Harmony Café
Eat out & join us for Great Music, Dessert and Coffee only… $5.00
A Coffee House sponsored by GEM Adult Day Services, Inc and the Nags Head Lions Club Continues begin their monthly Open Mic Night series Friday July 11 at 7pm at His Dream Center, 205 Baltic St in Nags Head with featured artists Nick Hodsden noted baritone, guitarist and songwriter & Angelo Sonnesso, tenor and keyboardist.
Compete for the “Peoples Choice Award” the winner receives a tee shirt.
Coffee, supplied by Southern Bean owner Eric Gardner, and delicious homemade treats (supplied by Lions Club and GEM members) will be available for a $5 donation.
This coffee house will be the fourth of our monthly series, held on the 2nd Friday of the month. Those interested in signing up for the open Mic may call Angelo at 202-1190 to reserve a time slot for the evening. Walk-ins are welcome.
Proceeds from the coffee house will support the Nags Head Lions Club in their projects providing services for children and adults with visual problems and GEM’s programs supporting Dare County citizens with dementia and their care givers.
For more information about the GEM’s Harmony Café call Gail Sonnesso at 480-3354.
Gail E Sonnesso M.S.
Executive Director
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Harmony Café
Monday, June 30, 2008
FW: Accessible Devices Recently Released: Web Anywhere
This is all the information we currently have about this.
The University of Washington has issued the following announcement:
Online service lets blind surf the Internet from any computer, anywhere
Visions of future technology don't involve being chained to a desktop
machine. People move from home computers to work computers to mobile
devices; public kiosks pop up in libraries, schools and hotels; and
people increasingly store everything from e-mail to spreadsheets on the
Web. But for the roughly 10 million people in the United States who are
blind or visually impaired, using a computer has, so far, required
special screen-reading software typically installed only on their own
machines. New software, called WebAnywhere, launched today lets blind
and visually impaired people surf the Web on the go. T he tool developed
at the University of Washington turns screen-reading into an Internet
service that reads aloud Web text on any computer with speakers or a
headphone connection. "This is for situations where someone who's blind
can't use their own computer but still wants access to the Internet. At
a museum, at a library, at a public kiosk, at a friend's house, at the
airport," said Richard Ladner, a UW professor of computer science and
engineering. The free program and both audio and video demonstrations
are at: http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu
Ladner will demonstrate the tool next week in Dallas at the National
Federation of the Blind's annual convention. WebAnywhere was developed
under Ladner's supervision by Jeffrey Bigham, a UW doctoral student in
computer science and engineering. The research was funded by the
National Science Foundation. Free screen readers already exist, as do
sophisticated commercial programs. But all must be installed on a
machine before being used. This is the first accessibility tool hosted
on the Web, meaning it doesn't have to be downloaded onto a computer. It
processes the text on an external server and then sends the audio file
to play in the user's Web browser. "You don't have to install new
software. So even if you go to a heavily locked-down computer, say at a
library, you can still use it," Bigham said. In May, Bigham was named
the winner of the Accessible Technology Award for Interface Design for
the Imagine Cup, a student programming contest sponsored by Microsoft
Corp. The prize comes with $8,000 and a trip to Paris in early July. For
the past month WebAnywhere has been available on request. Bigham said
he's received inquiries from librarians who would like to make all their
machines accessible on a limited budget. He's also had interest from
teachers who struggle to find the time to locate free software, get
permission to install it on a school computer and then maintain the
program so that a single computer is accessible to a visually impaired
student. This software would make any computer in the lab instantly
accessible for Internet tasks. The Web-based service also eliminates the
need for local technical support: there is no software to install or
update because each time a person visits the site he or she gets the
latest version. To test the software, researchers had people use the
tool to do three things typically done at public machines: check e-mail,
look up a bus schedule and search for a restaurant's phone number.
People using WebAnywhere were able to successfully complete all three
tasks, using a variety of machines and Internet connections. Like other
screen readers, WebAnywhere converts written text to an electronically
generated voice. So far the system works only in English. But the source
code was released a few weeks ago and a Web developer in China has
expressed interest in developing a Chinese version. The UW team plans to
create updates that will allow users to change the speed at which the
text is read aloud and add other popular features found in existing
screen readers. The service is currently hosted on a server at the UW
campus. Bigham is also working with Benetech, a Palo Alto, Calif.,
technology nonprofit that distributes free electronic books, to make its
collection of more than 30,000 books accessible to blind users without
them having to install any screen-reading software. He believes this
could be the first of many Web-based accessibility tools. "Traditional
desktop tools such as e-mail, word processors and spreadsheets are
moving to the Web," Bigham said. "Access technology, which currently
runs only on the desktop, needs to follow suit." Ken Pope
Angelo Sonnesso M.A. M.S.
Social Worker for the Blind
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Taking away the keys is a difficult choice
forward
to family members, friends and colleagues who might like to receive this news update.
Families also face a tough decision when to take away the keys.
possible.
of a 13-year-old girl caring for her mother with Alzheimer's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion
of brain health. Learn more at
www.alz.org/.
here.
Monday, May 12, 2008
six red hot tips to get your articles read
There are many people who dread having to write papers or articles. Many
just feel like it seems to be too much work and it all just goes to waste
when no one reads it. To some people, reading articles seems like work
especially if the article is boring and very bland.
Well, articles are supposed to be read, that's their purpose to impart your
message and information. If it is not read then it is a waste of time and
effort.
But all the same, articles have to be written to be read. It's just a matter
of making them good. Making a good article doesn't have to be strenuous and
straining. There are just some points needed to be reminded of, and some
guides to follow.
Once you get the hang of it, writing articles could be fun, as well as
profitable for you and your site.
Of course, writing articles must be about something you know about, that's
why if you own a site, you probably are knowledgeable about that certain
topic and theme. When you write about it, you wont have a hard time because
you already know what it is and what it's about. It's just a matter of
making your articles creative and interesting.
To make sure that your articles get read and are enjoyed, here are six red
hot tips to get your articles read. These tips will make your articles
readable and interesting.
1) Use short paragraphs. When the paragraph are very long, the words get
jumbled in the mind of the reader just looking at it can get quite confusing
and too much of a hard work to read. The reader will just quickly disregard
the paragraph and move on to much easier reading articles that are good to
look at as well as read. Paragraphs can be a single sentence, sometimes even
a single word!
2) Make use of numbers or bullets. As each point is stressed out, numbers
and bullets can quickly make the point easy to remember and digest. As each
point, tip, guide or method is started with a bullet or point, readers will
know that this is where the tips start and getting stressed. Format you
bullets and numbers with indentations so that your4 article wont look like a
single block of square paragraphs. Add a little bit of flair and pizzazz to
your articles shape.
3) Use Sub-headings to sub-divide your paragraphs in the page. Doing this
will break each point into sections but still would be incorporated into one
whole article. It would also be easy for the reader to move on from one
point to another; the transition would be smooth and easy. You will never
lose your readers attention as well as the point and direction to where the
article is pointing.
4) Provide a good attention-grabbing title or header. If your title can
entice a persons curiosity you're already halfway in getting a person to
read your article. Use statements and questions that utilize keywords that
people are looking for. Provide titles or headers that describe your
articles content but should also be short and concise.
Use titles like, Tips on making her want you more, or How to make her swoon
and blush .You could also use titles that can command people, for example,
Make her yours in six easy Ways. These types of titles reach out to a
persons emotions and makes them interested.
5) Keep them interested from the start to the finish. From your opening
paragraph, use real life situations that can be adopted by the reader. Use
good descriptions and metaphors to drive in your point, just don't over do
it. Driving your examples with graphic metaphors and similes would make it
easy for them to imagine what you are talking about. Making the experience
pleasurable and enjoyable for them.
6) Utilize figures when necessary and not just ordinary and insipid
statements. Using specific facts and figures can heighten your article
because it makes it authoritative. But do not make it too formal, it should
be light and easy in them and flow. Like a friendly teacher having a little
chat with an eager student.
Well there you have 6 ways to get articles read and send more traffic to
your website or blog. For other ways to send targeted traffic to your sites
please visit: http://TrafficTransformer.com
(This article can be used on your own blog or website just make sure to
include a reference to this page or MarkFlavinBlog.com)
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Harmony Café
Harmony
Café
Harmony Café an evening of music, coffee, tea and desserts continues our
monthly Music and Open Mic Night series May 9 Friday 7pm at His Dream
Center, 205 Baltic St in Nags Head with featured artist Jim Kelly. Jim has
shared his music with GEM participants and our GEM family and his easy down
home county style combined with gospel and a little bit of Rock and roll is
a crowd pleaser. Join us for dessert and coffee and some great music.
Our April café with headliner Kim Kalman was well attended and the musicians
commented how great it was to be actually listened to by the audience. Guest
appearances by Ellen Berg, Capt Rick, Nick Hodgen and Angelo Sonnesso
offered a variety of musical styles to the evening.
Coffee, supplied by Southern Bean owner Eric Gardner, and delicious homemade
treats (supplied by Lions Club and GEM members) will be available for a $5
donation. Games such as checkers and dominos will be available. Thanks to
generous business owners and club members we have some wonderful raffle
items.
This coffee house is the second of our monthly series, held on the 2nd
Friday of the month. Those interested in signing up for the open mic may
call Angelo at 202-1190 to reserve a time slot for the evening. Walk-ins are
welcome.
Proceeds from harmony Café will support the Nags Head Lions Club in their
projects providing services for children and adults with visual problems and
GEM's programs supporting Dare County citizens with dementia and their care
givers.
For more information about the GEM Coffee House call Gail Sonnesso at
252-480-3354.
Nags Head Lions Club
Angelo Sonnesso
252-202-1190
Angelo@angelomuisc.com
GEM Adult Day Services Inc.
Gail Sonnesso
252-480-3354
gemdayservices.org
Angelo Sonnesso M.A. M.S.
Social Worker for the Blind
Harmony Café.doc press release 4 28 08.doc
Harmony Café
Date: Friday May 9th
Time: 7 -9pm
Place: His Dream Center 205 S. Baltic St.
Nags Head NC
Contact: Gail Sonnesso 252-480-3354
Thank you ,
Gail E Sonnesso M.S.
Executive Director
GEM Adult Day Services Inc.
Where group Respite is therapeutic for both our participants, and their
families.
(252) 480-3354
http://www.gemdayservices.org
Friday, April 25, 2008
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION MUST ACCOMMODATE BLIND
BENEFICIARIES Colleagues,
go
out to all of your press release outlets immediately , ASAP!! It should
go out to newspapers, radio
stations, and tv stations in your area exactly as it is written, no
editing, no changes. This is a huge announcement and a major ruling that
benefits nearly all blind people in the United States and another victory
for ACB!! I'll send it in Word to anyone who wishes it when I get it.
Julia Epstein, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, (510)
644-2555 (x. 241), jepstein@dredf.org
wondie.russell@hellerehrman.com Ron Milliman, American Council of the
Blind, rmilliman@insightbb.com
BENEFICIARIES
William Alsup of the US District Court for the Northern District of
California ruled that the US Social Security Administration (SSA) must
accommodate the real and legitimate needs of people with visual
impairments who receive benefits from SSA. The agency is required
under the Rehabilitation Act and the due process clause, the ruling
states, to provide communications in formats that are accessible to
these beneficiaries.
federal
court in 2005 by the American Council of the Blind and a group of
individuals who are blind or have visual impairments filed a class action
lawsuit against SSA, alleging that the agency fails to provide the most
basic accommodations to its blind and visually impaired applicants and
beneficiaries. To this day, the SSA communicates with blind and visually
impaired applicants and beneficiaries in standard 12 point font print that
they cannot read, and is unwilling to provide meaningful communication in
alternative formats such as Braille, audio, large font or electronic text.
"In the 21st century there is no reasonable explanation or excuse for the
SSA to continue to ignore the needs and rights of the blind population,
and
we are committed to bringing about the necessary changes," explained
Wondie
Russell of Heller Ehrman LLP, an attorney for plaintiffs. "This decision
has now set us on the path to securing reasonable accommodations."
the jurisdiction of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
which requires bars discrimination on the basis of disability in
federal programs, including removing communication barriers by
providing "auxiliary aids" that allow persons with disabilities an
equal opportunity to participate. "The callousness of SSA's adamant
insistence that sending notices that our clients cannot read was not
lost on the judge," said Arlene Mayerson, Directing Attorney for
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), and an attorney
for plaintiffs. "It is amazing that something that is clear to
anyone, that sending a standard print notice to a blind individual
denies due process, would end up in federal court."
is long past time that the Social Security Administration - which
assists tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired persons - is
held to account for its stubborn unwillingness to adhere to a statute
that is 35 years old.
There is no excuse in this day and age of easy access to printers with the
capability for producing large type, and braille printers for SSA to
violate the Rehabilitation Act and I applaud this ruling."
SSA's failure to give them effective notice of its actions. "Imagine
receiving a phone call from the bank that your checks are bouncing and
fees are mounting," suggests American Council of the Blind Executive
Director Melanie Brunson.
and Defense Fund, Heller Ehrman LLP, the Oregon Advocacy Center, and
the National Senior Citizens Law Center.
