Lifelong Exercise for Everyone

Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:06am by iralax

Many people who have a chronic health condition or disability stop exercising after they experience a big change in their movement abilities. A panel of five exercise specialists from Chelsea, Ann Arbor and Saline will be at the Traverwood Branch on Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-8:30 pm to talk about a much healthier approach for anyone who has had this experience. They will show how fortunate we are in Washtenaw County to have so many resources that integrate medical care with fitness programming. In addition, Chelsea is partnering with Stockbridge and Manchester to help with sustainable access in rural areas. Please come ready to learn and ask questions. This event is part of UM Investing in Ability Week.

Living with Low Vision Support Group

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:07am by monkk

Join the Living with Low Vision group each month at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Each meeting features a guest speaker or an activity for individuals with low vision. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The October 12th meeting will feature Dan Furton from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. If you have questions, contact Gale Oren at (734) 763-9468 or goren@umich.edu.

Thirty Years Without Sight

Thu, 09/29/2011 - 1:12pm by iralax

Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL welcomes Gerald Rickert, who has been dealing with blindness for 30 years (since the age of 17) to discuss the interesting turns his life has taken and his many accomplishments. The talk on Tues., Oct. 4 will cover his education, work experiences, owning a business, travel, sports and helping visually impaired people use adaptive technology. He practices his hard won skills with veterans through his job at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, and is working to start a local bowling league especially for people who are blind.

Gerald Rickert | Malletts Creek Branch | Tues., October 4 | 7-8:30 pm

Bowling League for all Levels of Vision

Tue, 08/16/2011 - 10:14am by iralax

A new 3-person team bowling league made up of totally blind, partially blind and fully sighted bowlers will begin play at 7:00 pm every other Thursday evening beginning Sept. 8 at Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor. The cost is $10 per week plus a one-time sanction fee of $15-$25. The league will follow all standard rules of league bowling such as alternating lanes, using the foul lights, and using a 90% handicap. Bowlers will have the opportunity to participate in state, regional, and national tournaments if he/she wants to.

A blind bowler uses a guide rail that is aligned on the first board outside the gutter on the approach so it doesn’t interfere with the bowlers.
• The rail is 12 feet long and is placed on the left side of the approach if the bowler is right handed, and placed on the right side of the approach if the bowler is left handed.
• The bowler holds the rail with one hand and the bowling ball with the other hand. The bowler walks on the approach toward the pins like a person does with normal vision.
• This rail is not like the ramp that persons in wheelchairs use. It is constructed with PVC pipe tubing that is round and is held in place by bowling balls setting on the feet of the rail.

A sighted bowler will spot pins for the blind bowler by telling them what pins are still standing, if any, after rolling the first ball. In addition, the fully sighted bowler will monitor the rail to maintain straightness so it doesn’t become out of alignment causing the bowler to roll the ball into the gutter.

You don’t need to have your own team, but if you have 3 people who want to bowl together, that would be even better. Please contact Gerald Rickert, at 734-845-3064 or Email Gerickert@gmail.com for more details on how to get involved.

Accessible Wild Swan

Tue, 05/24/2011 - 10:22am by iralax

Wild Swan Theater has been delighting young audiences by staging original versions of classic myths and tales for 31 years! A big reason it is so loved, besides their awesome energy and talent, is because they integrate American Sign Language, audio descriptions and touch tours as key components of everything they present. AADL invites everyone, grade 4 and up, to experience how this is done on Thursday, June 2, 7-8:30 pm at the Downtown Library. Artistic Directors Hilary Cohen and Sandy Ryder will give an interactive workshop on how they weave accessibility into all their productions to create inclusive, live theater at its best.

Did You know....?

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 5:44pm by Beth Manuel

...That hundreds of federal tax forms are available from IRS.gov for sight impaired people? One way to find the publications on the IRS site is by clicking on the word accessibility at the bottom of the IRS home page. If a physical disability prevents a taxpayer from completing their tax return, they may get assistance from an IRS office or through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Taxpayers can call 1-800-906-9887 for more information. Publication 907 explains the tax implications of certain disabilities and other issues.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Celebrates 80th Anniversary!

Fri, 03/04/2011 - 10:31am by monkk

On March 3, 2011, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), the Library of Congress’ talking-book and braille program, celebrated 80 years of helping visually impaired and physically handicapped individuals enjoy reading their favorite books and magazines.

This free library program brings reading materials in digital audio and braille formats straight to the homes of patrons from preschoolers to centenarians. Books on digital cartridge, digital talking-book players and braille books are sent to patrons via the U.S. mail at no cost to users. People who sign up with the program also have the option of downloading books and magazines over the Internet in audio or braille format.

"The NLS collection of more than 400,000 titles of bestsellers, classics, biographies, romance, and other genres delights even the most selective readers. Magazine-lovers enjoy free subscriptions to more than 40 periodicals in audio format, including Consumer Reports, National Geographic, and Sports Illustrated for Kids, and 30 periodicals in braille, such as Ladies Home Journal, ESPN: The Magazine and the New York Times Large-Print Weekly."

For more information on eligibility and to apply for this service through the Washtenaw Library for the Blind & Physically Disabled @ AADL, please visit our website at: wlbpd.aadl.org.

Periodicals on Disabilities

Fri, 02/25/2011 - 9:46am by iralax

Current and back issues of the monthly periodicals PN and NM can be found at the Downtown Library. PN is published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Washington, DC. NM New Mobility: Life Beyond Wheels is published by No Limits Communications Inc. in Horsham, PA. The articles cover transportation, education, travel, physical and psychological challenges and a wide variety of lifestyle topics. Both are award winners for their content and their contemporary look. If you would like to put a hold on a back issue and send it to any Ann Arbor District Library branch, just call 734-327-4200 and ask for Periodicals.

Roger Chard: A Self-Determined Life

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 12:00pm by iralax

Roger Chard is totally blind. He recently retired from a twenty-two year career as a real estate attorney in Ann Arbor. Among his many achievements are awards in high school and college debate and in downhill skiing. He has performed as a baritone vocal soloist and presented recitals with other musicians in small and large venues. He will speak on how self-determination helped him create a life worth living. This amply reflects the theme of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2011, depicted in the book Life is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman.

Wed., January 26 | Malletts Creek Branch | 2:00-3:30 pm

After We're Gone...

Tue, 01/18/2011 - 3:47pm by Beth Manuel

After We're Gone is a series of 4 training sessions geared toward aging parents who have adult children at home with developmental disabilities. The first session is Thursday January 20th from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at MORC in Auburn Hills. This series is free. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are appreciated. Call The Arc of Oakland County at 248-816-1900.