Announcements

• Microsoft's Accessible XP
• Accessible Parking at Raven's Stadium
• WINGS: Summer Youth Transition Program
• Blind Counselors needed for WINGS Summer Youth Transition Program
• "Access-Ability" Sailing Program
• Call for Citizen Corps Volunteers

Microsoft's Accessible XP

Microsoft Corporation is attempting to take the lead in creating accessibility options that are fully integrated in various Microsoft Operating Systems, including Windows XP and Office XP.

Microsoft worked with various assistive technology vendors, including Compaq Computer Corp, to ensure that its XP operating system would be compatible with current screen readers, screen magnifiers, one-handed keyboards, and various other assistive technologies.

For more information on Microsoft Accessibility products, please visit the website at: http://microsoft.com/enable/

Accessible Parking at Raven's Stadium

Accessible Parking at Ravens Stadium

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Maryland Stadium Authority have entered a settlement agreement to resolve an investigation that was initiated by a complaint from a Ravens football fan.

The Department conducted an investigation, which included a review of the design and construction of the parking area, as well as operational practices and procedures. The Department asserted that the parking area itself was not accessible, and that people with disabilities were denied the opportunity that was available to "Club Seat" members to reserve parking spaces in advance.

The stadium has agreed to take a number of steps, including:

• Re-stripe accessible parking spaces and adjoining aisles in compliance with standards and install appropriate signage.


• Perform regular inspections of the parking area and accessible routes.


• Maintain accessible parking spaces, access aisles, and routes to accessible entrances to ensure that they are free to barriers such as debris and snow.


• Ensure that accessible entrances that are closest to accessible parking remain open during events.

WINGS: Summer Youth Transition Program

WANTED
Blind Youth For
W I N G S

Summer Youth Transition Program
WINNING ** INDEPENDENCE ** NOW ** GUARANTEES ** SUCCESS

WINGS blind youth soar toward independence, success, and adulthood!

WINGS is a specialized residential transition program for blind youth that teaches a combination of blindness-related skills and job seeking skills in a challenging (but FUN) environment. This comprehensive approach motivates these young people to build confidence in their abilities, gain self-sufficiency, set personal and employment goals, and take charge of their future.

WINGS OFFERS...

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
_ Cane Travel
_ Braille
_ Independent Living
_ Computer Technology
_ Apartment Life 101
_ Adjustment to Blindness Seminars
_ Social Skills Building

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
_ Goal Setting
_ Career Exploration
_ Resume Writing
_ Interviewing Skills
_ Communication Skills
_ Job Seeking and Retention Skills
_ Job Shadowing and Sampling

SUPERVISED RESIDENCE
_ Furnished Apartments
_ Evening/Weekend Activities
_ B-B-Q's
_ Bowling
_ Movies
_ Fishing
_ Boating
_ Local Attractions

BLIND ADULT ROLE MODELS

Location:
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
Rehabilitation Department
2901 Strickland Street
Baltimore, MD 21223

When:
July 14 to August 16, 2002 (5 weeks)

Fee:
$3,375 all inclusive (for five-week program)

Admission Criteria:
Legally Blind
Age 15 and Up
Note Taking/Reading Ability: Braille or Large Print
Possess Basic Daily Living Skills
Desire to be Independent
The Desire to be SUCCESSFUL!!

FOR MORE DETAILS AND YOUR APPLICATION PACKET:

Shirley Riffle
Sriffle@bism.com

Robin Cavanaugh
Rcavanaugh@bism.com

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
Rehabilitation Department
2901 Strickland Street
Baltimore, MD
1-410-233-4567 or 1-888-322-4567

Blind Counselors needed for WINGS Summer Youth Transition Program

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

HELP WANTED
BLIND COUNSELORS
For
WINGS
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

• Graduate of approved rehab training center a big PLUS!


• 21 years of age or older


• Male and Female with high energy level needed


• Must like working with TEENS and be a positive role model


• Excellent skills of blindness: cane travel, Braille, independent living, and computer


• Duration: Six weeks (includes one week of training)


• Must exhibit good judgement, team spirit, patience, common sense, excellent philosophy on blindness, respect for confidentiality, and ability to write detailed progress reports


• Good leadership and communication skills


• Stipend, room, and many meals provided


• Experience in similar programs a PLUS

"Access-Ability" Sailing Program

"Access-Ability" Sailing Program for Persons with Disabilities
At Baltimore's Award Winning Downtown Sailing Center
To Serve as Launch Pad for 2003 Paralympic Trial Racing Team

The sailing season is fast approaching Baltimore! The sport of sailing truly offers something for everyone. The harnessing of wind and water to move a sailboat from place to place offers potential for relaxation, environmental awareness, outdoor recreation, local history appreciation, social interaction . . . and competition, from local to the world-class level.

This year in addition to its regular programs, the Downtown Sailing Center (Baltimore's award winning sailing center) will be offering a program to provide inclusive sailing opportunities for people with disabilities. Entitled "Access-Ability," the program is designed to serve as a feeder program for the Chesapeake Challenge - a Paralympic sailboat-racing program designed to form, train, fund, and send a team to the 2003 USA Paralympic Trials. Winners of these trials will represent the USA at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece!

Established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1994, the Downtown Sailing Center ("DSC") is located at the Baltimore Museum of Industry ("BMI") near Baltimore's popular Inner Harbor. The DSC has over 40 boats including fleets of J/22's, Sonar's, Impulse 21's, and the exciting new Australian 10 Access Dinghies, which provide an ideal sailing platform for people of all abilities. Access Dinghies are a safe, stable and easy way to sail. In addition, one of the more recently purchased boats is designed for use by someone with very limited mobility and is outfitted with motorized systems that allow control of steering and sails by use of an electronic joystick. The DSC has also purchased a Sonar (boat) for the Paralympic
Sailing Team to train on. Training will occur in a series of weekly races in Baltimore's Harbor (the DSC-sponsored "Thursday Evening Limited One Design Racing").

The DSC has a long record of successful programs including participation in Super Kids' Camp (a citywide summer reading program for elementary school children organized by the Parks & People Foundation); summer camp for juniors; weekly racing programs; lessons and recreational sailing opportunities for adults; monthly social events for members; and after-school programs for city youth.

If you are interested in contributing to a program that will make a difference in the community and help enrich a fellow human life, consider sponsoring a boat in the upcoming Ya Gotta! Regatta (June 1, 2002). The DSC is currently seeking individuals, organizations, and corporations to help sponsor teams for each of the 14 race boats. Fundraising goals of $1,000 per boat are encouraged and funds will be used to buy accessible boats and to provide adaptive modifications to boats and docks. Contributions are tax-deductible!

For more information about the Access-Ability Sailing Program for Persons with Disabilities and the upcoming Ya Gotta! Regatta, please contact Andy Herbick at the DSC office.
Call (410) 727-0722
Email aherbick@earthlink.net
... Or visit www.downtownsailing.org

Call for Citizen Corps Volunteers

Call for Citizen Corps Volunteers (DisAbility.gov)

The Citizen Corps, a division of the USA Freedom Corps designed to help citizens participate in the effort to make our communities safer and better prepared for emergencies, needs the help of individuals with disabilities. Because of the individual needs of people with disabilities, it is particularly important for people with disabilities to be involved in emergency response planning. For more information on the Citizen Corps, or to become a Citizen Corps volunteer, please call 800-USA-Corps.