JACIL Connections for February 2012

Article 1:

February KIP to feature Assistive Technology by Barb Whewell

Is there an adaptive device that you have heard about but are skeptical to purchase, not knowing if you will benefit from it?

JACIL will have the answer for you next month.

February’s Knowledge is Power workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the conference room at JACIL’s Jacksonville office.   

Eric Guidish and Sue Castles from the Illinois Assistive Technology Program will share information about the services and technology available from IATP.  They will also talk about ITAP funding sources and a low-interest loan program.

 IATP is located in Springfield.  Its loan program allows a person with disabilities to try an item for up to five weeks to see if he or she could benefit from the device before purchasing it.  People who find these devices useful will be given information on how to obtain the item. 

IATP has thousands of items to choose from.   The items vary from computers, technology, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom aids, games, daily living items, mobility, vision, and hearing devices. There are a great many additional items in ITAP’s inventory. 

There is no charge to attend the February 21 KIP session.  For more information about the event, please contact Becky McGinnis at 217-245-8371.

An ASL interpreter will be provided. Light refreshments will also be available.  Anyone wishing to receive materials in alternate formats please call by Thursday, February 16.

If you are interested in learning more about IATP they are located downtown in the Myers Building at 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza Suite 100 in Springfield, Il. Phone 217-522-7985, (tty 217-522-9966), website: iatp@iltech.org. The hours are Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30.

Also, on its website ITAP has a buy, sell and giveaway listing. They may have just what you’re looking for at low cost or even FREE!  The website address is www.iltech.org.

Article 2:

Ms. Wheelchair Illinois Competition is seeking contestants

The Ms. Wheelchair Illinois Organization is currently seeking contestants for the 2012 Ms. Wheelchair Illinois/America Competition, to be held in Tinley Park on Saturday, March 17. 

If you are a woman, a U.S. citizen between the ages of 21 and 60, utilize a wheelchair for 100%  of your community mobility, and have been a resident of Illinois for at least six months, you are eligible to enter. 

Ms. Wheelchair Illinois is a public speaking role, as she will promote awareness and achievements of Illinois residents living with disabilities. 

Ms. Wheelchair Illinois, and 30 other state title holders, will go on to compete at the 40th national Ms. Wheelchair America competition, to be held August 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island. 

The titleholder has numerous duties. These include promoting awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers and informing the non-disabled public of the achievements of the millions of people with disabilities across the state of Illinois.

During her year long reign, she will have the opportunity to travel, visiting advocacy groups, making public appearances and conducting radio, print ad, and TV interviews. The commitment and personal example of the titleholder serves to further the mission of Ms.Wheelchair Illinois America.

The Ms. Wheelchair America program was organized in 1972 by a Columbus, Ohio, physician as a forum for the promotion of the achievements and needs of people with mobility impairments.  It recognizes the accomplishments of women who utilize wheelchairs for mobility.

The program, which consists of the state coordinators and state titleholders, has grown to include participants from more than 30 states and the District of Columbia. The state programs are staffed and coordinated by volunteers dedicated to increasing public awareness so that all citizens will be afforded the opportunities to lead productive and meaningful lives.

Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair Illinois America is not a contest to select the most attractive individual. It is instead a competition based on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation to select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for persons with disabilities. The selected representative must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency to the general public, the business community and the legislature.

For applications and further information or to become an official state sponsor, please contact Pamela LaPorte at www.mswheelchairillinois.org. 

Article 3:

Dan Thompson’s Technology Tips

Fix For iTunes 10

In some cases when downloading iTunes Ten on a computer, the file "sqlite3.dll” is saved in the wrong location.  This is not due to any error of the user but instead iTunes caused it to happen. 

There have been some fixes involving deleting iTunes, reinstalling and downloading the missing file.  However, none of that is necessary.  I recently fixed the error as shown in the following steps:

iTunes has put this file in the wrong place.  All that is needed is to put a copy of the existing file into the Apple Mobile Device Support Folder where it belongs. 

If you suddenly get the error prompt saying the sqlite3.dll file is missing after updating iTunes, follow these steps and all will be fine.

1.  Navigate to your C drive.

2.  Open the "Program Files" folder.

3.  Open the "Common Files" folder.

4.  Open the "Apple" folder.

5.  Open the "Apple Apps Support" folder.

6.  Locate the file entitled "sqlite3.dll" and copy it to the clipboard.  (Do not delete this file.) 

7.      Press backspace once.

8.      Open the "Apple Mobile Device Support" folder.

9.      Paste in the file from the clipboard.

10.  Press alt plus F4 to close all the folders and

            return back to your desktop.  If you wish to do this with the mouse, click on the “X” to exit all folders.

11.  Restart the computer and the error will not appear anymore.

If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at this email address: dthompson5@mchsi.com.

Article 4:

Disability inspires creator of new technological aids by Jessica Motley

Ralph Braun was six years old when he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 1946. By 1955 he was no longer able to walk.

This young man still had dreams like any other at his age, but due to the lack of technology at the time his dreams seemed unachievable. This is the story of how Ralph Braun made his and many others’ dreams come true.

Ralph set off for college just before he turned 20 years old. Hand cranking his wheelchair all day in between classes left him so exhausted he had no better option but to drop out. 

Ralph then spent months in trial and error to develop the TRI-WHEELER, the world’s first electronic scooter for use of people with physically disabilities.

With his new mobility, Ralph set out to find a job and become a part of the world. This job was at a local automotive supply store. In response to co-workers and customers interested in where he got his scooter, Ralph started making TRI-WHEELERS for people all over his town under the company name Save-A-Step. Ralph made and sold TRI-WHEELERS for eight consecutive years.

When the local automotive store moved abruptly, Ralph needed to drive further into town to keep his job. At this time nobody with a physical handicap could drive because they simply couldn’t get into a vehicle by themselves.

So Ralph got to work again, trial and error until he created the LIFT-A-WAY wheelchair lift and ramp that he placed in an old mail van that was donated to him.

As before, people saw Ralph’s invention and ordered and he put ramps in their vans and school buses under the new company name Braun Corporation.

There are now 200 dealers in all corners of the world.

Article 5

Lunch & Learn coming February 27 on the “BeSafe” Program

The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland will join with JACIL to present a Lunch and Learn program on Monday, February 27, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at JACIL.

Nancy Thorsen, executive director of the Prairie Council on Aging, will talk about the dangers of financial exploitation, which particularly affects the senior citizen population 

This program is part of a series of quarterly informational programs presented by The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland.  They are designed especially for caregivers of older family members and grandparents or other relatives raising grandchildren, but all are welcome.  The Lunch and Learn sessions are free to the public and are conducted over the noon hour to accommodate working caregivers. 

Lunch is provided, and pre-registration is required.  An ASL interpreter will be available.

To register or learn more about the Lunch and Learn series, contact the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland at (217) 787-9234 or (800) 252-2918.

This event is funded by the Older Americans Act and Illinois General Revenue Funds through the Illinois Dept. on Aging

Article 6:

Sensory Interventions will be topic for Autism support group by Susan Nolls

February PCA (Parents of Children with Autism) meeting will be about Sensory Interventions. 

Ms. Jessica Morr, teacher of students with autism, will be speaking.  She will share information about what the student experiences and how families can adapt the overload of stimulation in the places they live or go. 

Resource materials will be provided as well as hopefully a lively discussion from parents about what they have tried and learned. 

It seems that the trial and error process is a major workout for everyone, especially for kids who are not yet verbal.  I have wondered if the kids can point to what they feel if it is in or on their body.  Or is the feeling so “big” that they just want to scream?  I am looking forward to what Jessica can tell us. 

The meeting is February 23, at 6:00 – 7:30 at JACIL conference room.  Please share this with parents who may be interested.

Article 7:

Tax preparation assistance from Prairie Council on Aging

The Prairie Council on Aging will sponsor  free tax preparation at Lincoln Land Community College starting on February 2.

This service is designed to assist low-income families.

Only basic tax preparation services will be available for senior citizens age 65 and over or people with disabilities.      

People wanting to take advantage of this service need to first register for an appointment with the Prairie Council on Aging by calling its office at (217) 479-4619.

February Calendar of Events

  2     Knollwood 20/20 Support Group - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

   9    VisAbility Support Group - 10:30 a.m. to Noon

15     Personal Assistant Training in Jacksonville, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

          Pre-registration required

16     Friends Helping Friends Action Club - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

16     Deaf Silent Club - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

17     People First Aktion Club - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

20     Presidents Day - JACIL OFFICES CLOSED

21     Knowledge is Power - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

          Topic: Illinois Assistive Technology Program

          Speakers:  Eric Guidish & Sue Castles

22     Laborer’s for Greater Vision Support Group - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

          Laborer’s Home Development (in the meeting/craft room).

23     Byts & Bytes - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

23     Parents of Children with Autism Support Group - 6:00 p.m.

27     Lunch & Learn - “Be Safe” Program, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Usual Stuff:

“JACIL Connections” is published by the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living.  JACIL is organized to serve people with disabilities in Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties.  JACIL is committed to serving persons with disabilities to gain control and direction of their lives in the home, workplace and community.  JACIL’s goal is to stimulate and promote a growing sense of personal dignity through individualized services designed to provide the tools necessary for maximum independence and community participation.  We invite your comments and suggestions.

JACIL is a Prairieland United Way Agency and a proud member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living

15 Permac Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650

Office Hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

217-245-8371 Voice/TTY  l  217-245-1872 Fax  l  888-317-3287 Toll Free

866-790-5311 Deaf Advocate’s Toll Free Videophone Line

E-mail:  info@jacil.org  l  Website:  www.jacil.org

JACIL - Mason County Office

220 West Main Street, Havana, IL 62644

Office Hours:  Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to noon

309-543-6680 Voice/TTY, 309-543-6711 Fax, 877-759-2187 Toll Free

E-mail:  jacil@casscomm.com