ISSUE 1 VOLUME 7 j January-February 2017
This Activities Bulletinincludes all client activities held at both our Lehigh Valley and Monroe County offices. Generally, any client may attend any activity regardless of where it is held. If your own driver brings you, they may stay for the activity. Some activities,however,are noted specifically as combined activities for bothoffices.
Reservationsare requiredforagencytransportation,7daysin advance! Transportation tickets cost $3 each way.Following each activity description there may be one or more of the following abbreviations for the kinds of transportationavailable:
TA-Transportation Availablefrom CenterforVision Loss. In the Lehigh Valley,
call the Transportation Officeat 610-433-6018, x. 226.In the Monroe County
Office,call 570-992-7787.
TOYO-Transportation On YourOwn
And don't forget to check out the Low Vision Buzz and any other inserts with special information you will find helpful andinformative.
LEHIGH VALLEY OFFICE ACTIVITIES
Reminder: If you are expecting a confirmation call about a ride, remember to check your voice mail.
PLEASE NOTE: The Center for Vision Loss has discontinued making LANtaVan arrangements on behalf of those attending any of our programs. If the activity lists
Transportation On Your Own-TOYO, you must call LANtaVan and make your own transportation reservation.
LEHIGH VALLEY MALL WALK(VERY IMPORTANT PEER SUPPORT-VIPS)
Topic:Leisurely stroll around the Lehigh Valley Mall. Discuss topics related to vision loss and healthy living. All are welcome! Join the gang and make new friends! Call
610-433-6018, x. 226 for info.
Dates:Wednesdays, January4, 11, 18, 25; Wednesdays, February1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 9-10:30 am
Transportation: TA (Note: Transportation not available from all areas)
------SUPPORT GROUPS
Topic: General Support Group.Facilitated by James Van Horn. All are welcome! Join other clients who share similar concerns and experiences about living with vision loss.
Dates:Thursday, January 5; Thursday, February 2
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Men’s Club House: For men only-topics and activities vary.
Dates:Thursday, January 12; Thursday, February9
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TOYO
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Topic: Women’s Craft and Chat: For women only.This group is designed to build independence, confidence and communication skills. January: Texture painting; February:Valentine craft and party.Craft costs to be announced. Bring money for lunch.
Dates:Tuesday, January 10; Tuesday, February14
Time: 11 am-1 pm; Transportation:TOYO
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VISIONARIES ACTIVITY GATHERING
Topic: January:Ice Breaker Game and How to Make Managing Your Medication Easier When Living with Vision Loss; February: The Touch and Tell Travelling Museum with Dawn Sellers and Speak Up, Speak Out! Take Charge of Your Life. Bring a lunch.
Dates: Thursday, January 26; Thursday, February 23
Time: 11:30 am-2 pm; Transportation: TA
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LIFESKILLS EDUCATION
Topic: Braille Instruction Class-New series starting in January for clients who are
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dedicated to learning braille. Consistent attendance is a requirement. There is a $26 materials cost. Facilitated by Dianne Michels. CallRita at 610-433-6018 x 225 to sign up.Dates: Mondays, January 9, 23; Mondays, February 6, 27
Time: 10 am-12pm; Transportation:TA
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Topic: Sweet Treats-Come bakewith us and sweeten your Valentine’s Day. Sugar free recipes will be included. Facilitated by Dianne Michels. You MUST call Rita at610-433-6018 x 225 by February 6 to sign up. Cost to be determined.
Date: Monday, February 13
Time: 10 am-12:30 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Topic: iOS Device Info Group-Gain a better understanding of accessibility features and useful apps. You must have an iOS device to participate. Bring money for lunch.
Date: Wednesday, January 25; Wednesday, February 22
Time: 11 am-1:30 pm; Transportation:TOYO
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CLIENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Mark Your Calendar! Audio Described Performances at DeSales University.
The Crucible-February 25, 8 pm
Young Frankenstein-May 6, 2 pm
Contact Rita at 610-433-6018 x 225 for more information. 4
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Topic: Bookworms Book Club. If you enjoy reading and discussing various book genres, this group is for you. January: Last One Home by Debbie Macomber; February: A Quilt for Christmas by Sandra Dallas. These books are available from NLS and the BARD websites. Call Dorothy Montero at 610-252-3626 to confirm attendance. The group will discuss future readings. Bring money for lunch.
Date:Friday, January 20; Friday, February17
Time: 11 am-2 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED
Topic: Activities Bulletin Mailing Group. Call Rita at 610-433-6018, x 225 if you want to help prepare the next Client Activities Bulletin for mailing.
Date: Tuesday, February 21
Time: 10 am-2 pm; Transportation: TOYO
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LEHIGH VALLEY CONSUMER GROUP MEETINGS
Topic: Greater Lehigh Valley/National Federation of the Blind of PA. Lutheran Manor, 2085 Westgate Dr., Bethlehem. Call 610-432-3276.
Date: Saturday, January 14; Saturday, February 11
Time: 10 am-12 pm
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Topic: Lehigh Valley Council of the Blind. Meeting Location: Center forVision Loss.
Date: Saturday, January 21;Saturday, February 18
Time: 10 am-12 pm
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FYI
For our clients who are avid braille users and want to gain a better understanding of the Unified English Braille code, Hadley is offering a series of UEB courses to assist you in the learning process. For more information contact Hadley at 800-526-9909 or go to to register.
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MONROE COUNTY OFFICE ACTIVITIES
Reminder: If you are expecting a confirmation call about a ride, please check your
voice mail.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Topic: General Support Group.Facilitated by James Van Horn. Join other clients who share similar concerns and experiences about living with vision loss. All are welcome!Date: Monday, January 9-this Support Group includes the Holiday Party. Bring a dish to share and a gift for a gift exchange; Monday, February 6
Time: January: 10 am-12:30 pm; February: 10-11:30 am;Transportation: TA
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LIFESKILLS EDUCATION
Topic: Self Defense. Learn how to use rhythm to learn the techniques of Jitsu.
Date: Friday, January 13
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: Swimming at Shawnee. Don’t forget to bring a towel!
Date: Wednesday, January 18
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA
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Topic: New Client Orientation: Avoiding the Cutting Edge. For NEW clients only-learn some important kitchen safety techniques.
Date: Monday, January 30
Time:11 am; Transportation:TA
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Topic: Bowling at Skylanes
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 12-2 pm; Transportation: TA
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NUVISIONS ACTIVITY GROUP MEETING AND PROGRAMS
Topic: Jewelry Making for Valentine’s Day
Date: Friday, January 27
Time: 10-11:30 am; Transportation: TA 7
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Topic: Presentation: What’s New in Vision Loss
Date: Tuesday, February 28
Time: 2-3:30 pm; Transportation: TA
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MONROE COUNTY CONSUMER GROUP MEETINGS
Monroe County Council of the Blind-4th Saturday of month, 10 am-12 pm.
Pocono Medical Center, Brodhead Conference Room, 206 E. Brown St, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. Contact Thomas Reid at 570-328-0545 or
for more info or assistance with transportation.
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THE CENTER FOR VISION LOSS LOW VISION BUZZ
January-February2017
TO ALL BRAILLE READERS-Center for Vision Loss will begin formatting all agency publications in the UEB code starting January 2017.
REMINDER-The new Gary John Posch, Jr. Memorial Braille Library is open in the Lehigh Valley Office.For more information or to schedule your visit at least one week in advance, call Rita Lang at 610-433-6018 x 225.
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WINTER WEATHER AND CENTER FOR VISION LOSS ACTIVITIES-Inclement winter weather may affect our decision to hold a particular activity. If a program is cancelled, we will make every effort to call those who have signed up. If you were planning on coming on your own and did not sign up, call ahead to be sure the activity is still on for that day.
CLOSURE LETTER CONFUSION
Some of the services we provide are through a contract with the PA Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) for those clients who are eligible for that program. When someone is no longer eligible for that program, the regulations require that we send them a “closure letter.” For example, if someone no longer uses services for over a year or their income increases significantly, the contract may dictate that their file should be
closed. HOWEVER—this only refers to being closed under the BBVS contract. It does NOT mean that you are no longer eligible to receive help from the Center for Vision
Loss. Agency assistance WILL continue. Questions? Contact your caseworker.
TRANSPORTATION TICKETS
Apparently a few clients have handed Center for Vision Loss transportation tickets to their LANtaVan drivers in error. Please be sure that you have the correct ticket for your transportation provider.
FEEDBACK FOR THE CENTER FOR VISION LOSS PROGRAM COMMITTEE
The Program Committee is charged with discussion and overview of agency client programs and meets every two months. Members will accept suggestions and feedback
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from our clients regarding items to be brought up for discussion at future meetings.
Contact members Dianne Michels at 610-435-8244 or Joanne Rath at 610-398-0433.
ITEMS FOR SALE
Optelec Compact + Hand Held Video Magnifier, good working orderand Beecher 4 x 20 Near Vision Binoculars. Contact Barbara Courtland, 610-965-9566 or .
“Video Eye” Video Magnification Units, $25.00 each, these do not come with monitors. You will have to connect to a monitor or to your TV at home. Available from the Center for Vision Loss. Come in to the Lehigh Valley office to check them out or call us at 610-433-6018.
“Index” Braille printer, condition unknown. Free. Call Center for Vision Loss at
610-433-6018.
VISIONCONNECT APP
The American Foundation for the Blind announces that its popular VISIONCONNECT App is now available for Android, as well as iOS devices. You can download it from both the GooglePlay Store or the Apple App Store. This app provides great information to help you maintain your independencesuch asfinding services and support in your community through the searchable AFB Directory of Services and information about low vison products and technology, as well as reading personal stories to give you inspiration and support about living with vision loss and helping you talkto family members about how they can be supportive of you.
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GIVING PAGE
The Center for Vision Loss is the region’s only non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by vision loss and promoting healthy vision. Help us continue our work in Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe Counties with a tax-deductible gift.
Send your gift to: Center for Vision Loss, 845 West Wyoming Street, Allentown, PA 18103. You can also go to our website at and click on the DonateNow icon to print out a Giving Page or make your gift by PayPal. You may also wish to consider a legacy gift such as a Bequest (Gift by Will) as a gift option to help ensure the agency’s future and financial health. Contact your tax and/or legal advisor for more details. You can also find out more about legacy giving through our The Helen Keller Society on our website by clicking on the Support Us tab and then clicking on Legacy Giving.
Questions? Contact the Development Department at 610-433-6018 x 241.
Thank You!
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