Gift Ideas!

With gift shopping going into full swing now, we know most of you are burning gas and bandwidth looking for that perfect present. We at TravelVision have some suggestions, recommendations and resources for some interesting items for kids and adults who are visually impaired that you may not have thought of. They are in no particular order...

Christiansen Designs
PO Box 583
Hanover NH 03755
802-649-2925
E-Mail kim.christiansen@valley.net
Website: www.braillejewelry.com

You'll find everything from classic jewelry to "Dot Tags(tm)" (dog-tags) and Christmas cards with Braille at this site. Please order holiday gifts by Dec. 12 to allow time to make & ship. (Editor's note: I have every intention of going back for a purchase after the holidays!)

Barbara's Crocheted Cane Glove
Cane travelers in cold climates need to wear gloves while using the cane and Barbara has a pattern for these gloves, that can also be used by persons who use a regular support cane for balance. Canes come in many sizes and shapes, and the pattern can be adapted to fit most variations. (Hint: these also make good gifts and fundraisers, as well.). For more information, or to obtain the pattern for these gloves, contact: Barbara Estes, barbestes@yahoo.com.

The Wine House
If there are bumps on the label, it must be Chapoutier. Michel Chapoutier, a well-known maker and shipper of Rhone wines, has put Braille labels on all his premium wines. "Reading the Braille, customers can learn the type and name of the wine, the vintage date, the name of the winery, the town where the wine was made, and the color of the wine, a vital piece of information, since some of the appellations come in both red and white."

In the Los Angeles area, Chapoutier Wine with Braille Labels can be purchased at:
The Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave.
Santa Monica, CA (between Pico St. and Olympic Blvd., West of Sepuveda)
(310) 479-3731
Ask for: Suzanne

Dan, at the MD Support website, is offering logo pins and a set of ten information cards for fundraising. Most of us know someone with macular degeneration and this is an easy way to increase public awareness. All profits go to their outreach effort. The order page can be found at:
http://www.homesweetweb.com/MDPeople/iwear.cgi

Oreo Cookie Puzzle... This was suggested by a teacher of the visually impaired who works with children. She said that the Oreo Cookie Puzzle, with tactile shapes to match, by Fisher Price can be found in the preschool isle at Wallmart. She couldn't recall the price, however, is sure that it wasn't very expensive.

Scented crayons and markers seem to be a popular and recommended gift to youngsters who are visually impaired. The kids love using markers, with brilliant colors and realistic scents like leather, shampoo, fresh air and dirt (dirt?). Those in the know have directed us to buy scented Crayola Crayons and Markers at Toys R Us and craft stores. Oh... our source tells us there's only one problem...they smell so good, the kids end up with very cute colored noses!

The ROPARD website has added an extensive section on toys appropriate for children who are visually impaired. Most of the toys listed in have direct links to online suppliers. For those linked to Amazon and Zainy Brainy, if you click through ROPARD's site, ROPARD will receive a small percentage of the selling price from those retailers, with no additional charge to consumer. The proceeds will help fund ROPARD's work.

Additional note: Not all toys need to be purchased. In fact, many household objects will provide hours of appropriate stimulation for young children who are visually impaired, blind, or children with multiple impairments. The diversity of household items in terms of their tactile qualities often make them more suitable, since most toys today are made of plastic and have the same "feel" regardless of shape or purpose. The list can be found at:
www.ropard.org

Creative Adaptation for Learning (CAL) products are designed to be used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They could be used as craft activities for kids to give to others (sighted or blind). CAL develops materials that transform two-dimensional print pictures into legible, three-dimensional illustrations. These unique pictures are interactive and used by children, parents, teachers, therapists and caregivers.

A book of tactilely illustrated nursery rhymes called "Humpty Dumpty and Other Touching Rhymes" can be purchased from National Braille Press by calling (800) 548-7323.

With Christmas arriving soon and Braille Literacy Month following close behind, we thought people might want to know of about some items sold by a company called Braille Novel-T's. In addition to the many T-shirts, they offer lapel pins that are for sale. The pins are made of pewter, done in a three dimensional effect. The cost is $8 and $3.20 s/h.

They have a catalog and can send pictures by e-mail to anyone who is interested. The pins should be ready in plenty of time for the holidays and the cost is reduced for multiple orders.

Contact them by e-mail:
BrailleNovel-T's
braille_novelts@yahoo.com.

Braille Chocolate?
Direct from our source: "I've been the recipient of chocolates from the Chocolate Experience twice. One was a chocolate bar with a birthday greeting in Braille, the other was a chocolate telephone! I've heard great things about their chocolate guide dogs and am hoping to get one sometime. One person I know kept hers in the fridge because she thought it was too nice to eat."

Need we say more?

Judy, The Chocolate Consultant
The Chocolate Experience, Inc.
150-07 Bayside Ave.
P.O. Box 540836
Flushing NY 11354
Web: http://www.chocomelt.com/
Text Link: http://www.chocobraille.com/

Also, we have it that Mary Fleming (AER member) makes and sells chocolates with Braille messages.
Contact her at: charlton15@aol.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!