Blind Tunes & Rhapsody Blind

Blind Tunes and Rhapsody Blind are simple programs (scripts) that operate via JAWS for Windows in order to give individuals who are blind or have a visual disability the ability to navigate the iTunes and Rhapsody online music and movie services with greater ease and freedom. A user will be able to search online collections of music and movies, create and access playlists, purchase and download media files and burn those files to a CD or transfer them to a device like an mp3 player. These programs can be downloaded for free and only require that a user have access to JAWS for Windows version 10 through 12 and Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or 7. Mr. John Martyn, who lost his vision in 2008, created these programs in order to make these popular websites "more about the music and less about the navigation". It is important that someone hoping to use either of these programs has had some degree of training in JAWS for Windows and its many hot keys and menus. For more information visit the following websites:
Blind Tunes: www.blindtunes.net
Rhapsody Blind: www.rhapsodyblind.com

6th Annual NFB Blind Community Picnic

GREATER JACKSONVILLE CHAPTER

ARE YOU READY FOR A PICNIC?
Join us for the 6th annual NFB Blind Community Picnic

Food
Trivia Time with Brandon Tomasello
Bingo
Music
Activities for children

When: Saturday, April 16th 2011
Where: Cuba Hunter Park & Community Center
4380 Bedford Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm

This free event is open to the blind, visually impaired, and their immediate families. The deadline for registration is April 2nd, 2011. Please register by calling 904-608-0105.

Digital Talking Book machine now available for institutions

The digital Talking Book Machine is now available to institutions such as nursing homes, hospitals, schools, senior centers, etc. Institutions registered for Talking Book service can receive up to 6 digital Talking Book machines and up to 24 Talking Books on digital cartridge. Just call our office at 630-1999 or email us at JPLTBSpecialNeeds@coj.net to activate your institution's digital service. Those institutions that wish to receive digital Talking Books but have not registered for the service need to call or email us and an application for institutional service will be mailed to you.

JPL on the Homefront

*This program is available for everyone and not just those affiliated with the military.

Accessible Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney World offers many special accommodations for guests with visual, hearing and physical disabilities. For instance those guests with a visual disability have access to audio descriptions of the resort's many entertainment programs, sporting events, tours and other special events. The audio descriptions are played through a handheld device that can be acquired at the Theme Park Guest Relations office. In addition to the audio descriptions of the resort's attractions, guests with a visual disability also have access to braille guidebooks and braille maps of the resort. Trained service animals are welcome in many areas of the resort. The resort hotels offer rooms and services for guests with disabilities.

For more information about Walt Disney World's accessibility options visit their website at the following address: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities

Vision is Priceless Council

The Vision is Priceless Council provides free vision screenings to children and adults in Jacksonville. They are a volunteer non-profit organization committed to the early detection and prevention of eye disease. If a problem is detected a patient is advised to see an eye care professional for further treatment. Some patients may be eligible to receive financial assistance for their treatment through the Cared Vision Network which is a cooperative effort between the Vision is Priceless Council and local eye care professionals who have agreed to provide their services free of charge. The Vision is Priceless Council attends community health fairs and other events to screen adults and travels to day cares, preschools, schools and libraries to screen children. Their website is very informative and includes a schedule of what locations they will be visiting and what events they will be attending: www.visionispriceless.org They can be reached at 904-308-2020.

Ride Smart

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) in a collaborative effort with ElderSource in Action, Inc. has created a free new program called Ride Smart to assist senior citizens, people with disabilities and those new to using public transportation in gaining experience with all the different modes of public transportation available in Jacksonville. This program is self-paced and begins with one-on-one or group instruction and progresses in a step-by-step process until the individual feels confident enough to travel independently. The Ride Smart program will instruct participants in the use of city buses, Community Shuttles and the Skyway. As part of this instruction, participants will learn how to plan a trip, read and understand route maps and schedules, recognize bus numbers and bus stops, and locate and transfer to other buses. More importantly to people with disabilities is the instruction in boarding and disembarking safely, how to board with a mobility device (such as a wheelchair), and how to secure a mobility device for safe travel. Those interested should call (904) 391-6682 and they will be matched with a trainer suited that individual's needs.