Contents

• EyeView
  
  
• Simple Cell Phones
  
  
• ADA and You
  
  
• ID Card
  
  
• Do Not Call Registry
  
  
• Opt Out of Junk Mail
  
  
• New Volunteer
  
  
• LVC Board
  
  
• IRS Tax Documents
  
  
• Avoid Paying Too Much in Taxes in 2007
  
  
• Helpful Hints
  
  
• End Notes
  
  

EyeView

Hello out there!
I am Terry Eason. Many of you know me, as I have been with the Center since 1998.  I have always enjoyed serving you, our clients, and now, as Executive Director, I have taken on the additional tasks of fundraising and other administrative duties.  You are probably wondering where LVC's EyePower has been.  Quite some time has passed since our last issue.  Well, a great deal has been going on here at LVC.

First, Bill Rolle, our former Executive Director, has left us for greener (or should I say creamier) pastures.  Along with his son, Bill has opened two ice cream stores in Frederick, MD.  We miss Bill and wish him well in his new endeavor.

Next, Mrs. Ling Lee has joined LVC.  Ling has come to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience.  She is retired from National Eye Institute.  Ling works part time and her primary function is meeting your needs.

Ling and I have been focusing on new tasks and duties for the past few months.  Our aim is to expand our services and our Outreach programs to assist the rising number of people with low vision.  We have been writing grant proposals in an attempt to increase our funding to support the needs of these people.  We thank you for your generous response to our Board's fundraising drive and our own direct mail campaign.  Your contributions, support and enthusiasm for our Center are what keep us going.  These new tasks have consumed a great deal of our time, therefore no newsletter.  We now offer you this expanded version of EyePower.

In this issue we have some exciting news about a new type of cell phone that should provide much greater ease of use for people with low vision.  We have a sample to demonstrate at our office for a limited time so please call us for an appointment to arrange to see it.  We have some timely information about the Americans with Disabilities Act, and an ID card that may be beneficial to you.

In addition we will show you how to reduce some of the unwanted mail and telephone calls you receive at home.  We will also introduce you to our newest Board members and volunteer.  There is information on large forms available for your 2006 taxes and a tax tip for your 2007 tax planning.  Last is a list of a few helpful hints that we hope you will find useful.

Simple Cell Phones:

There are two models, One Touch, which has just three large buttons where a keypad would normally be located.  The second is a Dial model, which has a numeric keypad with large buttons.  The phones have a dial tone that is unique to cell phones.  In addition, the services include an operator, who will assist you with any calls, or help in adding telephone numbers to store on your phone.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, both phones and the services have been tested with good results.  These phones may be beneficial to those with low vision.  We currently have the One Touch model to demonstrate.

ADA and You:

ID Card:

Phone: 212-889-3141 or Email: staff@navh.org.

Do Not Call Registry:

Opt Out of Junk Mail:

There is an online form at www.thedma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html.  This should help to reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive.  We will try to keep you posted on other ways to reduce the unsolicited mail you have coming in and thus reduce the reading task.

New Volunteer:

LVC Board:

IRS Tax Documents:

Avoid Paying Too Much in Taxes in 2007:

Helpful Hints:

• Talking Microwave Ovens (These are from our own volunteer, Tony Dwyer. Thanks Tony!) It seems that more and more gadgets are becoming verbal.  Microwave ovens that have been specially modified to talk have been available for several years and cost about $400.  Now Hamilton Beach has introduced a midsize talking microwave oven that sells for less than $80.  We haven't seen one of these units here at LVC, but reports from users on the Internet are positive.  One reported drawback of the Hamilton Beach unit is that not all the functions speak -- when you set the cooking time, if you can't read the display, you must count clicks of the selector knob.  If you have a talking microwave and would like to share your thoughts about it with LVC, please let us know.
  
  
• Pre-printed Address Labels: Keeping pre-printed labels with you for use when you are asked to fill out your name and address is a great help for those with low vision.  These labels have many uses including identifying your personal objects such as your magnifiers in case you leave them behind.
  
  
• Screen Enlargement: If you would like to enlarge the size of everything on your screen, Microsoft Windows allows you to do this with a simple procedure.  On a blank portion of your desktop, right click with your mouse.  Left click on PROPERTIES, and then click on the SETTINGS tab at the top of the window.  On the lower left hand side you will see a place that reads SCREEN RESOLUTION.  Slide the indicator to the left toward where it says LESS and then click OK.  Your screen will momentarily turn black while the computer makes the adjustments.  A box will then pop up that reads "your desktop has been reconfigured.  Do you want to keep the settings?"  If you like the new size, click YES and the changes will stay.  If not, click NO.

End Notes: