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The Access Builder
The Official Newsletter of CCVIP
Read volume 1, Issue 2 in PDF
Vol. 1, Issue No. 2
CCVIP Reaches Out to Seniors, Veterans and Job Seekers
In an effort to find more people out in the community who can benefit from the programs and services of CCVIP, the Center has stepped up its outreach activities to get the word out about new courses and initiatives that will be of interest to seniors, veterans and job seekers. This fall, CCVIP staff will be visiting senior centers to talk about the no-fee and low-fee courses for senior citizens that have been made possible by grants. Earlier this year, CCVIP provided training for Disability Navigators from Workforce One to show them how CCVIP can help job seekers who are visually impaired. And recently, a small but growing number of veterans who are blind or visually impaired have been sponsored by the Veterans Administration for courses that will give them marketable skills for the workplace. Through this outreach, the Center will be able to expand the horizons of many more students who will use the computer to get information from the Internet, communicate with colleagues and friends, and use programs like Word and Excel.
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Alumni Profile: Barbara Campbell
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), Barbara Campbell works as a liaison for the Homemaker Unit to improve the lives of people who are blind. As a person who is herself blind, Barbara understands the challenges facing many of the people who come to her. To keep abreast of the latest information on services, programs and equipment, Barbara has learned how to use a computer for both research and communication. She got started with a Microsoft Word course here at CCVIP and progressed to surfing the Internet, both of which have helped her in her current position at CBVH.
Learning to use a computer has proven quite valuable to Barbara at work as well as home. Barbara notes: “I can do so much with my computer…access client records on a database, write referral letters and case notes and even find information on the Internet for my consumers.” This is particularly useful since Barbara works with consumers who live part-time in Florida or are moving to other states. Barbara’s ability to use the computer has also enriched her leisure pursuits since she uses the Internet to get recipes, buy theater tickets, make travel arrangements and keep track of addresses and phone numbers.
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Greenwich Village Walking Tour Celebrates the CCVIP Community
On September 19, 2005, CCVIP sponsored a walking tour of Greenwich Village to promote awareness of the Center. Joyce Gold, the tour director, led a lively group past sites of interest that included a famous “Hanging Tree” in Washington Square Park. Participants were able to feel many of the architectural features of buildings inspired by Greco-Roman traditions as well as elaborate ironwork designs on fences in the area.  Ms. Gold talked about the writers and historical figures who lived in the area, including Henry James and Eleanor Roosevelt. Students, staff and supporters of the Center had a
chance to meet each other and chat along the tour route and a number of participants dined together after the tour at the Hudson Corner Café. Everyone had a great time walking, networking and learning more about a fabled New York City neighborhood!
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Statistics Curriculum Project Enters New Phase
CCVIP’s Talking Tactile Statistics Curriculum Project is entering its next phase. The pilot study on the usability of the Statistics modules as delivered on the Talking Tactile Tablet was completed in June. CCVIP is making materials from the project available to students at other colleges. Here at Baruch, the Baruch College Technology Center has provided funding for tablets and statistics software to be placed in several labs in and around Baruch College so that students will be able to experience this multi-sensory approach to the study of introductory statistics. Through this grant, project staffers hope to learn whether students with learning disabilities might find this a helpful alternative to the standard statistics text. To learn more about the Talking Tactile Tablet, please visit www.touchgraphics.com. For more information on the Statistics Curriculum Project, please contact Karen Gourgey at (646) 312-1426.
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Photo Op
CCVIP Director Karen Gourgey with Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Computer Tips Corner
Do you ever wish there was a faster or easier way to do tasks on the computer? Well, often there is—it’s just a question of getting someone to show you how. CCVIP will now post computer shortcuts and tips here. Our first tip, “How to Make A Shortcut to an E-mail Address,” has been provided courtesy of Lynnette Tatum, our senior instructor. Please let us know about other computer questions that you would like to have answered and we will have our instructional staff get to work on it!
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Community Resources
The Jewish Museum, located at 1109 Fifth Avenue (92nd Street & 5th Avenue), is delighted to offer specialized tours of its exhibitions for visitors who are blind or partially sighted. Museum docents are trained to provide Verbal Imaging tours of any exhibition and Touch Tours of the permanent exhibition, Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey.
For more information about the cost of admission or to be placed on a mailing list for programs and services for visitors who are blind or partially sighted, please call (212) 423-3289 or e-mail access@thejm.org.
eSight Career Network, a project of The Associated Blind, is a web-based resource for job seekers with disabilities and for employers who want to create workplaces that are friendly to people with disabilities. There are e-newsletters, blogs, job postings and much more at their web site, www.esight.org.
The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library at 40 West 20th Street has a wide variety of materials and programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. To find out more, please visit their web site at www.nypl.org/branch/lb. You can also reach the library by calling (212) 206-5400 or by e-mail at ahlbph@nypl.org.
ABLE magazine, a magazine that is by, for and about people with disabilities, is an excellent source of information about legislation, initiatives and events that are important to people with a wide variety of disabilities. It is now available on tape; a one-year subscription costs $15; two years costs $25. For more information please call (516) 939-2253 or visit their web site at www.ablenews.com.
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Win a Backpack by Helping CCVIP!
Earlier this year, CCVIP began sending out e-mail announcements about upcoming job fairs, community programs and events of interest to our friends and alumni. To really get the ball rolling, we are reaching out for YOUR e-mail address so that you can join our information circle.
To encourage people to get on board, we are offering you the opportunity to win one of 15 CCVIP backpacks if you send us your e-mail address by December 16, 2005.
To participate, please contact Leah Huntington at (646) 312-1423 or e-mail her at leah_huntington@baruch.cuny.edu.
Winners will be notified by e-mail after December 19, 2005.
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CCVIP STAFF
Karen Gourgey: Director
Judith Gerber: Manager, Education & User Services
Barbara DiFiore: Writer/Editor
Newsletter Created & Printed by The Bronx Design Group
CCVIP is part of the Division of Continuing and Professional Studies at Baruch College
For more information on our courses, please contact us!
By phone: 646-312-1420
By fax: 646-312-1421
By e-mail: Judith_gerber@baruch.cuny.edu
By regular mail: CCVIP, One Bernard Baruch Way, Box H0648, New York, NY 10010
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