From cindyray at gmail.com Wed Jul 15 19:57:32 2026 From: cindyray at gmail.com (cindyray at gmail.com) Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:57:32 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] At Large Chapter Message-ID: <080a01dd1494$2cece1a0$86c6a4e0$@gmail.com> Greetings at large members! Tomorrow, July 16, is the meeting of our At Large Chapter. We will discuss convention, along with the regular reports. Below is an article I wouldlike all of you to read. It will appear after the Zoom information. See you tomorrow! Cindy Here is the information for At Large Chapter Meeting. The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98254628861?pwd=DrrtEuEf7kbYfDlLAm6DaGuB8nGNVW.1 Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Passcode: 1234 One tap mobile +13052241968,,98254628861# US +13092053325,,98254628861# US Dial by your location . +1 305 224 1968 US . +1 309 205 3325 US . +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) . +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) . +1 646 931 3860 US . +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) . +1 564 217 2000 US . +1 669 444 9171 US . +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) . +1 689 278 1000 US . +1 719 359 4580 US . +1 253 205 0468 US . +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) . +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) . +1 360 209 5623 US . +1 386 347 5053 US . +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) . +1 507 473 4847 US Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Find your local number: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/u/acP1CmZgx1 >From the Backseat to the Driver's Seat: A Federation Journey with Waymo By Jordan Moon >From the Editor: As a clarification of some information in the below article, to use Waymo in Austin, Texas, readers will need to use the Uber app and not the dedicated Waymo app. Any confusion on that point is the fault of your humble editor, for which he apologizes, and not of the article author. We have all heard the jokes. "What are you, blind?" "Even a Blind Person can See that!" "Blind people driving? Absolutely not!" Even in casual conversation, blindness and driving are treated as the ultimate contradiction-the joke that writes itself. Growing up, I laughed along because I desperately wanted to fit in. Like many blind people, I internalized the idea that not driving meant not being fully independent. Drivers got licenses. We got IDs. Even compliments carried low expectations: "Wow, you get around so well!" or "I honestly don't know what I'd do if I couldn't drive." I spent years trying to speed past those stereotypes. I played sports, sat inches from televisions to play video games (some involving racecars), and commented on clothes and appearances as though I could see them perfectly. But when my friends started getting driver's licenses, I hit the one barrier I could not fake my way around. Pumping the Brakes On The Road of Expectations Throughout my childhood and young adulthood, the inability to drive seemed to shadow every major life decision. An orientation and mobility instructor once told me a blind person could never teach cane travel. How would I pick up my students and drive them around, let alone monitor them? Watching friends, and eventually my younger brothers, get licenses only reinforced the feeling that adulthood itself depended on driving. Even at Arizona State University-Forks Up!-I quietly limited my own ambitions. I convinced myself print journalism was my only option because I could not drive to story locations or operate a camera. During job interviews, employers would ask how I planned to get around without a car, and I began wondering whether society's low expectations were right after all. This self-doubt led to severe depression. The Federation Drives The Change It was not until I met the National Federation of the Blind in 2014 that I realized the low expectations society had placed on me did not have to be my own. Maybe there was a way I did not have to let my blindness define me. But it still seemed almost too good to be true. One of the first things that helped me embrace Federation philosophy was learning about the Blind Driver Challenge. This initiative emphasized that lack of eyesight was not the reason that blind people could not drive; the problem was that technology had never been developed to give blind people the information, through our other senses, to operate a motor vehicle safely and independently. In 2004, then-Federation President Dr. Marc Maurer challenged university engineering teams to design a vehicle a blind person could independently operate. Seven years later, on January 29, 2011, Mark Riccobono, who would succeed Dr. Maurer as President in 2014, independently drove at the Daytona International Speedway , navigating obstacles randomly thrown into his path and even passing another vehicle along the course. That demonstration changed how the world viewed blind people and transportation technology. It also helped to ensure that blind people were included in conversations about autonomous vehicles from the very beginning. Uber and Lyft: A New Lane, But Not Our Road Life has a funny way of presenting something only when you are ready for it. So it is fitting that in the same year I was introduced to the Federation and the story of the Blind Driver Challenge, transportation for blind people changed in a meaningful way. 2014 was the year blind people discovered the power of ride-share services. Uber and Lyft shook up the transportation arena like an earthquake. No more did we have to wait for a taxi that may or may not show up. No more were we forced to-as here in Arizona-ride a bus in 100-degree heat to go two miles up the street simply because we were not willing to pay the 15 dollars for a cab. Now, blind people had the power to request a ride from their phone and go directly to their destination. At the time, blind people were thrilled. I distinctly remember a friend of mine taking an Uber to a random place just because he was so glad he could. For years, Uber and Lyft have been great resources for our community and have participated in many Federation events, including national and state conventions. Someone looking in from the outside might assume that since Uber and Lyft arrived, life for blind people is all good now. Of course, we in the Federation know differently. Even though transportation got easier, defending our right to ride the way we want and need to definitely got harder. Ride-share services introduced new barriers: How do we find our vehicles? Is the app accessible? Would a driver really be okay transporting a family with kids? But number one on this list-always-is the service animal concern. Have a guide dog and want to take a ride-share? You may or may not have a driver deny you. Of course, the Federation does not sit idle in the face of discrimination. We held town halls, built tracking and reporting mechanisms, and rallied at Uber and Lyft headquarters . As my Federation philosophy developed, it became clearer and clearer that good enough is not good enough. A Ride Into the Future It was just two years after I became a Federationist that I was first introduced to Waymo. Living in Arizona has its perks-sunny for most of the year, no Daylight Saving Time, beautiful scenery, and tons of tech innovation. In 2016, Waymo-operated by Alphabet, the parent company of Google-was seeking feedback from blind people to test this emerging technology. Somehow, I was invited to participate. I vividly remember sitting in the backseat of that car as it drove-and being completely shocked. Wow! At that time, state law still required a licensed driver to be present in the front seat. So in the back of my mind, a question lingered: was this a truly autonomous ride, or was I being fooled? Being the skeptic I was, I asked the driver to prove the car was really driving itself. It was only when we were making a turn and the driver grabbed my hand with both of his, showing me his hands were completely off the wheel, that the reality hit me. The car not only made a perfect turn on its own, it merged into the center lane more smoothly than anything I had ever experienced. Something became very clear that day: it was not just that this technology was amazing. What became even clearer was that if it were not for the Federation, and the work we put into making sure this technology was inclusive, I would not have been in that car at all. And yet, doubt crept in. There is no way this becomes mainstream, I thought. In those early days, it was widely held that someone capable of manual control needed to be present at all times. Waymo launched its Early Rider program in the Phoenix area in 2017, began offering paid rides in late 2019, and on October 8, 2020, officially opened its fully driverless service to the public. For some, even then, it was hard to trust their lives to a "robot." Mapping the Route: How We Got Here Between 2022 and 2024, Waymo rapidly expanded, opening to the public in San Francisco and Los Angeles and significantly widening its Phoenix coverage. In 2025, Waymo extended service to freeways in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Soon after, Waymo partnered with Uber to offer autonomous rides in Austin and Atlanta. As of May 2026, Waymo operates paid commercial service in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami, with announced expansion into cities including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, Nashville, Detroit, Las Vegas, Washington DC, and San Diego expected throughout 2026. London and Tokyo are in active testing phases. The scale is staggering: Waymo now completes more than 500,000 paid rides every week. Waymo is not the only player in the industry, but it is the farthest along in providing commercial rides and has worked closely with the National Federation of the Blind, hence this article's focus on its service. To understand where we are, it helps to know the industry's framework. The Levels of Autonomy-the scorecard for how much a vehicle can operate without human input-range from zero to five. Level zero is full human control-what most of us grew up with. Levels one and two include common driver-assistance features; helpful, but the driver is still fully responsible. Level three lets the car handle basic traffic conditions but still requires a human backup. Waymo operates at Level four: no human needed at the wheel, though currently within defined service areas. Current Waymo vehicles still have a steering wheel, mostly to satisfy existing federal regulations rather than any technical necessity. Level five is the ultimate destination: a vehicle that can operate in any weather, on any road, at any time, with no human required. We are not there yet, but the progress at Level four is already changing our lives. And when Level five does arrive, you can be sure the Federation will have its foot on the gas! No More Riding Shotgun: The Policy Fight for Our Driver's Seat The legal landscape for Level four and five vehicles is at a major inflection point, as lawmakers are finally starting to recognize the potential of this game-changing technology. The Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act (H.R. 4419), a bipartisan bill reintroduced by Congressmen Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Brian Mast (R-FL) in the 119th Congress, is a high priority for the Federation. President Riccobono has been vocal in his support, from testifying before Congress to engaging our members in call-to-action campaigns. The bill is simple but revolutionary: it prevents states from requiring a passenger to hold a driver's license to use a Level four or five autonomous vehicle. For us, this is not a small technical detail-it is a civil rights protection. Our national leadership, along with the team at Waymo, honored Congressman Stanton at Saavi Services for the Blind in Phoenix for his leadership on this legislation. As the Legislative Director for the NFB of Arizona, I can tell you this bill represents a vital step toward making sure the driverless future does not leave our community in the backseat. We will literally be able to sit in the driver's seat. I highly encourage everyone reading this to contact your member of Congress and urge their support. Before we know it, Level five will be here, and we do not want to be in the slow lane! The Data Passes the Road Test Some reading this will ask: why trust your life to a robot? One need look no further than the hard data. As of the publish date of this article, across more than 170 million fully autonomous miles driven in complex urban environments, the numbers show that Waymo is significantly outperforming human drivers. Compared to human-driven vehicles in the same operating areas, Waymo has recorded a ninety-two percent reduction in serious or fatal injury crashes, an eighty-two percent drop in injury-causing crashes overall, a ninety-two percent decrease in pedestrian injury crashes, and a ninety-six percent reduction in dangerous intersection collisions. For a community that has long faced the risks of distracted drivers, impaired drivers, and quiet vehicles that seem to come out of nowhere, these statistics prove that the driverless future is not just about independence-it is fundamentally about a safer way to travel. Buckle Up: A Briefing Before the First Ride Before your initial Waymo trip, you must set up a profile in the Waymo app. If you are in Austin, where our 2026 NFB National Convention is being held, the regular Uber app gives you access to Waymo vehicles. Most features carry over, though some accessibility options may be limited in the Uber version. (Important: To be matched with a nearby Waymo vehicle, you must enable autonomous vehicle rides in the Uber app.) For this article, we will be riding with the full Waymo app. The Waymo app works similarly to other ride-share apps. You sign up, add payment, and request rides just like you would with Uber or Lyft. You must confirm that your destination is within the service area. Temperature controls, trip tracking, and even leg room adjustments are available right in the app. As you will soon discover, playing music and adjusting your pickup/drop-off are definitely areas that need improvement. I will not go through every detail of the app layout, since updates happen frequently and things change. The vehicles themselves make it pretty obvious you are hopping into a robotaxi. Waymo's standard fleet is a modified Jaguar I-PACE-a sleek, all-electric SUV equipped with sensors and cameras that make it look like something out of the movie Back to the Future. Inside, it looks like a standard vehicle: driver's seat with a steering wheel, front passenger seat, and three seats in the back. The trunk is spacious-large enough for me to fit a folding wagon and a backpack-and can be opened and closed directly from the app. When you approach, Bluetooth can automatically unlock the doors, or you can tap the unlock button. The handles pop out of the doors. Waymo is also rolling out its next-generation vehicle, the Waymo Ojai, an electric van built in partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr. (I was recently invited by Waymo to ride in these.) With a lower step-in height, higher ceiling, basic Braille labeling of door buttons, and sliding doors, the Ojai is purpose-built for ride-hailing and is beginning to appear alongside the I-PACE fleet as Waymo expands into new markets. One of the most common questions I get is about accessibility features. To Waymo's credit-and with meaningful input from the Federation-there are a solid number of helpful features to take advantage of. When your ride is confirmed, you can use the "Find My Pickup" feature. Holding your phone in front of your body, the app announces the direction of the vehicle and how many feet away it is. As you walk toward the car, your screen reader continuously updates your position. Once the car arrives, you can use the same feature to locate it. You can also have the car play a melody or honk its horn if you are in a noisy or crowded environment. Personally, I find the horn feature a little more reliable, though the melody is certainly cool. Live agent support is available through the app at any time before, during, or just after your trip. There are two settings you absolutely want to enable before you ride: audio announcements, which call out street names at each turn and provide real-time updates like "Waiting for intersection to clear," and the feature that limits how far you need to walk to your pickup or drop-off. This second feature has been helpful but occasionally incorrect; I have had to walk close to a quarter mile in busy areas at times. This is where I want to make something very clear: competent nonvisual travel skills are not optional. They are what complete the trip. Because the Waymo is not controlled by a person, it parks where its system determines is appropriate. I have been dropped in alleys, near dumpsters, and across a busy street from destinations. Because I have confidence in my nonvisual travel skills, I have always found my way. Your cane, your confidence, and your travel training matter-every single ride. Mile Zero: A Monday Morning Commute with "Wanda" All of that history-the Daytona speedway, the legislative battles, the safety data-leads to a single Monday morning in Phoenix. Let me show you what it actually feels like. Good morning, fellow Federation family member! I am glad you could join me as I take my Waymo to work at Saavi Services for the Blind's Phoenix center. It is one of those Mondays where you can barely remember what happened to the weekend. We are heading southwest from Northeast Phoenix to Central Phoenix, just outside of Downtown, about fourteen miles total. It is 7:00 a.m. My daughter Liberti just got picked up for school by her bus. Let's order the Waymo. I tap the "Work" destination already saved in my phone, confirm my pickup address, and pay with Apple Pay. The app shows the car is five minutes away. We head outside and stand in the driveway. Holding my phone outward, I tap "Find My Pickup." It says the spot is forty feet ahead. For some reason, today's pickup is not directly in front of my house but across the street at the neighbor's. We cross and wait at the spot where my phone buzzes with a steady vibration-letting me know I have arrived at the right place. It is a beautiful Arizona morning. One of those mornings that makes you smile even when you have a million things on your mind. A notification chirp tells me the Waymo is arriving. The app shows the car is one hundred feet away. We listen and hear the soft hum of an electric motor approaching from the east-not loud, something like a medium-sized industrial fan running at a gentle setting. The car pulls up directly in front of us. It is almost like it knew exactly where we were standing, you think. Because I have Bluetooth enabled, we hear the click of the door handles popping out. "Go ahead and sit in the front," I tell you, since you are the guest on this trip. I take the seat behind the driver's side so you have the full front passenger experience. You find the handle and pull. Immediately the car speaks: "Good morning, Jordan." My wife Ashleigh calls the Waymo voice Wanda. The vibe hits you right away. Front passenger seat. No driver. Just a steering wheel. You cannot help but reach over toward it-the seat where the belt is buckled with no one in it. You feel the leather seats, the sleek interior, the cup holders, the tactile details outlining the buttons. You find the side controls and adjust your seat independently. You find your seatbelt and click it in. Just then I get in and close the back door. Once both doors are closed, we hear the gentle hold-like music through the speakers, a futuristic version of what you might hear waiting on a phone call. "To begin your ride, press the start button," Wanda says. I ask if you are ready. You take a few deep breaths. "Are you sure about this?" I remind you I do this all the time. Just relax and enjoy the trip. My screen reader announces: "Start ride button." I tap it. "Double tap to start ride." The moment I double tap, the hold music stops, a small chime plays, and the doors lock, all in one seamless motion. It all happened that fast. You take one last breath. We move. A smooth, clean takeoff. The engine grows quieter and that familiar low hum of an electric car takes over. The car goes straight for about ten seconds, shifts slightly left, makes a quick right turn, then stops. We are at the entrance to my neighborhood. "Waiting for intersection to clear," Wanda says. The high school across the street starts at 7:30, and morning traffic is thick. I ask if you are okay. You do not answer. You are sitting in stunned silence. After about a minute, the car eases forward and makes a firm left turn. "Proceeding on North 40th Street," Wanda says. We drive for another minute, slow slightly, and about thirty seconds later the car turns right. "Proceeding on East Bell Road." We are cruising now. Smooth. Quiet. Just the ambient world around us-music drifting from a nearby car, the whoosh of a bus braking. Just as you are settling in, the car drifts left. It stops. "Waiting for intersection to clear." Then it turns left. "Entering Freeway," Wanda says. "I did not know we were taking the freeway!" you say, a definite hint of nervous energy in your voice. "Live the life we want, right?" I say. "If most Phoenicians take the freeway to work, why shouldn't we?" The car stops, inches forward, stops again, dancing with the traffic. Then the engine surges. It feels like the moment before a plane lifts off the runway. About ten seconds later Wanda says, "Proceeding on Arizona 51 South." Because you are still in awe, you put your window down. As we glide down the freeway, you hear the signature sounds: the whoosh of passing cars, the deep engine rumble of an eighteen-wheeler. You smell exhaust, feel wind against your face. The Arizona morning sun warms your left side. You feel that warm sun mixed with the chill of the wind and you start to relax. So far, so good, you think. "I wonder what the traffic report looks like," I say loud enough for you to hear over the noise. "Why don't we turn on the radio and find out?" The wind is getting to you now, so you roll up the window. The world goes quiet. I open Google Assistant and say: "Play the station KTAR 92.3 FM on TuneIn on Waymo." About ten seconds later, a jingle plays and a deep voice announces: "Arizona's Morning News." I swipe back to the Waymo app and adjust the volume, each swipe producing a small pop from the speakers. After a few news stories we probably should not bring up in this article, the traffic report hits. "A minor fender-bender on the 51 South has closed two left lanes from Glendale Avenue to McDowell Road." You ask if that is on our route. "Yes," I say. "Well, it wouldn't be rush hour without traffic, right?" you say. "Now Wanda is really going to be put to the test." I put on some instrumental music to lighten the mood. Quietly, I am hoping we will not be late-I hate being late-but a small smile crosses my face. Here I am, a blind man on a Phoenix freeway on a Monday morning, trying to beat traffic and get to work on time. As American as apple pie and strip malls. And then, as if on cue, the traffic hits. "Squeak." "Beep." The sounds close in around us. The car plays its own game of red light, green light. We feel the constant stopping and going. Five minutes pass. Then, suddenly: a jerk right, a stop, another jerk, and we are moving freely again. "Wow!" you say. "I think we just navigated around the traffic to find the open lane!" You settle back, shoulders dropping. But just as you get comfortable again, Wanda speaks. "Exiting freeway within one mile." Your energy shifts. I can feel it. A minute later, we slow, stop briefly for a passing car, then ease right into the exit ramp. The car's momentum shifts as we follow the curve-smooth, deliberate, like a gentle roller coaster. We complete the half-circle and stop abruptly. "Waiting for intersection to clear," Wanda says. I will not tell you this, but I am getting a little nervous. We are cutting close to when I want to be at the center. We wait. And wait some more. I skip the track. The thumping bass is not matching the vibe right now. Simple piano notes arrive like a cold glass of water on a hot Arizona day. Refreshing. "What a busy street!" you say. After another minute and a half, the car moves again. "Proceeding on East Indian School Road." Finally! Surprisingly, Indian School is clear for this time of morning. For the first time in the trip, you are genuinely relaxed. You put your window down again. The breeze at surface-street speed is manageable. The piano matches the mood: calm, present, unhurried. You rest your arm on the window ledge. You hear the sounds of the city-traffic, a bus pulling up to its stop, the chirp of a pedestrian signal. Moments like this are why we are proud to be Federationists. We refused to let the inability to drive determine where we could go. We wanted to reach places some said we never could. A car with only blind people inside, no driver, moving through the city completely on our own terms. We are going! "Can I try something?" you ask. "Remember, we cannot touch the steering wheel," I say with a smile. "No, no," you say. "Let me see your phone for a second." I hand it over, honestly not sure what you are about to do. Throw it out the window? Go through my messages? Make a random call? About thirty seconds later, it happens. It hits us like the final words of a Presidential Report at a national convention. "Live the life you want. Nobody can stop you. Reach for the sun and break on through." It's that song that has defined our movement since it debuted at the NFB's 75th Anniversary Convention in 2015. James Brown and the Cane Tips, coming through Wanda's speakers! I put my window down, too. We both sing at the top of our lungs: "So you're blind, you'll be fine. We got good news!!!" The song blasts as we sit at a red light, and every single doubt, every moment of believing I would never be able to live life like everyone else, every low expectation I ever let take root-it all goes right out that open window. The philosophy we carry in this movement-that blindness is a characteristic, not a defining quality-has never felt more real than right now. "It is a good thing we can't see the faces people are making as we sing out the window," you say. "Who cares?" I reply. We both laugh. As the car moves forward it turns left. "Proceeding on North 7th Street," Wanda says. We turn the music down and just sit together in the moment. We proceed south for about a minute, both of us smiling, until a chime plays. "Almost there," Wanda says. "Don't forget your phone, keys, or wallet. Your future self will thank you." As the car slows for the right turn onto Verde Lane, the significance of this whole trip fills me like the cup of coffee sitting in the cup holder. "Finding a spot to pull over." We feel the car ease slightly right, pause, ease a little more. The hold music returns. "We have arrived at your destination," Wanda says. "Pull on the door handle to exit the vehicle." Reluctantly, you gather your things. You pull the handle, grab your cane, and step out with an energy that says you want someone to notice a blind person exiting a car with no driver. You close the door. "Bye, Wanda," you say. I come around to meet you on the sidewalk. We just stand there together, breathing in the city air, taking everything in. Then the car makes a small sound, the door handles click back into place, the wheels shift, and we hear the quiet crunch of the road beneath them. Just like that, Wanda drives off. We cross the small street toward the center. "We made it with time to spare!" I say. You are quiet. In your head, the voices of our movement are echoing. This journey brought us here, and this journey is a map for everything that comes next. We walk inside. The Monday morning buzz is all around us. "Thank you," you say "No-thank you," I say. "You are a Federationist, just like me. This is what we do." "What's next?" you ask. "I am looking forward to taking that autonomous flight with you," I say. Speed Bumps: What Waymo Still Needs to Fix As I park the metaphorical vehicle that is this article, I want to be honest: even as we celebrate how far this technology has come, we must not settle for anything that does not fully meet our needs. The inability to independently adjust your pickup or dropoff location on the map as a blind user is frustrating. The in-car touchscreen is not accessible without sighted assistance. And the process for playing music-requiring Google Assistant workarounds that sometimes work instead of seamless screen reader integration-is, frankly, maddening. These are not minor inconveniences. They are design gaps that a community as engaged and vocal as ours should not have to accept as permanent features. To Waymo's credit, they are listening. The Federation's relationship with Waymo is not just ceremonial-Waymo has been a Grand Canyon-level sponsor of NFB Arizona conventions, a Washington Seminar sponsor for two consecutive years, and a sponsor of our Congressional Reception at Washington Seminar in 2024. That relationship means we have a real place in the driver's seat, not just a ride in the backseat. We intend to use that seat. More intuitive voice control, fully accessible in-car interfaces, AI-powered conversational features-these are not wishes. They are expectations. And with the Federation's dedication and Waymo's willingness to engage, we will keep pushing until they are reality. Full Speed Ahead: We Are Not Going Back Now we have choices. We do not have to worry about being turned away because of our service animals. We do not have to make small talk with a driver who keeps asking about our blindness. We do not have to apologize for our busy kids. I am reminded of something we have said many times in the Federation: "We know who we are, and we will never go back!" If you had asked me as a child whether a blind person could ever drive, I would have laughed at you. That pot of gold called the Federation philosophy has led me to a place I can never leave-a place of acceptance, a place where I no longer have to wonder whether life as a blind person can be a full life. It drives my work as Director of Strategic Initiatives at Saavi Services for the Blind. It is the force behind my doing something my O&M teacher said could never be done: teaching cane travel as a blind person. That boy who felt like he was always missing out is now a man who cannot wait to drive his friends and family around Phoenix whenever they visit. This philosophy is what my wife Ashleigh-lead coordinator for NFB STEM2U-and I impart to our blind daughter Liberti, our son Lemial, and the third child we are expecting later this year. Through the NFB, they will grow up knowing that blindness is not an excuse to stop reaching for your dreams. The low expectations of blindness will not be held by them. We are already planning those cross-country road trips in our Level five. That pot of gold does not have to seem too good to be true. The sense of missing out, the feeling that we cannot live like everyone else, will still arise. But what would have happened if we had let those low expectations define us? We would not have had the Blind Driver Challenge. We would not be seated at the table where the future of transportation is being shaped. The refusal to remain in the backseat is what drives our movement forward. We are not afraid to let our voices be heard. We are not afraid to show the world what blind people can do. I am reminded of the words President Riccobono shared in his 2016 banquet address: "We bond together in the National Federation of the Blind to face the uncertainty of the future, to challenge ourselves to expand the horizons, and to take ownership of living the lives we want. Society's fears of blindness will not stop us. Facing our own fears will make us stronger. And the power of our unwavering love, hope, and determination will lead us through uncertainty to new heights. Let us break down the conditioned fears of others. Let us challenge ourselves to conquer the fears that stand in our way. Let us overwhelm fear with our unstoppable engine of hope." That unstoppable engine of hope has powered this movement since 1940. It is the gas our membership puts in the tank every single day. Our movement is the vehicle that empowers every one of us. When it comes to blind people and driving, we will never be backseat drivers again! This is one invention we are steering. Let us use it as a reminder that the road ahead is wide open, and we have every right to drive on it! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com Fri Jul 17 16:00:00 2026 From: elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com (Elizabeth Rouse) Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Old Capitol Chapter Meeting - Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 Message-ID: Hi, all, Any and all are welcome to join the July meeting of the Old Capitol Chapter, happening tomorrow (July 18) at 11:00. Address and agenda can be found below. Address: Meeting Room E, Iowa City Public Library 123 South Linn Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Agenda: 11:00 am – Call to order Introductions: Your Name and what is your favorite comfort food? NFB Pledge: Facilitated by Dan Presidential Release Summary: facilitated by Darrel Old Business reading of minutes and Treasurer’s Report 2026 NFB state convention on October 9-11 at the Holiday Inn Coralville: providing childcare/finding provider(s); hospitality planning Report of Picnic committee Affiliate Update: Scholarships for State Convention; other announcements from Elizabeth (affiliate board member) Fund-raiser: presentation of check/funds raised Other Committee Reports: Sunshine: Membership: Philosophy: Cat from Birdability in September; Angie from North Liberty paratransit in November Fund-Raising: Social: BEAM/Public Awareness: Children’s Museum Philosophy Talk: Reading and discussion of Braille Monitor article on autonomous driving/cars: https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/backseat-drivers-seat Hope to see you there! Elizabeth Elizabeth Rouse, she/her/hers Secretary | Old Capitol Chapter Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI) Nfbi.org President | National Association of Blind Students (NABS) Nabslink.org Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hmejia at nfbi.org Sat Jul 18 23:41:52 2026 From: hmejia at nfbi.org (Helen Mejia) Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:41:52 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Fwd: Register Now: Iowa DD Council Public Policy Committee Listening Sessions References: <0100019f6bfb7e24-0d7c8337-8678-4380-9c78-2a0922c139a8-000000@email.amazonses.com> Message-ID: <3055F313-3BA5-48EE-99D5-00D53E36D6B8@nfbi.org> Hi All, Please see below. I encourage members to attend and suggest legislation that will benefit blind Iowans. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: Iowa DD Council - NO REPLY Subject: Register Now: Iowa DD Council Public Policy Committee Listening Sessions Date: July 16, 2026 at 12:31:11 PM CDT To: hstevensnfb at gmail.com Register Today for the Public Policy Listening Sessions It’s still summer, but we are already planning for January and the next Iowa Legislative Session! We need to hear your ideas. Our Public Policy Committee is starting to work on our public policy priorities for 2027. The “priorities” are suggestions that we will give to Iowa lawmakers and members of Congress about policy change that could make life in Iowa better for people with disabilities. The first thing we are doing is LISTENING to you. Please join us for one or all of these listening sessions so we can hear your thoughts, ideas, stories and suggestions about changes that we can work on together. Each listening session has a topic to focus on, but you can join any or all sessions with any idea. If you can’t join a listening session, you can still share your ideas in writing. We’ll send more information about how to do that soon. It’s your turn—we want to hear from you! Each listening session has a topic to focus on, but you can join any or all sessions with any idea. Topic: Community Inclusion and Health Care Date: July 27, 2026 Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Register Here Topic: Employment for People with Disabilities Date: August 3, 2026 Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Register Here Topic: Special education, Transition and Post-secondary Date: September 21, 2026 Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Register Here Topic: Voting and Civic Engagement Date: October 5, 2026 Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Register Here ASL Interpreting will be provided. CONNECT WITH US 700 2nd Avenue Suite 101 | Des Moines, IA 50309 P: (800) 452-1936 | iowaddcouncil.org This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $774,176 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. If you would like to unsubscribe from Iowa DD Council emails, CLICK HERE . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cindyray at gmail.com Mon Jul 20 21:51:29 2026 From: cindyray at gmail.com (cindyray at gmail.com) Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:51:29 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Seniors Group Meeting Message-ID: <20ff01dd1891$ebf6fda0$c3e4f8e0$@gmail.com> It's July! It's hot! It's time for the Seniors Group Meeting, to be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Can you come? You may have a contribution or two. We are going to discuss Fears that we have that may or may not be based on a lack of sight. 1. How did the fears start? 2. Have you tried to get rid of these fears? 3. Have you decided these fears are valid and you don't now worry about them? 4. What have you done or what can be done to help you solve the fears? There are no right answers here, nor are there wrong ones, but some of us are suffering from fears that either have been with us for a long time or have just recently developed. I know I am a person with such fears. Sometimes if we give those fears the opportunity to be heard we can begin to heal and can get support. Come tomorrow and be a part of the discussion. The information is below my name. Cindy The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98254628861?pwd=DrrtEuEf7kbYfDlLAm6DaGuB8nGNVW.1 Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Passcode: 1234 One tap mobile +13052241968,,98254628861# US +13092053325,,98254628861# US Dial by your location . +1 305 224 1968 US . +1 309 205 3325 US . +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) . +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) . +1 646 931 3860 US . +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) . +1 564 217 2000 US . +1 669 444 9171 US . +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) . +1 689 278 1000 US . +1 719 359 4580 US . +1 253 205 0468 US . +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) . +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) . +1 360 209 5623 US . +1 386 347 5053 US . +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) . +1 507 473 4847 US Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Find your local number: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/u/acP1CmZgx1 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bgwamna at gmail.com Tue Jul 21 06:52:33 2026 From: bgwamna at gmail.com (Dr. Bitrus Gwamna) Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:52:33 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Seniors Group Meeting In-Reply-To: <20ff01dd1891$ebf6fda0$c3e4f8e0$@gmail.com> References: <20ff01dd1891$ebf6fda0$c3e4f8e0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <007d01dd18dd$82419cc0$86c4d640$@gmail.com> I am at a conference of the National Council on Independent Living in Washington DC, so will not be at the meeting this evening. Have a great session. Bitrus From: Tall-Corn On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via Tall-Corn Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 4:51 PM To: 'NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List' Cc: cindyray at gmail.com; slstanzel at kc.rr.com Subject: [Tall-Corn] Seniors Group Meeting It's July! It's hot! It's time for the Seniors Group Meeting, to be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Can you come? You may have a contribution or two. We are going to discuss Fears that we have that may or may not be based on a lack of sight. 1. How did the fears start? 2. Have you tried to get rid of these fears? 3. Have you decided these fears are valid and you don't now worry about them? 4. What have you done or what can be done to help you solve the fears? There are no right answers here, nor are there wrong ones, but some of us are suffering from fears that either have been with us for a long time or have just recently developed. I know I am a person with such fears. Sometimes if we give those fears the opportunity to be heard we can begin to heal and can get support. Come tomorrow and be a part of the discussion. The information is below my name. Cindy The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98254628861?pwd=DrrtEuEf7kbYfDlLAm6DaGuB8nGNVW.1 Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Passcode: 1234 One tap mobile +13052241968,,98254628861# US +13092053325,,98254628861# US Dial by your location . +1 305 224 1968 US . +1 309 205 3325 US . +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) . +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) . +1 646 931 3860 US . +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) . +1 564 217 2000 US . +1 669 444 9171 US . +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) . +1 689 278 1000 US . +1 719 359 4580 US . +1 253 205 0468 US . +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) . +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) . +1 360 209 5623 US . +1 386 347 5053 US . +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) . +1 507 473 4847 US Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Find your local number: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/u/acP1CmZgx1 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hmejia at nfbi.org Thu Jul 23 18:15:39 2026 From: hmejia at nfbi.org (Helen Mejia) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:15:39 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig References: Message-ID: <614FF483-3FE2-48DA-A318-ED84B11D9757@nfbi.org> NFBI Family, I received the below via ICUB and am forwarding since most of us knew him. From what i have heard, the treatment that allowed Mike to survive cancer for so long finally destroyed his lungs. He entered hospice Monday and passed away Wednesday. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: ICUB News Subject: Mike Hoenig Date: July 23, 2026 at 9:19:05 AM CDT To: Lori Trujillo Roush Dear Members and Friends, We are saddened to share that longtime ICUB member Mike Hoenig passed away yesterday afternoon. We do not yet have information regarding arrangements, but we will share those details when they become available. Mike was a dedicated advocate, mentor, and friend who encouraged others to do better, think bigger, and continue working toward meaningful change. His leadership, generosity, and commitment made a lasting difference throughout Iowa and in the lives of people who are blind and others with disabilities. Mike’s contributions were far-reaching, and the impact of his advocacy will continue to be felt for many years. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be deeply missed. Carrie Chapman *** Email secretary at icublind.org to be removed from our mailing list. *** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hmejia at nfbi.org Thu Jul 23 18:16:57 2026 From: hmejia at nfbi.org (Helen Mejia) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:16:57 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Fwd: Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. References: <0100019f8fece170-745e5ba4-4315-4cb6-a9eb-0f2ab6d53a5d-000000@us-east-1.messagingfabric.com> Message-ID: <9994958E-3670-4FEB-A23C-6C979CC4E794@nfbi.org> Reminder for this month's forum with the IDB director. I encourage everyone who is able to attend and ask questions. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: State Of Iowa Subject: Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Date: July 23, 2026 at 12:01:33 PM CDT To: hstevensnfb at gmail.com View as a webpage  /  Share Announcement July 23, 2026 Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Join Iowa Department for the Blind for the monthly Director's Forum. The connection information is below: Join Zoom Meeting Topic: IDB Director's Forum Time: July 28, 2026; 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Fourth Tuesday Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83544759810?pwd=g9rFZo5MyXUdHZKJOamb2D8HRZUdNa.1 Meeting ID: 835 4475 9810 Passcode: 764479 --- One tap mobile +16465588656,,83544759810# US (New York) +16513728299,,83544759810# US (Minnesota) Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83544759810/invitations?signature=RkGfGxnjPCdJR_3xrhG710mg2H7fffSMtkG2QAVFhfE Stay Connected with the Iowa Department for the Blind: Manage Subscriptions Help This email was sent to hstevensnfb at gmail.com using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: State of Iowa · 1007 E Grand Ave · Des Moines, IA 50319 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hmejia at nfbi.org Thu Jul 23 18:16:57 2026 From: hmejia at nfbi.org (Helen Mejia) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:16:57 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Fwd: Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. References: <0100019f8fece170-745e5ba4-4315-4cb6-a9eb-0f2ab6d53a5d-000000@us-east-1.messagingfabric.com> Message-ID: <9994958E-3670-4FEB-A23C-6C979CC4E794@nfbi.org> Reminder for this month's forum with the IDB director. I encourage everyone who is able to attend and ask questions. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: State Of Iowa Subject: Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Date: July 23, 2026 at 12:01:33 PM CDT To: hstevensnfb at gmail.com View as a webpage  /  Share Announcement July 23, 2026 Director's Forum - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Join Iowa Department for the Blind for the monthly Director's Forum. The connection information is below: Join Zoom Meeting Topic: IDB Director's Forum Time: July 28, 2026; 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Fourth Tuesday Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83544759810?pwd=g9rFZo5MyXUdHZKJOamb2D8HRZUdNa.1 Meeting ID: 835 4475 9810 Passcode: 764479 --- One tap mobile +16465588656,,83544759810# US (New York) +16513728299,,83544759810# US (Minnesota) Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83544759810/invitations?signature=RkGfGxnjPCdJR_3xrhG710mg2H7fffSMtkG2QAVFhfE Stay Connected with the Iowa Department for the Blind: Manage Subscriptions Help This email was sent to hstevensnfb at gmail.com using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: State of Iowa · 1007 E Grand Ave · Des Moines, IA 50319 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bgwamna at gmail.com Thu Jul 23 21:46:47 2026 From: bgwamna at gmail.com (Dr. Bitrus Gwamna) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:46:47 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig In-Reply-To: <614FF483-3FE2-48DA-A318-ED84B11D9757@nfbi.org> References: <614FF483-3FE2-48DA-A318-ED84B11D9757@nfbi.org> Message-ID: <000b01dd1aec$c33298e0$4997caa0$@gmail.com> May his soul rest in peace. BItrus From: Tall-Corn On Behalf Of Helen Mejia via Tall-Corn Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2026 1:16 PM To: NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List ; NFB of Iowa Des Moines Chapter List Cc: Helen Mejia Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig NFBI Family, I received the below via ICUB and am forwarding since most of us knew him. From what i have heard, the treatment that allowed Mike to survive cancer for so long finally destroyed his lungs. He entered hospice Monday and passed away Wednesday. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: ICUB News > Subject: Mike Hoenig Date: July 23, 2026 at 9:19:05 AM CDT To: Lori Trujillo Roush > Dear Members and Friends, We are saddened to share that longtime ICUB member Mike Hoenig passed away yesterday afternoon. We do not yet have information regarding arrangements, but we will share those details when they become available. Mike was a dedicated advocate, mentor, and friend who encouraged others to do better, think bigger, and continue working toward meaningful change. His leadership, generosity, and commitment made a lasting difference throughout Iowa and in the lives of people who are blind and others with disabilities. Mike’s contributions were far-reaching, and the impact of his advocacy will continue to be felt for many years. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be deeply missed. Carrie Chapman *** Email secretary at icublind.org to be removed from our mailing list. *** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dickblind at gmail.com Fri Jul 24 00:54:39 2026 From: dickblind at gmail.com (Richard Davis) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:54:39 +0000 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig In-Reply-To: <000b01dd1aec$c33298e0$4997caa0$@gmail.com> References: <614FF483-3FE2-48DA-A318-ED84B11D9757@nfbi.org> <000b01dd1aec$c33298e0$4997caa0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: Am I correct that he leaves a board vacancy/ Dick Davis ________________________________ From: Tall-Corn on behalf of Dr. Bitrus Gwamna via Tall-Corn Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2026 4:46 PM To: 'NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List' ; 'NFB of Iowa Des Moines Chapter List' Cc: Dr. Bitrus Gwamna Subject: Re: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig May his soul rest in peace. BItrus From: Tall-Corn On Behalf Of Helen Mejia via Tall-Corn Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2026 1:16 PM To: NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List ; NFB of Iowa Des Moines Chapter List Cc: Helen Mejia Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig NFBI Family, I received the below via ICUB and am forwarding since most of us knew him. From what i have heard, the treatment that allowed Mike to survive cancer for so long finally destroyed his lungs. He entered hospice Monday and passed away Wednesday. Helen Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: ICUB News > Subject: Mike Hoenig Date: July 23, 2026 at 9:19:05 AM CDT To: Lori Trujillo Roush > Dear Members and Friends, We are saddened to share that longtime ICUB member Mike Hoenig passed away yesterday afternoon. We do not yet have information regarding arrangements, but we will share those details when they become available. Mike was a dedicated advocate, mentor, and friend who encouraged others to do better, think bigger, and continue working toward meaningful change. His leadership, generosity, and commitment made a lasting difference throughout Iowa and in the lives of people who are blind and others with disabilities. Mike’s contributions were far-reaching, and the impact of his advocacy will continue to be felt for many years. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be deeply missed. Carrie Chapman *** Email secretary at icublind.org to be removed from our mailing list. *** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cindyray at gmail.com Fri Jul 24 02:33:23 2026 From: cindyray at gmail.com (Cindy Ray) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:33:23 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <82D0B772-92FD-45D2-AFC4-F6BB1046BEC5@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From thomastopping1996 at gmail.com Fri Jul 24 13:31:48 2026 From: thomastopping1996 at gmail.com (Thomas Topping) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:31:48 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig In-Reply-To: <82D0B772-92FD-45D2-AFC4-F6BB1046BEC5@gmail.com> References: <82D0B772-92FD-45D2-AFC4-F6BB1046BEC5@gmail.com> Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nf5b at mmsn.org Fri Jul 24 14:31:24 2026 From: nf5b at mmsn.org (Richard) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:31:24 +0000 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Passing of Mike Hoenig In-Reply-To: References: <82D0B772-92FD-45D2-AFC4-F6BB1046BEC5@gmail.com> Message-ID: <20260724143124.GA4258@Microknoppix> Greetings colleagues, Last I remember Mike was pretty hostile to NFB. I hope as he served on the board his positions moderated a bit. Last I knew of him really was when he was a child, his family was studying the option of joining the same car pool we participated in going to and from the school in Vinton, but the next year I transferred to my local school, so I don't know if he did or not. As for appointing a replacement, I'm hoping Kim does wait, maybe we'll get somebody who isn't so hostile to our movement. From elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com Fri Jul 24 20:15:58 2026 From: elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com (elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:15:58 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Reservations Now Open for the 2026 NFBI State Convention! In-Reply-To: <008c01dcc831$8f19fcf0$ad4df6d0$@gmail.com> References: <008c01dcc831$8f19fcf0$ad4df6d0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <00d301dd1ba9$3e678ea0$bb36abe0$@gmail.com> Happy Friday, all! Bumping this information to the top of everyone’s inboxes. With registration information coming soon, today is the perfect day to make your hotel reservation so that you can join us in just over two months. Making these reservations early helps our organization know that the hotel can accommodate all of our needs, so don’t delay and make yours today! Best, Elizabeth From: elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2026 10:00 AM To: 'NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List' Cc: Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com Subject: Reservations Now Open for the 2026 NFBI State Convention! Dear members and friends, The wait is over — reservations are now officially OPEN for the 2026 National Federation of the Blind of Iowa State Convention! 🎉 We are excited to gather together October 9–11 at the Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center (1220 1st Avenue, Coralville, IA 52241) for a weekend full of connection, learning, advocacy, and fun. Whether you're a longtime member or joining us for the first time, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Secure your room today! You can make your reservation using one of the following options: Online: https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=rates &brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=CIDCV&checkInDate=08&checkInMonthYear=092026&checkOutDate=11&checkOutMonthYear=092026&_PMID=99801505&GPC=CO8&cn=no&adjustMonth=false&showApp=true&monthIndex=00 * By Phone: (319) 351-5049 – You will then select “0” to be connected directly to the hotel’s front desk. Be sure to ask for the NFBI block! As a reminder, this year’s room rates will be just $109 per night plus applicable taxes and fees. We encourage you to book early to ensure you receive the special convention rate and your preferred accommodations. All reservations must be made by end-of-day on Thursday, September 10. This year’s convention promises inspiring speakers, informative sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow members and friends from across the state. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend! If you have any questions or need assistance with reservations, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to see you in October! Warm regards, Elizabeth | Chair, Convention Planning Committee -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From idsummerlove at gmail.com Fri Jul 24 21:51:09 2026 From: idsummerlove at gmail.com (Intesar Duncan) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:51:09 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Remembering Michael Hoenig Message-ID: <24536421-4A72-41D8-ACFA-A3AC03B12236@gmail.com>  Dear NFB Family, I would like to add my voice to acknowledging the life and legacy of Mike Hoenig. Over the years, I noticed again and again that whenever I became involved in efforts to advocate and improve accessibility for the blind and disabled communities, Mike had already been there before me. I cannot count the number of times I've been asked, "Do you know Mike Hoenig?" The technology programs he established at the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa are still the most widely used throughout the university. He worked with the Stanley Museum, the Disability Film Festival and numerous other venues to provide audio, braille and tactile modes of communication to make their programs accessible to all. Everywhere he went his footprints remain intact to this day, and ease the way for all of us and generations to come. As the ADA enters its 36th year this Sunday, it is strengthened by his influence over the years. Mike was and is a symbol for independence, and leaves behind an impressive legacy of advocacy and empowerment for all disabled, especially the blind. He will be missed both for who he was and what he did. Please see his obituary and service arrangements below. Michael “Mike” Joseph Hoenig, 62, of Davenport, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, following a long battle with cancer. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church beginning at 12:00 p.m., with a visitation prior from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon directly following services, followed by burial at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Mike was born on November 20, 1963, in Ft. Madison, IA, to the late Adrian and Marie (Becker) Hoenig. Following graduation from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in 1980, he earned a BA in psychology from Central College, Pella in 1984 and an MA in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Iowa in 1987. Mike devoted his career to advocating for the rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities. In his early 33-year tenure as a program coordinator at the University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development, he had the privilege of teaching people with disabilities how to speak up for themselves and to help students and practicing professionals understand how to support them. In semi-retirement, Mike found his niche as a volunteer. He served as a member of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council and as a secretary of Friendship Force of the Quad Cities. He was part of the “Caring Companions” team at St. Paul Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at Hope at the Brick House where he read print/braille books to early elementary school students. Mike loved life with a zeal which only grew as he aged. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and especially enjoyed catching up with friends and former players each year on the team-hosted cruise. An “old soul”, Mike gravitated toward big band music, classic Broadway productions, and a good stiff Manhattan. He enjoyed playing cards with the proverbial “marked” braille deck, reading, and lively conversation. Mike is survived by two sisters, Joyce (Hoenig) Patterson of Lake Placid, FL and Janet (Hoenig) St. Clair of Rock Springs, WY; Aunts Rosemary (Becker) Burden of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Betty (Freesmeier) Becker of West Point, IA, and Patricia (Fedler) Becker of Blue Grass, IA; Numerous cousins; and special friend Phyllis Ahlstrand. Memorial contributions may be made to the Quad City Sled Hockey Association or University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Intesar Duncan (319) 530-3635 "You will succeed if you persevere, and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles." (Helen Keller) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com Sat Jul 25 02:16:49 2026 From: rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com (Rebecca Young) Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2026 02:16:49 +0000 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Door Prize Letter Message-ID: Good evening, I am the Door Prize Coordinator for the 2026 state convention. Attached is the door prize letter. You may use this letter at restaurants, and stores to ask for door prizes for our state convention. Please let me know if you are bringing or mailing a door prize so I can have a rough count. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me off list at my information listed below. Becky Young President - Des Moines Chapter - National Federation of the Blind Iowa rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com 515-553-9270 ​[https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/fluentui-resources/1.1.0/app-min/assets/item-types/24_2x/docx.png]door prize letter.docx​ To Whom it may Concern: The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is seeking your support in the area of door prizes for our 2026 State convention. The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. Our convention will take place on October 09-11 at the Holiday Inn and Suites Des Moines Northwest in Urbandale, Iowa and it promises to be a weekend full of rejuvenating information! • You can bring door prizes to convention this year! • If a check is made out to go towards door prizes, this should be noted clearly on the check and mailed to the NFBI affiliate’s P.O. Box. • If gift cards are donated, they can be shipped to the affiliate P.O. Box or brought to convention. The P.O. Box address is: National Federation of the Blind of Iowa P.O. Box 93071 Des Moines, Iowa 50393 We are a 501C3 organization our tax ID number is 42-6062037. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at 515-553-9270 or via email at byoung at nfbi.org. Thanks so much for your consideration! Sincerely, Becky Young Door Prize Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lgutierrez2nd at gmail.com Sat Jul 25 02:54:46 2026 From: lgutierrez2nd at gmail.com (Luis Gutierrez) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:54:46 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Door Prize Letter In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hey Becky, I tried to download the door prize letter. It seems to be a Microsoft365 link. When I click on it I'm redirected to a Copilot app. Could you attach the file? I'm going to see what I can't do about getting some extra fun door prizes!!! Hopefully all that made sense. Reach out if you have any questions. Thank you On Fri, Jul 24, 2026 at 21:18 Rebecca Young via Tall-Corn < tall-corn at nfbnet.org> wrote: > Good evening, > > I am the Door Prize Coordinator for the 2026 state convention. Attached is > the door prize letter. You may use this letter at restaurants, and stores > to ask for door prizes for our state convention. Please let me know if you > are bringing or mailing a door prize so I can have a rough count. If you > have questions, please feel free to contact me off list at my information > listed below. > > Becky Young > President - Des Moines Chapter - National Federation of the Blind Iowa > rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com > 515-553-9270 > > ​door prize letter.docx > > ​ > > > To Whom it may Concern: > > The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is seeking your support in > the area of door prizes for our 2026 State convention. > The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and > friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every > day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. Our > convention will take place on October 09-11 at the Holiday Inn and Suites > Des Moines Northwest in Urbandale, Iowa and it promises to be a weekend > full of rejuvenating information! > • You can bring door prizes to convention this year! > • If a check is made out to go towards door prizes, this should be noted > clearly on the check and mailed to the NFBI affiliate’s P.O. Box. > • If gift cards are donated, they can be shipped to the affiliate P.O. Box > or brought to convention. > The P.O. Box address is: > National Federation of the Blind of Iowa > P.O. Box 93071 > Des Moines, Iowa 50393 > We are a 501C3 organization our tax ID number is 42-6062037. If you have > any questions, please reach out to me at 515-553-9270 or via email at > byoung at nfbi.org. > > Thanks so much for your consideration! > Sincerely, > > Becky Young > Door Prize Coordinator > > > > _______________________________________________ > Tall-Corn mailing list > Tall-Corn at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/tall-corn_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for > Tall-Corn: > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/tall-corn_nfbnet.org/lgutierrez2nd%40gmail.com > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From juliemccullough319 at gmail.com Sat Jul 25 03:20:38 2026 From: juliemccullough319 at gmail.com (Julie McCullough) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:20:38 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [Tall-Corn] Remembering Michael Hoenig Message-ID: <109381805.0.1784949636067@localhost> Good Evening NFBI Family, I didn't know Mike Hoenig well, but what I knew about him and experienced was wonderful! I know some very hard things happened in his life, but I experienced him as always upbeat and positive, and I know about his great friendship and something special that he did to help a child to find and do something that she could still do. When I was serving in southeast Iowa at Donnellson and Embury, there was a family in the Embury church who had a child who had gone to school at Vinton while Mike was in school. My understanding is that she began losing her eyesight when she was around eight years old. Her sight loss was at the point that she got into Vinton, but apparently, she was still being tested to find out why she was losing her sight. Mike, who lived in Fort Madison, fairly close to where she and her family lived took her under his wing. While she was in school at Vinton, her diagnosis was discovered. She was diagnosed with Batten's Disease, a degenerative brain disease. Apparently, once she was diagnosed, the school decided it was best for her not to remain there. She was gradually deteriorating while she was there. The talent show was coming up at school, and Mike helped her to come up with something that she could do for it. I don't know if she sang a song or what she did, I only know that Mike helped her to find a way that she could still participate in what was going on around her. By the time I met this girl, she was probably around twenty and in a nursing home, no longer able to walk, talk or care for herself, but Mike was very important to her and to her family. She died while I was there, and I had her funeral service. Mike spoke at the service, and I think he was also a pall bearer or an honorary pall bearer. In the years that she has been gone, Mike has been in touch with her family every year on her birthday and at Christmastime, which has been a great deal of support for them. I think that's a very special tribute to his kind and thoughtful character and that he remembered her and her family for the rest of his extremely busy life. May he rest in peace, having lived a life that has touched many lives and for which he will be well remembered. ----- Original Message ----- From: Intesar Duncan via Tall-Corn Date: Friday, July 24, 2026 04:52 PM To: tall-corn at nfbnet.org CC: Intesar Duncan Subject: [Tall-Corn] Remembering Michael Hoenig Dear NFB Family, I would like to add my voice to acknowledging the life and legacy of Mike Hoenig. Over the years, I noticed again and again that whenever I became involved in efforts to advocate and improve accessibility for the blind and disabled communities, Mike had already been there before me. I cannot count the number of times I've been asked, "Do you know Mike Hoenig?" The technology programs he established at the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa are still the most widely used throughout the university. He worked with the Stanley Museum, the Disability Film Festival and numerous other venues to provide audio, braille and tactile modes of communication to make their programs accessible to all. Everywhere he went his footprints remain intact to this day, and ease the way for all of us and generations to come. As the ADA enters its 36th year this Sunday, it is strengthened by his influence over the years. Mike was and is a symbol for independence, and leaves behind an impressive legacy of advocacy and empowerment for all disabled, especially the blind. He will be missed both for who he was and what he did. Please see his obituary and service arrangements below. Michael "Mike" Joseph Hoenig, 62, of Davenport, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, following a long battle with cancer. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church beginning at 12:00 p.m., with a visitation prior from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon directly following services, followed by burial at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Mike was born on November 20, 1963, in Ft. Madison, IA, to the late Adrian and Marie (Becker) Hoenig. Following graduation from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in 1980, he earned a BA in psychology from Central College, Pella in 1984 and an MA in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Iowa in 1987. Mike devoted his career to advocating for the rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities. In his early 33-year tenure as a program coordinator at the University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development, he had the privilege of teaching people with disabilities how to speak up for themselves and to help students and practicing professionals understand how to support them. In semi-retirement, Mike found his niche as a volunteer. He served as a member of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council and as a secretary of Friendship Force of the Quad Cities. He was part of the "Caring Companions" team at St. Paul Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at Hope at the Brick House where he read print/braille books to early elementary school students. Mike loved life with a zeal which only grew as he aged. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and especially enjoyed catching up with friends and former players each year on the team-hosted cruise. An "old soul", Mike gravitated toward big band music, classic Broadway productions, and a good stiff Manhattan. He enjoyed playing cards with the proverbial "marked" braille deck, reading, and lively conversation. Mike is survived by two sisters, Joyce (Hoenig) Patterson of Lake Placid, FL and Janet (Hoenig) St. Clair of Rock Springs, WY; Aunts Rosemary (Becker) Burden of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Betty (Freesmeier) Becker of West Point, IA, and Patricia (Fedler) Becker of Blue Grass, IA; Numerous cousins; and special friend Phyllis Ahlstrand. Memorial contributions may be made to the Quad City Sled Hockey Association or University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Intesar Duncan (319) 530-3635 "You will succeed if you persevere, and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles." (Helen Keller) From idsummerlove at gmail.com Sat Jul 25 03:24:43 2026 From: idsummerlove at gmail.com (Intesar) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:24:43 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Door Prize Letter In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8D4F4A32-06DF-4A22-8909-F1560F17BD90@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com Sat Jul 25 06:05:28 2026 From: rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com (Rebecca Young) Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:05:28 +0000 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Door Prize Letter information Message-ID: Good evening, I am the Door Prize Coordinator for the 2026 state convention. Attached is the door prize letter. You may use this letter at restaurants, and stores to ask for door prizes for our state convention. Please let me know if you are bringing or mailing a door prize so I can have a rough count. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me off list at my information listed below. Becky Young President - Des Moines Chapter - National Federation of the Blind Iowa rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com 515-553-9270 To Whom it may Concern: The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is seeking your support in the area of door prizes for our 2026 State convention. The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. Our convention will take place on October 09-11 at the Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center (1220 1st Avenue, Coralville, IA 52241). • You can bring door prizes to convention this year! • If a check is made out to go towards door prizes, this should be noted clearly on the check and mailed to the NFBI affiliate’s P.O. Box. • If gift cards are donated, they can be shipped to the affiliate P.O. Box or brought to convention. The P.O. Box address is: National Federation of the Blind of Iowa P.O. Box 93071 Des Moines, Iowa 50393 We are a 501C3 organization our tax ID number is 42-6062037. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at 515-553-9270 or via email at byoung at nfbi.org. Thanks so much for your consideration! Sincerely, Becky Young Door Prize Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: door prize letter.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 14510 bytes Desc: door prize letter.docx URL: From hmejia at nfbi.org Sat Jul 25 12:14:52 2026 From: hmejia at nfbi.org (Helen Mejia) Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:14:52 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] FYI: Fwd: Services for Mike Hoenig References: Message-ID: <611A05BA-3A74-4439-B385-6833F6122118@nfbi.org> Helen Mejia, President National Federation of the Blind of Iowa hmejia at nfbi.org (570) 983-7867 Begin forwarded message: From: ICUB News Subject: Services for Mike Hoenig Date: July 24, 2026 at 10:02:57 AM CDT To: Lori Trujillo Roush Dear Members and Friends, Below, you will find the obituary and service arrangements for Mike Hoenig. Mike will be greatly missed. Michael “Mike” Joseph Hoenig, 62, of Davenport, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, following a long battle with cancer. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church beginning at 12:00 p.m., with a visitation prior from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon directly following services, followed by burial at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Mike was born on November 20, 1963, in Ft. Madison, IA, to the late Adrian and Marie (Becker) Hoenig. Following graduation from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in 1980, he earned a BA in psychology from Central College, Pella in 1984 and an MA in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Iowa in 1987. Mike devoted his career to advocating for the rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities. In his early 33-year tenure as a program coordinator at the University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development, he had the privilege of teaching people with disabilities how to speak up for themselves and to help students and practicing professionals understand how to support them. In semi-retirement, Mike found his niche as a volunteer. He served as a member of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council and as a secretary of Friendship Force of the Quad Cities. He was part of the “Caring Companions” team at St. Paul Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at Hope at the Brick House where he read print/braille books to early elementary school students. Mike loved life with a zeal which only grew as he aged. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and especially enjoyed catching up with friends and former players each year on the team-hosted cruise. An “old soul”, Mike gravitated toward big band music, classic Broadway productions, and a good stiff Manhattan. He enjoyed playing cards with the proverbial “marked” braille deck, reading, and lively conversation. Mike is survived by two sisters, Joyce (Hoenig) Patterson of Lake Placid, FL and Janet (Hoenig) St. Clair of Rock Springs, WY; Aunts Rosemary (Becker) Burden of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Betty (Freesmeier) Becker of West Point, IA, and Patricia (Fedler) Becker of Blue Grass, IA; Numerous cousins; and special friend Phyllis Ahlstrand. Memorial contributions may be made to the Quad City Sled Hockey Association or University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. *** Email secretary at icublind.org to be removed from our mailing list. *** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com Sat Jul 25 15:30:00 2026 From: elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com (Elizabeth Rouse) Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:30:00 -0500 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Join the NFBI Fundraising Fun on Sunday, 7/26 Message-ID: Dear Fundraising Committee members and supporters, Just a friendly reminder that the NFBI Fundraising Committee will meet on *Sunday, July 26, at 7:00 PM*. We have exciting work ahead, and we hope you'll join us as we continue planning and building momentum for our fundraising efforts. *Zoom Information:* National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98254628861?pwd=DrrtEuEf7kbYfDlLAm6DaGuB8nGNVW.1 Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Passcode: 1234 One tap mobile +13052241968,,98254628861# US +13092053325,,98254628861# US We look forward to seeing you on Sunday! Best, Elizabeth | Fundraising Committee Member Elizabeth Rouse, she/her/hers Secretary | Old Capitol Chapter Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI) Nfbi.org President | National Association of Blind Students (NABS) Nabslink.org Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From saralab2 at gmail.com Sun Jul 26 19:46:36 2026 From: saralab2 at gmail.com (Felicia Lab2) Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:46:36 -0400 Subject: [Tall-Corn] Fwd: Fw: (DSM- Iowa) Tomorrow at 7pm NFBI Student Meeting! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Felicia Burns Date: Sun, Jul 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM Subject: Fw: (DSM- Iowa) Tomorrow at 7pm NFBI Student Meeting! To: Felicia Lab2 Get Outlook for iOS ------------------------------ *From:* Felicia Burns *Sent:* Sunday, 26 July 2026 11:43:11 *To:* NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List *Subject:* (DSM- Iowa) Tomorrow at 7pm NFBI Student Meeting! Hello all, I hope you’re all having a great weekend! Just a reminder that the Iowa Association of Blind Students will be meeting tomorrow, Monday, July 27th, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Zoom Meeting Link: Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98254628861?pwd=DrrtEuEf7kbYfDlLAm6DaGuB8nGNVW.1 Meeting ID: 982 5462 8861 Passcode: 1234 One tap mobile +13052241968,,98254628861# US +13092053325,,98254628861# US Come ready with your questions or share your own experiences. We would love to have you all there; See you all soon! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: