[NFBSea] February Seattle Chapter Meeting Minutes

[Deja M. Powell]

Great job Jessie! Thank you so much!

On Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 11:18 PM Jim Portillo via NFBSea <nfbsea at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Thanks to Jessie Lorenz for filling in for Deja last month. It’s great to
> see how we all work together well as a united team!
>
>
>
> Greater Seattle Chapter of the
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Washington February Chapter Meeting
> Saturday 2/19/2022
>
> Present: Marcy Carpenter, Jim Portillo, Al Elia, Amandeep Kaar, Mike
> Mello, Shannon Donohue Jamal and Susan Mazrui, Noel Nightingale, Kris
> Colcut, Jake, Krissy, Bennett Prows, Jessie Lorenz The meeting was called
> to order by President Jim Portillo at 10:06 am
>
>
>
> The January 15, 2022, Minutes were reviewed and adopted unanimously.
>
>
>
> Treasurer’s Report No treasury reports this month while the Treasurer and
> new President work on their systems for the upcoming year. The treasury
> report will be back on the agenda next month.
>
>
>
>
>
> Update from Senior division
>
> Bennett Prows gave an update on the WA Seniors Division. Duncan Larson who
> runs Older Services at the Colorado Center for the Blind will speak next
> Saturday at the Blind Seniors Division Meeting at Noon where we will learn
> about the advantages blind seniors have when going for training. In March,
> the division meeting will feature a presentation from the Blind History
> Lady Peggy Chong. Zoom info for both meetings will be sent out via email.
>
>
>
> Students Division Update Amandeep Kar
>
> The Student Division intends to have a membership call this month.
>
> They were excited about participating in Washington Seminar.
>
>
>
> President's Report
>
> President Portillo reported back regarding in-person meetings. Though the
> membership overwhelmingly has expressed interest in returning to in-person
> meetings, it appears difficult. Neighborhood libraries are not opening
> their community rooms because of Coved so though Jim and others have been
> trying to find free public space for us to meet, it is limited because of
> external factors.
>
>
>
> Jim will not be able to chair the March meeting and is hoping someone from
> the board will step up and step-in for him next month.
>
>
>
> Special Guest Presentation: Ron Jasper, new manager at the Orientation and
> Training Center at DSB- Ron is blind and has worked as a TVI and an
> Orientation and Mobility Specialist. He indicated he has over 20 years
> management experience, that he was born with RP, that he is not personally
> affiliated with any blindness groups and that he hopes to empower blind
> students to grow in their "intellectual and job skills."
>
> Noel asked, "Is OTC on a term system?"
>
> Yes OTC is on a term system. 4–6-week terms. 6 a year. Still the core crew
> of instructors.
>
> Future Goals include hiring a Mental Health and physical health
> instructor. The job reacquisition is in the works. This person will help
> participants with mental and physical health including nutrition support.
>
>
>
> Noel asked- Are students able to learn in the residential program?
>
> Both. Center opened up in November to 50% capacity. Going to bump up
> capacity to 75% in April.
>
> The center also serves students who commute. Lastly, The center's Braille
> teacher offers a remote access braille instruction class.
>
> How many students are served? Currently, Six residential and three
> commuting Next term eight residential and five commute. Full capacity twelve
>
> residential/8 commuter students.
>
> Mike asked: "What is the center's philosophy regarding rehab for folks who
> are blind? How do you work within the parameters of being a state agency
> and?
>
> educate the state agency?" blindness does not define us- we are
> individuals with various strengths and hobbies. Blind people are
> individuals, and they vary in their life experiences just like sighted
> people.
>
> I hope I can bring accessibility into people’s lives.
>
> Mike followed-up to ask about the agency's tendency to operate with a
> light touch rather than have lofty expectations of students (no flat top
> stoves, easy routes, etc.) Ron countered strongly that he believes students
> need to live in the Real world. Need sleep shades. That’s our policy. 100%
> back that. "I will not change things because I don't think you can manage
> being a blind person."
>
> Noel: How many blind managers are in DSP?
>
> Three female blind managers in the department.
>
> Mary stated that she is, “Not into the sleep shades because of stable
> sight.” Ron- Shared his personal experience he felt the same way but
> changed his mind after trying sleep shades.
>
> Marcy- invited Ron to state convention.
>
> Bennet- invited Ron to visit NFB Orientation Centers.
>
> Ron indicated interested in both attending state convention and visiting a
> NFB training center.
>
>
>
> State of the State
>
> Marcy Carpenter
>
> Recently a Bill was introduced in the WA state house regarding access to
> RX information based on language- we got an amendment in that bill stating
> that blind and print disabled individuals’ communication access needs will
> be included as well.
>
> The bill will go for a Committee vote Monday than to full Senate floor.
>
> It is exciting to potentially be One of the first states to get Accessible
> RX written into law!
>
>
>
> The NFB Washington Board of directors is holding a strategic planning
> session next weekend 2/25 to discuss the future of the affiliate. If you
> have ideas about the direction of the affiliate reach out to Marcy or Jim.
>
> The DSP Director position is open. They are still accepting applications.
> Marcy is going to be part of the interview committee.
>
>
> https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/3414473-0/director-department-of-services-for-the-blind-dsb
>
>
>
> The NFB National Convention is on in New Orleans July 3-10 Registration
> opens March 1. There will be an on-line experience, but it is not a hybrid
> convention.
>
> Main sessions and board meeting will be streamed.
>
>
>
>
>
> ***
>
> Washington Seminar
>
> Washington Seminar was a success in that we fostered relationships with
> Senate staff and brought some new allies on-board to cosponsor our bills.
> We will continue to facilitate the process on the technology affordability
> act/ Tax credit, medical device, transformation
> _______________________________________________
> NFBSea mailing list
> NFBSea at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbsea_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NFBSea:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/deja.powell%40gmail.com
>
-- 
*Deja M. Powell, MA, NOMC*
Wa. Dept. of Services for the Blind
OTC, DIrector
Phone: 801.891.3430
Twitter: @slateandstylish
Instagram: @SlateandStylishDeja
*"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." -Breakfast at
Tiffany's*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20220314/b463d4cc/attachment.html>