[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for October 25, 2025

[Christopher Sabine]

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for October 25, 2025


  1.  The October 25, 2025 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 4:00 P.M. on Saturday October 25, 2025, at Christine's Casual Dining, 3360 Westbourne Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45248. Attending today's meeting in person were President Gloria Robinson, Lisa Hall, Christopher Sabine, and Tammy Smith. Joan Sabine also attended as a guest of the Chapter. Attending by telephone conference were Frank Bragassa and Gary Warren. There was no Treasurer's Report.


  1.  Gary Warren moved to accept the August 30 meeting minutes as presented. Frank Bragassa seconded. The motion passed.



  1.  Gloria Robinson gave a report from the Membership Committee in place of Dave Perry, who was absent from today's meeting. The report consisted of a summary of the Affiliate-wide membership call which took place on Tuesday October 21. William Turner and Cathy Legg are current committee chairs, and Richard Payne, President of the Ohio Affiliate, gave a report. Gloria indicated that Emily Pennington is entering new member information into the national membership portal, and Christopher Sabine will be responsible for this following State Convention. All members are receiving announcements of Chapter meetings.


  1.  Christopher Sabine gave a Transportation Committee Report. Christopher indicated that a new app has been released, MY ACCESS, used for booking paratransit rides online. Members must be ACCESS users and be able to download the app. A link with information from the Metro Newsletter was posted to the Cincinnati Chapter Listserv prior to today's meeting. Christopher also indicated that the Blue Ash and Montgomery communities have been added to Metro Now. This service provides on-demand transportation from a user's location to a community location or a fixed route bus stop.



  1.  President Gloria Robinson gave an update concerning the Ohio Affiliate Convention, which is currently set for November 6-9 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Westlake, Ohio. Several Chapter members will be traveling to State Convention, but there will be no van this year due to circumstances beyond the Chapter's control. Christopher Sabine reported that he has booked a tour of the Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame for 2:00 P.M. on Sunday November 9, following State Convention. Members can contact him directly if interested. Sighted guides are available for Blind attendees. Those interested are asked to meet at the hotel at 1:00 P.M.


  1.  President Robinson indicated that she will be assisting DR. Carolyn Peters at the Ohio Communities of Faith Division meeting on Friday November 7 at State Convention. A boll-a-thon event is also schedule for November 6 as a fundraiser. Further information is available from Theresa McKinney from the Cleveland Chapter. The Chapter will have a basket at Convention and a table at the exhibit Hall. Four dozen cookies will be available to sell as well as oils and scarves made by Chapter member Tammy Smith.



  1.  Christopher Sabine gave a report regarding a request from National Office relayed through Affiliate President Richard Payne to travel to Washington D.C on November 4. On October 11, the U.S. Department of Education issued a reduction in force (RIF) eliminating all staff at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, the office responsible for implementing all laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), vocational rehabilitation, the Randolph Sheppard Program, services provided to older Americans to provide independent living services, and other vital supports for Blind people. The agency is being eliminated as of December 8, affecting grant allocation, technical assistance, and other vital services. All Federationists are being asked to meet with their members of Congress to stop the RIF, and Christopher and Dave Perry have been asked specifically to travel to Washington to meet with Sens. Bernie Moreno and John Husted on November 4 and 5. Christopher Sabine also indicated that all members of the Ohio Affiliate are being asked to provide written testimony to the Ohio House Health Committee in support of Ohio's Accessible Prescription Labeling Bill, which has been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly and has a proponent hearing set for October 28. Scriptalk users in particular are being asked to provide testimony.


  1.  President Gloria Robinson asked all members to reach out to her with any concerns regarding the conduct of Chapter meetings.



  1.  President Gloria Robinson stated that she wants to have a Christmas party for Chapter members, but a date and location has not been announced.


  1.  Frank Bragassa indicated that the Secretary of War has requested a waiver of priority for all military dining facilities for Randolph Sheppard Programs. This could eliminate Blind vending at all military installations and have an impact on other vending operations as well.



  1.  The October 25, 2025, meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 4:30 P.M. on Saturday October 25, 2025.


Respectfully Submitted,

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

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