News & Events

Living with GRACE January 2012 Newsletter

Living with GRACE
January 2012 Newsletter

The staff at The Iris Network is wishing you all a happy new year and hoping that you are all staying warm and healthy with this relatively easy winter we are having.

Here’s some news and information we hope you will find interesting and helpful:

LD 765 Update: Most of you have heard that The Iris Network is sponsoring legislation known as LD 765 that will increase the number of professionals statewide to provide direct services to people with vision loss. This bill will have been heard by the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee by the time you get this newsletter, but it is not too late to call your state senator and/or... Continue Reading

Phone Activity Line

We are instituting a new activities phone number. You are now able to call 518-5060 or 1-800-715-0097 x3360 and listen to a recording about upcoming events. You will also be able to leave us a message saying which events you want to attend and enter a periodic contest. We will change the message at the beginning of every month and give you information for that month. As this service grows, we will do it more often. If you would like you can try the number now.

The annual youth and adult writing contests

The annual youth and adult writing contests sponsored by the Writers’ Division of the NFB will open January 1st and will close April 1st.

Adult contests, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and stories for youth are open to all entrants eighteen years and over.

The Youth Writing Contest, poetry and fiction, are to promote Braille literacy and excellence in creative writing. Entries will be judged on creativity and quality of Braille. The age groups for these authors is divided into grade levels: Elementary, Middle and High School.

Prizes for contest winners range up to $100 for adult categories and up to $30 for youth categories.

All contest winners will be announced at the Writers’... Continue Reading

Jitterbug Customers can now receive medication reminders

Jitterbug Customers can now receive medication reminders:

GreatCall, the makers of the Jitterbug cell phone recently announced their new Medication Reminders service.  This service is available to Jitterbug customers for an additional $5.00 per month. That's a 50% savings off the current monthly fee.  But hurry, this offer ends soon!

The customer will submit a list of medications, times to be taken and renewal dates.  An operator will call the customer when it is time to take a pill.  The name of the medication, how many pills, etc., will be relayed.  If the person doesn't answer the phone, or contact cannot be made, that will also be recorded.  Prescription refills can also be... Continue Reading

Independence With Out Fear

Independence With Out Fear

The Iris Network, the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened, the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department, Helen Keller National Center and consumers have been meeting for over a year to develop a Support Service Provider (SSP) Program for people, in the State of Maine, who are deaf-blind/dual sensory impaired. This program has been named, "Independence With Out Fear."  The mission of this program is to recruit, train and maintain a database of specially trained volunteers who can facilitate communication for people with significant vision and hearing impairments.

People with dual... Continue Reading

Fall 2011 Newsletter

Summer / Fall 2011

Potter Gets Her Life Back

Melody Bonnema

Melody and her husband have owned a pottery studio in Bethel, Maine, adjacent to their home, since 1974. Approximately three and a half years ago, Melody, a potter since 1969, was involved in a serious car accident that drastically changed and disrupted her life. She suffered traumatic brain injury with numerous other complications. Emerging from a coma and having to deal with the many injuries, the re-training and challenges brought upon her due to the accident was not an easy road. Also, Melody was faced with yet another adversity – increased pressure inside the brain from trauma causing double vision in her left eye known... Continue Reading

York County Demo Day

Resource and Demonstration Day for People with Vision Loss

Where:    York County Community College, Wells, Maine
When:     October 6, 2011
Time:       11:30 – 5:30 Open House
Cost:       Admission is free. Lunch and beverages are available for purchase.
What:      Come and learn about new products and services for people who are visually impaired/blind.  Attend sessions on:  The iPhone, iPod, digital audio books and telecommunications equipment. 

There will be a raffle and some give-aways.

Here’s who has confirmed:

• The Iris Network: Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Access Technology and Employment Services, Community Connections, The Low Vision Clinic and
... Continue Reading

Growing up is all about experience

Jacob is a typical high school student – he loves sports, music and school dances. Like most high school students, he wanted a summer job to earn some money of his own and to get some work experience for the future. In this tough economy, many young people are having a hard time finding work, particularly students like Jacob who have total blindness.

Judy Wolfe, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor at the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), knew Jacob needed some assistance in finding a summer job. Judy referred him to the Job Training Project at The Iris Network. "Summer jobs are so important in helping us all learn what we like and don't like in the work world. I... Continue Reading

Maine AIRS brings newspaper stories to vision-impaired

John Steadman, a resident of Robbinston who gradually began to lose his vision as he grew older, has been listening to an audio broadcast program of local, regional and statewide newspaper articles through Maine AIRS for two years now. "As long as it's on the air, it's on in the house," he says.

Gubernatorial Candidate's Forum

Gubernatorial Candidate's Forum - Sponsored by the Disability Rights Center

SAVE THE DATE! September 22nd, 2010. This will be held at Hill Mansion in Augusta at 12:00 noon.
Confirmed candidates include Elliot Cutler, Paul LePage and Libby Mitchell.

In preparation for this forum, The Iris Network will be holding a pre-forum discussion groups at 11:00 a.m. on September 8th in Portland and on September 9th in Bangor. This discussion will cover the delivery of vision rehabilitation services throughout the state of Maine as well as educational services provided for children who are blind or visually impaired. The next governor can impact how these services are delivered either positively or... Continue Reading