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American Federation for the Blind Files Class Action Lawsuit Against SSA
A Federal Court in California has authorized a class action lawsuit filed against the Social Security Administration on behalf of people with impaired vision. This case applies to you if you
receive benefits from SSA and have a visual impairment that limits your ability to use non accessible materials from SSA. This case does not include any claims of monetary damages, but merely seeks to require SSA to provide materials in accessible formats such as Braille, audio recording and email.
Learn more about this class action lawsuit and how to submit your comments to the court
Free Senior Eyecare at EyeCare America
Visit EyeCare America to check eligibility. EyeCare America offers free, comprehensive eye exams to American citizens or legal residents who are 65 years or older, have not visited an ophthalmologist in 3 or more years and do not belong to an HMO. Participants receive an initial eye exam and up to one year of treatment for any disease diagnosed during that exam.
Give Safe Gifts This Holiday Season!
Holidays are time of gift giving, and with careful planning and attention, they can be a time of comfort and safety. Too often, gifts are age inappropriate or generally dangerous--this year, take a moment to review some common sense guidelines before going shopping!
Everyo ne Needs Presents!
Adaptive aids are the gift that keeps on giving! Have someone tough to buy for on your list this year? Consider a Victor Reader Stream, a great new MP3 player that plays both basic music files and complex DAISY format audio books.
Study--The effects of blindness on the ability to process non visual sensory information
Dr. Ione Fine at the University of Washington is looking for subjects for a study that examines the effects of blindness on tactile and auditory processing. It is thought that because vision loss increases the need to rely on other senses, the ability of blind people to process auditory and tactile information may be enhanced. We are examining how this happens in the brain. If you choose to participate you will be asked to participate in behavioral and/or MR experiments.
For behavioral experiments we will ask you to make simple judgments about tactile and/or auditory stimuli. You may be asked to participate in as many as five behavioral sessions (each session lasts up to 1.5 hours, and each session will be carried out on a different day). Participants will be paid $20/hour for behavioral sessions.
For MR experiments we will ask you to lie in an MR scanner while you make simple judgments about tactile and/or auditory stimuli. You may be asked to participate in as many as five MR imaging sessions (each session lasts up to 2 hours, and each session will be carried out on a different day). Participants will be paid $45/hour for imaging sessions.
Eligibility
- Behavioral and MR Experiments
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- 18 years of age or older
- Blind due to damage to the eyes or optic nerve (not cortical impairment)
- Became blind (using the definition of having visual acuity of light perception or worse) before the age of three
- Additionally, for MR Experiments Only
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- No metal objects in or on the body during scan
- No history if claustrophobia
Contact Dr. Ione Fine to volunteer. (206) 685-6157 or ionefine@u.washington.edu.
Please note: the confidentiality of information sent via email cannot be ensured.
Economic Impact of Vision Loss in the US Estimated at $51.4
Billion
Prevent Blindness America has released a report estimating the
costs associated with adult vision problems in the United States
at $51.4 billion. The Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The
Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment, and Blindness
on the U.S. Economy provides both the costs to the individual
and their caregivers, and the impact on the U.S. economy of vision
problems including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract,
diabetic retinopathy, primary open-angle glaucoma, refractive
error, visual impairment and blindness. Read the full report
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