Vol. 33, No. 4
JULY-AUGUST 2008

THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE
A publication of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind


TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT SHELLEY JUSTICE
NEXT MFCB MEETING IN SEPTEMBER - BREAK FOR SUMMER
MFCB MAY GENERAL MEETING AND JUNE AWARDS LUNCHEON REVIEWS
ACB 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION REMINDER
CONTINUING SITUATION ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY
CANDIDATES FOR DBS DIRECTOR POSITION
FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND VOICE CHAT ROOMS
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
WHITE CANE SAFETY EVENT COMING IN OCTOBER
FOIL
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE


MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT SHELLEY JUSTICE

Hello, MFCB Members and Friends,

I promised you a member profile with each issue of our news letter. However, I must confess to you all that I have let time slip by me. I suddenly realized that it was time for the Voice to be coming out and I had not sought a likely candidate. Therefore, I have decided to tell you a little about me. Some of you know me quite well; but there are some members who don't; so here is my brief bio.

My early years were spent in Ohio, where I attended the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus from kindergarten through 5th grade. We moved to Florida when I was 11, and I attended the Florida School for the Blind, graduating in 1970. I attended a business college and was trained as a medical transcriptionist. I have worked in this field through most of my adult years, and I am currently working for the Lighthouse of Houston.

I've been married three times, but am now on my own and learning to enjoy it immensely. I have one son, Bryan, and two granddaughters. My best friend is my guide dog, George, who is the joy of my heart.

Reading talking books, listening to several types of music, old movies and being near water are some of my favorite things. I believe that one of my best qualities is the ability to maintain a cheerful disposition most of the time. Apparently, one of my character flaws is often a lack of organization, which leads to things not being done in a timely manner. I have a tendency to procrastinate; time slips by me, as it will always do, and...well...you all know the rest.

I sincerely hope that this is a terrific Summer for each of you. I will be looking forward to meeting again in September, when we will begin working on all of the projects of the coming year. Chief among these, of course, will be the upcoming ACB National Convention. I hope everyone is as excited as I am about this. I am looking forward to working with all of you on this. I believe there will be something for everyone to do; so let's all prepare to work hard and enjoy it to the fullest.

See you all in September.


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NEXT MFCB MEETING IN SEPTEMBER - BREAK FOR SUMMER

The next General Meeting of MFCB will be at William Booth Tower, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL, 32801, on Saturday, September 6th, 2008, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The phone number at William Booth Tower is (407) 843-5533. It is highly recommended that if anyone uses paratransit, please plan your rides accordingly.

As we take a break for the summer, MFCB wishes all its Members and Friends a very enjoyable Summer. Members, be prepared for what should be a busy yet worthwhile time when we return to meeting in September.


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MFCB MAY GENERAL MEETING AND JUNE AWARDS LUNCHEON REVIEWS

29 Members and Guests attended the MFCB May General Meeting on Saturday, May 3rd, at William Booth Tower in downtown Orlando. After the Pledge of Allegiance, MFCB President Shelley Justice asked all those in attendance to introduce themselves.

Once the Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports were read and approved, Jim Lamb made a motion to have $100.00 given to each Member going to the FCB Annual Convention in Jacksonville, which would go toward transportation expenses. This motion was approved. Shelley then reminded Members in attendance that this Meeting would be the last chance to buy FCB Raffle Tickets, so anyone who would be interested should see her immediately after the General Meeting.

Shelley then gave Committees the opportunity to report. For the Fundraising Committee, Leslie Spoone announced that the May fundraiser would be Raffles for the following items:

4 Blockbuster Gift Cards of $20.00 each
4 Harry Potter Audio Books
4 Large Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bottle of Merlot Wine
Bottle of Bacardi Rum
$25.00 Gift Card to Friday's

Patti Land said for the Awards and Scholarship Committee (as well as the Activities Committee) that the Annual June Awards Luncheon will take place on Saturday, June 7th, at Gina's Lakeside Grill in Altamonte Springs. She added that the Membership Committee will be calling Members for a head count to make a reservation at the restaurant as we get closer to the Luncheon.

With no other Committees reporting, talk then turned to Old Business. Sheila Young announced that the brick that MFCB paid for at Lighthouse Central Florida has been laid. She again thanked the membership for all their effort in making this happen.

Shelley then talked about the latest developments regarding the FCB Charter Bus to take Members to Jacksonville for the upcoming FCB Annual Convention. She said that for our area, the bus would be stopping at a McDonald's, with the original plan being to stop at the Sand Lake Road-International Drive location. However, after discussion during the MFCB Executive Board Meeting on April 30th, it will be recommended that the Orlando pickup location for the FCB Charter Bus take place at 1028 Lee Road. Shelley also talked about issues with the bus itself, especially with regard to guide dogs, as she herself is a guide dog user.

For New Business, Shelley announced that Joyce Hildreth, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Lighthouse Central Florida (LCF), has applied for Director of the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS). Shelley added that she would like to see someone in Florida become the next DBS Director.

Talk then turned to new programs at LCF. Sheila Young told about a new alumni group that will meet quarterly, with much of the $25.00 in annual dues going toward client transportation as well as advanced training for any alumni at LCF. Shelley then said that LCF is beginning a "Careers in Hospitality" program, with the first classes starting this September. This would be an over 10-week program that includes job placement. LCF is looking to have 10-16 students in the first class, and MFCB Recording Secretary Larry Turnbull added that his workplace may be interested in hiring those graduating from that class, as he works in a call center.

Since LCF is applying to Able Trust for funding of the "Careers in Hospitality" program but is not sure how much will be received, Sheila made a motion that MFCB support this program. The motion was passed. Shelley added that she will be sending a letter to Able Trust as well to express MFCB's support of what may very well be an important venture to benefit the blind community in the Orlando area.

Shelley then told Members that since we will not have another General Meeting until September, planning should begin for MFCB's participation on the 2009 ACB Convention Host Committee once this year's ACB Convention in Louisville ends. She is attending the Convention in Louisville as well. Sheila made a motion that MFCB pay $500.00 of the expenses Shelley has made for going to Louisville. After Jack Jordan provided a friendly amendment to lower the amount to $300.00 and some discussion, the motion passed.

Membership Secretary Jay Bader also reminded Members that White Cane Safety Day will be coming in October and that Central Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (CFA) will be involved in planning the annual event. Shelley said that no details have been made yet but she will tell Members more about it when we have our next General Meeting in September.

With no further business brought forth, the fundraiser was held, which raised $94.00. Here are the winners of each Raffle:

4 Blockbuster Gift Cards of $20.00 each - 2 went to Leslie Spoone, while 2 were won by Bill Freeman
4 Harry Potter Audio Books - Leslie Spoone
4 Large Chocolate Chip Cookies - Gay Elliott
Bottle of Merlot Wine - Catherine Potter
Bottle of Bacardi Rum - Sheila Young
$25.00 Gift Card to Friday's - Elizabeth Bouyer

The following Door Prizes were awarded, each of them being grab bags with a "Cinco de Mayo" theme:

Bag 1 - Shelley Justice
Bag 2 - Lisa Lawson

Congratulations to all Raffle and Door Prize Winners!

There was no Guest Speaker for the May General Meeting. However, Members and Guests were treated to plenty of pizza, compliments of Jim Lamb. Refreshments Coordinator Jackie Gideons thanked Jim for his generosity to the Membership.

29 Members and Guests attended the MFCB Annual June Awards Luncheon, which took place on Saturday, June 7th, a Gina's Lakeside Grill in Altamonte Springs. After everyone placed their drink and food orders, President Shelley Justice formally welcomed all to the Luncheon. She then turned the festivities over to 1st Vice President Patti Land, who chairs the Awards and Scholarship Committee. Patti presented the MFCB Chapter Award that was first announced at the FCB Convention in Jacksonville this past May to Jackie Gideons, who was very honored to receive the award.

Patti then had her fellow Committee Member Sheila Young present the recipients of this year's Connie Rotter Memorial Scholarship, which is named in honor of Connie Rotter, who proudly served MFCB for many years and is the sister of longtime Member Jim Lamb. Sheila announced that a $250.00 scholarship went to Toni Clavie, who will attend the Florida A & M University Law School in Orlando; and a $500.00 scholarship was awarded to Ramon Dukes and he will be attending Valencia Community College.

Also, a special Love Offering was collected. Delaney Ketts, the young daughter of longtime friend of MFCB, Dianne Ketts, who chairs the Central Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (CFA) and is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist at Lighthouse Central Florida, tragically passed away on May 14th. The Love Offering raised $160.00, which will be given to Dianne for donating to all the various organizations she chooses in Delaney's name.

Shelley then thanked everyone again for attending and told everyone to enjoy the Summer and return in September for what should be an exciting Fall for MFCB.


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ACB 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION REMINDER

Here's a reminder that the 2008 National Convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) will take place at the Galt House in Louisville, KY from Friday, July 4th, through Saturday, July 12th. For those that attend, the ACB National Convention is a time where there is a lot to do, more to learn and numerous opportunities to meet ACB Members from all over the U.S.

As was noted in the last issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE, we realize that most MFCB Members will not be able to go to Louisville. However, there are ways to follow what is going on during this year's ACB Convention if you have computer and Internet access. There is an ACB Convention Listserv that posts updates to the Convention, as well as the daily newspapers printed during Convention. To subscribe, go to the ACB Convention page at http://www.acb.org/convention/index.html and click on the link for "Subscribe to the acbconvention email list today!"

Also, you can listen to coverage of the ACB National Convention on ACB Radio. ACB Radio Mainstream will have coverage of the General Sessions as well as the Friday Night Banquet, and when Exhibits are open, ACB Radio Interactive will take you inside the Exhibit Hall for a feel of that atmosphere. For more information about ACB Radio, visit http://www.acbradio.org.

For those who do follow the 2008 ACB National Convention, it will give at least some idea of what we should be prepared for when ACB holds its 2009 National Convention in Orlando. With the recent events surrounding accessible currency (which has its own article shortly after this one), quiet cars and the upcoming digital TV transition, there will be plenty to follow as well as more to prepare for when we host ACB next year.

And for those MFCB Members who do go to Louisville, a great time should be had by all.


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CONTINUING SITUATION ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008, was another date that will be remembered in the history of our national organization, the American Council of the Blind (ACB). After 6 months of patiently waiting, the U.S. District Court of Appeals made an announcement that all ACB Members, including those in MFCB, hoped for. What follows is a Press Release from ACB issued that day:

Washington -- May 20th, 2008 -- The U.S. Treasury Department discriminates because it has failed to design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable by people who are blind, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

By a 2-1 vote, the court upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robertson in a lawsuit filed by The American Council of the Blind (ACB) against the U.S. Treasury Department.

ACB accused the department and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson of violating the Rehabilitation Act, which was meant to ensure that people with disabilities can live independently and fully participate in society.

The appeals court rejected the Treasury Department's arguments that making currency accessible would impose an undue burden on the government, and sent the case back to Robertson to address the group's request for relief.

Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind, stated: "This is a tremendous victory for the ACB and for every blind and visually-impaired person living in the United States today and in the future. We hope that the Treasury Department will now sit down with us to come up with a mutually satisfactory way of making our currency accessible."

"Virtually all of the other industrialized countries around the globe have accessible currency, and this is long overdue for the United States," commented Dr. Ron E. Milliman, who chairs ACB's Public Relations Committee.

"There are over 180 nations that have some sort of accessibility built in to their paper currency. Currencies used by countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, England, and even the Euro have accessibility features. The U.S. is rather unique in that it is one of very few industrialized nations that has resisted including shape, size, texture, or meaningful color contrast in its bank notes," said Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of ACB.

The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the entire United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually-impaired Americans to participate fully in every aspect of American society.

As this issue went to press, the U.S. Department of Treasury has not announced any further steps in legal action. According to many articles found on this situation, by the middle of July, the Treasury could go as far as the U.S. Supreme Court to further appeal, or they could abide by Judge Robertson's original 2006 decision and open discussion with ACB and other disability organizations on a way to make the paper currency accessible. MFCB is hopeful that the legal action ends and discussion begins; however, along with everyone in ACB, we will support our national organization should the Treasury further appeal.

There will definitely be more on this in the coming months, especially in THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.


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CANDIDATES FOR DBS DIRECTOR POSITION

The position of Director of the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) will be filled in the coming weeks. Steve Ritacco has been serving as Interim Director since Craig Kiser retired from the position. As this issue goes to press, here is the list of candidates for DBS Director and their affiliation:

Melanie Brunson (ACB)
Anthony R. Candela (American Foundation of the Blind)
Michael Elliott (DBS)
Joyce Hildreth (Lighthouse Central Florida)
Steven Obremski (National Accreditation Council / State of Maine Agency)
Kurt Ponchak (DBS)
Steve Ritacco (DBS Current Interim Director)
Harold W. Snider (National Federation of the Blind)
Stephanie Wilson (DBS)

As noted above, Joyce Hildreth of LCF (and Member of MFCB) is included in the list of candidates, as well as Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of ACB. MFCB is proud that someone from our area is being considered as well as another from our national organization. Both are well-respected by MFCB.

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is hoping to select a candidate for DBS Director to begin their service with the DOE by the end of July. Following the conclusion of all of the interviews, which began around the time this issue went to press, the interview team will recommend two finalists to be interviewed by the Commissioner.

The announcement of the new Director of the Florida Division of Blind Services should be in the next issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.


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FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND 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 FCB has 2 improved voice 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 these 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.


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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 website, http://www.fcb.org, there is information available on the Internet about MFCB, especially the MFCB By-Laws, as well as current and past issues of the MFCB Newsletter. MFCB is proud to have people find out what is going on with our organization in this global manner.

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 better what we have on the Web.


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WHITE CANE SAFETY EVENT COMING IN OCTOBER

Before we know it, the day that is very important every year to the blind and visually-impaired throughout the United States will be upon us. White Cane Safety Day is October 15th, a day to make those who are not visually-impaired aware of the laws that protect those with visual impairments in their local area. And in the Orlando Metropolitan Area, this year continues the annual tradition.

There will be an event scheduled in observance of White Cane Safety Day in Orlando. While plans are being made, Central Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (CFA) wants all who are blind and visually-impaired in our area to inform those they know about this important date.

MFCB Members are part of CFA, along with those in the National Federation of the Blind-Greater Orlando Chapter (NFB-GOC), Blinded Veterans Association, Lighthouse Central Florida and other disability organizations in the Orlando area. MFCB encourages its Members to attend the September General Meeting and express their interest in taking part in what should be another successful day of activities in recognition of White Cane Safety Day.

More information about the White Cane Safety Event will be in the next issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.


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FOIL

As MFCB takes a break for its Members to enjoy the summer, Sheila Young found out something regarding aluminum foil that many would never realize. Here she reveals it in her own words:

I've been using aluminum foil for more years than I care to remember. Great stuff, but sometimes it can be a pain. You know, like when you are in the middle of doing something and you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.

Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box and written on the end it said, "Press here to lock end". Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place.

How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran Wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran Wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.

I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know about this.

I IMMEDIATELY WENT AND PUSHED IN ALL MY TABS...HA


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MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader

With the Summer comes a time for MFCB Members to re-energize for a busy Fall, especially when it comes to Membership commitments. However, the Summer is when our Annual MFCB Membership Drive begins. It will begin after the ACB National Convention ends in Louisville and will continue into the Fall.

Just so Members can prepare, the Annual MFCB Membership Drive is done in cooperation with the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services in Daytona Beach. Those mailers will be sent 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.

More specific information on membership renewals will be in the September-October issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.

Also, a reminder that this year, THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE has become a bi-monthly publication, and we are hopeful that whoever reads it will continue to appreciate it, even with the lesser amount of issues. As MFCB President Shelley Justice has said previously, please feel free and contact any MFCB Officer with your feedback, and for those who receive THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE by e-mail, please do not reply to the Newsletter.

And I always accept submissions to THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.  All submissions for the September-October 2008 issue must arrive by regular mail or e-mail to me by the 15th of August 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 mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the next MFCB General Meeting to be held on September 6th!


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BIRTHDAY PEOPLE

JULY

6 - Dolores Lentz
7 - Shirley Singhofen
10 - Jackie Gideons
15 - Gertrude Greene
17 - Latrice Hampton
31 - Larry Turnbull

AUGUST

1 - Charles Prizmonte
16 - Scott Larson
20 - Shelley Justice
29 - Jessica Sears



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