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(FFB Press Release - Dec.11, 1998) On Friday, December 11, 1998, "CBS News This Morning" featured an interview with Dr. Mark Humayun of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Humayun discussed his efforts to develop a computerized retinal chip that might one day restore ambulatory vision to patients with retinal degenerative diseases. Although further work is needed, Foundation scientists are encouraged by the progress that has been made in this research area. The Foundation supports Dr. Humayun's retinal chip project through a Career Development Award. The retinal chip is a high-tech visual aid intended to restore rudimentary levels of vision. It will use a computer chip designed to mimic basic photoreceptor cell function. Hopefully, such a device would allow people with end stage retinal degenerations to regain ambulatory vision. To become a reality, researchers must develop a powerful and reliable computer chip that can safely transmit meaningful signals to the brain via the neural network of the retina. Scientists from Harvard, MIT, Johns Hopkins, the University of Bonn and the Max Planck Institute in Germany, as well as those in the private industry, are working to develop this high-tech visual aid. Currently, most of these research groups have developed a prototype and are testing the long-term safety of this device in animal models. This work must be done before the FDA will grant approval to begin clinical trials. Some researchers estimate that clinical trials could happen in the next few years. The Foundation Fighting Blindness has played a key role in retinal chip research. Infact, the very scientific rationale for this device is predicated by Dr. Ann Milam's studies of donor eyes from The Foundation's Retina Donor Program. Dr. Milam is the Director of the Histopathology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. In these studies she found that ganglion and other nerve cells, which relay electrical light impulses to the brain via the optic nerve, seem to survive even after photoreceptor cells have degenerated. If surviving nerve cells are functional, a sophisticated computer chip might be able to transmit meaningful images to the brain. As a part of its new scientific advisory structure, the Foundation Fighting Blindness created a team of retinal chip experts led by Dr. Eugene de Juan of Johns Hopkins University. This advisory committee is charged with tracking research progress and reviewing grant applications for The Foundation.
1. A Feeling for Form The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is offering A FEELING FOR FORM tours for individuals or groups of teens or adults who are blind or visually impaired. A selection of objects in the Museum's collections may be explored through guided tactile tours. Tours are approximately one hour long, and they can include explorations of sculpture and furniture, descriptions of paintings, and weather permitting, a variety of experiences in the Museum's gardens. The Museum welcomes information about your interests and abilities that will help them to plan a tour for you or for your group. The fee is $5.00 per person. Suggested group size is five adults or teens. There is no additional admission fee for those who are pre-registered for this program. Fees have been kept as low as possible to accommodate non-profit agencies and low income individuals. For more information, call or e-mail the Coordinator of Access for Visitors with Disabilities: Eleanor Rubin at (617) 369-3302 or [email protected]. 2. Talking Caller I.D. Maxi Aids offers a selection of talking Caller I.D.'s which will announce the party who is calling as well as the number. Call them for more information on the right one for you. Prices range from $93.95 - $99.95. Maxi Aids 1-800-522-6294 e-mail: [email protected] 3. Large Print & Braille Fortune Cookies: The Lucky Fortune Cookie Company offers giant fortune cookies (about 6 inches by 5 inches by 4 inches) that include large print and braille fortunes. These large cookies sell for $6 each, and customized fortunes are available, as well as chocolate dipped cookies. The Lucky Fortune Cookie Company is a student-operated business at the California School for the Blind: 510-794-3800 ext. 300 or email: [email protected]
Pub. 1614 has large print copies of Form 1040, Schedules A, B, D, E, EIC, and R, and Form 1040-V and their instructions. Large print forms can be used as worksheet but cannot be filed. You can order Pub. 1614 by phone or mail: Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 85074, Richmond, VA 23261-5074 1-800-829-3676 Braille materials are available at libraries that have special services for the blind. |
