APH In Touch: Newsletter By Employees, For Employees of the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.

8 Pages·2002·0.72 MB·English

Touch p
In
Bob Brasher
President's Office-Np
Newsletter by Employees, for Employees
of the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. September October, 2002
Your Chance to Meet a Legend: Annual Meeting 2002
BeckiMoody Communications Schools for the
,
A Blind) and the
s students head back to school and the State Vision ^the
leaves begin to turn, plans are already Consultants,
well underway for the APH Annual Meeting. schedule memory
Programs are being printed, sessions planned, their meet-
and registrations entered. But many employees ings here in
at APH may be asking, “What exactly is Annual Louisville shaping
Meeting?” and “What does this mean to me?” immediately
before or after
The federal Act to Promote the Education ofthe APH
the
Blind (1879) mandates that APH hold a yearly Annual Meeting TVfr
meeting ofthe Ex Officio Trustees. These Ex
Officio Trustees are responsible for administer- There are also fun activities such as a reception
ing the Federal Quota moneyby providing books featuring the music ofAPH employee Johnny
and materials to visually impaired students Zinninger and his son, the premiere ofa new
within their state programs. Ex Officio Trustees video about teenagers with visual impairments,
purchase a large percentage ofour products and the Awards Banquet focusing on the presen-
while also serving as advisors to APH by recom- tation ofthe APH InSights Art Awards. Several
mending new products and policies. artists make the trip to Louisville with their
families to receive their awards in person.
The 134th Annual Meeting will be held
October 10-13 at the Camberley Brown Hotel in This year will feature a celebration ofthe new
Louisville. There will be sessions highlighting Hall ofFame for Leaders and Legends ofthe
APH’s activities throughout the past year, as well Blindness Field, which fits nicely with the theme
as product information groups. Poster sessions of“Sharing the Memory, Shaping the Dream.”
demonstrating new products or products in The Hall ofFame will be housed at APH with the
development, and training sessions on the new Barr Library on the fourth floor. It is de-
Federal Quota student census and other duties of signed to honor individuals who have provided
the Ex Officio Trustees are also on this year’s outstanding services to people who are blind or
Annual Meeting agenda. visually impaired.
Professionals in the field ofblindness (other than Nine ofthe ten living legends are scheduled to
APH Ex Officio Trustees) attend the meeting as attend Annual Meeting this year and share with
well to network and learn about new trends. To us their memories ofsignificant events in the
take advantage ofthe large number ofattendees, field ofblindness. (See accompanying article
groups outside ofAPH, such as COSB (Council of continuedon nextpage
( \mti/n/edfromfrontpage
“Meet tin* Hall of Fame Living Legends.”) new products and recent advances in the
Research Department.
This is also the 50th anniversary of the Research
Department at API I. We are honored to have in Many employees at API 1 are involved in prepa-
Sam
attendance, Dr. Ashcroft, the first direc- rations for Annual Meeting. There are activities
tor of the Research Department; Dr. Carson behind the scenes such as stuffing packets and
Nolan, who served as A1M 1 President; June transporting artwork. There are also duties at
Morris, former API Senior Vice-President; the Brown Hotel such as registering Annual
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and Debbie Willis, currently Director ofTest Meeting guests and presenting poster sessions.
Central. The current Director ofResearch, Ifyou would like to be involved, check with
Rob Wise, and the project leaders will have a your supervisor to find out how you
chance to shine on Saturday as they present can participate.
# ## ##
•••• •••• ••
Meet the Hall of Fame Living Legends
Samuel C. Ashcroft was the numerous curricula, articles, and other materials
founder and first Director of now considered classics in the field.
Research forAPH, in addition to
Cleo Dolan worked at the Boys
serving as a classroom teacher,
Industrial School in Ohio before
principal, and professor. He
becoming the Executive Director
developed a training program for
ofthe Cleveland Society for the
teachers ofthe blind and visually
Blind. While there, he developed
impaired at Peabody College and wrote a re-
centers for electronic training
nowned braille instructional manual.
and computer access that were
Natalie Barraga worked as a the first oftheir kind.
classroom teacher beforejoining
Eleanor E. Faye, M.D., is an
the faculty at the University of
ophthalmologic advisor to the
Texas. She remains very active
Lighthouse Center for Education
there, although she officially
after serving as the Director of
retired in 1984. She is the cele-
the Lighthouse LowVision
brated author ofbooks and
Services. She teaches, advises,
articles on low vision and visual efficiency.
and writes about low vision
C. Warren Bledsoe taught at issues, including the groundbreaking “The Low
the Maryland School for the Vision Patient.
Blind until he took over as coor-
Ruth Kaarlela taught a reha-
dinator ofthe Blinded Veterans
bilitation training program at
Affairs in 1947. He developed a
Western Michigan University
pioneering training program for
where she added topics such as
blinded veterans and served as a
multihandicapping conditions,
consultant to the Rehabilitation Services
and gerontology. Her work in
Administration ofthe U.S. Department of
this area has done much to
Health, Education, and Welfare. He has written
continuedonpage7
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Featured Employee:
• •
Laura Myers
• • ••
Kate Bowers. PublicAffairsIntern
L
aura Myers was born in Louisville, KY,
and has lived here her entire life. She
attended the Kentucky School for the Blind and
Ballard High School. After graduating, Laura
worked as a medical transcriptionist for a year,
then came to APH. She still remembers the exact
date she arrived: June 21, 1993.
Laura has worked as a braille proofreader for her
entire nine years at APH, with the exception of
three months in 1994, when she worked in book-
binding. She is currently the only “solo” proof- Laura Myers (front, right) Tides roller
reader in the department, although she also coasters whenever, wherevershe can.
works with a copyholder from time to time. She
—
does second readings on braille texts, writing Laura also has a passion for helping people
what she thinks might be mistakes on her and pets. On Monday nights, she volunteers at
Perkins Brailler. Then, she goes over those errors Crescent Hill Animal Hospital, walking the dogs
with supervisor Bonnie Williamson (Braille). and playing with the cats. She has volunteered at
Laura also answers Bonnie’s phone when Bonnie the Mount Holly and Brownsboro Hills nursing
is awayfrom her desk. homes and with mentally impaired patients. She
has also sung in the Clifton Christian Church
Laura lives in Louisville with her husband of
choir since 1999.
four years, Billy, who works at NewVision
—
Enterprises. The two met at KSB in elemen- Laura has one dog and two cats, which she says
tary school! Laura is quick to point out that she are like children to her. She has managed to
asked him out. Laura and Billy enjoy walking to combine her love ofanimals with her love of
work together every day. thrill-seeking by naming her two cats, Thriller
and Thunder Run, after her two favorite roller
One look at Laura’s desk may be enough to
coasters!
reveal herbiggest hobby: on the desk sits a large,
framed photo ofher riding on a roller coaster at Laura says she is happy to be working at APH as
Kentucky Kingdom. Laura loves roller coasters a braille proofreader. “I won’t even leave when
and is always looking for people who share I’m 90 years old,” she says. “I’m going to be here
her hobby! until they carry me out the door!”
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The In Touch
Board
Bulletin
Welcome' new employees! Seth Moore impaired. In attendance were (L-R, standing)
(Shipping and Receiving), Yan Zhang Samir Azer (KY) and Karen Poppe, (front
(ATIC), Hollie Burks and Dawn Reichle row) Lois Harrell (CA), Meredith Carlson
(Tape Duplication). (LA), Fred Otto, Sr. M. Elaine George (PA),
and Audrey Goldberg (VA). The group spent
two energizing days discussing, planning, and in
Steve Ehringer, Repair some cases designing over 50 needed products
Order Entiy Representative, for the classroom. These products spanned the
retired on August 2. He areas of math, tactile readiness, science, geogra-
worked at APH in various phy, and recreation. Although this small group
departments for 17 years. was together for the first time, they quickly
Customer Relations hosted became an enthusiastic, cohesive team that
a retirement party for Steve problem-solved product features and shared
on August Rumor has mutual appreciation for each others’ handmade
1. it
he is giving his camper a classroom materials.
new coat ofpaint and plans to take offfor the
We
wilderness soon. wish Steve well in the
years to come, and thank him for all ofhis work Corrections: There were three mistakes in the
at APH. article about Ronnie Overstreet in the last
issue ofIn Touch. “Ronny” is really Ronnie,
“Kathy” Fritz is really Cathy, and “Aarons” High
Congratulations to the employees first to guess School is reallyAhrens. Sorry for all the errors!
that our “featured employee” this month is
Laura Myers: Anne Hill (Braille Transcrip-
tion), Marilyn Cheatham (Human Resources), Congratulations to each oftheAPHemployees
and Cynthia Davis (Engineering) and who receiveda2002ServiceAwardata lunch-
Susan Robertson (Braille Proofreading). eon celebration onJuly24!
35 Years: Mary Crawford and
Betty Hardin.
Project leaders
Fred Otto and 30 Years: Eutiva Frank, Dena Garrett,
Karen Poppe Marci Nord, Sandra Raley, and
conducted a Kathy Smiddy.
Tactile Graphics
25 Years: Martha Coy, Michael Druin,
Brainstorming
Ron Gwaltney, James Horstman,
Meeting on
Denise Jones, Gary Jones,
August 9 and 10
Sheila Lambert, and
with five very
Rose Zinious.
creative and
experienced teachers ofthe blind and visually
4
.
Send Us Your News for the Next Issue!
20 Years: Debra Allgood, Anne Harlan, 5 Years: Jody Bachmann,
Marlene Parker, and William Beavin, Judy Franke,
Gertrude Tyler. Sharon Harrah, Don Keefe,
Frederic Morehouse,
15 Years: Rebecca Bodnar, Chris Garr, Carl Shultz, and
Sandy Maerz, Rudolph Maresz,
Lee Wickenheiser.
Gary Mudd, and Fred Otto.
10 Years: Joyce Enteman, Janis Gray,
and Cheryl Logan.
We Welcome the Following
Comments
Customer
Rosanne Broome, CustomerRelations cool and full offun and mystery. I like the
questions about the earth the best because
• From aprofessionalata technicalcollege
I’m a geographist. I hope you have Brain Quest
in Wisconsin...
History now because I love history more
“Just wanted to thank the gentleman who than anything on earth! It’s so exciting and
tracked down several “Use & Care” cassettes for interesting. Please don’t send me a Math
our tape players and mailed them to us. Thanks Brain Quest because math is boringer than
also to the “pack rat” who still had a few of a pebble on the side ofthe road to me!
these sitting around! Our alternative format I must go now. I hope to get my Brain Quest
department has grown by leaps and bounds History soon!
and this will help us keep our older handi-
• A lettertoRoberta Williams (Public
cassettes in commission for students in need.
Affairs)abouta schoolgroups tourofAPH.
Best regards to all.” (Fred Gissoni did .
the tracking, Brenda Vaughn saved “Thankyou for helping to make our Magic
the materials.) School Bus Summer School a great success!
• A brailleletterfrom aprofoundly deafand The children learn so much when they can
actually visit and have a first hand experience.
legally blindsixthgradestudentcommenting
onBrain Quest... It helps them become aware ofthe large and
diverse community we live in. Everyone really
Dear Friends at the American Printing House enjoyed the tour and the museum. We learned
for the Blind: a lot. Thanks!”
• • •• ••
I really enjoy Brain Quest Science. It is really
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Continuous Improvement Corner
Arthur Vaughn, Human Resources
O
ur current level ofsavings now stands at effort. A copy of the team list already compiled is
$1 13,208.57. Dwight Williams says he now posted on the Cl bulletin board. After a
is ready to also hand in some big savings that the complete list is developed, we hope to have
Finance/Accounting Team has come up with. We information available via the API Intranet.
I
have experienced some recent changes that did
not involve dollars saved. However, they are The second success 1 want to give credit to is our
recent inventory. To pull offour inventory each
great successes.
year takes a high level ofteamwork and a lot of
The Advisory preparation by many people. The goal of
Services/ATIC/ Continuous Improvement is to always be looking
Communica- for a better way, and that’s what a number of
tions /Resource people have been working on since inventory.
Services Team Many ofthe folks responsible for inventory have
has created a brainstormed about improvements for next year.
resource list We have documented these suggestions, and will
containing all distribute them to the appropriate supervisors.
the resources Our inventory was a success this year, and with
(machines and improvements being made, it will be even better
other items) next year.
that are used in
Thanks to all those who made these
their individual
successes possible.
departments.
This list is used
by fellow em-
ployees who are
in need ofa particular resource and want to
know whether or not the item is available within
APH. Ifthe item they are looking for is on the
list, they can borrow the item rather than making
an unnecessary purchase, saving both time
and money.
We
need to expand this idea into all parts ofthe
building. This will require a little time spent
gathering information, but will be well worth the
In Touch
HD
a
Production Staff: Gary Mudd, Nancy Lacewell, and Becky Snider (Public Affairs)
Scott Blome and Bridgett Johnson (Communications)
Distribution Manager: Becky Snider (895-2405 ext. 356)
6
Featured Employee:
• •
Next
Issue • • •
Who Some
is this? “helpful” clues...
• He has lived on three different continents.
• When he was younger he drove a moped.
• He likes “progressive alternative 8o’s music.”
• He loves to party!
• He once ate an ostrich burger.
Continuedfrompage2
advance the field ofrehabilitation teaching and Louis Vieceli worked as a
she is often referred to as “The Founder of rehabilitation counselor and
Rehab Teaching.” later instructor in Illinois. He is
best known for his outstanding
Alice Raftary, M.Ed., went
m work in rehabilitation training
back to school after the birth of
,.. andjob placement for blind and
I Ki s, - (.JA1| her eighth child, earning a visually impaired persons.
, master’s degree in blindness
j r and rehabilitation. She served Donald Wedewer began his
in many capacities at the rehabilitation career as a voca-
Upshaw Institute and wrote a tional rehabilitation counselor.
rehabilitation assessment that is still used as a He then served in a long series
model today. ofleadership capacities
in both state and
Stanley Suterko began his
national agencies.
workwith blinded veterans
where he helped to refine orien-
tation procedures and cane
techniques now used around the
world. He taught and conducted
workshops on orientation and
mobility in the United States and internationally.
7
«
7 Thomas Fincher
Employee
i Randy Atelier
Birthdays • • •
• •• •• Bonnie Williamson
1
8 Tonya Tezzarossi
5
9 Mary Frye
October 25 Linda Hill Sheila Lambert 11 Robert Conaghan
2 Patricia Raley Norma 1 Iardin 16 Margaret White 12 Janice Banks
3 Joyce Enteman 27 Teresa Davis Jack Fox 13 Dorothea Parks
Darlene Jones 28 Ron Gadson 18 Artina Paris Sharon Harrah
Bonnie Rogers Rob Meredith 19 B. J. Reece 15 Will Evans
8 Saramma George 29 Martha Berry 20 Rebecca Bodnar 16 John Hedges
Janet Williams 31 Sandy Jeanes 21 Christine Anderson 17 Michelle Alexander
9 David Mvers November 22 Gayle Pryor 18 Madelyn Buzzard
14 John Polk 24 Lou Tingle Mees
Tom Poppe 2 Jerry Pardue 27 Terrence Nord 19 Laura Myers
15 Jack Decker Maxine Floden Fred Otto Suzanne Murphy
Rebecca Snider 3 Winifred Ritchey 28 Elaine Kitchel Steve Mullins
16 Rita Hayes 5 Barbara Wathen 30 Rodger Smith 21 Mary Nelle
18 Loretta Devore Marilyn Cheatham Michael Scrogham McLennan
6 Eutiva Frank
Debra Allgood Fred Gissoni
Mary Monroe December
Jim Hill 7 Bob Brasher
19 Barbara Acra 11 Monica Thurston 1 Mary Crawford 24 Daniela Brooks
20 Judy Franke 14 Joanie O’Brien 2 Rudolph Maresz 25 Eva Brewer
21 Sandy Baker Victoria Osborne 4 Eleanor Pester 29 Chris Garr
22 Eudora Smith Everett Logsdon 5 Debra Decker
15 Carol Roderick 6 Malcolm Turner
In Touch
• • •
• •• ••
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085