Vol. 30, No. 7
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2005
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE
A publication of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING - NOTE SPECIAL DATE
ANNUAL JUNE LUNCHEON REVIEW
A HISTORY OF WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
2005 FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING COMING TO MFCB COUNTRY
FCB HAS A DISCUSSION LIST AND NEW VOICE CHAT ROOMS
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
HURRICANE PREPARATION TIPS
TIME TO BEGIN BOWLING SEASON
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
Hello MFCB Members and friends. I hope all of you have had a fun and relaxing summer. I and a few of our chapter members had the
opportunity to spend one week of our summers attending the ACB National Convention in Las Vegas. I'm sure we'll talk more about this
year's convention at our September meeting but I'll say here that it was fun, informative, and generally a great experience. I would
encourage any and all of you who have ever thought about attending a state or national convention before to consider doing this in 2006,
as the Florida Council of the Blind State Convention will be held right here in Orlando and the American Council of the Blind National
Convention will be in Jacksonville.
At the time I write this message, we mark the 15th Anniversary of passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Although this act
certainly has in general done a great deal to bring rights of the disabled into the public eye, we as disabled individuals often overlook
things we shouldn't with regard to our rights and, in some cases, we don't even know what our rights are. On this, the 15th Anniversary
of the ADA, it would seem to be a great time for all of us to make it a point to become as knowledgeable as we can about the rights this
act guarantees and what the ADA means for us. If you want to find out more, you can conduct an Internet search on the Americans with
Disabilities Act for several related resources.
To see the ADA document itself, follow this link:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/statute.html. You can call to obtain answers to
general and technical questions about the ADA and to order technical assistance materials at the following number: 1-800-514-0301. If
you would like to check out specific ADA information online, go to the ADA Home Page at
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada.
I look forward to seeing many of you in September. Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING - NOTE SPECIAL DATE
The next General Meeting of MFCB will be at Booth Towers, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL, 32801, on Saturday, September 10th, 2005,
from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The phone number at Booth Towers is (407) 843-5533. It is highly recommended that if anyone uses
paratransit, please plan your rides accordingly.
If you are using paratransit to get to the MFCB General Meeting, please contact Nicole Hugues at (321) 663-2007. She needs to be
made aware of the fact that if you ever use paratransit to get to the Meeting, a list can be maintained as to who uses the service at any
given time when trips are scheduled for the day of the Meeting.
At the very least, as is tradition with this first General Meeting after the summer break, Members will be invited to tell what they have done
during the summer.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
ANNUAL JUNE LUNCHEON REVIEW
38 Members and guests attended the MFCB Annual June Luncheon, held on June 11th at Buttermilk's in Fern Park. President Rachel
Bader thanked everyone for coming to enjoy good food and company. She announced that at the 2005 FCB Annual Convention in Ft.
Lauderdale, the Mid-Florida Chapter Award was presented to Nicole Hugues and then turned things over to 1st Vice President Patti
Land, who, as chair for the Awards and Scholarship Committee, presented the Connie Rotter Memorial Scholarship to Paulette Gordon.
Paulette originally resided in Massachusetts but now lives in the Orlando area. She is finishing studies at Valencia Community College
and plans to begin at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Social Work.
Rachel then wished everyone in attendance a wonderful summer and wanted the membership to come back refreshed in September.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
A HISTORY OF WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
White Cane Safety Day is not too far away. As MFCB prepares for this day, here is a history of this important day for the blind. This was
taken from an article posted on the American Council of the Blind (ACB) website, http://www.acb.org,
and was written by Philip Strong, who currently works in the ACB National Office in Washington, D.C:
The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence; it is also a symbol of the blind citizens in our society. To
honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired Americans and to recognize the white cane's significance in advancing
independence, we observe October 15th of each year as "White Cane Safety Day." Today, the white cane works both, as a tool for the
blind as well as a symbol, but this has not always been the case.
Throughout history, the cane, staff, and stick have existed as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired. Dating back to biblical
times records show that a shepherd's staff was used as a tool for solitary travel. The blind used such tools to alert them to obstacles in
their path.
For centuries, the "cane" was used merely as a tool for travel and it was not until the twentieth century that the cane, as we know it today,
was promoted for use by the blind as a symbol to alert others to the fact that an individual was blind.
This new role for the white cane had its origins in the decades between the two World Wars, beginning in Europe and then spreading to
North America. James Biggs of Bristol claimed to have invented the white cane in 1921. After an accident claimed his sight, the artist had
to readjust to his environment. Feeling threatened by increased motor vehicle traffic around his home, Biggs decided to paint his walking
stick white to make himself more visible to motorists.
It was not however until ten years later the white cane established its presence in society. In February 1931, Guilly d'Herbemont launched
a scheme for a national white stick movement for blind people in France. The campaign was reported in British newspapers leading to a
similar scheme being sponsored by rotary clubs throughout the United Kingdom. In May 1931, the BBC suggested in its radio broadcasts
that blind individuals might be provided with a white stick, which would become universally recognized as a symbol indicating that
somebody was blind or visually impaired.
In North America, the introduction of the white cane has been attributed to the Lion's Clubs International. In 1930, a Lion's Club member
watched as a blind man attempted to make his way across a busy street using a black cane. With the realization that the black cane was
barely visible to motorists, the Lion's Club decided to paint the cane white to increase its visibility to oncoming motorists. In 1931, the
Lion's Club International began a national program promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, blind persons had walked with their canes held diagonally in a fixed position, and the role of the white
cane took on a symbolic role as an identifier. But when the blind veterans of World War II returned to America, the form and the use of
the white cane was further altered in an attempt to help return veterans to participatory lifestyles at home. Doctor Richard Hoover
developed the "long cane" or "Hoover" method of cane travel. These white canes are designed to be used as mobility devices and
returned the cane to its original role as a tool for mobility, but maintained the symbolic role as an identifier of blind independence.
During this period, the white cane began to make its way into government policy as a symbol for the blind.
The first special White Cane Ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois. It granted blind pedestrians protections and
the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. In 1935, Michigan began promoting the white cane as a visible symbol for the blind. On
February 25th, 1936, an ordinance was passed for the City of Detroit recognizing the white cane. To promote the new ordinance, a
demonstration was held at City Hall where the blind and visually impaired were presented with white canes.
The following year, Donald Schuur wrote the provision of a bill and had it proposed in the State Legislature. The proposal gave the
carrier of the White Cane protection while traveling on the streets of Michigan. Governor Frank Murphy signed the bill into law in March
1937.
During the early 1960's, several state organizations and rehabilitation agencies serving the blind and visually impaired citizens of the
United States urged Congress to proclaim October 15th of each year to be White Cane Safety Day in all fifty states. This event marked a
climatic moment in the long campaign of the organized blind movement to gain state as well as national recognition for the white
cane.
On October 6th, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to
proclaim October 15th of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". The resolution read, "Resolved by the Senate and HR, that the
President is hereby authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15th as White Cane Safety Day and calling upon
the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." Within hours of passage of the
congressional resolution, President Lyndon B. Johnson went down in history as the first to proclaim October 15th as White Cane Safety
Day.
The Presidential proclamation emphasized the significance of the use of the white cane as both a tool and as a visible symbol. In the
first White Cane Proclamation, President Johnson commended blind people for the growing spirit of independence and the increased
determination to be self-reliant and dignified. He said in part: "A white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind
person's ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and opportunity for mobility of the blind on our streets and
highways." During most years since 1964, the President has proclaimed October 15th as White Cane Safety Day.
On October 15th, 2000, President Bill Clinton again reminded us of the history of the white cane as a tool, and its purpose as a symbol
of blindness: "With proper training, people using the white cane can enjoy greater mobility and safety by determining the location of curbs,
steps, uneven pavement, and other physical obstacles in their path. The white cane has given them the freedom to travel independently
to their schools and workplaces and to participate more fully in the life of their communities. It reminds us that the only barriers against
people with disabilities are discriminatory attitudes and practices that our society has too often placed in their way."
As we observe White Cane Safety Day, let us recall the history of the white cane, its emergence as a tool and a symbol through history; a
staff of independence. Let us also recall the events that have permitted us to celebrate October 15th as White Cane Safety Day.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
2005 FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING COMING TO MFCB COUNTRY
For the past couple of years, the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) has been proud to hold its Mid-Year Board Meeting in the Orlando
area. The 2005 FCB Mid-Year Board Meeting will take place for the third consecutive year at the Sheraton Safari in Lake Buena Vista,
November 18th through 20th.
This is an opportunity for everyone throughout the state to see how the various committees within FCB operate, as well as get an idea
of the direction the organization is headed for the next six months. As we get closer to the Mid-Year Board Meeting, MFCB invites all
Members to spend at least one day, either the day of the Business Meeting on the 19th or the Leadership Seminar on the 20th, to sit in
and check out our state affiliate's activities.
More information will be forthcoming as the dates get closer, especially in THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
FCB HAS A DISCUSSION LIST AND NEW VOICE CHAT ROOMS
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) is proud to have its members throughout the state participate in a couple of ways on the Internet. The
FCB E-mail Discussion List is a way for members, locally and statewide, to express themselves freely on a variety of issues. These can
range from those on a local level to issues on a state or even national platform.
MFCB encourages all Members with E-mail and Internet access to sign up and participate in the various discussions as well as maybe
even starting a few. To sign up for the FCB E-mail Discussion List, and for more information about the List, go to the FCB website at
http://www.fcb.org and go to the link for "FCB E-mail Discussion List Information and Instructions."
And as of April 15th, 2005, FCB has opened up 2 new chat rooms for members of the organization. One of these is for general chat, the
other is for the FCB Board and its respective committees to meet. Everyone is invited to sit in on these chats, especially to participate
with those in the general chat room.
For more information about the new FCB chat rooms, especially if you want to know how you can join in on the chats, click on the link
"Voice Chat for FCB" at http://www.fcb.org.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind has a presence on the World Wide Web. Through the Florida Council of the Blind web site,
http://www.fcb.org, there is information available on the Internet about MFCB, especially the
newly-approved MFCB By-Laws, as well as current and some past issues of the MFCB Newsletter, both in the previous name of
MUMBLES and the newer name of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. This is only the beginning as another option has been made available for
people to find out what is going on with our organization.
To specifically get to the MFCB section of the FCB website, go to http://www.fcb.org/mfcb.htm.
Feedback is strongly encouraged as to the accessibility and content of the website, so if you have any questions or suggestions, E-mail
webmaster@fcb.org. With your suggestions, changes can be made that will better what we
have on the Web.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
HURRICANE PREPARATION TIPS
MFCB Member Nicole Hugues submitted the following information. It is a Hurricane Survival Checklist, which appeared in the
July-August 2005 edition of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Newsletter, The White Cane Bulletin. Based on the fact that the
Greater Orlando area was affected by three hurricanes last year, please take note of these useful tips.
Have a two-week supply of each item for every person in your home.
Water:
18 one-half gallons of water per person (one half gallon for drinking, 2 gallons for bathing); store water in clean plastic containers
Food:
purchase foods that require no refrigeration and little preparation; ready-to-eat canned foods; canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered,
store extra water); snacks, cookies, cereals, etc.;
soft drinks, instant coffee, tea;
lots of ice (you can freeze your water supply)
For Baby:
formula bottles, powdered milk:
jarred baby foods;
and special medications
Pets:
newspapers or cat litter;
moist canned foods (to preserve water);
plastic sheets to cover floor of pet's room
Medicine:
first-aid kit;
rubbing alcohol;
aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever;
antacid;
extra prescription medication (especially for heart problems and diabetes); Ask your physician how to store prescription medication.
Personal Items:
toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo;
personal and feminine hygiene products;
denture needs, contact lenses, and an extra pair of glasses; sun protection, insect repellent
Other Supplies:
battery-operated radio, flashlights, non-electric can opener; extra batteries;
charcoal, waterproof matches, extra propane gas for grills (use grills outside only);
ABC-rated fire extinguisher in a small canister; portable cooler;
plenty of absorbent towels, plastic trash bags;
wind-up or battery-operated clock;
tarp or sheet, plastic, duct tape, hammer and nails for temporary roof repairs;
cleaning supplies, such as chlorine, bleach;
aluminum foil, paper napkins and plates, plastic cups;
can of spray paint (can be used to identify your home by insurance adjusters in case it is damaged);
at least one change of clothing per person; sturdy shoes, hat and work gloves;
pillow and blanket or sleeping bags;
diapers, moist towelettes
MFCB hopes that there will not be another hurricane season that affects the Greater Orlando area as directly as the last one. However,
everyone is encouraged to at least be prepared in the event any other situation arises as a result of a hurricane approaching.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
TIME TO BEGIN BOWLING SEASON
MFCB Member Chuck Graham wants everyone to know that it's time to knock down some pins! The American Blind Bowlers Association
(ABBA) begins its local season in September and invites everyone, including MFCB Members, to join in on the fun.
ABBA gets together every Thursday, beginning September 8th, from 4 to 6 PM at Carter Family Bowling, 715 S Dillard St., Winter Garden,
FL 34786. The number at Carter Family Bowling is (407) 656-2000. The best bowlers will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2006
ABBA National Tournament, which will be held in Indianapolis.
If you would like more information about ABBA, contact MFCB Member and local ABBA Representative Chuck Graham at (407) 654-6199.
For those who do join ABBA, have fun and don't roll gutter balls!
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
Notes from Jay: As the summer months wind down, the time has come to begin the Annual MFCB Membership Drive, in cooperation
with the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services in Daytona Beach. Those mailers will begin in early September with the
hope that there are those who receive it interested in becoming members of MFCB.
There will be those who get this mailing that are already members but please keep in mind that if you are a Talking Book subscriber in
Orange, Osceola or Seminole County, this will arrive. So if you know someone who you think may be interested in becoming a Member
of MFCB, or if they would like to donate to our organization, pass it along. Just as they do on the state level, donations are always gladly
accepted.
Beginning at the September General Meeting, I will also begin to accept dues for new members as well as renewals. Please note that
the dues are $12.00. If you attend a General Meeting, this is payable by cash, check or money order; otherwise, please send your dues
by check or money order to the following address:
MFCB Membership Secretary
5611 Pecos St.
Orlando, FL 32807
Make your check or money order payable to MFCB.
Also, please note the following Member PHONE NUMBER CHANGE:
MATT ROBERTS
(321) 415-2239
And I always accept submissions to THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. All submissions for the October issue must arrive by regular mail or
e-mail to me by the 15th of September as it will be prepared shortly after that. You will be properly credited with the submission.
If you have any further questions, please call me at (407) 658-2479 or E-mail at
mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Annual June Awards
Luncheon and hope you all enjoy the summer!
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
AUGUST
7 - Debra Spence
16 - Scott Larson
20 - Shelley Justice
SEPTEMBER
6 - Nicole Hugues
13 - Jay Bader
14 - Marion Eiermann
19 - Robert Batts
25 - Margaret Briggs
27 - Dan Spoone
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
FCB Home Page