What's New
Mark G. Ackermann, President and CEO of Lighthouse International led a Lighthouse delegation to the NYSE
(Mel Nudelman/NYSE)
Mark G. Ackermann, President and CEO of Lighthouse International rang the closing bell of the NY Stock Exchange on October 22, 2009 in recognition of World Sight Day which was celebrated earlier this month. World Sight Day is an annual international event to create awareness about the 314 million people worldwide who are visually impaired and the importance of preventing vision loss.
New York Times: "Burst of Technology Helps Blind to See"
On Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, a front-page article in the New York Times highlighted a new technology called Second Sight, which is an artificial retina implanted in the eye in an effort to restore some sight to individuals who are visually impaired and blind. The main focus of the article was on Barbara Campbell, a New York City resident, whose training with the device is being overseen by Dr. Aries Arditi, Senior Fellow in Vision Science at Lighthouse International's Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute. Both Ms. Campbell and Dr. Arditi (who is the lead investigator on the project) are quoted often in the article and accompanying video, which you can access here: "Burst of Technology Helps Blind to See".
Lighthouse International and AMD Alliance International Host "Portraits of Macular Degeneration"
To mark the global celebration of AMD Week (September 21-28), Lighthouse International, and AMD Alliance International, two leading non-profit vision healthcare organizations, hosted an exhibit of the works of Adam Hahn, a renowned London-based portrait artist whose paintings illustrate how patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) see the world. The exhibit of 17 portraits opened September 17, 2009 at Lighthouse International's headquarters in New York City and is a call to action for people with the disease to be pro-active in seeking the help they need. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 in the western world and affects more than 9 million Americans.
Artist Adam Hahn (center) poses with Mark G. Ackermann President and CEO, Lighthouse International, and Allie Laban Baker, AMD Alliance International Vice President of Communications.
Early Findings Show Some Gene Therapy Success for Leber Congenital Amaurosis Patients
Human Gene Therapy recently released an online report from a Phase I clinical trial supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The study found that after undergoing gene therapy for a full year, three young adults with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) reported increased light sensitivity in the retina with no adverse immune system effects.
Leber's affects around 3,000 people in the United States, and is a genetic condition that causes retinal degeneration and severe loss of sight from birth. The clinical trial, which is being conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and the University of Florida, Gainesville, has been testing gene therapy on a specific form of LCA caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene.
The reason this particular gene mutation was chosen was that RPE65 disease leaves some of the photoreceptors in the retina unharmed. This gave the scientists the opportunity to pinpoint those receptors and inject healthy copies of the gene under the retina in those areas.
While the patients, who were between the ages of 22 and 25, did not report an increase in visual acuity (the ability to read letters on an eye chart), all three did see an increase in their light perception. One patient was able to read the numbers on an illuminated clock for the first time.
"These are very credible early clinical results for LCA that give hope to many people for obtaining some sight," said Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal, Lighthouse International's Chief of Low Vision Clinical Practice. But, he admits, "in all likelihood, (these results) do not apply to other visual conditions unless the gene loci involved are identical."
Dr. Eleanor Faye, of Lighthouse International, points out that the gene therapy for LCA is promising research, but it is still in the early stages and represents only one of the first steps toward the clinical use of gene therapy. She also explains that LCA is the only eye condition that has responded to such a treatment, so far.
A little over a year ago, the Lighthouse commented on the findings of a similar research study and our hopes for the uses of gene therapy in the future. To read more, visit: http://lighthouse.org/aboutus/whats-new#gene
Making Textbooks More Accessible
As millions of college students head back to campus this month, book stores around the country prepared for the inevitable spike in sales. But for hundreds of thousands of students who are blind, dyslexic, or otherwise impaired, shopping for textbooks that are accessible to them is not as easy as walking into a Barnes and Noble.
Traditionally, obtaining accessible texts required colleges to contact individual publishers to request electronic files of specific titles, and then convert those files into formats appropriate for the student's needs. The process was not only labor intensive, but also often delayed the students' ability to prepare for classes.
"Students need to have a book in time so they can do the assigned reading and study for tests and papers," Gaeir Dietrich, interim director of high-tech training for the California Community Colleges system told Inside Higher Ed. "So if the book doesn't come until the term has been in session for three or four weeks, that puts the student very far behind". Read the entire Inside Higher Ed article: Textbooks for the Disabled
Enter the AccessText Network, a new national online system created by The Association of American Publishers in collaboration with the University of Georgia. The online database is aimed at making it easier and quicker for students with print-related disabilities to gain access to the textbooks they need to continue their education.
The system, which launched last month, partnered with the country's largest textbook publishers, streamlines the previously cumbersome process of requesting accessible files from the publishers. Though students will still have to go through a bit of a procedure (including applying for membership to the website, participating in a one-hour training course, and being verified as a member of a participating institution) this new program could greatly increase students' access to accessible materials.
To learn if your school is affiliated with AccessText, visit your Disability Student Services office.
Target Stores To Add Tactile Keypads
By the end of 2010, Target stores nationwide will be adding tactile keypads to their point-of-sale devices (more commonly known as check-out stations), allowing customers with visual impairments to enter their personal identification numbers (PINs) privately and independently, ensuring their financial privacy.
"You'll no longer have to ask for assistance entering your pin number etc. at checkout, if you're visually impaired," explains Dorrie Rush, Marketing Director, Accessible Technology for Lighthouse International. "That will protect your financial privacy, which is very important in today's retail environment."
Target's tactile device features keys arranged like a standard telephone keypad, which works in conjunction with Target's current point-of-sale terminals.
While all Target stores in the US will add the keypads by the end of 2010, stores in California have a year-end compliance deadline. The changes are being made on the heels of an agreement reached with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), American Council for the Blind (ACB), and California Council for the Blind (CCB).
Rush says Lighthouse International applauds the work of the mediators and joins AFB, ACB and CCB in urging other retailers to make accessibility a priority and follow Target's example.
The announcement comes almost a year after Target reached a settlement with the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) over the accessibility of the store's website.
BrainPort: Seeing Through Impulses on Your Tongue
If individuals who are the blind can read language using their hands, then they should be able to understand images drawn on their tongues.
That sensory substitution concept is the driving force behind BrainPort®, an experimental device being developed to help individuals who are blind see the world around them. BrainPort® uses a small camera with a zoom lens that is hooked to a pair of sunglasses and then that image is translated into small electrical impulses on your tongue through a small array of stamped-size sensors. That initial sensory data on your tongue goes to your brain, which can learn to process and interpret them as images. While BrainPort® does not replace the sense of sight, it adds to other sensory experiences to give users information about the size, shape and location of objects.
Produced by Wicab, a biomedical engineering company based in Wisconsin, Brainport is still in a prototype and has not yet been submitted to the FDA for clearance or approval. But Dr. William Seiple, Vice President of Research and Director of Lighthouse International's Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, believes the device has the potential to help people with visual impairments achieve safer, more effective mobility.
Dr. Seiple has been asked by Wicab to test the efficacy of the prototype for use in everyday life. This study which, will involve 10 patients over a three-month period, will take place at Lighthouse International.
According to Erik Weihenmayer, a mountain climber who has tackled the highest mountain peaks on each of the world's continents, who also happens to be blind, the device has helped him start learning to climb like a sighted person.
"I thought it was cool how quickly my brain caught on to what I was feeling with my tongue," he told the NIH Record. Read the full article here: http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov/newsletters/2009/03_20_2009/story3.htm
In honor of June being Vision Research month, read this letter from Dr. William Seiple, about the projects currently being undertaken by the Arlene R. Gordon Research team.
May is Healthy Vision Month!
Lighthouse International has joined forces with Healthy Vision 2010 and hundreds of organizations around the world to promote May 2009 as Healthy Vision Month.
More than 11 million Americans have uncorrected visual conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and/or presbyopia and can benefit from corrective eyewear such as eye classes or contact lenses, according to the National Eye Institute.
Yet, according to a 2008 study by AMD Alliance International, only 47 percent of the general population gets an annual eye exam. Why? The study found the main reason (29 percent of the study's respondents) was that they saw "no need" for an exam because they had no problems with their eyes or vision.
One of the 10 objectives of Healthy Vision 2010 is to increase the proportion of persons who have a dilated eye examination every two years.
When should you see an ophthalmologist?
Lighthouse at the Met Concert, "At Home in America", a Resounding Success
Over 400 visitors filled The Temple of Dendur in The Metroplitan Museum of Art on Friday night, April 17th for the Thirteenth Annual Lighthouse at the Met Concert. The museum's president, Emily Rafferty, welcomed guests and offered opening remarks, along with Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International. Dr. Leslie Jones, Executive Director of The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School, introduced the musical portion of the evening.
This year's theme was "At Home in America," in celebration of the museum's new American Period Rooms that will be re-opening in May. Featuring the acclaimed Lighthouse Vocal Ensemble and a host of talented instrumental and vocal soloists, the performance showcased a broad spectrum of music representing Colonial America to the Jazz Age. The eclectic musical program included a contemporary choral arrangement of Home, Sweet Home; "The President's March" -- the original National Anthem; a Scarlatti piano sonata; two Italian art songs; Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You"; and a crowd-pleasing "Sing, Sing, Sing." To provide access to the visual art, each musical work was accompanied by a digital display and verbal description of the selected American period rooms and representative decorative arts.
View Photos from the 13th Annual Lighthouse at the Met concert.
American Idol Finalist, Scott McIntyre, Visits Lighthouse International
Scott McIntyre, a very popular finalist on the hit TV show American Idol, who is legally blind, stopped by during his visit to New York City to hear the musicians of the Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School rehearse for their upcoming concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Greeted enthusiastically by the musicians and many fans who work and volunteer at Ligthhouse International Scott said, "This is a very special visit for me. I come from the same place these musicians do. There hasn't been a visually impaired pop singer in this country in a long time and I am doing my best to fill that gap."
The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School is the largest community music school in the country teaching children and adults who are visually impaired.
Lighthouse International Receives Million Dollar Donation in Honor of Long-Time Staff Member
Lighthouse International recently received a $1,000,000 check from a donor advised fund based in California. The check was from an anonymous donor and targeted for the general operating fund. And -- the gift was made in honor of Rosie Lopez, a member of the staff at Lighthouse International for nearly 15 years! Rosie is the Coordinator of the Reading and Recording Services, but she can be seen helping at the reception desk welcoming our visitors, in the Lighthouse Store helping people select appropriate devices to assist their vision function, and in the computer lab helping people to use assistive technology. In the elevators and in the halls she is always friendly and helpful.
At a breakfast in her honor on March 12th, 2009 Rosie was presented with a citation and plaque which will be used to name one of the reading rooms at the Lighthouse in recognition of her service to Lighthouse clients. Over one hundred staff, volunteers and Board members attended the breakfast in honor of Rosie.
In her remarks Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International praised Rosie's dedication and commitment to all of our clients. "All staff and volunteers at Lighthouse International have the opportunity to do fundraising," she said. "You never know who amongst the thousands of people who enter our doors each year will be inclined to make a gift to help support our programs and the important work we do."
March is Women's Vision Month
In recognition of Women's Eye Health month in March, Lighthouse International, a leader in vision health care for 104 years, recommends that women get an eye exam to get screened for various eye diseases that can be controlled with early detection and make sure their family members do the same.
Things like smoking, hormonal changes and age can all endanger sight. Women are more susceptible to getting certain eye conditions like Chronic Dry Eye. Women with chronic dry eye disease find themselves waking up every day with dry, itchy eyes and blurred vision, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks. This condition, where the eye does not produce the right quantity or quality of tears, affects 3.2 million women - or 1 in 12 - over the age of 50 in the U.S. This is a condition that can be treated and does not have to cause suffering.
There are many other diseases and conditions that are important to catch in their early stages. Some of these conditions include: Diabetes, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa, all of which can lead to serious vision loss and blindness. However, if caught early -- the progression of these diseases can be slowed, therefore preventing and delaying unnecessary vision loss.
World Glaucoma Day: March 12, 2009
In recognition of the second annual World Glaucoma Day on March 12, 2009, Lighthouse International, a leader in vision health care for 104 years, recommends that everyone get an eye exam to get screened for Glaucoma and other serious eye diseases. Early detection of glaucoma is extremely important, because there are no early symptoms.
Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of vision loss. It affects approximately 70 million people worldwide; including at least 4 million Americans. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and the leading cause of blindness in African Americans.
Routine eye exams, common after age 45, are a major factor in early detection. People with a family history of glaucoma should be checked at intervals even in their 30s to establish a baseline. Some symptoms for glaucoma include: subtle loss of contrast, difficulty driving at night, loss of peripheral vision or loss of central vision. However, it is important to be proactive about vision health, because caught in the early stages Glaucoma can be treated to delay and prevent vision loss.
Lighthouse International is proud to support President Obama's initiative, naming the first week of March as "Save Your Vision Week". Stating that "eye disease knows no bounds" the President asks Americans to "take steps to protect his or her eyesight". Read the full press release from the White House below.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Blindness and visual impairment affect millions of Americans. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to minimize vision loss from eye diseases as well as vision loss that is correctable with eye glasses or contact lenses. During Save Your Vision Week, I encourage all Americans to take action to protect their vision.
Unfortunately, most people have limited knowledge of blinding eye disorders. In a 2005 study by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, only eight percent of respondents knew that glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss and blindness, strikes without early warning. Similarly, only 11 percent knew that diabetic eye disease also begins as a silent vision threat.
Several demographic groups are at higher risk for visual impairment, including teenagers, diabetics, Hispanics, African Americans, and the economically disadvantaged. Older Americans are more susceptible to eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Children need regular vision screenings because vision disorders left untreated during childhood can lead to permanent visual impairment during adulthood.
Still, eye disease knows no bounds, and every American should take steps to protect his or her eyesight. Doctors recommend seeking routine eye examinations, maintaining a healthy diet, wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays, and using protective eyewear in hazardous environments. The National Eye Institute's website, www.nei.nih.gov, provides resources for learning more about common vision conditions and information on finding an eye health professional. By being proactive and seeking out information, Americans can do their part to prevent or reduce vision loss.
To remind Americans about the importance of safeguarding their eyesight, the Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has authorized and requested the President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as "Save Your Vision Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1 through March 7, 2009, as Save Your Vision Week. During this time, I invite eye care professionals, teachers, members of the media, and all organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of vision diseases and disorders.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
Dr. Tara Cortes Receives Our Town OTTY Award
Lighthouse International is proud to announce that President and CEO Tara A. Cortes, RN, PhD, was the recent recipient of an Our Town OTTY Award. Our Town is a prominent Upper East Side newspaper that provides news and information for the UES community, and the award highlighted Dr. Cortes' accomplishments as well as the importance of the Lighthouse mission. Said the newspaper in an article that reported on the award ceremony; "During her 42-year nursing career, Dr. Tara Cortes witnessed a miracle or two. But in 2005, when she was offered the opportunity to work as president and CEO of the daily miracle-churning Lighthouse International, she could not refuse."
Rob Byrnes, President of the East Midtown Partnership, presents Dr. Tara A. Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International, with a 2009 OTTY Award. Photo by Dorothea Lombardo.
Read-to-Me
On the heels of Stevie Wonder and others visiting the Consumer Electronics show last month to advocate for accessibility in the world of popular technology, (read more about that here) Amazon released the newest edition of its wireless reading device, the Kindle. The importance of this new model comes from a feature that has the visually impaired community a-buzz. The Kindle 2 now boasts a text-to-speech capability called "Read-to-Me".
The feature, which Amazon has deemed "experimental", allows users to have any of the over 230,000 books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs available on the device to be read allowed, in either a male or female voice, at whatever speed the user deems necessary. The feature is being heralded by many in the visually impaired community as a step forward in the technology world taking their needs into account, but not everyone is pleased with the development.
The Authors Guild, an organization that advocates for author's rights, is alleging that the Kindle is overstepping its bounds. The Guild's executive director, Paul Aiken, told the Wall Street Journal "They don't have the right to read a book out loud. That's an audio right, which is derivative under copyright law." Have you used the new Kindle text-to-speech feature? What do you think of the Authors Guild allegations? Talk to us, join the conversation at Lighthouse International's Facebook page.
Lighthouse International's Response to Jane Brody NYT Column
In the January 27, 2009 issue of the New York Times, columnist Jane Brody wrote a piece titled, "Babies Know: A Little Dirt is Good for You". The column, which is excerpted here, immediately caught the attention of Dr. Michael Duenas, OD, Executive Director, Center for Public Health Practice and Education.
Dear Editor,
The Personal Health article January 27, 2009, "Babies Know: A Little Dirt is Good for You" by Jane Brody is a very useful and interesting article and raises important public health issues. But it also raises one public health concern . The basic tenant that challenges to the immune system can, in some cases, be considered beneficial is very important. However, the concept that it is good for children to ingest dirt and that "exposure to intestinal worms (dogs and cats) can promote a healthy immune system" could actually be damaging to a child's health.
A potentially blinding condition, known as Toxocariasis, results when children eat dirt contaminated with common dog or cat round worms. Once ingested, the larva make their way through the digestive system and into the blood stream, where they typically end up at various organs in the body, including the eye. Once in the eye, the larva become trapped in the retina and destroyed by the body's own "challenged" immune system. This larval destruction causes retinal damage and results in a permanent scar or granuloma often contained within the central retina, which leads to irreversible blindness.
While not a common condition, parents should be aware of it. Parents should be very careful about allowing their children to eat dirt especially in uncovered sand boxes. And, it is always a good idea to have children wash their hands after playing in spaces frequented by dogs or cats other than their own.
Michael R. Duenas, O.D.
Executive Director, Center for Public Health Practice and Education
Lighthouse International
212-821-9478
Age-related Macular Degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision impairment in people over the age of 50. In recognition of February as AMD / Low Vision Awareness month, Lighthouse International urges all of its friends to learn more about low vision, and macular degeneration. Be sure you have your annual eye exam. And in the mean-time, the Amsler Grid helps screen for macular degeneration. Follow the steps below, but note: this test is not a substitute for getting regular eye exams.
Instructions:
- Conduct the test in an evenly lit room while wearing glasses used for reading
- Hold the grid 12-14 inches away and test each eye separately
- Cover one eye completely
- With your open eye, look at the central dot
- Keep looking at the dot and answer these questions: Do any of the lines look wavy or crooked? Do all the boxes look the same? Are any of the lines missing?
- Repeat the test with your other eye
If you answer YES to any question, contact your eye doctor immediately.
Accessible Technology in the News
Many of us living and working in the world of visual impairments have long complained that advances in accessibility often don't keep up with the fast-paced world of mainstream technology. This has never been truer than with the explosion of touch-screen devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, Google's G1 cell phone, and many more like them. Many feel that this movement towards exclusively touch-screen technology could leave behind not only those who are blind, but also the visually impaired and the aging baby boomers whose eye sight is slowly deteriorating.
Earlier this month, at the electronics industries largest annual conference, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, famed musician Stevie Wonder, urged the CES vendors to remember their visually impaired users. Wonder, who is both an iPod and Blackberry user, was quoted by MSNBC as saying, "If you can take those few steps further, you can give us the excitement, the pleasure and the freedom of being a part of it."
Other advocates also spoke out at the conference. The MSNBC article, "Stevie Wonder: Touch-screens alienate blind", also quoted Mike May, of the Sendero Group. The Sendero Group are makers of talking map and GPS information and navigation systems for the blind and visually impaired. "Can I ski 60 miles an hour downhill? Yes. Use a flat panel microwave? No." May, who is blind, was reported to say.
These sentiments were echoed in an article that same week, published in the New York Times. The article profiled Google engineer, T.V. Raman, who lost his vision to glaucoma at the age of 14. To most, the fact that Mr. Raman uses Google's touch-screen cell phone, the G1, would seem incongruous. But with specific software he and a coworker created, Raman has made the device work for him, even without any buttons on its glassy surface.
"If I can get another 10 engineers motivated to work on accessibility," he told the Times, "it is a huge win."
Read the full text of these two articles here:
"Stevie Wonder: Touch-screens alienate blind"
"For the Blind, Technology Does What a Guide Dog Can't"
MTA Public Hearing Information for Individuals Who are Visually Impaired
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City will be holding public hearings on the proposed changes in fares and crossing charges, levels of service and partial or complete closings of subway stations or of means of public access to stations. The hearings, which are being held across the city on 8 different dates, offer individuals the opportunity to submit testimony on any of the proposals. The MTA, which operates the city's subway and bus systems, is also the provider of the Access-a-Ride program, which many individuals who are visually impaired rely on for travel.
To view a full listing of the proposed changes, or to locate a public hearing near you, visit the MTA's public hearing notice.
200 Years of Braille
200 years ago this month, Louis Braille, inventor of the reading system for the visually impaired and blind, was born in France. To commemorate the milestone, organizations around the world are celebrating the life and accomplishments of the man who changed the lives of millions of people who were affected by vision loss.
Blinded at the age of three after contracting an infection caused by accidentally stabbing himself in the eye with one of his father’s workshop tools, Louis Braille began attending the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris, when he was 10. At the time, the only option Braille had for reading was a system of printing that included raised letters created by copper wire being pressed against paper. Because of the technology used at the time, the style of printing made books incredibly heavy, and not all that easy to read.
5 years later, at the age of 15, Louis Braille completed his own system of raised printing; this one consisting of 6 dots that when arranged in specific ways corresponded to the letters of the alphabet. He later expanded the system to include notations for both math and music.
Today, 200 years after its inventor’s birth, the Braille system has been used around the world by millions of blind and visually impaired individuals. The Lighthouse continues that tradition through its Print Access Center where individuals and organizations can get any number of publications transcribed into Braille.
LIGHTHOUSE STATEMENT REGARDING SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKIT CONCERNING GOVERNOR PATERSON
By Tara A. Cortes, PhD. RN, President and CEO
"Lorne Michaels, the cast and writers of Saturday Night Live should know better. In their skit of Governor Paterson they crossed the line between parody and pandering to demeaning stereotypes.
Governor Paterson, like all elected officials, should be judged by his actions. To use his disability as the focal point of comedy is in very poor taste. We applaud the courage it takes every day for people who are blind and visually impaired to live productively and effectively. Saturday Night Live has taken a cheap shot at that courage. When Governor Paterson assumed office, Lighthouse International, along with many advocates for people who are visually impaired, shared a sense of pride that progress had been made in dispelling stereotypes. SNL has set that progress back. They should issue an on-air apology".
New York Post Features Lighthouse Music School
The New York Post is featuring The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School's Annual Holiday Caroling event in a video titled "Song For The Holidays". Music School Director Leslie Jones was interviewed as were several chorus members.
Please note: in order to view the video below, JavaScript must be enabled.
October 2008
NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION
This notice contains important information for you:
IF You apply for or receive retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) payments from Social Security;
OR IF You are the representative payee for an individual who receives Social Security benefits or SSI;
AND You have a visual impairment that substantially limits your ability to see, so that you require materials to be in an accessible format in order to participate in these programs.
A federal court has authorized a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of people with visual impairments who require communications from SSA to be in an accessible format in order to participate in the Social Security or SSI programs. The court has authorized two classes: If you have a visual impairment that substantially limits the major life activity of seeing and you (1) apply for or are receiving Social Security or SSI benefits, or (2) are the representative payee for a Social Security beneficiary or SSI recipient, then you are a member of at least one of the two classes. This means that the court's decision in this case may affect your rights. The case, called American Council of the Blind v. Astrue,No. C05-04696, is pending in the Federal district court in San Francisco, California.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to find that SSA has violated a federal law called the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act says disabled individuals cannot be denied meaningful access to Federal programs and benefits. Plaintiffs, who include the American Council of the Blind, are asking the court to order SSA to provide communications in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, electronic mail, computer disk, and audio recording to make sure that people with visual impairments have meaningful access to SSA's programs. This case does not include any claims for money damages.
This notice tells you about your right to intervene in this case, submit comments, and how to contact plaintiffs' class counsel. You do not have to intervene or take any action in response to this notice in order to be included in the class or affected by the outcome of the case. If you want to intervene or have questions about this case, you should contact class counsel listed below at either the toll-free 800 number or the email provided at the end of this notice by December 31, 2008.
The court would like maximum input from the class members. The same number and email may be used to provide class counsel with suggestions about how SSA can effectively communicate with people who have visual impairments. You should give class counsel your comments by December 31, 2008.
Please do not telephone the court, the court clerk's office, or SSA for information about this case. If you require this notice in an alternative format such as Braille, large font print, audio recording or computer disk, please leave your name, request and delivery address at the number or email listed below.
ARLENE B. MAYERSON
SILVIA YEE
DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION
AND DEFENSE FUND, INC. (DREDF)
Telephone: 1-800-348-4232
E-Mail: ssaclassaction@dredf.org
Lighthouse Opens the NYSE
Lighthouse International visited the New York Stock Exchange on October 28, 2008, in recognition of World Sight Day, which was celebrated earlier in the month. Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of the Lighthouse, rang the opening bell, accompanied by staff members and volunteers from the organization. See video of the event.
Light Years: Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts Lighthouse International held their Light Years - Lighthouse International Salutes the Arts gala on Monday October 20th at Cipriani 42nd Street. Chuck Scarborough served as emcee for the night and other notable guests came to support the organization. Such guests included Jaonna Mastroianni, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Joanne De Guardiola, Arlene Dahl, Jamee Gregory, Hilary Ross, Amy Fine Collins, and Karen LeFrak. This year's honorees included Iris B. Apfel, Michael Feinstein, Mario Buatta, and Katherine L. Oliver. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg stopped by to honor his colleague "K.O." a.k.a. Katherine L. Oliver, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. Brian Stokes Mitchell took the stage with a beautiful acoustic version of "What a Wonderful World," and praised his fellow performer extraordinaire Michael Feinstein. While accepting his award, Mr. Feinstein surprisingly turned to the orchestra asking for a key of F. Gala goers were blissfully shocked by Feinstein's rendition of a specially worded song about Lighthouse International. The evening was a hit and Lighthouse is thrilled with the amount of support they had to help salute the arts. Information on Accessible Voting With just weeks left until the November 4th general elections, voter accessibility has become a hot issue in the community. Up until recent years, blind and visually impaired voters needed assistance in order to cast their ballot. However, after the presidential election of 2000, election reform became a legislative priority and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was signed into law in 2002. HAVA requires that each voting system used in federal elections must be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including people who are blind or have low vision. This includes the ability to vote independently and privately. While each state complies with HAVA in their own way, for the coming election registered New York City voters will have the option to cast a ballot using a Ballot Marking Device (BMD). The Board of Elections in the city of New York is installing at least one BMD at each poll site. The BMD works by using either its ATM-style touch screen, Braille-enhanced keypad, sip & puff device or a rocker paddle. BMDs are different in each state, so be sure to make yourself aware of your polling place's accommodations well in advance of November 4th: Click here to find the contact information for the Board of Elections in your state. Click here to read more about your rights as a voter who is visually impaired. Apple Takes on iPod and iTunes Accessibility In late 2001 the computer giant, Apple, released a product that would eventually change the way the world listened to music: the iPod. In the following 7 years, Apple has continued to improve on its original iPod, creating products such as the iPod Nano and Touch, revolutionizing portable music players. However, up to this point, Apple had been missing a key component to its tech savvy designs: accessibility for people who were visually impaired. "Before the release of the new iPod Nano, people with visual impairments either had to randomly shuffle through their music collections, memorize every menu and playlist, or simply not use iPods at all," said Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International. But with the new iPod Nano, and an accompanying announcement of future iTunes accessibility improvements, that's all changed. The new iPod includes spoken menus, large font options, and high contrast settings. To read more about the new iPod Nano's enhanced functionality, click here. Just weeks after releasing the updated iPod, Apple also announced strides it was making to create more fully accessible iTunes and iTunes Store interfaces. On September 29, the National Federation for the Blind and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced an agreement with Apple to make iTunes fully accessible. Though the newest version of iTunes (iTunes 8) does boast expanded accessibility such as compatibility with screen readers, the company has agreed to make iTunes U (the iTunes store devoted to content from educational institutions) completely accessible by the end of this year, with full iTunes accessibility to follow by June of 2009. Read the full announcement here. Said Dr. Cortes: "This is exciting news for people who are visually impaired. Audio files such as podcasts and online radio broadcasts have been a natural fit for our community, but many of our clients felt left behind in the iPod craze. We applaud Apple for making a commitment to ensure ALL users access to their products and services, and look forward to more such innovations in the future." Pope Benedict XVI receives the Macular Disease Patient Charter Lighthouse International, as members of AMD Alliance International, is proud to announce that in late September, Pope Benedict XVI was presented with the Macular Disease Patient Charter by tandem cyclists ending their awareness raising tour at the Vatican. The Macular Disease Patient Charter is a bill of rights providing an essential road map for those living with macular disease. AMD Alliance International's vision is a world free from the devastating impacts of macular disease, and, until that is achieved, they and their members will fight tirelessly to achieve hope through awareness, research, treatment and support for those who are impacted. Read more about the AMD Alliance International papal visit. LIGHTHOUSE MARKS WORLD SIGHT DAY BY EDUCATING SENIORS ON EYE HEALTH To mark World Sight Day and raise awareness of the growing rate of vision loss, experts from Lighthouse International will present lectures at 3 senior citizens centers during the month of October to inform seniors about what they can do to prevent vision loss and preserve the vision they have. World Sight Day, marked across the globe, calls attention to the fact that most of the blindness in the world is preventable. In the United States millions are at-risk of vision loss due to aging baby boomers and diseases such as diabetes and age related macular degeneration. Education and action are essential to preserving sight. Coinciding with the theme of World Sight Day 2008 "The Aging Eye", the lectures entitled Early Action Saves Sight will review eye diseases and symptoms and what immediate actions seniors should take if they have symptoms. The lectures will take place at: Macular Degeneration Awareness Week Five steps can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in America
While age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in those over 50 and affects more than 10 million Americans, a study conducted by the AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) reveals that among those at high-risk of losing their sight from AMD, only about half (56 percent) reported seeing an eye doctor once a year or more, as is recommended.
Contrary to popular belief, blindness can, in many cases, be prevented or delayed, according to the AMD Alliance International, a global coalition working to raise awareness about macular degeneration (AMD). Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and eating a proper diet can make a big difference in preventing AMD, while taking a self-exam called the Amsler Grid, prevents blindness by detecting the disease early.
"In the last few years, research shows that preventative steps can reduce the risk of macular degeneration," says Dave Herman, chair of the AMD Alliance International. "There's no guarantee, but there certainly are some things you can do to protect your sight and reduce the chances of getting this disease."
September 21-27, 2008 is Macular Degeneration Awareness Week. Lighthouse International and the AMD Alliance International urge peopoe tp take these five steps to protect their vision.
Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to many diseases, but few people know that eye disease is one of them! Macular degeneration is up to seven times more likely among smokers, and the more you smoke, the greater your riski.
Eat well: Diets rich in vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and the mineral zinc resulted in a 35% lower risk of developing macular degeneration in people over the age of 55ii. Diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables, can also help protect against macular degeneration. Also, watch your fat and cholesterol intake. A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can lead to plaque deposits in blood vessels in the central macula region of your eyes. This can hamper blood flow and increase your risk of macular degeneration.
Limit sun exposure: Some recent scientific studies show that excessive exposure, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) light, is a risk factor for AMD. Wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from bright sunlight, even in the winter.
Take a self eye exam: The Amsler Grid is a simple, self-exam that you can do periodically at home to test for macular degeneration. It takes just 30 seconds to do and can literally save your sight. Detecting the disease early means people can receive sight saving treatment. Download a free copy at www.amdalliance.org/information/preventionandearlydetection/checkyoureyesight.php and remember to follow the instructions carefully.
Visit an eye care expert: Macular degeneration can be present in the eye without any symptoms, but with regular eye exams, your eye doctor can detect and treat the disease, preventing blindness. You should have an eye exam at least every two years after age 50 and more frequently as you get older, especially if you have other risk factors for the disease.
- Windows Vista Hot Keys
- LowBrowse -- Lighthouse International's new Firefox accessibility add-on
- Assistive Technology Buying Tips
- Accessible Media
- Wear Protective Eyewear.
a. Young Athletes should wear appropriate sports-specific protective eyewear as recommended and properly fitted by an ophthalmologist or other eye care professional. Lenses should be made of polycarbonate which is 20 times stronger than lenses of typical glasses. - Make sure you child gets a thorough eye examination before participating in sports.
a. More than 12.1 million school-age children, or one in four, have some form of vision problem. In many cases, with early detection and treatment, the chance of restoring vision is excellent. - Parents should have an active role in enforcing what their children wear while engaging in sports.
a. It is a good idea for parents to set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves when they play sports. - Special Consideration should be given to athletes with good vision in only one eye, or with a history of eye injury.
a. Such athletes should never participate in boxing or full-contact martial arts.
b. If a facemask or helmet is required, one-eyed athletes should also wear sports goggles with a polycarbonate lens and the helmet should fit properly and have a chinstrap. - Be an advocate.
a. Parents should advocate for eye protection for their child as many children's sports leagues, schools and teams don't require children to wear eye protection.
For people with certain risk factors such as age and genetics it is even more important to be proactive.
About Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a degenerative disease that affects the macula, a specialized region located in the central part of the retina. It is responsible for central vision, which allows people to read, drive and recognize faces. AMD causes more than 30 million cases of visual impairment worldwide each year.
About AMD Alliance International
AMD Alliance International is a global non-profit coalition of vision and seniors' organizations working to raise awareness of macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older populations. Members promote regular eye examinations and provide education about prevention, treatments, rehabilitation and support services available for people with macular degeneration and their families, friends and caregivers. Comprised of 60 member organizations in over 22 countries, AMD Alliance International is the only global body focused exclusively on macular disease.
iSchmidt et al. Cigarette Smoking and LOC387715 in AMD. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Mar;78(5):852-86.
iivan Leeuwen et al. The Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study. JAMA 2005.
Did you miss LITE 2008? In the coming weeks, Lighthouse International will be posting recaps of all of the seminars given at our inaugural technology expo. In the meantime, check out some of our accessibility information, and be on the lookout for updates coming soon!
Target.com Website Accessibility Lawsuit Settled
On August 28, it was announced that the Target Corporation had agreed to a $6 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed in early 2006. The lawsuit, which was filed by the National Federation for the Blind (NFB), claimed that the company's website, Target.com, was not accessible to web users with visual impairments, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a part of the settlement, Target agreed to update it's website to ensure its accessibility, which the NFB will be checking annually in accordance with the settlement.
"Lighthouse International is extremely pleased with the announcement of the settlement not only because it ensures that people with visual impairments will have access to the same products and services as the rest of the public, but also because it once again spotlights the importance of website accessibility across the country, and around the world," said Dr. Tara Cortes, President and CEO of Lighthouse International.
One of the main contentions of the lawsuit revolved around
For over a decade the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has urged web designers to keep things like
"Hopefully," said Dr. Cortes, "this settlement will encourage others who have not yet created fully-accessible websites to do so. The internet is an integral part of today's society, and one that everyone should have full access to."
September is Children's Eye Health Month!
As the back-to-school season swings into full gear, Lighthouse International recognizes September as Children's Eye Health Month. Approximately 42,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year in the United States. Sports are the number one cause of eye injuries in children under the age of 16. The good news is that many of injuries are preventable.
Click here to learn more about Children's Eye Health including information on Pediatric Eye Disorders, education considerations and how to make smart toy choices.
Achilles Track Club Hope and Possibility Five-Mile Run
This summer, one current and six former participants of Lighthouse International Youth Transition Program joined six adults to form the Lighthouse International team in the Achilles Track Club Hope and Possibility five-mile run. The team had Lighthouse t-shirts made for the event, and their official times were calculated with time chips on their shoes. Before the race, the team met Governor Paterson and had a photo taken. The Friday prior to the event, some of the team met at the Lighthouse for a dinner with team captains and Achilles staff for a motivational presentation. This is the second year Lighthouse Youth Services has participated in the race, and they hope to run even faster next year!
(photo © New York Road Runners)
Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School Pays Tribute to a Former Director
The staff and students of The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School are saddened by the sudden death of one of its former directors, Dr. Joseph Fields. Dr. Fields or "Joe" started teaching piano at the Lighthouse in 1986 and later became the Music School Director from 1995-1997. In addition, to being the Director of the Music School, he was the conductor of our chorus and the director our former opera workshop.
One of Dr. Field's piano students was Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg. She studied piano with Joe, both at the Music School and even at home, when she was no longer able to leave her apartment. Today the legacy of Mrs. Greenberg lives on in the naming of the Music School. We thank Joe for the enormous role he played in Mrs. Greenberg's quality of life and the continued impact that her Foundation's generosity has had on the vibrancy of the Music School.
Upon departure from the Lighthouse in 1998, Dr. Fields became the music director and principal conductor of the Dance Theater of Harlem, conducting the company's orchestra on many tours here and abroad including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., as well as concerts in China, Europe and Australia.
In 2005, Dr. Fields became an associate professor, administrator of the music school and orchestra director at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Fields is survived by his domestic partner, Ron Melichar of New York City and Scranton; his parents, Buddy and Betty; his brother David of Miami, Oklahoma; and a sister Sara and brother Daniel of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Celebrated Children's Book Author Reads to Students of the Child Development Center
On July 17th, 2008, acclaimed artist and author Paige Peterson read from her celebrated children's book Blackie, the Horse Who Stood Still to 50 sighted and visually impaired 3- and 4-year-olds in Lighthouse International's Child Development Center. The children listened attentively and curiously as Ms. Peterson and actor William Cart read the story of Blackie the horse.
Paige Peterson co-wrote and illustrated Blackie, the Horse Who Stood Still in 2006 with author Christopher Cerf. The book follows the primarily true story of a beloved horse that stood still for the last twenty-eight years of his forty year life. Blackie was considered the town symbol of Tiburon, CA and was also a part of Peterson's childhood until the horse died in 1966.
Following the reading, the students had the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Peterson regarding the book. Peterson's reading of the touching story of Blackie was a memorable experience for the youngsters at Lighthouse's Child Development Center preschool.
Paige Peterson is currently working in Manhattan and East Hampton, New York. Peterson has been widely recognized for her specialty paintings in landscapes, figural images, and diverse portraits. Her colorful and quirky work is derived from various fo