The Mab operates a number of programs to benefit the blind of our state.
The Summer Orientation Program (Sop) is a month-long training immersion in the alternative skills of blindness. It offers an intensive introduction to those skills and strategies which make it possible for those new to blindness to remain active, independent and involved with their families and in their communities. Some students receive sponsorship from montana Blind and Low Vision Services; others may receive scholarships from the MAB if other funding is unavailable. For more information on the SOP, call the MAB office at (406) 442-9411 or visit the page about the SOP.
The Older Blind Lease-purchase Program assists Montanans who are legally blind and at least 55 years of age to obtain equipment necessary to maintain independence and actively participate in their communities. The program retains title to all equipment until it is paid off, at which time the title reverts to the purchaser. Monthly payments are negotiated, and contingent on the ability of the purchaser to pay. If a purchaser becomes unable to use the equipment, it can be returned to the program with no further financial obligation. It will then be leased to a new purchaser. Equipment purchased includes closed-circuit TV enlargers, computers with screen readers or enlarging software, just to name a few. For more information, contact program manager Ted Robbins at (406) 453-6678, or call the MAB office at (406) 442-9411.
The Emil A. Honka Scholarship Program is named for an early and important leader of the MAB. in his memory, the MAB 'awards scholarships annually to blind Montana college students to assist them in entering competitive careers. Awards are made each spring at the MAB'S annual convention. For more information and application, contact the MAB office at (406) 442-9411,. You can also download the Honka scholarships APPLICATION from this web site.
The Leila Proctor Braille Scholarship for Educators was established by the MAB in honor of the memory of one of our earliest members and long-time Association Secretary. Leila Proctor was a life-long reader and powerful advocate for this revolutionary system of reading and writing for the blind. She kept nearly 50 years of Association records and correspondence in Braille, and her voluminous catalog was gifted to the Montana Historical Society by the MAB in 2004. The scholarship is designed to assist e educators to acquire the necessary training in the Braille code to adequately teach blind students in their local schools. For more information and application contact the MAB office at (406) 442-9411.
Nfb Newsline allows blind Montanans to read the daily newspaper any time and anywhere they have access to a telephone. Over 150 US newspapers are available, including Montana papers. Newsline, in cooperation with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also offers three important magazines not available in formats accessible to the blind anywhere else: The AARP Magazine, The New Yorker, and the Economist. The MAB sponsors Newsline in Montana for 2005 at a cost of $20,556, and donations to help defray the costs are welcome. Anyone using the Montana Talking Books services is eligible. Call the talking book library at (800) 332-3400 to sign up, or the MAB office at (406) 442-9411.
The Braille Readers Are Leaders is a program offered by our national affiliate, the National Federation of the Blind, and is open to school-aged Braille learners. Cash prizes are awarded in age categories. Visit the NFB web site for more information at www.nfb.org.
The MAB holds an annual convention each spring. In convention, we discuss action important to the blind of the state, and get a chance to see the newest technology available for use by the blind. Join us and help us change what it means to be blind! For more information on the next MAB convention, contact the MAB office at (406) 442-9411.
As Montana's organized blind, we are the voice of the blind in our state. Our Mission Statement describes our purposes. The MAB is governed by its membership at our Annual Convention, where we consider and vote on Resolutions. Resolutions are our goals, our call to action. In recent yearis, we have passed Resolutions calling for the re-implementation of a blind vendors' program in Montana establishment of a funding stream to ensure services to assist Older Blind Montanans to remain independent following the onset of blindness, and the passage of a legislation ensuring that state funds for technology give priority to purchase of hardware and software that is accessible by nonvisual means.
We continue to advocate for consistent, high-quality Braille instruction for blind children, the creation of expertise within services to the blind in the training use of computer technology for the blind, and more. To read recent Resolutions adopted by the MAB membership, go to the page on Resolutions.
There are a number of important resources that provide services to blind Montanans, Montana Blind and Low Vision Services Montana Business Enterprises, Inc. Montana Talking Book Library Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Montana Radio Reading Service
Blvs provides vocational rehabilitation services to the blind, including assistance with training costs, assistive technology, travel skills and more. It also has services for Older Blind Montanans who are not necessarily interested in returning to gainful employment.
MBEI is Montana's blind vendor program operated under the licensing authority of BLVS. It provides competitive employment to blind Montanans in vending-machine routes on Federal and State properties.
The Talking Book Library provides top-quality recordings of books and magazines, as well as Braille services, to blind Montanans, as part of the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (Nls). As a division of the Montana State Library, it also has an excellent recording program of Montana authors, read by Montana volunteers. All services are free to eligible members.
Located in Great Falls, MSDB provides K-12 education to blind youngsters in the state, both on-site and via outreach to local school districts throughout the State.
MRRS reads local papers from around the state, broadcasting throughout the state on a special radio signal connected with Montana's public radio networks. Special receivers are provided free of charge. Contact Kate Cotnoir at the Montana Radio Reading Service 406-721-1998 email radioreading@blackfoot.net
