[NFBF-Daytona] January minutes

[Bill Outman]

January 2019 Minutes 

Greater Daytona Beach Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind 

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Greater Daytona Beach Chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019.  It
was held at Houligans Restaurant, 1725 W. International Speedway Blvd.,
Daytona Beach, Florida.  

 

President Brian Norton called the meeting to order at 1 p. m.  

 

Kathy Davis opened the meeting with prayer for the cause of our chapter to
improve the lives of the blind.  She gave thanks for the re-opening of the
federal government, which had been tied up in a budget dispute over
controversial border policies.  Scott Larson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brian brought a small flag as an aid to this.  Scott then led the NFB
Pledge.  Sherri Adams concluded the opening ceremonies by leading God Bless
America.  

 

A guest speaker was scheduled to appear representing the Daytona 
Beach fire department.  This appearance did not occur.  

 

Earline Outman read the advertising flyer for the chapter fund raiser at
McKenna's Place restaurant in Port Orange.  This is to occur on Monday,
February 18, the Presidents Day holiday, from 4-7 p. m.  The chapter will
receive 10% of the receipts from the restaurant during that time, excluding
alcoholic beverages.  These funds will benefit scholarships for blind and
visually impaired students.  Additional donations will be accepted at the
door and by mail.  Members were encouraged to distribute these flyers to
individuals, organizations, and places of business with which they are
familiar.  This location was chosen as the event will involve the general
public, and it was a successful event for the Lions Club.  

 

Brian noted the next chapter meeting will be on Feb. 23 again at Houligan's.


 

Nancy Epps discussed the cost and sizes of chapter T-shirts.  Polo shirts
cost $14.98 up to extra large, $16.98 for double extra large and $18.98 for
triple extra large.  Happy Birthday was sung in her honor as her day had
come up this month.  

 

Mike Bohmer spoke about accessible signals and other transportation issues.
He noted the Daytona Beach area was rated the second deadliest in the nation
in pedestrian fatalities for small cities close to it's size.  The federal
government has urged states to improve in this regard, but Florida, among
other states, has actually lowered it's goals, rather than raiseing them.
Despite safety objections from the visually impaired community, the
roundabout proposed for the intersection of A1A and International Speedway
Blvd. is scheduled to go ahead.  Engineers have proposed a study of how this
would affect pedestrian safety after it is built.  Three more accessible
pedestrian signals have been installed in the area recently, bringing the
total to 35.  Poles for what may be more such signals are being erected now.
Mike indicated he had sent a certified letter to request a signal at the
proposed roundabout, citing ADA violations.  He got a call from Joe Carter
of FDOT district 5, which covers our area.  Mr. Carter indicated he could
not request a signal for a project not yet constructed.  Mike noted there is
a difference between signals which are accessible and those that are not.
If a button is pressed and only beeps once, this only changes the light and
is not an APS.  What makes it accessible is if it talks, giving information
about the intersection.  The only such system certified for installation in
Florida is the one marketed by Polara.  

 

Mike indicated the process for requesting a signal is complicated.  The best
way to start is by sending a certified letter to both FDOT and the local
city traffic engineer about the intersection in question.  The importance of
this is creating a paper trail, rather than just making phone calls,
important though those are.  Such requests from multiple persons are also
helpful.  Mike noted that one politician in Port Orange indicated they had
not received any requests for signals.  Blanket refusal to install an APS
would be a violation of the ADA.  It is also important to contact both state
and local agencies, as they may both pass the buck to each other, depending
on whether a state or local road is involved.  A polite request to agency
leters should be the first strategy, rather than citing accessibility laws
in the beginning.  Mike agreed to send contact information for FDOT, and
recommended going through state headquarters in Tallahassee.  Steve
Williamson recommended going to city and county meetings with more than one
person so there are witnesses to conversations.  

 

Alicia Betancourt noted that while funding has been approved for the
roundabout, there may still be time to get construction delayed until the
proper design modifications are added, or have it canceled altogether.  The
project is not scheduled for completion until 2024.  Daytona Beach city
officials, both mayor and council members, should be contacted about this
concern in addition to state officials.  

 

Pat Lapovsky reported on the upcoming Rehab. Council for the Blind meeting.
This is an advisory board that takes input on DBS activities and other
programs for the blind in the state.  The public forum is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 5 from 5-6 p. m. at the Rehab. Center.  This is the
quarterly meeting and is a good opportunity to give input as it is being
held locally.  Several NFB representatives are attending.  In addition to
Pat who is a member of the board, state president Denise Valkema and board
member Jorge Hernandez are attending.  The general board meeting is set for
8:30 a. m. that day but input will only be taken later at the forum.
Reports will be given by DBS and other agencies such as the talking book
library, Conklin Center, and CVI.  As with all the quarterly conferences,
there will be phone availability as well.  Alicia noted that these meetings
do have impact, for example client advocacy resulted in purchase of iPads
for college students who need them.  

 

Pat was then elected to the chapter board to fill the open seat until the
April election.  

 

At this midway point members then introduced themselves.  

 

Annual dues were collected at the meeting.  

 

Brian noted there are several legislative issues to be taken up nationally.
Bill Outman pledged to send out files outlining them for members to read.  

 

Brian asked members to indicate interest in attending the state convention
in Boca Raton over Memorial weekend.  If there are enough people interested,
additional transportation options could be considered.  One of the purposes
of chapter fund raising is to accommodate such plans that help with
expenses.  

 

The minutes for the November meeting and December holiday party notes were
approved.  

 

About a hundred gifts were brought to the holiday party and then were
distributed to the veterans residential home.  The facility sent a thank you
letter for these in appreciation of our efforts to remember those who have
served the nation.  

 

Jean Cerullo then gave the treasurer's report.  The opening balance was
$1,647.26.  Expenses were $420.22.  Deposits were $543.  The ending balance
was $1,779.04.  

 

Alicia suggested the chapter consider a Paypal account for dues and
donations.  There was robust discussion of the technical issues including
fees that might be involved based on experience from involvement in other
organizations.  Pat and Nancy were tasked with investigating this.  Pat also
suggested reinstating the 50/50 drawings.  One was occurring at this
meeting.  Some sort of electronic device raffle was suggested by her as a
fund raiser.  

 

Pat noted she had scheduled a dietician as guest speaker for February.  Ryan
Mann may also discuss Narrator, the built-in screen reader for Windows.  

 

Kathy Davis noted the Good RX web site, www.goodrx.com.  This site allows
comparison shopping for prescriptions, and may help consumers get better
prices than with their health insurance coverage.  Pharmacists are now also
allowed to be more forthcoming about prescription pricing.  

 

A couple more suggestions for programs came up.  A speaker on recycling and
United Way were proposed.  Another attempt will be made to get a speaker
from the fire department, possibly for the March meeting.  

 

Scott Larson reminded members of the federal legislation being discussed at
the Washington Seminar.  There is also a blind parents initiative at the
state level.  Locally the panhandling ordinance is on the February Daytona
Beach city council agenda, and it will be another year before the Orange
Ave. bridge project is completed.  

 

Mike Bohmer won the 50/50 drawing.  

 

Sandy Baker of Adaptive Technology Solutions announced she had a raffle
prize to offer.  It is a 19-inch size monitor all-in-one desk top computer
with Windows 10 and Jaws Professional installed.  The chapter could use this
as a prize.  

 

In addition to Nancy Epps, Frank Gerzina and Mary Ellen Ottman have January
birthdays.  

 

Matt Roberts spoke briefly about AIRA(Automated Intelligence Remote
Assistance).  This is a paid subscription service that allows blind users to
contact professionally trained agents to obtain visual assistance with
tasks.  The service is offering a free trial for a half hour of service over
seven days.  This can be upgraded to a paid plan.  Matt offered use of his
referral code for a free first month of service.  This service can be used
for tasks such as navigating an unfamiliar building.  Matt used the example
of navigation through the Atlanta airport.  This can be done either through
a phone or with a pair of smart eyeglasses.  While the price of plans seems
high, guest accounts allow use in such locations as Walgreen's and A. T. &
T. and more locations may come on line in the future.  Matt is looking to
recruit some of these locations, and will take suggestions.  There is also a
Jaws offer that allows an agent to work past a situation where Jaws is not
speaking on a computer.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:32 p. m.  

 

 

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