[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2055

Mon Dec 29 02:38:06 UTC 2025

December 28, 2025

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

843-939-8091  president at nfbofsc.org <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> 

Positive Note: 2055

Dear Federation Family,

Christmas 2025 is now in the books and we will celebrate New Years Day on
Thursday, January 1, 2026! Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday
when my family lost our home to fire in May, 1975, when Cades-Hebron High
School combined with Kingstree Senior High School in August, 1983, when I
graduated from high school in June, 1986, when I graduated with my B.A.
degree in May, 1992, when I started my first position as a Teacher of the
Visually Impaired in August, 1993, when I completed my Master's Degree in
Special Education with Emphasis in Visual Impairments in December, 1994,
when I moved to the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind as the Access
Technology Consultant in August, 1997, when I became the Statewide Vision
Consultant in November, 2004, when I completed my Educational Specialist
Certificate as a Principal in May, 2010 and when I started my role as a
Principal for Outreach Services in July, 2010. The purpose of this
chronology is to demonstrate that time passes quickly. Our worth is measured
in what we do that helps others along the way. 

As we enter 2026, let us consider what we might do to make a difference in
the lives of other blind people who need help. Tech Talk is one of the most
effective Zoom calls conducted by members of our affiliate and I am always
inspired and blessed by what I find there when I am able to join them. One
of the things I can do is answer questions for others who are new to the
nonvisual world. What is something that you can do to make a difference in
the lives of others?

Continuing our AI tips and tricks, here is this week's offering from Sarah
Massengale.

Chat GPT camera and voice mode:

There a lot of AI apps out there specifically for blind folks, but most of
them ask a blind person to take pictures.  I'm terrible at pictures, and
sometimes I just want to do something quickly.  Which is how I learned this
trick.

Back in March, I was at an accessibility conference, and I wanted to control
my hotel room thermostat.  I was too tired for calling Aira, which I usually
do.  Instead, I pulled out my iPhone, opened up my Chat GPT app, and pressed
the button labeled "voice mode".  I asked the AI if it could help me look at
my thermostat, and it told me how to allow it access to my camera.  Once I
did, it could tell me what my thermostat was set to, and how the settings
changed as I pressed the inaccessible buttons.

One quick note here: I've been working with ChatGPT on a daily basis for
about nine months, and it knows I'm blind.  If you're using it for the first
time, you will want to make sure to teach the AI that you're blind before
trying this trick.

Recently, Steve Cook, who serves as the NFB of SC's web master and list
serve moderator released an email with an important update from the National
Office.  This statement concerned some very startling issues around the
Randolph Shepherd Act.  A summary of the original statement is below.

On December 23, 2025, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) released a
statement strongly criticizing the Department of Education's decision to
limit-effectively remove-the Randolph-Sheppard priority for dining facility
contracts on Department of the Army installations. Published in the Federal
Register, this decision threatens the jobs and businesses of blind
entrepreneurs and goes against Congress's long-standing goal of expanding
employment opportunities for blind Americans.

The Randolph-Sheppard Act, passed in 1936, was created to provide
meaningful, competitive employment for trained and licensed blind people.
Today, about 1,400 blind entrepreneurs nationwide depend on this program.
Within the Army alone, twenty-four dining facility contracts across
twenty-two installations support real businesses run by blind vendors.

NFB President Mark A. Riccobono called the decision a betrayal of nearly
ninety years of congressional commitment, stating it is based on false
information and disregards the proven skills and dedication of blind
vendors. He emphasized that the NFB stands firmly with affected vendors and
will continue to fight to protect their rights through collective action.

The NFB also stressed that the Randolph-Sheppard Program is not charity or a
diversity checkbox, but a recognition of barriers blind people face in
government contracting. The organization urged the Secretary of Education
and the Department of the Army to reconsider the decision, work directly
with blind merchants, and honor the promise of equal opportunity for blind
Americans to work, build businesses, and contribute to the nation.

Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser

The Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser kicked off on October 1, 2025 and
ends on December 31, 2025. This fundraiser assists Rocky Bottom with getting
through the winter months when rentals are very low. If you or your chapter
have not given to the fundraiser this year, it is not too late! You can mail
a check to the Federation Center of the Blind, Attn Rocky Bottom, 119 S.
Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. If you know others who routinely
participate, please share this announcement with them.

At-Large Chapter Fundraiser

The At-Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina is holding an iPad Drawing Fundraiser to support its programs and
outreach. The prize is a new 11-inch Apple iPad with an A16 chip and 128 GB
of storage. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Payments can be mailed to
Ed and Julie Bible, 136 Penny Lane, Lexington, SC 29073, or sent by PayPal
to nfbofsc.atlargechapter at gmail.com
<mailto:nfbofsc.atlargechapter at gmail.com> . The drawing will take place on
Saturday, January 10, 2026, during the Statewide Seminar, and participants
do not need to be present to win.

NFB of SC Statewide Seminar

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Statewide Seminar
will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Federation Center of
the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. This will be an exciting kick-off to 2026
and I look forward to seeing you there. Chapter presidents should let David
Houck know how many are attending by close of business on Monday, January 5,
2026 so that food preparations can be made. Call David at 803-254-3777 or
e-mail him at federationcenter at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:federationcenter at nfbofsc.org> .

Rocky Bottom auction at Statewide Seminar

There will be an auction to benefit Rocky Bottom during the Statewide
Seminar! Bring your baked goods, your items you wish to regift that are very
nice and anything that you think others may enjoy bidding on. The auction
will take place throughout the day based on the number of items available.
For more information, contact Chairman Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344.

>From Andrew Adams:

Join us for the Sweetheart Ball on February 6th for an unforgettable evening
of fun, fellowship, and celebration. Tickets are $30 per person, making it a
perfect night out for members and guests. Gather your friends and reserve a
full table for $240 to enjoy the evening together. The purpose of the
Sweetheart Ball is to bring our members together while supporting a
meaningful cause. Proceeds raised will help sponsor members to attend the
national convention in Austin, Texas. Come out, dress up, and participate in
a night that strengthens our community and invests in our future.

Things to Remember

*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2025
*	State dues due on December 31, 2025
*	Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser due on December 31, 2025
*	Statewide Seminar on January 10, 2026
*	At-Large drawing on January 10, 2026
*	Rocky Bottom Auction on January 10, 2026
*	Sweethearts Ball on February 6, 2026

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org/>  

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