Good Works Wednesday: April 28, 2021

Good Works Wednesday

A newsletter celebrating ASB progress, programs and people

At Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we work every day to help individuals build skills and gain access to the information, experiences and resources they need to live the lives they wish to lead. We are an agency for anyone, anywhere on the vision loss continuum and offer education, training, community-based enrichment opportunities and referrals to help them achieve their individual goals.

MAY 4: Audio-Described “Resilience” Performance

On Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. ASB participants are invited to experience the Pennsylvania Ballet’s “Resilience” Program featuring three short ballets, including “Allegro Brillante,” “Polyphonia,” and “Raymonda Suite,” along with another solo performance by Jermel Johnson. Showcasing the technical brilliance of the company’s dancers, these works will delight both new and old fans of ballet alike. Audio Describer Nicole Sardella will provide a live audio description of the program via Zoom.

Participants can register for free here to gain access to the Zoom link. For questions about registration, please contact Beth Deering at Bdeering@asb.org.

Virtual Art Class with Passle Helminski

ASB is excited to have artist Passle Helminski provide a virtual art class for participants on May 5, May 19 and May 26 at 11 a.m. In this class, Passle will work with students on a practice called “blind contour” drawing. All levels welcome to attend! We ask that attendees bring a pencil and paper to the session.  

Passle’s creations are featured in several permanent collections and have been shown in many exhibits throughout the U.S. and countries such as Germany, Singapore, Sweden, Australia and China. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Mercyhurst College and Gannon University. 

If any of the participants you work with are interested in signing up for an adventure into art, please contact our Participant Navigator, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org or by phone at 267-483-9244 to register.

IOS VoiceOver Accessible App Workshops

ASB is hosting a variety of iPhone App Workshops for participants in small group settings until mid-May. No iPhone experience is necessary, just an interest in using an iPhone with apps to make positive life changes. The programs are listed below.

Tuesdays through May 11 

  • AIRA & Be My Eyes: Learn how to access sighted assistance anytime, anywhere for any task you can imagine! 
  • Newsline: Learn how to read magazines and newspapers from all over the world.
  • BARD: Learn how to search for, download and listen to books and magazines.

Wednesdays through May 13

  • Instacart:  Learn how to shop online and have groceries delivered right to your front door!
  • iPhone App Q&A Workshop: Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you.  Email agodwin@asb.org with your app overview request.

Thursdays through May 13

  • Seeing AI and Tap Tap See: Learn how to independently read mail, printed documents, product barcodes, use facial recognition, identify money and more!
  • Amazon: Learn how to shop online and have anything you desire delivered right to your front door!
  • iOS Health: Learn how to set up a medical ID, track how many miles you have walked and more.

Please Note: iPhone App Workshops will not occur on April 28 and 29. All App Workshop classes will resume next week. All other ASB activities will continue as scheduled.

If any of the participants you work with are interested in any of these programs, please contact our Participant Navigator, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org to register.

ASB’s Health Speaker Series

Every week ASB welcomes professionals from health care and other fields to speak with participants about topics such as health and welfare, insurance and finances, legal assistance and much more! Review the upcoming May schedule below, and contact ASB’s Participant Navigator, Lexi Jones, at ajones@asb.org if you are interested in attending any sessions.

Topic: Aira Application
Presenter: Jenine Stanley, Director Customer Communication, Aira
Date: April 30, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
About Aira: Aira is a service that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to connect the vision loss community to highly-trained, remotely-located agents. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to information, enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement and independence. 

Topic: Fire Safety
Presenter: Namor Brown, Philadelphia Fire Department
Date: May 7, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Topic: Changes to CCT and Key Card Information
Presenter: Treshia Hassell, Regulatory Coordinator, CCT
Date: May 14, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Topic: Safety Tips for Traveling and Staying Safe in your Home
Presenter: Julie Carpenter, Community Relations Officer, Philadelphia Police Department
Date: May 21, 2021
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

AFB Upcoming Centennial Event Lineup

Since 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has been at the forefront of creating a more inclusive world for people who are experiencing vision loss. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, AFB is hosting a series of Centennial Conversations. These curated webinars will focus on the most pressing issues and topics affecting the vision loss community, pairing prominent speakers with younger voices.

Links to the upcoming May and June conversations are below. We’ll be sure to share the link to the July event when it becomes available:

In case any of the participants you work with missed AFB’s previous centennial events, they can replay the archived conversations below:

For additional information about 100 years of AFB and the ongoing series of Centennial Conversations, participants can visit afb.org/100. If any of the participants you work with require additional accommodations, they can contact the AFB at communications@afb.org.