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Summer 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
By Sarah Barnes, Parent, Austin, TX Published with permission from author.
Abstract: A parent describes her reactions when seeing her daughter with a visual im pairment and additional disabilities independently ride the escalator. She reflects on the upcoming changes for her daughter as she moves from elementary to middle school. Key words: Blind, visual impairment, children, orientation & mobility, special education, self-confidence, independence, growing-up, letting go I'm on the upper level of Highland Mall hiding between Children's Place, a clothing store, and Radio Shack. It's a weekday morning with few shoppers, so it's a perfect time to spy on my daughter Meredith. As a fifth-grader with a visual impairment, she comes here once a week with her therapist, Marjie Wood, who is trained in orientation and mobility therapy [Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist] with the Austin Independent School District.
Marjie and Meredith have been together for a decade conquering obstacles that most of us don't even give a second thought. Meredith didn't walk until she was 5, and that was on even surfaces. It took another two years for her to traverse grass, potholes and wood chips, and she still sometimes needs help to get on and off curbs.
One of the reasons she sometimes stumbles is because her legs are uneven and compensating for the steel rod in her back sometimes throws her off balance. But it's her vision that might have the biggest impact on her mobility.
Meredith was born with the center part of her brain underdeveloped, and for reasons no one can really explain she cannot use her eyes together. She uses them one at a time, which is laborious, but it works for her. This makes things like stairs particularly challenging because without binocular vision, she loses much of her depth perception.
With all this going on, it's remarkable how Meredith finds the energy to start the day, but here she comes into the mall, undaunted. The first thing she does is look for the mall map. She's right below me, so I bend a little to hide behind a plant. Marjie glances up at my post and spots me. Game on.
Meredith makes a beeline for the escalator. This is why I am here, because Marjie says Meredith can now get on and off, but I'm skeptical. In fact, I avoid escalators when I'm alone with Meredith because I'm worried she'll lose her balance and send us both tumbling. It also takes Meredith a full two minutes of standing at the escalator to work up the nerve to get on, and then usually I end up lifting her on.
And so today I watch and, hopefully, see for myself what Marjie has been telling me for weeks.
I'm guessing at any second Marjie will get in front of her and start giving her verbal cues to coax her on the escalator.
But my guess is wrong. Marjie stays behind her and with virtually no prompting, Meredith hops on the escalator without a nanosecond of hesitation.
Huh? My hands are over my mouth, and I'm whispering to no one in particular ,"Oh My God."
Marjie and Meredith are about half way up when Marjie turns around to find me and our eyes meet. I throw my hands in the air, and Marjie flashes me a thumbs-up sign. Marjie and I have learned how to communicate about Meredith with virtually no words spoken between us. It's a true gift to have a therapist who loves your child as much as you do, but it's a greater gift to have a therapist who can read the mother's mind.
I continue to spy as Meredith gets off the escalator—an equal challenge—with absolutely no trouble. Then she runs over to the down escalator. Marjie follows, and the two begin to look like a game of cat and mouse as they go up and down, up and down.
I can't help but see the metaphor for my life here.
Meredith has become a different kid this year in fifth grade, her final year at Gullett Elementary School. In addition to her escalator surprise, she recently began tracing letters, meaning some day she might write her name. Her social life is beautifully hectic. She can now carry her own lunch tray, and she proudly sits with her friends in the lunchroom buzzing with conversation. Meredith's world, largely created by Principal Janie Ruiz and teacher Bonnie O'Reilly and a classroom of energizing fifth-graders, is defined by a seamless culture of inclusion where kids with disabilities and kids without disabilities learn side by side.
But despite all these poignant leaps in physical and mental development, I was told in a recent school meeting that Meredith will be getting a new label next year: "Mentally retarded."
I was told I could think it over. The reasoning is that the label better fits her disabilities and that technically the definition is correct for Meredith based on her school testing. I tried to think about it logically on my drive home that day, but all I could think about was that other label — "retard" — and how that was going to feel if anyone ever used it to refer to my child. By the time I was at the corner of Koenig Lane and Burnet Road, the tears were racing down my cheeks. And that would be the down of my escalator.
It's not just that my baby is growing up; it's that so is everyone else. It's a mixed bag of grief and hope for a parent who has to reconcile the idea that while other kids are continuing to move ahead in academics, his or her own child has not kept pace and will never catch up.
Meredith learns differently, but I didn't know until I visited her middle school that vocational activities are pushed for special education students as early as sixth grade. A child like Meredith, who has spent 60 percent of her day in a regular education classroom, will be excluded from nearly all these same classes in middle school.
She won't see her friends nearly as often either, because her friends' world will becomeone of advanced placement classes and extracurricular activities. There is no pity here, but in coming months I will have to explain to Meredith how different her day is going to look. To be fair, Meredith might not be in the classroom with her peers in regular education all day, but her curriculum is inventive and exciting, and under her special education teacher's skillful guidance, I know she will learn much.
And if I know my daughter, she will tackle this new experience with hundreds of questions for her teacher and an unapologetic enthusiasm for learning the names of all her fellow sixth-graders. I'm not sure what she'll do the second day.
Back at the mall, I continue to watch in amazement at Meredith's escalator prowess. I don't see a daughter with mental retardation. I see a daughter who at times can demonstrate the mental concentration of a tightrope walker. I see a daughter who is blessed with the curiosity of a scientist and the devil-may-care attitude of a fifth-grader. I see a girl who has won the attention of a classroom full of fifth-graders who go out of their way to help her on the playground. They invite her to birthday parties, and they are bummed out that she will not go to their magnet schools next fall.
I understand labels exist for reasons of testing and placements and other hard conclusions, but it's my hope this new label for Meredith will remain in the file cabinet.
Editor's note: Sarah Barnes writes occasionally in the Austin American Statesman about the joys and challenges of raising a child with disabilities. You may reach her at <>. She won't see her friends nearly as often either, because her friends' world will become one of advanced placement classes and extracurricular activities. There is no pity here, but in coming months I will have to explain to Meredith how different her day is going to look. To be fair, Meredith might not be in the classroom with her peers in regular education all day, but her curriculum is inventive and exciting, and under her special education teacher's skillful guidance, I know she will learn much.
SenseAbilities Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
- Family Wisdom
- Effective Practices
- What the National Reading Panel Says About Teaching Reading to Children with Visual Impairments
- Early Tactile Learning
- Enriching the Reading Experience for Children with Visual Impairments: Reading to Young Children with Vision Loss
- Alphabet Objects
- Have Dog, Will Travel: an itinerant's quest for skills and understanding through effective collaboration
- News & Views
Research Participation Opportunity for Adolescents and Adults with CHARGE Syndrome: Quality of Life and the Ongoing Medical Issues
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
Announcement from the Helen Keller National Center Website
Abstract: this article is about a research study and requests consumers and/or parents to participate by responding to a questionnaire.
Key Words: blindness, deafblindness, CHARGE Syndrome, research, Dr. Kim Blake, Dr. Nancy Salem-Hartshorne
If you are 13-years or older, and have There is still little known generally about CHARGE syndrome, Dr. Kim Blake and Dr. the problems older people have when Nancy Salem-Hartshorne would like to in-they're growing up with CHARGE syndrome. vite you and/or your parent or guardian to Dr. Blake and Dr. Salem-Hartshorne would participate in our current research study. like to ask you questions about your past life and your present life with CHARGE syndrome. The questionnaire will take approximately 30-45 minutes to fill out and some of the questions will be about the things that are good in your life and not so good. This is described as "the quality of life."
This research study is being conducted by a medical doctor, Dr. Kim Blake, and a Psychologist, Dr. Nancy Salem-Hartshorne, who also has an adolescent son with CHARGE syndrome.
If you volunteer to participate, a packet will be sent to you that will include consent forms and the questionnaire to be sent back to us.
Please contact Dr. Blake or Dr. Salem-Hartshorne via email or telephone if you would like to be a part of this important research!
Nancy Hartshorne:
(989) 774-6469 (Eastern Time Zone) Dr. Kim Blake:
(902) 470-6499 (Atlantic Standard Time)
Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired – Outreach Program Honors Texas Fellows
Recognizing VI Professionals in their Role as Recruiters
Texas Fellow Karla Cantu Tashia Garcia Lani Simonton Brian Jones Emma Lee WilsonMary KainerCecilia Cox HayesMyleah RhynesPat HarperBarbara Kline Carol DancyBonnie Rudel
Candidate Guadalupe Garza-BrownKaren Baker Cathryn KingTrish Duke Harriet PageKathleen McGann Gayla BrownBeth Wallace Shonda Prater Julia Sohns David CarabajalNorma Freimark
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
Press Release from The Media Access Group at WGBH
Abstract: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Partners with WGBH Media Access Group
to Deliver Descriptive Video Service on Home Video Titles. Key Words: blindness, vision loss, descriptive video service, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, WGBY Media Access Group
Culver City, Calif. (Sept 3, 2009) – Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will partner with WGBH Media Access Group to release select film titles on DVD with Descriptive Video Service®, or DVS®, as an optional feature for audiences who are blind or have low vision. Descriptive Video Service provides carefully crafted narration of key visual elements inserted into natural pauses in dialogue. Key visual elements are those which viewers with vision loss would ordinarily miss and include actions, costumes, gestures, facial expressions, scene changes and onscreen text. On DVD and Blu-ray™, the DVS track is an Audio option, listed alongside alternative languages, where the menu selection will read "English Audio Descriptive Service."
The ability to enjoy movies with descriptive narration on DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ is extremely important to the nation's 12 million movie fans with vision loss, and is the single most requested service of the Media Access Group. Among the first Sony Pictures Home Entertainment titles to be released with the description feature are The Taking of Pelham 123, The Ugly Truth, Julie & Julia and District 9.
Sony Pictures has been a leader over the last decade in providing descriptive audio for theatrical releases in movie theaters equipped with WGBH's Motion Picture Access, or MoPix® systems. Beginning in the fall of 2009, all Sony Pictures theatrical releases with descriptive audio will also include the feature when they arrive on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
about the media access group at Wgbh
The Media Access Group at WGBH includes The Caption Center, the world's first captioning agency, founded in 1972; Descriptive Video Service (DVS), which has made television, film and video more accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences since 1990; and the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), a research and development entity that builds on the success of WGBH's access service departments to make existing and emerging technologies more accessible. Members of the Media Access Group's collective staff represent the leading resources and experts in their fields.
Additional information about the Media Access Group at WGBH can be found at .
The Media Access Group maintains a list of DVDs with DVS at this page of its site:
about sony pictures home entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPHE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital contest creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at .
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
Press Release from Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
Abstract: this article reports recent funding which provides free individual memberships to RFB&D. Key Words: blind, deafblind, visual impairment, audiobooks, RFB&D, Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic.
Thanks to major funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Grant #H327D090001, and support of private donors, RFB&D Individual Membership is now free to individuals with proper certification*.
Member benefits include:
- Free access to the nation's largest audiobook library of textbooks and literature titles;
- Human-narrated audiobooks with descriptions of images, tables and graphs;
- Easy-to-use online catalog;
- 24/7 online member services and phone support; and
- Various audiobook downloadable formats, including DAISY and WMA (Windows Media Audio).
Register online for immediate access: ;
Or download an application: .
*Learn more about Certification: .
Section Links:
Copyright Acknowledgement: .
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
By Liz Eagan Satter
Editors' Note: Karen Crone, COMS, for many years the vision and deafblind specialist at Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, and a friend to many of our readers, passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2009. Liz Eagan Satter, who often worked with Karen during her time in Region 4, summed up the impact she had on so many with this personal story.
This is perhaps my favorite picture I have taken of Karen. This was taken July 15, 2006 at the Snowbird Lodge in Utah. We were out hiking during a break from AER sessions with Sheryl Sokoloski. Shortly after this photo was taken I lost my cell phone and then the "hunt" was on! I noticed it's absence as it was my daughter's birthday and was about to call her. Karen, being the kind person she was, offered me her phone so I could call her. Sheryl and I went on to find the phone, while Karen headed back to man the Region 4 booth in the vendor area.
The three of us spent a lot of time exploring the lodge and nature. Karen encouraged me as I attempted to overcome my fear of heights by taking the tram ride all the way up to the top of a mountain. Never once did she make fun of my obvious nervousness; she only provided support and praise.
Then the three of us decided to do the zip line. This was an activity where you are in a little seat strapped to a wire and you speed down a steep hill to the base where you have a sudden stop. Karen yelled at me not to forget to breathe. I kissed the ground once at the base. While Karen told everyone how much she hated them and that we forced her to do it. After much laughter and calming breaths later, we continued to explore the area and vowed to NOT do something clearly death defying again!
This is how I hope you all remember her—a ready smile, a genuine laugh, and a shoulder to lean on. I celebrate her life as I know this is what she would want. She was an amazing woman with so much talent, knowledge, but more importantly heart. The tears will fade in time, but her determination and faith in each of us will live on!
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
—Helen Keller
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
Reprinted with permission from Oregon Deafblind Project Summer 2009 Newsletter
Abstract: this is a book review of poems written by Nella Black, a 96-year-old woman
who is deafblind. Key Words: blind, deafblind, disability, Nella Black, poetry
The News and Star, Sunday, 14 June, 2009 has an article about Nella Black by Steph Johnson. Nella is deafblind—and this is her first book. The really "cool" part is that she is 96 years old! The news article states that the book is a "celebration" of Nella's life, "a story of determination and a fight for independence". Nella became deaf at 3 years old and had limited vision until 12 years before this article was written. For much of her adult life, Nella cared for her mother who had suffered from strokes. She was 34 when her mother died. Nella was sent from England and lived in South Africa for a while—first with her brother and then in a home. She had a failed romance with a man who was also deafblind—mainly because her brother thought it was "indecent" for them to marry! With the help of a friend and a charity, Nella returned to England when she was 48.
"Nella has been writing poems since she was 21, keeping them safe in a box and hoping that one day they would be published. "Her ambition has finally been achieved and Poems from my Life is on sale at W H Smith and Waterstones. The realisation of Nella's dream has been a team effort from her friends, Oriel Temple provided the illustrations and Brian Rudd designed the layout. Nella is able to communicate thanks to a friend who signs questions onto her hand. "And if the public agrees Nella will be able to fulfil another desire and help others with disabilities because the proceeds from Poems from my Life will go to Deafblind UK. She told the News & Star: "I'm pleased with the book, it's turned out very well." (News and Star)
Thank you Angela O. of DBCI-CHAT for this info!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com / Poems-From-My-Life/Nella-Black/ e/9781438939148
ISBN: 1438939140 ISBN-13: 9781438939148 Format: Paperback, 64pp Publisher: AuthorHouse
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
By William "Bill" Daugherty, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Abstract: Superintendent Bill Daugherty discusses future planning for TSBVI and invites dialogue with stakeholders on this topic.
Key Words: William Daugherty, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, blind, visually impaired, deafblind, future planning, collaboration, partnership
The Texas School for the Blind and Visu-educators and blind adults, among others. ally Impaired (TSBVI) is in the middle of so This statewide system in Texas is widely much change with its construction project regarded as the best in the country, and that it makes us think a lot about the future moving forward we all sure want to keep it of the school. By the time all the building that way. TSBVI is very well resourced by is over, we will have sat at 1100 W. 45th the state legislature, but these resources Street in Austin for about 95 years. So what are far from infinite and there is constant does the next 95 look like? A picture from vigilance from our lawmakers to ensure the original 1916 construction shows men that there is real value for every tax dollar and mules standing in the blazing summer they invest. So in thinking about the future, heat. It looks almost unbearable, and the we have to think beyond simply adding new mules speak to a bygone era. A picture programs and services as a way to grow from three months ago shows men toil-the school's mission and effectiveness.
ing in the exact same spot in 105 degree weather. I TSBVI Outreach Services stood there too, and it was indeed almost unbearable. So maybe 95 years from
and Summer and Short-Term Programs grew out of needs expressed to us by now is not a future so fan-the ISDs as ways to protastic that all of our troubles have been solved by invention and technology. Maybe vide additional supports to students who attend their local schools. These initiawe are still in the business tives have been successful of educating kids with visual impairments, and if so, what parts of what we do by any measure, and that's a good thing because they require a significant part of now will still be relevant to the school's resources to Texas, and what parts will not? operate. Now we see these fine programs as foundational parts of our service Breaking that long view delivery system, and we will down into decades, we at continue to grow and refine
TSBVI are trying to think how our school them and do more with them. But to "do can make its best contribution to the state more" by adding major new programs such as a whole over the next 10–20 years. TSB-as these is not likely in the near term. The VI sees itself as but one part of a statewide discussion we are beginning to strike up with system that includes the ISDs, ESCs, TEA, stakeholders right now is how to do more DARS/DBS, the two universities, and all of by leveraging the potential of the statewide the advocacy groups representing parents, system as a whole. Terms like cooperation, collaboration, choice, role release, partnerships and parental involvement define the leveraging as I intend it here.
We all recognize that among the 8000+ students in Texas that there are students who are underserved. Sometimes we think of these as individual kids, and sometimes we think of them as groups. The recent surge in advocacy for students with deaf-blindness by parents and educators alike is an example of an underserved group for which new service delivery supports like interveners are coming on strong. I have to think that among every age group and among every group of learner types—on grade level, not on grade level, multiply disabled, etc.—there are underserved children. What TSBVI is trying to figure out is how we can do our part, and perhaps immodestly, say how we can provide statewide leadership, to ensure that all students have a state-of-the-art education in both the core and expanded core curriculum. Our school somehow has to go about this in a smarter fashion, because as I said before, just adding on and funding new programs is unlikely.
Here are two things I believe many of us think we know on this topic right now. First, students come to our campus or our staff comes to yours only because those of you in the ISDs ask for it. This simple formula covers about 99% of what we do. Second, there are students at TSBVI now who would be best educated in their local schools, and there are students in the ISDs now who really need the intensity of specialized services TSBVI offers. In some important ways both of these groups of students end up being underserved, and this applies to all type of learners.
In the ISDs it seems that the major challenge is time. Itinerant TVIs and COMS are spread thin to say the least. At TSBVI we have the time in comparison to the itinerant model, and often our big challenge is how to ensure that the intensity of services we provide leads to learning and skills that can be generalized to the next environment after the three years that is the norm for students enrolled here. That next environment is never a campus full of specialists who have teaching access to the student for upwards of fifteen hours a day in classroom, community, and residential living instruction. Both educational settings—the ISDs and TSBVI—are searching for ways to address these two challenges. Kids attending local schools now often have locally developed summer and after school opportunities to fill in some of the gaps created by the time crunch. ISDs continue to inform us about the types of outreach, summer and short-term programs they want from TSBVI. TSBVI continually strives to zero in on the reasons for enrollment at our school, and on the readiness of each student and of the "next environment", be that the ISD or post-school experience, to be a successful match.
As TSBVI looks forward to the next two decades with a desire to do its part—one part among many—in moving the entire statewide agenda in the direction of continuous improvement, we want to engage all stakeholders in an honest and open planning process about our school's future within the context of the 8000+ kids and their widely varied educational needs. If that process can look at the statewide system as a whole, rather than a loose amalgamation of individual organizations, Texas will stay at the forefront of what is best for all of the students we serve. Please let us know what's on your mind regarding this broad topic; I am always available at . We'll soon be approaching many of you in a more formal fashion on the topic to hear your ideas and issues on how to guide our system as a whole moving forward, and how to best partner with you on your local efforts to make your district or region reach the goals you went into this field to accomplish.
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
By Barbara J. Madrigal, Assistant Commissioner, Division for Blind Services
Abstract: this article describes Microsoft's DigiGirlz High Tech Camp for girls where Assistant Commissioner Barbara J. Madrigal, Employment Assistance Services Manager Susan Hunter, and Special Assistant Bill Agnell served as coaches.
Key Words: blind, visually impaired, disability, DARS Division for Blind Services, Digi-Girlz High Tech Camp, Microsoft, accessibility
This summer, several staff and consum-technology and business roles, thought-proers had the exciting privilege of participat-voking exercises, and interesting Microsoft ing in summer camp. Not just any summer product demonstrations. By participating camp—there was no horseback riding or in the Microsoft DigiGirlz Day, young womtarget practice and we didn't need any sun-en can find out about the variety of opporscreen. This was the DigiGirlz High Tech tunities available in the high-tech industry Camp for girls, sponsored by Microsoft. and can explore future career paths. The Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp DARS Division for Blind Services sponfor girls was established in 2000. It aims sored three campers who attended the Di
to dispel stereotypes giGirlz camp in Dallas of the high-tech indusalong with Employment try and seeks to pro-Assistance Specialist vide young people a chance to experience, firsthand, what it's like Freda Striplin. Transition Counselor Kevin Markel reported that DBS purto develop cutting-edge chased transportation technology. There are DigiGirlz camps across the United States. and Orientation and Mobility services to assist a consumer from Fort Worth in attending During students Microsoft the camp, interact with employees the camp, and Micro-soft purchased JAWS for the student's camp and managers to gain computer. Ms. Strip-exposure to careers in business and technology and to get an inside lin met the consumer the day before camp to help familiarize her with look at what it's like to the environment. She work at Microsoft. For observed that this very four days, participants experience tours, quiet and shy consumer was almost afraid discussion groups, seminars, job shadow-to get out of the cab—she didn't know anying, networking, and many other activities. one and was unfamiliar with the surround-This exciting event provides girls with ca-ings. After one day of camp, however, she reer planning assistance, information about was chattering with her new friends and told Ms. Striplin, "Look, I'm okay. You don't need to hover!" Both Ms. Striplin and Mr. Markel noted significant gains in confidence as she became more independent in her travel as well as her technology skills.
The camp was so successful that Micro-soft indicated they plan to ask for consumer and staff involvement in planning the camp for next year. All reported that they had "lots of fun" and are looking forward to attending next year.
I also had the privilege of attending camp along with my colleagues, Special Assistant Bill Agnell and Employment Assistance Services Manager Susan Hunter. We attended the DigiGirlz camp at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, where we served as coaches to the young women participating in the camp. We were each assigned to a group of students and accompanied them as they moved from one class to another.
We observed students as they learned to write SQL (a programming language used for developing databases), toured the Microsoft campus to learn about the variety of jobs in the high tech field, used the Microsoft Robotics SDK to program a robot, learned how to market technology, and designed and created their own super girl character! Oh, the things we learned!
One of the "funnest" events was the "Shoutout Board" where coaches or campers would post compliments whenever they noticed something outstanding. Once a day, all the campers and coaches would congregate at the Shoutout Board to cheer the shoutout recipients. For example, campers were recognized for actively participating in groups, for presenting a different or unique point of view, or for an accomplishment in a workshop. It was great to see these young women develop pride and confidence in their unique skills and abilities.
During our time in Washington, we had the opportunity to meet with Daniel Hub-bell, Microsoft Technical Evangelist, or head of the Microsoft accessibility program. Mr. Hubbell was very passionate about promoting accessibility, and he was very receptive as we shared information about blindness and visual impairment. In fact, he knows most of the DARS-DBS vendors, as our vendors have attended week-long vendor conferences at Microsoft to ensure that they are knowledgeable about and familiar with new Microsoft products. Mr. Hubbell emphasized the importance to Microsoft of having a diverse workforce and finds that employment of people with disabilities provides a valuable resource in helping to ensure that Microsoft products meet customer's needs.
And that concludes my report on summer camp! I also had "lots of fun" and learned so much about technology, which is really equalizing the playing field for people with disabilities. DBS is looking forward to Digi-Girlz 2010!
Fall 2009 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
By Kate Hurst, Statewide Staff Development Coordinator, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach
Abstract: Visually impaired and blind students traveled to Fort Davis for Camp Real World, and learned about science, history, and career planning. The students also enjoyed many recreational and social opportunities.
Keywords: Effective Practices, visually impaired, summer camp, science, history
Sometimes the real world is a great place to be. It is filled with interesting and fun people, scenic surroundings, and fascinating experiences. Sometimes everything comes together perfectly and you find yourself a part of something truly enriching. Vacations often provide this type of experience, and this year mine was no exception.
In the heat of July I traveled to Fort Davis, Texas and the Prude Ranch to participate in Camp Real World. This camping experience, sponsored by the Ft. Worth region of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Division for Blind Services (DARS-DBS) and Region 15 Education Service Center in San Angelo, took place July 20-24, 2009. It included 22 visually impaired individuals and 12 of their sighted peers ranging in age from 6–19. Also participating in this wonderful camping experience were numerous staff members from DARS-DBS, Region 15 Education Service Center, and some of the local school districts where the students are served.
There are few places in Texas that can compete with the Ft. Davis area for beauty, history, and nature. Climbing into the Ft. Davis mountains, after leaving the interstate highway at Balmorhea, the air changes and the oppressive heat and exhaust fumes dissipate. Though still warm by some standards, when I arrived at the Prude Ranch, just outside of Ft. Davis, rain has washed the world clean. In the large, rustic dining room campers were already digging into their cowboy grub. The din of chatter and laughter echoed off the rafters.
Everyone was glad to be there though some were a little homesick. We all wandered around the campground after supper, trying to find our cabins and a cell phone signal so we could phone home. No luck with the cell phone signal, but with some adjustments people unpacked and headed to the meeting hall for dance lessons. Boots were scooted, hips were hopped, and everyone got down and funky. Talk about your ice-breakers! There is nothing like a crowded dance floor to bump into people. Some of us even learned to dance a decent two-step and the Tango Slide.
A Cowboy Breakfast is the only way to get going when there are so many things to do. First there was the trip to the Ft. Davis National Historic Site. The park ranger began our tour with some history of the fort and the region. Ft. Davis was an army post built in the mid-1800's. Cavalry stationed there served to protect the pioneers and traders traveling west. Though destroyed by fire shortly after the Civil War, it was rebuilt in 1867 by Lt. Colonel Wesley Merritt with four companies of the 9th U.S. Calvary, the first of the African-American troops known as Buffalo Soldiers. Touring the barracks and other sites at the fort, students learned how hard life was for the early Ft. Davis pioneers and the soldiers who occupied the fort. There were many opportunities for hands-on exploration of the gear and equipment the soldiers used.
Returning to Prude Ranch for lunch, we hardly had time to catch our breath before we were trekking down the mountainside to participate in a ropes course. Working in teams the students had to scale a 14 foot wall, get each other through a "spider web" of ropes without disturbing the "spider", and race on long board "skis" across the rocky ground. Besides brains, teamwork, and physical stamina, this course required everyone to overcome their fear of failure and/or heights for the good of their team.
Thank goodness we all had time for a refreshing swim and dinner before we climbed on the bus again for a trip to the McDonald Observatory. What an amazing experience! Mark Cash, our guide, took us into the observatory of the 107-inch telescope, where we got a hands-on experience of all things telescopic. Students had the opportunity to explore the telescope as it was rotated and positioned while they learned a lot about the work the astronomers do at McDonald. Watching the enthusiasm of some of the students, I was struck with the notion that one of these students might someday work there, now that much of the observation and data collection was done with computers. Leaving the observatory we participated in science demonstrations to understand the size of our own solar system. Then we joined the "Star Party", looking through smaller telescopes to see Saturn, twin stars and other celestial wonders. One of our students with very little vision was stunned to learn that the spot of light he was seeing was a star. Though he could tell you many facts about stars and space, he had never known that a real star was seen by sighted individuals as a speck of light, not a five-point object. It made me realize how often our visually impaired students have faulty concepts about the world because of the way we teach these concepts. Even students who were totally blind, came away with a much better understanding of the universe and the types of careers that exist in the field of science.
Staff at the observatory have developed a number of innovative ways to teach visually impaired students about astronomy and the universe.
On day three of Camp Real World, Tamee Argo, DARS-DBS Transition Counselor, had organized a series of activities for the students to learn about another world—the world of work. They competed in teams to match various job titles with salaries and training requirements. They learned about safety and first aid. They also participated in work simulations in the areas such as archeology, clerical work, bicycle repair, and using a cash register.
In the afternoon, campers were treated to a living history lesson by the Traylor family. This husband and wife team, along with their daughter, son-in-law, and son, shared information about life in the region during the late 1800's. Dressed in period costumes, they also gave the students an opportunity to learn about horses, milking cows, and making butter with a churn. They discussed typical jobs that each family member had during that time. Campers even had the opportunity to actually milk a cow and make fresh butter, a tasty snack when spread on crackers that tided us over until supper and homemade ice cream for dessert. Did you know you could make ice cream in a baggie?
No need to worry about gaining weight from the extra treats. Everyone had great fun after supper playing in our Camp Real World goal ball tournament. Many of the campers had never played goal ball before, and found they had a real talent for the sport. Vance Lankford from Region 15 ESC, with help from the DARS-DBS staff, taught us the game and served as coaches and referees during the tournament. Walking up the hill that night to my cabin, I hadn't felt so tired in years.
Despite the fatigue from the night before, we were ready bright and early to travel to the Chihuahua Desert Nature Center. Everyone was amazed at the variety of plants and animals that are native to this desert region. The students carefully explored the cactus, sniffed the sage, and learned how bats and other creatures help in pollination. One of the students was especially interested in what he learned, and talked about getting a job like our guide when he was older.
This camp gave the students so many "real world" lessons it would be hard to say what had the most impact. However, I particularly enjoyed the lessons and skills that were utilized later that evening as they prepared for the end-of-camp dance with all the other campers at Prude Ranch. After an afternoon horseback ride and another swim, preparations began for the dance. The girls and guys dressed up in their best camp finery and made a promise that they would not turn down a dance invitation from their fellow Real World campers. Then it was off down the hill and into the throng of dancers in the gym. It was so much fun to see how well our group mixed with the other campers. There were a few wallflowers at the start of the dance, but before the night was over, everyone had seized the opportunity to boogie down.
It was a tired crew that found their way into the mess hall the next morning and made their way to the bus for the ride home. As I drove back down the mountain towards Austin I reflected on what a great experience going to camp was.
We are fortunate in Texas to have so many dedicated education and rehabilitation providers who work to pull off summer camp experiences for students with visual impairments. I don't think you can underestimate the impact of such an experience. These students learn that they can go away from home and do okay. They learn both social and academic skills. They learn about taking on a challenge, even when you are a little afraid of it, and succeeding. They make friends. They learn about their visual impairment in terms of what they CAN do rather than what they can't. As an educator, I am reminded of how important experiential learning is and how many lessons can be taught while climbing a wall, milking a cow, learning a new dance, or playing goal ball.
If your son or daughter has never participated in a summer camp experience, you should consider letting them. Many of the DARS-DBS offices and Education Service Centers have day camps or overnight camps throughout the summer. Ask your TVI or O&M instructor what opportunities are available in your area. If you are an education or rehabilitation professional, consider volunteering to help with some of these camps. A summer camp experience is special for any kid, but especially for kids who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. Besides re-discovering the joys of camp, you'll get some great ideas for instruction when the summer is over and school begins again.


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The flavor of the orange and sage make this dish perfect for a fall dinner party.
- Yield
- 4
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 (1 lb) pork tenderloin, trimmed
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional
- 2 tablespoons minced sage
- Arrange the pork in a shallow baking dish and coat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes Preheat an oven to 400 degrees and position an oven rack in the upper portion of the oven. Season the pork on both sides with salt and pepper. Place a medium skillet on the stove over moderately high heat, add remaining oil and when shimmering, carefully add the pork. Brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to the oven and roast until an instant read-thermometer inserted into the center registers 145 degrees. Transfer the pork to a carving board and leave to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Return the skillet to the stove over a medium heat and add the shallots. Saute until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the white wine. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the skillet to remove the fond. When the wine has reduced by half, add the broth and orange juice and reduce by half, or until thickened. Finish with butter, if desired. Mix in the chopped sage, taste and season with salt and pepper. To Serve: Carve the pork tenderloin against the grain and arrange between 4 warmed dinner plates. Spoon the orange and sage sauce over and serve immediately.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bro Cam has a grip of new edits this week! Take a look.
May 31, 2012 | Categories: Skateboarding, Video | Tags: Bench, Bro Cam, Chris Kendall, Clip, Craig Clements, Edit, fl, FLA, Florida, High 5, Indoor, Jack Seely, Jacksonville, JAX, Kris Jones, Matt Fink, Mike Funk, Nate Vanderbilt, Park, Ryan "Ohio" Fagan, Skate, Skateboarding, Skatepark, Skating, Steven Miller, Taylor Greenspan, Tony Besabe, video, Wheels in Motion | Leave a comment
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The GRC Institute membership encompasses a diverse range of industries and professional experience and of that group a staggering 30% of our members have more recently entered the profession. On average, these members have between one and three years' experience in a compliance related role.
To support these emerging professionals, GRCI provides a range of professional development options including our nationally recognised courses, short complimentary and costed seminars, publications and discussion groups.
In our second annual Emerging Professionals event, we look to supplement our usual professional development opportunities with a one day intensive that will explore key topics that may be challenging our professionals at this stage in their career. Led and facilitated by experienced compliance professionals, exploring these hot topics, in a one day format with an audience cohort that will allow for learning and sharing amongst similarly situated professionals.
We invite you to join us at this event to kick start your 2018 career development objectives.
Topics we will cover this year:


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Bentley KUWAIT - New Car Prices and Specifications
6 models from KWD 63,000 to KWD 115,000
About Bentley KUWAIT
Remembered for producing models such as the Muslanne, Bentayga, Bentley is a British marque that was established by H. M. Bentley W. O. Bentley ninety-eight years ago. Competing with distinguished brands such as Rolls Royce, it offers buyers an entry point into the model line-up at KWD 65,000 with the iconic Bentley Continental GT Convertible . Headquartered in England, United Kingdom and in operation since the past 98 years, Bentley offers buyers in the State of Kuwait a choice of 5 models and 16 unique versions to pick from. Mentioned below are detailed prices, specs, and features for all Bentley vehicles in Kuwait.
2020 and 2019 New Bentley Models
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From KWD 81,000
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From KWD 63,000
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From KWD 65,000
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From KWD 70,000
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From KWD 115,000
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From KWD 81,000
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Tips for Room Draw
March 21, 2018
In accordance with student and Student Government Association (SGA) feedback from last year, the housing process has been refined. In an interview with The Campus, dean for residential life Doug Adams explained the new process and gave advice for students as they navigate the various draws. Adams acknowledged that the process can cause anxiety but advises that preplanning can reduce stress.
– After spring break, juniors and seniors will have a period of time to fill out their housing applications on StarRez, the online housing draw platform. The first draw for seniors will take place between April 3 and 6. The second, for juniors and mixed grade groups, will occur between April 19 and 24. The final draw for sophomores will take place between April 11 and 16.
– Since many students will not receive their first choice for housing, Adams advises students to make a list and develop contingency plans. Going into the draw process with several alternatives can reduce students' stress once the process has started and housing options begin to fill. Once housing is drawn it is final, so all students should feel comfortable and confident with the selection they make and with the group they enter the process with. Adams recommended entering the draw with at least one other person because if a student is not available during their time slot, the person they entered the draw with can act as their proxy, even if they do not choose to live together.
– Each individual or group will be randomly assigned a time slot, with slots spanning the course of several days. In order for a group to receive a time slot the group leader must "verify" the group is complete after all members have joined. The length of each time slot for the upperclassmen draws will be dependent on the number of groups who enter into the draw, but will likely be 15 minutes.
– Once a time slot has begun, the individual(s) in that slot will have from then until rooms are selected or the process has closed. However, new groups will join the draw when their time slot begins. When a group is choosing housing during their slot, they can either opt to remain as a large group or section off into smaller groups or chose to room as individuals.
– At the end of each draw day, the residential life team will release information regarding which housing options are still available for students to claim. This will allow students who have not yet drawn to plan accordingly.
– There will be a drop-in session today from 1:30-3:30 p.m. outside of the box office in McCullough with members of Adam's team to help students plan for the housing draw. Additionally, during the application process there will computer lab space available where students can receive assistance with their applications.
Adams encouraged any questions to be directed towards [email protected] or Karin Hall-Kolts ([email protected]). There is detailed information about Middlebury housing available on the Middlebury Residential Life website at go/floorplans and go/quicklist.


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Kaiser Family Foundation is a trusted source for health care data, surveys and year over year monitoring. Just as Pew Organization surveys culture impact, KFF monitors many dimensions of health care impact. In this survey, it is painfully obvious that voters are worried about health care costs and affordability. Sixty-seven percent (67%) are concerned.
Drew Altman, of KFF, explains more about this problem in a post for Axios:
- It helps explain why so many people name health their top issue, despite the progress that has been made in covering the uninsured. And everyone who's sick and can't afford medical care has family members and friends who see what they are going through, creating a political multiplier effect.
- It is also why health care is substantially an economic issue as well as an issue of access to care. When people have trouble paying medical bills, it's a hard hit to their family budgets — causing many people to take a second job, roll up more debt, borrow money, and forego other important family needs.


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winding down.
It was our accountant Mark, reviewing our 1996 finances with us, trying to understand what was going on with Dromedary Records.
"No," I explained.
"So we can dissolve the company and write off the inventory, then?"
"Well, no."
"Why not? I don't understand. Are you in business, or not?"
"We're not," I said. "But we might be again someday."
He shook his head. "You realize that it costs money to keep a business open? You're a corporation – there are fees you have to pay every year. For what? Because you don't want to shut it down?"
"What happens if we write off that inventory?" I asked. "Can we sell it again?"
"You can't sell it anyway," he pleaded. "You're not in business anymore."
I was being wishy-washy, I understood. I had decided that I'd had enough, that it was no longer fun, that it was hurting my health and definitely my sanity.
But I did not discount the possibility that perhaps someday I'd want to try again. And I didn't want to admit that I was no longer cool and indie and part of the scene. Officially closing up the business – legally dissolving the company, writing off the inventory, closing up the bank account and PO Box – that was official official. If I did all those things, and then decided I wanted to start it again, then I'd have to do everything all over again – trademark search, re-incorporate, set up the bank account and PO Box.
It made no sense to do. If I wanted to re-start someday, it would be worth it for me to have the same PO Box that I originally had, so that the mail would keep coming, and anyone who knew us then would still know how to get in touch with us. And why close a bank account that I would only have to open someday? Why write off inventory I might want to sell?
But if we kept the business open, we'd have to pay the annual fees associated with owning a corporation. And there would be a monthly fee for our checking account that had no money in it. And a fee for keeping a PO Box open for a company that didn't exist. We were going to spend about a thousand dollars a year in fees to keep a company alive that wasn't doing business.
"Look," Mark explained. "If you want to start up Dromedary Records (he pronounced it 'Drama-deary') again someday, you can do that. You can reopen your company. You can set up a bank account, get a PO Box. It's really not that hard to do. But if you keep it open, we're going to have to keep filing reports. You're going to have to pay me to do that. You're going to have to pay the fees. Why pay all these fees for a business that's not even in operation? Just so you can feel like you're still cool? You want to be cool? Go to a club."
Sandy was looking at me with these wide, imploring, puppy dog eyes and of course I knew he was absolutely right. Winding down Dromedary was something that had to be done, and the only reason I was hesitant was because it seemed like some sort of ritualistic, final nail in the coffin of my youth, some sort of admission of failure.
That night I actually sat in my basement, looking around me while everyone else was upstairs sleeping.
It's not a failure, I thought. You wanted to start a record label so you could get experience. You wanted to give it a try, see if you could put out some records, sign some good bands. You did that.
At the same time, I knew that there was, eventually, more to it than that. I wanted to put out a lot of records. Great ones. I wanted to find a Slanted and Enchanted, or a Today's Active Lifestyles, and get it out there for everyone to hear.
In a past entry I referred to John Cook's excellent book Our Noise: The History of Merge Records. Merge just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and over the years has released clunkers that sold in the hundreds, but also has released monstrous indie masterpieces that have sold in the six figures. But in 1996, none of that had happened quite yet. In 1996, they were just a few years older than we were; the first Superchunk record came out while I was at WSAM. I spun some of Merge's first releases on my radio show in college.
Cook describes many of Merge's early days, and they don't, to me, seem any different than Dromedary's early days. Merge started off more punk than we did, with Superchunk, but despite being one of my absolute favorite bands, Superchunk was really no better than Footstone. Butterglory was a great band that didn't tour much, but Matt Suggs really wasn't any better a songwriter than Doug Larkin.
Polvo was a fantastic band, but no better than Gapeseed. Rocket From The Crypt, while much heavier, was not a better band than Jenifer Convertible. Lambchop were interesting and beautiful, but so were Dots Will Echo.
And the Magnetic Fields were magnificent, but so were The Mommyheads.
Merge had more bands than we did, which was certainly a difference. And they had more bands that would tour (we had precisely one, although Gapeseed would have toured if we had managed to get a record out from them).
Obviously I was not analyzing Merge Records in 1996. In 1996, Merge was, in my mind, a very cool indie that had one of my very favorite bands in Superchunk, along with a bunch of other really good bands. But putting my 1996 hat on in 2009, and trying to analyze what I would have thought was the main difference between the two labels, the answer is easy.
Merge had a distribution relationship with Touch and Go, who were perhaps the coolest and fairest and best-run of all the indies out there. Touch and Go was the company paying for the records to be manufactured, and Touch and Go was the company with a vested interest in selling copies. They worked with Merge to keep costs down, they provided Merge with the kind of guidance that small indies needed. They were like big brothers, keeping an eye out for Merge, nurturing them and helping them get stuff out there.
And they were handling the distribution.
We had no such entity helping us. We were hunting and pecking with each release, with no guidance. We spent more than ten thousand dollars on our first record, a compilation of no-name bands that had no chance of going anywhere and that was fairly awful. It took us two or three releases just to learn how to properly manage our costs, and even then, we had no distributor who was working on our behalf. We had folks like Ron and Larry at Surefire who were helpful when we asked advice, and who were awesome about pointing bands in our direction (if it wasn't for Ron and Larry, we never would have met the Mommyheads or Toast, and I'm forever thankful to both of them for that) – but Surefire needed to look out for Surefire – not Dromedary.
At the end of the day, then and now, I faulted the distribution. Our bands were as good as a lot of other well-known indie bands (and in some cases, they were the same bands). For a label our size, the press we got was outstanding. We had been fortunate enough to have met some great people in indie rock, and we were based right near New York City, where we had access to the best clubs, which we were able to fill with people who wanted to see our bands.
But we couldn't get our records into stores, so none of that mattered. We were paying ungodly amounts of our own money to press records in hopes that a distributor would order 20 or 30 copies at a time, and let them sit in their warehouse in hopes that some record store buyer somewhere would ask for it.
And against that backdrop, at the end of 1996 we wound up Dromedary Records, officially closing the company, writing off the value of our inventory, closing our bank account and PO Box, and discarding hundreds of copies of Nothing Smells Quite Like Elizabeth.
I couldn't bear to throw away the rest of our records, though. I packed them up in cardboard boxes, taped them together, and stacked them underneath my basement stairs.
As the year drew to a close, we got some more checks. Checks from distributors, checks for mailorder purchases. There was no Dromedary Records anymore, so those checks couldn't be cashed. I held them, thinking they would be good memories. I filed them away.
I wonder if Get Hip still has that money in their account, or if Simple Machines couldn't get their checkbooks balanced because of me. If so, sorry.
One Response to "winding down."
It's the obligation of lawyers and accountants to mispronounce your company's name. I think they do it to help make themselves seem that much more like the professionals they ware.


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Mansfield Town's under 18s face bitter rivals Chesterfield on Saturday (11am) in their first Football League Youth Alliance fixture of 2016.
Due to postponements, Dempster's side are finally set to take to the pitch this weekend in a mouth-watering clash against their regional foes. Last week's game with Rotherham United was postponed due to a frozen pitch, so Stags' youngsters will be raring to go.
Dempster could still be without Surafel Behailu and Joel McLean with their respective injuries when they travel to Derbyshire, as his outfit look to make up ground on the top of the division by taking all three points.
In Mansfield's last league outing back in December, Cameron Healey scored with a first-half header to defeat strugglers Grimsby Town.
Hosts Chesterfield are sitting in the lower half of the table, but have scored nearly 40 goals in the 2015-16 campaign so far which makes them a potent threat for Stags' defence to deal with.
In the last match between the two sides earlier in the season, Mansfield ran out 3-1 winners in strength-zapping conditions due to the mini heatwave that Kirklington Road endured on the day.
Luke Randle's own goal handed the Stags an early advantage, before Martell Daswell equalised for the Spireites – Devante Reittie gave Mansfield the lead once again, and Louis Danquah sealed the victory with a well-taken finish.
Coping with different weather conditions will be the challenge for both teams with Chesterfield, like the rest of the country, set for a chilly week.
The venue is as follows:
Staveley Miners Welfare FC,
8 Inkersall Road,


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Collections are your guide to discovering great new music. Our Curation Team has chosen the freshest songs, videos, and artists and organized them into packages by theme, location, genre, and more. Try browsing, playing, and adding new collections to your library.
Bandz Cambando is Featuring " G " off of the " Spill Mixtape ". He recorded this song for all the ladies that love a man that works hard, lets it loose on the weekends, has that edge of a thug, boss, and G.Play Collection


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Immigration Legal Program
We are here to assist with your immigration needs
We are here to assist with your immigration needs
The West African Community Council (WACC) is recognized and has staff accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide quality immigration services to low-income constituents. Our program is managed by practitioners who have garnered over 17 years of experience in the field. We represent constituents before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USCIS and ICE), the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Through our immigration support work, the WACC is responsible for preparing all the necessary paperwork for constituents. Preparing the paperwork includes drafting legal briefs/affidavits, researching and documenting applicable case laws, translating documents, collecting supporting documentary evidence, documenting witness statements and more. Once the paperwork is submitted, we track the progress of each case and follow-up with any further paperwork that is needed.
To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization it takes about 12 to 18 months plus 5 years of residency or 3 years if married to a U.S. Citizen. The WACC Naturalization /Citizenship program prepares all necessary paperwork for clients. Once the paperwork is submitted to USCIS, WACC tracks the progress of each case and follows up with both USCIS and the client.
Immigrants' needs for legal counsel have increased exponentially over the past several years. The WACC has partnered with the King County Legal Defense Network to provide removal defense services for immigrants. In 2018, WACC conducted 155 free screenings for immigrants who either feared deportation or had received letters from the federal government indicating there being a possibility of deportation. WACC is proud to announce that this year, 2019 WACC won a significant grant from the King County Legal Defense Network to expand its legal team and will be doing even more direct representation of removal defense cases!
WACC provides a path to reuniting families who are living abroad. This is a subsidized fee for service program and is dependent on the client's income. In addition to filing documents, WACC provides critical arguments to USCIS for proof of relationship to reunite families.
As an immigrant it is often challenging to know which documents are needed to gain legal status or attain work authorization. WACC consults with qualifying individuals in a low-cost or pro-bono (free) way help them gain or retain legal status or attain work authorization. Each case is highly unique because every person has a different background and story.
My name is Mariama. I have a very complex immigration case. I have lived in the United States for many years and am a single mother of two beautiful girls! I received a letterfrom ICE to come to their office with my passport. I was so terrified and stressed out! I called the WACC. They comforted me and told me that I would be helped through the Legal Defense Network that WACC is a part of. I am praying to God to empower WACC as they help me stay in the U.S. and I raise my daughters in peace and dignity.
My name is C. I fled my home country six years ago to escape persecution. I had a tumultuous journey. I picked Seattle because I have family here. I had to travel through many countries before I could arrive in the u.S. Upon entering the U.S. I was detained at a port of entry and handed to ICE. I remained in detention for many months. I was so scared of what might happen. ICE released me to my family member, but kept trying to convince me to return to my country of origin. I was scared of what might happen to me if I return home. My relative told me about WACC. WACC was able to determine that I met the requirements to seek asylum and referred me to the Northwest Immigration Rights Project. Since then I have received my employment authorization card, found a job and am financially stable . Thank you WACC for the work you do!
At the WACC's immigration department, we serve residents of Seattle. We try to take as many cases as we can on a "low-bono" or "pro-bono" basis but we unfortunately cannot provide services to everyone for free. We are a fee-for service agency . Legal representation from our attorney is a fee service. If you know of a case that will benefit from our services, please fill out our Immigration General Intake Form.
Some services may be waived depending on their specific type of issue or proof of inability to pay. Nobody will be turned away for inability to pay. Our service fees may be waived for those who can show proof of federally defined poverty level income.
We are by appointment only. Fill out the Immigration General Intake Form, to set up an appointment. After filling out this form, our Immigration Attorney will contact you to schedule an appointment or refer you to another organization that might be able to assist you better.
Do you have an appointment? If so please bring:
Open Monday through Friday
From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
6322 44th Ave S Seattle, WA 98118


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I do not usually repost, but I thought this one was worth it. This is for all of the first responders, military personnel, and the good people of New York City and the United States who remembers September 11th, 2001. You can check out Part 1 here.
Eleven years after September 11th, 2001, in 2012, the United States Embassy in Benghazi, Libya was assaulted by Islamic militants who wanted blood.
In the attack, they killed four Americans, US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Management Officer Sean Smith, along with CIA operatives: Glen Doherty and Tyrone S. Woods.
These men were denied extra security by the State Department despite the growing unrest in Benghazi. Our government made a lot of mistakes: blaming the violence on the protest of a video, covering up that fact, along with several others. Now we hear from men working security there did in fact receive a "stand down" order at the compound. What does this mean, time will tell.
Whatever comes of this, those four Americans who died during that evil attack deserve justice! I hope they receive it on Patriots Day.
For all of the victims and families of both September 11th, 2001 and 2012, we will NEVER forget the sacrifice!
Where were you on September 11th? Let me know in the comments below and tell me what you remember about that day. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.
Also, did you miss my book announcement? Check it out!
You can find me on everywhere on social media! Facebook: Author Jacob Airey | Patreon: Click Here | Instagram: real.jacob.airey | Twitter: @realJacobAirey | YouTube: StudioJake


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This product is a single dark replacement checker for the Teak Checkers with a 3.75" Diameter.
The MegaChess Teak Checker Set with a 3.75" diameter are an elegant, high quality set of checkers. The luxurious grains of teak make this a stunningly beautiful checkers set.
Specifications for the MegaChess Teak Checkers Set with a 3.75" Diameter:
Dark Checkers - 1 pieces - .75" tall with 3.75" diameter - weight 4 oz.
Total 1 piece - weight 4 oz


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Ooma Office Business Phone System VoIP Phone and Device
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on this site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product
- Virtual Receptionist: Powerful, easy-to-configure virtual receptionist automatically greets and directs incoming calls. Allows different options during business and non-business hours
- Fast And Easy Set Up: Do-it-yourself installation with no wires to deploy. Comes with two Ooma Linx wireless remote phone jacks for fast and easy installation of up to three phone extensions.
- Keep Your Phone Number: Transfer your existing phone number or select a new one at no charge
- Expandable: Host up to five phone extensions and 15 virtual extensions that forward to telecommuters and mobile workers.
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Ooma Office is absolutely everything you'd ever need in a business phone system. Ooma Office uses your high-speed Internet connection to deliver a high quality yet very affordable business phone service with advanced features typically found in far more expensive options. It blends the ease of do-it-yourself installation with the power of cloud computing to deliver the features and quality of service you'd expect from a business class phone system. Even better, Ooma Office has plent


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by Andrew Hunt
One of the key features of the global economy – and particularly of the "Pacific Rim economies" – that has most concerned us over recent months has been the immensely weak investment spending trends that are starting to appear across Asia. We firmly believe that this weakness in capital spending, which has stretched from China to Indonesia, has been brought about by a pressing need for companies in many of the emerging markets to raise cash to fund what have become, in the matter of only a few quarters, an almost chronically high level of debt repayments.
Apparently still unbeknown to many, beginning in 2004 there was an intense and probably entirely unprecedented increase in global credit flows that ran for almost ten years and which paused only momentarily during the GFC. With the US central bank now promising to raise interest rates, though, and relative yields collapsing within the debtor countries, many of these often short-term credit flows are beginning to reverse and this has created a massive drain on the available cashflow of many corporates within the emerging markets, with the result that companies in these countries have been forced to curtail many of their former investment activities and adopt austerity measures of their own.
Crucially, one of the most obvious results of the ensuing drop in Asia's capital spending has been a reduction in Asian import demand and a consequent "ballooning" in the region's combined trade surpluses. We must admit that when we first drew this chart, even we were shocked by the rise in the surpluses but having checked and re-checked the numbers, it does seem that to all intents and purposes Asia's trade surpluses are exploding upwards – although equally shockingly we find that even these trade surpluses have not been sufficient to halt the loss of foreign currency reserves within the region. Even these mammoth trade surpluses have not been enough to fully finance all of the required level of debt repayments and hence Asia's central banks have had to step in and provide additional funding by running down their foreign exchange reserves.
Over recent weeks and days the world has been almost exclusively focussed on events in Greece and the prospects for GREXIT and this is quite understandable – we do believe that once again the Euro is facing one of its existential crises (in fact, the Euro project may well fail if Greece defaults on the "wrong parts" of its existing debts – that is, those to the ECB) – but at the same time we should note that the increase in the Asian trade surpluses over the last 9-12 months has been the equivalent of Greece's annual GDP while Asia's net capital outflows (that have been caused by its enforced need to retire previously incurred debts) have been larger over the last two quarters alone than Greece's entire existing debt burden.
It therefore seems to us that the world may in some senses have been guilty of overlooking the events that are occurring in Asia currently and the problems that this situation may create for other countries. Specifically, given the closed nature of the global economy, any country or region that undergoes an improvement within its trade accounts must be matched by some other country or region that suffers a deterioration.
The most obvious group of countries that have suffered the matching deterioration in their trade accounts have been the oil and other commodity producers, although some of the world's capital goods producers have also experienced considerable fallout. Clearly, the trade accounts of the Middle Eastern oil states have suffered significantly, although actual data on the extent of the deterioration in their positions has been surprisingly hard to come by.
We can see all too clearly, though, the adverse trends that have developed in the trade accounts of Brazil, South Africa, Peru, Australia and even New Zealand; Asia's apparently enforced economic slowdown has reduced both the volume of their exports and the prices that they have received for many of their primary goods exports. Only Chile seems to have been immune from this trend but this seems to be only because the country's domestic economy has remained in such a deep slump that its imports have fallen along with its export receipts. We would also note that Australia's trade balance trends would in all probability have been somewhat worse had their domestic economies not weakened.
Unfortunately, we are also aware that during the most buoyant moments of the commodity price bonanza in the mid-2000s and again in 2011-12, many of the commodity producer countries "decided" that the boom would be long-lasting (if not, in fact, infinite) and they adjusted their "permanent income expectations" accordingly. Consequently, rather than waiting for the expected higher incomes to actually occur – and more importantly for them to be received – they increased their levels of domestic expenditure (both consumption and investment) in anticipation. In effect, many of the commodity producing economies chose to advance their spending plans by mortgaging their expected higher income streams by embarking on quite intense domestic credit booms that have left many of these countries notably more indebted relative to their incomes than they were even before the boom in commodity prices.
Having taken on notably higher debt levels on the basis of what seemed to be an almost "unwavering" belief that economic growth in China and the other emerging markets would prove exponential, many miners, commercial companies, farmers, property investors and even some governments have since been caught out by the latest slowdown in the emerging markets, with the result that many are now facing financial difficulties of their own. For example, it is reported that almost half of New Zealand farms are now notionally loss-making as a result of the decline in milk powder prices, while in Australia the once-hot property markets in the resource-dependent areas are now facing crisis-like conditions that perhaps their central banks may have been slow to recognise.
We find rather unfortunately that many policymakers in the producer countries had also become so overtly besotted with the China and emerging market eternal growth/commodity price theme that they failed to properly control their domestic credit cycles during the boom years. In some cases they have compounded their mistakes by then not easing fast enough when growth in the emerging markets began to fall away and commodity price trends slackened, presumably because they believed that China et al would soon come "roaring back" and thereby rescue their now-significantly-more-indebted economies.
In fact, it seems to us that under the almost unfaltering optimism over the outlook for the emerging markets and, in particular, China's long term that had possessed the financial markets, many real-world companies and even the world's policymakers have been the cause of a number of important lending, market price and even official policy misjudgements over recent years, including the commodity producers' seemingly tardy reaction to China's current slowdown.
Looking ahead, the majority of the world's commodity producers now urgently need higher export incomes to not only grow their economies but, perhaps more importantly, so that they can afford to service and justify their now-more-elevated debt burdens. If commodity prices do not revive, though (and we see little reason why they should do so, given events in Asia), then we can only assume that these overly-indebted economies will continue to struggle and that they too will ultimately be obliged to enter their own forms of deleveraging processes, something that will lead to more economic weakness in these economies. At this point, we would expect their central banks to find themselves moving towards the types of very low/near-zero interest rates that others have adopted, most likely with a predictable impact on their still "over-owned", once-high-yielding currencies.
Faced with their higher debt burdens, we suspect that it will ultimately become imperative that the commodity countries defend their rates of nominal GDP growth and weaker currencies seem likely to become the mechanism by which this aim might be achieved, despite their impact that weaker exchange rates might have on any of their residents or institutions that have tapped foreign credit markets. Consequently, we can see no reason why the currencies of many of the more highly indebted economies – including that of New Zealand – will not find themselves "round-tripping" back to their pre-commodity-price-boom levels of the early 2000s if Asian economic trends remain as soft as they are currently.
Andrew Hunt International Economist London
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Estefan Garcia: Alumni of 2010
May 18, 2018
Estefan Garcia, a 2010 Heritage graduate, thinks of graduating as an honor and a way to show the world and others that the world doesn't end after high school.
"From the beginning i didn't know what i wanted to do after high school so i decided to go to LMC and some of DVC to get my GED, but the one thing i had a hard time with was my job career," explained Garcia.
Through living with his parents and being in and out of jobs, Garcia eventually found the right mix. He always had a interest in cooking and culinary arts because his mom taught him how to cook at a young age.
"I got the job at Outback SteakHouse from one of my friends because his dad was the manager of it at the time and before i was during the job it taught me a lot about being on time making sure everything is perfect," said Garcia.
During his time at Outback SteakHouse was very fond of the job at first and had a great time. Eventually he realized that this wasn't what he truly wanted and decided to call for help.
"Going back to start and asking my dad for help was the best thing I could have done because now I'm making triple of what I was making at the steakhouse and have created a whole new life for myself," explained Garcia.
Although he started out not having a clue on what he wanted, Garcia made something out of nothing. Juggling between jobs to finding a stable occupation turned out ot make a fun and healthy life.


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Daily Thoughts 10/15/2009I finished reading Confessions of A Radical Industrialist by Ray C. Anderson. This is a reminder that there is a better way when it comes to sustainability and clean technology. He calls for large scale home insulation, more efficient energy appliances, benign chemicals to replace toxics, better recycling technology, more renewable energy, a new transmission infrastructure for electricity, and new hybrid vehicles. I would add greener cities, more green buildings, more urban agriculture, and more locally focused businesses.
This is an excellent book if you want to understand large enterprise and how it relates to sustainability. Earlier in the book, he reminds the reader that General Electric, Toyota, and Cisco Sytems are moving towards sustainability and Google has a program to make electricity cheaper than coal from renewables.
Today is another quiet day. I am working with a colleague to get some signage removed. I also contacted someone about doing a poetry program. I am going to be ordering some Danielle Steel large print for the book mobile because people are asking for it. The book mobile is going to
use the patron request form soon as well.
We started counting the books in the Job Information Center. It has been a steady day. Nothing revolutionary. Some more of the signage is going to be changed. I am thinking about doing a graphic novel book club. I am trying to find something which is available at a lot of different libraries that not everyone has read. It might have to be something a little older.
Paul J. McAuley has won the Philip K. Dick Award, The Sideways Award for Alternate History, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the John W. Campbell Award, and the British Fantasy Award. His writing is superb. I hope he wins the Hugo Award or the Nebula Award eventually. I am reading his book,The Quiet War. It is hard science fiction. He uses a lot of biology in his stories, much more so than many science fiction writers. He is trained as a botanist.


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The Doctor claims there is no such thing, the cowardly lion in Wizard of Oz believed in them and Ghostbusters made a business out of hunting them, yet the existence of ghosts remains an open forum. Those, like myself, that have encountered them, firmly believe that there is life after death and no one will convince me otherwise. We live in a world now that is more open to their existence. People fake ghost videos left, right and centre for a quick buck, leaving the real videos lost in a flurry of skeptics that cast ridicule on ghosts.
That is now, but back in the 1800s there was no market for ghost photos or a need to make things up. And in 1936 came a photo that stand to this day as proof that ghosts exist. No one has been able to dispute it or claim technology faked it. It was taken by primitive cameras that simply could not be dismissed as double exposures. And so the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall stands today as proof indisputable that something is out there.
First reported at Christmas in 1835 by one Lucia C Stone, it was reportedly the ghost of lady Dorothy Walpole who lived from 1686- 1726. She was married to Charles Townsend (his second wife) who reportedly had a bad temper. Dorothy was also famous as the sister of Robert Walpole, hailed as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. Allegedly she committed adultery and was locked in the rooms of her home as punishment. She remained at the Hall until her death from smallpox. She never saw her children again. Ghost sightings are reported to be linked to strong emotional links to their life and it could be that the Brown Lady is trapped there by her broken heart.
When she was first seen it was at a Christmas gathering which included Lucia and a Colonel Loftus and a man called Hawkins. Both these men said they saw her as they were retiring for the night. The Colonel said he also saw her the following night, mesmerized by her dark eye sockets which stood out in her glowing face. Both men described her dress to the detail which earned the Brown Lady name. The following year a Captain Frederick Marryat requested to stay at the house in order to prove that the haunting was a story spun by local smugglers to keep people away. Also staying there were two men who invited him to look at newly purchased guns. They stayed together for a while and the hour was late before they retired. Marryat had his revolver with him on the advice of the young men in case he met the ghost. As they stood in the corridor they saw the glow of a lantern coming down the hall.Thinking it was a lady guest they waited until she approached. To Marryat's surprise he recognized the dress as that of the brown lady. He challenged her and she thrust the lantern in his face and leered demonically at him. Terrified he shot her in the face where upon she simply vanished. Such was his experience he never returned and his daughter recounted his tale. For him there was now no question of the Brown Lady's existence.
The legend spread and in 1926 Country Life magazine sent photographers to take pictures of the house for an upcoming issue. They had already taken a photo of the grand staircase when they noticed a vapour-like entity moving down the stairs towards them. That was when they took the photo that has gone down in history as definitive proof (below). When their account was published along with the photo, the negatives and camera equipment were examined and shown that there had been no tampering or faulty negative. Some Skeptics have said it is a smudge on the lens but no collusion was found by the team investigating where the photographers were concerned. You can see the shape on the stairs is transparent and does have a human countenance. And no one has been able to say otherwise.
Once again Owen takes a look at the strange and unusual… this week one of the most famous ghost pictures of all time.
Let us know your thoughts below, @NerdFollowing on Twitter or on Facebook


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Heysham Obs
Mega-alert in the evening with a Red-legged Partridge seen running along Cyprus Road in Higher Heysham suburbia. Major Heysham blocker, last seen goodness knows how long ago. North-westerlies are unpredictable at this time of year with some significant early morning seabird movements on occasions. Not this morning. As far as I am aware the usual 1.5hrs produced just the following:
Red-throated Diver - 5
Gannet - 2
Twite - c60 all, or the vast majority, ringed
Linnet - 2 on seed
no passerine vis
Middleton IE
Snipe - 1
Typical early April record of Hooded Crow on the sandflats at Glasson, also 2 Avocet there. Bittern 'grunting', therefore presumably usual elderly male, at Leighton Moss 0815-0830 (3 lots of 3) - the first report of this activity this year, despite "24/7" coverage. Booming better in the evening.
The observatory was set up in 1980. It involves ringing,'vis mig' counts (including seabirds) and general monitoring in the Heysham Nature reserve/power stations/harbour area. The statutory moth trap is in place and also a daily log for butterflies, dragonflies etc. We share an office, kindly provided by EDF Energy, with the County Wildlife Trust. This is located next to the Nature Reserve car park. Do call in. Please leave sightings in the letterbox, ESPECIALLY 'fly-by' seabirds.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
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Functionrecessed - standard downlight, double wallwasher, wallwasher
Apertureround 4, 5, 6"
FootprintHAL/4: 10" x 13", HAL/5: 10"x14"
Net Weight5 lbs
Functionrecessed - standard downlight, double wallwasher, wallwasher
Apertureround 4, 5, 6"
FootprintHAL/4: 10" x 13", HAL/5: 10"x14"
Net Weight5 lbs
Designed for use with BT-15 lamps. Fixture may be used with UL listed retrofit lamps, including CREE BA19-08027
Precisely designed reflector minimizes aperture brightness. Fixture provides a shielding angle of 40°.
One basic housing allows interchangeable use of the downlight and wallwash reflectors. This permits housings to be installed first and reflectors installed or changed at any time.
Our Made in USA factory uses handcrafted and computerized techniques to transform steel, aluminum, and other metals into durable luminaires.
Spec Sheets
Application Notes
Fixture is UL listed for Damp Location.
Removal of the reflector allows access to the junction box.
Fixture is compatible with recommended retrofit LED lamps at the time of testing (2017). For complete compatibility information, contact factory.
Retrofit LED lamps are easier to service and upgrade if desired after installation. Learn more about our retrofit LED lamp options.
Additional Options
IC-rated model also available: click here to see specification sheet.
Contact factory for modification requests or additional technical details
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