Weekly Information Update
Updated on Friday, November 20th, this is the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Information Update, available on the MCB Voice Information System at (617) 626-7660 or (800) 392-6450, extension 7660. This message is also available on "Newsline" the accessible newspaper service by pressing number 2, the local channel and this message is in the "Mass. Commission for the Blind" section. This update is produced for MCB by Joe Weisse.
The MBTA apologizes to all customers on the Old Colony and Greenbush lines for the delays due to the imposed speed restrictions from the ongoing tie replacement project on the Middleboro/Lakeville line. This work is affecting both of the Old Colony lines as well as some trains on the Greenbush line. MBCR work crews are replacing old concrete ties on this route and are performing this work during off-peak hours of operation. For the duration of this tie replacement, trains cannot travel at their normal speed of 60 mph; in some areas along the route the speed restriction has been imposed to 30mph. The delays you have experienced are a result of the speed restrictions. When trains are delayed, it creates problems in the Braintree area because all three of these lines "meet" at Braintree and move onto a single track for the remained of the trip into Boston. It is necessary for some inbound trains to wait for an outbound train to pass through the single track section before it can be cleared to continue their journey inbound. Unfortunately, until the project is completed, small delays will continue.
Come meet the Disability Policy Consortium staff and Board of Directors and learn about the exciting projects DPC is working on. Their annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 2,at Foley Hoag, LLP, Seaport West, 155 Seaport Boulevard in Boston. From 6:00 to 8:00 they will have a short board meeting with some official business, followed by a general membership meeting and some light refreshments with social time. The Keynote Speaker will be Marylyn Howe, the Director of Public Policy at the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. She was also appointed by President Bush to the National Council on Disability in 2007, where she continues to serve. Please RSVP to Colleen Graham by November 24th at cgraham@dpcma.org or 617-542-3522.
Adaptive Technology, a division of Perkins Products, presents what's New in Reading Machines. This free product demo will be on Thursday, December 3 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm at the Hallowell House, Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street in Watertown. Bring your favorite reading materials and try them on several devices including the SARA, the K-NFB Reader, the new Intel reader and more. Space is limited, please register by calling Gayle Yarnell at (978) 462-3817 or email gayle.yarnell@perkins.org.
The NFB Jernigan Institute is excited to announce the 2010 Junior Science Academy through its National Center for Blind Youth in Science for elementary students. Two sessions being offered next summer. The two sessions will be held July 28-August 1 and August 4-8 in Baltimore at the NFB Jernigan Institute. The program targets students in third through sixth grades (ages eight to twelve) and will accept fifteen participants per session. One parent or guardian will attend with each selected applicant. Modeled after the NFB’s successful previous Science Academies and NFB Youth Slams, this four-day session will expose blind and low vision children to the excitement of science in real-life applications. The students will learn that science can be fun through hands-on instruction, field trips, and interactive activities as they participate in challenging experiences focused around earth and physical sciences. In addition to sparking their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects, the program aims to teach students how alternative techniques can help make STEM subjects accessible and more engaging. Separate workshops provided in partnership with the National Organization for Parents of Blind Children will be held for those parents and guardians accompanying their children to the program. Those interested in learning more about this event can visit www.blindscience.org or contact the NFBJI director of education Mary Jo T. Hartle (410-659-9314, extension 2407).
The annual Carroll Center Technology Fair 2009 will be held on Tuesday, November 24from 10:00 am to 3 pm at the Carroll Center at 770 Centre street in Newton. Free and open to consumers, families, friends and professionals, try out the latest products. Meet the manufacturers and local vendors, learn about the latest equipment and applications and visit the Carroll Store to see a variety of devices to purchase. Workshop space is on a first come availability. All are welcome.
Thanks for reading this message and it will be updated again on Wednesday, November 25th.
This information is provided by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.