__________________________________________    The Described and Captioned Media Program has partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind to forge "guidelines" to equal access for students with vision loss: The Description Key: Guidelines for the Description of Educational Media.  The guidelines are  intended for new and experienced describers, description agencies, media producers and distributors, and others who want to make educational media more accessible.  Go to www.afb.org/descriptionguidelines.asp  at AFB for this resource. Tto connect with DCMP, visit http://www.dcmp.org/descriptionkey .   To  learn more about their extensive description resources available to teachers and parents, check out DCMP Web site for free-loan educational accessible media needs. ______________________________________________ Massachusetts Consumer Groups for People with Vision Impairments   Association of Blind Citizens(ABC) www.blindcitizen.org    781-961-1023   Baystate Council of the Bind www.abc.org/baystate or email Jerry.berrier@townsip.com   The Foundation Fighting Blindness Mass. Chapter   www.massblindness.org            617-284-1466   National Federation of the Blind 508-679-8543 www.nfb.org  or email nfbmass@earthlink.net    Visually Impaired & Blind User Group(VIBUG) 617-266-6160 x48   Email president@viburg.org   Guide Dog User Consumer Groups:   Guide Dog Users of Massachusetts: 617-926-9198   Massachusetts Assoc. of Guide Dog Users/NFB: 508-679-8543   Hadley School for the Blind has a course geared to folks who are interested in getting a Guide Dog.  Go to their website for more information www.hadley-school.org

Telephone Information Lines for People with Vision Loss:   Massachusetts Commission For The Blind           www.state.ma.us  617-626-7660 or  800-393-6450 x7660   MAB Community Services www.mablind.org 617-923-2790        Newsline: Newspaper Reading Service:  www.perkins.pvt.k12 or email library@perkins.org or call 800-852-3122

Vision Access Resource Handout

AFB has just launched a new campaign--the RX Label Enable Campaign to ensure that people with vision loss have ready access to the vital information available to all consumers via prescription labeling and related documentation enabling them to take medications safely, effectively and independently.  AFB is asking individuals who have had trouble reading prescription or over-the-counter medication information to tanswer a short survey available at http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=66&TopicID=305&DocumentID=3    www.afb.org/seniorsite Blind Consumers can get free directory assistance. This info is for those whose application has been processed and approved by the Verizon Center for Disabilities. www.massedp.com MassEDP is a service that provides residents with a permanent disability access to the telephone network in their homes by offering specialized telephones for free or at a reduced cost, depending on income. This program fosters independence, empowerment, and freedom of choice.   If a a consumer who is blind, uses 411 and has Verizon as their local carrier they are allowed free directory assistance for local, regional and nationwide numbers. These are not offered if the consumer uses the 1-(area code)-555-1212 to obtain numbers, or if the consumer bypasses Verizon by entering any other long distance carrier’s number, for example MCI.

Transportation Resources Association for Public Transportation Inc. www.car-free.com  617-482-0282: Produces Car-Free in Boston Book