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Ticket To Work

  If you have a disability and want to work… …we’ve got just the Ticket! Register NOW!

National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar Ticket to Work: Free Support Services for Young Adults in Transition. If you have a disability, it is possible for you to work and continue receiving your disability benefits as you transition to greater financial independence! Social Security’s Ticket to Work & Work Incentives can provide the employment support you need to succeed on the job.

The August 24th national WISE webinar, Ticket to Work: Free Support Services for Young Adults in Transition, will present information about special Social Security programs and rules that may apply to you because of your medical condition. You will learn from Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Projects and Employment Network representatives about:
•Ticket to Work & Work Incentives
•Frequently asked questions and concerns
•Where to find more information
•Success stories from people who used their

Ticket to Work
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

Register online or call 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)

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Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chooseworkssa
and National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar

Ticket to Work: Support Services for People with Disabilities Who Want to Work

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

If you have a disability, it is possible for you to work and continue receiving your disability benefits. Social Security’s Ticket to Work and Work Incentives can provide the employment supports you need to succeed on the job.

Aniridia and WAGR Syndrome:
A Guide for Patients and Families

This is the first book done by two people born with sporadic aniridia. They also have the added experience of being moms to children with familial (inherited) aniridia. This inspiring book has something for everyone and makes a great gift for teachers, loved ones, and friends.

There are medical chapters by several renowned doctors, a chapter just for parents/family members, one for teachers, and two chapters of personal stories from many AFI members.

All books will come with a CD so for those who use screen readers or zoom text programs it will make reading it easier.

You can order by filling out the book order form and sending it to the AFI office with your payment. By pre-ordering you can be guaranteed to get the book at a lower price. Deadline for pre-ordering is March 31st. Don't miss out on the opportunity to get an advanced copy by pre-ordering it now!

OFFICIAL AFI EXECUTIVE BOARD STATEMENT

February 12, 2010

The Aniridia Foundation International (AFI) Executive Board of Directors wishes to address any misperceptions about grants funded by AFI. AFI is pleased to support the OPTIC program, which provides clinical support for patients with aniridia at Cincinnati Eye Institute. AFI has awarded the OPTIC program $70,000 and spent additional funds on supplies since the inception of this program. In the Executive board meeting of January 12, 2010 it was confirmed that AFI has met all commitments of the OPTIC program.

The AFI organization has responded to all requests and for the required public document 990, regarding finances of the organization. Our financials and audit / reviews are done by outside independent firms for transparency purposes. AFI will begin making the 2009 documents available online. Click here for our annual 990 public reports.

AFI's universal goals are to advance research, support those with aniridia and their families, and provide education through our AFI Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards made up of physicians and researchers experienced in Aniridia and the conditions which make up Aniridia.

Through the medical conferences many members have benefitted from AFI's educational and support meetings. Some of the comments from attendees have been:

"There is no better way to learn so much so quickly! It's really nice to go to the conference and be able to feel like there are people who understand and share those feelings! Building our Aniridia family over the years into a network of people who share and care across the miles is important."
-- Conference attendee with Aniridia

"I agree with everyone.....The conference was an experience of a lifetime & it will help me & my son in the future."
-- Conference attendee; parent and child with Aniridia

The AFI International Aniridia Medical Registry and Gene Bank not only is an extremely important aspect for advancing research, Its secondary goal is to provide an important service via information to those with Aniridia about their specific deletion at no charge. Most of you know how expensive research and genetic testing is and if you do not, please read Dr. James Lauderdale's lead article in the "Eye on Aniridia" newsletter (Winter / Spring 2010). We could not afford to do this for these people if it were not for special partnerships with facilities and donors. We hope you appreciate these benefits, and will show your active support in helping us find the solution to this condition.

Other news:

Just a reminder about the various ways you can assist AFI in fundraising, by doing something you do already and sometimes get something in return.

• Google's non profit site www.Goodsearch.com allows you to earn money for AFI with each search you do (and we all search for things anyway) OR for shopping online with Good Shop at that website above. Prices are the same...sometimes lower online. Many stores pay percentages of the sales generated back to the non profit as their way of saying thank you for helping those in need. You can even make it a homepage or download the toolbar so you do not have to type in Aniridia Foundation International each time you search. How to do this is on the website www.Goodsearch.com Some people have begun putting this on their email tag lines (signature area):
  

  "I support Aniridia Foundation International's mission
  to help those with low vision and blindness by having their
  name as MY CHARITY when I either SEARCH or SHOP ONLINE at
  www.Goodsearch.com (Googles' non profit) Join me and tell
  your family, friends and co-workers...it does not cost you
  anything for something you would do anyway (search or shop)."

• See our webstore for Medical ID bracelets and lifetime online SECURED records that any doctor or EMT could access in an emergency so correct measures can be taken. It is especially important for those with aniridia as our eyes are always dilated but in an emergency, the doctors may not know this. On many ordered already they have "Condition: Aniridia - no pupil response". They make loving gifts for friends and family who may have allergies to things like penicillin, are taking blood thinners like Coumadin, that have pacemakers, etc.

  American Medical ID supports Aniridia Foundation International and donates a percentage of money back to us for every bracelet sold. So many people with various conditions should have these (see details and conditions list in the web store area). Help raise funds for AFI and get your bracelets today.

• Are you an ebay seller or buyer? Did you know that Aniridia Foundation International has been a member of MISSION FISH, Ebay's non profit partners for several years. If you sell things and agree to donate at least 10% of the winning bid price of your item to Aniridia Foundation International, they will not charge you to post your item for auction. If you buy on ebay...you can look for items that are designated to be donated to AFI. We hope to have an area on our website for this updated information.