CHAPTER CHATTER

Compiled by Nancy Johnson

** Western Kansas Low Vision Support Group: Western Kansas Low Vision Foundation/Clinic, Fry Associates P.A., and the Senior Center of Finney County in conjunction with MD Support and the National Low Vision Support Group will provide a series of ten discussions to educate seniors with low vision. An award was provided by the National Eye Institute to aid the program, which sponsors presentations at senior centers and other facilities across the nation. The conferences will be by live internet audiovisual conferencing. Experts in the field of low vision will give presentations on the second Thursday of each month beginning March 9. The conferences are free to the public and will be held at the Finney County Senior Center, 907 N 10th, Garden City, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., C.S.T. Interested persons should contact Gloria Lefort at (620) 275-7248, Ext. 135 or (800) 526-3937, ext. 135 for a list of dates and topics. Log in: www.mdsupport.org/nsg.html.

** Southwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired (SKAVI) had a valentine party in February with time for sharing memories of previous Valentines Days or facts about their visual conditions. An engineer has developed a bookmark for Talking Books so that, if you fall asleep or get interrupted while reading, your tape will be stopped. SKAVI has one of these switches for sale at a cost of $13.00 and can order more. If you’re interested, contact Joanne Martin,

** Northwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired

(NKAVI) heard from a grief counselor in January and learned about legal services in February. NKAVI made the following donations to organizations that assist persons who are blind and visually impaired: Talking Books, $400; Kansas Specialty Dog Services, $200; and, Foundation Fighting Blindness, $100. Additionally, $400 was reserved for the Scholarship fund. One $500 scholarship will be awarded by NKAVI to a visually impaired student who plans to attend a post-secondary college or technical school in 2006-2007. Interested students can obtain an application by calling Bob Chaffin, (785) 628-2873.

** Reminder: Keep sending your newsletters to Nancy Johnson, KABVI NEWS Associate Editor; 714 SW Wayne Ave.; Topeka, KS 66606-1753 or e-mail them to nancyj1@cox.net. A few things get missed, but we really try to get it all in. Thanks for keeping us informed.