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WINTER 2007.

I have been blind since birth.  It only makes sense that my passion is to make life a little easier for others who are either blind or have some sort of visual impairment. In my role as chairman of the Board of Trustees for Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, I know the issue of

low vision – meaning someone can’t see well even with glasses – within the

metropolitan Cincinnati area is important, I just didn’t know how important until we partnered with the University of Cincinnati’s Institute for Policy Research for a survey focusing upon the issue of visual impairments.

Clovernook first reviewed national research, which helped to design our local survey. Prevent Blindness America cites vision loss as the nation’s fourth leading disability.

This, coupled with the fact that every six seconds a baby boomer (born between 1945 and 1964) turns 60, was a wake-up call for me. In addition, the National Eye Institute

cites that 71% of adults reported eyesight loss as a leading concern, with only 10% reporting that they use a visual device to help with their low vision. According to 2004 results conducted by the RTI International research group, major visual disorders annually cost the United

States an estimated $35.4 billion.

Locally, 1,550 varied and diverse households in the Greater Cincinnati area, including northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana, were contacted. The demographic parallels between our region and the U.S. Census Bureau are strikingly similar. In reviewing the statistics, Cincinnati mirrors the nation in terms of age, gender, and most ethnic backgrounds. These households were asked key questions so that Clovernook could use the data for vision and program service development.

The results:

• 64% of the survey participants

revealed they had a household

family member who has difficulty

seeing, even when wearing

corrective lenses.

• 83% stated they feel the issue

of low vision is very important.

• 43% commented nothing would

deter them from seeking

services to help them with their

low vision.

• 49% listed insurance or

monetary issues as a deterrent

from seeking help.

I find the last statistic disturbing, so much so that I am issuing a call to action to anyone experiencing low vision and feel that they can’t afford to have a normal quality of life.

After everything medically and surgically is completed by your physician and you have permanent

low vision, there are organizations across the nation, including Clovernook, who can help. Don’t let cost be a factor. Low-vision assistance is more affordable and accessible than you might think.

The cost of an optometric low-vision exam is typically covered for eligible individuals by Medicare or other public/private funding sources. Low-vision devices that optimize remaining sight often

cost less than prescription eyeglasses. Non-profit low-vision service providers, like Clovernook, strive to ensure donor funds are available to help offset costs for anyone who can’t afford these items. Information is easily accessible:

www.clovernook.org

Cincinnati: 888-234-7156

Memphis: 901-523-9590

www.agenciesfortheblind.org

866-645-2449

Are you or someone you love coping with low vision? Is it difficult to read pill bottles, canned food labels, the newspaper, or mail? If yes, let Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

help. The first step is to connect with Clovernook. Our professional staff will walk you through a step-by-step assessment of your low-vision needs. We offer five locations throughout Cincinnati and one in Memphis for your convenience. Our eye care physicians are experts in their field dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who are experiencing difficulty with their sight. To schedule a low-vision evaluation, please call 888-234-7156 and ask to be connected to the Low Vision Clinic in Cincinnati or Memphis. Our team of professionals stand ready

to help you see better.

2006

Markstein Family Donation

Moves Clovernook Forward

in 2007

Robin Usalis, vice president of Clovernook Program Services (left) with Peggy Markstein. Through a generous contribution from the Markstein family, Clovernook Center for

The Blind and Visually Impaired’s Cincinnati office was able to purchase a much needed van for

transporting staff and equipment to its growing number of satellite Low Vision Clinics. “We are so honored to receive this donation,” said Clovernook President Jeffrey Brasie. “It truly allows us to put our mission ‘on wheels’ and reach out to the community. We are so grateful for generous donors like the Marksteins.”

Full-court Press: Clovernook Memphis

Combines Business and Sports

In December, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired hosted the Memphis Grizzlies Business-to-Business (B2B) event at the FedExForum in downtown Memphis.

The event provided Clovernook with an interactive opportunity to network, promote our products and services, and build awareness among the business leaders and sponsors of the Memphis Grizzlies, a National Basketball Association (NBA) team. NBA Commissioner David Stern

was the keynote speaker followed by Clovernook’s Board Chair, Doug Armstrong, who presented

Commissioner Stern with a Braille copy of the NBA schedule. The Commissioner was pleased with the gift, commenting that it was “a first” for him and that it would be proudly displayed for others to view.

More than 200 guests from Tennessee businesses and state and federal government agencies had the chance to become more familiar

with Clovernook’s full range of services at the Grizzlies B2B event.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Tournament Players Club

4 p.m. Shotgun Start

5:30 p.m. Cocktails and

Silent Auction

6:15 p.m. Dinner and

Get Teed Up!

Mark your calendars for the third annual Clovernook Cincinnati Moonlight Drives 2007 Golf Outing on April 23. This year’s event will be held at the prestigious northern Cincinnati

Tournament Players Club at River’s Bend, featuring a specially lit nighttime course. All proceeds will benefit Clovernook’s services to assist the blind and visually impaired.

This year’s Moonlight Drives will honor Clovernook volunteer Frances D. “Fran” Cohen. Cohen is a member of the Board of Trustees and the chairwoman of the Fund Development committee. In addition to her great work with Clovernook, she is involved in the Cincinnati charitable community

raising funds for select nonprofit organizations. “I cannot think of a more deserving volunteer to honor athis event,” stated Elmer Thomas, co-chair of the event.

Registration begins at 3 p.m., with shotgun start at 4 p.m. Each foursome will play five holes in the light before dinner and the same five holes with glow-balls in twilight. After

dark, play will resume on the beautifully illuminated golf course.

In addition to the 10-hole scramble, there will be a chance for golfers to wear special goggles that simulate what it’s like to have a visual impairment. Players, non-players and spectators are invited to enjoy the evening with cocktails, dinner, wine tasting, simulated putting course and silent auction, featuring fantastic items, while benefiting an excellent cause. Fran Cohen, the honoree, will be recognized during the evening. “This is a wonderful opportunity to spend an evening with friends and family while supporting the Clovernook mission,” said Al Tuchfarber, Ph.D. and co-chair of the event. “This is one of our signature fundraising events that funds our mission and allows us to enhance our services annually.”

Space is limited, so register early to ensure your place. For more information, to register, or to donate a silent auction item, please contact:

Jessica Harvey

888-234-7156, ext. 2216

or e-mail jharvey@clovernook.org.

Deadline to register is April 12, 2007.

BRITT LINCOLN RECOGNIZED AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

This past fall, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired employee Britt Lincoln,

a Braille proofreader in the Transcription Department, was recognized as the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Peter J. Salmon “Blind Employee of the Year.” Lincoln was awarded this

prestigious distinction from among NIB’s nearly 90 agencies and more than 5,500 employees across the country. Lincoln delivered an acceptance speech, complete with a song she

wrote when she was in the eighth grade. The song helped her persevere during some difficult times in her life and educational pursuits. “When I was in the eighth grade, I had a lot going on – homework, peer issues, stress about going to the Kentucky State School for the Blind –

some days I asked myself why I was pushing myself so hard,” Lincoln said. “So to stay focused on my goals through all the hard stuff and to remind myself why I was putting myself through it, I wrote the song.” "I was so proud of Britt as she delivered her remarks and her song,” said Clovernook President Jeffrey Brasie. “As she concluded her song, the 450 people in attendance all clapped their hands and sung along during the last three verses. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house."

Lincoln was born blind, with a congenital face anomaly – absent both eyes, without a nose and with a severe cleft palette – for which she has experienced more than 25 reconstructive surgeries. In addition, she has Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurological impairment on the

autism spectrum. Lincoln joined Clovernook in 2002 to work in the Transcription Department as a proofreader. She sings, plays the banjo, clogs, reads audio books and magazines each week

and participates in the talent show at Clovernook holiday parties. She wonthe countywide “American Treasures” talent contest sponsored by Hamilton County MRDD. She graduated

Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky. These factors led to her selection as the Peter J. Salmon "Blind Employee of the Year." “I think it is a wonderful award and I am glad the selection committee decided to award it to me,” said Lincoln. “I am thrilled the committee

thought I was worthy, and I hope I can

stand up to it.”

Cincinnati General

Electric Senior ELFUNs

Mark Milestone

The General Electric (GE) Senior ELFUNs are retired GE employees who volunteer and repair

talking book cassette players for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) and their patrons. In Cincinnati, there are 95 active volunteers participating every Wednesday and Thursday year round, repairing electrical boards and rejuvenating batteries for the cassette players that play NLS audio books. The repaired cassette

players are then distributed to listeners across the United States. This past spring, the GE retirees celebrated the repair of their 50,000th cassette player since the project began in 1989.

NLS estimates that its volunteers have contributed $2.6 million to date. “The repair work that the ELFUNs undertake is such an incredible and amazing effort,” said Jackie Conner, vice president of Multistate Center East, which circulates books for NLS. “Without the ELFUNs, it would be

difficult for us to provide this same level of service to the vision-impaired who enjoy books and rely heavily on their cassette players.”

Multistate is operated by Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and consists of

45,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space. The facility maintains thousands of publications in adaptive format, which are shipped

worldwide.

ELFUN volunteers Bob Smith (left) and Bernie Burdick help make critical repairs

to talking book cassette players so that the blind and visually impaired

can enjoy the latest bestsellers.

A tribute gift is a thoughtful way to honor family and friends while benefiting many others

with the essential services that Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

provides. To make your tribute gift, contact Clovernook at 888-234-7156, ext. 2274 or

visit www.clovernook.org.

We appreciate the generous support from the following people who made tribute gifts from May

through December 2006:

HONORARIUM DONATIONS

In honor of Ms. Lauren Allen

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Allen

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Felser

Mr. & Mrs. Fine

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. George E. Dorin

Mr. & Mrs. Stan Shulman

In honor of Mr. Stephen Allen

CTS Packaging, Inc.

In honor of Mr. Joel Dunn

Mr. & Mrs. William H. Broomhall

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Larry C. Hyer

Mr. & Mrs. Peter W. Stites

In honor of Mr. James R. Keller

Mr. Paul F. McGrath

In honor of Dr. Richard S. Kerstine

Mr. & Mrs. Norman B. Banks

Ms. June J. Burgin

Mr. & Mrs. George Croog

Mrs. Minette G. Hoffheimer

Mrs. Helen G. Levine

Dr. Saul H. Polasky

Mr. & Mrs. Edwin J. Rigaud

Mrs. Vera Sanker

Mr. & Mrs. Peter J. Scwhartz

Mr. & Mrs. David A. Wolf

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Jerome

E. Koehne

Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Koehne

In honor of Mrs. Helen G. Levine

Dr. & Mrs. Paul Perlstein

Dr. George Rieveschl, Jr.

In honor of Ms. Anne M. Maxfield

Ms. Nancy C. Maxfield

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Larry Moyer

Mr. Edward Rumpke

In honor of Judge J. Dennis Reap

Donati Law Firm

(Memphis office)

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sloan

Mr. & Mrs. George E. Dorin

In honor of Ms. Sarah Lynn Tune

National Society of the Dames of

the Court of Honor

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

In Memory of Mr. Frank R. Carnevale

Mrs. Wanda J. Bauer

In Memory of Mr. Thomas D. Cox, Sr.

Ms. Barbara A. McGrath

In Memory of Ms. Ann Dickinson

Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Dickinson

In Memory of Mr. Charles Dozier

Cliff Jacobs Automotive

In Memory of Mr. Robert Drummond

Cliff Jacobs Automotive

In Memory of LaVerne Cassinelli

Ms. Constance Cassinelli

In Memory of Mr. Paul R. Hackman

Mr. & Mrs. LeRoy Fuller

In Memory of Mrs. Alice M. Holger

Mr. James N. Bowe

In Memory of Mr. A. James Ibold

Mrs. Ruth H. Rubendunst

In Memory of Mrs. Vera Marie

Kilcoyne

Ms. Eileen Bender

In Memory of Mr. Tom Kolde

Ms. Virginia MacDonald

Clovernook Tribute Gifts

The Perspective is published by

Clovernook Center

for the Blind and Visually Impaired

7000 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45231-5297

888-234-7156

www.clovernook.org

Editorial Staff:

Anne Maxfield, vice president of development and community relations

We would love to hear from you! Direct your questions or comments to us via our toll-free number, 888-234-7156 or via email, amaxfield@clovernook.org.

O U R M I S S I O N

Clovernook provides comprehensive program services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Through our Braille production, paper products and contract manufacturing business units, we provide quality products that generate revenue to support our operations and create

job opportunities for people who are visually impaired. If you or someone you know has vision loss, please call us about our services at 888-234-7156.

The Clovernook Board of Trustees generally meet the third Thursday of the month in January, March, April, June, September and November. To offer recommendations or comments to the board, please call 888-234-7156.

To promote independence and foster the highest quality of life for people

with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities.

7000 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45231-5297

513-522-3860 (Voice or TDD)

www.clovernook.org