- NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

FW: Rehab Instructor job opportunity
by ebell＠pdrib.com 11 Jan '18

11 Jan '18

The State of Nevada is recruiting for a Rehabilitation Instructor in the Reno area. Rehabilitation Instructors assist blind and visually impaired clients in achieving employability and self-sufficiency. Clients are taught to successfully employ alternative techniques at work, home, and out in the community in order to achieve maximum independence. Instruction and alternative techniques for independent living include: the use of magnifiers, illumination controls, adaptive aids, assistive computer technologies and instruction and the development of Braille reading and writing skills. This position requires travel of up to 100 miles to the surrounding rural communities, so a driver's license or the ability to travel with accommodation is required. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation teaching of the blind or closely related field and one year of professional experience training persons who are blind or visually impaired in alternative techniques of independent living and providing instruction in the use of low vision aids in a rehabilitation setting. The State of Nevada offers an excellent benefits package including: list of 5 items ? 3 weeks of paid vacation earned per year ? 3 weeks of sick leave earned per year ? 11 paid holidays per year ? Affordable health, vision and dental care ? Participation in the Public Employee Retirement System list end TO APPLY: go to nvjobs.hr.gov and search for Rehabilitation Instructor or Email: pgmiles at nvdetr.org for more information REHABILITATION INSTRUCTORS WANTED! Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com> ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: Paula Miles [mailto:pgmiles at nvdetr.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5:57 PM To: 'ebell at latech.edu' <ebell at latech.edu> Subject: Rehab Instructor job opportunity Good Afternoon, The State of Nevada has a job opening for a Rehabilitation Instructor 2 in Reno, NV. The Rehab Instructor assists our visually impaired clients to achieve maximum independence through the use of alternative techniques. We are having a hard time finding qualified candidates and are hoping you can help us. I have attached a flier that outlines our position and how to apply for it. I would appreciate if you could post the flier on a job board or anywhere else where it might be seen by students in your program. Thanks for your help! Paula Miles Personnel Tech 3 DETR Human Resources 2800 East St. Louis Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 486-7957 Phone (702) 486-0159 Fax

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Colostomy bag
by cordlesslansaw＠yahoo.com 09 Jan '18

09 Jan '18

Greetings colleagues, I have a client with no vision who is concerned about using a colostomy bag. Her concerns involve keeping the Area clean when she is changing it. Does anyone out there have a client who is using a colostomy bag and do you have any tips and tricks for my client? Jane Lansaw NOMC from the world's smallest keyboard.

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FW: Job Posting: VR Counselor Reno Nevada
by ebell＠pdrib.com 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Follow this link for details on the posting for this position. https://nvapps.state.nv.us/NEATS/Recruiting/ViewAnnouncement.aep?recruitment Id=32144 Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com> ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: Monique Melton [mailto:mmelton at cocenter.org] Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2018 2:32 PM To: Edward Bell (ebell at latech.edu) <ebell at latech.edu> Subject: Job Posting Hi Eddie, I was made aware of this job posting for a rehab instructor in Rino, Nevada, and was asked if I knew of a way to share it to some possible candidates. Can you share this on all the lists? The link with the job description is pasted below. Thanks, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. https://nvapps.state.nv.us/NEATS/Recruiting/ViewAnnouncement.aep?recruitment Id=32144 Monique Melton, NOMC, NCUEB Employment Specialist Colorado Center for the Blind (303) 778-1130 x221 mmelton at cocenter.org <mailto:mmelton at cocenter.org>

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FW: Job Posting - Iowa Department for the Blind
by ebell＠pdrib.com 22 Dec '17

22 Dec '17

Iowa Department for the Blind JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Summer Youth Counselor POSTING DATE: December 21, 2017 Closing Date: January 15, 2018 LOCATION: Des Moines, Iowa PART TIME/FULL TIME STATUS: up to 12 Temporary/Full-Time Positions SALARY: $16.20/hr. Expected total salary to be approximately $7,500. JOB DESCRIPTION: Temporary Summer Youth Counselors will support the mission, vision and values of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Counselors will mentor youth ages 14-21 during IDB?s two month residential summer program. Roles will be assigned based on staff skills and interests, but will include assisting to teach alternative techniques of blindness through classes such as braille, cane travel, assistive technology, home and personal management and woodshop, or teaching alternative techniques of blindness through assisting students in their apartments and during evening and weekend activities. Examples of duties: Support student learning through braille, technology, home management, shop and cane travel instruction. Reinforce blindness skills learned in Orientation Center classes through assisting students with daily living tasks, meal planning and preparation, laundry, homework, and cleaning and organizing apartments. Assist students in participating in activities in the community such as eating at restaurants, shopping, bowling and rock climbing. Reinforce proper cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities. Serve as a role model to students in the use of nonvisual techniques and problem-solving skills. Ensure safety of students by monitoring student behavior and the student living areas. Communicate with other summer program staff regarding student needs and progress. Document student progress including written student reports at the end of the summer. Perform other duties as assigned. Essential functions of this position: Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness Monitor student behavior and living areas Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in the English language. Demonstrate proper use of the long White cane Read and write braille Actively participate in all summer program activities Work Schedule: May 31 ? August 16, 2018, plus the potential for a few paid conference calls or webinars prior to May 31. Summer youth counselors will work approximately forty hours per week, with the potential for some overtime. Schedules will vary based on assigned duties. It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent TO APPLY: Note: This is a courtesy posting for a non merit position. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services ? Human Resources Enterprise. Applications to DAS-HRE only, will not be considered. Interested applicants must send a cover letter and resume to: Helen Stevens Education and Training Director Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street <https://maps.google.com/?q=524+Fourth+Street+Des+Moines,+IA+50309&entry=gma…> Des Moines, IA 50309 <https://maps.google.com/?q=524+Fourth+Street+Des+Moines,+IA+50309&entry=gma…> <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us -- Tiffany Bickell Executive Assistant to the Director, Commission Board Secretary Iowa Department for the Blind 515.281.1336 tiffany.bickell at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:tiffany.bickell at blind.state.ia.us> https://blind.iowa.gov ?A proud partner in the American Job Center network?

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Update: Touch of Genius Prize
by ebell＠pdrib.com 20 Dec '17

20 Dec '17

Dear Friends and Colleagues, The National Braille Press's Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation deadline is fast approaching, please help us spread the word! The Touch of Genius Prize was developed to inspire entrepreneurs, educators or inventors to continue the promotion of braille and tactile literacy for blind and deafblind people worldwide. This prize can be granted for innovative and accessible computer software, Android applications, iOS applications, or tactile hardware that promotes braille and/or tactile literacy. NBP encourages all applicants to think outside the box to what can be used to help improve the lives of blind people. The winner of this prize will receive up to $20,000, which will help them to continue to innovate in the fields of technology and education of blind people. Frank Gibney and the Gibney Family Foundation, helped fund and establish this award in 2007, inspiring people to go beyond what was thought possible. The deadline to apply is January 12, 2018. For more information, including how to apply, please visit touchofgeniusprize.org. Meaghan Colerick Administrative Assistant National Braille Press 88 St. Stephen Street Boston, MA 02115 <http://www.nbp.org/> www.nbp.org Phone: 617-425-2412 Toll Free: 888-965-8965 Fax: 617-437-0456 From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 3:06 PM To: Meaghan Colerick <mcolerick at nbp.org> Subject: RE: Update: Touch of Genius Prize Can you send me the solicitation information so I can put it out on lists today? Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com> ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: Meaghan Colerick [mailto:mcolerick at nbp.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 2:03 PM To: ebell at latech.edu <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ; literacy2 at mindspring.com <mailto:literacy2 at mindspring.com> ; jdix at loc.gov <mailto:jdix at loc.gov> ; julwicksacca at gmail.com <mailto:julwicksacca at gmail.com> ; noel at personaldatasystems.com <mailto:noel at personaldatasystems.com> ; lotfi_merabet at meei.harvard.edu <mailto:lotfi_merabet at meei.harvard.edu> ; joann.becker at perkins.org <mailto:joann.becker at perkins.org> Cc: Brian Mac Donald <bmacdonald at nbp.org <mailto:bmacdonald at nbp.org> > Subject: Update: Touch of Genius Prize Hello Everyone, I hope all is well. Brian and I wanted to reach out to you all with an update on the Touch of Genius Prize. Although we have gotten some questions and some potential submissions, we do not yet have any applicants. I just did an email push yesterday, and will try to get more outreach this week; however, this may change some of our timeframe a bit. Before we think about changing any of the dates, I will see what we get from now until after the holidays and check back in with everyone. If we still don't have any applicants by then, we can start a discussion about possibly moving the TOG into the spring (April/May). Please let me know if you if you have any questions. Happy Holidays! Meaghan Colerick Administrative Assistant National Braille Press 88 St. Stephen Street Boston, MA 02115 <http://www.nbp.org/> www.nbp.org Phone: 617-425-2412 Toll Free: 888-965-8965 Fax: 617-437-0456

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FW: Iowa Department for the Blind youth librarian position
by ebell＠pdrib.com 27 Nov '17

27 Nov '17

I have been asked to help circulate the below position at the Iowa Department for the Blind for a youth librarian. This is a newly formed position. We really need someone who believes in blind people and enjoys working with children, teens, and is a good role model for this position. Come and join our great team to improve the lives of blind Iowans! Job Posting - Youth Librarian Iowa Department for the Blind Iowa Department for the Blind is now hiring for the below Youth Services Librarian position. Please follow instructions in the "To Apply" section when applying for this position. Youth Services Librarian DATE POSTED: November 13, 2017 CLOSING DATE: December 1, 2017 CLASSIFICATION/POSITION NUMBER STATUS: Librarian 1 131-J01-CIRC-01315-002 1 Permanent/Full-Time Position LOCATION: Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, Iowa WORK UNIT: Library SUPERVISOR: Sarah Willeford SHIFT (Hours of Work, Days off): 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M - F SALARY: $42,473.60 - $63,502.40 The Iowa Department for the Blind is seeking applicants for the position of Youth Services Librarian for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. This position will develop and conduct statewide library services, programs and outreach activities for children and teens with print disabilities. The position will also assist in the development of a new children and teen library space and makerspace. Essential Functions: * Develop and conduct all aspects of library services for children and teens with print disabilities; including their parents, caregivers, counselors and teachers * Publicize, plan and conduct outreach and special programs for youth and families * Develop and maintain active partnerships with related organizations to introduce, promote and increase awareness of the library and its youth services * Performs youth collection development including selecting, ordering, weeding and cataloging materials * Consults with parents/guardians, caregivers, counselors, health care providers and teachers on the challenges of blind, visually impaired, physically disabled or learning disabled youth and children * Travels frequently throughout the state on outreach visits, meetings with libraries and youth or disability related organizations * Compiles statistics and reports regarding youth services and tracks use patterns and data to determine youth services needs * Assists Department staff and library patrons in the use of information resources and alternative format library collections * Provides general library services to patrons; including reference, readers advisory and technology services * Assists patrons in the use of equipment, OPAC (Online Public Catalog), BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) and other library resources * Manage patron accounts through the use of the library's integrated library system and applying National Library Service and library policy and procedures * Work regularly scheduled shifts at the Information and Youth Service Desks * Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing in the English language * Ability to work autonomously and in a team setting Qualifications: A Master's Degree in Library Science from an accredited school of library science Or An undergraduate degree from an accredited four year college or university and one year of full time professional librarian or archives experience (similar to the work indicated in this description) TO APPLY: It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resource Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to: Iowa Department for the Blind, Sarah Willeford, Library Director, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 or via email: sarah.willeford at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:sarah.willeford at blind.state.ia.us> Phone: 515-281-1333 E-mail: <mailto:information at blind.state.ia.us> information at blind.state.ia.us Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 Stay Connected with the Iowa Department for the Blind: <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&101&&&https://www.facebook.com/idbonline/?utm_medium=email&utm_source =govdelivery> <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&102&&&https://twitter.com/idbonline?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govde livery> <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&103&&&https://blind.iowa.gov/newsroom/blogs?utm_medium=email&utm_sour ce=govdelivery> <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&104&&&https://www.youtube.com/user/IDBonline?utm_medium=email&utm_sou rce=govdelivery> <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&105&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/topics ?qsp=IACIO_30> Manage Subscriptions <http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkP TIwMTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1M SZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpb C5jb20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZ D0mJiY=&&&106&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/edi t?preferences=true#tab1> Help <http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkP TIwMTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1M SZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpb C5jb20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZ D0mJiY=&&&107&&&https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/> <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIw MTcxMTIxLjgxMjc3NTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEyMS44MTI3NzU1MSZk YXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY5NjI0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hhd25tbWF5b0BnbWFpbC5j b20mdXNlcmlkPXNoYXdubW1heW9AZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0m JiY=&&&108&&&https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/1c6941 6?reqfrom=share>

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FW: OREIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPCLST AER
by ebell＠pdrib.com 20 Nov '17

20 Nov '17

The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), a division within the Department of Human Services, is seeking to hire up to four Orientation and Mobility Instructors. Must have a valid O & M Certification issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Educational Specialists or the National Blindness Certification Board, as well as, 24 months of appropriate certified teaching experience in an approved school. Email resumes to: Lalita.vishwanath at dhs.state.nj.us <mailto:Lalita.vishwanath at dhs.state.nj.us> From: Angela.Sutton at dhs.state.nj.us [mailto:Angela.Sutton at dhs.state.nj.us] Sent: Friday, November 17, 2017 2:58 PM To: Ebell at latech.edu Subject: OREIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPCLST AER Hello Dr. Bell, I hope all is well and that you are enjoying your Fall:) If you would, please tell any our your graduates, and or post the attached Job Opportunity within the University. We appreciate all of your help. Thanks _____ This E-mail, including any attachments, may be intended solely for the personal and confidential use of the sender and recipient(s) named above. This message may include advisory, consultative and/or deliberative material and, as such, would be privileged and confidential and not a public document. Any Information in this e-mail identifying a client of the Department of Human Services or the Department of Children and Families is confidential. If you have received this e-mail in error, you must not review, transmit, convert to hard copy, copy, use or disseminate this e-mail or any attachments to it and you must delete this message. You are requested to notify the sender by return e-mail.

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Of Little Faith: A Troubling Trend with Blindness Professionals
by mperet＠BISM.org 16 Nov '17

16 Nov '17

https://medium.com/@lisaferris/of-little-faith-a-troubling-trend-with-blind… Maurice Peret, Talent Recruiter, Human Resources Department Blind Industries & Services of Maryland 3345 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21227 Office: 410.737.2673 Mobile: 804.928.4015 mperet at bism.org<mailto:mperet at bism.org> https://www.bism.org/career <image001.png>************************************************** ************************************************** ?Ignorance and fear are but matters of the mind?and the mind is adaptable.? ?Daniel Kish **************************************************

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Fwd: O&M position
by cordlesslansaw＠yahoo.com 15 Nov '17

15 Nov '17

New posting for the orientation and mobility position in Tulsa Oklahoma. This is a growing little town with bus transit, Uber, lyft, and a great little Nfb chapter. We are growing and moving forward. Come be a part of us and work with a great team. from the world's smallest keyboard. Begin forwarded message: From: "Jane E. Lansaw" <JLansaw at okdrs.gov> Date: November 15, 2017 at 11:19:36 AM CST To: "'cordlesslansaw at yahoo.com'" <cordlesslansaw at yahoo.com> Subject: O&M position

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FW: University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, PATIENTS 10-Step Research Program Soliciting Blind and Vision-Impaired Participants for a Study Conducted by Telephone
by ebell＠pdrib.com 14 Nov '17

14 Nov '17

*** FYI, posted on behalf of Daniel Frye ** Subject: University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, PATIENTS 10-Step Research Program Soliciting Blind and Vision-Impaired Participants for a Study Conducted by Telephone Friends and Colleagues: I have been working with the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, as a consultant for the last several years. In very simplified form, I agreed to participate, as a representative blind person, on an external advisory panel, consisting of a diverse collection of stakeholders who interact with the American healthcare system. The PATIENTS program has, as its broadest mission, conducting research that will, at its end, help healthcare professionals, across the spectrum of the healthcare system, better engage with, and understand the needs of, patients. This seemed like a worthwhile objective, as a blind person who has experienced less than optimal empathy, access, and communication from representatives from different segments of the healthcare industry. We have now reached a point in the research where we have a need for blind and vision-impaired people to participate in an exercise that is calculated to help achieve research in this arena. I am sharing this invitation with you to participate in a telephone interview, that will last approximately 90 minutes, and will see that you are given a $25 gift card in compensation for your time, as part of this study. I am approaching each of you personally, as friends or colleagues, who I know to be thoughtful and interested in improving the quality of life that blind people experience. I have sent this to each of you in the BCC field of this message to preserve your confidentiality. This is one sphere in which I have devoted some of my personal, discretionary time to try and improve our life experience as blind and vision-impaired people. I will be grateful if some of you would take the time to agree to participate in this important, consumer-focused, research. Following, I am providing some preliminary information about this research opportunity. I realize that the description below is a bit vague and uses some research buzz phrases that may not be familiar to you, but I assure you that this research promises to yield valuable information that should improve the experience of blind and vision-impaired people who engage with the healthcare system. If you are interested in participating, either respond to me alone, by replying only to me, or communicate directly with Hillary Edwards, whose details will be provided below. Again, I am communicating with a random number of my friends and colleagues, with an emphasis on people in Maryland, but since this research is being conducted by phone, I have included other potential research participants from across the country. Please do not feel any obligation to participate, but I am bringing this to you as a personal request that I hope you will consider. The details about the research are here: Dear Stakeholders: The University of Maryland PATIENTS Program is leading a study funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to map methods of engaging patients and stakeholders to the various steps of a research study. We also seek advice regarding the resources required to achieve meaningful and sustained engagement, particularly with the blind and vision impaired community. Given your interest in community-engaged research, we would like to invite you to participate in a ninety-minute interview by phone in the coming month. These interviews will be conducted on a one-on-one basis. During the interview, we seek to learn about your experiences with implementing methods to engage patients and stakeholders throughout the research continuum. In this session, we will describe and discuss with you a ?game board? in which we will ask you to select the engagement methods that you believe are most appropriate at each phase of research. These methods are based on an environmental scan that we conducted during Phase I of our research, and we will ask you if there are other methods that were not uncovered during Phase I. Participants will receive a $25 gift card as compensation for your participation. For more information on the project, please contact Hillary Edwards at 410-706-1068 or hedwards at rx.umaryland.edu <mailto:hedwards at rx.umaryland.edu> . If you have colleagues whom you think would be interested in participating, please pass along our information with a CC or provide us with the referral. Thanks! We look forward to hearing from you. With Kind Regards, Daniel B. Frye, J.D. Executive Director State of New Jersey Department of Human Services COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED 153 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 47017 Newark, NJ 07101 Office: (973) 648-2324 ? Mobile: 973-951-1156 ? Fax: (973) 648-7364 Email: <mailto:Daniel.Frye at dhs.state.nj.us> Daniel.Frye at dhs.state.nj.us _____ This E-mail, including any attachments, may be intended solely for the personal and confidential use of the sender and recipient(s) named above. This message may include advisory, consultative and/or deliberative material and, as such, would be privileged and confidential and not a public document. Any Information in this e-mail identifying a client of the Department of Human Services or the Department of Children and Families is confidential. If you have received this e-mail in error, you must not review, transmit, convert to hard copy, copy, use or disseminate this e-mail or any attachments to it and you must delete this message. You are requested to notify the sender by return e-mail.

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