In partnership with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) and Team with a Vision, the Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service based in Marshfield, MA, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise disabled listeners, recently participated in the “I Am…Not Alone. We’re in this Together” Blindfold Run/Walk with Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield.
Twenty teams of two participated in the Blindfold Run/Walk held Sunday, October 16th, 2016 at Martinson Elementary School track in Marshfield. The event was geared towards raising awareness of the challenges of blind and visually impaired individuals. Participants included Marshfield sixth, seventh and eighth graders and their family members, TIC and Furnace Brook Middle School staff, and community members.
The runners/walkers took turns being blindfolded while their teammate remained sighted and served as a guide as they ran or walked the Martinson Elementary School track two laps each for one-mile total. The guides held the tether rope of their blindfolded partner and provided verbal direction throughout the entire race.
In addition to the race, participants had an opportunity to try on visual impairment glasses, which simulated low vision (courtesy of Capeway Opticians) and enjoy family friendly games designed to help children empathize with those who have vision issues.
A $10 donation was asked of participants, with all proceeds going to TIC to help fund special assistive radio technologies that benefit thousands who are blind or vision impaired. Tiny & Sons Glass Co., Capeway Opticians, Bond Printing and Marketing, Furnace Brook Middle School, MABVI and Team with a Vision sponsored this event.
“The Blindfold Run raised awareness of the hardships people with vision challenges face and it fit our school’s mission to be Peace Builders in being an event that encouraged empathy and helped others. We are lucky to have the TIC, Tiny and Sons, and St. Christine’s parish peer ministry support our school’s endeavors,” said Teresa DeLuca, Librarian at Furnace Brook Middle School.
“According to the National Federation of the Blind, 136,500 people of all ages in Massachusetts reported to have a visual disability in 2013,” explained Jim Bunnell, TIC’s Executive Director.”Through the Blindfold Run/Walk, we were able to provide a better understanding of the challenges of individuals with visual impairment. We had a very positive response from everyone involved.”
He continued, “We’d like to expand this initiative and continue to raise awareness by holding the Blindfold Run/Walk at other schools throughout the South Shore.”
Schools that are interested in holding a Blindfold Run/Walk event may contact Anna Dunbar of TIC (781) 834-4400.
Reaching New Audiences
Two out of three aging Americans confront vision loss. Others who experience vision problems are living with AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, paralysis and other physical ailments that make it difficult to hold a publication or turn its pages. Approximately 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S. and in Massachusetts, 34 percent of people with disabilities are 65 and older.
TIC has thousands of blind/visually impaired listeners statewide, yet there is a broader audience who can benefit. There are a growing number of seniors and veterans seeking informational, entertaining broadcasts that just aren’t available elsewhere, and that’s where TIC comes in.
The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network
TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. TIC operates with the help of more than 600 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. Two of TIC’s newest shows include Veterans Voice Radio and Veterans Voice Story Hour, which are specifically geared toward military veterans and their families.
TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.
In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind oversee TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.
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