Feature Story- (May - June 08)

The following is part 1 of a multi-part series highlighting some of the services offered at The Iris Network.

What Is Orientation & Mobility (O&M)?

What is Orientation?

Orientation is knowing where one is, where one is going, and how to get there. It is important for everyone to be oriented to his or her surroundings. Using vision is the easiest way to gather information, but people who are blind or have impaired vision have to learn other ways to become and stay oriented. They need to learn to use the other senses (hearing, touch, smell) to figure out where they are in relationship to other objects in the environment. Without good orientation, efficient independent travel is impossible. For example, you may have a bakery in your neighborhood, and when they are baking it smells good when you are passing by, telling you that you are the correct block; or when standing on the corner of Main and First, you want to hear traffic in front of you and on your left when crossing Main Street.

What is Mobility?

Mobility means moving from place to place. The importance of good mobility can be seen in all phases of life, from childhood through school, college, work and home. With good mobility, for example, an adult can get to and from work and lead a successful/fulfilling/active life style.

What is Orientation & Mobility Training?

Orientation and mobility (O&M) training teaches persons who are blind or severely visually impaired how to get around safely and efficiently within their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and communities (including, but not limited to street crossings and utilizing public transportation).  Tools may include using a long cane, working with dog guides, using residual vision and the use of sighted guide.

Here is a brief sample of what Orientation & Mobility training might include:

• Learn one’s way around a new place (such as a new, school college campus, work environment, etc.)
• Safely navigate obstacles, stairs (or other drop-offs) along a route
• Plan safe and efficient routes
• Learn how to use/decline assistance from those with more vision
• Use low vision or tactile maps to learn about an unfamiliar place
• Cross streets safely and confidently
• Analyze traffic at various intersections and make safe judgment calls based on that information.
• Use the phone to solicit precise information from businesses
• Use public transportation, if available

The goal of O&M training is to enable the person to travel safely, independently, efficiently, and confidently. Using a team approach, all staff, family members and the O&M Specialist share the responsibility to support our clients by reinforcing independent orientation, movement, and travel.

Lesson to demonstrate - Introduction to sighted guide technique:

Click the appropriate link below to watch a demonstration of some Sighted Guide techniques.
Broadband	Dial-Up

 

Feature Story- (Feb - April08)

THE IRIS NETWORK ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PRESIDENT

**For Immediate Release**

Contact: Alison M. Keegan, Public Relations Manager, the Iris Network, 774-6273

PORTLAND, ME: Dr. David J. Stuchiner, Chairman of the Iris Network’s Board of Directors, announced Wednesday the appointment of James E. Phipps as the new President/CEO of The Iris Network. Mr. Phipps comes to The Iris Network having served 18 years on the organization’s Board of Directors, most recently as its former Chairman.

Prior to his arrival at the Iris Network, Mr. Phipps was an attorney and partner at the Portland-based law firm Preti, Flaherty, LLP. For over 20 years, Mr. Phipps has been representing nonprofit organizations in areas such as rehabilitation, health care, education, and transportation, with assistance in Medicare compliance and nonprofit tax issues.

Mr. Phipps is a graduate of Florida State University. He earned a joint MBA/Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Maine State Bar Association. Mr. Phipps lives on Chebeague Island, ME with his wife and two daughters.

“The Search Committee was impressed by Mr. Phipps’ long history of dedication to the Iris Network and to the visually impaired and blind community of Maine,” said Nancy Hawes, Board Member and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “As a leading attorney in the state of Maine representing nonprofits, Mr. Phipps will help guide the organization toward accomplishing its mission to serve as a resource for people across Maine with vision loss.”

Mr. Phipps will begin his duties as President /CEO in March 2008.

The Iris Network serves as a state wide resource and catalyst for people who are visually impaired or blind so they can attain their determined level of independence and integration into the community. Headquartered in Portland, the Iris Network has outreach offices in Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lewiston and Saco.

 

Feature Story - (Dec - Jan 08) 

Spotlight on John Majkut, MS OTR/L,

The Iris Network’s Low Vision Clinic Coordinator

John Majkut and his dog Charlie

How did you get started? 

I was working as a potter, and also worked with people with various developmental disabilities.  In particular, I worked with two individuals who were deaf and had other disabilities. I was fortunate enough to observe Occupational Therapist’s working with them and how that treatment was enhancing their lives.  I saw them working with everyday activities, such as cooking, art, building chairs, etc, and thought “this is exciting!”  I then started having conversations with OT’s on how to facilitate this work better and realized this was the profession for me.

What kind of training have you had?

My formal training consists of my Bachelors in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Southern Maine and then my Masters in Occupational Therapy also from USM.  However, everything I’ve done from about age 18 up was the real preparation.  For example, I’ve been a dancer, photographer, potter, worked with the developmentally disabled, and children.  The culmination of all of these experiences has given me much to draw from as an Occupational Therapist, enhancing my ability to break down client’s motivating occupations and enhance their ability to participate in them.

After school, I did two fieldworks. One was four months at the National Theater Workshop for the Handicapped and the other was up at the Aroostook Medical Center, working first in acute care and then the psychiatric ward. 

For this job in particular, I’ve completed several online courses via the Lighthouse International as well as a few self-paced courses through the American Occupational Therapy Association, specifically for low vision.  I’ve also had several one-on-one trainings with a state expert on low vision who is also a Certified Low Vision Therapist. 

What skills are essential to do your job?

To be able to connect with clients and really identify where they’re having difficulties, is essential.  It’s also essential to prioritize the goals that are directed by them and to facilitate success in what is important to them.  Having a good clear knowledge of vision and the different diagnoses, how they’d affect someone functionally, what devices would help enhance their remaining vision and therefore enhance their ability to improve their overall functionality in the home and community. 

What’s your favorite part of the job?

Meeting with clients, both in the clinic and in their homes is by far what I love the most.  Seeing someone light up when they do something they thought they could never do again.  That is what excites me.

What’s the greatest challenge?

Overcoming the frequent belief that that a piece of equipment we dispense from the Low Vision Clinic will give a client their former vision back. Educating people that what we are truly attempting to do is to utilize what functional vision they have left, and make the absolute most of it

What kind of person succeeds in this job?

Anyone who enjoys connecting with people and wants to help people empower themselves in doing the activities they want to do as independently as they can.  Of course, good communication skills, and a good solid knowledge about low vision, equipment, and compensatory strategies for activities that are difficult are also key points to success.

What advice would you offer to someone interested in a job within this field?

Learn all you can regarding your area of practice, follow what a patient finds motivating (their passion), always remember that the psychosocial portion of treatment is at least as important as the “disability” and be certain you are doing this work because you love the work and the people you are assisting.

 

 

Feature Story - (Oct - Nov 07) 

Houlton Vision Fair

On Wednesday, October 24, at the Houlton Regional Hospital, the Iris Network and the Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired hosted a vibrant gathering of people from many parts of the state for demonstrations, explorations, and discussions of how new and evolving assistive technologies can increase options and improve quality of life for people with vision loss. People who are visually impaired or blind from northern Maine mingled with service providers and technology experts from Aroostook County, Augusta, Bangor, and Portland. The experts provided demonstrations of assistive GPS, assistive PDA’s, assistive cell phones, assistive computer software, and more familiar items that make a huge difference for people, such as magnifiers.

Gene Monahan talks about adaptive GPS click the link below to watch the video		Bruce Archer presents adaptive organizers click the link below to watch the video		Steve Sawczyn demonstrates cell phones click the link below to watch the video
Broadband	Dial-up	Broadband	Dial-up	Broadband	Dial-up

The crowd listened with enthusiasm and asked lots of questions about the cost and potential of the different devices. There was a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the air, and everyone seemed convinced: there are technologies that are suitable for everyone with vision loss, and learning about them and experimenting with them is a lot of fun. Special congratulations to Kristy Swallow of the Iris Network in Houlton for hosting the gathering and to Steve Kelley of the Portland office for helping to develop the program.

Special recognition to Andrea Bickford, Belinda Ouellette and Bruce Archer of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired for all their contributions.

 

Feature Story - (Sept 07) 

Grand Opening - Iris Park Apartments

Click here for a Slideshow of the Iris Park Apartments Grand Opening

Click here for the Transcription of Speeches from the Iris Park Apartments Grand Opening

On Friday, August 10^th, the Iris Network held its Grand Opening event for the newly constructed Iris Park Apartments—Maine’s first low income housing development designed specifically for people who are visually impaired or blind. 

The elegant summer evening event was blessed with superb weather as 200+ invited guests gathered in the outdoor courtyard.  Guests had opportunities to view apartments and talk to the tenants and their families about how they’ve enjoyed living at Iris Park Apartments.  President Adam Zayan served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. 

Senator George Mitchell was on hand to give the keynote speech, as well as mingle with guests, and answer questions from the Press.  Iris Network Chairman, Jim Phipps, introduced the former Maine Senator with an impressive description of Mitchell’s role in the American Disabilities Act legislation.  During his speech on “Building Community in the 21st Century” Mitchell said, “This event goes far beyond the city of Portland and the State of Maine.  …it marks an important event for our nation because this is only the 2nd facility of its type in the country and it must serve as a model because we know the need exists far beyond that which is available.” 

Mitchell’s grace and eloquence at the podium was evident to all guests, who listened intently on the message he delivered.  “We as a people have to view our task as continuing.  Continue the great historical trends that have swept our society for 200 years that has enabled so many people to live more full, more free, more meaningful, and more independent lives.”

Former President of the Iris Network, Steven Obremksi and Iris Park Apartment tenant Randy Bellevance also engaged the crowd with their speeches.

Guests were treated throughout the evening to the delightful sounds of the Port City Jazz Quartet and with tasty hors d’oeuvres that were created by caterer D. Lawrence Ross.  Generous donations by Harbor Fish, Whole Foods, and Bette Novick of HUB Furniture also helped to make this event special.  Other sponsors for this event included TD Banknorth, Preti Flaherty, and Oakhurst Dairy.

Earlier that week, the Iris Network’s Park Avenue signage received a facelift when brand new signs were installed.  A beautiful new blue and white sign now makes the Iris Network much more visible from the Park Avenue entrance.  Click here to see the other new signs that were added to the property!

A warm thank you to Swardlick Marketing Group, who created the beautiful design concept for our new outdoor signs.

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Feature Story - (Aug)

25 Years of Service 

This month marks the 25th anniversary of our Cumberland County Licensed Social Worker, Cammy Moraros. In 1982, Cammy had just completed her education at the University of Southern Maine and applied to be a Counselor Assistant to our Personal Adjustment Counselor who was blind.  It quickly became evident that Cammy’s training, skills and talents were not being maximized in that position so the position of Social Worker was created for her.

Since then, Cammy has met thousands of people in Cumberland, Northern York Counties and other parts of the state who have been in need of services. As a Social Worker, Cammy is usually the first person to meet with a client in their home. She explains services, provides understanding and helps people to sort out what their needs are and which services would be of most interest to them. In most cases, Cammy assigns services to staff of The Iris Network, but often services need to be handled by a variety of other agencies in the community, depending on the person’s needs. Cammy presents a holistic viewpoint of services and doesn’t necessarily focus only on vision loss.

Back in 1999, Cammy completed course work for and received a Graduate Certificate of Gerontology from the University of New England on the Westbrook College campus. This additional expertise enabled Cammy to focus more specifically on the diverse needs of elders in our aging communities. She has become our resident expert on this population.

Several years ago, in addition to all her other responsibilities, Cammy started a support group in Portland called “Aging With GRACE”. (Gaining Recreational and Creative Energy) This incredibly vibrant group of up to 20 - 40 elders meets monthly and an amazing variety of topics are explored. For example, one month a theater group may come and perform, while another month someone from the Red Cross is talking about disaster planning and yet another month it’s a summer picnic. And with the diverse and creative programming, there is always a tie in to vision loss – food preparation for the picnic, labeling of emergency equipment, enjoying theater even if you can’t see what’s happening!

And, if all that isn’t enough work, Cammy has been active for many years in the professional organization that supports our employees called the Northeast Chapter of the Association of Educators and Rehabilitators of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NE/AER). She has risen from being on the board as the chair of the Rehabilitation Teaching and Aging Division through the ranks, served as its President a few years ago, and is currently representing both the Northeast and New York Chapters and the International District 4 Representative to the AER board attending meetings across the states and Canada. And, she almost always is a presenter at the annual NE/AER conferences our staff attend.

She is also a member of the American Society on Aging (ASA). Cammy has presented on “Growing Older with Humor,” at regional and national conferences. She also developed an informational and fun game that encourages dialogue about adult depression. She has served on the Southern Maine Agency on Aging Advisory Council and the Maine Council for Elder and Adult Services. Through the ASA, Cammy wrote a proposal, which was accepted, and assisted The Iris Network in hosting a successful Mind Alert Training held last fall titled, “Creative Engagement for the Heart and Mind.”

Cammy is tireless in her work. She is a strong advocate for our services and believes in our mission. She says of her work “It is so difficult to believe that I have been doing this work for 25 years. Many, many things have changed here at the agency, in our communities and beyond. But, I still enjoy meeting with our clients, one on one, and the groups. It is rewarding to observe clients making informed, positive decisions about the future direction of their lives, taking risks, regardless of the changes, visual or other. I look back over the years and realize the breadth of my personal and professional growth and know that a lot of it would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues in Maine, the agency and my family. So to all those who have supported me whether it was with wisdom, sharing your knowledge, sharing a cup of tea, keeping the m&m’s supplied, believing in me or appreciating me…..Thank You!”

We offer Cammy our congratulations on a great 25 years and look forward to the years ahead.
 

 

Feature Story (June - July)

“Welcome to the Maine Audio Information and Reading Service.”   With those words, Maine AIRS Director Les Myers and volunteer reader George McCann began the first Maine AIRS broadcast at 8 am on April 17, 2000. A little more than 20 volunteer readers came to the Brewer studio to read live and record. Since then, the reader base has grown to over 100 readers and the weekly on-air schedule has expanded from about 40 hours per week to over 66 hours.

Volunteer reader Carla Palmer

Responding to a need to cover more southern Maine news and to afford readers in that part of the state to volunteer, The Iris Network created a Maine AIRS studio at its Park Avenue headquarters in April 2004. Readers produce the Portland Press Herald, the Northern and Portland Forecasters, Current, the American Journal ad Downeast Magazine. High-speed Internet connections allow readers to record at their homes and send audio files for broadcast from the Brewer AIRS studio.

Community access TV stations throughout Maine carry Maine AIRS’ audio. The Polaris cable system serving Houlton, Island Falls and Hodgdon, Brunswick’s TV3, and Mattawamkeag’s MCAT 26 broadcast portions or all of Maine AIRS’ schedule. These stations give exposure of Maine AIRS to about 114,000 households in Maine.  

The Maine AIRS mission is to present news, features and publications that that would not be available to blind or visually impaired listeners. The following is a letter from the family of a listener, acknowledging how Maine AIRS has impacted someone’s life: 

“Greetings:

We received your letter acknowledging gifts given in my mother's name. 

During the last two years of her life, she became increasingly attached  to the programs aired on your Maine AIRS broadcast, and listed it at the top of  " things she wouldn't want to live without."  She listened not only to her home town newspaper articles, but also to grocery specials and news from many of the towns around Maine to which she had once traveled.

But she especially enjoyed her "story," which was a chapter from a book that was read around 6:30 P. M., I believe.

Please thank the wonderful people who do the readings, and let them know they are doing valuable work that is very important to the people who listen.  Thank you for enriching my mother's life.”

Conversation with Myrtle in Monmouth, Maine : She’s a new listener who said Maine AIRS is all good. The readers’ voices are fantastic. Not just a drone.

 

 

In Memoriam

 

Michael Abbott

Michael Earle Abbott died suddenly on April 29, 2007, at the age of 48.  A passionate fan of both the Portland Sea Dogs and the Boston Red Sox, Mike spent the last afternoon of his life at a Sea Dogs game.  His last words were “I have great news!  The Red Sox are winning.” 

Mike first came to what was then The Maine Center for the Blind soon after his graduation from The Perkins School for the Blind in 1979.  He participated in a Vocational Evaluation Program and was hired in the Industries Program.  When it closed in 1998, Mike got a job assembling auto parts at Nichols in Portland.  He was also a resident here from 1992 until his death.  Mike had a large presence, and he was well known and highly regarded by many people in our community.  His loss is deeply felt by his Iris Network family.

The Iris Network in YOUR Community

The Iris Network strives to maintain an active presence in Maine’s communities.  Whether we’re participating as an exhibitor for the annual Seniors’ Fair in Lewiston or conducting in-services at a nursing home in Kennebunk, we hope to provide Maine’s visually impaired and blind community with the essential information needed to fulfill our mission—to attain YOUR determined level of independence and integration into the community. 

Coming up…

~Join us for “Nonprofit Thursday” at Shawnee Peak in beautiful Bridgton on Thursday, March 15^th… Click here for more information on our Announcements page 

~Want to learn more about what the Iris Network can do for you?  Our staff is available to visit your community and present on the agency’s programs and services.  Throughout the year, we visit senior centers, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, churches, etc. and help in spreading awareness for living independently with visual impairment or blindness.

To schedule a visit or for more information, please call 800-715-0097 (Maine only) or contact us at info@theiris.org.  

Recent Iris Network involvement…

~The Iris Network was an exhibitor and presenter at the 15^th annual Seniors Fair in Lewiston held this past January. Over 1,000 seniors attend this yearly event! 

~Throughout December, the Iris Network was represented at important meetings about the transportation issues that are of major concern to not only our own consumers, but others around the area. 

~Iris Network staff were on hand during the 2006 holiday season, doing complimentary gift wrapping at Borders Books and Music in South Portland. 

~Throughout the fall, Iris Network staff participated in giving brief presentations to agencies interested in giving through the United Way’s annual campaign.   

~In October, the Iris Network participated in the Diabetes Education conference, one of many conferences and educational pieces that the staff are involved with. 

~The Iris Network loves to partner with businesses to help spread awareness of our programs and services such as participating in the Health Fair put on by Unum Provident.

~The Iris Network had a prize winning booth at the annual Cumberland County Fair with not only information about the agency, but crafts, jewelry, and woodworking done by our own talented consumers.

~The Iris Network had a presence both at the York County Demo Day held in June at York County Community College and the Elder’s Day Fair held at the Portland Expo in May.  Hundreds attend these worthwhile events! 

~The Iris Network, in partnership with Borders Books and Music in South Portland, hosted a two day event, featuring a book signing by long-time Iris supporter Bert Silverman and his book “Coping with Macular Degeneration” and a special in-store performance by Rockin’ George Leh and his band. 

Feature Story (Dec - Jan 07)

Seeing with the heart
Yarmouth woman helps the blind, visually impaired achieve independence

Karen McKenna of Yarmouth holds the regional award she won for excellence in rehabilitation services for adults who are blind and visually impaired.                                              -used with permission from the Forecaster

By Bryn Keating
PORTLAND - Karen McKenna loves her job, and it shows.  Not only has the Yarmouth resident worked for the same employer since she graduated from college 22 years ago, but
she won a regional award this month for her work.

McKenna is a certified vision rehabilitation therapist and certified low vision therapist for the Iris Network, a private, nonprofit group that helps the blind and visually impaired attain independence and community integration. The Iris Network, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has seven offices throughout the state, from Saco to Houlton.

This month, McKenna won an award for excellence in rehabilitation services to adults who are blind and visually impaired from the Northeast Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) at the chapter’s annual fall conference in Montreal. McKenna said she hadn’t realized she won the award until she saw her boss and friend, Ruth Mlotek approach the stage.

Mlotek, who has worked with McKenna for her entire career at the Iris Center, nominated McKenna for the award because of her work ethic and creativity as a rehabilitation therapist. “She is imaginative, a puzzle solver and knowledgeable in every aspect of her field,” Mlotek said this week.

McKenna began her college career at Cleveland State University as an architecture student, but she changed her mind after signing up for a course in the psycho-social aspects of physical disabilities. McKenna said she wanted to take the class to understand how to design a building for everyone, including the blind. After speaking to the professor about her philosophy of accessible architecture, he convinced her to study rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired.

“It’s a very underpopulated field,” McKenna explained. “Last year there were only 35 people with my degree in the country.”

McKenna said the goal of a rehab teacher is to work with clients’ needs and priorities to keep them as independent as they want. Most of her work involves teaching life skills to people who have recently become blind due to injury, disease or macular degeneration, she said.

She covers about 86 clients per year in several Cumberland County communities, including Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Freeport, Brunswick and Harpswell.

McKenna said she typically teaches adaptation for living with blindness — how to cook safely, write checks and other day-to-day activities.

Her clients learn new ways to do many things they already know, like how to pour a glass of water by listening to the noise the liquid makes as it approaches the top of the glass. “Vision is easy when it works,” she said, “but we have all this other information coming in all the time.”

Some of McKenna’s clients have some degree of sight, she said, a common misconception of the term “legally blind.” For these clients, she uses color cues, light fixtures and font sizes and styles that make it easier to see and read.

Other clients prefer to learn braille and use tactile tools — using a rubber band, for example, to distinguish a shampoo bottle from a container of conditioner — to get around their home.

“A lot of it is common sense you could use whether you’re blind or not,” McKenna said. “Eventually, you’d figure it all out, but we’re there to work as a team.”

For McKenna, being a rehabilitation therapist is about giving people the chance to live a full life and stay in their homes, if they desire. “Blind people can’t drive or be air traffic controllers,” she said, “but they can pretty much do any- thing they would have done anyway.”

Another rewarding aspect of McKenna’s job is changing attitudes many people have about the blind, she said. She credited the high unemployment rate among blind people — about 70 percent — to common misconceptions about the ability of the blind and visually impaired.

Although services at the Iris Network, which are offered at no cost, are “pretty vital,” McKenna said the center, and the entire field of rehabilitation therapy, remain “kind of a best kept secret”

But the quality of Maine programs for the blind are no secret to the AER award committee. Although the Northeast chapter includes all of New England and Canada’s Maritime provinces, McKenna said nine Maine residents have won the award . since she has lived in the state. While it’s an honor to receive the award. she said, the quality of care in Maine is deserving of the real praise.

“People who are blind living in Maine are living with some award-winning services,” she said.

Bryn Keating can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 115 or bkeating@theforecaster.net.

 

 

Feature Story (November 2006)

Mind Alert Training

Participants enjoy the recent Mind Alert Training

On November 8, 2006, The Iris Network hosted a Mind Alert Training. The Iris Network was awarded a grant from the American Society on Aging (ASA) to offer this training. Cammy Holway-Moraros, a staff licensed Social Worker and a member of ASA, was instrumental in writing the proposal for this training, developing the literature / registration forms and coordinating the logistics of this successful day long training. The Iris Network worked in conjunction with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Partnership for Healthy Aging and Bureau of Elder and Adult Services.

Did you know that, “Only one in 10 Americans set brain health at the top or in second place as the most important health issue for people their age?”*

“Many scientists now regard the human brain ‘to be a highly dynamic and constantly reorganizing system capable of being shaped positively across the entire lifespan.”* ASA, Aging Today, publication volume XXVII,No.5

Eighteen Elders and eighteen professionals from various organizations that provide services to/programming for Elders gathered here to learn more about how to keep their brain’s healthy. One way is through, “Creative Engagement for the Heart and Mind.” The guest speaker, Susan Willerman from, Elders Share the Arts, Brooklyn, NY taught us creative strategies that can improve the quality of life at any age, and any level of physical, emotional or cognitive functioning.

Those present enjoyed a day of learning, networking, brainstorming, fun and creative thinking.

“The group brainstorming was very helpful. Susan was a wonderful, positive facilitator and very supportive of group members. Lots to think about.” (A quote from a professional)

“I am convinced that it is up to each individual to realize that they must not give up using their skills because of poor eyesight. Life still has something to offer. (A quote from a 95 year old Elder participant)    

 

 

Feature Story (October 2006)

New Voting Machine Independent Voting to All

On November 7, 2006, for the first time in Maine history, all eligible citizens of Maine will be able to cast their ballots without any assistance, should they choose to do so. 

The Disability Rights Center (DRC), located in Augusta, has been working for several years on developing a voting machine that can be used totally independently.  Every polling site in Maine will be equipped with a phone that is specially designed to input the voter’s choices and send it to a fax that will print out the ballot once the person has finished voting.  All efforts have been made to keep the records confidential. 

What do you need to do to use the machine?

·        Register to vote – in Maine you can register at your polling place on the day of the election.  Bring proof of age and citizenship with you.

·        Inform the clerk that you want to use the accessible voting machine

·        The clerk will escort you to the booth and set up the phone so that it is set to take your ballot

·        Once the phone is set up, the clerk will leave you.  Instructions will be available by listening through the handset or through earphones.

·        Cast your ballot, print it out and bring it to the people collecting ballots from everyone else. 

A few weeks before the election, The DRC will be setting up the ability to practice through your own phone.  For more information, you can contact the DRC directly by calling 1-800-452-1948 (voice and TTY), or www.drcme.org or e-mailing them at advocate@drcme.org. 

By the way, you do not need to have a disability to use this machine.  You can also still chose to have the person of your choice assist you in filling out a regular ballot.

 

 

Feature Story (September 2006)

Please join us in celebrating our

10th White Cane Awareness Walk

 

Saturday October 14, 2006
 

Be a Part of History Gather Pledges   Gather a Corporate Team for more pledges   Walk with friends, family, or co-workers It’s Easy! It’s Fun!

Help make a difference in the lives of individuals who are visually impaired or blind.

White Cane, Guide Dog, & Sighted Walkers are all welcomed and encouraged!

Registration 9:15 AM
Walk 10:00 AM

Portland – Back Cove
Begins across from Hannaford
Supermarket, Preble Street
Extension, Baxter Boulevard.

Join us for Walk After-Party with food and prizes!

 
For more information on registration, click the following link www.theiris.org/whitecanewalk.htm

or call Alison or Terri at 774-6273, email us at akeegan@theiris.org,  ttomchak@theiris.org 

 

Proceeds will help support
Maine AIRS, The Iris
Network’s Audio Information
and Reading Services.

The walk is designed to support independence for people who are experiencing vision loss and to enhance public awareness of Maine’s White Cane Law, enacted on September 18, 1999, requiring motorists to yield the right-of-way to persons using a white cane or guide dog.

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Feature Story (August 2006)

Montress Kenniston, Licensed Social Worker and Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Montress Kenniston has just celebrated 25 years of employment with The Iris Network.  Her dedication and expertise have been evident for a long time to staff and to hundreds of our clients who live in York County.

Hired as our York County Social Worker in 1981, she has often been the first staff person to meet with our clients.  Listening to an individual’s needs and connecting them to appropriate services is the focus of this position. Often the services are to other members of The Iris Network team, and sometimes may include resources in their communities or in other parts of Maine.

In 1997, Montress decided to get a second degree as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT).  Since then, in addition to social work services, she has been teaching people how to use adaptive skills in order to stay independent within their homes.  Skills might include setting the stove and dials, use of large print as both a reading and writing tool, use of Braille, changing the lighting in a person’s home, learning to match clothes, learning to sew on a button, resuming old hobbies, and much, much more.  Montress’ personal interest in art has allowed her to work with artists who are visually impaired to allow them to resume this interest. 

When asked what she appreciates about her work she said, “I love the variety of people I meet.  I am always impressed by the resilience of people to recoup from a serious loss such as vision impairment.  I love being part of an important process in another person’s life.  I love the opportunity for creativity and problem solving that presents itself in my job as a VRT.”

Congratulations to Montress on 25 years dedicating herself to our mission.

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Feature Story (July 2006)

CYNTHIA LAMBERTON, BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR, NAMED OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPIST OF MAINE 

Cynthia Lamberton, Chair of the Iris Network’s Board of Directors, was recently named Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of Maine by the Northern New England (NNE) Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

 

Cynthia’s partnership with people who are visually impaired and blind began 25 years ago with her work for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  She and her family raised 18 puppies from seven weeks to their in-for-training date.  She also harbored two broods of guide dogs for the breeding center and whelped and raised 42 pups from birth to seven-week placement.  She was an Area Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and during her tenure the number of puppies raised for the program went from 12 to 35.

 

Robert Caldwell, President of the AFP-NNE, said that the committee looked at a “robust group of nominations of many worthy philanthropists.”    However, he stated, “I believe what set Cynthia apart from all the others was that she doesn’t just give of her time to support the Iris Network, but she lives it at a level that those who use guide dogs every day can appreciate.  It is the true spirit of philanthropy.”

 

Cynthia has been a major financial contributor of the Iris Network for several years.  She has also given to the Sexual Assault Support Services of Mid-Coast Maine, Day One Youth Outreach Program in Portland, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Maine Humanities Council, the Maine Women’s Fund and other local, national, and international philanthropies.  In addition to serving as Chairperson of the Iris Network’s Board of Directors, Cynthia has been volunteering as a hot-line advocate for Sexual Assault Support Services of Mid-Coast Maine for the past four years.  Cynthia currently resides in Harpswell, Maine.

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