Social Security's Website Offers Easy Read Option

During my last few visits to the local library, I have noticed that one of the fastest growing sections is the shelf space devoted to Alarge print books. It really is not surprising when you consider that about 15 million Americans have some form of vision impairment, and millions of other Americans with aging eyes may have trouble reading small print.

That is why Social Security has taken steps to make reading Asmall print easier for visitors to our website.

The letter size in reading material is measured in Apoints. Most text in American newspapers is 9 point type, and most books are set in 10- to 12-point type.  But the minimum size for large-print materials is 14-point type, and most large-print materials are available in 16- to 18-point type. (That is the difference between reading ASocial Security and ASocial Security!)

Folks who visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov can easily change the text size on their computer to make the information easier to read.  This is done through the AWeb Eyes plug-in, which is available free on the www.socialsecurity.gov homepage.  Web Eyes can increase text size from 10 to 144 points, in two-point increments.

Social Security provides Web Eyes as a courtesy to our website visitors.  It is available for download at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/textsizeinst.htm. Anyone who downloads Web Eyes will have unlimited use of it while visiting the Social Security website.  When they leave our website, the text enlargement will continue for five minutes and then automatically return to the settings on the user's browser.

Our technical people tell me, however, that to successfully download Web Eyes, users must have an Internet connection, at least four megabytes of free space available on the hard drive, and Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser version 5.5 or higher. The Web Eyes plug-in also includes a help manual and a help menu, which includes Frequently Asked Questions.  I know that the millions of Americans with vision impairments will appreciate this feature, as will the tens of millions of baby boomers now in middle-age.  While some people can hold a newspaper at arms length to read small print, that trick does not work too well with a computer terminal.

Information provided by Rhonda Whitenack, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

---

Hennepin takes steps to change mental health system

The Hennepin County board voted to accept a $660,000 grant from the state Department of Human Services to restructure residential treatment services for people with serious and persistent mental illnesses who are leaving inpatient psychiatric settings.  The 2003 Legislature called for restructuring of mental health services, including increasing housing options.  The legislation will convert current Rule 36 facilities so the facilities will provide intensive treatment and reduce the need for inpatient hospitalization.  Hennepin will use $600,000 of the grant to provide shallow (capped) rent subsidies to current Rule 36 residents and to people who are relocating to the community from nursing homes, regional treatment centers and institutions for mental diseases.  The subsidies will make apartments available to about 100 people.  The remaining $60,000 will be used for start-up funds for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams.  These teams will provide 24-hour on-call assistance to people transitioning from a Rule 36 facility to a community setting.

---

VSA arts of Minnesota to Hold Statewide Careers in the Arts Workshops

Why would an artist create a painting and then be afraid to sell it?  Why would a writer create an autobiography, sell it to a major publisher and then refuse to go out on a promotional tour?  For most people, these two situations seem absurd.  But ask a person with a disability and there is a knowing nod and a esigned understanding.  The painter is concerned how this “intermittent income” will jeopardize his disability and medical benefits – the writer concerned that she will be unable to handle the physical and/or emotional challenges of the tour given the nature of her disability.

A career in the arts is a tough row to hoe – for a person with a disability, it is often even tougher.  Given that, VSA arts of Minnesota will present workshops on issues important to Minnesotans with disabilities interested in a career in the arts, including music, dance writing, visual arts and theater.  These workshops will be held in twelve locations around the state over the next three months.The four hour workshops will be held in six metro and six Greater Minnesota locations beginning in early May.  To learn more about this opportunity and to get registration information, you can visit the VSA arts of Minnesota website at http://mn.vsarts.org or call the Minneapolis office at 612 332-3888 or 1-800-801-388.  Both phone numbers are accessible via TTY during normal business hours but during evenings or weekends a voicemail message should be left using the Relay Service.