[PACapitalChapter] 5-26-20 Meeting Notes

[Mark Pickens]

I am sorry that I missed the meeting yesterday.  Unfortunately, I did not get Jason's email with the new call-in info. until after the meeting had taken place.  I do not even remember if I received it earlier or not.  Anyway, I hope everything went well.  I do not have the zoom app on my phone.  I may need some assistance with downloading it on my phone because I am unaware of how it is done.  I look forward to staying connected with everyone until we meet again.  

Thank You.
Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: PACapitalChapter [mailto:pacapitalchapter-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of CAROLE via PACapitalChapter
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2020 11:44 PM
To: pacapitalchapter at nfbnet.org
Cc: CAROLE
Subject: [PACapitalChapter] 5-26-20 Meeting Notes


**Please note future Capital Chapter meetings during covid-19 social distancing will be held on the Zoom App. Download app & call 215-988-0888. **

Attendance:
Jason Polanski, Matt Shore, Carlton Walker, Anna Walker, Hillary McFadden, Nick Spohn, Steve Pennington, Jerry Curylo, Mark Pickens, Carole Cruise

Treasurers Report submitted online by Carlton Walker and accepted by unanimous vote.

Guest speaker today was Steve Pennington, Advocate for OVR & BBS customers. His cell phone # is 267-615-6893 if you need to contact him.
Steve generously shared a wealth of information to familiarize our members with the workings of the OVR & BBS.
-OVR State Board (appointed by governor) administers & manages OVR
-OVR Council makes recommendations to OVR about program needs & plans
- Vocational Rehabilitation Act was amended in 1973 to require services be provided to “sensory disabilities” through OVR who then formed a partnership with BBS to serve Blind/Deaf customers.
-What does the Advocate Assistant Program provide?
-information to the disabled community about rehab programs available
-support & advice to those having issues with BBS concerning services & will work with customers through the process
- if issues aren’t resolved then there is support through the appeals process & if that doesn’t work support in Federal Court
-provide guidance to college students
-one on one support to teach customers tools for self advocacy
-identify & present policy issues to OVR & BBS
-help with technology or assistive technology over time
-what is purpose & goal of advocacy program? To maximize employment, training for self sufficiency leading to independence in workplace & community.
-Steve said it could be beneficial for OVR/BBS customers to attend OVR Board Meetings (usually held at Harrisburg Hilton.) You can speak to share issues & concerns concerning blindness
-Steve suggested all NFB PA State Chapters sit down and list their most important concerns about OVR/BBS services/programs & then share their lists & choose issues that the majority agree on as top concerns. Then present that list at an OVR Board meeting as a statewide initiative.

Thank you so much, Steve for joining us today & sharing this information to our Capital Chapter members!

-Hillary McFadden shared her concerns for the
Mental well-being of many during covid-19 quarantine.

Jerry Curylo kindly shared his cell # for anyone who is in emotional distress to call him to talk.

Jason shared:
-next Presidential Release will be live
-NFB National Convention will be virtual this year and held July 14-18. Register online at NFB.org/convention
-each state will be holding various local activities during the convention
-there is a contest listed on NFB homepage for those who have previously attended National Convention to create a short 1 minute video sharing their experiences to first time attendees
-Nick Spohn, chapter member from Manheim, is a scholarship winner. He attends Penn State, Harrisburg. Congratulations Nick!
-Jason & Nick shared concerns about current college board accessibility issues & the effects on the blind students not taking the test on a level playing field as their sighted fellow students.
-as a result of this serious issue, college students across the USA are working with the NFB to negotiate with the College Board to correct this lack of accessibility for the retest in June
Last but not least:
Check out the exciting & informative Zoom activities currently available almost daily sometimes multiple times daily-something for everyone !

Respectfully submitted by;
Carole Cruise
Capital Chapter Secretary

-

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