Newsletter - Winter 2011

WE HAVE MOVED!

After many years, the Delaware Association for the Blind has moved from our 800 West Street location in Downtown Wilmington and is consolidating all of our programs and services at our main campus located at 2915 Newport Gap Pike in suburban Wilmington. Our administrative staff, peer support staff and low vision center (store) will be housed in the newly renovated Landis Lodge building, which is also now the location for all onsite activities including bingo, arts and crafts, music appreciation, support groups, meetings and special events such as the Braille Rally.

The Move took place on November 2, and we encourage all visitors to our store to call in advance to get directions to Landis Lodge!! Please remember, we are happy to take item orders over the phone and mail items directly to you if you are unable to travel to our new location for any reason. Our hours of operation are still 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. We had hoped to take DAB’s existing phone numbers to the new location; however, this was not possible. The new phone numbers for the DAB staff and store are:

Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience due to our transition to our new location. This move will allow us to expand programs and better meet the needs of all those who use our services and programs. Please visit us for a tour!

What you should know about DAB’s move:

2012 LARGE PRINT CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE

The 2012 large print calendars are now in stock in the DAB Low Vision Center (store). The calendars cost $12.00 when purchased in person and $13.00 over the telephone and mailed. Please note the article above regarding the relocation of DAB’s offices and store at the end of October. If you are mailing your calendar payments, please mail them to:

Delaware Association for the Blind
2915 Newport Gap Pike
Wilmington, DE 19808
ATTN: Store staff

The calendars just arrived so we have an abundant supply. For our Braille readers, the 2012 braille flip calendars are now available in our Low Vision Center.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

To sign up for any of the following activities, call as follows:

We will begin taking reservations on Monday, October 31. Activities are on a first come first served basis, so call as soon as possible to avoid missing out on an activity you are interested in. Door-to-door transportation is available.

When calling Activities Coordinator Judy Engelgau, please leave a complete message on the answering machine. New Castle County residents who need to speak with Judy can call her toll free at 1-888-757-0880; however, if you live in New Castle County, you should not call Judy to sign up for activities. Please only call Judy between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

When you sign up for an activity where prepayment is required, please remember to send your payment by the due date listed at the end of the activity. If your payment has not been received by this date, we will give your spot on the list to a person on the waiting list. If you are on the waiting list, you will be called to let you know when to send your payment.

DAB’s cancellation policy and Theatre Etiquette Policy can be accessed by following the links at the end of this newsletter. If you are not familiar with these policies, please read them carefully. If you have questions, please call the DAB office..We will be happy to answer your questions.

Saturday, January 7: DOVER DOWNS casino and horse racing - Eat in the Festival Buffet ($14.50 before 4 p.m.; $18.50 after 4 p.m.), or you may eat on your own at one of the other restaurants or snack bars in the facility. If you plan to go to the casino, a sighted guide is recommended. Horse racing begins at 5:30 p.m. We will be at Dover Downs from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. A transportation fee of $2 will be collect on the day of the trip.

Saturday, January 14: ECARTE DANCE THEATRE presents its winter concert - at Delaware State University in Dover. No charge for tickets for the visually impaired. Guest tickets $10. Enjoy front row center seats for a contemporary ballet and modern dance performance featuring dancers of all ages and music and dance in a wide variety of styles. Braille and large print programs will be available, with descriptions of costumes, color choices, and theme of each piece. 5:30 p.m. Sensory Seminar will include an opportunity to touch costumes, different kinds of dance shoes, and any props involved, and a chance to come backstage. A reception with light snack food will follow the 7 p.m. show. A transportation fee of $2 will be collected on the day of the trip.

Saturday, January 28: DICKINSON THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY presents Lance Luce - whose concerts are praised for appealing to audiences of all ages, containing a wide variety of musical styles. He has been the Featured Entertainer at restaurants in the US and Canada and is currently on the staff of the Fox Theatre and is one of the organists the Redford Theatre in Detroit. 7 p.m. No charge for tickets; a transportation fee of $2 will be collected on day of the trip.

Sunday, February 12: ANNUAL MOVIE AND PIZZA PARTY ,- Movie Matinee at Cinemark Movies 10 in Newport, followed by dinner at Grotto’s Pizza in Wilmington. A transportation fee of $2 will be collected on the day of the trip.

Sunday, February 19: SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE DOVER MALL - Located in the heart of the capital city, the Dover Mall has 100 different retail shops to choose from, including J C Penney, Sears, Boscov’s, and Macy’s. You can eat at one of the eight counter service restaurants in the food court or three full service restaurants for a more relaxing meal. There is also a fourteen screen movie theater. Sighted guide recommended for the shopping trip so that you can explore what you are interested in at your own pace. 12 to 5 p.m. A transportation charge of $2 will be collected on the day of the trip.

Saturday, February 25: DELAWARE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE- in Wilmington, 8 p.m., featuring Eckart Preu, guest conductor, and Steve Temme, guest saxophonist. Program includes a concerto by Jennifer Higdon, this year’s A. I. DuPont award winner, plus Schumann’s romantic Fourth Symphony. $10 due January 30. Dinner prior to the show at Cosmo’s Diner, voted Best Greek Restaurant in Delaware Today magazine.

PEER SUPPORT SERVICE IS RECRUITING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Does this sound like you?

If it does, then we need you!!! We are currently seeking 8 to 10 interested and suitable candidates to become peer support volunteers for this important program. The first step to becoming a peer support volunteer is a comprehensive training class, which will be scheduled in the next month or two. Then you, as a peer support volunteer, would be connected to others who need guidance and assistance, as well as help learning about the services, programs, and devices that can aid them in their adjustment, mainly through telephone contact.

Of course, we don’t expect our volunteers to know everything there is to know about services and programs for the blind. Becoming a volunteer can be a learning experience for all involved, and regular training workshops are held for volunteers to build their knowledge and to help with the progra’s contact and reporting procedures.

The Peer Support Service’s main purpose is to assist visually impaired and blind Delawareans to make successful adjustments to their vision loss. If you read this and feel that you would like to talk to a trained volunteer who can provide support and tell you about all the services open to you, please don’t hesitate to call Program Coordinator, Suzanne Howell, to connect with a peer support volunteer.

If you are interested in learning more about the next training class, give Suzanne a call to request a volunteer application. She can be reached at (302) 998-2675 or by email at showell@dabdel.org. You may also call DAB’s main number at (302) 998-5913 or toll free from downstate at 1-888-777-3925.