[Ohio-talk] Buckeye Update

[Eric Duffy]

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Buckeye Update, May 10, 2013
	Last Friday Shelbi and I attended the state-wide meeting for the
Ohio Business Enterprise Program. Kevan Worley and Terry Smith were featured
speakers. The National Federation of the Blind and our Merchants Division
are doing great work on  the national level to represent the interest of
blind merchants and entrepreneurs. Annette Lutz and other members of the
Ohio Association of Blind Merchants represented us well also. 
	On Monday afternoon I met with Kevin Miller, the Director of the
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. Director Miller continues to
support NFB-NEWSLINER. The current contract for NEWSLINE expires on June 30
as do all state contracts. But a new contract will be signed, and we will
continue to have NEWSLINE in Ohio.
	Anyone who has ever need JAWS Scripting done knows how difficult it
is to find someone with the skills to write scripts. For years RSC
Counselors have had a difficult time getting scripts written in a timely
manner if when jobs have been on the line. RSC is paying for Rehab Techs to
receive Scrip writing training from Freedom Scientific. This is a major
investment of RSC resources, and to my knowledge this has not been done in
Ohio before. Hats off to Kevin Miller and his staff for making the
commitment to solving a problem that has frustrated many blind Ohioans for a
long time.
	Last week I mention the possibility of an informational picket at
the convention of the National PTA Association in Cincinnati. This will be a
one day event On June 21 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. We need at
least thirty people who can walk the picket line for an hour and a half
beginning at 7:00 AM.  We are really going to need the help of our members
in Southwest Ohio. Please begin to think about what you can do to get people
to show up early that morning and be ready to walk and carry signs. Of
course anyone is welcome to participate, so if you live in another part of
the state and can get to Cincinnati we would be glad to have your help.
Please remember that as much as we would like to do so, the affiliate cannot
cover the cost of lodging. However, if your chapter or division wants to
send members in the night before and can cover the cost of doing so, we
would welcome your support, and so would Dr., Maurer and our national
organization. I will be organizing some conference calls to do additional
planning soon.
	The national office is putting together an informational  database
concerning local chapters and divisions. By next Friday, please provide me
with the following information,  the day, time, and location for your
chapter or division meeting.
	The At-Large chapter had a good conference call Sunday evening. They
will meet by phone again on the first Sunday in June at 7:30 PM. We need
more participation from around the state and particularly from the Board of
Directors. Please be on the next call if at all possible, and encourage
others to join you.
	Patrick Tiberi is the most recent member of the Ohio congressional
delegation to cosponsor H.R. 164. I am still working with his office to get
him to cosponsor H.R. 831. Tom Anderson is in contact with Tim Ryan's office
concerning 831 as well.  The Cleveland is doing good legislative work as
well. We will hear more about their efforts in the days and weeks to come.
	This is a good time to consider what contributions your chapter or
division can make to the National organization. If you want to include your
contribution with that of the Ohio Affiliate, Sherry Ruth must have your
check by June 15. Please make your check payable to the NFB of Ohio and
indicate how much you are contributing to each fund. Remember that the White
Cane Fund supports the general operations of the National Federation of the
Blind. The tenBroek Fund supports the maintenance of the National Center for
the Blind. SUN stands for Shares Unlimited in NFB. This is the rainy day
fund for the national organization. The Imagination Fund really helps to
build the programs that we want to have at the national level. Finally, we
have pledged to contribute a minimum of $200 for door prizes. We would like
chapters and divisions to offset that cost and add to it if at all possible.

	Richard just reminded me that the Miami Valley chapter is having
their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser tomorrow. A lot of tickets have
been sold, and has Richard often says, it's not all about the money. It's
also about showing the public that the blind are organized and that we can
put together successful community events.


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