone who wants it: students, teachers, parents, children. There is no charge or membership required.

I have tested the files on the BrailleNote's media player and they play very well. However, I would recommend that you download them to a PC first as there does seem to be some sort of glitch where you may need to attempt the download a couple of times before it works.

Edgar Allan Poe - "Alone", "The Pit and the Pendulum" part 1

Rudyard Kipling - "Danny Deever"

Beatrix Potter - "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"

Hans Christian Anderson - "The Little Match Girl"

William Shakespeare - "Sonnet #40"

If you'd like to be on their mailing list as they announce new audio book releases please contact Warren Smith at

warren@literalsystems.com

Your address will remain confidential.

Personal Security Tips

(Taken from BCA’s National Women’s Branch Newsletter, Aspiration, Autumn 2004 and following on from BCA’s National Convention in 2003)

EDITOR'S NOTE: You may remember that at Convention last year, our Womens Branch were responsible for the conduct of a workshop dealing with Personal Safety. As a follow-on from the Workshop, we were sent some material relating to various aspects of personal safety. Our Branch Committee has decided that the best way to share this information is to include it in "Aspirations". It is reproduced below.

1. Play it safe when using an ATM

• It's best to be cautious about ATM security:
• Never divulge your personal identification number (PIN) to anyone.
• Be quick and do not hang around the ATM when you have completed your transactions.
• Be aware of who is around you when using an ATM.
• Secure your wallet or purse when using the ATM.
• Never count your money on the street, put it away as soon as possible.
• Do not write your PIN down even if it is disguised or in code.

1. When in your car

• Never pick up hitch-hikers.
• Make sure that your car is roadworthy and that you have sufficient fuel for your journey.
• Make sure that you know the location and condition of your spare tyre, where the jacking points on your car are and how to change a tyre.
• Consider carrying a small torch in your car for emergencies.
• When parking, use well-lit areas and consider the route back to the car park. Is it well lit? Will there be other people around when you return to your car?
• Always lock your car no matter how long you will be away from it.
• Never leave valuables in your car.
• Have your keys handy when returning back to your car, especially at night.
• Try to always be aware of your exact location. In unfamiliar surroundings try to remember landmarks and place names around you.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place like a police station, shopping centre, service station or hospital emergency entrance.
• If you don't already have one, consider buying a mobile phone for ready access to emergency communication.

1. Play it safe when out at night

• Think ahead - consider how you are going to get home - what about pre-booking a taxi or arranging a lift with a friend or family member?
• Never hitch-hike.
• Make sure that you stay with your party and that someone knows where you are at all times.
• Make sure you have enough money to get home or to phone.
• Keep away from trouble - if you see any trouble or suspect that it might be about to start - keep clear. The best thing you can do is to alert the police and keep away.
• Walk purposely and try to appear confident. Be wary of casual requests from strangers, like someone asking for a cigarette or change - they could have ulterior motives.
• Try not to carry your wallet in your back trouser pocket where it is vulnerable and in clear view.

1. Riding on the bus

• Sit as close to the bus driver as possible.
• Stay alert and be aware of the people around you.
• If someone bothers you, change seats and tell the driver.
• Keep your purse/packages close by your side. Keep your wallet inside a front coat pocket.
• Check your purse/wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you.
• If you see any suspicious activity, inform the driver.

1. If you are attacked

• Don't resist or struggle. If someone tries to take your bag or other personal belongings, let them. These can be replaced - you cannot.
• Scream, make lots of noise and attract attention. Use your personal attack alarm if you have one.
• Try to get a good description of offenders and report all incidents to the police as soon as possible.
• If the offender is still nearby, run away, get to a safe place and call the police, using 000.
• Get away as quickly as you can. Head towards a busy street, a shop, service station or police station if there is one nearby.
• Give the police as much information as possible - including for example, a full description of what has been stolen, a description of offender(s), when and where it happened, where the offender is now, and in what direction they ran.

1. Office security

• Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in the pocket of a jacket hanging on a door.
• Don't leave cash or valuables at the office.
• If you work alone or before/after normal business hours, keep the office door locked.
• If you work late, try to find another worker or a security guard to walk out with you.
• If you are in the elevator with another person, stand near the control panel. If someone gets on that makes you feel uncomfortable, get off immediately and wait for another elevator.
• Report all suspicious persons/circumstances to the proper authorities: office manager, building security and/or the police.
• Be aware of all escape routes for emergencies and have police, business and emergency numbers displayed prominently..

• deter would-be attackers by raising awareness of your plight to other people in a public area. (However, remember that these types of alarms aim to act as a deterrent and attract attention. They do not guarantee protection from attack.)
• obtain help in the case of any emergency
• tie into a fixed base alarm system or connect to a phone system to call for help (particularly useful for people living on their own in isolated circumstances, and who may suffer from illness and fragility).

• Relations, neighbours or close friends
• 000
• Police
• Ambulance
• Fire Department
• Hospital

1. Preventative measures against sexual abuse

• Encouraging your child to talk to you about what they have been doing each day, including time spent with others.
• Create an atmosphere in which your child feels free to talk about any problems with you.
• Explain and discuss sexual abuse with your child openly and encourage questions.
• Explain to your child that their body belongs to them alone.
• Encourage your children to say "No" when they believe their rights are being infringed upon.
• Make clear the difference between abusive touching and acceptable demonstrations of affection by family or friends.
• Assure your children that you want to know if someone tries to touch them, whether it is a stranger or someone in the family.
• Be sure your child knows that you are supportive of them.
• Instruct your child to avoid being unaccompanied in potentially dangerous places such as deserted areas (bushland, parking lots, etc) and public toilets.
• Always encourage children to travel with a friend, rather than alone.
• Ensure that you make the point of dropping and picking your children up from meeting points.

1. Play it safe when shopping

• Do not carry large amounts of money with you.
• Do not carry signed withdrawal forms with your bankbook or in your bag.
• Carry your money and credit cards separately from your bag (use a pocket or money belt).
• Consider the type of bag you use and how you carry it. This can make it harder for the thief to take it from you. Use a small bag with a zip and hold it close and in front of you.
• Do not leave handbags or personal items in your shopping trolley.

1. Home security tips - reducing the risk of burglary

• use security deadlocks and grills on doors and windows. Solid core doors are recommended. Have one or two window grills hinged to allow easy exit in case of an emergency
• choose quality deadlocks that allow one key to open all locks
• do not hide extra keys in flowerpots or under mats
• do not give your security keys to anyone that you do not know
• do not give your key to trade persons
• businesses can join the ACT Key holder Register
• make sure your home or business is clearly visible from the street. Prune bushes and trees that obscure windows and doors
• have adequate lighting at outside doors
• when at home keep doors locked, but make sure you can exit easily if necessary
• do not leave messages on doors that suggest that no-one is at home
• avoid having parcels delivered to the doorstep
• if having goods delivered while you are out, have a neighbour collect them
• wheelie bins are a great stepladder - lock them away
• when out for a short time, leave a light and the radio or television on to give the impression that someone is at home
• keep cash and valuables out of easy reach, and out of sight. Do not keep cash on business premises after hours.

1. Street precautions

• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend or as part of a group.
• Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk confidently and at a steady pace.
• Make eye contact with people when walking - let them know that you have noticed their presence.
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street or in a car - continue walking.
• Never hitch-hike.
• Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid using personal stereos or radios - you might not hear trouble approaching.
• If you are out and about always keep your briefcase or bag in view and close to your body.
• Be discrete with your cash or mobile phones.
• When going to your car or home, have your keys at hand and easily accessible.
• Consider carrying a personal attack alarm.
• If you do not have a mobile phone, make sure that you have a phone card or change to make a phone call, but remember - emergency 000 calls are free of charge.

Announcing the grand opening of Blind World

Blind World is an online magazine which selects items that are relevant to people who are vision impaired. Some of the online catalogues include: National News. International News. People, Places and Things. Guide Dog and Puppy Raiser Stories. Blind Sports, Athletics and Recreation. Medical News and Blindness Research. Products and Gadgets for the Blind. Eye Health and Care. Visit Blind World today, at: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~blindworld/

Get Cooking With Braille

It is pleasing to announce the launch of an addition to the range of Grade 1 Braille material. Diana Braun has put together a collection of recipes that she calls "Never Fail Recipes in Braille". They are designed especially for people who have learnt Grade 1 Braille, and who want to use it in their everyday activities. The recipes are in double-spaced, Grade 1 Braille, and are available free from St Edmunds School in Sydney.

For further information, please contact Frances Gentle on 02 9487 1044.

Web Sites and List of Interest

Careers website

EMAD makes it easier for organisations to employ people with a disability by advertising vacancies on the website, offering a national pool of over 20,000 jobseekers with a disability. The website also provides people with a disability an opportunity to view positions with employers who promote diversity in their workforce.

Cooking in the Dark

By Dale Campbell and Phil Parr

Here it is! The list for people who want to be cooks. It doesn't matter if you are a gourmet chef or just learning to boil water, this list is perfect for you.

• We will be sharing mouth-watering recipes, eye-opening tips, and a whole lot more.
• Got a kitchen product that works great for people who are blind or vision impaired? Let everyone know about it.
• Need some help figuring out how to do something? Ask how and get an answer.
• To join send a blank e-mail to:

• You don't need sight to make dinner tonight. See you on the list.

Discuss fashions

This list is for people to discuss fashions, current and old, and for exchanging information on putting outfits together, accessories, colours, and so on.

To join send a blank email message to:

Employment website

Green PCs

Infoxchange Australia has an exciting computer recycling program. "The Green PCs", are low cost refurbished computers available for community groups and for those with low incomes. The only qualification for an individual or family to have access to a Green PC computer is that they be holders of current Health Care Cards or are able to verify their low income status in some other way.

For more information visit: http://www.greenpc.com.au

New Internet discussion groups

NICAN Information Service

(http://www.nican.com.au/NICAN.html)

NICAN's database has information on recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disabilities. The information service is free and can be accessed by telephone (61 2 6285 3713 from overseas or freecall 1800 806 769 from within Australia), mail, fax, email and even in person. Each entry contains contact details, opening hours, fees, age groups served, facilities, resources available and activities offered.

Teaching strategies

New Website Assists Blind and Visually Impaired

Eyes2eyes.com has been designed for the Blind and Visually Impaired and is operated by a Master's level mental health therapist who is also visually impaired.

The site offers information on personal, medical, employment, safety, and vision issues. There is a household helper section that provides lots of tips. Subscribers can submit their articles, tips, recipes, and topic suggestions. Online and telephone based counselling services are also offered. Learn more!

Visit: www.eyes2eyes.com

What’s Coming Up

Guide Dogs Victoria

May – Proposed RP weekend - Children’s Mobility Service

May 20 – Acquired Brain Injury Seminar for Clients

June 24 – Acquired Brain Injury seminar for professionals

For further information on any of the above special programs or our mobility services please contact:

Cath Caddis, Referrals Officer

Phone: (03) 9854 4467

Fax: (03) 9854 4466

Audio Description

Dates for audio description are as follows:

The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams -

Playhouse Theatre, 30 March 6.30pm & 3 April 4.00pm

Norma, Opera - State Theatre, 24 April 1.00pm, includes reading subtitles

Urinetown, The Musical – Playhouse Theatre, 1 May 4.00pm & 4 May 6.30pm

The Pearlfishers, Opera – State Theatre, 8 May 1.00pm

The Mikado, Opera – State Theatre, 22 May 1.00pm

Honour – Fairfax Studio, 25 May 6.30pm & 29 May 4.00pm

The Memory of Water- Space 28 Theatre, 28 Dodds St, Southbank, 15 June 8.00pm & 19 June 4.00pm

The Daylight Atheist – Fairfax Theatre, 10 June 4.00pm & 13 June 6.30pm

Amigos, David Williamson – Playhouse Theatre, 27 July 6.30pm & 31 July 4.00pm

Tickets for all these shows are available from EASE Ticketing on 9699 8497, 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.

Articles for next issue

Please feel free to contact me with any information you believe could be included in the next issue of Parent News.

Please forward articles by 11 June 2004 to:

Nadia Mattiazzo

Victorian Advocacy & Information Officer

PO Box 24 Sunshine

Victoria 3020 Australia

Telephone 03 9372 6400

Toll Free 1800 033 660

Facsimile 03 9372 6466

TTY 03 9376 9275