[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, March 9, 2024-correction

Mon Apr 8 16:54:13 UTC 2024

Good morning Debbie,

Would you please make the correction that the deadline for Chappell is
11:59pm on May 1, not 1:59.

Thanks for all that you do.

Marilyn Green, President
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
312-343-8396
president at nfbofillinois.org
www.nfbofillinois.org
Live the life you want!

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is a community of members
and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

-----Original Message-----
From: IABS-Talk <iabs-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent
Stein via IABS-Talk
Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2024 11:26 PM
To: 'Illinois Association of Blind Students List' <iabs-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>; il-talk-request at nfbnet.org
Subject: [IABS-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, March 9, 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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