Picnic in the Park 2012
On Saturday, June 2nd more than 50 people came out the Long Island Chapter’s Picnic in the Park. We gathered at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford, NY on a beautiful breezy day.
Picnic in the Park was a great way for Chapter members and Foundation Fighting Blindness supporters to get together and relax. We had great food, great camaraderie, and great fun. This year we had a team trivia game and plenty of activities for the kids.
EYE ON TRAVEL
It’s important for those of us who have partial sight to experience all that life has to offer. Following are some helpful travel tips from some of our chapter members:
- Royal Caribbean is an extra sensitive cruise line;
- Brighter light bulbs may be requested in hotel rooms;
- To enhance your visit at museums or attractions, call in advance for personal assistance from staff;
- A bed & breakfast is an excellent place for accelerating the familiarity process in a short period of time;
- Outback Restaurants have Braille and large print menus available upon request.
Alaska: A Vision of Natural Beauty Surrounded by Tranquility
By Frann Glick
 Alaska was more incredible than I ever imagined it would be. The icy, white glaciers, sweeping high mountains, and water - blue beyond comparison - were a sight for anybody's eyes. Alaska is a place where low vision has no boundaries for the spectacular scenery. It was a way of connecting with nature and wildlife which brings with it a sensational feeling of being free. On Princess Cruise Lines, I was able to prearrange a handicapped cabin with a large window for the equivalent price of a standard cabin. I was very comfortable in my spacious and bright quarters. Cruising is an ideal way to travel as you are able to visit many ports, and your belongings remain in one spot. Activities vary on the ship according to preference, or relaxation on the deck might be more to one’s liking. Food is plentiful and being served in the dining room was ideal. The key to a good vacation is learning what works best for you and avoiding stress at all levels. I have wonderful memories of Alaska and look forward to making new vacation plans in the future! Making the Most of the Magic Kingdom
By Jamie Marks
 The magic continues at Disney World. Even with a visual impairment, the experience can be fun, fulfilling and full of multi-sensory surprises. Our family visited Disney World last summer, and these are a few tips I’d like to share:
- Bring your hat. We went in August, and it was very hot BUT less crowded (in the resorts, restaurants, streets, etc.).
- Bring your cane. As a person with no peripheral vision, using my white cane was very helpful. It let people know to clear a path warned me of any obstacles that were in my way.
- At City Hall, we received a pass that allowed our entire family to use the fast lanes or handicapped entrance, which cut down on the waiting time tremendously.
- City Hall has Braille guides and maps as well as “Descriptive Audio Headsets” that provide a description of the ride, attraction, or show you are visiting.
- Disney has put forth a commendable effort to accommodate individuals with visual impairments. Many rides and attractions incorporated other sensory modes such as sound effects, smells (apple pie), and elements you can feel (like water splashing, cool ocean breezes, etc.).
- Some rides were tricky to enter and exit and involve a moving sidewalk and/or getting into the cars while in motion. This was very challenging for me. I found out later in the day that we could use the ‘wheelchair entrance,’ and the staff can stop or slow down the cars so there is more time to get in.
- The staff at Disney was accommodating, respectful, and very helpful.
- The grounds are very accessible, with ramps, handrails, and elevators if needed.
- For me, the “brightest” rides were “Winnie the Pooh”, “Splash Mountain”, and “Jungle Safari”.
- The “darkest” and more difficult rides to navigate were “Haunted Mansion” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
- For more information, go to: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/visual-disabilities
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