[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for August 2025

Sun Sep 14 14:25:58 UTC 2025

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for August 2025

  1.  The August 2025 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by Chapter President Gloria Robison at approximately 4:02 P.M. at the Cincinnati / Hamilton County public Library, Price Hill Branch, located at 970 Purcell Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Please note that the Chapter did not meet in July due to the annual National Convention. Attending the August meeting in person were President Gloria Robinson, Chris Windham, Dave Perry, Christopher Sabine, Emily Kiehl, Anthony King, Ben Heard, Julie Heard, Anna Hammons, and Tammy Smith. Joan Sabine also attended this meeting in person as a guest of the Chapter. Attending today's meeting by telephone conference were Emily Pennington, Frank Bragassa, Gary Warren, and Lisa Hall.

  1.  Dave Perry moved to accept the April meeting minutes as presented. Tammy smith seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's Report. Christopher Sabine moved to accept this month's Treasurer's Report. Emily Kiehl seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Gloria Robinson began the discussion with membership related activities. Anna Hammons has agreed to join the Cincinnati Chapter at today's meeting. However, there was no swearing in ceremony or onboarding process. Former member Anthony King has also agreed to join the Chapter at today's meeting. President Robinson indicated that the Chapter has a third new member, Brook Allen, who has agreed to join the National Federation of the Blind and begin attending regular meetings. However, she was not present at today's meeting. Dave Perry, the chair of the Membership Committee, introduced Anna Hammons and Anthony King. Anna Hammons is currently a part-time student employed at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired who recently returned to Cincinnati. Anthony King is returning to the Federation after an extended absence. He is a member of the Blind Bowling League and lives in Downtown Cincinnati. Gloria Robinson requested that all members be compassionate toward new members who are adjusting to blindness.

  1.  Gary Warren gave a report from the Fundraising Committee, attending by telephone conference. He indicated that a fundraiser is being planned for the middle of October in observance of Blind Equality Achievement Month. The event will take place at the Price Hill Knights of Columbus Hall on West Eighth Street as with previous events, but a date has not been scheduled as of today's meeting. The World's Finest Chocolates fundraiser is ongoing, and two other Chapter members were mentioned as interested in selling candy. Cookie Dough will also be sold at $20 per bucket or box. Cookie dough is available in four flavors: oatmeal raison, chocolate/ chocolate chip, Candy confetti, and peanut butter. President Gloria Robinson expressed that anyone interested in selling the cookie dough, which is also available from World's Finest Chocolates, should give her a specific amount that they plan to sell. Dave Perry reported that finder foods, such as meatballs and chicken wings, will be served at the fundraising event. Donations for a beer and wine tasting are being solicited, and the Chapter is seeking a single, large door prize, according to President Robinson. Electronic donations (e.g., via Cash App) will only be accepted from trusted Chapter members. President Robinson expressed her thanks to Anna Burrage, Julie Heard and Joan Sabine for their support of past fundraisers. Further details will be shared with the Chapter at a later date.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that the Chapter will also be conducting a public event observing Blind Equality Achievement Month in conjunction with the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The Chapter has an updated proclamation, which will be read by a representative of Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. President Robinson answered several follow-up questions regarding aspects of the planning for the event, particularly the wine tasting. President Robinson also expressed that she would design a flier for the event and requested volunteers to serve. Some other ideas were generated in the discussion that followed.

  1.  During the discussion of fundraising, President Robinson reported that she is planning to organize a table at the Ohio Affiliate State Convention, which is currently set for November 6-9. Gary Warren is organizing the Chapter's Table at State Convention, which is part of the exhibit hall on Saturday November 8 following the Morning General Session.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that she is conducting community outreach efforts with churches and other community organizations. She is also making visits by Chapter members to assess their level of friendliness toward the Blind community. A discussion of members' personal experiences in the community followed that mainly revolved around ride share and transportation.

  1.  Chris Windham, speaking for the transportation Committee, indicated that as of July 16, new routes have been implemented on Metro, the fixed route service provided by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) stating that members can call Metro directly at (513) 621-4455 for further information. Fares have also increased. Questions regarding the reliability of ACCESS, SORTA's paratransit service, for some Chapter members were mentioned. Christopher Sabine indicated that a new app is available, MY ACCESS, for paratransit riders to schedule and track their rides. President Gloria Robinson stated that, to her knowledge, all Blind people are eligible for paratransit services, responding to questions from members. Dave Perry indicated that members with questions about ACCESS rides after hours can call SORTA Dispatch at a special number, (513) 632-7870. This number went online after the First of the Year and was reportedly posted to the Cinci-Talk Listserv at that time. This number can be reached between 6:30 P.M. and 6:00 A.M on weekdays and any time before 8:00 A.M. or after 5:00 P.M. on weekends.

  1.  Christopher Sabine gave an update from the Legislative Committee. HE indicated that following the June 7 special meeting with U.S. Congressional Representative Greg Landsman, the Representative has co-sponsored all three of the Federation's national priorities. HE is also studying H.R. 4771, the Transition to Competitive, Integrated Employment Act, but has not co-sponsored the bill as of today's meeting. Christopher also stated that he has received an email from an aide to Sen. Bernie Moreno, acknowledging receive of his message regarding S. 2438, the bill's Senate companion legislation. The Ohio Affiliate has a "very productive" meeting regarding subminimum wage legislation in Ohio's General Assembly but has no word on whether the bill has been voted out of Committee. Christopher concluded that all members are being asked nationally to request their members of Congress to act and preserve and maintain appropriations for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Bookshare, and rehabilitation services for older Blind Americans, which are at risk of significant funding cuts under the current administration. The appropriations bill, which funds these programs at current levels, has passed the Senate. However, these levels are inadequate to meet critical needs for the Blind community, and there is a risk that the House version will be enacted, which calls for significant funding reductions as demands for services have increased. Christopher Sabine asked members to expect legislative updated from National Office every week due to the response of the current administration to the needs of the disability community.

  1.  Frank Bragassa expressed that, according to an aide to Sen. Bernie Moreno who met with the Ohio Vendors Representative Committee in January, the Randolph Sheppard Program, which provides business opportunities at state-operated facilities for members of the Blind community, should not be impacted by the changes in federal programs under the Trump Administration. Christopher Sabine, who serves as Secretary of the Ohio Vendors Representatives Committee, stated that the Ohio Business enterprise Program is always looking for new operator trainees, particularly those willing to relocate to underserved areas like Southeast Ohio.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that Emily Hiehl will serve as chair of the Chapter's guide dog users committee, a position formerly held by Deanna Lewis. Emily stated that she can share resources and information about the various guide dog training schools and their applications and admission requirements as well as the skills necessary to care for a guide dog.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson led a discussion of ICAN Connect<https://www.icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/ohio/>, a free, federally funded service providing customized communication services to people who are Blind and hard of hearing and members of the Deafblind community. This service provides telephone equipment and computers to support with communication, and services are provided individually at members' homes statewide.

  1.  Frank Bragassa, who attended a town hall meeting on August 20 conducted between Affiliate Leadership and BSVI Director Kevin Miller, reported that independent living services for Blind seniors aged 55 and older are being reinstituted on October 1 following a dispute with the Social Security Administration regarding program reimbursement.

  1.  Ben Heard presented a $20 donation to the Chapter.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that she is in the process of organizing one and possibly two vans to transport members to the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio State Convention, currently set for November 6-9 at the Wyndam Garden Hotel in Westlake, Ohio, outside Cleveland. She indicated that she is currently seeking donations for the vans, which will cost an estimated $1,500 to $2,000, including the driver, mileage, and rental costs. President Robinson is also collecting items for the annual Convention Basket to present at the auction during the banquet. She requested the cost of the hotel is $115 per night, including a free breakfast for two. President Robinson requested that all members seek donations from organizations in the community for the van and Convention related expenses.

  1.  The August 2025 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 5:26 P.M. on Saturday August 30, 2025.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine
Secretary
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter

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