[Iabs-talk] chicago minutes for february 2015

[David Meyer]

NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes

 

Meeting of February 14, 2015

 

The February meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Chicago Chapter was called to order by President David Meyer at 1:00 P.M.

Introductions:  There were 24 members present.

What is Happening?  Denise Avant drove a pickup truck for the first time.
Howard Wilson reported that he placed first in a tournament of sighted
participants in Lake Zurich.  Sarah Chung fought an exhibition match against
a black belt and won.  Eileen Truschke reported that her sister was
receiving radiation treatment for cancer.  She also mentioned that Roberta
Glickman was doing fine but was unable to attend due to the weather.  Ken
Staley's sister also has breast cancer.  She has had a lumpectomy and will
likely be receiving radiation treatments.  Debbie Pittman will be retiring
her dog as he also has cancer.  She asked that we keep her dog in our
prayers.

Program:  Jemal Powell introduced the program item.  We listened to an
article from the January Braille Monitor entitled Putting Names and Faces to
the Fight of the Blind.  The article chronicled the problems that two
Florida State students had with the University in attempting to secure
materials that were accessible to them.  Because of a lack of cooperation on
the part of Florida State, they eventually sued and won their suit.  Florida
State did not admit any wrong doing.  Several members had comments
concerning accessibility both in school and in the working environment.
Perhaps this situation can be summarized best by a comment made by one of
our members.  That being that technology can be both a blessing and a curse.

Secretary's reports:  Because the December 2014 minutes were not placed on
NewsLine for people to read prior to the January meeting, minutes were
approved for both December 2014 and January 2015.  The December 2014 minutes
were approved as presented.  The January 2015 minutes were approved with the
following corrections.  Two typographical errors were pointed out.  "Dicks
Last resort" should be written as "Dick's Last Resort."  The word knitting
was also misspelled.

Presidential Reports

State Presidential Report

State President, Denise Avant reported on the following items.  We had a
very successful Washington Seminar.  Our three initiatives for this year are
as follows.  The "Time" act, which stands for Transitioning to Integrated
Meaningful Employment.  This has been introduced by Congressman Gregg Harper
of Mississippi as HR188.  We are concentrating on looking for republican
support on the above mentioned legislation.  The "Teach act" which stands
for Technology Education and Accessibility in Colleges and Higher Education
has not yet been introduced.  We are still negotiating on language with the
American Council on Higher Education.  Congressman Roe of Tennessee will
introduce this legislation once compromise language has been worked out.
The third piece of legislation concerns ratification of the Marrakesh
Treaty, which will allow for braille books to be shared by blind people from
around the world without having to wait for permission to have books from
one country to be published in braille in another.  We have been asked by
the National Office to seek support from Republicans on all of our
initiatives.  Jemal asked if there might be any opposition to the Marrakesh
Treaty.  It was explained that the United States has already signed the
treaty, but has yet to ratify it.  There should be no sovereignty issues
that will prevent the United States from voting for ratification. Debbie
Stein talked about I Bral which is Illinois version of what used to be the
Braille Readers are Leaders contest.  Illinois is the only affiliate that
has sponsored this type of contest.  We had 32 registered with 29 logs
turned in.  Students from Kindergarten through 12th grade participated.
There were five groups of students overall.  Those in first place in their
respective groups earned $25, with second place winners earning $15 and
third place earning $10.Each student receives a gift packet for
participating.  The overall winner this year was Matthew Linert who read
2,367 pages within a seven week period.  The Spring seminar is in the
planning stage.  The guest speaker will be Natalie Shaheen from the National
Office.  Dates are April 17 for teachers and April 18 for parents and
students.  The location is the Marriott Midway Hotel 5520 South Cicero.
Hotel rates are $110 nightly.  The Chicago Bell program will run from June
18 through July 1.  Again, it will be held at the Chicago Lighthouse.  It
looks like we will have a program in Springfield during the last week in
July.  The 75th annual National convention will take place at the Rosen
Center Hotel, July 5-10.  Hotel rates are $82 for singles and doubles, and
$89 for triples and quads per night.  Make your reservations with the Rosen
Center.  We will have a roll in planning the convention, as Illinois was one
of the original seven states to have an affiliate.  If you are interested in
attending the National convention for the first time, you are encouraged to
apply to the Jernigan fund for assistance.  Applications must be submitted
to Denise by April 10.  Write a letter about how you are involved in the NFB
and how you feel the convention may benefit you.  Send all letters to
davant1958 at gmail.com.  Dates for the state convention are October 30-31 and
November 1 at the Naperville Marriott hotel.  Jemal Powell questioned
whether I Bral has fielded any new members.  It is quite early to answer
this question.  However, one parent did come to the state convention last
year.  Ken Staley asked about the new braille code.  Debbie Stein said that
the Braille Authority of North America approved a new unified English
Braille code which will go into effect at the beginning of 2016.  Some signs
will be added and some contractions will no longer be used.  It is not a
full restructuring of braille as we know it.

National Presidential Release

NFB President Mark Riccabono reported on the following items.  The
Washington Seminar was a very successful event.  Besides meetings with
Congressmen and congressional aids, there were a number of other activities.
We had our 75th anniversary reception in the Rayburn Building, where
presentations were given by three congressmen.   The third legislative
priority was changed following the January release.  We will be
concentrating on ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty, which will permit braille
books to be sent from country to country without having to deal with
copyright issues. Thanks to Sharon Mennecki, the National Federation of the
Blind was recognized for 75 years by the Maryland legislature.  This should
be replicated in other states.  We are working on accessibility in testing
of blind students in schools.  The two consortia administering standardized
tests across the country are Smarter Balance and Parts.  There are
particular concerns about Smarter Balance as they currently limit text to
speech options.  We will be tracking the ways in which blind students are
denied accommodations in standardized tests.  President Riccabono and
several leaders met with the CEO of Microsoft to discuss accessibility
concerns.  Specifically, we wish for Microsoft to build more accessibility
into their items.  Target was also at the Washington Seminar, seeking input
about what they are doing to make their websites and aps accessible.  Card
Tronics was also present at Washington Seminar.  We will be working with
them on how to make their ATM machines accessible to us.  This summer, we
will continue to provide internships nationally.  Those who are accepted
into this program will work in many areas, including NewsLine, advocacy,
Governmental Affairs and Technology.  Applicants should send a cover letter
and a resume and two or three references.  Send all materials to
jerniganinstitute at nfb.org.  Preregistration for the National convention will
open on March 1.  Reservations can be made at the Rosen center by calling
800-204-7234.  The preregistration fee for convention is $25 with the
banquet costing $55.  Go to www.nfb.org to register.  The deadline for
scholarship applications is March 31.  During the past month, Barbara Lows
and Melony Rhone lost their fathers.  Please keep Barbara and Melony in your
prayers.  Finally, continue to work on building membership in local chapters
and state affiliates.  We hope to have 750 new members nationally between
January 1 and July 1.

Denise Avant mentioned that the next board meeting is scheduled for February
19 at 7:00 P.M.  Please call 805-360-1000 an use the access code NFBI
(6324.)

Meeting dates:

Because of significant changes in the next several months, President Meyer
reviewed the meeting schedule.  The next meeting will occur on March 21
rather than March 14, as Exchequer needs the space for the St. Patrick's Day
Parade.  There will not be a meeting in April.  Those wishing to participate
in an NFBI activity are encouraged to work the Parent Seminar on April 18.
The May meeting will be scheduled for Saturday, May 9.  Elections will occur
during that meeting.  The next board meeting will occur sometime in March or
April.  Call 805-360-1000 and use the code "Chicago" (2442246.)  Our Dick's
Last Resort fundraiser will occur on March 5.  The address is 313 North
dearborne.  Cost for the event is $50 which includes a buffet, free domestic
beer, wine and soda for two hours.  You may pay on line by going to
www.nfbofillinois.org.  Go to the link A night of the ages at Dick's last
resort.  The form is immediately below the description.  Separate forms must
be filled out for each person.  The deadline is February 27.

Fundraising report

Ken Staley announced the Beggars Pizza fundraiser.  It will occur in three
Beggars locations and the date will be either April 22 or 29.  There was
strong interest for a White Sox fundraiser.  Finally, Ken announced that he
is a lifetime member of the Chicago Chapter.

There will be a membership committee meeting on March 21 at 12:00 noon,
prior to the chapter meeting.

Old business

Steve Hastalis mentioned that The bank balance will be something in access
of $5,700 with the next deposit.  There was a discussion at the last CTA-ADA
Advisory Committee about descriptions for station guides being developed
under the new Freedom grant.  Some changes were suggested, but for the most
part, the guides were good.  

New Business

The NFB Travel and Tourism Division will meet via conference call on
February 17.  Please call 805-360-1000 with code 871517.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Robert Hansen, Secretary

 

 

David Meyer, NFB of Illinois

Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine

Chicago Chapter President