Dear Friends,

INsight Online is a monthly news update from the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired. We're interested to know what you think of the content, or if you have any news or information that you'd like to share. Please give us your feedback at

In this month's issue...

Save ACT! – A special appeal from GDABVI President & CEO Gail McEntee
Summer programs help kids on the path to independence
GDABVI thanks all those who’ve supported our summer camps and children’s programs
Working with kids, DeAndre’s got game
VI support group leaders to convene for exchange of best practices

Save ACT!
A special appeal from GDABVI President & CEO Gail McEntee

In 2005, Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired (GDABVI) learned of a small grass roots initiative to teach basic computer keyboarding to blind and visually impaired persons needing to learn JAWS and screen reader software. It was an innovative program due to its focus on new computer users who had low vision. It aligned with our Mission to provide quality, innovative services to those with severe vision loss. The premise was to train visually impaired tutors to teach basic keyboard and Internet skills to other visually impaired persons, so those persons could enroll in classes to advance their skill level. GDABVI Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed supporting the program and the Accessible Computer Training (ACT) Program was launched in the four tri-county Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Five years ago, times were much better for GDABVI and everyone else, the Board of Trustees made a commitment to look for new programs to further our Mission and initiate innovative programs for blind and visually impaired persons in southeast Michigan.

M. Catherine McAdam discovered there were no beginner classes to teach visually impaired persons needing to learn accessible computer software effectively so they could participate in more advanced training programs and potentially become employed. Additionally, adults who had lost substantial vision due to eye disease or accidents wanted to communicate electronically and needed to learn new skills to compensate for their vision loss.

The premise is to recruit volunteers to learn to be tutors and work within the area libraries for the blind to train their patrons on library computers. The tutors were recruited and trained and quickly gained a following. A few years later, two senior sites were added. GDABVI had the financial resources then to fully support the initiative at an annual cost of $20,000 per year, which covered the program director to do training and recruiting, a stipend for volunteer tutors to cover their transportation and a small amount for materials and promotions.

Times have changed financially but the ACT Program remains relevant and more necessary then ever. Some of the tutors and students have gained employment because of the skills they acquired through the ACT Program. Dozens of new computer users have effectively learned the accessible software to gain more experience and knowledge.

Most recently, the GDABVI ACT Program has partnered with another organization to make an intergenerational computer project accessible to blind and visually impaired persons, and has received a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan to help support this new program at a total cost of $40,000.

Unfortunately, GDABVI, like many non-profit organizations, has suffered substantial losses in their investments and cut backs from their usual funding source. The ACT Program may face elimination due to lack of funding. Losing talented people and a valuable program is very hard. Turning away those who have depended on the training they receive is heart breaking, and not moving forward with an anticipated new project that can bring grandparents and their grandchildren together, is more than disappointing.

We want to save ACT now while we work on sustainable funding for the future. We respectfully request your consideration to help us raise $20,000 to keep this important program going, while we raise another $20,000 for a one-time project to expand the program to include intergenerational computer training for families.

Please let me know if you are interested in helping support ACT. On behalf of everyone at GDABVI and especially the ACT tutors and students, thank you for helping give a better future to those in need.

Sincerely,

Gail L. McEntee
President & CEO

Summer programs help kids on the path to independence

For kids, summer is a time of fun and recreation. At the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired, it’s also a time when young people with severe vision loss explore the community and learn the skills of independence.

Children’s programming kicked off with a one-week Goalball Camp in June, continuing into July and August with two, two-week Summer Enrichment Camps and culminating in a three-day Sports & Technology Camp at the end of the month.

Thirty kids from across metro Detroit are participating in fun, constructive activities developed specifically to help them become successful, self-sufficient adults. Activities such as judo, crafts, bowling, shopping and food preparation are chosen to promote healthy lifestyles while allowing young people who are visually impaired to develop the skills they need to keep up with their sighted peers in school.

"This year we’ve had new participants and staff who have come with new ideas and perspectives," says Outreach Coordinator Mary Beth Kullen. "In our Enrichment Camps, we’re exploring Nigerian and African American culture. It’s been a great summer."

GDABVI thanks all those who’ve supported our summer camps and children’s programs

In spite of a difficult economic climate, GDABVI programs for children and youth have received generous support. This year, more than $33,700 was raised in support of our kids programming, including more than $19,000 through the Detroit Free Press/Skillman Foundation Summer Dreams matching grant program.

A generous donation was received from Kathryn L. Fife in honor of her beloved and recently departed sister, Jean Margaret Walters, who, although blind, lived a vigorous and independent life.

GDABVI thanks the following donors for their support of programs that help our young people with severe vision loss to become successful, self-sufficient adults.

Kathryn L. Fife (In honor of her sister, Jean Margaret Walters)
Detroit Free Press Charities/Skillman Foundation

Northwest Detroit Lions Club
Richard Bernstein
Detroit Kiwanis #1
Grace Smith
Dearborn Lions Club
Grosse Pointe Lions Club
Plymouth Lions Club
Redford Community War Memorial Association
Susan & David Thoms

David & Joyce A. Benjamins
Jennifer Biggers
Blind and Visually Impaired Children's Fund
Joan G. Boyle
Robert & Lynnette Boyle
James W. Cheaney
Lawrence R. & Betty J. Colby
Charles & Joan Cone
Iris J. Colwell
Walter R. Connolly
Cross Plumbing
Tim Daniel
Diane B. Dorsch
Detroit University New Gratiot Lions Club
Jeffrey D. Evans
Linda Few
David Ford, Jr.
Detroit Council of the Blind
Detroit Lions Club
Fraser Lions Club
Charles E. Frederick
Carol & Dave Goettlicher
Belinda Green
Harper Woods Lions Club
Helping Hands of Detroit
K&K Scape
Dorothy J. Kelly
Beth A. Kessler
Konica Minolta Albin
Paula & Jay Korelitz
Mary Beth Kullen
Elaine J. Langham
David A. & Marilyn A. Lemaux
Ollie Lester
Edith M. Lowery
Florence A. Lucas
Dr. Carol L. Marston-Foucher
Gail L. McEntee
Joseph McKevitz
Anthony Montella
John E. Rennels
James B. & Karen G. Ritter
Paul Stark & Sally Petrella
Christina Schlitt
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Stebbins
Marjorie A. Storch
Jane P. Strand
Gloria Sternberg
Debra Suzore
Paul S. & Barbara T. Teranes
Keven J. Terlescki
Betty L. Welsh
Lynn M. Wiggins
Joan M. Wright
Elizabeth Yates
Arlene P. Zalewski

In-kind support

Hiller's Market Gift Card
Fairlane Town Center

Working with kids, DeAndre’s got game

DeAndre Coleman attends Northwestern High School in Detroit.

Although he’s visually impaired, he plays both center and defensive tackle on the varsity football, and was named team captain as a sophomore. He also plays forward and center on the basketball team.

"I use my quickness to make up for my lack of vision," he says.

DeAndre plans to attend college and hopes it will be at the University of Florida or the University of Texas. He also wants to become a coach or a music producer.

This summer, through a program from Michigan Commission for the Blind and Detroit Public Schools, he’s working as a counselor at GDABVI’s Summer Enrichment camps.

"DeAndre has done a fantastic job,” says Outreach Coordinator Mary Beth Kullen. “He’s great with our kids and is an excellent role model. They really look up to him."

DeAndre had experience with children prior to coming to GDABVI. He says he’s always loved spending time with his brothers Jared and Brett, ages five and six. He is also close with his 19-year-old sister, Brittany.

"Working at the camp has been fun, because the kids have a lot of energy," says DeAndre, who also has more than his fair share of energy. After a day of working at the Agency, he goes right to football practice.

VI support group leaders to convene for exchange of best practices

On Friday, August 28, GDABVI will host a luncheon that brings Metro Detroit VI support group leaders together for an exchange of ideas and best practices. The luncheon is being billed as the “Support Plus Revisit” because leaders from the popular “Support Plus” group that met in the early 2000s will reconvene, this time with leaders from more recently established groups.

The program runs from 10:00 am – noon with lunch to follow. The featured speaker is Carol Cranston, who will discuss her work in art therapy for seniors.

There is no charge for the luncheon, which is being sponsored by Metro Home Health Care. Space is limited, so if you would like to attend the luncheon, or would like more information, call Ollie Lester at 313-272-3900, ext 117.