[Ohio-Talk] Summer Newsletter

[Barbara Pierce]

Summer 2019 Buckeye Bulletin

A publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio


Barbara Pierce, Editor
198 Kendal Drive
Oberlin, OH 44074
barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
(440) 774-8077

http://www.nfbohio.org

Richard Payne, President
1019 Wilmington Ave., Apt. 43
Kettering, OH 45420
rchpay7 at gmail.com
(937) 829-3368


The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the live you want; Blindness is not what holds you back.

The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio is a 501 (c) 3 consumer organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed to changing what it means to be blind. Though blindness is still all too often a tragedy to those who face it, we know from our personal experience that with training and opportunity it can be reduced to the level of a physical nuisance. We work to see that blind people receive the services and training to which they are entitled and that parents of blind children receive the advice and support they need to help their youngsters grow up to be happy, productive adults. We believe that first-class citizenship means that people have both rights and responsibilities, and we are determined to see that blind people become first-class citizens of these United States, enjoying their rights and fulfilling their responsibilities. The most serious problems we face have less to do with our lack of vision than with discrimination based on the public’s ignorance and misinformation about blindness. Join us in educating Ohioans about the abilities and aspirations of Ohio’s blind citizens. We are changing what it means to be blind.

The NFB of Ohio has eight local chapters, one for at-large members, and special divisions for diabetics, merchants, students, seniors, guide dog users, and those interested in Braille. This newsletter appears three times a year and is circulated by email, posted on NFB-NEWSLINE®, our digitized newspaper-reading service by phone, and can be read or downloaded from our website, www.nfbohio.org. For information about the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio or to make address changes or be added to the mailing list, call (440) 774-8077 or email barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com. For information about NFB-NEWSLINE, our free digitized newspaper-reading service, call (866) 504-7300. Local NEWSLINE numbers are: 330-247-1241 (Akron), 330-409-1900 (Canton), 513-297-1521 (Cincinnati), 216-453-2090 (Cleveland), 614-448-1673 (Columbus), Dayton: 937-963-1000 (Dayton), 567-242-5112 (Lima), 567-333-9990 (Mansfield), 740-370-6828 (Portsmouth), 937-717-3900 (Springfield), 56-806-1100 (Toledo), and 330-259-9570 (Youngstown).


Dream Makers Circle

You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our Dream Makers Circle. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio can be made in the form of a will or living trust or an income-generating gift or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage, or list NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314, extension 2422 or at pchang at nfb.org.

The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated vehicles. Please call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting www.nfb.org/vehicledonations.

Contents

From the President’s Desk by Richard Payne <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602778>
A Memorable National Convention by Barbara Pierce <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602779>
The Difference a National Convention Can Make by Alex French <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602780>
The 73rd Annual State Convention by Sheri Albers <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602781>
Mastering the DoubleTree by Barbara Pierce <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602782>
Meet the 2019 NFB of Ohio Scholarship Class by Cassandra Jones <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602783>
Editor’s Musings by Barbara Pierce <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602784>
Bells Ring Again in 2019 by Debbie Baker, Marianne Denning, and Eric Duffy <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602785>
A New Federation Volunteer’s Perspective by Jeanne Citro <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602786>
It’s a Small World; The BELL Perspective by Suzanne Turner <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602787>
Recipes from BELL <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602788>
Paul Dressell Dies by Barbara Pierce <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602789>
Good-bye to the Rock, Paul Dressell Dies by Eric Duffy <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602790>
Buckeye Briefs <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602791>
Activities Calendar <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602792>
The 73rd National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Annual Convention <applewebdata://38C3C4CE-16D8-4E58-B63F-9C5F425CC6D0#_Toc19602793>
 

*****

From the President’s Desk
by Richard Payne <>
As I sit down to write this column, I am reflecting on the Federation’s philosophy. I have lived our Federation philosophy for many years, as have many of you. Because we have so many new members, I think it is very important to keep reinforcing the message about who we are. This means that we should be talking about the Federation's positive belief system about blindness. Many years ago members of the Federation realized the simple truth that blind people are just people who cannot see. We are not  broken sighted people. Blind people are as different from each other as sighted people are; that is, we are a cross-section of the broader society. Blindness is merely a physical characteristic, but it is not the characteristic that defines us or our future. It is low expectations and misconceptions not blindness itself that stand between blind people and our dreams. Given proper training and opportunity, blind people can and do live the lives we want. It is respectable to be blind, and, with the right tools and techniques, blindness can be reduced to the level of a nuisance or inconvenience.

To combat the low expectations, misconceptions, and stereotypes that are the true barriers to achieving our dreams, the blind have organized for the same reasons other minorities have—to make positive social change through collective action. The Federation philosophy provides an overall framework for thinking about blindness, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. However, it is not intended to be rigid or dogmatic. As we just said, blind people are individuals, and we may disagree on any number of things, including how to handle a given situation as blind people. What our philosophy does do is give us a positive way of thinking about our blindness, rather than the negative ways in which we have often been conditioned to think about it by society. Rather than saying that blind people can't do something, we try to find ways that we can do it, and we challenge each other lovingly to push the envelope and expand the limits of our independence. The Federation has put a lot of time, talent, and money in to investing in membership so that we could reach far and wide to spread this great news. Last year I met several new members who reminded me of just why we do what we do, but one of them stood out. This was a young man who was very excited to find out about the Federation, but after joining and starting to get involved, he left the organization. It was nothing we had or had not done. He admitted that he did not want to admit that he was blind. This confirms for me that he needs us more than he will ever realize. When he stumbles on his job or can’t recognize a co-worker standing in front of him, he is likely not to recognize that everyone will know that something is wrong and it would be far less disruptive to let them know that he is blind and not drunk or unfriendly. That is part of the NFB philosophy we are speaking about. I understand that many people including some blind people do not agree with us, but I have met hundreds of blind people who have come to recognize the power of our world view after it appeared to be too late for them.

We have come a long way together thanks to your passion, drive, and continuing hard work. We have reached an exciting milestone in the NFB of Ohio with the partnerships that have been developed over the years. Several changes have been made and more to come soon. We can find tremendous pleasure in our accomplishment. I think that several of them can be celebrated. When we get to the convention this year, you probably will find out more about the great proposed changes that OOD has considered. While we still have a lot of work to do, I can see good things happening in Ohio. With the new SRC for OOD and some of our own leaders at the helm, rest assured that great things will be coming around the corner.

Looking back, I can certainly say we’ve changed what’s possible for blind Ohioans and all those we’ve touched: partners, consumers, and others in the community in which we work and live. We’ve built a strong organization and a strong culture. We can all take ownership of that.

The principles that guide us today are the same ones we started with in 1940: Keep moving forward driven by our vision, mission, and values. Keep striving to learn. Rise to every challenge. Build diversity and inclusion into everything we do. Put caring into action. And above all be accountable for our own destiny and results. In other words, act as if we are living the life we want, and we will achieve our dreams.

In the spirit of moving forward, here are things you can do today to get ready for the years ahead. Find ways to get more involved on the local, state, and national levels. Work hard to build the Federation in numbers and commitment. Take the time to bring others along, and help the leadership with all your heart. The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. As the one-minute speech says, “The Federation knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.” To help carry out the Federation’s vital mission, our Code of Conduct sets forth policies and personal standards for conduct that all members, especially Federation leaders, are expected to adopt and follow:

The National Federation of the Blind embraces diversity and full participation as core values in its mission to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind. We are committed to building and maintaining a nationwide organization with state affiliates and local chapters that is unified in its priorities and programs and is directed by the membership. We respect differences of opinion, beliefs, identities, and other characteristics that demonstrate that blind people are a diverse cross section of society.

Furthermore, the organization is dedicated to continuing to establish new methods of membership and leadership development that reflect the diversity of the entire blind community. In promoting a diverse and growing organization, we expect integrity and honesty in our relationships with each other and openness to learning about and experiencing cultural diversity. We believe that these qualities are crucial to fostering social and intellectual maturity. Intellectual maturity also requires individual struggle with unfamiliar ideas. We recognize that our views and convictions will be challenged, and we expect this challenge to take place in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect in order to maintain a united organization. While we encourage the exchange of differing ideas and experiences, we do not condone the use of demeaning, derogatory, or discriminatory language, action, or any other form of expression intended to marginalize an individual or group. The National Federation of the Blind does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics.

Together we are stronger. Let’s go build the Federation.

*****

A Memorable National Convention
by Barbara Pierce <>
The second week of July proved to be unforgettable for about 3,200 blind Americans. We gathered at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. We knew that the convention was going to be a physical challenge, and boy were we right. When President Riccobono negotiated the convention contract, Mandalay Bay was recovering from the masse shooting carried out from its fifty-eighth floor. They clearly extended themselves to make the property attractive to a large convention. But as the months passed and they began to recover, they gradually cranked up their rates for various amenities, like $6 for a cup of coffee in a sleeping room. Those of us with convention experience suspected that this was going to happen, but there was nothing to be done about the cost escalation after the contract was signed.

The real challenge was that we had to negotiate the casino whenever we needed to get to the meeting room area. Happily Aira had made the hotel a cite access location, so anyone could use Aira free of charge. Of course the convention marshals—known affectionately as “talking signs”—were out in force and quite audible at any time that we were moving en masse to or from convention meeting sites. The good news was that there were lots of Federationists around, and people were always willing to give advice or help if they were asked.

Dr. Jernigan began planning conventions in 1952, and he continued doing so until his death in 1998. His wife, Mary Ellen Jernigan, gradually took over meeting room scheduling, and, when she retired, John Berggrin slid into that role. But historically the president has always negotiated convention rates and convention content. President Maurer took over this job when he became president in 1986, and Mark Riccobono assumed the responsibility when he was first elected. Each man has faced serious issues during his tenure as convention planner. We have always faced the challenge of trying to get the best room rates we could because blind people don’t have the cash to be big spenders. But the time came in the 1990’s when we had to admit that the very low rates we had enjoyed were a thing of the past. Hotels would rather fill their rooms even if at bargain prices than have them stand empty, but there are limits as to how low they will go to get a big convention even in the heat of the summer. We tend to go to cities with uncomfortably high temperatures in July because vacationers don’t gravitate to Phoenix, Dallas, Orlando, and such places in the heat of July. But this negotiating strategy can get us only so far.

We want families to come to convention. This means not scheduling the event in June, when school is still in session in the East, or in August, when schools are increasingly back in session across the country. Then there is the problem of our convention being too long. If a convention lasts more than a week, as ours used to, hotels are not interested in hosting us because they cannot book in another group at the beginning of the next week. In 2009 we admitted the inevitable and shortened our convention by a day to make us more competitive for hotel space. Even so, President Riccobono struggled for years before signing Las Vegas for the 2019 convention. He knew that the casino would provide a mobility challenge, and food is just plain expensive in the strip hotels big enough to handle our convention. But we had been gathering in Florida for almost a decade, and people in the West needed a break from high airfares. We needed a large hotel in the West, and Mandalay Bay was available.

The good news is that we are a far more sophisticated organization than we were even a decade ago. We know how to use marshals, and a large number of our members are able to use ride share vehicles or Instacart to acquire groceries in their rooms. We are used to helping each other and showing other people how to find inexpensive food sources. And the great thing is that we managed in a challenging hotel. There were lots of energy and enthusiasm at this convention. Newcomers learned the ropes and discovered that they could figure out how to move around a complex hotel.

Las Vegas in 2019 is a convention that will not soon be forgotten. But it is one that taught us all valuable lessons and proved again that blind people can manage in challenging situations.

*****

The Difference a National Convention Can Make
by Alex French <>
Editor’s note: The following article speaks for itself. I was one of the people that Suzanne Turner asked to talk with Alex. It was clear that he needed what he could learn from the national convention. We got to work to make it happen for him. Here is his story of what he learned at convention:

It’s June 25, and I’m in a dark place. I had recently had a doctor’s appointment in which I was told that there wasn’t any noticeable improvement in my eyesight. I had a brain tumor back in December, and the resulting surgeries left me in the dark, literally and figuratively. I am now totally blind after having perfect vision for twenty-nine years of my life. I was a firefighter, expecting to buy my first home with my seven-year-old daughter. Instead, I was moving back in with my parents, effectively unemployed, and learning how to live as a blind person. Enter the National Federation of the Blind.

When I discovered that I might never have eyesight again, I began to do some research to determine my best route to regain my independence. I discovered the Louisiana Center for the Blind, BLIND Inc., and the Colorado Center for the Blind. So I decided to contact each and gather some information. This was how I learned about the National Federation of the Blind. I had decided to contact the Cleveland chapter of the NFB since it wasn’t far from my home. In this conversation I learned that the national convention was just two weeks away. Newly blind, I had no idea that this organization even existed or that they had a national convention. Suzanne Turner, the Cleveland chapter president, said that I should try to attend because it would be a life-changing experience. She was absolutely correct. But, with only two weeks before the convention, how would I pull this off? That’s when I learned how amazing this organization really is. Suzanne reached out to some contacts within the organization, and they found me a room. Not only did they find me a room, but someone was gracious enough to cover the cost of the convention, because they believed the experience would be so life-changing for me. Moreover, my mom happened to be off work that week. The stars seemed to be aligning for me. My mom and I were able to find flights and would be attending our first convention together.

As for the convention itself, it was life changing for me and also for my mom. This was really our first time being around blind people. We live in a small town and had never met another blind person. At convention we met some amazing people. In line to check in, I met a guy my age living in Chicago and attending school there. I also met a gentleman from Boston who lives in New Jersey and works as a regional sales manager for a major company. We met a school-age girl who was part of the CCB summer program. She was there alone. These were just the people I met checking in.

I got to attend multiple seminars, including a Sports and Recreation meeting, where I learned about blind baseball and blind hockey. I also attended an empowerment seminar, where multiple speakers discussed how they are able to overcome the low expectations of the general public. We met blind lawyers, doctors, and teachers. I quickly learned that I could do anything I wanted. My blindness didn’t have to hold me back.

This was equally important for my mom to learn. To this point she had seen me go from completely independent to learning how to navigate the house alone again. There was a veterans’ division, so I got in touch with them as well since I had served 10 years in the Air Force. It was there I learned about the veterans’ ceremony, in which they introduce all of the blind veterans. The blind veterans also did a presentation of colors, with a full color guard. This ceremony left my mom in tears.

This was just the start. We decided to explore the exhibit hall, where we learned about all the assistive technology available today. We also met a lifelong guide dog user who gave me his number so I could contact him with any questions if I decided to get a guide dog. Perhaps more important to my mom, we met one of the owners of Two Blind Brothers, a clothing company completely designed by and for the visually impaired. My mom was elated. As we walked away from their booth, my mom turned to me and said, “I can totally see you doing something like that.” It was a truly powerful moment for me. The next day was our last unfortunately; we had to leave early because of a death in the family.

We decided to attend the LCB luncheon, where I met even more amazing people, including Pam Allen, the executive director of the center, and half of the staff. I also met Caroline, who has become my best friend and has even started helping me learn Braille. We have grown very close and continue to help each other grow stronger and spread the word about the NFB. Later that night, we met with fellow Ohio people for dinner, including Ohio president Richard Payne, the Cleveland chapter president, Suzanne Turner, and the Akron chapter president, Dave Berch. It was an awesome way of ending my first convention.

The experience overall was absolutely unbelievable. I would highly recommend taking a trip to the national convention to anyone who could possibly make it. It truly was life-changing, and this is only half of what I actually wanted to share about the convention to further express how life-changing the experience was. Since attending, I have learned to ride a bike as well as race my daughter in the swimming pool. This organization is amazing, and I’m happy to say that because of the connections I made at convention and the help of its members I’m attending LCB this fall. This is just my first experience with the NFB, but it will be one of many more to come. My mom and I are already looking forward to next year's convention.

*****

The 73rd Annual State Convention
by Sheri Albers <>
Editor’s note: Sheri Albers is vice president of the NFB of Ohio and president of the Cincinnati chapter. She also chairs the Convention Arrangements Committee. Here is what she has to say about this year’s convention:

Please come and join us at the 73rd annual state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. This event will take place Friday, November 1, through Sunday, November 3, 2019. Our home for the weekend will be the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Columbus - Worthington,175 Hutchinson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43235, phone: 614-885-3334. Room rates are again $89 per night plus tax. Each room includes a free breakfast buffet for two per day and $5 for each additional person in the room. Our block of rooms will be released on October 11, 2019, so make your reservations now. Be sure to let the hotel know if you need a wheelchair-accessible room or have any additional requirements related to your reservation.

The theme for this year’s convention is “Obstacles are Opportunities: The NFB is an Instrument of Change.” Our one-minute message says: “The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.” Come and see how members of the NFB of Ohio have raised expectations of blind people to overcome obstacles to realize their dreams. Through proper training and opportunity we now have the chance to live the lives we want.

We are very fortunate to have Ever Lee Hairston from the California affiliate as our national representative. Here is an excerpt from her bio from our national website: “Ever Lee Hairston was unanimously elected to the Board of Directors at the 2010 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention on July 6, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. She brings considerable experience to this position, having served in various capacities with the NFB over the years—including nineteen consecutive years of service on the NFB Scholarship Committee and a fourteen-year stint as first vice president of the NFB of New Jersey. Ever Lee founded and served as the president of the Garden State Chapter of the NFB of New Jersey from 1991 until 2005, and for many years she was the coordinator of the LEAD Program, a mentoring program for blind and visually impaired teenagers. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Louisiana Center for the Blind…. Ever Lee attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind from October 1990 until April 1991. She learned to read Braille, mastered cane travel and independent living skills, and learned to utilize adaptive technology. She returned to New Jersey, after the Freedom Bell rang for her at the Louisiana Center, with a confidence she never had before, integrating blindness skills into her everyday life. Ever Lee credits her training at the Louisiana Center for the Blind with enabling her to succeed at her chosen career. After twenty-six years holding many successive positions with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program in New Jersey, Ever Lee retired from the position of program director in 2006. In July of 2006 she moved to California. She continues to devote tireless hours mentoring and advocating for the blind, as well as delivering inspiring speeches to blind and visually impaired audiences and educating the sighted public about blindness.”

Our agenda begins with the Board of Directors meeting on Friday morning at 11:00 AM. This is an open meeting for all members of the Federation and their guests to attend. You will have the opportunity to see and hear from your elected board discussing matters that directly affect all of us as an affiliate, as well as learning what is happening in our chapters and divisions throughout the state. We strongly recommend that at least one representative from each chapter be present at this meeting to bring a report home to share with those who were not able to attend.

The gavel will fall on opening ceremonies and general session promptly at 2:00 PM. We will have a series of speakers covering a wide range of topics, including reports from our president, our national representative, Ohio rehabilitation services, library services for the blind, legislation, and health and wellness. Of course, we will also have as many door prizes as chapters and members bring us.

Friday evening will see a flurry of activity. First and foremost, our Hospitality Suite will open its doors at 5:30 PM. Your host will be the Capital Chapter, and they will do their best to make you feel welcome. Snacks and beverages will be available for your comfort. The At-Large Chapter and the Ohio Association of Blind Merchants Division will hold their annual business meetings that evening. The Nominations and Resolutions Committee meetings will also take place. Of course, the Ohio Association to Promote the Use of Braille (OAPUB) Division will not disappoint and will again entertain us later that evening with one of their wonderful radio play readings. Admission will be $5 at the door. This is an event you will surely not want to miss as you show your support for Braille.

Saturday morning will begin with a breakfast meeting of the Ohio Association to Promote the Use of Braille (OAPUB) Division at 7:00 AM. Be sure to sign up for the OAPUB breakfast meeting when you register for the convention, but you can always have your breakfast buffet in the hotel restaurant first and just come join the meeting by 7:30 AM. The Diabetes Action Network (DAN) will also have its breakfast meeting at 7:00 AM in the hotel restaurant. If you are interested in becoming a member of this division, you are welcome to attend.

The gavel falls again promptly at 9:00AM to continue general sessions. We will break at 12 noon for lunch. The Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users (OAGDU), the NFB of Ohio Senior Division, and the Ohio Association of Blind Students (OABS) will conduct their annual business meetings. We will also have an informational lunch meeting for parents of blind children. Boxed lunches will be available for purchase for meeting attendees or those who just want to get a lunch on the go. Be sure to order your boxed lunch when you register for the convention.

The afternoon promises provocative workshops on promoting leadership, membership building, and successful employment strategies. We are also bringing back our Exhibit Hall. Vendors will be available to us from 12:00 noon to 4:30 PM demonstrating their high-tech and low-tech products for blind and visually impaired users. Chapters and divisions will also have the opportunity to hold fundraisers in this exhibit area.

Saturday night’s banquet is always the highlight of the convention. This will be an opportunity for fellowship and for all of us to share a meal together. Our keynote speaker for the evening will be our national representative, Ever Lee Hairston. We will have our Gavel Awards ceremony to celebrate chapter and division accomplishments from the past year. The finale of the banquet will be the announcement of the 2019 scholarship winners and the annual auction. Be sure to order your banquet meal when you register for the convention. Don’t worry, the night is not over–plans are in the works for an exciting after-banquet activity.

Sunday is the day we relax a little, reflect on the past few days, and think about where we are headed in the future. Elections will be held for the at-large members of the Board of Directors. Remember, only members whose chapter or division dues have been paid are eligible to vote.

Our Convention Planning Committee, chaired by our president, Richard Payne, promises to make each year’s convention better than the last. The goal is to bring you the most up-to-date information on the most important matters facing blind people in the state of Ohio. The Greater Akron Chapter will be ready to greet you bright and early at 9:00 AM on Friday morning with your registration packets and agendas. My committee and I will do our best to make sure that the hotel facility--which includes staff, accommodations, guide dog relief areas, meeting rooms, dining areas, and common areas--is as blind-friendly as possible.

 We look forward to seeing you at this year’s “Obstacles are Opportunities” convention, and together we can see how the NFB of Ohio can be the agent of change to live the lives we want.

*****

Mastering the DoubleTree
by Barbara Pierce <>
By this point in your reading of the newsletter, you know that we will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Worthington for our convention. We have been to this facility several times before, so here is the word map of the ground floor as it appeared in the Fall 2017 issue of the Buckeye Bulletin.

To check into the hotel, you will enter from the north side of the building. There are two entrances about thirty feet apart. The check-in desk is about fifteen feet to the south of these doors. As you step into the hotel, angle toward the other door as you walk forward to the desk, and mind the three pillars that run from east to west half way across the space between the doors and the desk.

After you finish checking in, you probably want to find your room and drop your suitcase. Turn left (east) at the desk and start along a hall that leads to the sleeping rooms. Just after the check-in desk is a right turn to the hall that leads to our meeting rooms, but ignore this for the moment. Keep traveling east past the work-out room and the pool on your right. You will then pass the outdoor courtyard on your right. There are large windows, so, if it is sunny, you may feel a rise in the temperature. On the left (north) side of this hall is an exit, which leads to a dog relief area. There is a grassy area before the walk to the parking lot. A trash barrel will be located outside this door for your convenience. After the courtyard are the elevators, two on the right (south) side of the hall and one on the left (north). If you hit carpet, you have gone about thirty feet too far. There are six floors of sleeping rooms, including the ground floor. The rooms all have Braille and raised print signs.

Returning to the front door and facing south, you can turn to the right (west) almost immediately. Walk west until you deadend into a wall. This hall leads you to the restrooms as well as the Franklin and Fairfield Rooms, which is where hospitality will be held. Once you hit carpet, turn right (north); the restrooms are to your left (west). To get to the hospitality rooms, turn left (south) and begin looking for an opening on the right into an east/west hall. The entrance to the Franklin Room is just across a hall coming into this hall from the right (north). The entrance to the Fairfield Room is at the north end of this hallway.

Returning to the front door and facing south, if you continue traveling south past the west end of the check-in desk, you will find the Crosswood Bar and Grill on your right. This is the restaurant. It is on the west side of this hallway. The Upper Terrace is on the left (east) side of the hall and up four steps. This is a large seating area that is often used for casual seating or meals, but we will not be using the space. So it is safe to say that you can ignore any short flights of steps that you discover in the lobby area. Past the Upper Terrace you can make a left turn (east) and travel past the two large ballrooms on the south (right) side of the hall. The Alder Room is our general session meeting room. It is the eastern-most of these two rooms. When you have reached carpet, that is where registration will be set up.

You can reach the Alder Room another way. Returning to the front door and facing south, if you continue traveling south past the east end of the check-in desk, you will find a set of restrooms on your left (east) side of the hall. To your right is the Upper Terrace, which was mentioned earlier. Continue walking south along the Upper Terrace, and you will walk directly into the Alder Room. If you turn left (east) just before the Alder Room, you will find the Polaris 1 and 2 Rooms on your left. When you reach the carpet, you have found the registration area. At the east end of this hall on the left is a door out to the courtyard. The break-out rooms that we will be using are all in this area. You can turn right (south) in this carpeted area. You will be walking south toward the end of the hall. On your left in this hall are the German Village, the Arena District, and the Short North Rooms. On the right are the Oak 1, 2, and 3 Rooms. At the south end of this hall is the exit leading to the dog relief area. A trash receptacle will be located outside this door. Exit the building into a parking lot with parking along the building. Cross the driveway and another line of parking places to get to a grassy island suitable for the dogs. Please use this area and clean up after your dog.

There you have it. The usual advice applies to reading this article. Do not expect to grasp the layout of the hotel after one reading. Study the article several times, pausing after each sentence to be sure that you have the instructions in mind. See you at the DoubleTree.

*****

Meet the 2019 NFB of Ohio Scholarship Class
by Cassandra Jones <>
Editor’s note: Cassandra Jones is a past recipient of an NFB of Ohio scholarship. This year she chairs the Scholarship Committee. Here she introduces this year’s scholarship class. This is what she says:

As we prepare for our seventy-third annual state convention in November, Obstacles Are Opportunities, I'd like to introduce you to our 2019 Scholarship winners. But first, I'd like to thank the committee members, Ali Benmerzouga and Michael Leiterman, for their hard work and commitment as we deliberated to select our scholarship recipients. This was a difficult task, but we believe the winners have equally demonstrated that they are truly deserving of a Scholarship from the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio.

The winners are Nakita Griffin, Kinshuck Tella, and Lucas Cassi.

Nakita Griffin is a rising senior at Otterbein University, where she is studying psychology. From Nakita's personal essay: "My blindness has only made me stronger as a person, and it has taught me many lessons as well. I do not let my blindness hinder me in any way, and it doesn't slow me down."

Kinshuck Tella will be studying environmental science and geology at Miami University this fall. From his personal essay: "With several years of leadership positions in my school’s performing arts and band programs, I have gained skills which I will use to lead change and efforts in the future. I have always and will always work hard to achieve positive impact and goals, especially towards areas of passion. It's always been about being able to play on a level playing field, whether this directly relates to sports or to other areas of personal development."

Lucas Cassi is working towards his bachelor’s degree in communication from Kent State University, with a concentration in interpersonal communication and a minor in peace and conflict studies. From his personal essay: "I graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB). There I was taught the independent skills I needed to live the life I want. It was there I realized that I am not limited by blindness, only by my drive and determination."

Join the scholarship committee in congratulating the winners and welcoming them to our state convention in November.

*****

Editor’s Musings
by Barbara Pierce <>
It is Monday morning after BELL, Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning. I have unpacked and more or less caught up on sleep. You will read a lot about BELL in this issue, but I want to use this column to reflect on the part BELL has played in the lives of its participants and in the NFB of Ohio. In case you have forgotten the details of BELL, It started in Maryland, and this year there are thirty-five BELL Academies around the country. Most are two-week day programs, but Ohio has moved to the one-week residential model. The original plan was to offer intensive Braille exposure to kids who do not get the Braille instruction they should during the school year. We want to make Braille fun and encourage parents to begin pressuring their school districts to offer enough Braille to make their children literate. In addition we take the opportunity to offer practice in daily living skills, access technology, cane travel, and field trips. Most of the staff is blind, and we encourage the sighted volunteers to wear learning shades when they are working with the children.

Ohio joined BELL in 2013, and with one year off we have conducted a BELL Academy on the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB) campus ever since, Eric Duffy has directed four of these programs. This has turned out to be an ideal setting for BELL, and Dr. Al LaBarre, assistant superintendent of OSSB, has been immensely helpful and welcoming.

You will read much more about this year’s program later in this newsletter, but in this column I want to reflect on the impact BELL had on both students and staff this year. We had twelve students, more than we have ever had before. We had lots of volunteer aides as well, in addition to our two experienced teachers, Maryann Denning and Debbie Baker. Because Paula Jordan, a longtime music therapist, was with us all week, we had wonderful music every day, which delighted the kids, all of whom were enthusiastic singers.

The first day the kids are always uncertain about what things are going to be like. They are hesitant to speak and hard to hear when they do make comments. As the week went on, they began to relax. Children who had been hard to hear began speaking up. One student with traumatic brain injury, who was very withdrawn at first, began to contribute to conversations. She demonstrated that she could learn Braille contractions, and she began interacting with other students. As often happens, some students were upset by all the bell ringing that went on. One student on the autism spectrum left the room in tears when the noise began. All the children were disturbed that he was upset. We reduced bell ringing to only during the word “bell” in our opening song, and then we decided to have only the student whose accomplishment on the day before was being celebrated ring the bell. This much reduced the bell clamor, and by the closing day, Maryann had negotiated with the distressed student for him to ring the bell that morning.

One of the younger students took it upon herself to help and advise another young student who was often disruptive. This was a very effective strategy because the noisy child wanted very much to be friends with the helpful child, who helped the aides by working with her friend and grew herself by being a teacher.

One day I was assigned to help one student learn to tie his shoes. This skill had been on his IEP for two years, but he still could not master the skill. He had some residual sight, and I suspected that the teachers had been trying to use sighted methods with him. I told him to put on his learning shades, which he hated. He pled with me to let him look up while he worked, and he promised not to peek—a necessary requirement since he frequently tried to use vision when he was not supposed to. It took about forty-five minutes to teach him this skill. The next morning he tied his shoes perfectly.

As I say, it was a deeply satisfying week for all of us. The NFB of Ohio can be pleased at all we accomplished. Those of us who participated are simply grateful to have been a part of the experience.

*****

Bells Ring Again in 2019
by Debbie Baker, Marianne Denning, and Eric Duffy <>
Editor’s note: Debbie Baker and Marianne Denning are both seasoned teachers of blind children. They are all blind themselves, so their teaching and leadership are shaped and sharpened by personal experience. Ohio is incredibly lucky to have Debbie and Marianne as the instructors in our Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy for the sixth year. We are also very fortunate to have Eric Duffy back in Ohio and back in the saddle as BELL coordinator. Half the students were returning campers, and half were new to Ohio BELL, though three of them had attended BELL in another state. Here is the report on BELL 2019 from the teachers’ and coordinator‘s point of view:

The Bell program began in Maryland more than ten years ago with one clear idea in mind: “If the schools won’t teach blind children Braille, then we will.” For far too long blind and low vision students around the country were not given the opportunity to learn Braille even when deteriorating eye conditions or other circumstances meant that Braille was the only form of real literacy for these students. Other NFB affiliates soon began replicating the efforts of the Maryland affiliate. Bells now ring in thirty-five states.

The first Bell program took place in Ohio in 2013. We weren’t sure about a lot of things including how we were going to fund it and how we were going to find students and volunteers, but it all came together.

We got funding because chapters, divisions, and individuals saw the value of the program and raised money and made personal contributions. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and DD Council provided support as well. DD Council has continued to support the program since then.

At that point we operated a two-week program, and the students went home each day. Although teaching and learning Braille was our primary focus, we soon learned that there were many other things we needed to concentrate on. We had students who didn’t know how to put their shoes on the correct feet or how to tie their shoes. We had students who didn’t know how to dress themselves. We knew we had to change the expectations parents had for their blind children and the expectations that the blind children had for themselves. Of course we began working on expectations immediately.

In 2016 Ohio conducted our first residential Bell program. We thought this would be the best way to address some of the issues mentioned above. We had to teach students how to prepare for the next morning, how to find clothes for the next day, how to find shoes in the morning and pajamas at night, and where they had left their canes. We could address many issues in a residential setting that are normally addressed at home.

A great deal of planning and preparation go into a program of this magnitude. Fund raising is an ongoing process. Planning usually begins in November, and our work ends with a conference call to talk about the program that just ended and what we might do differently next year.

For some time we have wanted a nurse to be on site at all times. We also knew that we needed a dedicated cook. This year we were fortunate to have Ruth Boggs as a volunteer. She met both of these needs. Her service went above and beyond the call of duty. Even in times of real stress and seeming chaos, Ruth was competent, courteous, and professional. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her work was very much appreciated. Ruth is already looking forward to volunteering for Bell in 2020, and we are certainly looking forward to having her with us again.

Some of our students have been returning since that first program in 2013. At least two of these students, MaKenzie Love and Phillip Sotak, have participated in a national Braille reading and writing competition. We knew that we had to offer these returning students more than the existing Bell curriculum has to offer. So we set out to find volunteers to help teach STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering, and math. Caroline Carbowski and Emily Kiehl were the answers to our prayers. Caroline is now a sophomore at the Ohio State University. She is sighted, but as Dr. Jernigan used to say, “In her heart she is as blind as we are.” She began learning Braille in junior high school, and she is now learning to use a cane under learning shades. Emily has low vision and is a student at the University of Cincinnati. You will read about some of the amazing things they did later in this article.

We had several first-time volunteers this year, and we had many returning veterans. This program truly is a labor of love. The children we serve are not our biological children, but they are our spiritual children. They are the next generation of the blind, and we must do what we can to build a better future for them than the one we inherited. We do that through BELL and many of the other programs of the National Federation of the Blind.

Parents, you must help us build this future. Reinforce positive attitudes about blindness even if they challenge your own beliefs. Find a way to stay in contact with the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio throughout the year. Don’t wait until the next BELL program before we hear from you again. Start spreading the word about the next program now. Plant the seed with other families. Although we don’t yet have a date for the next BELL program, we will have one next year. Help us raise funds. Chapters and divisions please do the same.

That is what the 2019 BELL Coordinator has to say. Here is what our two lead teachers say:

Twelve students and their families arrived at the Ohio State School for the Blind on Sunday, July 21, between noon and 2:00 p.m. While parents, grandparents, and guardians met for discussion with NFB National BELL trainer Cayte Mendez and Ohio BELL staff, students met upstairs in the science room to explore fossil bones and to create crafts. This year’s Academy experience offered two learning tracks. Students above 11 years old learned STEM activities related to science, and younger students concentrated on activities related to reading and writing Braille. All students participated in activities related to cooking and baking, played Red Light Green Light using their canes, and practiced cardinal directions in the gymnasium.

Parents were encouraged to promote and maintain the level of independence that their children would learn during the residential BELL week. They were urged to incorporate the NFB philosophy and advocacy in students’ IEPs. They also received NFB literature, and President Payne invited them to attend our state convention in November.

During the second introductory hour, students returned to sit with their families and to hear an overview of the upcoming week. They were introduced to the concept of “bell ringers”—first-time attempts or accomplishments of new skill or knowledge.

Visiting families, BELL students, and staff were invited to eat pizza and enjoy fellowship. After dinner students prepared molasses cookie dough for baking. They rolled the dough into balls, rolled them in white sugar, and placed them on cookie sheets for baking. When the cookies were cool, students were invited to eat at least one cookie each. The rest of the dough was frozen for baking later in the week for dessert. BELL participant MaKenzie Love agreed to put the cookie sheets into the hot oven and to remove them when the baking time was up. In prior years, when MaKenzie was a young BELL student, she had been frightened of hot stovetops and ovens and was not permitted to be near them in her home kitchen. This was the first of many breakthrough moments that BELL students and staff shared during the week.

Students and staff met each morning to walk together to the main school building. As we walked, Miss Paula, retired music therapist from Cincinnati, led us in a new song, “It’s all about that Braille, ‘bout that Braille, no print.” Students’ academic day always ended with their writing a journal entry about the activities of the day. Students also wrote and decorated thank-you cards to the ice cream truck driver who came to the school on Thursday evening, to airport staff from John Glenn International Airport, and Gateway Theater staff, who provided the audio-described version of The Lion King.

Students of the STEM track learned about genetic DNA, the behavior of water molecules, basic computer coding, and 3-D printing. Younger students learned to locate and name parts of the Perkins Brailler, recited basic sight word vocabulary, read and wrote UEB contracted Braille, and practiced pouring liquids. All students used Braille recipes and directions to prepare Pigs in a Blanket for one lunch and ‘Tater Tot Casserole for dinner and prepare and bake two sheet cakes and a set of cupcakes for the traditional Louis Braille birthday party. They frosted and decorated the cakes and cupcakes, using M ’n M’s to spell the Braille letters for “Happy birthday Louis Braille.” Students enjoyed breaking a pinata in the shape of an airplane during the Louis Braille party.

We visited John Glenn International Airport on Tuesday. The kids learned about the check-in talking kiosk, experienced screening through security, and explored the carousel at baggage claim.

On Thursday the older students donned disposable gloves and dissected dogfish sharks. Later that day the younger students handled the sharks to learn what their classmates had discovered. The children touched the thick shark skin, explored and named the various fins along the body, and found the heart, brain, stomach, liver, and intestines. They discovered that some of the sharks were female, containing fully formed baby sharks. The dogfish is one shark that gives birth to live young. Stomach contents contained some fishbones and whole fish. All of the science activities were led by Caroline Carbowski and Emily Kiehl.

Older students also visited that afternoon with a representative from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to discuss their transition from middle school into high school and then future employment. Everyone enjoyed the chance to discuss these issues with Sarah Kelly, and we hope Sarah enjoyed the chance to get to know the students a little and to learn more about our Bell program.

Evening activities included the audio-described performance of The Lion King, a shopping trip to Target for which each student was given $15 to spend, a goalball game for the boys, and polishing nails for the girls. And, of course, don’t forget the visit from Mr. Ray in his ice-cream truck.

Coordinator Eric Duffy and the teachers, Marianne and Debbie, extend special thanks to all our volunteers for another fun and successful Academy, especially those who joined us for the first time. Among those who came for the first time were Ruth Boggs, who served as our nurse and cook, and four interns from the OSU higher ed program, who joined us as teachers of blind students and orientation and mobility specialists. Mrs. Paula Jordan, who had joined us two years for one day as music therapist, spent the entire week this year. Her daily music time was a highlight of each day. This was a very musical group of youngsters, and the songs Miss Paula chose were clearly meaningful.

We saw marked changes and growth in the students this year. Quiet kids were speaking up, and noisy ones were learning to listen to others. They were deeply respectful of each other and concerned when someone was having trouble. We hope and trust that the lessons we taught will stay with our students when they return to school this fall. We know that the things they taught us will stay with us forever.

*****

A New Federation Volunteer’s Perspective
by Jeanne Citro <>
Editor’s note: Jeanne Citro is a member of the Lorain County chapter. This was her first year as a BELL volunteer. Here is her report of the experience:

I was very fortunate to be chosen as a volunteer in the BELL Program. A wonderful mentor, Barbara Pierce, suggested that I might be interested in volunteering for this program. Boy, was she right! I mainly worked in the kitchen, but I joined the group making a trip to the airport, attending the Lion King movie, making pigs in a blanket for lunch and Tater Tot Casserole for dinner, and making cakes for Louis Braille’s birthday. The children learned cane skills, as well as reading and writing Braille and lots of wonderful music. The children learned a lot; so did I, and I had fun.

*****

It’s a Small World; The BELL Perspective
by Suzanne Turner <>
Editor’s note: Suzanne Turner is a member of the Ohio Board of Directors and president of the NFB of Cleveland. This year she served for the first time as a volunteer aide at the Ohio BELL Academy. Here are her reflections on the experience:

As I walked across the campus of the Ohio State School for the Blind for the first time, I remembered my arrival at a residential school for the blind as a child embarking on a new adventure. This July was my first time at a residential setting as an adult volunteering to help those who looked like me. I wondered how our little ones and teenagers would feel stepping on the campus, not knowing what to expect during the coming week, just as I did, I assumed, back at the school for the blind in Mississippi after my parents pulled off in a blue GMC pickup truck.

My first thought back then was, “Did they really leave me?” But, to my surprise, the girl who would become my best friend appeared out of nowhere and made me feel right at home. I also witnessed this special friendship between two eight-year-old girls at the BELL Program. They were inseparable. They were as different as night and day. However, they enjoyed one another just as I and my friend did. Although we weren’t roommates, our spirits became entwined. I will not disclose the two little ones’ names, I can tell you that they were unforgettable, and I look forward to seeing them both, I hope, at our State of Ohio Convention. I do believe that the two will have a lasting friendship with one another.

When arriving on the campus of OSSB, I was excited and ready to work. After all, these kids must have been anxious, confused, and wondering why they were here. My mind set was maternal, and I was sure that the children would need a lot of attention. I was so completely off base that I felt foolish. I couldn’t believe that I had fallen into the way the world sees the blind by stereotyping the children who were selected into the program. It was my perception, my emotions, and my conceited notion that BELL was created just to provide a role model for blind children. Yet the program is so much more!

A few of the children attended the BELL Program either just last year or for several years. These kids were independent, confident, and very comical as well. Their socialization skills were pretty awesome. The coolest thing was that they became mentors to “the new kids on the block.” Moreover, the program had twelve children from the ages of eight to seventeen, all with different personalities, abilities, and talents. But their similarity was blindness, which was a common thread that binds all of us into the fabric of the NFB. Certainly a few of the children needed more instructions than others, but the overall content of the instruction met the students where they were within that specialized curriculum.

The OSSB campus brought back memories of my childhood; from the piano that was in the hall of the school to the dormitory room with three beds, three desks, and three closets that will be assigned to students during the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, gathering outside to walk over to the main school building as a group was another memory that I enjoyed. Every day we would line up with our canes in hand, singing an Ohio version of Meghan Trainer’s song: “It’s all about that Braille.” But then my greatest memory came when we took the children shopping to Target. The difference was that in Mississippi there were no adults providing us with the necessary tools and understanding of how self-esteem, self-confidence, self-advocacy, and even independence are essential for learning self-sufficiency. Unlike the BELL program we were taught no socialization skills. After I graduated from high school, I was confused and afraid of people. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I realized that I needed someone to articulate what I was missing. It was a wise blind woman who became my best friend. She determined that I didn’t know how to advocate for myself or personalize my thoughts. This will not happen to the children who have an opportunity to attend the BELL program.

There were several learning and fun activities this year, such as introducing the children to the buffet line, where they chose their preferred foods independently and quite successfully. Sure, there were a few accidents. However, these accidents were mostly made by the NFB of Ohio adult BELL volunteers. Also these children showed great cognitive abilities when learning new classroom assignments. This was apparent when writing in their daily journals about their experiences and gratitude for teachers and the volunteers. They all displayed such caring dispositions and were a pleasure to work with.

BELL is a wonderful program in which I saw children change within a few days. In about three days those who were reluctant to participate in music activities, dissecting a shark in the science lab, or ringing bells did so with enthusiasm. The teachers of BELL were patient, encouraging, and right on point with their instruction and learning activities. Even I was exposed to things that I had never given any thought to. For example, our BELL coordinator arranged for us to tour the airport, which was a routine event that I have done for decades. We went through the metal detector, descended the escalator, and walked over to the baggage claim area. Again I have done this a number of times, but I have never retrieved my own luggage. So I had little to no awareness of what the luggage carousel looked like. Mind you, I did not fly until I was forced to by the federal government, and by then I had lost all of my vision. Sure, I’ve ridden carousels either at fairs or at amusement parks. Nevertheless, I just never gave any thought to retrieving luggage. After all, this is what Skycaps are for, and listening to it go around and around made it sound big and dangerous. Once again I was wrong.

However, I was assigned to one of the BELL teenagers who was a first-timer. She and I bonded while we patiently waited our turn to explore the carousel. We exchanged thoughts on traveling through the airport and visiting Starbucks. Even though this was exciting for her, it was an education for me. I was speechless and felt privileged and honored to have an opportunity to touch the carousel, not only for her, but for me as well. Had I not applied to be a volunteer, I would still be blind, as a blind unaware and clueless individual of the discovery of the luggage carousel. The two of us learned together.

This taught me that there is significant impact from linking mentorship with consciousness.

The definition of the word “mentor” is “someone who teaches or gives help.” The definition of the word “consciousness” is “the state of being aware.” When you put the two together, you get the NFB Louisiana Center for the Blind, the Colorado Center for the Blind, and BLIND Inc. You also get the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy (BELL). No one understands the blind better than the blind. Certainly there are many professionals who are educated in blind rehabilitation services. Do they really understand our way of life? I have often heard Barbara Pierce communicate the effectiveness of simply identifying and carrying out an action. She has independently retrieved her luggage while the carousel is in motion. I have not. However, the next time I fly, I will.

Another learning episode that I encountered was when one of the eight-year-old students dropped her cane and ordered me to pick it up. I quietly refused and asked her to do it herself. She said that she could not. Then I encouraged her to try. So we both stood for two minutes. At that point she ordered me for a second time to recover the cane. Once again, I quietly refused. One of the methods that the BELL instructors use to gain the students’ attention is rhythmic hand claps by the teacher, which are repeated by the students. This tool is distinctive and powerful. When hearing the command, everything immediately stops. Therefore, I gave it a try. Then I made it clear that we could stand all night until she picked up her own cane. She picked it up.

Again, BELL is an empowering program for our blind children. The linkage of Braille instruction, daily living skills, and socialization is a well-rounded curriculum. This is why the scope of blindness instruction is not as broad as some assume, just like the Disney song “It’s a Small World after All.” If you are familiar with the war, the battle is clear. We must prepare our blind children for the future and provide them with the necessary knowledge to advocate for themselves, such as simply picking up their own white canes. No one is going to give them anything. They will have to fight for a piece of the American dream. The world is narrow-minded, selfish, and stingy. Thus, people have tunnel vision and a closed mind about the possibilities for our children. This is why the NFB says, “The NFB provides encouragement and support to families with blind children.” So “It's a world of laughter, a world of tears, it’s a world of hope, a world of fears, it’s so much that we share, it’s time we’re aware, it’s a small world after all. Though the mountains divide, and the oceans are wide. It’s a small world after all, it’s a small, small world.”

What I have taken from the song is that the National Federation of the Blind takes care of its own. Our world is small, but our dreams are endless. There will be fears and tears for our BELL students. Then, with the help of the National Federation of the Blind, we will ensure and work hard to make their world hopeful, and then laughter will follow. This is also why we share and provide awareness so that when our BELL students stand on the mountain, it will not divide, and their scope of possibilities will become as wide as the ocean. “it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small, small world.”

*****

Recipes from BELL <>
An old expression has it that the army marches on its stomach. That is certainly the case with Ohio BELL. From the start BELL food has been memorable, and this year was no different. For the first time we asked the parents to tell us their youngsters’ food preferences. Not surprisingly we learned that the three Chinese girls from Michigan loved fried rice, so we modified one night’s dinner to include fried rice, which is one of Jeanne’s specialties, and, sure enough, it was a great hit. Another parent mentioned that her son loved meat loaf. It turns out that Ruth Boggs makes memorable meat loaf. When added to mashed potatoes and green beans, you have a meal fit for a king.

On Wednesday the kids assembled Tater Tot casseroles for dinner that evening. One of the kids was sure that she would not like it, but Miss Mariann enforced the rule that a student did not have to finish a dish that he or she did not care for, but only after taking one good bite. After taking the required bite, this student finished her serving and went back for seconds. Here is the recipe:

Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
a pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (16 ounce) package frozen Tater Tots

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook and stir ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until completely browned, seven to ten minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Stir cream of mushroom soup into the cooked ground beef; pour the mixture into a nine-by-thirteen-inch baking dish. Layer Tater Tots evenly over the ground beef mixture; top with Cheddar cheese. Bake until Tater Tots are golden brown and hot, thirty to forty-five minutes.

Another evening Miss Ruth served eclair dessert. This turned out to be a huge success also. It is a dessert that your editor has served for years to great acclaim. This is my recipe, but it tasted just like Miss Ruth’s version.

Eclair Dessert

Ingredients:

2 boxes instant French vanilla or chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
8 ounces Kool Whip
1 box graham crackers
1, 2, or 3 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons milk
1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla

Method: Make pudding according to package directions and fold in the Kool Whip. Line a buttered 13-by-9-inch pan with graham crackers. Spread half the eclair filling on crackers. Place another layer of crackers on top of pudding. Spread the rest of the cream over crackers and top with a last layer of crackers. Melt the chocolate and butter in microwave. Stir in vanilla, 3 tablespoons milk, and sugar to make a glaze. Carefully spread this on top. Refrigerate to set.

 One of the staples of BELL is sloppy joe. I come with a stock pot full of it, and we use it throughout the week. Here is the recipe that I have made for fifty years:

Sloppy Joe

Ingredients:

3 pounds ground meat
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green or red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
¾ cup ketchup
¼ cup sugar
Scant ¼ cup vinegar
Salt and ground pepper to taste
Chili powder to taste

Method: In large pan sauté vegetables and brown the meat until no longer pink. Drain fat from meat. To do this without losing the vegetable liquid, you may want to use two pans and then combine the vegetables with the meat. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Cook till mixture is right consistency for sloppy joes, probably an hour. This freezes well. Heat through to serve on buns.

Here is the recipe for the double chocolate oatmeal cookies that Shelly Duffy contributed to help fill in for lunch desserts:

Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup pure cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips, (1 cup)

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, butter, egg, water, and vanilla extract. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly with clean finger, ten to twelve minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and finish cooling on rack.

Notes: Unbleached flour can be used in this recipe. If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda and salt. Makes about 5 1/2 dozen cookies. when Shelly made these for BELL, she used plain M&Ms instead of chocolate chips. She also used almond extract instead of vanilla.

Finally, though we have published the molasses cookie recipe before, people keep losing it. So here it is again:

Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup shortening, melted and cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour

Method: beat sugar and cooled shortening in an electric mixer. Add molasses and egg. Then add soda, spices, and salt. Finally beat in the flour. The dough will be stiff but sticky. Chill at least a half hour before rolling into balls. Roll in sugar and bake on ungreased sheets at 350 until cookies just begin to crack on top, about twelve minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely. You can also freeze the balls before rolling in sugar and baking later.

*****

Paul Dressell Dies
by Barbara Pierce <>
On April 22, 2019, Paul Dressell died quietly after a long and gallant fight against lymphoma. With him went much of the institutional memory of the Ohio affiliate. Paul’s parents were leaders in the Queen City League of the Blind in the 1950’s, so Paul grew up in the NFB of Ohio, which came into being in 1947. Paul’s father Bill was in the state leadership, so all the Ohio Council of the Blind leaders were familiar figures in young Paul’s life.

By 1974, when I joined the NFB and attended my first convention, Paul was a Federation leader in his own right. He had met and married his devoted wife Bernie when he was living in New York, and Bernie left the familiarity of the East Coast to follow Paul back to Ohio, where he worked for many, many years for Hamilton County answering questions and helping people who called in need of assistance.

In 1974 Paul was the affiliate secretary. He took notes with a slate and stylus at Executive Board meetings and throughout the convention. He turned these notes into literate and interesting minutes and reports for the Braille Monitor. As an officer he served on both the Executive Board and the Executive Committee. He also provided good counsel to the other NFB of Ohio officers.

Paul was a quiet man, but he was always ready to volunteer for extra duties. He was president for years of the NFB of Cincinnati. He was often to be found on Capitol Hill for the Washington Seminar. He and Bernie often went to national conventions, and they were always at state conventions. When Paul was not secretary, he was second vice president. When he decided that it was time to step aside from affiliate leadership, he continued to be an admirable Board of Directors member.

Paul was a good friend. He remembered birthdays and anniversaries. He synthesized disparate ideas to illustrate a point that he was making. He loved fun, but I never heard him make fun of anyone. He was devoted to his wife of fifty-six years, and he was a stalwart member of his church. He and Bernie were avid readers. In recent years I think they read books together exclusively. Paul was always ready to pass on a new author he had discovered or note down and read books that his friends recommended.

We will all miss Paul, and we grieve for Bernie, who was lucky enough to be Paul’s best friend and lover for decades. May he rest in peace, and may the rest of us live up to his high standard of friendship and Federationism.

Good-bye to the Rock, Paul Dressell Dies
by Eric Duffy <>
Editor’s note: Eric Duffy was very close to Paul Dressell. When I invited Federationists to write their recollections of Paul, this is what he wrote:

How does one sum up this man’s life or his contribution to a movement in a few words, sentences, paragraphs, or even pages? The answer is simple. One doesn’t. It’s not possible. I first met Paul Dressell in February 1985 at what was then called the March on Washington. Little did I know at that time that this was the first of many times Paul and I would room together in Washington, D.C. Paul and I talked about the Federation, sports, and of course his wife Bernie. He then said, “Wait until you meet Ken and Tom.” Ken of course was Ken Velkovich, who was the president of the Cincinnati chapter. Tom of course was Tom Anderson, who I believe was president of the Mahoning Valley chapter at the time. Ken and Tom each played a special part in my life as they did for many of us in the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, but no one was quite like Paul.

Paul was a great story teller. He loved reciting the antics of students from the Ohio State School for the Blind in his day. He could also recall many stories from NFB conventions, both state and national. Some reading this article might not want a few of those stories retold in these pages, but the stories Paul told gave the Federation a fun and human side. They certainly demonstrated that there were time and opportunity for play as well as work at NFB activities.

Paul stayed at my house many times over the years, and I stayed with him and Bernie as well. In my house were three steps going up, then a right turn and several more steps, which led to the second floor. Coming down one reached the bottom of the long set of steps, made a left turn, and descended the bottom three. In my case, when I first moved into the house, I often forgot about those bottom three steps. Paul was amused by this, and he was especially pleased with just how calm I remained and with the gentle, soothing words that came out of my mouth after a tumble down those three steps. Those who know me understand that the above sentence could not be further from the truth. Paul simply had a grand time laughing as I was expressing my displeasure quite loudly. That was back in the mid 1980’s, and Paul brought those tumbles up in a conversation a year or so ago. What a memory he had!

Those who stayed with Paul and Bernie for any length of time will remember that the way he cleared his place at the table was to stand back and toss his silverware into the sink. He developed a good aim and rarely missed. Wanting to be a good guest, I joined him in the game. Although I don’t practice this skill at home, I have a pretty good aim, so the competition was close.

For many years Paul and friends from Cincinnati teamed up to choose winners of NFL games each week. At the end of the season the losing team would buy the winners dinner at a Cincinnati restaurant chosen by the winners. In about 2000 or so I was invited to join this competition. Although I could be wrong about this, I believe that only one time were Paul and I on the same team. We enjoyed the competition with each other, so we were usually on opposite teams. The contests were always close, and Paul hated to lose as much as I did. This last season Paul and I were on the same team. We won, but it was because Paul carried the load. Paul enjoyed this so much that he always had his Braille football schedule and his BrailleNote with him, even in the hospital. He was always the scorekeeper until the last two years. The NFL season is underway, but only two of us are competing this season. Maybe next year we will expand the competition again.

Paul loved God; his family, especially Bernie; the Federation; the Ohio State School for the Blind; and sports. Except for the first two, I’m not sure I got them in the correct order. Anyone who knew Paul at all well knows that he called Bernie “Shorty” most of the time. He told me that he and Jim Tudor used to put her on top of the refrigerator so that she could know what it felt like to be tall. He also said that he some times grabbed her and told her he was going to stretch her to make her taller. It’s easy to see that Paul did a lot of kidding around with Bernie, but that his love for her and their love for each other were obvious to all who paid attention.

For a brief time Paul stopped referring to Bernie as Shorty. This was after he had a stroke. He said that he wasn’t sure he should tease her anymore, because after the stroke she might not need him. Of course that wasn’t the case. Their love for each other was strong, and Paul’s calling her Shorty was just a part of life for them.

Paul was always someone I could count on for good advice. I could talk with him and ask how he would handle a particular situation. His advice was always solid. It was based on experience in life and in the Federation. He was always there when I needed him as a friend and a Federationist. Eventually I just started calling him “the rock”; he was just that dependable and solid.

Paul joined many of us in the Bop-It craze back in the mid 90’s or so. As I said, Paul was a competitor. I told him that I got a perfect score, and he didn’t stop trying until he did it as well. In fact he called Debbie Baker so that she could be a witness to his perfection by phone. He said that it was this kind of thing that kept him young.

Those who have been involved with the National Federation of the Blind for any length of time know all of the things we are called upon to do regularly: send an email or make a phone call about legislation, contribute to this fund or that project, and help with this thing or that thing at convention. Paul never said no. Occasionally he might say, “Well I’ve never done that before, but, if you think I should, I’ll give it a try.” Financially, Paul and Bernie gave to the organization as much as they possibly could. Of course we all know how much Paul loved giving away door prizes at convention. There is so much more that I could say about Paul’s work in the Federation, but there is also so much more to say about him as a friend.

We celebrated Paul’s eightieth birthday in July of 2018. Paul was born in January, but various scheduling issues delayed the party until July. Paul was overwhelmed by the number of family and friends who showed up to help him celebrate. When Dr. Marc Maurer called to join the celebration by phone, Paul was delighted. He said that was like getting a call from the White House.

Paul and Bernie enjoyed being a part of the 2018 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. President Payne had called Paul and Bernie and told them that, if they could be at the convention, he and the organization would do whatever it took to get them there. They got up very early on Friday morning and made it to the convention in time for the Board of Directors meeting. They had a wonderful time all weekend and were grateful to be with us, and we were pleased to have them. Paul talked about that experience for months afterwards.

Paul’s spirit and determination were strong. He was determined to live and live well right up until the very end. I talked with him two days before he died. He said it was getting hard to keep up with the Reds. I knew then that we were in trouble. I was optimistic, and I said that the Reds could win a wildcard berth in the playoffs. Paul said no! I don’t think they’ll be any better than last year. Of course Paul was right. In that same conversation in which he said it was getting hard to keep up with the Reds, I got to be a part of a very tender moment with him and Bernie. Paul said he just didn’t know what he would do without Bernie. Of course she said she didn’t know what she would do without Paul. The conversation went on a little longer, and neither of them hesitated to express their feelings with me on the phone. I was privileged to be a part of that exchange.

It is hard for me to close in my own words, so I am including an email tribute from our friend and colleague JW Smith:

I first met Paul in September of 1993 when I attended my first NFB of Ohio affiliate board meeting. I had been in the state only a little over a month, but I was welcomed graciously by the members of the NFB of Ohio, which included Paul Dressell. I remember that the board was discussing the possibility of creating a new position entitled, "Field Representative." I can still remember some of the input to the conversation by Paul, and I remember how his comments were taken by the audience. As you know, Paul did not talk just for the sake of talking, but when he spoke, we listened, and he communicated his thoughts effectively, graciously, and persuasively.

I remember the first time since that 1993 board meeting that Paul was not at the table because he had decided to step down from the board. I was president at the time, and I remember commenting publicly, "Paul, I don't think I can get used to not having you up here with us.". Paul loved sports and could talk about the subject for hours. He really knew his stuff especially football and baseball. I enjoyed attending Washington seminars with Paul and watching how excited he got when he ate his peanut butter pie. I remember his last trip to Washington and his willingness and ability to serve the affiliate in whatever capacity was needed. One year at the seminar, some of us young fellas stayed up late into the night playing cards, laughing far too loudly, and with his usual grace Paul just took it all in stride.

I so appreciated that Paul never took himself or anyone else too seriously. Although he had the right answers most of the time, he never belittled or embarrassed or chose to put anyone down just to show how smart he was. In fact, I dare say Paul was brilliant. You could ask him what day of the week April 10th, 1942 was, and he could tell you in five seconds or less.

I love you, my brother and friend, and you will be missed.

*****

Buckeye Briefs <>
A Summer of Progress with OOD

In a quest to learn about the best tools and technology for blind people and those with low vision, staff with the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) recently traveled to Minnesota.

At the suggestion of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Greg Dormer, deputy director, and Sarah Kelly, program administrator, visited BLIND, Inc. in Minnesota, which was founded by the NFB. The residential independent training facility helps participants adjust to blindness. With additional facilities in Louisiana and Colorado, these centers train those whose blindness was brought on suddenly and can also help those who have been blind their entire lives.

At the residential facility ten to twelve adults from all over the country live together for six to nine months, working with instructors to improve navigation and live more independently. “Most of the instructors on this team are blind. The instructors know completely what it is like to navigate life without sight,” said Kelly. “For those with partial sight, blindfolds prevent leaning on visual skills. This helps maximize the participants’ experience.”

While there, participants learn about using assistive technology, JAWS (screen reader), and Braille. They build practical skills including self-care, cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance. The program even includes an industrial arts class and an assignment of preparing dinner for 30 people.

For those participants who live in Minneapolis, Blind, Inc. provides continued services, including housing and vocational rehabilitation referrals. “Because of the comprehensive nature of Blind, Inc., I was able to observe the training in action and better understand the differences in their model of training and compare it to what is available here in Ohio to help the blind community,” Kelly said.

“One of the main differences in the program is that in Ohio most of our instructors are sighted, and in Minnesota they are not. I teach orientation and mobility from a sighted perspective,” said Kelly. “Having an understanding of what it means to actually be blind makes a difference in instruction.”

For information about services OOD provides for blind people or those with low vision, visit http://ood.ohio.gov/Services/Services-for-the-Visually-Impaired.

OOD worked with the Ohio State Fair to make Aira Access available at no charge to all blind and low-vision fair goers. OOD’s Kevin Miller said that he wanted to make this the most accessible state fair that Ohio has ever had. In addition to providing Aira, the agency also sponsored wheelchair-charging stations. A special time was also arranged with less sensory stimulation to make the fair more enjoyable for those with sensory disabilities. We appreciate OOD for making all of these efforts.

The Cleveland Chapter announces an introductory seminar for the newly blind and their supportive companions October 5, 2019, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Brook Park Library, 6155 Engle Road, Brook Park, Ohio 44142. This seminar highlights best practices presented by peer mentors from the National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland. They will discuss the philosophy of the NFB, the importance of the alternative techniques of blindness, and their conviction that it is okay to be blind. During the seminar four small sessions will be offered to learn about alternative ways to continue everyday living. These small sessions will offer guidance, advice, assistance, and real-world demonstrations. We want to meet the needs of all participants at their own pace and under their own control. There will be general sessions and break-out groups. Topics covered will include history of the NFB, useful techniques and products, and community resources. The break-out sessions include accessing print and electronic media, Braille literacy, access technology, and orientation and mobility.

A simple application must be completed. For more information contact Suzanne Turner, president of the Cleveland chapter, 216-990-6199.

Do you have an idea for a resolution for the affiliate to consider at the convention? You need to get your text to the Resolutions Committee by October 15 for it to be considered. Contact the chair of the Resolutions Committee, Barbara Pierce, 440-774-8077 or Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com.

Beginning October 1, 2019, anyone in Ohio who is blind will be able to contact the local Center for Independent living to request Braille printed materials. The network will make available things like newsletters, short stories, poetry, etc. So please be sure to take advantage of this service because it will be the only service of its kind in the state of Ohio. If you have any questions, call Jordy Stringer at (740) 689-1494, ext. 11.

Walmart has officially announced the nationwide rollout of ScripTalk audible prescription labels as a free service for its low-vision, blind, and print-impaired pharmacy customers. This expansion of services means that all pharmacists and locations should now be aware of the service. No forms to fill out, no proof of vision loss necessary: just tell the pharmacist you have trouble reading your prescriptions and would like ScripTalk labels.

October 5 will be the date of the NFB of Lorain County hike-a-thon. We will walk around Tappan Square in Oberlin for five kilometers. Chapter members are busy collecting sponsors for this annual event. We welcome other Federationists to join us. The walk opens at 9:00 am. Come hike with the blind.

The Cincinnati Chapter cordially invites you to the 2019 Cincinnati Vision Fair. The event will take place on Saturday, October 12, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM at the Urban Artifact Brewery, one of Cincinnati’s premier entertainment venues.

We will showcase the many services and resources available to the blind and visually impaired living in the Greater Cincinnati area. You will meet successful, competent blind people making contributions to the community every day, who will share the tools they have learned to live the lives they want. For more information about this event or the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, contact President Sheri Albers at 513-886-8697, or email her at sheri.albers87 at gmail.com. Special thanks to our sponsor, Urban Artifact Brewery.

September 29 will be the Cincinnati chapter’s White Cane Awareness Walk from City Hall at 1:00 PM to Fountain Square. We will then have a meet and greet for the public on the square from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This will be celebrating Meet the Blind Month and White Cane Awareness Day a little early. All are welcome to join the chapter for this event.

Here is a notice from OOD that the editor found disturbing:

September is National Service Dog Awareness Month, a time designated to raising awareness and showing appreciation for the extraordinary work service animals do every day for the people in their care.

I am not a guide dog user, but I have deep respect for the training and dedication of guide dogs. But for one sentient being to have care of another, the caregiver must surely have intelligence and the capacity to make reasoned decisions and must recognize that he or she is taking responsibility for another person, which is not what service dogs are trained to do. One experienced guide dog user commented to me that these are dogs, not gods. It is not helpful when the agency charged with rehabilitating blind people encourages the misconception that the intelligence in a guide dog partnership has four legs and not two.

For your convenience at the end of this newsletter is the convention registration form, ready for printing.

*****

Activities Calendar <>
September 23, Telephone Board meeting

October, Meet the Blind Month

October 1, Deadline for submitting chapter and division Gavel Award reports

October 1, Deadline for submitting individual award nominations

October 11, Deadline for making room reservations at the convention hotel

October 15, White Cane Awareness Day

October 15, Deadline for submitting resolutions

October 24, Deadline for making pre-convention reservations

November 1, 2020 NFB scholarship application available

November 1, Sign-up begins for Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest at actionfund.org

November 1-3, NFB of Ohio convention, DoubleTree, Worthington

December 1, Deadline for expressing interest in the Washington Seminar to the president

December 1-February 1, Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest

January 4-10, Braille Literacy Week

February 10, 2020, Great Gathering-in, Washington Seminar

February 10-13, 2020, Washington Seminar

*****

The 73rd National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Annual Convention <>
Obstacles are Opportunities: The NFB is an Instrument of Change

The NFB was founded on the guiding principles that blind people have an inalienable right to independence, that blind people have equal capacity, and that only blind people themselves can legitimately speak for the blind community. These principles have continuously shaped the membership and structure of our ever-growing organization.

How to Register

1.     Complete one form for each attendee and email to Sheri Albers at sheri.albers87 at gmail.com <mailto:sheri.albers87 at gmail.com>, or mail to Sheri Albers, 3052 Lischer Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45211. All forms must be received by October 24, 2019 to take advantage of pre-registration prices. Mail your check, made payable to NFB of Ohio, to Sherry Ruth, 6922 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035. Be sure to write “Convention Registration” on the memo line. Payment must be paid in full to be considered complete.

2.     Pre-register online by October 24, 2019, and pay by credit card, visit www.nfbohio.org.

3.     You will be able to register at convention, however, fees will be higher, and we will take cash transactions only.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

Attendee Information

Full Name:

 

Address:

 

City, State, Zip:

 

Home Phone:

 

Cell Phone:

 

Email

 

Is this your first NFB of Ohio convention? (Yes or No)

 

Would you prefer a Braille agenda? (Yes or No)

 

Event Tickets

2019 Convention Registration: $15 ($20 after Oct. 24)

$
2019 Banquet – Nov 2: $40 ($45 after Oct. 24)

$
Please select your banquet meal preference (Vegetarian or Meat):

 
Ohio Association to Promote the Use of Braille (OAPUB) Breakfast -

Nov 2: $20 (Not sold after Oct 24)

$
Boxed Lunch – Nov 2: $25 (Not sold after Oct 24)

$
Please select your preference) Turkey, Ham, or Veggie)

 
1Touch Self-Defense Class: $20

$
I wish to make an additional contribution. (Donations are greatly appreciated)

$
Total (payment due by Oct 24, 2019)

$
 

Barbara Pierce, President Emerita
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
440-774-8077
 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations for blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and their dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.