[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter February 11 Draft Minutes

[davant1958 at gmail.com]

Chicago Chapter Meeting Minutes 

Zoom/Exchequer Pub Hybrid

February 11th, 2023

 

Denise called the chapter meeting to order and welcomed everyone with
instructions for those on zoom.

 

Zoom

David Meyer 

Gina Garcia -from Downers Grove and first time attending on zoom

Charlie Miller 

Gina Falvo  

Steve Hastalis - Chicago Chapter Treasurer, at home recovering from COVID,
had some sinus congestion and went to CVS minute clinic where he tested
positive. So he is in quarantine in his apartment in Edgewater

Rosa Rodriguez - Works for Home Healthcare solution and is Steve Hastalis'
guest

Dan TeVelde 

Kira O'Bradovich - Good afternoon, Chapter Secretary, a bit under the
weather and sorry to not be there in person, hope everyone is well

Ken Schad 

Eileen Truschke - A bit under the weather too so staying in

Bob Widman 

Juliette Walker 

Alicia ConDios Green     

Melissa Fuller 

 

In Person

Patti Chang - Zoom host for today

Marco Giannotti 

Denise Avant - Chicago chapter president and 1st vice president of the
affiliate

Ken Borst - Hi, has three things to say, first that a week from tomorrow on
February 19 his church is doing a benefit at Charlie's Chicago at 3627 N
Broadway, it's a benefit for the homeless, whatever you have to drink $1
goes toward provisions for those transferring from homelessness to their own
apartments. That day is also his 43rd anniversary of moving to Chicago.
While taking his guide dog to the vet on Thursday, he met a veteran in the
process of losing his sight and he shared information on the NFB and where
me meet and the veteran shared that the VA had already given him that
information. Patti noted that was good. Ken then shared some bad news; he
has to retire his guide dog as he has nuclear sclerosis that affects his
night vision. So, if anyone is looking to make a home for an older dog he
needs to find a home for him as he doesn't want him to feel replaced when he
gets a new dog.

Laura Cordingly 

Pam Gilmore

Ellen Bartelt

Gary Jones 

Mary Grunwald -has been getting some therapy on her knees for her severe
arthritis but never fear she's been doing plenty of public education on
blindness while doing it. She will have to see what happens.

Francisco Chang 

Denise pointed out Francisco had a birthday last month and that was met with
cheers and best wishes.

Kyle Chellino - Good Afternoon, he was put in the ER a few weeks ago for
some breathing issues and is on the med but still having some struggles, but
doing ok

Emma Meyer 

Michelle Alt 

Teresa Favre - Good Afternoon, hope you are all doing great, just came back
from Washington Seminar

David -I am Teresa's husband

Dustin Cather 

Jemal Powell 

Robert Hansen - Hi, I am your mic runner

Bruce Paul

 

Denise then moved on to begin the meeting, thanking Bob for being the mic
runner an introduced the program item for today. It will be taken from one
of our Kernel Books Series. For those who are new she shared that during the
time of Dr. Jernigan's presidency, one of the best blind program creators
focused on ensuring that blind people can live the lives we want. There were
at least 24 books produced with short articles on how people lived as blind
people and adjusted to being blind. She noted that many people in the room
were born blind, some were blind but not told while younger, and there are
also newly blinded people in the room. She then asked Dave Meyer to play the
article for everyone and shared that a conversation would be started
following the article.

 

The article had a blind person reflecting on using the right words for
dealing with blindness. How to Why Not. She first lost her sight in high
school and without expressing it to anyone she thought she would not be able
to go to college like her siblings as she didn't know how a blind person
could go to college. Several years after losing her sight she met people
from the NFB and the 3-letter word changed from how to why not. The question
was not how, but why not? The change happened because she had seen blind
people accomplish the how. Her parents insisted that she would be able to
still excel, go to college, and do the things sighted people do. She said
that sighted people were not blind how could they know. But now, she knew
blind people who were doing things she wanted to do through the NFB. It took
time for her to understand this as her federation friends worked with her
and she ended up with a law degree from Yale. After, she dealt with the how
in the job market, her first interview had 8 people come to her interview so
that everyone could see a blind person. It was an assistant prosecutor's
job, a commonly held starting position and the administrator said that
reading would be needed and then was stuck on that idea of reading. She
explained that she knew it was part of the job and she offered to explain
how blind lawyers hire readers and train them in confidentially just as
lawyers have always hired secretaries and done the same. She also explained
she was used to meeting timed deadlines. Unfortunately, none of that
mattered as the staff had all decided that a blind person couldn't do the
job they do and that was that. She knew it was the opposite from her
experience with the NFB and was a fellow local NFB friend who called and
shared an opening from a potential employer who had called to learn more
about how a blind lawyer could do the job and the member told the employer
that they should just ask. When she arrived for the interview, the lawyer
was ready with that question, which gave her all the confidence she needed
to explain and get the job. The two situations were entirely different, one
had prejudged her abilities and the other, successful situation came with an
open mind. For her the NFB provided that first vital understanding that
there are answers to the question of how. For most jobs that was an easy
answer and there were already others doing the work giving the employer the
knowledge that it was possible.

 

Denise shared that the how really kind of starts with us. We often ask
ourselves if we cannot see how will we travel, that's a basic thing. To get
a job you have to be able to travel to and from and the rest of it follows.
One thing that she was interested in was that the lady's family who were
sighted were telling her she can do everything that she thought she could do
when she could see which is unusual, it's typically the reverse, it's
usually other blind people. She then welcomed stories of what people's how's
were and who helped you get past the how, from those who have been blind
their whole lives and those who became blind later.

 

Jackie Cook who joined via Zoom offered that she is legally blind but that
she learned how to travel and do stuff at school but didn't become
independent until she joined church at 16 since her family didn't want
anyone to know that she was visually impaired. When she moved out at 21 she
tried to do everything on her own, they trained her on the trains and buses,
and if she needs help she will ask. People don't normally say you can do
everything when you lose your sight but you can do it differently or slower
and ask for help if you can't do it. Try to be independent when possible
since some people will not be there for you but still ask if you need it.

 

Juliette then reiterated that what Jackie just said, you have to find your
source of independence. Blindness is relatively new to her, as of 2017.
Prior to her blindness she was a teacher and the first thing she thought
when they told her about her eyesight was how would she be able to instruct
her kids. She is now at a point where she cannot rely on her visions so she
had to find some rehabilitation and it got her to a certain extent but
joining the NFB helped her to recognize that she is still who she was before
it happened to her, she just has to do things a bit differently. She also
thought that everything she wanted to be was gone but she has learned how to
figure it out and still find herself. 

 

Charlie then shared that he lost a majority of his sight after a commercial
accident in 2019 and he had no idea where to go and had to learn basic
activities of daily life, ambulating without relying on vision. Without
vision and before support he shared, he was breaking bones and a danger to
himself so with the State of Illinois' help he connected with places like
Second Sense, The Lighthouse, and the NFB he had a way forward. He
previously would move stage equipment for bands all over the United States,
and was so used to relying on vision and all of a sudden, he didn't have
that. He said he had to rebuild a life over the past four years and while
it's been difficult, he's received a bachelor's degree with the
accommodations offered at Northwestern. In addition, tools like his cane,
PDF readers, OCR software, and training he now has a job as an investigator
investigating employer discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human
Rights and looks to make sure people are receiving accommodations. At the
same time, he is also working on his Master's and soon PhD and without
organizations like this he wouldn't be able to do this. There are many
barriers but there's power in numbers. 

 

Denise pointed out that she heard Charlie mentioning that it is hard to
learn to use and accept using a cane to prevent injuries so she wondered if
anyone was curious if anyone could address that aspect of the how. 

Patti shared that she was headed for Central Michigan University and she
took a tumble over a bench and someone behind her noted that she might need
a cane and the lightbulb went off. Robert shared that he was in a foster
home in about 9th grade and the foster mom was legally blind and worked for
the state services in Nebraska and he remembers getting ready to start tenth
grade and she asked him what he was going to have in his hand on Monday. He
wasn't sure what she was talking about at first and it took some time but
the light bulb kicked in and he got a cane and realized he could do all of
the things he wanted to do. 

Jemal shared that his situation began in Junior High School in 1984 after
his vision became a bit blurry and didn't improve. He was on the way to
class but smashed into a door that broke the glass and while he wasn't hurt
his teacher suggested that he might start to need to use a cane and although
the vision went back and forth until August of 1985 a week after this, he
was upset but realized it was time to move on and he used his cane during
the period to keep himself safe. 

Ken B. shared that he had a unique situation as he's been blind his entire
life and he was the youngest of four children. His mother, several of her
siblings, and his maternal grandmother were all blind, it was hereditary.
His mother never believed in advocacy, and told him he was the same as
everyone else. He would not be discriminated against for it. She would tell
him don't do this, don't do that, because people stare. So when he would
trip on the sidewalk as a young child he'd be spanked for it. Their neighbor
reprimanded his mother for this as they shared their daughter was about the
same age and also tripped on cracks in the sidewalk. But his mother noted
that while that was true it was just a typical accident for her, for Ken,
her son, it's because he is blind and everyone will say that he needs help
and that she's not capable as a mother. When he became old enough to use a
cane it was a difficult battle with his mother as she did not want him to
use a cane and be seen. His brother who was also blind chose not to use a
cane but Ken did. She also said that both boys would need to be married to
sighted women. When he came out, it became even worse because she was
homophobic. 

 

Denise followed up, sharing that it's learning the basics and accepting
blindness and it starts with us. Before Ms. Pinder went out and got a job as
she did, she had to come to terms with being blind and knowing there were
non-visual ways of doing things. She recalled speaking with Ms. Pinder some
years ago back and although she didn't know her well, knew she was quite an
accomplished woman. She had to work to accept the fact she was blind and not
feel like other blind people can do things that she can't. People told her
and encouraged her to learn and she met other people from the NFB who taught
her that blindness was not the characteristic that would define her or her
future. Getting past the how in our own minds comes first and then ask
ourselves why or why not as we learn the skills of blindness. 

 

Bruce Paul added that he didn't really change anything when he lost his
sight except that he switched from using pens and papers to working with
computers all of the time. No one let him off the hook, they encouraged him
to spend more time in the library, make sure you fit in with whatever
everyone else does, find a way to make it accessible. 

 

Denise then moved on to the next item of business but first checked in to
see if Marilyn, the fabulous state president was in yet. She was not so
Denise then asked Dave to play the presidential release.

 

President Riccobono shared that the year is now in full swing, with January
giving them an opportunity to spend time in Colorado to honor and remember
the impact and life of Scott LaBarre. He shared they are in the middle of
Washington Seminar with Federationists still on the Hill building
relationships with the new 118th congress. He wished everyone a Happy Black
History Month and that he appreciated the history being taught through the
NFB on the intersectionality

He also noted that they had a great turn out for the first in-person
Washington Seminar in three years with many first-timers and a great deal of
excitement. He then shared a clip of the beginning of the Great Gathering In
Meeting, where he noted that in November 1940 the NFB was founded with a
call to action from the first president, Jacobus tenBroek declared that
individually we are scattered and subject to oppression and discrimination
but collectively we are the masters of our own future. He shared that since
that time they have worked continuously to ensure the voices of the nation's
blind be respected and desire for full participation and equality. In the
Fall of 1973 the first, now annual, large-scale March on Washington event
took place and they have returned every year allowing blind people to bring
their lived experience, future aspirations, and their commitment to
participate fully in the country and have positively changed America. He
called on everyone to continue to advocate and noted that, as he called
them, "so-called experts" told Washington seminar participants to wait to
come in person in 2021 because of their claim of the need for social
distancing, He said that this was the same as blind people being told to
wait until things work for others, claiming they will make them accessible
to us later. He said that blind people have been told that we should be
grateful for what little we have for a long time. Since 1940, he said that
we have refused to wait, choosing instead to make our voices heard. In
response to the suggestion that they wait for in person meetings, meetings
were scheduled, hosted, and coordinated by the blind of America over Zoom.
In 2020 and 2021 the lawmakers heard the NFB's concerns. With the 118th
congress, the Washington Seminar attendees are back together in person
standing on a foundation of people who came before. He shared that since the
last time they were together in person they have lost some of the most
significant leaders of the past 50 years and thanks to them standing up and
not waiting, everyone is able to be there tonight and we are grateful to
them for all they did. He then noted that they are coming together to ensure
all websites are accessible, to ensure that medical devices are accessible
so all can manage our own care, and to dismantle the outdated rules of the
social security system disability program that puts blind people at risk for
economic hardship as they work to further their careers. He noted these are
just three of the most pressing priorities and there are more they intend to
build. In addition, beyond just this week, the NFB has organized a
nationwide network of blind people, creating opportunities to ensure we can
move even further ahead to ensure that vision is not a requirement for
success or necessary for full participation in the world. And, the NFB will
work to ensure that all blind people have the right to vote privately and
independently. He shared that while it feels that so many people in this
nation are divide, the blind are united and they return to the in-person
seminar knowing we are stronger together, smashing the artificial barriers
and saluting those who have made it possible for us to be together today.
The Gathering-In clip ended here and President Riccobono welcomed everyone
to visit nfb.org/washingtonseminar to listen to the entire speech and learn
about the legislation that we have two years to work to get passed. He also
announced that they have over 2 million dollars in our campaign to build a
museum with the Nevada affiliate being the first to support with a $50,000
pledge while challenging other affiliates to match their commitment and
others have already started. During the Gathering-In they received word that
the Illinois affiliate had just pledged. He called on all to encourage
additional donations and to work to preserve records of our work for that
future museum. He then brought out the ability to become members of the
Dream Maker Circle in your will and that Patti Chang is the contact for that
and can be reached at  <mailto:pchang at nfb.org> pchang at nfb.org extension
2422. 

 

Following the end of the Presidential Release, Denise thanked Dave for
playing the release and noted they'd taken up a collection in the room and
that those on zoom can give at  <mailto:treasurer at nfbofillinois.org>
treasurer at nfbofillinois.org and those donating that way should indicate that
it's for the chapter meeting donation. Denise then welcomed Marilyn and
asked her to give her State President's report. 

Marilyn shared that Washington Seminar has just finished and welcomed Denise
to go over the Federal Legislation covered. 

 

Denise said that they met with 15 of 19 congressional representatives in
person, Senator Durbin and Representative Underwood wanted virtual meetings
and the meeting with Representative Ramirez had to be cancelled as she had
to be on a call and there was no staff available to meet at that time so
Dustin is working to set up a virtual meeting with that office so if you in
any of the congressional districts that they met with to please reach out
and thank your members for meeting with them. They had their pictures taken
with Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Danny Davis, & Rep. Darren LaHood and are
working to post the photos on the NFB Facebook page. 

 

Denise then invited Michelle Alt to talk about her first trip to Washington
DC. Michelle said that it was awesome and that she loved it. She shared that
she knew nothing prior about government but as time went on, she learned so
much. 




Denise then asked for some feedback from Teresa as it was her first
in-person seminar and she said it was great and that she's so happy to be a
part of the Illinois delegation as the communication and system that we have
here works so well. She also shared that at first she was very nervous to
meet these important people but then her husband helped her remember that
they are elected by us and we need to advocate and tell them what we need
otherwise they will not know. She loves educating and advocating and was not
as nervous after that. 

Denise noted that both Teresa and Michelle were very articulate and good at
relaying to the representatives what blind Americans care about. 

Patti noted that in the Imagining Future Newsletter there is a quote from
Teresa included in there this month. If you aren't getting the newsletter go
to nfb.org and sign up. 

 

Next, Dustin introduced the 3 issues of legislation covered at Washington
seminar. There are not yet bill numbers for them as they have not been
introduced so they cannot be looked up in that way but hopefully they will
be co-sponsored and therefore introduced and given a number soon after their
advocacy work. The first is the Blind Americans Return to Work Act that
works to change the cap on earnings that those receiving SSDI can make.
Currently if you make over $2,460 a month you lose all of your SSDI
benefits. This legislation would create a 2 to 1 phase out period. For every
$2 you earn above that cap, SSDI benefits would be reduced by $1. This would
create an incentive to work additional hours, seek out promotions, etc. It
would also eliminate the 9 month trial work period. Bruce asked whether or
not Medicare would be impacted by that bill and Denise shared that Medicaid
was not a part of the bill and Patti shared that Medicaid benefits would
continue until you are completely off of SSDI. Mellissa Fuller then noted
that she owns a Modular Construction company here in Chicago and asked about
a contractor she has who is receiving SSDI and that she is worth a lot more
than she is allotted and asked who to reach out to regarding this. Patti &
Denise suggested she email legal at nfb.org <mailto:legal at nfb.org>  for help
with that issue. 

 

Dustin then introduced the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act and
noted that some might be familiar with this legislation as it was introduced
in the last session of congress by our own Jan Schakowsky. It is thought
that she will do so again for this congress. The act will authorize the FDA
to consult with disability organizations and manufacturers to create
guidelines to make type 2 and type 3 medical devices non-visually
accessible, for instance, pregnancy tests, home dialysis machines, and other
health check devices for home. Once those guidelines are established the
manufacturers will be required to make them non-visually accessible to use
independently. It will also authorize the FDA to continue monitoring the
regulations to ensure the manufacturers are keeping up to date with the
technology to ensure the guidelines and equipment are accessible in the
future. 

 

Finally, Dustin talked about the Website and Software Application
Accessibility Act which would ensure that businesses and others make their
websites accessible for people with disabilities. The legislation would also
provide a clear-cut definition of what accessibility is to keep everyone on
the same page and can establish what needs to be done to make websites
accessible. In addition, it would establish a technical assistance center
for those creating and maintaining the websites as well as those with
disabilities with any questions, issues, or concerns. And, it would ensure
that these regulations keep up to date with technology as accessible
technology changes. 

 

Jemal then asked if any member of congress during the seminar commit to be a
lead on any of the bills and asked if they were able to meet with
Representatives Mary Miller, Robin Kelly, or Jonathan Jackson. Denise shared
that they were unable to meet with those Representatives and the only
Representative who has committed is Representative Schakowsky since she had
already co-sponsored the Medical Device Accessibility Act in the last
sessions. As far as senators were concerned, she noted that it looked like
Senator Duckworth will again reintroduce the Website and Software
Accessibility Act in the Senate. Dustin also noted that while they were
unable to meet with Rep. Mary Miller, they were able to meet with her office
for the first time and they were very pleasant to meet with. Bruce then
noted that there should be specific pushes for popular JavaScripts in CSS to
be accessible and asked who to contact at the NFB about this and Denise said
he should reach out to Jeff Kaloc at  <mailto:jkaloc at nfb.org>
jkaloc at nfb.org.

 

Denise then turned it back over to State President, Marilyn Green who shared
that we just hired our two BELL teachers for the summer. The Chicago Day
Program will take place July 17-July 28th at the Chicago Lighthouse and
Debbie S. could be heard ringing her bell. The Springfield program will run
from July 30th-August 4th. So if you know any children between 4 and 12 who
could benefit from a great opportunity to learn and take field trips with
some adult mentors who she says she's sure some of whom are in this room to
please let them know about the program. And for both interested participants
and mentors, you can tell them to reach out to Debbie Stein at
<mailto:dkent5817 at att.net> dkent5817 at att.net. A background check will be
required for the mentor. They are excited about this year, they have two
teachers, Kate Taylor from Maryland where she is a special education teacher
and Edina Boutell from Chicago who worked with Dustin and is a CPS teacher
of the visually impaired. 

 

Marilyn then went on to discuss State and National Scholarship. She shared
that she has been appointed to the National Scholarship Committee and this
was met with a round of the applause. She then noted that the deadline for
National Scholarships is 11:59pm EST on March 31st so if you know any high
school seniors or above pursuing bachelors, master's or PhD program they can
go to nfb.org/scholarships to learn how to apply. The deadline for the State
scholarship program is 11:59pm CST on May 31st and they can submit all of
the same information for both scholarships. So, please spread the word about
these opportunities.  

 

She then moved on to talk about National Convention and asked who had made
their hotel reservation. A few people said yes and so she told everyone to
get on it. The National Convention will take place in Houston Texas from
July 1-6 and you can call to make your hotel reservation, 800-236-2905. The
room rate is $119 per night and a one nigh deposit is required.

 

For state convention this year it will take place Friday, October 13 -
Saturday, October 14. If you have any ideas for the convention, you can
email her at  <mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org>
president at nfbofillinois.org. 

 

Denise added that in the state legislature is S282 which is the Accessible
Ballot Return Bill which would allow us not only to receive the ballot
electronically but also to return it accessibly online. That is starting to
make its way through the senate so please be on the lookout on IL-Talk for
an ask to start calling and reaching out to your state representatives and
senators on this bill.

 

Teresa then shared information on the upcoming Midwest Student Seminar on
March 24th-March 26th. It will be held at the same venue as last year, the
Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare. (Please note that at the time of these minutes
the venue has changed and a new venue is being found.) Teresa said it will
be a lot of fun and all those who are students or those who once were, are
invited to come, "the more the merrier". As of last Wednesday, they had 33
people registered so please spread the word and send them to
nfbofillinois.org to sign up. Marilyn added that the registration fee is
$100 for the event and $99 a night for the room plus applicable fees. If you
are a student who has a case open with DDS and are interested in attending
the event and have not yet spoken to her, to please email her at
<mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> president at nfbofillinois.org or the best
way to get an almost immediate response is to text her at (312) 343-8396 as
there is a possibility that the Illinois Bureau of Blind Services might
cover the expenses. If you are in need of funding and unable to get it from
them you can apply for a Chappell Dennis Scholarship. The applications are
due at 11:59pm CST on February 25th and you can go to nfbofillinois.org for
more information and to apply. She then said she was open for any questions.


 

Denise moved to Chicago Chapter Business and shared that she will be sending
$28 from the collection today. She then shared that the affiliate follows a
budget each year and this year the chapter board leaders also met and came
up with a budget for the 2023 year that the board then approved and after
Steve does his treasury report he will read the budget and we will then vote
on it as a chapter to approve. We will follow this budget as long as Denise
is president and if changes she will go to the board for approval. 

 

Steve then gave the chapter treasury report. He shared that although there
are still some checks to turn in, the balance in the treasury as of today is
$5,589.55. He then read the proposed budget for approval: 

 

Goals

Send 4 to 5 people to Washington Seminar with chapter support for flights

Provide $500 each to major national funds

Donate $1000 for 15 for funds

Assist our state affiliate to provide state convention assistance

To participate in the BSA blind expo.

To participate in two more outreach events during the year.

To eliminate unnecessary requirements for city jobs such as driver's license
requirements.

To give and leverage $2500 to the Museum of the Blind People's Movement over
time

adjustment to blindness training day

Expenses

room rental

900

Printing and publication

200

15 for funds

1000

national funds

2000

adjust to blindness training

1000

assistance for state convention

600

museum

500

transportation assistance for advocacy work

300

fees for outreach

200

Washington seminar

2000

Total expenses

8700

Income

Dues

200

December Auction

$2,250

Games Night

300

Beggar's

100

monthly collection

720

pop up auctions

300

general donations

1000

readathon

1000

other fundraisers

3,000

total income

8870

 

Denise thanked Steve and shared that we are out of budget but that the
fundraising committee will need to be busy but they already are. She then
asked for a motion to approve, Jemal moved, Patti seconded, and Denise asked
for questions. There were none so a vote was taken and the budget was
approved.

 

Denise then sought approval of the January 14th, 2023 Chicago Secretary's
Minutes done by Kira O'Bradovich, Ken moved to approve and Jemal seconded.
Denise called for additions, deletions, or corrections, hearing none a vote
was held and the minutes were approved. 

 

Denise welcomed Dave to give a fundraising update and he shared that they
are still sorting out what their plans are for fundraising and that they
plan to have a meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, February 21st on his Zoom account
and he will post this information on IL-Talk. 

 

Pam Gillmore then began the chapter meeting auction. Marilyn volunteered to
collect the funds and Jemal volunteered to auction off the item. Jemal
shared that today they have butter-toffee covered mixed nuts and started the
opening bid at $10. Charlie Miller $15, Ellen Bartelt $20, Emma Meyer $25,
Ellen Bartelt $30, going once, going twice, sold to Ellen Bartelt for $30.
Ellen shared she would be sending the payment of $30 to Michal. 

 

Denise then asked Kira to discuss advocacy. Kira shared that the committee
has several things going on and began by giving an overview of the work done
on voting. She explained that they had been in communication with Max Weber,
who works with the Chicago Board of Elections and who some may remember as
he met with our chapter last year. She noted that we have been working to
make sure that all of the machines that you vote on in person will easily
allow you to vote privately and independently. We had some issues last fall
with some of the audio and the large print feature being extremely limited
so we reached out to request that we be able to try out the machines ahead
of time to assess accessibility and let them know of issues ahead of time.
Debbie was able to test out the machines last week, Marilyn and Kira went to
meet with Max and test out the machines this past week and Marilyn early
voted following the meeting. We provided some important feedback on the
current technology and were able to give suggestions as the Board moves to
decide on and purchase new machines for future elections. After testing out
the devices they wanted to share some feedback. The descriptions for the
controller focus primarily on colors and is more complex than it needs to be
with buttons spread out. Marilyn and Kira suggested to the board that they
consider a focus on a simpler controller with a more limited focus on
colors. But they were able to figure out where each button was placed and
successfully reached the end on both the test and for Marilyn to vote. Kira
shared they are also working to ensure that poll workers are respectful and
aware of our right to independently and privately vote and so we offered to
provide official NFB training to poll workers on etiquette and while there
was not time to include that, they will be including that and we will be a
part of that for future elections. They also put together an etiquette guide
that will be included for poll worker trainings for the current election
based on the guide on our national website. They are glad that and hopeful
that Max seems to be interested in working us to ensure accessibility.
Additionally, the committee is working on audible announcements at CTA
stations and is in touch with the MOPD to work with the CTA to ensure that
each station is following the laws as they update and add screens. The
committee will meet again this Wednesday at 6pm on this same zoom and all
are welcome to join.

 

Denise thanked Kira and Marilyn for going and testing and then asked if
there was any old business. Steve shared that he will turn 71 a week from
tomorrow and everyone cheered and wished him a happy birthday. Denise then
called for new business and shared that the newest member is Jackie Cook.
Patti moved and Jemal seconded to accept her as a new member, a vote was
held and she welcomed by all as our newest chapter member. There was a move
to adjourn and the meeting ended. 

 

 

 

Signed and Submitted by, 

Kira O'Bradovich

Secretary

Chicago Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois