DIALOGUE Cover Give Direct with confidence

Blindskills, Inc.
Welcome to a place where you can find answers and solutions !

P.O. Box 5181     Salem, OR 97304-0181
Phone: toll-free 800.860.4224   or   503.581.4224
Fax: 503.581.0178
E-mail: info@blindskills.com

We publish  DIALOGUE magazine 
A World of Ideas for Visually Impaired People of All Ages



As 2009 came to an end, we began to hear from people who wondered if Blindskills was closing up shop along with the Oregon School for the Blind. The short answer is: NO INDEED! The school's closure actually makes our mission more vital than ever. An article explaining the true situation was prepared for publication in the Salem, Oregon, Statesman-Journal newspaper, where portions were published on December 26, 2009.

Highlights from the November-December DIALOGUE:

Connections by B.T. Kimbrough School's Out
Lessons Learned from the Closing of the Oregon School for the Blind

Winning the Braille War by Michael Eusanio, Merrick, New York

"The Tradition:" On Air with Terry Wood by Empish J. Thomas, Lithonia, Georgia

WHAT'S NEW AND WHERE TO GET IT (November-December)

Highlights from the September-October DIALOGUE:

Connections by B.T. Kimbrough
DIALOGUE Returns to Its Roots as a Quarterly

Navigating the Dreaded Cafeteria! by Rebecca Sherman, Seattle, Washington

Saved by a Nose by Mimi Winer, Wayland, Massachusetts

WHAT'S NEW AND WHERE TO GET IT (September-October)

Who We Are About DIALOGUE How To Order
When I Meet a Person Who is Blind, I Will ... Tips for Hospital Staff Members and Care givers Make A Donation
Other Publications Resources and Links Contact Us
Navigating with a Screen Reader Writer's Guidelines Where Do I Go From Here
News  Calendar Table of Contents
November-December, 2009
September-October, 2009

Shop Albertson's and help Blindskills!

If you're an Albertson's Preferred Card holder (free and easy to get), you can help Blindskills each week when you shop for groceries. Once you're signed up with your Preferred Card, go to the web site www.albertsons.com/cp/, enter your card number and phone number, and select Blindskills from the list of participating charities. The process takes about five minutes, and donations based on your shopping will help Blindskills every quarter--at no cost to you.

Blindskills, Inc. is a non profit 501(c)(3)corporation. It relies on donations from readers, friends and benefactors for funding. Federal ID # 93-0829936.

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Comment "I felt it was important to share how beneficial I found DIALOGUE magazine to be for me. I will admit that at first I was not sure the publication would have articles relating to me and my life situation; however, the more I read of each issue, the more it occurred to me that I would come to learn much from each issue--more than I ever thought I would realize! Particularly when I stopped being so narcissistic about the reasons for obtaining the magazine, it dawned on me that it would be advantageous to me to share the benefits of a DIALOGUE with others. I am now most grateful for the opportunity to express my joy at having such a rich and forward-thinking publication available to me, but you can be sure I will be sharing the wealth!"


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A young mother has just learned that her baby has an eye disease that will ultimately result in blindness. She has heard about Blindskills, calls and requests information on how-to techniques and available resources.

Elsewhere, a computer programmer's aging mother is diagnosed with macular degeneration. He searches the Web for information regarding the various facets of the disease and the possibility of assistive aids. He finds the Blindskills Web site and contacted us.

Although the young mother and the computer programmer look for answers in different ways, they share a common information resource. Both of them find help from Blindskills, Inc.

If you or someone you know began to lose vision, what would you do and to whom would you turn for help?

Blindskills, Inc., an Oregon-based nonprofit corporation since 1983, distributes information to visually impaired people and their families. It provides this service in many ways.
  • In the past year, Blindskills, Inc. assisted over 2000 individuals who contacted its staff via the toll-free number, which can be reached from anywhere in the United States and Canada.

  • It maintains this Web site with hundreds of links to organizations and services for visually impaired people.

  • Blindskills publishes DIALOGUE, a quarterly magazine primarily written by and for visually impaired people. DIALOGUE is available in four formats: large print, cassette, braille and via e-mail. Its content includes information on adapting to life with low vision, techniques of daily living, career interviews, recreation and sports, technology tips and reviews, and descriptions of new products and services designed for visually impaired people.

  • Other publications include:

  • Blindskills sponsors a monthly local support group for people who are experiencing vision loss. Staff members can provide assistance to others interested in starting such support groups in their communities.

  • Blindskills, Inc. will assist visually impaired people of all ages to obtain the information, services, and products they need to adapt to living with vision loss.
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