Legislative Hotlines, current issues for blind persons:
CALIFORNIA CONNECTION:
800-221-6359, after 5 PM and weekends
WASHINGTON CONNECTION:
800-424-8666, 3-9 PM and weekends
DISCLAIMER: This publication contains announcements from the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind and is also a forum for opinions relating to blindness issues. Signed articles reflect the views, and research, of their authors.
STATUS: SVCB is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization under the California Council of the Blind.
Monthly in-person meetings are held at the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center (Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired San Jose). Meetings run from 9:30 AM to 1 PM the third Saturday of the month and are open to all.
The month of May has been transformative for me in my career, so I want to share the journey with all of you. At the end of April, I was contacted by a recruiter for a significant nonprofit in Santa Clara for a position they had available. The organization is LifeMoves, and they provide interim housing and services for the unhoused, and provide a path for housing and so much more. I decided to respond to learn more and gain the experience of learning about another nonprofit. In my first conversation with the recruiter, I explained I am blind, and would appreciate it if she shared that with the hiring manager. I told the recruiter that I have been working as a blind individual for many years and have the tools and techniques to succeed, and yet if they had any reservations, no harm or foul. As it turns out, my blindness was never an issue.
I met with the hiring manager, and then in person with the team that I would be managing, and finally a presentation to the VP Development team of six. Throughout the process, I was transparent about my accomplishments and challenges.
What is remarkable is that over 80 people applied, and after the first interview with my new manager, the recruiter advised me I was the number one candidate.
It is bittersweet to leave Vista Center, an organization that I have had in my life for 22 years, first as a client, then as a manager, and finally as a member of the Leadership Team. I have also been the spokesperson for the amazing work Vista Center accomplishes as partners with our clients.
So my friends, no retirement for me! I will be embarking on a new journey, and although I have some apprehensions about learning and adapting, I have received nothing but support and positive messaging from my new employer and from my fellow Vista Center staff and the Board of Directors. When we meet in June, I will have joined LifeMoves, and will share with you the news.
So the message is, we never know what life will bring us, and it is up to us to decide to say yes to opportunities presented to us!
"Well, Master, you haven't been doin' so well these days. Gettin' kinda old, like scatter brained." Come on, King, give me a break! Sometimes it's hard dealing with pileups and forgetting stuff.
But I do apologize for the lateness of the May newsletter and the phonetree message. "That's quite all right. I heard from Omni that she didn't notice!"
Anyway, we hear that our president, Alice Turner, was recruited for a new job and has accepted. Good luck, Alice! And happy June birthdays to Ken Carey, Victor Clifford, Allen Jones, Alice Turner, Art Takahara, and Sandy Quenzer.
Don't forget the picnic. It's coming up in September on Saturday the 21st, at Martial Cottle Park, the Edith Lesser site. That's where we had it last year.
You can register for the picnic by coming to the June membership meeting and giving money to David Hoffman. The cost is $20 for SVCB and Vista Center members, and $25 for guests. You'll also want to tell David the meat choices you want. They are hamburger, vegie burger, or hot dogs. "I like all three, and I can get them! Sure beats kibble!"
We had a rather small attendance at the May membership meeting, but the program was excellent. It was mindfulness, living in the moment, and some techniques to do that. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift: that's why we call it the present."
Lastly, don't forget the membership meeting in October, with a presentation from the League of Women Voters, and afterwards the old-time-radio show presented by John Glass. It'll be an afternoon of fun and refreshment.
APH is recruiting field evaluators for the VR Cardinal, a GPS and book player in one device. We are looking for teachers and VI professionals with students/clients, middle school aged through adult, with availability to field test during July. If you are interested in field testing this product, please complete this application by June 24.
Selected field evaluators will receive a monetary incentive for successfully completing the field test by the August 2nd deadline.
-REAL ID Deadline Is On The Horizon: What You Need To Know In CA
Rachel Barnes and Nicole Rosenthal
The countdown is on for California residents who haven't gotten their REAL ID cards. After moving the deadline for getting the gold star required to board domestic flights and certain federal offices, Homeland Security officials set May 7, 2025, as the final date.
Individual states have specific requirements to get a REAL ID card. At a minimum, applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address of the principal residence, and lawful status.
To get a REAL ID in California, you must bring two proofs of residential address, one proof of identity document such as a passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card.
COVID-19 backlogs in state agencies charged with issuing driver's licenses and identification cards prompted the last REAL ID extension in late 2022. The original 2020 deadline to get REAL IDs had been extended multiple times because of the pandemic.
After May 7, 2025, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, will no longer accept identification that does not meet the new standards.
The REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition to the stars, REAL ID cards are built with technology that makes them more difficult to forge, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
California residents who don't plan to fly domestically or visit a federal office don't need to do anything. A REAL ID isn't required to get a driver's license. Also, the TSA won't require children under 18 to provide identification when they're traveling with an adult companion within the United States, but the companion must have acceptable identification.
A REAL ID is distinguishable from a regular California driver's license because it has the silhouette of a familiar bear in the upper right corner, along with a star. That's a shorthand way of saying a person's citizenship and legal residence status have been verified.
The REAL ID is not a substitute for a passport required for international travel, and it also does not affect the ability to vote or register to vote, applications for federal benefits, enter federal facilities that don't require identification, obtain medical care, or participate in police proceedings or investigations.
-ACB Convention Registration
A huge thank-you to JP Morgan Chase & Co for their generous diamond sponsorship of the Conference and convention announcements.
Registration for ACB members will open on May 13th, and for non-members on May 20th. If you would like to get a sneak peek at what will be offered during the convention, go to:
Congratulations to Mary Haupt, who was voted Volunteer of the Month for April. Thank you, Mary, for all you do for our ACB Community!
-Be My Eyes Research Study Needs You
Be My Eyes is currently conducting an important research study, and needs your valuable input. As we work to improve and grow Be My Eyes, it is vital for us to know our community and its needs. Your participation will help us gather insights so we can contribute to make Be My Eyes an even better product for over 250 million people who are blind or have low vision.
The survey has 14 short questions. We ask that you answer as many of them as you can. Your responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Survey link:
CVS is happy to share a new way patients can register for Spoken Rx. Besides the options of calling your pharmacist or visiting the pharmacy, you can now make your request digitally from the updated Spoken Rx page at:
Just follow the link for "Begin Registration," then complete the form to request registration for Spoken Rx. Additionally, there is an option for someone to request registration on behalf of a patient.
Spoken Rx allows people who are visually impaired to hear critical information about their CVS prescriptions using the CVS Pharmacy mobile app or a stand-alone reader. Spoken Rx is completely free and available to all CVS Pharmacy customers at all CVS Pharmacy retail locations.
-New Name, Same Products
Due to recent negative press of a different pharmaceutical company bearing the same HIMS trademark name, we have decided to adopt a new Doing Business As (DBA) name, "Selvas North America," and also a new homepage URL,
Despite our company conducting business under the HIMS trademark since the late 90s, our employees are constantly fielding calls and emails intended for the other company. We will continue manufacturing and distributing high-quality assistive technology products under the well-established and respected HIMS trademark name.
However, we will begin doing business as Selvas North America in alignment with our parent company name, Selvas Healthcare. Please know that HIMS Inc. and/or our parent company are not in any way, shape, or form affiliated with the other HIMS, which is a pharmaceutical company.
Thank you for your attention and understanding as we attempt to mitigate the damage being caused by this matter of mistaken identity.
-Check Your COVID Tests
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to use COVID-19 tests that were manufactured by a California-based healthcare company.
Cue Health, headquartered in San Diego, received emergency use FDA authorization for two COVID-19 tests early in the pandemic to help people detect if they were infected with the virus.
The FDA told the public, caregivers, and health care providers to dispose of Cue Health's COVID-19 tests due to an increased risk of getting false results. The agency instead recommends retesting using a different brand authorized by the FDA if patients received a negative result on the Cue Health test and still show symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
2 boxes brownie mix, such as the Great Value mix from Walmart
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup cooking oil or melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs (or 3/4 cup egg substitute)
1 package chopped nuts (optional), approximately 1-1/2 cups
Directions
In a large bowl, mix the baking soda thoroughly with the two boxes of brownie mix. Add the oil or melted butter, and mix thoroughly until the mixture resembles small peas.
In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs, and stir.
Add the liquid to the dry ingredients, and use an electric mixer to thoroughly blend all ingredients until they become a thick batter. Stir in the nuts, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, and continue with the electric mixer to mix the nuts into the batter.
Pour into a greased 9 by 14 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for an hour.
Notes: These rise really well. Brownie mixes usually call for half the liquid in this recipe. This makes a thinner, lighter brownie that rises like a cake. I invented this recipe because I wanted brownies that would nicely fill this size pan. My husband likes to frost them with store-bought vanilla frosting.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Contributed by Mickey Quenzer
(Editor's Note: I tried making this recipe, and I must say, they turned out amazing, and so yummy! You must try it!)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon dark molasses (see note below)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups (240g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
1 and 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (see note below)
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, and beat on medium-high speed until creamed, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, molasses, and vanilla, and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl, and beat again as needed to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix on low speed until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, beat in the oats and chocolate chips. Dough will be thick and sticky. Cover and chill the dough for at least 45 minutes in the refrigerator (and up to 4 days). If chilling for longer than a few hours, allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking, because the dough will be quite hard.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (177 degrees C.). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; Set aside.
Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough, about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie, and place 4 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 13-14 minutes, or until lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft.
Remove from the oven, and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. While the cookies are still warm, press a few more chocolate chips into the tops: this is only for looks!
Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (See Step 3.) Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well for up to 3 months. Bake frozen cookie dough balls for an extra minute, no need to thaw.
Notes: 1 tablespoon of molasses helps give these cookies incredible flavor. If you don't have any, simply leave it out. Do not replace with anything else. Likewise, cinnamon adds flavor as well. It's not necessary, but it sure is tasty!
You can use 1 1/4 cups regular size chocolate chips and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. Varying sizes ensure more chocolate in each bite. You can, of course, just use 1-1/4 cups regular size chocolate chips. You can even try 1 cup chocolate chips and 3/4 cup raisins. Yum!
Peach Gem Pie
Contributed by Suzanne Smith
From The New Joys of Jello Gelatin Desserts Recipe Book
Ingredients
1 package (3-ounce) Jello Orange Gelatin
1 cup boiling water
2 cups ice cubes
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups sliced, peeled fresh peaches (about 3 peaches), or use 1 can (16-ounce) sliced peaches, drained
1 baked 9-inch pie shell, cooled
Directions
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.
Add ice cubes, and stir consistently until gelatin starts to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove any unmelted ice.
Add almond extract and peaches.
Pour into pie shell.
Chill until firm, about 3 hours.
Garnish with whipped topping, and toasted almonds if desired.
When prompted for a participant code, press the Pound key.
Note that the above Zoom call-in information is used for SVCB's virtual link to monthly in-person membership meetings.
2. Shows Described by AudioVision Bay Area
For all productions (Golden Gate, Orpheum Theatres, Broadway San Francisco, and Broadway San Jose), tickets are generally on sale four weeks before the production opens. To charge tickets and reserve receivers, call:
888-746-1799
(SHN Theaters), or fax your order to:
415-581-2121
and ask for AudioVision tickets. If you have any questions, please email:
Audio described shows by TheatreWorks have resumed, with descriptions by Gravity. Pre-register for tickets that include a free "show talk" 30 minutes before the show, at the TheatreWorks box office at:
To hear weekly events at the San Francisco LightHouse, call:
415-694-7325.
5. Let's Talk Low Vision
The monthly "Let's Talk Low Vision" conferences are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 8:30 PM Eastern. Archives are at the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) Official website at:
7. Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)
BORP believes that everyone should have access to the unique challenges that outdoor recreation provides, and makes every effort to accommodate each person's needs, including providing transportation and volunteer support. For event listings, call Lori Gray at: