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The busy life of Cha Thompson |
| She started dancing at age 6 and continued performing through the birth of her last child at age 32. Now, she co-manages Tihati, an entertainment empire that presents Polynesian dance revues at major hotels throughout the islands and across the Pacific. But, that’s not all she does. She lends her organizational skills and personality to major charities. However, she much prefers the company of her 11 grandchildren. |
The new cosmetic surgery |
| Think laser instead of scalpel for many procedures. Honolulu cosmetic surgeons discuss the latest techniques and give advice on how to find the right doctor for your needs. |
DEPARTMENT:
Kokua Corner
Helping blind and physically handicapped read again
By Fusako Miyashiro
For more than 75 years, the Hawaii Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has been the eyes and hands for those unable to read a book by themselves.
If you know someone who misses reading because of a visual or physical disability, then LBPH can help. Part of the Library of Congress, the regional library in Honolulu serves the entire state. It will send books on cassette to qualified individuals and include the cassette player, too.
Now, visually and physically handicapped people can enjoy the pleasures of reading again, all for free. And, the book options run the gamut from best sellers to those by local authors.
Located at 402 Kapahulu Ave., in the second building on the access road to the Ala Wai golf course, LBPH offers these services:
Talking books and magazines on audio cassette. Thousands of books are available including fiction and non-fiction best sellers. Magazines on cassette can be sent directly to an individual’s home via U.S. mail.
Braille books and magazines. For those who have Internet access, WebBraille, the collection of Braille materials, can be downloaded by registered users to their own computer.
The large print book collection at LBPH is the largest in the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS). New books are added regularly. Only a HSPLS library card is needed to borrow large type books.
Descriptive
videos of current and classic movies explain the action and facial
description between dialogues and can be played on a regular VHS machine.
The Lobe Project, a pilot project with five other states, provides talking books installed on digital players.
Do you like to shop for groceries but don’t know what’s on sale? Radio Reading Service, a closed circuit radio station, has volunteers who read the sales at the major markets weekly at 8 p.m. In the morning, volunteers also read the Honolulu Star-Bulletin’s front page local stories, the editorials, letters to the editor, obituaries and other articles of interest, including the Longs Drugs ads.
Newsline, another newspaper service provided by a blind consumer group, is available when registering at the library. Newsline is accessed by your telephone; articles are read by the computer and offers stories from the Honolulu Advertiser and papers from the other five states.
An accessible Internet computer station with voice and large print capabilities is available at the library. Also available is an enlarger that you can use to read your letters and correspondence privately.
Transcribing
services convert regular-size print material into cassette or Braille.
Many local authors’ books have been transcribed for the
enjoyment of registered library users. If a registered user needs
materials transcribed, this section will access and do it for you.
To use the services of LBPH, a person must be visually impaired, legally blind or have a physical disability that prevents them from holding a book or turning pages because of muscle or nerve deterioration or paralysis. An application, available at the library, must be completed and proof of medical need must be verified.
Individuals with visual-perception disorders or neurological dysfunction also qualify with certification by a medical doctor.
In addition, applicants must be residents of the U.S., its territories or U.S.-affiliated nations in the Pacific Islands.
This service started in 1931 in Washington, DC, and Hawai‘i is one of the founding libraries. LBPH is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Further information is available by calling 733-8444 or on e-mail from olbcirc@librarieshawaii.org.
Fusako Miyashiro is the LBPH Branch Manager. Her e-mail is fusako@imail.librarieshawaii.org