[Cinci-nfb] National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati, Meeting Minutes for July 2016

Walter Mitchell walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com
Thu Aug 25 15:44:36 UTC 2016


Chris,

 

I also attended the July meeting, I arrived late.

 

Walter

 

From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 10:50 AM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'
Cc: Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting
Subject: [Cinci-nfb] National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati, Meeting
Minutes for July 2016

 

National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati

Meeting Minutes for July 2016

 

1.       The July meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of
Cincinnati was convened by President Deborah Kendrick at approximately 2:10
P.M. on July 30 2016 at the Washington Platform Restaurant in Downtown
Cincinnati. In attendance were: Deborah Kendrick, Joy Thomas, Judy Rudick,
David Perry, Lisa Hall, Rachel Kuntz, Michael Kuntz, Lilly Pennington, Emily
Pennington, Paul Dressell, Christopher Sabine, Deanna Lewis, Sheri Albers,
Judy Cook and Diane Carmony. Christopher and Martin Tolle and Elif Emir
Oksuz arrived later during the meeting. There was no mini-blind this month
in the interest of time, as several presentations were conducted at this
month's meeting. Dave Perry moved to accept the June 2016 minutes as
emailed. Emily Pennington seconded; the motion passed.

 

2.       Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's Report. Rachel
Kuntz moved to accept the Treasurer's Report. Christopher Sabine seconded;
the motion passed.

 

3.       Deborah gave a brief overview of an open exhibition of the new
Cincinnati Streetcar, which is currently slated to commence operations on
September 9. This exhibition took place at Music Hall at 10:00 A.M. on July
30 and was designed specifically for riders with disabilities. Deborah
indicated that Sue Guagenti, Orientation and Mobility Specialist at the
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, took part in
this morning's exhibition and has been very involved with the Southwest Ohio
Regional Transit Authority to ensure equal access for Blind and Visually
Impaired Riders. Deborah has asked Sue to speak at the September 2016
Chapter meeting concerning accessibility features and issues that still need
to be addressed. Deborah indicated that the current streetcar line runs in a
3.6-mile-long loop from Findlay Market to the Ohio River by way of Downtown.
The streetcars themselves are quiet. However, each stop will be indicated
for pedestrians by a "ding dong" sound. The driver can also indicate when a
pedestrian is possibly in danger with a "fog horn" sound. Bus stops are also
indicated verbally and with musical tones for Blind riders. Deborah
expressed that the platforms are elevated, with access provided by steps or
ramps. Each platform is indicated for Blind travelers by a detectible
warning along the edge of the platform. Since the streetcar is flush with
the platform, there is no way to "miss step" when entering the streetcar
when the door opens. There are reportedly three or four doors on each
streetcar. Deborah expressed that passengers will pay for tickets at a
number of kiosks along the streetcar route. While officials reportedly
assured Sue Guagenti that these kiosks will be audible, Sue found no speaker
or headphone jack on the unit demonstrated during the event. Deborah was
able to obtain a supply of brochures with a map of the 18 stops currently on
the streetcar line which was distributed to interested Chapter members.
However, this brochure is currently not in Braille or another accessible
format. David Perry agreed to see if the Cincinnati Association for the
blind and Visually Impaired could transcribe the brochure into Braille.

 

4.       Deborah led a discussion of the experiences of each member who
attended this year's convention of the National Federation of the Blind,
which was held earlier this month in Orlando, Florida. She asked each member
who attended to take one to two minutes to discuss what they found was the
most fascinating exhibit or activity of the convention. Elif-who won a
$5,000 National Scholarship at this year's convention-began the discussion.
Elif expressed that since she had to attend some mandatory sessions as a
scholarship recipient, she was unable to experience all the exhibits and
other activities. However, she expressed that she found the Orbit Reader-a
Braille display which the NFB hopes to distribute to all Blind consumers as
a device affordable to everyone-was the most interesting. Elif expressed
that a 20-cell Orbit Reader Braille Display will be available for less than
$500. Lilly Pennington expressed that the highlight of her week at
Convention was attending a meeting of the NFB Human Services Division, in
which Elif discussed her studies. Lilly expressed that she found the
presentation by Melissa Ricobono, wife of the President of NFB, to be
particularly informative. Melissa discussed her experiences as a guidance
counselor and the human services activities that take place within NFB,
including the Blind Parents Initiative. Emily Pennington discussed her
participation in the Neuro-Plasticity Research Study conducted by Johns
Hopkins University along with her sister, Lilly. Rachel Kuntz discussed the
time she spent in the exhibit halls and the difficulty navigating with the
crowds-particularly for those with hearing loss. Rachel expressed that
despite this, Paul Jordan was able to gather lunch for her and Sheri Albers
while both were staffing a table. Rachel also indicated that she had the
opportunity to have dinner with Joe Magers from Toledo, Ohio-one of three
petitioners in a landmark decision by an administrative law judge granting
equal pay for employees of a sheltered workshop. Lisa Hall discussed her
time working in the Independence Market and trying out various Braille
Displays, including the Orbit 20. She was also elected to another term as
President of the National Association of Blind Office Professionals. Sheri
Albers expressed that organizing the Ohio Affiliate, working with Rachel at
an exhibit table and connecting with Federationists from her home state were
the highlights of her trip to National Convention. She also expressed that
she enjoyed the camaraderie of being part of the national organization.
Finally, Deborah expressed that she enjoyed a fundraising concert put on by
Marian Gwizdala, President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users,
James Brown, Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind and J. P.
Williams, a Blind country music performer working and living in Nashville.
She also enjoyed meeting blind journalist Gary O'Donoghue, who is currently
political correspondent for the BBC based in Washington, D.C. Deborah
concluded the discussion of Convention by reporting that Congress has passed
legislation authorizing the Library of Congress to provide free Braille
displays for patrons of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print
Disabled. While the model of Braille display NLS will offer is not known,
the most likely suspect is the Orbit Reader. Deborah indicated that she has
obtained an Orbit Reader from the developers at Convention and is writing up
a review.

 

5.       Sheri Albers, who is statewide BELL Program Coordinator, gave a
report on this year's Ohio Bell Academy, which was held at the Ohio State
School for the Blind in Columbus. For the first time, the program was
offered as a one-week residential program as opposed to the two week day
program it had been in the past. This allowed for a more comprehensive
curriculum, which included NFB Philosophy and life skills content. Sheri
expressed her thanks for NFB members from Cincinnati who actively
participated in the program this year. The program consisted of a day
curriculum followed by afternoon and evening activities. These included
swimming, music, goal ball with David Perry and a walk to a UDF near the
Ohio State School for the Blind Campus. Rachel Kuntz, David Perry and Joy
Thomas, who also participated in this year's program, shared their
experiences working with the children and assisting with the various
activities.

 

6.       Christopher Sabine gave a report from the Membership Committee. He
began by revisiting a discussion from the May Chapter meeting concerning the
National recruitment initiative launched in April by Danielle Trevino,
National Membership Coordinator and Director of Social Media at the NFB
National Office. At that time, the National Office began distributing
bi-fold membership cards with the Signature of President Mark Ricobono, the
NFB Logo and a space to have individual members' names included. Christopher
provided a supply of 50 of these cards to Lisa Hall, who has agreed to
emboss with the name of each chapter member in Braille. Christopher also
discussed the status of the Facebook Page. Jessie McDaniel, who served as
sighted administrator of the page and assisted with posting photos, has
resigned from the Chapter and relinquished her role as Administrator. The
Chapter is currently looking for someone to fill this role. The sighted
administrator would work with Christopher to ensure that photos posted to
Facebook are appropriate and have adequate descriptive text for Blind
visitors to the page. He and Deborah are working with John Mitchell,
executive Director of the Cincinnati Association for the blind and Visually
Impaired, and others to determine if one of the agency's one-on-one
volunteers can take on this role. Finally, Christopher reported that the
National Office is compiling a database of all new members to the National
Federation of the Blind using a Website for Chapter Presidents and other
leadership. The National Office is collecting contact information for new
members to share information concerning activities and events from National
Office. New members will be added to the database upon joining the Chapter.
Any current members interested in having their names added to the database
should contact Christopher directly. Chris Tolle requested background from
Christopher concerning the role of the sighted administrator and expressed
that he might know of a person who might be interested. Walter Mitchell
asked if the new membership cards could be made available for existing
members. Christopher clarified that Lisa will emboss each current member's
name on each of the current supply of 50 cards in Braille. There is also a
place for the Chapter President to sign.

 

7.       During Christopher's report, Deborah encouraged any member with
difficulties obtaining one-on-one reader / volunteer services from the
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired to see her or
contact John Mitchell directly.

 

8.       Deanna Lewis gave a brief report for the Recreation Committee.
Deanna expressed that the Book Club is "going strong" and is discussing its
last book, "Thunder Dog", which tells the story of a Blind man whose guide
dog, Roselle, led him and several others out of Tower 1 of the World Trade
Center on 9/11. Deborah also thanked those who organized the Chapter Picnic
for making it a well-organized and successful event.

 

9.       Judy Rudick gave a brief follow-up concerning the We Care /
Benevolent Program, which she and Annie McEachirn Carson chair. Judy
encouraged any Chapter member who is ill, has an ill family member, needs to
discuss any personal issue in confidence or wishes to share something to
celebrate should contact either her or Annie, and they will send out an
email to Chapter members.

 

10.   Paul Dressell reported that plans are currently underway to organize a
visit to Marion King, a long time Federationist who worked at the Cincinnati
Association for the Blind for many years and helped organize the union of
workshop employees. Marion is 92-years-old and has some health limitations
that make it difficult or impossible for her to attend Chapter meetings.
Paul and Bernie Dressell, Dale Barta and Christopher Sabine will make this
visit on behalf of the Chapter.

 

11.   Lisa Hall gave a special presentation on ScripTalk, a resource
provided by En-Vision America, Inc. to enable blind people to access
prescription medication labels. En-vision America partners with several
leading pharmacies nationally-including CVS Caremark, Humana and Aetna-to
provide prescription labels in large print, Braille and audio format. It is
primarily a mail order service. Audio Access to prescription information is
provided by the ScripTalk Device, which allows users to scan the bar code on
a prescription label and obtain the name of the drug, dosage and all
pertinent information found on a print label, including the prescription
I.D., dosing instructions and potential adverse reactions. Lisa gave a
detailed summary of how she currently uses Braille and audio to manage five
different medications and gave a demonstration of how she uses the ScripTalk
to access audio information from a prescription label by scanning its bar
code. She also demonstrated use of another medication with a Braille label.
Braille or large print literature for medications is also provided.
En-Vision America will work with consumers to provide the ScripTalk device
and coordinate their medications through partnering pharmacies. Anyone
interested in learning more about En-Vision America or signing up for its
services can visit its Website at http://www.envisionamerica.com or call
(800) 890-1180.

 

12.   Deborah reminded Chapter members that the BARD Website and Smartphone
apps operated by the National Library Service were offline the weekend of
July 30 and 31.

 

13.   Sheri Albers and Chris Tolle gave a brief report on Bus Detective, an
IPhone app providing accurate, real time information on when the nearest
Metro Bus will arrive at a user's location. The local version of this app is
Real Time Tracker CVG.

 

14.   The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:35 P.M. on July 30 2016.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Christopher Sabine

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/cinci-nfb_nfbnet.org/attachments/20160825/31c69489/attachment.html>


More information about the Cinci-NFB mailing list