[Iabs-talk] chicago minutes march 2018

[David Meyer]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO CHAPTER

MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2018

President Steve Hastalis called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.

What’s Happening: David Meyer reported that Teresa Meyer is still 
cancer free. Theresa Jones reported that she is also cancer free. Pam 
Gillmore and Leslie Hamric did a presentation at Elmhurst Early 
Learning academy during the previous month. Pam has also begun a 
volunteer opportunity at Treehouse Cat Shelter. Ken Staley is 
recuperating at Warren Barr Nursing Home in Chicago. There were 23 
members present.

Secretary’s report: It was moved and seconded to approve minutes from 
the February chapter meeting as presented. The motion carried.

Program: Michael Nowicki presented a program on accessible set top 
boxes and the 21st Century Communications Act. As of the summer of this 
year, the major networks will be required to present 87.5 hours of 
audio described programming per month. All major satellite and cable 
companies are now required to provide set top boxes that are accessible 
to the blind.

City Ordinance on Service Animals:

Patti Chang talked about a Chicago ordinance which Alderman Burke plans 
to introduce which would put undue hardship upon blind travelers who 
happen to use guide dogs. If passed, this ordinance would mandate that 
blind travelers with guide dogs would have to fill out a special form 
created by the city to document that vaccinations are up to date. The 
definition of up to date means that dogs must be vaccinated one year or 
less prior to the date of travel. This ordinance is contrary to the 
Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, this ordinance would 
apply to all blind travelers regardless of whether they previously knew 
about it or not. In other words, a blind person who is diverted to 
Chicago, or who must change plains in Chicago could have their dog 
taken away from them if they were unable to show proof of up to date 
vaccinations on the form specifically meant for that purpose. Finally, 
this form is presently not accessible to those who are blind. Both 
Patti and President Hastalis have tried to schedule a meeting with 
Alderman Burke without success. Denise Avant suggested that Marion 
Guizdala coordinate our effort on this, as this ordinance would affect 
any blind guide dog user who happens to be traveling from either 
Chicago airport. Finally, Patti has asked that we all call Alderman 
Burke’s office as well as the chairman of the Aviation Committee, 
Alderman Michael Zalewski at 773-582-4444. Information about this will 
also be posted on IL-talk. Patti went on to say that the intention of 
this ordinance is to combat the problems which have arisen from people 
flying with support animals. The city is taking a similar  approach to 
that tried by Delta Airlines when they intended to put undue 
restrictions on guide dog users. When pressed for problems by the 
National Federation of the Blind, Delta could not come up with a single 
incident where a guide dog may have been removed. We were able to 
exempt guide dog handlers from the rules they came up with for those 
attempting to fly with support animals. That is what we are trying to 
do regarding the ordinance mentioned above. Finally, when calling, be 
polite but be persistent. Francisco Chang read the ordinance. Patti 
asked that we all call Aldermen Burke and Zalewski on Monday of the 
next week if possible.

Presidential Reports

National Presidential Release: Mark Riccobono, President, National 
Federation of the Blind reported on the following. Preregistration for 
the 2018 convention is now open. Go to www.nfb.org/convention to find 
the registration link. There will also be much more information 
concerning the convention on this page. If one preregisters, the cost 
to register is $25 and a banquet ticket will cost $65. If one registers 
in person at the convention, the registration fee is $30 and the 
banquet is $70.

We have had several meetings with Delta Airlines regarding their policy 
concerning service animals. Following several meetings with us, Delta 
decided to eliminate the policy that guide dog users be required to 
give 48 hours written notice before traveling with a guide dog.

Aira has instituted new pricing for members of the National Federation 
of the Blind. NFB members can get 140 minutes per month for $99. Beyond 
that, the plan includes 60 minutes of free service from one’s home or 
work place. The additional 60 minutes per month will be in effect for 6 
months. Aira is also offering free service to those who are looking for 
employment. Finally, one can access Ira for free both at the National 
convention as well as state conventions of the National Federation of 
the blind. The web address is go-aira/NFB.

We now have a code of conduct, which should be signed by members and 
must be signed by leaders of the Federation. Topics such as our 
non-discrimination policy, sexual harassment, our policy on diversity 
and general conduct, particularly as it applies to social media are 
covered. The board has unanimously approved this code, which will be 
reviewed from time to time. All affiliates must adhere to the code as a 
matter of policy.

In family notes, Gregg Miller and Sharon Adkins Blough passed away. 
Peter Surillo of Florida also passed away.

State Presidential Report: Denise Avant, state President reported on 
the following items. The Midwest Student Seminar will occur on April 
20-22 at the Holiday Inn O’Hare. The cost for registration is $50 and 
the registration form can be found on the NFB of Illinois website. The 
theme for this seminar is What’s next for you. The deadline to apply 
for both National and State scholarships is March 31. There are two 
ways to apply for financial assistance for the National convention. The 
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship fund gives priority for first 
time attendees to the convention. Other attendees can also apply to the 
Chappell-dennis fund for assistance. If you wish to apply for Jernigan 
assistance, you must have your application into President Avant by 
March 31. Those applying for Chappell-Dennis assistance can apply 
through May 1. Those applications also go to President Avant. We will 
again have two Bell programs, one in Chicago and one in Springfield. 
The Chicago program will be at the Chicago Lighthouse. It will begin on 
July 9 and run through July 20. The Springfield program will occur from 
July 30 through August 3. We now have a hotel for the state convention. 
We will be at the Sheridan O’Hare. The address is 6501 West Manheim 
Road in Rosemont. This convention is a joint convention with the 
Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors and will occur October 26 through 
October 28.

The state board adopted the National Code of Conduct policy which was 
covered in the National Presidential Release. The Code of Conduct 
policy is on the Illinois website as well as NewsLine.

Chapter Presidential message: President Hastalis thanked everyone who 
participated in projects and fundraisers during the past year while he 
has been president. He will run for president again. He also asked that 
anyone who was planning to run for an office or a board seat to please 
let him know by phone. He can be reached at 773-848-5307 or 773-508-5
307.

Zany’s fundraiser: Patti Chang mentioned that anyone wishing to attend 
Zanies must sign up on March 10. Also, anyone who had previously signed 
up and wished to cancel needed to do so on the same day. President 
Hastalis read the list of people signed up to attend. Other 
fundraising: David Meyer reported that the fundraising committee 
decided to do a White Sox fundraiser again this year. The date would be 
either July 28 VS. Toronto or August 18 VS Kansas City. There was also 
a need to decide whether we would take upper level reserve seating or 
lower level bleacher seating. The bleacher seating would cost 
approximately $7 more per ticket. It was moved by Jemal and seconded by 
Denise that we buy lower level tickets for the game on August 18. 
Following some discussion, President Hastalis formed a committee of 
himself, Marco, Dave and Jemal to decide upon the date and the seating.

Pam Provost submitted a wish to an organization to visit the Louis 
Braille foundation in France. Her wish was granted. As a result, she 
and a friend will be going to France to see the Louis Braille foundation.

Jemal Powell announced that the Pace ADA Suburban Transit committee 
will meet at 550 West Algonquinn Road, Arlington Heights at Pace 
headquarters. The meeting will occur on Tuesday, March 27 at 1:00 P.M. 
It will be Jemals first meeting as chair.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

David Meyer, Secretary