Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  Contact: Rick Dressler
December 3, 2014                                                                                           (515) 255-8033

WHEN:            Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 1:30 p.m. for lunch, 3:45 p.m. for movie

WHERE:           Mineral City Restaurant, 2621 5th Ave South, Fort Dodge
                          Fort 8 Theatres, 1417 Central Av, Fort Dodge

A publication of the Iowa Department of Human Services, developed under contract by the Center for Disabilities and Development, introduces eighteen Iowa entrepreneurs. Three of these individuals are former Iowa Department for the Blind clients.

An excellent Iowa Public Radio (IPR) profile of  Dr. Timothy Schmidt, IDB client, advocate, and concert pianist, was aired this week on IPR. Dr. Schmidt gave a  jaw-dropping musical performance with his daughter Marie at IDB's White Cane Safety Day Open House on Wednesday, October 15. Rob Dillard, reporter for IPR and producer of Being in Iowa, attended the event, caught the Schmidt's concert, and conducted an interview. Listen to "A Concert Pianist Adapts to Blindness" online on IPR's web site.

Kim Chase, Des Moines radio personality and host of Inside Iowa, sat down with Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Director Richard Sorey Tuesday,  October 21, 2014  to talk about White Cane Safety Day 2014, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October), and The Iowa Department for the Blind and its services. Listen to the 24 minute interview.

P R O C L A M A T I O N

WHEREAS, WE, THE CITY OF DES MOINES, RECOGNIZE THAT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EQUALITY, OPPORTUNITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND FREEDOM; AND

WHEREAS, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR CITIZENS WHO ARE BLIND OR OTHERWISE DISABLED POSSESS THE SAME RIGHTS AS THEY PURSUE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AND FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THIS COMMUNITY; AND

Meet IDB's newest staff member, Helen Stevens. She has been hired as the Rehabilitation Technology Specialist for the Independent Living program. Helen has worked for Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota since January of 2013. She provided students with training in the areas of adaptive technology as well as Braille and she also served as the Network Administrator.

The American Foundation for the Blind’s VisionAware web site features an article submitted by the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) about the department's ongoing iOS training program. You may read the article at http://bit.ly/1q7LXHU.

Here is updated information regarding the Currency Reader Project and a change in how the currency readers can be ordered.

As of January 2, 2015, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) Currency Reader project will be open to all citizens/legal residents of the United States who are unable to read regular print because of blindness or a visual impairment meeting the eligibility requirements.