[Ohio-talk] Fw: Buckeye Update for Jan. 11th, 2010

[Dr. Smith]

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr. Smith 
To: jwsmithnfb at verizon.net 
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 12:42 PM
Subject: Buckeye Update for Jan. 11th, 2010


It's cold outside but I want to wish you all the warmest happy New Years greetings possible. We have obvious challenges this year but together we will make sure that it is a productive and prosperous one. 

 

Since my last update I don't know about you but I had a wonderful holiday time spent eating too much, sleeping too much, and watching too much football and LOVING it!! It was a joy to see the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band in the rose parade. I switched between the ABC and NBC coverage and I understand that Macy McClain was front and center as the cameras rolled. It was interesting to hear the broadcasters talk about the band and I was very pleased that none of them even attempted to portray this activity as heroic or unrealistically extraordinary. I hope that  the McClains will provide a more thorough picture of the entire event in the not too distant future. 

 

The Capital chapter hosted another successful Christmas party at the Ohio School for the Blind on December 7th and the Miami Valley Chapter  had a wonderful banquet celebrating Braille literacy on December 12th. 

 

The Winter Board Meeting --  

                

                Our winter board meeting will be held on January 23rd in Columbus at the Gethsemane Church located at 35 E. Stanton. As usual we will begin the meeting at 10 and try to end by 3. The Capital chapter will be providing lunch, and light refreshments for us so look for additional information from President Eric Duffy. At this meeting we will formulate our annual committees, approve our annual budget, and discuss goals for the year. A central part of the meeting will be dedicated to discussing effective ways of raising funds for our affiliate. All are invited  and it is my hope that we will have a brief visit from the new BSVI director Dan Connors, Eric Duffy and myself will be meeting with Mr. Connors on January 22nd. I believe that the parents division will be handing out tickets for the annual gourmet food basket fund raiser at this meeting as well.

 

The Washington Seminar -

 

Twelve of us will be attending the Washington Seminar and will be leaving on February 1st and returning the 3rd. Those of you receiving this update by email should have gotten a copy of the Legislative alert outlining our issues for this year and for those of you receiving this by hard copy a copy is enclosed. Even though all of us cannot go it is important that you help us by contacting your local representatives and doing what you can to make our task even more effective. Because of our financial situation we cannot take as many people as we have in the past and thus our coverage of the state is limited as well. That is why it is essential that you do what you can in your local districts to help facilitate a successful outcome for us all.  

 

Final Thoughts -

 

Remember that the National Convention will be in Dallas again so you need to be making transportation and hotel reservations as soon as possible and we will talk about how much convention assistance we will be able to provide at our January 23rd board meeting. Shortly thereafter I will get the forms out and do all that I can to assist those who want to attend. As I write this update I want to share a brief paragraph that I received in the mail today:

 

Cleveland Clinics Patient and Family Health and Education Center (PFHEC) is offering Assistive Technology to its visitors. Beginning January 2010, people with disabilities will be able to access the center's electronic health resources with the use of the new equipment.  The following Assistive Technology equipment has been installed:

·         Alternative Keyboard

·         Screen Reader/ Speech Synthesizer

·         Screen magnifier

·         Mouse Emulator Track Ball

The PFHEC is located in the Glickman building, Q1-2, and is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

 

                Finally, I am sorry to have to tell you of the passing of Liz Haag a long time leader in this affiliate. I did not know Liz very well but I do remember meeting her a few times. On a more upbeat note congratulations to the Lake County Chapter for getting three proclamations commemorating Louis Brailles birth. I understand that the new President Anne Marble is planning a sort of Legislative event in an upcoming meeting. 

 

Stay Safe and Stay Warm.