2021 Readers' Choice Award Celebration and Readings
Hear the top four articles of the year as chosen by you, our readers and meet the winner. If you are new to Newsline, check us out!
December 14, 2021
Biscuits and Gravy
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Getting to Know Your Newsline Committee
In this episode we sit down with the Newsline Committee. They're responsible for creating the quarterly issue of the publication, and producing this podcast.
This is a two part episode, and in the second part we get to know the members on a much more personal level. The first episode goes over the beginnings of the WCB Newsline, how we operate, and the 50 year history behind it. If you're interested in working with us, this will get you started.
From the editors: If you like what you hear and want to introduce your WCB committee to the world, reach out to us. Visit us at https://www.wcbinfo.com/publications Email your questions and feedback to The WCB Newsline at Gmail. This address has been masked to prevent spamming.
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Please note that not all the audio is as clear as we would prefer in this podcast, but the content makes it extremely worth your time and attention. This is a phone interview that took place recently between Heather Meares and Mark Adreon for her Cheshire Cat column.
Cheshire Cat Interviews #13 A Tapestry of the Happy Warrior by Heather Meares [email protected]
Mark Adreon. Those are two very powerful words. It is impossible for me to describe him in simple terms, for indeed, he is not a simple man. Some words come to mind: honest and truthful, a fierce advocate, a legacy. These are all very strong words, and for good reason. Anyone who knows him would have to agree that he has earned each one of these descriptions. But there is a softer, gentler side to Mark that people may not be aware of, and I was honored to talk with him and hear more about the complex, beautiful tapestry that is Mark Adreon, the Happy Warrior.
This interview was so in-depth that I would never be able to cover all of the fascinating topics we discussed, so we have created a podcast episode to share the interview in its entirety with you all. This release is quite timely, in that Mark just retired from his 20-year career with the Washington Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). But by no means does this mean he is done. We will all be interested to see what he decides to focus his energy and efforts on in his next chapter.
For more, read the summer 2021 WCB Newsline.
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That All May Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Show notes by Heather Meares [email protected] Almost 2 years ago, I received an email from Valdemar Estates Winery, in Walla Walla, Washington, asking if I would be willing to consult with them and discuss ways they could become more inclusive and accessible for people with all types of disabilities. Yes, yes, and yes! This, of course, got my adrenaline pumping and my mind was flooded with potential ideas. Full of excitement, I met with them for the first time to hear their story. Little did I know this would be the beginning of an incredible journey. I sat down with David Brauhn, Marketing Director, and Kaleigh Brook, General Manager, and we talked about so many things, like menus that could be red in Braille or digitally, and QR codes that could be scanned with smart phones to hear tasting notes about specific wines or special features in the winery. Website accessibility, audio described videos, and how people with visual impairments could best navigate the facility, were all big topics. Soon after this meeting, we brought in Reg George to help with website testing and other technical aspects. But what I really wanted to know was why they reached out to me in the first place. In my experience, many businesses only do this as an after-thought, when someone has complained or legal action is being pursued. I was pleasantly surprised, and dare I say overjoyed, to find that this is a huge project they are choosing to take on… wait for it…because it is important to them. And it actually started in Spain, at Bodegas Valdemar five generations ago. Here are some excerpts from their website to explain: “Valdemar Estates is the first internationally owned winery to open in Washington State. It is one of the few wineries in the U.S. that has a full restaurant, as well as a tasting room. Valdemar Estates is owned by the Martínez Bujanda family, which operates the Bodegas Valdemar winery in Rioja, Spain. In 2018, Bodegas Valdemar became the first winery in Europe to offer a 100-percent inclusive wine tourism experience, an initiative that has earned numerous awards. Valdemar Estates is working to become the first winery in the United States to offer a 100-percent inclusive and accessible experience for all guests. Our Walla Walla, Wash., winery, tasting room, and restaurant has implemented extensive measures to ensure that guests – regardless of ability – are able to enjoy the facility. These efforts include: Use of QR codes throughout the building, which link to web pages that relate information via American Sign Language, dictation, and text. Fully inclusive tours. Website and printed material set in a hyper-legible font designed for those with low vision. Wine tasting notes that use icons and easy-to-understand descriptions of flavors and aromas. Braille wine and food menus. Availability of Braille labelling for wine bottles. Shatterproof wine glasses hands-free holders. Wheelchair availability. Staff member training for serving guests of all ability levels.” As you can see, most of the original concepts we discussed at that very first meeting have been implemented. The project will be ongoing, as the work is never really done, according to David. There are more exciting plans for the future, including blending classes and tours, which we hope to capture in more podcast episodes. This episode is a gathering to taste some delicious wine, Spanish tapas, indulge ourselves with Basque cheesecake, and have an open conversation to test new features and give feedback. We also explored their fantastic water feature on the veranda. At the table, you will hear Kaleigh Brook, David Brauhn, Heather Meares, Cindy Maywalt, and Reg George. As for myself, it has been an experience I never would have guessed I would have. I have enjoyed every moment thus far, and will continue working with them as long as needed. And maybe, someday, I will make it to Spain to check out Bodegas Valdemar…a girl can dream, right? To learn more about Valdemar Estates Winery, visit the website at https://valdemarestates.com/
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WCB Unleashed brings you another exciting show. From Frank Cuta: One of my favorite Snap Circuits projects is the SC-12 FM radio. If you like the tech look, the resulting radio looks like something that was built in a research lab, and it is totally accessible. You can find it on Amazon for $40, and you can assemble it in as little as a half an hour with the recorded audible instructions that I can send you. For more information, write to me at [email protected].
From Reginald George: I took Frank up on his challenge to build this radio, and though it took me over an hour, instead of the promised half hour, the podcast you see here is the result. It was a lot of fun. Frank's recorded instructions guide me through the steps and keep things lively as I fumble my way through. By the time it was over I felt like I had been speaking to and arguing with an imaginary friend. Any mistakes I made were strictly my own. Maybe this can inspire you or your child to delve into electronics and try something similar. No tools required! Even a child can do it, and they will probably do it much more quickly than I did. So please enjoy my unboxing and journey through this kit, and keep listening to see if I actually succeed. A big thanks as always goes out to the American council of the Blind, , our producer Zack Hurtz, and all those who provided legal music for this podcast. You may write to us at [email protected].
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This is an audio simulation of an escape room. The purpose is to give a blind person an understanding of the basic escape room structure, and the associated problem solving experience. Our team consisted of a small group of WCB members who participated in a conference call. They will remain unnamed because the point was to escape! Your challenge is to figure it out before we do.
In downtown Richland Washington, and many other cities around the world, you can pay to enter a real escape room. You are locked in with the members of your team and faced with the challenge of working through several mutually interdependent puzzles in order to "break out." The exercise is designed to force the team to work together. Many companies use this kind of service as a team building resource.
In the physical example above, or even in a computer simulation of an escape room, the team members are forced to split up and break the problem into pieces, or they run out of time. In my simple simulation, splitting up is not possible. The group needs to stick together and solve the puzzles one at a time. However, the problem interdependence is still there, and solutions to one puzzle will be needed to make progress on other puzzles.
The ideas for this simulation are all my own. Although I have incorporated structural ideas from many other sources.
Note: The theme of this particular escape room is cars and science fiction, but its OK. Don't let that scare you away. If you do not know anything about these subjects, we will still let you out before you run out of air.
Frank Cuta
If you enjoyed this episode, write and tell us about it. TheWCBNewsline at Gmail.com
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Contact information for Barb Chamberlain, Director of the Active Transportation Division of WSDOT: [email protected]; Twitter: . Larry Watkinson, Deputy Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity: [email protected]; Twitter: . Resources: For information about open houses for the active transportation plan: http://bit.ly/WSDOT-ATP-Online-Open-House For Manual on Uniform Transportation Control Devices (MUTCD): comments on NPRM due by March 15, 2021. information on MUTCD: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-notices.htm To contact the WCB Governmental Affairs committee: Sheri Richardson, Chair, [email protected].
Notes go here
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Matt Santelli of "Pierce County Aging and disability Resource Center" talks Medicare with Pierce County Association of the Blind. https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/1986/Aging-and-Disability-Resources Email: [email protected]
This content is provided by President Elect David Edick, and sponsored by PCAB and WCB Newsline.
Tacoma, Pierce Co. **President Cathy Wilson ** (253) 255-6747 [email protected] Meets third Saturday each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: TACID, 6315 S 19th St, Tacoma Website: http://pcabinfo.org
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Learning to Fly by Awesome Possum
Not long ago on a warm summer day, I found myself standing on a platform high in the air, tied to a tree. I was visiting the beautiful Mountain Springs Lodge, about 20 miles north of Leavenworth, WA, in search of a new experience. My ziplining adventure was just beginning. As my guide Becca told me “you got this” for about the 15th time that day and I stepped into space from 70 feet in the air, I paused to consider how I got myself into this position. I can’t even see. Wouldn’t it have been easier, safer, and just as much fun to go stand in front of a giant fan and pretend? But then I would have missed the birds, the shouts of happy people walking the plank, and that allusive feeling of soaring up to 190 feet over the Beaver Creek valley as I channeled my inner possumness.
I wanted to fly because it’s considered safe for people of all ages, between 70 and 270 pounds, who do not have neck or back injuries, and are not pregnant. Most importantly, it just sounded fun.
Before I went, I was very concerned about having control of my speed and being able to stop myself. Once I gave up any idea of control, it was much easier to relax and enjoy the flight.
We met our driver at the gate and rolled out to the trailhead on a Polaris Ranger UTV, where we met our guides. Once there, each of us in our group of eight had to step on a device similar to a scale to choose our helmets. It made me think of the sorting hat from Harry Potter. Keeping the mystery alive, they refused to say anything about how it actually worked. That is how I became the Awesome Possum. Returning to human form appears to be much more difficult. Others in my group included Sparkles, Cupcake, Bugs, Tinker Bell, Skywalker, Captain Time Travel, and Princess. Our guides were Tad and Pikachu.
Once this was done, we stepped into our harnesses. These must have been similar to parachute harnesses. They allow you to fly in a sitting position and have straps that go around your waste, chest, thighs, and shoulders. When not traveling through the air, your line was always clipped to a tree. Nothing was left to chance. The guides were in control of everyone at all times. They communicated by radio. It was all designed to take your mind off the process and focus on the fun.
My tour consisted of five ziplines. The longest one is about a quarter mile and takes about 45 seconds to complete.
They also offer a nine-line tour, but the five-line tour contains the longest line and is a better value, in my opinion. The entire process took about 2 hours.
First, those who had never done it before were allowed time to try a 15-foot practice line close to ground level.
When I asked, I was told that I was the only blind individual they had served in the 5 years of this facility. They did not single me out in any way or make me feel differently than anyone else. Obviously, canes and dogs stay on the ground, but you could bring your phones and smaller items.
So how does it feel? It feels wonderful! I would do it again. Walking the plank happened when our guides asked us to yell as we stepped off the platform. By comparison, parasailing allows you to stay in the air longer. Once you get past the nervousness of stepping into space, ziplining is exhilarating, safe, and fun. It’s thrilling to soar for almost a minute until the guide stops you and you lower your feet onto the tree platform, feeling the wind in your face, knowing we are all there because nature can be just as adventurous as any rollercoaster or amusement park. It certainly builds confidence. I was told that a 92-year-old lady had done the five-line course and loved it.
In my research, I learned about many ziplines across Washington. Amboy, Bellevue, Camano Island, Eatonville, Everett, Leavenworth, Liberty Lake, Silver Lake, Stevenson, and Woodinville all have options. Some are integrated with challenge courses like rope climbing, repelling, staircases, and suspension bridges. Once you choose your style of zipline, it is easy to find videos on YouTube. It’s a great experience for family reunions or team-building activities.
I recorded this fantastic journey from start to finish, and you can listen to this edited Binaural 1-hour recording. Headphones are recommended for maximum enjoyment.
Bottom line: I am thrilled to be able to recommend Leavenworth Ziplines as it was an adventure I won’t soon forget.
https://www.leavenworthziplines.com/ Email: [email protected], Phone: 800.858.2276
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