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<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cincinnati Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meeting Minutes for March 2026<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">The March 2026 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday March 29, 2026, by President Gloria Robinson. This meeting was held virtually
at the request of President Robinson. Attending today’s meeting were President Gloria Robinson, Christopher Sabine, Chris Windham, Dave Perry, Frank Bragassa, Emily Pennington, Tammy Smith, Paula Collins, Anna Hammons, Robert Shoemake, and Benjamin Heard.
The National Presidential Release was played for Chapter members prior to today’s meeting.
<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="2" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Emily Pennington gave this month’s Treasurer’s Report. Christopher Sabine moved to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Dave Perry seconded. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="3" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Dave Perry moved to accept the February Chapter minutes. Emily Pennington seconded. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="4" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Dave Perry presented this month’s Fundraising Committee report. HE indicated that the Fundraising Committee has met and is exploring a wine tasting and a ball, similar to those held by the Chapter in the
past. The Chapter is hoping to hold events in May and later in the summer, but specific dates for neither event have been set. President Gloria Robinson encouraged all members wishing to donate to contact her or any other member of the Fundraising Committee.
President Robinson added that she is a distributor for World’s Finest Chocolates and requested that anyone interested in selling their products to reach out to her directly. She went on to clarify that the ball is planned for some time in August, and the wine
tasting is planned for some point in May. The wine tasting will be limited to those 21 years of age or older. Finger foods will be served with allergies and other accommodations provided.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="5" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">President Gloria Robinson expressed congratulations to Christopher Sabine, who was appointed Treasurer of the Ohio Affiliate.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="6" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">President Gloria Robinson indicated that the Ohio Affiliate Convention is set for November 5-8 at the University of Dayton Marriott Hotel, 1415 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton Ohio. The convention is set for
November 5-8, 2026. Members with questions can reach out to Dave Perry, President Robinson or Christopher Sabine for additional information.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="7" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">There was no Transportation Committee report. A discussion on the new ACCESS buses deployed by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority followed.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="8" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">An extensive discussion regarding Community outreach followed. President Gloria Robinson stated that she wishes to present about Blindness to schools, churches, and other organizations, focusing efforts
around Blind Equality Achievement Month in October. Various topics of interest would be discussed, including Braille, guide dogs, and how Blind people perform daily activities. She continued by expressing concerns about how Blind people are treated in the
community, particularly at stores, banks, and restaurants. She reported that she and other members have had negative experiences in the community over the past several months, particularly at restaurants and buffets. Stating that several members and nonmembers
have expressed that they have had concerns with service refusals, citing a case where specific individuals are being told that they cannot be served at buffets. Gloria concluded with a request for members to reach out to local media and ask that they air a
segment on service to Blind customers at buffets and alleged refusals, particularly at independently-operated Frisch’s Big Boy locations. President Robinson also expressed concerns about requests that customers complete their purchases in a certain time period.
A consensus emerged that Cincinnati Chapter leadership organize meetings with management at the restaurants and stores in question to advise them of their responsibilities to serve Blind customers under relevant laws such as the Americans with Disabilities
Act. IF and when the Chapter opts to involve the media, it could be to educate businesses on the fact that members of the Blind community represent potential customers and how to serve our population. President Robinson and Chapter members agreed to form a
committee to visit at least one restaurant in question to meet with Management for this purpose. Dave Perry, Robert Shoemake, Chris Windham, President Gloria Robinson, Anna Hammons, Christopher Sabine, and Paula Collins volunteered to serve on this Committee.
It was agreed that the Committee would visit the stores and restaurants and reach out to media representatives as needed, scheduling an initial meeting to plan. President Robinson also asked Dave Perry, the Chapter’s Vice President and an employee of the Cincinnati
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to reach out to the agency’s executive director, Terri Sherk, regarding the role of volunteers and their ability to provide assistance in stores and restaurants. Specifically, would it be appropriate to pay
a volunteer for a meal if they assist a Blind customer at a restaurant? Discussion on this topic continued with a discussion of the proposed event and the need to educate the public (and restaurant staff and management in particular) about Blindness in an
assertive, nonconfrontational manner.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="9" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">President Gloria Robinson discussed the State and National Conventions and financial assistance available. The National Federation of the Blind annual convention is set for July 3-8 in Austin Texas, and
information was provided for Chapter members to apply for available scholarships. The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio State Convention, as discussed previously, is being held at the University of Dayton Marriot Hotel from November 5-8, 2026. President
Robinson indicated that a dialysis center is located next to the hotel for those requiring it, and financial assistance is available to attend.
<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="10" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">President Gloria Robinson reminded members how they can obtain equipment to access Radio Reading Services and NLS Bard from the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Ohio Library
for the Blind and Print Disabled.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="11" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">The March 2026 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 5:05 P.M. on Sunday, March 29, 2026.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Respectfully Submitted,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christopher Sabine<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Secretary<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cincinnati Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christopher Sabine<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Treasurer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phone: (513) 403-9601<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email: info@onhconsulting.com<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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