[IABS-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, March 9, 2024

Mon Apr 8 04:26:24 UTC 2024

CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

March 9, 2024

TGI Fridays Restaurant

153 E. Erie, Chicago, IL

CALL TO ORDER

NFBI Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at
1:02 PM

Present were Chris Millsap, Dan Tevelde, Glenn Moore, Melissa Fuller, Juan
Lopez, Ken Borst, Jemal Powell, David Meyer, Paul Shepherdson, Mary
Grunwald, Eileen Truschke, Ken Schad, Steve Hastalis, Dustin Cather,
Francisco Chang, Debbie Stein, Pam Gillmore, Patti Chang, Michal Nowicki,
Marco Giannotti, Michelle Ault, Kira O'Bradovitch, and Marilyn Green. Alicia
Green, first-timer Daniel Johnson, Ed Birmingham, Sabiha, Jacqueline Cook,
Mayokunle efunbote, first-timer Arturo Almiraz, Bob Hansen, Sara Luna, and
Gary Jones attended on Zoom. 

Denise reminded everyone to pay chapter dues in order to vote in April.
Eileen took the monthly collection, and people on Zoom were invited to
donate to the chapter at treasurer at nfbofillinois.org. 

PROGRAM

Kira O'Bradovitch talked about disability data for the US Census Bureau. In
addition to the census every ten years, data is collected in other ways and
at other times. In 2000 the Census Bureau created the American Community
Service, which surveys 3.5 million addresses each year. About 140 surveys
are conducted annually. People with disabilities are probably the least
measured demographic. By asking the same questions each year, the Census
Bureau can gather information about changes in the population in various
areas. Protecting privacy is extremely important. Census data is used for
all kinds of allocations of government funds. Census questions do not
specifically ask whether you are blind, but they phrase it is whether you
have difficulty seeing. Data is essential for advocacy. 

The American Community Survey focuses on functional limitations. There are
no specific questions about mental health or chronic conditions. The Census
Bureau is developing new questions to determine the level of disability and
the need for special services or technology. 

Unfortunately, if the questions are changed, we will lose estimates for
areas that have 65,000 people or less for a period of five years. Kira can
point people to the tools that will help them access census information. we
can get data on a Congressional district if we need it. Without data it's
hard to convince officials of a need. Therefore it is very important to
respond if we are surveyed. Reach out to Kira if you have any questions. It
is possible to respond to the American Community Survey in person, by email,
and by phone. With questions contact Kira at kobradov at gmail.com. 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

On February 29 NFB President Mark Riccobono recorded Presidential Release
536 from Members Hall at the NFB headquarters in Baltimore. He reminded
everyone that March 31 is the deadline for National Scholarship
applications. Information is available at nfb.org/scholarships. When
planning events he urged members to check the five-year calendar on the
Diversity and Inclusion page at nfb.org/dei. 

The NFB Convention offers the collective wisdom of the blind community. 

This year's theme is Believe, Dream, Include, Lead, Champion. Convention
will run July 3-8, 2024. Convention will take place at the Rosen Centre in
Orlando, Florida. Registration is now open at  nfb.org/registration. Online
registration is $25 and banquet tickets are $75. Online registration will be
open through May 31. For questions write to conventionregistration at nfb.org.
First-timers can apply for assistance through the Jernigan Scholarship
program. 

President Riccobono gave an update about the Convention Allied  Network
(CAN) to uplift members who may have concerns about going to Florida due to
some of the state's policies. You can sign up to be a convention ally or to
be supported by an ally at nfb.org/dei.. 

CHAPTER ELECTIONS

Chicago  Chapter  elections  will be held at the April meeting.  Denise
explained that one must have paid chapter dues in order to vote. All of the
current board members would like to run for another  term. Anyone wishing to
run must arrange for someone to nominate them. 

STATE REPORT

NFBI President Marilyn Green encouraged first-time convention-goers to apply
for a Kenneth Jernigan scholarship. She and Dustin Cather serve on the
committee. Kira gave an update on the NFBI Scholarship Committee. Illinois
Scholarship applications are due on April 30. The committee is reaching out
to schools, agencies, and students.

Anyone who needs help with funds to attend National Convention also can
apply to the Chappell-Dennis Committee for assistance. Go to
nfbofillinois.org and download the application. Email the completed
application to president at nfbofillinois.org. Contact Marilyn  if you need
help completing the form: 312-343-8396. The deadline for Chappell-Dennis
assistance to National Convention

is 1:59 pm on May 1.

National Legislation

Dustin Cather reported that the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act
(H.R. 1328), which was introduced by Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowski, has
eighty cosponsors. Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Jesús García, Danny Davis,
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jonathan Jackson, and Robin Kelly are Illinois
cosponsors. Among  the cosponsors are seventy-four Democrats and six
Republicans. The Senate companion bill is S 3621, has one cosponsor, a
Republican. 

The Website Software Accessibility  Act, S. 2984, was introduced by Tammy
Duckworth of Illinois. It has five cosponsors, all of them Democrats. The
House bill is H.R. 5813, with twenty-seven cosponsors. From Illinois are
Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowski, Jesús García, and Jonathan Jackson. Twenty-six
Democrats and one Republican have signed on so far. 

H.R. 3702, the Access Technology Affordability Act, has eighty-six
cosponsors in the House. Illinoisians are Mike Bost, Mike Quigley, Brad
Schneider, Jan Schakowski, and Raja  Krishnamoorthi. Altogether fifty-four
Democrats and thirty Republicans have signed on. The Senate bill is S. 1467,
with eighteen cosponsors, eleven Democrats and seven Republicans. 

H.R. 1262, the Transformation to Competitive and Integrated Employment Act
has twenty-nine  cosponsors in the House. Robin Kelly and Mike Quigley have
signed on from Illinois. Twenty-six Democrats and three Republicans have
signed on. S. 533, the companion bill, has three cosponsors, two Republicans
and one Democrat. 

Dustin urged people to thank their representatives and senators  if they
have cosponsored any of this legislation. In addition, we all need to urge
congress  members to sign on if they haven't done so already. 

Denise pointed out that all of these pieces of legislation have come out of
resolutions we passed at our national conventions. They are all issues that
blind people have considered important to them. 

ILLINOIS BELL ACADEMIES

Debbie Stein explained that BELL stands for Braille Enrichment for Literacy
and Learning. We will have two BELL Academies in Illinois this summer. Our
Springfield  program will take place July 15-19, followed by our Chicago
BELL July 22 through August 2, located  at the Chicago Lighthouse. The
program serves blind and low-vision children ages four through twelve. The
purpose is to help the students become more familiar and comfortable with
Braille and to interact with blind mentors, all while enjoying fun
activities. Bridget Hickey will be the teacher for both programs. We will be
recruiting blind mentors to help. Anyone interested in serving as a mentor
should contact Debbie at dkent5817 at att.net or 773-203-1394. 

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Midwest Student Seminar: NFBI President Marilyn Green encouraged all
students, from high school to graduate level, to register for the seminar by
March 15 at nabslink.org. If you have a case open with Bureau of Blind
Services, they  may be willing to cover your registration  fee. The  seminar
takes place  March 22-24 at  the Holiday  Inn O'Hare. This is a great
opportunity to get information and network with other students. 

Illinois State Convention: Our 2024 state convention will take place at the
Chicago Marriott Naperville the weekend of October 18-20. It's not too soon
to start making plans! We were at the same hotel in 2022 and 2023.
Convention is a great opportunity to learn about resources in Illinois.    

PAC (Preauthorized Check): Marilyn is now national chair of the PAC program.
You can contribute as little as five nollars a month. Go to www.nfb.org/pac
to sign on as a monthly contributor. Chicago Chapter is a monthly
contributor already.

PLEDGES

In the past the chapter has sent in our pledges to the four major national
funds before convention. This year we will pledge the amount and send it in
after the convention is over.    

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

Jemal moved and Glenn seconded approval of the secretary's minutes for
February. Denise corrected the number for the Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act; it is HR 1328 rather than 1528. THE minutes with
correction were approved.

TREASURER'S SUMMARY

Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch reported that we started the day with $2777.65
in the treasury. There is one outstanding deduction of $28.74 for
transportation to an event. Today's collection brought in $83, and we
received $10 for dues. So the current balance is $2841.91. 

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

We have been working hard but have not made any progress with our request
for improved signage before the transportation committee. Therefore we will
go directly to the CTA Transportation Board. We are also looking at changes
in platforms for boarding CTA buses to make sure  it will not be more
difficult for us to board. Kira spoke on a podcast with Jacquelyn Kiddish, a
PhD candidate at UIC who wrote her dissertation on transportation
accessibility. THE podcast specifically discussed our concerns about the
signage. Sara Luna said that the CTA Advisory Board is scheduling a special
meeting to discuss Braille bus stop signs; it will take place during the
first week in April. She will share more information when she has some. 

Kira said she found it very easy to download and print her accessible
mail-in ballot, but it was extremely difficult to figure out what she had to
mail back. We want to make sure everyone can submit their ballot, so let us
know if you run into problems. Polling places all should have the option to
vote accessibly. The next Advocacy Committee meeting will be Monday, March
25 at 6. Patti commended the people who went downtown to train the election
judges. She said her recent experience was excellent. There really was a
marked difference. Denise said Marilyn went in and did the training. Steve
said he had a bad experience voting in his senior citizen high-rise. They
actually got rid of the poll worker who was a problem. It pays to know your
rights! He added that we may want to bring a lot of people to the CTA board,
even if they don't all speak. Sara will post information about the meeting
on IL-Talk. 

Fundraising: We are working on a fundraiser at Lou Menotti's  Pizza, 410 N.
Michigan. Dave submitted  several questions about details. We also will have
another bowling fundraiser in August and a Read-a-thon in October. We need
to work on reaching beyond our membership to get more support from outside. 

NEW BUSINESS

Patti said someone reached out to her from the Judy Garland exhibit  that is
coming to Chicago this summer. They  want us to help them make the exhibit
as accessible to blind people as possible. Sara Luna and Debbie Stein
volunteered to help. Patti will send him the contact information.

Jemal explained  that  PACE is launching a Rideshare Access Program. People
who live in the city and use TAP will have to choose one program or the
other; you cannot use both. Either you use taxis through the TAP program or
the RAP (Ride Access Program). 

ADJOURNMENT 

MANY  people at once moved and seconded  adjournment. The  meeting was
adjourned at 3 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary

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