THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN
Florida Council of The Blind, Inc.
January - February, 2002
FCB OFFICERS, 2000 - 2002
President:
Robert Miller
4128 Kreisch Way
Tallahassee, FL 32310
(850) 942-9821
E-mail:
EasyTalk@concentric.net
First Vice President:
Jesus Garcia
5955 W. 16th Lane
Hialeah, FL. 33012
(305) 471-0441 EXT (444)
E-mail:
JesusGar@BellSouth.net
Second Vice President:
Patti Davis
528 Orange Drive Unit 11
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
(407) 767-8616
E-mail:
PattiAnne@cfl.rr.com
Treasurer:
James R. Warth, Jr.
1548 Corydon Avenue
Spring Hill, FL 34609
(352) 686-9300
E-mail:
FCBCFO@tampabay.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Nancy Folsom
6500 Montrose Trail
Tallahassee, FL 32308
1-800-267-4448 (Note New Number)
E-mail:
Insight@nettally.com
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail:
sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Carl McCoy
180-B S.E. Villas Ct.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 553-9490
E-mail:
cmcoy@earthlink.net
Editors of White Cane Bulletin
Bill and Bobbie Probst
11721 Dunes Way Dr., N.
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1888
(904) 641-0709
FAX (904) 998-9012
E-Mail:
Wantom@aol.com
and
BobbieHP@aol.com
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public
Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized
entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary
works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that
are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any
further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is
an infringement of copyright.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
FCB Officers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Robert Miller
I would like to start by saying I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas
and a happy New Year. I would also like to thank all the Board Members and
Committee Chairs for their hard work and participation at our November Board
Meeting. As many of you probably recall, at our last convention we decided
to have a leadership seminar on Sunday morning following each of our board
meetings. Our first seminar was a huge success and according to the response
from many of the board members very useful and informative. Paul, thanks for
a job well done! We will be posting highlights of the seminar on our web site
soon.
As we move into the New Year we certainly don't have time to relax and think
our work is done. As the Legislators begin their session in January we must
also dig in and make sure our needs are addressed. On January 11, the Task
Force on Voting Accessibility will finalize our report to the legislature and
hopefully this will result in legislation that will be followed by other
states.
As many of you know for the past several years The Transportation
Disadvantaged Commission has attempted to obtain legislation that would
provide increased funding for transportation services that are so important
to us. I think this is the year that we all need to pull together and make
this effort a reality. The Voting Accessibility Task Force is recommending
supporting this effort since it has a direct effect on your ability to vote
as a disabled individual.
On January 30, there will be a "Rally in Talley" to support House Bill HB-141
and Senate Bill SB-100 jointly sponsored by The Transportation Disadvantaged
Commission and The Florida Independent Living Council. The events will start
at 9:00 A.M. and this would be an appropriate time to make contact with your
Senators and Representatives to ask for their support. FCB, along with the
Tallahassee Chapter, will have an exhibit table in the Courtyard of the
Capitol during this event. I would like for as many of you as possible to
attend, participate and help at the table to show our support in the passage
of these bills. We will also demonstrate adaptive technology and various
aids and this will certainly give us great exposure to our Legislators.
There will be free t-shirts and lunch for all participants. You may also
request a legislative workshop kit in accessible format to assist you in
contacting your Senators and Representatives if you are unable to attend. To
obtain these kits please contact The Transportation Disadvantaged Commission
by calling 1-800-983-2435.
I hope to see many of you at the "Rally in Talley!" If you need additional
information, please contact me at (850) 942-9821 or Carl McCoy at (850)
553-9490. Lets all take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to advocate
and be seen and heard.
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FCB SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 15
By Patti Davis, Education and Leadership Committee Co-Chairperson
The following scholarships are to be presented to outstanding college students and high school seniors who have been accepted by an accredited college in the coming year.
General criteria includes a grade point average of at least 3.0 And the
applicant must be a Florida resident.
Two letters of recommendation are required to be submitted with the
application along with documentation of visual condition. For more
information and to request an application form, please contact Ms. Patti
Davis,
528 Orange Drive, Unit 11
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
or e-mail her at:
PattiAnne@cfl.rr.com
or Scholarship and Leadership Committee
co-chairperson, Paul Edwards, at:
PEdwards@mdcc.edu
Don't delay in requesting your scholarship application form so there will be
time to acquire the supporting documents which you need to submit with your
completed application form. And remember, the deadline for receiving the
applications is April 15, 2002. Awards will be presented at the 2002 FCB
convention in Tampa on May 31.
*** "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly."
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TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED DAY IN TALLAHASSEE
by: Carl McCoy
Every year for the past several years there has been a legislative day to
promote transportation for the disadvantaged. This year it is jointly
sponsored by the Transportation Disadvantaged Commission and Florida
Independent Living Council.
The designated day is January 30, 2002. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. Jan. 30,
2002 with introductions and speeches, and exhibit tables set up in the
capitol court yard to promote all kinds of disability issues and these tables
are free.
Tee-shirts will be distributed for those attending promoting the legislative
day.
Lunch will be served at no cost to those attending.
The idea is to bring as many people as possible to tallahassee that day to
promote more funding for transportation. Any of you who can come should plan
to be there as early as possible and plan to see your legislator while you
are here. Of course, if you can't come then, please contact your legislator's
office at home and urge them to support additional funding for transportation
for the disadvantaged. The increased funding bills are in the house hb-141
and in the senate sb-100. Call your senator and representative and ask them
to sign on as a co-sponsor as many have already signed on.
For further information, call transportation disadvantaged commission at:
1-800-983-2435.
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ACCESS OPTIONS TO THE SECRET BALLOT, KEYS TO A FOUNDATIONAL CIVIL RIGHT
Edited by Debbie Grubb
(Reprinted from the soon to be published "Handbook on Accessible Voting" a report of the American Council of the Blind Task Force on Accessible Voting Chaired by Paul Edwards).
INTRODUCTION: There are two types of voting systems on the market today that
are replacing the antiquated lever machine and the unreliable punch card
ballot. They are the optical scan voting system that uses a mark sense
ballot, and the touch screen
or direct recording electronic (DRE) voting system. They operate using
basically the same types of information storage, retrieval and counting
systems. What differentiates them is the manner in which they intake
information. The optical scan system scans the ballot information into its
data banks by actually scanning a specially prepared paper (mark sense)
ballot marked by the voter. access to the paper optical scan (mark sense)
ballot by creating a template which is used in tandem with phone access to a
reader or recorded ballot information is being offered by some
municipalities. However, this is not a viable option for those who do not
possess good tactile skills and/or manual dexterity. (see "Texas 2000 Reg.
LEXIS 36742 September 8, 2000.
Alternative Methods of Providing a Secret Ballot to Persons with Physical Disabilities" presented later in this
section). The voter directly puts ballot information into the touch screen
or direct recording electronic (DRE) voting system by touching the screen in
the same manner used in information or transaction kiosks. The software
needed for the audio component of the touch screen equipment is installed in
each system. The hardware is portable and there need be only one component in
each precinct as it easily connects and disconnects from the touch screen
unit. Several manufacturers provide both touch screen and optical scan voting
systems and the computer systems that store, retrieve and count the ballot
information are run by the same or interfacing computerized data systems. If
you live in a municipality using the optical scan voting system, it is,
therefore, an excellent idea to ask which system is being used and then to
learn whether or not the manufacturer also provides a touch screen or direct
recording electronic (DRE) voting system and if, indeed, their data systems
are compatible. If they are, you might consider advocating for one touch
screen system with its access package in each or in key precincts. Some
manufacturers of election systems that have this capability as of this
writing are: ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE (ES&S),nHart InterCivic,'Global
Election Systems, Sequoia Pacific and UNILECT. I was told by more than one
company representative that if given the option, everyone would use the touch
screen system and no one in the precinct would choose to use the optical scan
ballot.
Remember that any system advocated for must have state certification.
Remember, too, that municipalities are mandated to use only one voting
system. Be prepared, therefore, when advocating for this access option, to
counter the argument that you are requesting an accommodation of using two
systems which by law the Supervisor of Elections cannot honor. Explain that
the primary difference is the manner in which the voter's ballot choices are
taken into the system, that it is an access issue, not a system choice or
management issue.
How are voting systems chosen? In most cases, the Supervisor of Elections
does the research and comes to the County Commissioners with bids from two or
three entities and a recommendation. The optical scan system is initially
less expensive than the touch screen system. As a result, County
Commissioners are, in these fiscally volatile times, much more likely to
choose that option. They fail to take into account the fact that there is an
ongoing expense for the preparation of the mark sense ballots and voter error
is frequent which means that once the machine has discarded the ballot, that
voter is eligible to try again. Supervisors of elections and county
commissioners and others involved in local and state government must be
reminded that access to government programs and services is ours by law as is
the right to the secret ballot. The touch screen or direct recording
electronic (DRE)
voting system provides seamless access to the secret, independent and
verifiable ballot to all Americans whether or not they can read, speak
English, or have physical or sensory impairments.
The Avaya Voter Solution is a phone system that can be used to interface, in
other words, interact, with any voting system. It is not a voting system; it
is a voting system interface. All of the voting systems for which national
and/or state certification have been applied of which ACB is aware are
covered in this document.
When discussing voting systems with company representatives, it is good to
remember that this is a highly competitive business. Be sure to familiarize
yourself with the state and municipal certification requirements for voting
systems and be sure to closely quiz vendor representatives about the market
readiness and certification status of their product in your state.
*** "I'm only attending school until it becomes available on CD-Rom." -
Anonymous Sixth Grader
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LOW COST COMPUTERS
By Doug Hall
Do you wish you had a computer, but can't afford the cost?
Do you want a machine that will enable you to write letters, keep records, send e-mail or serf the internet? Now here's your chance! Refurbished pentium computers are
available, for a minimum cost, to interested persons who have disabilities.
The computers come with Windows and several other programs, including a demo
copy of a speech screen reader. A tutorial containing five audio cassettes,
introduces the listener to Microsoft Windows, E-mail, surfing the net and
other activities.
For more information, contact Robert Langford at the Texas Center for the
Physically Impaired,
11330 Quail Run
Dallas, TX 75238.
Mr. Langford's telephone number is (214) 340-6328
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NOTABLE QUOTES
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
- Dolly Parton
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- Gandhi
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VOICE OF THE MEMBERS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear White Cane Bulletin Editors:
Recently I was involved in helping draft a resolution to bring before the
Florida Council of the Blind Board of Directors regarding people with
disabilities being allowed to enlist in the military. This resolution
basically explained the discrimination being practiced by the military, that
folks with disabilities could perform certain duties assigned to military
enlistees, the high rate of unemployment in the disabled community and asked
the American Council of the Blind to join us in insisting upon access.
The resolution unfortunately did not pass. Some opposition raised was that
if there was a draft we would be required to sign up and that all enlistees
must be able to fire a gun. Should we, as an advocacy organization, not try
to advocate against discrimination, do something to alleviate the
unemployment problem and tell the military, the whole world what we "can do"
not what we can't do? Furthermore, shouldn't we as Americans be ready and
willing to participate in any way possible to protect and assist this country
in her time of need?
I feel sure FCB has not heard the last of this resolution and would like to
hear other's opinions on this subject. It is my belief that we who are
disabled can serve this nation, all be it with some restrictions. Case in
point, people who work for Air Lines don't necessarily have to be pilots and
people in the medical profession don't have to be surgeons. Thanks for
letting me share and I hope you will too.
Sincerely,
Sila Miller
4128 Kreisch Way
Tallahassee, FL 32305
(850) 942-9821
Email:
sila@easytalkcomputers.com
*** "
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man."
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2002 CONVENTION PREVIEW
LOCATION CHANGED TO TAMPA DOUBLETREE
By Debbie Grubb, Convention Committee Chairperson
The FCB Convention Committee proudly announces that the 2002 Convention of the Florida Council of the Blind will take place from Thursday, May 30,
through Sunday, June 2 at the Doubletree Hotel Tampa - Westshore. Room rates
are: single, double, triple and quad, $65 per night and junior suites are
available for $69 per night.
On Thursday, May 30, for your enjoyment and by popular demand, there will be
a tour of Busch Gardens. On Friday, May 31, members will have the
opportunity to participate in FCB's annual legislative seminar, our second
annual awards banquet and the welcome to Tampa party. On Saturday, June 1,
the general session program will be devoted to how each of us can play a role
in making the voting experience in our communities an accessible and positive
one for all individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Following that
presentation, there will be two workshop choices and the afternoon will be
filled with interesting programming from the FCB special interest affiliates.
The day will end with the FCB annual banquet and party.
Sunday programming gives you the opportunity to participate in the business
of the organization and to elect the officers that will serve FCB for the
next two years.
Further details about all aspects of the convention will appear in future
editions of "The White Cane Bulletin".
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere
gratitude to the hard working men and women who serve with me on the
Convention Committee. Many thanks to Jim Kracht, convention set up; Rosanna
Lippen, hotel relations; Sila Miller, registration; Sharon Youngs, exhibits,
and Jim Warth, Convention Call and Program preparation and general
consultant.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Tampa.
*** "Success is relative, the more success the more relatives."
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ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT MAKING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS?
By Benjamin Franklin
Thinking about making some New Years Resolutions? If you haven't thought about it, Benjamin Franklin, one of the most respected founding father's of
our country, will lend a helping hand from his autobiography. He reflected
on his character and picked out 13 virtues in which he felt he needed to
change his habits to become perfect. These along with his explanations are:
If you have resolutions you would like to share, write in and we will add
them to Ben's in the next issue.
Editors resolution for you: BE HAPPY,
lighten up, have some fun and keep it simple.
*** Seen in a church bulletin: "The choir invites anyone who enjoys sinning
to join the choir in the church basement to practice."
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CONGRATULATIONS, BETTY SPARROW
The Mid-Florida Chapter in Orlando is very proud to announce that member
Betty Sparrow received the "Points of Life Award" from Governor Jeb Bush at a
gala ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee on October 16.
What makes this so special is that Betty is the first blind person to receive
this honor. It is given for outstanding volunteer and community service each
year. Betty has devoted herself to serving the community for many years and
deserves to be recognized for her efforts.
Betty went to Tallahassee by special invitation as a guest of the Governor to
receive her award. While in Tallahassee, she was given a tour of the State
Capitol and, by special invitation, visited Governor Bush in his office.
Television Channel 13 in Orlando carried coverage of the event for the next
three days.
"This was a wonderful event," Betty said,"I'll never forget it." Speaking of
the talents and abilities many people who are blind possess, she said, "It's
not a blind thing but a mind thing."
Congratulations, Betty, keep up the good work.
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Not ALL THE HEROS WERE AT "GROUND ZERO"
By Dorothy Long, Staff Writer The Asbury Citizen
The search dogs assisting rescue efforts at the World Trade Center disaster
site have their paws protected by a product made in Auburn.
As they sniff their way through mountains of debris seeking survivors, canines wear special
boots donated by Auburn Leathercrafters. Auburn Leathercrafters is a
family-owned company that manufactures leather dog accessories. The boots
worn by the rescue dogs are a flat piece of strong split cowhide leather that
folds up around the dog's foot and laces up the front. There are openings in
front allowing the claws to remain free. The boots were initially designed to
protect the feet of hunting dogs in rough terrain. They were also used at
Oklahoma City. The Dungey family, owners of Auburn Leathercrafters, learned
that the dog shoes could also be of value in rescue situations after they
were used during the recovery operation at the Murrah Federal Building, which
was bombed by domestic terrorists in Oklahoma City in 1995. So on September
11 when news of the attack broke, Walter Dungey contacted local police
agencies about the boots, offering to send them to New York City. "We don't
sell enough to keep more than a few sets on hand. We make them on demand," he
said. They pulled two workers off of regular production Tuesday (September
11) afternoon and had 33 sets ready to be carried down by state police.
Wednesday, they learned more were needed. Dungey and his brothers, Alan and
Byron, scrambled to make 40 more sets. "(The boots) keep a well-trained dog
who is a valuable asset in a situation like this on the job," Dungey said.
"It protects them from sharp rubble."
*** Read in a church bulletin: "The pastor will give his farewell message,
after which the choir will sing 'Break Forth Into Joy'."
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FLYING THE UNTHINKING SKIES - FLYING BLIND
From Blind News - Assistive Technology - October 3, 2001
By John M. Williams
At airports across the U.S., the disabled are being scrutinized and
delayed more than ever before. Security is essential, but so is common sense.
Gerald Cohen, an electronics engineer who is blind, arrived at Los
Angeles International Airport on Sept. 18 two hours before his flight time,
confident that he would make his flight even with heightened security. Three
hours later, his plane was in the air, but he was still on the ground,
detained by security officials. Cohen, 33, says he was supposed to be met by
airport personnel
who usually assist him when he flies. Instead, confused security officials
kept telling him to go inside. When he refused, he says they held him for
questioning. "Being blind definitely is a disability in this climate," Cohen
said.
Mohammed Fadl, 28, who is deaf, was walking through the Cleveland Airport
with his friend, Fiesal Jarrah, on Sept. 18 when security personnel stopped
them. "We were asked to accompany them to an interrogation room," he said.
Several hours later, they say they were released, but they, too, missed their
plane. "The security police thought because we are Middle Eastern and we were
signing to each other, we were communicating in code," said Fadl, a native of
Chicago, Ill., where he teaches sign language. Air travel has never been easy
for people with disabilities. But as the nation's air travel system tries to
return to some semblance of normalcy after the terrorist attacks in New York
and Washington on Sept. 11, stories of people with disabilities being
detained, missing flights, and feeling mistreated are on the rise. To some
extent, it's understandable. Airports and airport security are on heightened
alert, and inconveniences have grown for all travelers,
not just the disabled. But airport officials must understand that these are
especially difficult times for travelers who can't speak, see, or hear, and
those who use wheelchairs.
ADDED PRECAUTIONS. I have received telephone calls from scores of people
with disabilities telling me of their traveling woes at airports. In two
cases, blind people were told they could not take their canes on the plane
because they could be used as weapons, and they were questioned about their
guide dogs, which security officials seem to be concerned might be used as
attack dogs once on the plane.
(We) recognize the need for additional precautions. But the woes for disabled
travelers also extend to the assistive technology they bring on board. At
Atlanta's International Airport, a Braille 'n
Speak was taken from a blind passenger, checked, and returned only after the
passenger landed in Denver, where it was checked again. Braille 'n Speak is a
note taker and personal organizer for blind and visually impaired people.
Users can store more than 2,500 pages of Braille information on it. A
security spokesman for the Denver Airport told me, "We were unfamiliar with
the product and were
surprised he got it on board [in the first place]."
Representatives from the six airlines I called, plus airport authorities, had
similar messages on providing assistance to people with disabilities. They
encourage disabled travelers to call the airlines ahead of time for
assistance, and to be very specific about when they will arrive.
MORE TRAINING, PLEASE. These are difficult times for everyone. People with
disabilities, along with able-bodied individuals, will have to wait in longer
lines than usual and must arrive at airports earlier than has been their
custom. All travelers will have to submit to more stringent searches then
they have in the past and must be very careful about what they bring aboard.
Their lives depend on it.
At the same time, the government and airline authorities must redouble their
efforts in training personnel on the needs of passengers with disabilities.
Sign language must be taught to safety personnel. More TTYs must be
established at airports to allow hearing-impaired people to call in the event
of
emergencies. And security personnel must understand the equipment that people
with disabilities routinely carry. With the airlines hungry for business,
every passenger counts.
*** From a church bulletin "Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our
church and community."
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GOODIES FROM MEMBERS' KITCHENS
Chocolate Cheerio Bars, By Jean Knutsen
Butter a square 9X9 pan. In a sauce pan, heat syrup to boiling point. Remove
from heat and add chocolate pieces and vanilla, stirring until chocolate
pieces are melted.
Add cereal and stir until well coated. Spread the
mixture in the buttered pan, spreading with the back of a buttered spoon.
Cool one hour then cut into squares. Makes about 3 dozen.
After the Holidays
"More dimes then dollars?" Macaroni & Beef Saute By Bobbie Ress,
Port Charlotte Chapter
In medium skillet place oil, beef, macaroni and onions.
Cook until beef is browned. Drain off fat. Add the remaining
ingredients. Cover and simmer until macaroni is tender. About 20 minutes,
uncover & cook a little longer to reduce sauce. Makes two generous servings.
Romano cheese is good on top. Serve with green beans, salad, corn bread and
a fruit for desert.
CORN PUDDING By Elizabeth Bazo
Whip eggs with milk, add all other ingredients, pour into a buttered
casserole dish and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
*** Sign in a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry, come in
and get fed up."
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CHAPTER NEWS
Halifax Chapter, By Doug Hall
The members of Halifax Council of the Blind met on November 10 to elect 2002
officers, which are: President, Irene Hewett; First VP, Gwen Rollins; Second
VP, Patricia Lipovsky; Recording Secretary, David Jollymore; Treasurer, Dan
Grau; Membership Secretary, Zeena Hogsbro; and FCB Board Representative,
Irene Hewett.
At the recent FCB Board meeting, both Pat and Irene represented HCB and
participated in committee meetings. This enabled Irene to familiarize herself
with the workings of the Board and give her an opportunity to decide just
which committees she wishes to join.
*** "When all else fails, follow the directions."
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FCB CHAPTER LIAISONS
Official Chapters Telephone Numbers
- The End -
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