[NFBO-Springfield] January 2021 Meeting Minutes

[Todd Elzey]

Good afternoon!  Attached for member review are the Minutes from January
2021, meeting. I have attached the documents in the .doc word format and in
.txt format.  Everyone should be able to open one of these style of
documents.  Please note that at the January meeting Crystal McClain gave an
annual financial review, which somehow did not make it into my notes. For
this section, I have left a placeholder to include that information once
Crystal has an opportunity to email it to me.  Thanks, and please do not
hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Todd Elzey, Secretary
NFB of Ohio Springfield Chapter
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NFB of Ohio Springfield Chapter Meetings Minutes
January 16, 2016

Attendees:

Debbie Baker, President
Susan Day, Vice President
Crystal McClain, Secretary
Todd Elzey, Treasurer
Vickie Travis
Chuck & Susan Connor
Dan O’Keefe
Eric Duffy
Macy McClain
Richard Payne, President NFB of Ohio
Jolene Bennett
Kenneth Redd – Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disable
Mickie Cooper
Hans Wagner
Arlie Ray

Kenneth Redd from the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled spoke about free library services for those who cannot read standard print.  The program is for those who are visually impaired or for those who cannot read print because of a physical disability.  The library distributes audio books and magazines, and Braille magazines.  They also have a selection of roughly 1400 DVDs with audio descriptions. The library also has devices “play-aways” (small MP3 devices with single books).  Patrons can also download books to the BARD mobile app.  Material can also be download to a computer, and then listened to by transferring the files to a Flash Drive for use on a player.  

The State library sends out equipment, and the library for the blind sends out books.  NLS (National Library Service) is the main national group that collects all materials and distributes it to the State/Territorial libraries.  Because of the COVID crisis there is some time added into book shipping because when books are received back in they are quarantined for a week. So, this adds in time before the computer automatically ships out new books. This can be resolved by calling in and requesting new books before you even ship the old ones back. The Library suspended lending rules to make this work.  

Braille readers can request to be added to a list to receive and test a refreshable display to read braille books. It is a pilot project that will require you to respond to frequent surveys on the device.  Mr. Redd thought participants need to be pretty tech savvy in the pilot project because the device does have some glitches that have to be worked around.

The Library also offers a quarterly newsletter.  This goes out automatically in large print.  Patrons can request to receive it in Braille or audio. It is also available on the Library’s website.

The Library is looking for remote events that would be of interest to patrons.  Mr. Redd also indicated that the Library is looking to expand its virtual outreach efforts. 

President Payne asked about BARD being down.  Mr. Redd indicated that BARD had been down for scheduled maintenance.  President Payne also asked if the Library had a (Public Service Announcement (PSA) that they could share. Mr. Redd indicated that he did not think so.  

Mr. Redd indicated that the Library’s new initiatives are the Refreshable Braille Displays, new players with Wi-Fi capability, and streaming players.  Even with the new players the Library will still maintain the older traditional players and books, etc.

Mr. Redd indicated that the website “Fantastic Fiction” is a great resource for tracking book series.  When in BARD if you click on the author’s name this will give you more options to download books and series from that author.  Mr. Redd also stated that “Searching the Collection” is a quicker way to search the database and get better results.  You can also put a title in “” to get better results.  President Baker also warned if you have a series downloaded, do not try to delete one book from it before you finish the series because deleting one will delete the whole series.

Dan O’Keefe thanked the Library service for their work because he had recently interacted with Library staff who were extremely helpful to him in finding books and author materials.

Mickie Cooper spoke about how impressed she was with the breadth of the service.  

Secretary Todd Elzey provided members with the Minutes from the December meeting via email prior to the meeting. There were no corrections to the Minutes.  Susan Day moved to accept the Minutes.  Mickie Cooper Seconded the motion.  Motion passed with no objections.

Treasurer Crystal McClain indicated that she had printed off the whole year’s bank statements.  She would be sending them to President Baker. 

Beginning December 2020 Balance:  $7291.29 Income: $20 Dues, Expenses $20 PAC, Ending Balance Ending December 2020 Balance:  $7291.29.

Crystal also presented an end of the year financial report.  (Insert Report Here When Received). 

Crystal also gave a report on the members who have and have not paid annual dues.  Hans Wagner and Dan O’Keefe indicated that they would be paying dues.

Todd moved to accept the treasurer’s report. Susan Day seconded motion.  The motion passed without objection.

Eric Duffy presented a legislative report.  Eric reported on the upcoming Washington Seminar. The NFB normally goes to Washington D.C. to speak with Congressional representatives annually.  This year the meetings will be virtual due to COVID.  The Great Gathering-In  is scheduled for February 8, 2021.  Everyone is invited to participate in the Great Gathering-In -- even if you are not able to participate in meetings.  Ohio’s appointments are being scheduled for 9th and 10th.  Anyone who wanted to participate should have responded by January 8, but we are still recruiting. 

This year the NFB is promoting four proposals:

1.  The Access Affordability Act – This act calls for refundable tax credit for purchasing Access Technology (i.e. specialized equipment that allows you to access information that would normally be accessed visually).  The tax credit is up to $2000 every three years.  Legislation will last for 5 years and then it will sunset unless congress makes it permanent.  

2. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act – This is a proposal to make home medical devices accessible.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would set the standards for accessibility of home medical equipment. Then there would be a rule making period for setting stakeholder comments on the standards.  The FDA would issue a final rule 24 month after passage of the law. Then manufacturers would have 12 months to implement the new standards.  The entire rule making process would probably take about 36 months.

3. Twenty-First Century Mobile Apps and Website Accessibility Act -This proposal would require the United States Access Board to set standards for accessibility of websites and apps. The standards would be set through the rule making process. The rules would likely be based on Section 508 Standards and World Wide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).  Developers would have to comply with the new rules roughly 36 months from passage of the law. The law would be enforced by the United States Department of Justice instead of via private lawsuits. 

4. Americans with Disabilities Voting Rights – This proposal came about because of numerous gaps in the accessibility standards created under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).  This proposal would require that the Election Process would be accessible from start to finish. Eric thought this will likely be attached to a general voting rights bill considered by the Congress this term.  President Baker wondered if this proposal would create accessibility standards for all election machine manufacturers.  Eric thought it would.  

Chuck Connor presented on the Smart Home Boutique.  Mr. Connor provided president baker with the slides from the Smart Home Boutique presentation. Mr. Connor also provided a PDF document with links relevant to the seminar.  One of the goals was to have products to be accessible from the design phase because its much harder to add accessibility to some devices once they have been manufactured.  

He also talked about how many of the devices can be connected together.  He specifically mentioned the Echo show 5 which has a show and tell feature.   Mr. Connor also spoke about the accessibility of devices through app voice controls. Users can connect sensors that will tell you about different conditions around the house.  He also mentioned Smart Thermostats that can learn your habits.  There are even sensors that will tell you if your water heater, etc. is leaking.  Users can also set up some devices to call for help when needed.  Mr. Connor also talked about how some devices will let you communicate directly with other users of the same devices.  

Mr. Connor recommended ADT for accessible home security systems.  He also talked about smart vacuums like the Roomba S9.  He said that the vacuums work well but are expensive.

Mr. Connor also mentioned apps for seniors that can remind you to take medication, etc. He also talked about some of the low-tech alternatives like knives with cutting guides on them.  Finally, Mr. Connor talked about how the blind developer of the Echo Show 5 has started a “Blind Arduino Project”.  

President Baker said that the information from the documents Chuck shared should be added to the Chapter’s resource list.

Todd spoke about the Amazon Smiles program. Members can donate to the NF every time they make a purchase from Amazon by signing-up for the Amazon Smiles program. 

Debbie spoke about the Presidential release.  RAINN partnership regarding Anti-Sexual Misconduct and Violence project.  National Staff will be going through RAINN training in March.  This training will eventually include National and Affiliate Boards.  This training will also eventually filter down to Division Board leaderships.  President Riccobono appointed a task force to advise on the issue.  Task force currently consists of six survivors, including Ohio’s own Cheryl Fields.  More info:  www.nfb.org/survivors

President Baker also referenced a $20 Million appropriation for the Randolph Shepard Act program to assist vendors impacted by COVID.  

President Baker asked Dan O’Keefe to report on the progress towards obtaining the Walking Alone Marching Together book and other blindness related books for the Springfield Library.  Dan knew it had been requested but was not sure whether it had been delivered yet.  There was also a discussion about needing to work on getting books at the library for blind and visually impaired children.  Dan Is also working on getting a dedicated area at the library for books/materials on blindness.  

There was also a discussion about Walking Alone Marching Together being available on BARD and Newsline.  Dan also wondered if we could put together a list of books on blindness that could be used as a resource for the Library to either purchase or request via donation. He also asked about availability of Kernal Books.  

Debbie is still looking for the town hall meeting link for the meeting on the Air Carrier Access Act regarding guide dogs.  The requirements went into effect January 11, 2021. The rules are being implemented by airlines inconsistently.

President Baker also discussed the Ohio Senior Division Sharing Solutions Meetings.  This month’s meeting is Sunday, February 21, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. on stroke support. She talked about how the meetings are monthly and are on different issues.

Next meeting will be February 20, 2021.

President Baker also reminded members that individual member contact information is available via the Chapter membership list.  

Crystal moved to adjourn Todd seconded.  Adjournment
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