[IL-Talk] at large minutes june 2023

[David Meyer]

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Minutes of meeting held Sunday, June 6, 2023

Members Present: President Dave Meyer, Vice President Linda Hendle, 
Secretary/Treasurer Bill Reif, Cathy Randal, Marilyn Green, Debbie 
Pittman, Pat Olson, Michal Nowicki, Eileen Truschke, Leslie Hamrick, 
and Andy Bernstein of Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind who 
presented the program item.

Debbie moved, and Cathy seconded, that approval of the May minutes 
which were unavailable be tabled. Motion passed.

Andy began the program presentation. Accessible Pharmacy Services for 
the Blind is a mail order delivery company, the only one of its kind in 
the world, and the largest blind-owned health care company in the U.S. 
Company launched in April of 2020, has 65 employees, and provides 
services in 31 states. Services include free home delivery, pre-sorting 
medications, diabetic supplies and accessible glucose readers, and even 
containers usable by those with paralysis. They also offer medications 
for service animals. Company works with many insurance plans. Company 
also serves the deaf blind with products that interface with Braille 
displays. Company is accessible through the Be My Eyes app's 
specialized services section. Company is also getting involved in 
telehealth services. The company also offers several webinars on 
various health topics. Company can be reached at 
accessiblepharmacy.com, and Andy can be emailed at 
andy at accessiblepharmacy.com, or company can be phoned at 888-633-7007.

Presidential Release

The June Presidential Release 528 was presented. Riccobono was in New 
Zealand for a meeting of the World Blind Union.

On Thursday May 25th, the house companion bill for the Access 
Technology Affordability Act,  HR3702 was introduced by Sponsor Mike 
Kelly of Pennsylvania  and lead cosponsor Mike Thomson of California. 
We are urged to call or email our respective representatives and 
hopefully get this passed before Convention. We should also plan for 
our 2024 Washington Seminar, which will run January 29th through 
Thursday February 1st.

He wished our members a Happy Pride Month, and acknowledged members who 
are LBBT+. Our LGBT+ is one of our affinity groups that brings 
Federation members together.  The purpose of this specific group is to 
increase NFB membership and involvement among blind LGBT+ community and 
to provide resources applicable to this group.  The group provides 
mentorship and support to blind LGBT+ members in our community and 
serves to educate the general public regarding the myths and 
misconceptions about blindness, including the general LGBT+ community, 
which frequently discriminates against individuals on the basis of 
blindness. The group is chaired by Sanho Steele-Louchart out of 
Oklahoma.  He also serves as our president of the National Federation 
of the Blind of Oklahoma. Sanho advises that people can find the group 
through the very active LGBT+ listserv that can be found at NFB Net.  
You can also find the group on Facebook by searching for NFB LGBT 
group, and you can reach Sanho by calling the national office and 
dialing extension 2440.  You can also find his information on our web 
site where we have more information about the group. The group has a 
weekly meeting on Zoom, which is open to LGBT individuals and allies.  
Right now the meetings happen on Thursday evenings, and you can get the 
information where there is a weekly reminder sent out.

State President's Report

Marilyn reported that our next State Board meeting will be Monday, June 
19th at 7:00. She also mentioned the BELL programs, noting there are 
currently five registered for Chicago and 3 or 4 for Our  Springfield 
Bell program. face-to-face meeting will be at the Chicago Marriott 
Naperville. Meeting will begin at 9:00. State Convention is the weekend 
of October 13th. She is soliciting convention ideas. Finally: Illinois 
will be part of Dan O'rork's Route 66 ride for Braille Literacy. Dan 
will be coming into Chicago the first half of September. The Chicago is 
planning activities, possibly including some braille reading at the 
Chicago Public Library. Those seeking more info should contact Chicago 
Chapter President Denise Avant via email at davant1958 at gmail.com.

Next meeting will be Sunday August 6th at 7:00.

Pittman urged people with accessibility complaints involving the 
Chicago Transit Authority to call 888-968-7282 or 
email at transitchicago.org. Contact person is now Erma Gomez-Piero.

the meeting adjourned at 8:34.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Reif, Secretary