The showroom “Bonnema” 146 Main Street,Bethel, ME is filled with colorful stoneware and great porcelain pottery. Visit their website at www.bonnemapotters.com

Walk This Way!

Grand Marshall
Bob Crowley, Winner of TV Show “Survivor”

October brings moderate temps, beautiful foliage and the 16^th annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

We have many exciting improvements for this year's walk; first and foremost is a slight change of venue, as our kickoff and finish line will be in Monument Square, where there will be live music, free food, and refreshments for all our walkers, along with lively and informative activities and demonstrations.

This year's route (1.1 mile) will take hundreds of walkers up Congress Street to the Museum, left on High Street, left on Spring Street down to the center of the Old Port at the Exchange Street intersection. From there we'll all head back up to Congress and onto Monument Square.

The Walk is our premier event and a key fundraiser for The Iris Network -- raising dollars to support important programs and services like Low Vision Services, Rehabilitation Services, Maine AIRS - a broadcast reading service, Resident Support Services at Iris Park Apartments and Access Technology and Employment Services, so maximizing attendance and participation at this fun filled occasion is important

• Did you know one in three people in the US will experience significant vision loss in their lifetime?
• Did you know more than 100,000 Mainers have trouble seeing even with corrective devices?
• And did you know 40,000 Mainers can benefit from the services offered by The Iris Network – and that number is expected to double during the next decade!

So what can you do? Well first, save the date and circle October 15^th on your calendar! Then tell everyone you know to sign up and join in the fun! It's critical that we increase support, and best of all, it's easy. Here's how: Call 207-774-6273 and ask for Terri, or go online at www.events.org/WhiteCaneWalk2011.

Our mission is to help people who are blind or visually impaired attain independence and community integration. Your involvement in this walk helps raise awareness, but as importantly, the money you raise moves us a few steps closer to fulfilling our mission.

New Initiative

Access Technology and Employment Service

The Iris Network is committed to full integration for persons with blindness and low vision into society – and that includes accessible computers, cell phones, and a good job that pays a livable wage. Jim Phipps, Executive Director stated “When I was hired as Executive Director, the Board of Directors made it clear that a priority for me was to develop a computer access program at the Iris Network, and to bring back an employment service, absent since the Industries Program closed in the late 90’s. I am pleased to announce that the Iris Network has done both!”

The Access Technology and Employment Service (ATES pronounced At Ease) began July 1, 2011and offers a full range of computer access and employment services to southern Maine residents with vision loss. The Iris Network is re-tooling the large conference room in the Ryan Building with five work stations similar in size and configuration to what you will find in the business world and equipped with accessible PC’s and Apple computers. Individual and class instruction will offer basic computer usage, Word, Excel and more advanced business applications. Bonnie Gouzie, ATES coordinator, and Steve Kelley, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT), are the technology instructors and are very excited to launch this initiative. Gouzie reported, “As soon as the computer lab is completed, we will be ready to teach people to use and be comfortable with computers and the large print and speech access they need.” Steve Kelley, CVRT knows that technology is a broad topic and he is preparing classes on note takers, IPAD2, accessible cell phones and a growing list of devices.

Bonnie Gouzie coordinates the ATES Program and teaches access technology in the computer lab and in Southern Maine businesses. “People with visual impairment work in many different settings and need to use technology to perform their jobs. I enjoy teaching them how to use technology to get the job done,” said Gouzie.

In the Employment Service portion of ATES, Susan Anderson, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, works to connect job seekers and employers for a job, a work experience or to help retain a good employee who is developing vision loss. According to Ms. Anderson, “Companies want to fill openings with the best qualified individual and need help in understanding that a person with vision loss just might be the best candidate. With some company education and simple modifications to the job, it can be a match.” ATES also offers job analysis, job coaching and classes with employment related topics.

For more information, contact The Iris Network at 774-6273.

 Technology Update

There are a variety of new electronic devices available that allow users to read in a more customized way. E-Readers such as the Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Kobo, to name a few, enable users to download books from the Internet, copy digital books from their computer to read on the go, and in some cases, listen to the books. In addition to the e-readers, many other devices such as the Apple iPad and other tablet computers, and some smart phones such as the iPhone and Android phones, may also have e-reader software for reading digital books.

Because of the wide variety of options, it may be difficult to identify which is the right device for you! When considering the selection of an appropriate e-reader some of the variables to consider include: cost; size of the text on the e-reader; text-to-speech (can the e-reader read the book to you!); weight; and the types of book and/or periodicals you are most interested in.

For more information on e-readers click on the following link http://www.theiris.org/news/71/53/Amazon-Kindle-Accessibility or call Steve Kelley at 774-6273 or skelley@theiris.org

The Iris Network Golf Classic a Success

Lead Sponsor Golf Cart Sponsor

Shirt Sponsor Dinner Sponsor

The 13th Iris Network Golf Classic was held on June 13th at the Woodlands Golf Club in Falmouth raising nearly $26,000 in gross revenues. Proceeds will help continue our important work and ensure the continuation of services and, most importantly, help individuals learn to cope with the challenges of visual impairment.

102 golfers had an enjoyable day of golf, an opportunity to spend the day with friends and make new friends while having fun and supporting a good cause. At the end of the day, golfers were able to relax and treated to a great barbeque dinner followed by a short presentation and award ceremony.

Our Sincere Thanks!

Special thanks to our volunteers, sponsors, prize donors and all the participants for supporting our golf classic!

Hole Sponsors: Anthony Ackerman, Avesta Housing, Baker Newman & Noyes, Baxter Title Company, Bernie Thibodeau’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Berry Dunn, Bruen Family, Clyde Ricker, GHM Agency Insurance, Haley’s Tire & Auto Center, Healey & Associates, IKNO Intranet, LLC, Johnston Associates “ Health & Human Services Consulting”, Macdonaldpage & Co., LLC, Northeast Delta Dental, Norway Savings Bank, Olympia Sports, Pinnacle Window Solutions, Preti Flaherty, Ram Trust Services, Re/Max by the Bay “ David Banks Team” Portland, Tab Office Systems, The Creative Companies, TruChoice Federal Credit Union, and Unum.

Prizes and inkind gift donors: Bruce Roullard, Fox Ridge Golf Club, Gritty’s, Hannaford, Leonardo’s Pizza, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Oakhurst Dairy, Olympia Sports, Portland Sea Dogs, Silly’s and The Great Lost Bear.

Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Recognized

Congratulations to Linda Hunt, Iris Network Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, for winning the Award for Excellence in Direct Service to Adults at the recent regional conference. The event, held at Boston Park Plaza, was hosted by the Northeast Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NE/AER).

Linda was named the recipient of this prestigious award for her exemplary work in the field of vision rehabilitation and for her outstanding personal commitment to people who are blind or visually impaired.

Montress Kenniston, Iris Network Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist said, “As the sole representative of The Iris Network in a large section of rural Maine, Linda commands the respect of everyone she works with, including her colleagues, other community service providers, the families and friends of the consumers she works with and, of course, the recipients of her Vision Rehabilitation Therapy services. Her ability to assess an individual’s needs and capabilities holistically and design an appropriate, personalized VRT program is superb. I believe Linda’s collaborative spirit and outgoing personality have improved the lives of hundreds of individuals with vision loss who live in rural Maine.”

Linda provides Vision Rehabilitation Therapy services to clients in their homes and covers the Down East area including Waldo and Knox counties and, parts of Penobscot county. Coretta Cooper, an Orientation & Mobility Instructor from the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, who shares the territory with Linda added, “She is skilled in the latest technology and connects with college-bound students making sure they have what they need to succeed. At the same time she knows all about the tried and true low-tech adaptations to help seniors manage their homes safely and independently. Maine is lucky to have her.”

In addition, The Iris Network’s entire Vision Rehabilitation Services Department was awarded the Team Award at the same conference. The award recognized the work of our Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, Social Workers, Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Personal Adjustment Counselors who work statewide yet still find ways to support each other across the vast territory while delivering quality services to consumers on a daily basis.

Congratulations to everyone on the team

Consider Living with Us!

Iris Park Apartments, located on the Portland Iris Network campus, seeks to build a waiting list of applicants who meet the blind or visually impaired preference to fill any apartments that become available.

There are currently no openings, but vacancies are filled from a waiting list on a first come, first served basis with priority given to applicants with vision loss. Iris Park Apartments is a low income property with one and two bedroom units managed by Avesta Housing. Iris Park Apartments are not subsidized apartments, but subsidies such as Section 8 are accepted. Residential Support Services are provided by The Iris Network. If you would like an application, more information or a tour, please contact Emily Barker at The Iris Network. More information is also available at www.theiris.org