(EYE) TALK
Fall 2009
Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired of
Jefferson Co.
321 Prospect Street Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: 782-2451 e-mail: asnblind@imcnet.net
 
 
Agency News


The Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired of Jefferson Co. is celebrating 90 years of service this year; the Watertown Association for the Blind, as it was named then, was formed in 1919.  The Association’s name was later changed to the Northern NY Assn. for the Blind.  Then, in 1933 it became the Jefferson County Assn. for the Blind when services were limited to Jeff. Co.   It wasn’t until 1989 that the Association added services to include visually impaired and changed its name again to reflect the new service.. 

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) was reinstalled on a computer at the Flower Memorial Library.   It is on one of the public access computers on the first floor and available for anyone with a vision impairment to use.  Please ask the librarian for help in locating; you may call 788-2352 for library hours.

>Implantable telescope may improve vision for some with advanced AMD
A pea-sized implantable telescope is helping some people with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to read, watch television, and recognize faces.  The innovative device works by magnifying images so they extend onto healthy, outer regions of the retina — beyond the central retina, the macula, which is damaged in advanced forms of AMD.

Developed by VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, the telescope is expected to receive approval from the FDA later this year. The device is implanted into one eye, replacing the recipient’s lens. Implantation is performed during a brief, outpatient procedure. Doctors funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness note that careful assessment must be performed to determine the best form of visual rehabilitation and accommodation for people with advanced AMD who are candidates for this device. They add that even with the device, people will still have significantly limited vision. Foundation Fighting Blindness – www.blindness.org
Note: Concerns about the implants have been expressed by Lighthouse International's Chief of Low Vision Programs, Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal, particularly the potential loss of depth perception that could lead to an increased incidence of falls in individuals who had received the implant. For Dr. Rosenthal's further thoughts about telescope implants visit: lighthouse.org/aboutus/whats-new
Information included in newsletter is for your information only and not an endorsement of any product or service.

We recycle

If you have a magnifier you are no longer using, the Association is in need of donations of used magnifiers in good working condition. Please call the Association at 782-2451 to donate an unused item to be “recycled” that will benefit someone else.                                                    
Volunteer readers                                   The Community Council on Vision Impairment Issues is exploring the need for volunteers to read to clients of the Association. Please call the office at 782-2451 if you are interested in having someone come to your home and read to you. Perhaps you would like someone to read the newspaper, mail or a book. The Council would then coordinate with a volunteer to contact you to schedule.                                      
Benefit Planned                 The Watertown Little Theatre will donate the proceeds of the evening of October 29th production of “Over the Tavern” to the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired of Jefferson County. The dinner theatre will be held at Trinity Church, 227 Sherman St., Watertown; the cost is $30, reservations are required. Dinner is at 7:00 p.m., show to follow. For more information or if in need of transportation, call 782-2451; call early for best seats available.                                                                                        
Hints and techniques to help with measuring dry and liquid ingredients
Marking: The general guideline is “keep it simple.” Mark only the most commonly used measures. Plastic: Notches can be made in plastic measuring cup and spoon handles to indicate their different quantities. The general guideline for marking is as follows: • 4 notches – ¼ cup or teaspoon • 3 notches – 1/3 cup • 2 notches – ½ cup or teaspoon • No notches – 1 cup or teaspoon Note: the difference in size between a teaspoon and tablespoon is significant so no marking is usually used to distinguish one from the other. Metal: Metal cup and spoon measures can be marked by hammering a nail against the back side of their handles to form bumps or dents. The same marking pattern described above is used.


Measuring Liquids: Bending metal handles upright to a 90° angle can allow you to “dip” into liquids rather than pour them. This technique is especially helpful when working with oils, which are very hard to feel. Transferring oils to wide-mouth containers also makes dipping easier.
Reducing Cleanup and Spillage: Placing a cookie sheet or pan underneath measuring cups and spoons will contain spillage and lessen cleanup time.


Five ingredient recipe
“No Fuss” Cookie Recipe
yellow cake mix (not butter recipe)           ½ c. Crisco shortening
2 eggs                     4 Tblsps. water
1 c. chocolate chips or nuts      
                             Mix first 4 ingredients well. Stir in chips or nuts. Drop by spoonful on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degree oven until lightly browned.



Send in your favorite recipe; it may be included in an upcoming newsletter and/or in a collection of recipes reproduced in large print.