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

Thu Aug 25 19:30:06 UTC 2016

Chris,Thank you.  Once again you did a great job on the minutes.Judy Rudig251-8108

      From: "Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting via Cinci-nfb" <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org>
 To: 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List' <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: "Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting" <info at onhconsulting.com>
 Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 10:49 AM
 Subject: [Cinci-nfb] National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati, Meeting Minutes for July 2016

National Federation of the Blind of CincinnatiMeeting 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    
_______________________________________________
Cinci-nfb mailing list
Cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/cinci-nfb_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Cinci-nfb:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/cinci-nfb_nfbnet.org/rudigja%40yahoo.com

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/cinci-nfb_nfbnet.org/attachments/20160825/b3c120d3/attachment.html>