FCB OFFICERS, 2002 - 2004
President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail: easytalk@earthlink.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:
Dan Spoone
3924 Lake Mirage Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32817
(407) 678-4163
E-mail: dan.spoone@siemens.com
Treasurer:
Patti Davis
6933 Alpert Drive
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
E-mail: pattianne1@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Linda Jacobson
2815 Circle Ridge Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 272-8405
E-mail: jacobsli@concentric.net
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
2069 Dellwood Dr.
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_1@juno.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
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Robert Miller
E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENT - Elizabeth Bowden
ARE YOU MOVING? - Linda Jacobson
Gerald Jahoda - Tallahassee - Sila Miller
Ability Vs Disability - Submitted by Jack Varnon
Can I Or Can't I - Cross Now - Debbie Grubb
Something to Ponder - Food For Thought - I Believe ----
Center helps those who recently lost sight to re-learn life's skills By Sam Tranum, Staff Writer South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sense of Humor & A Good Church Fund Raising Idea
Why Are You Here? - by Jack Varnon
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Hotels Learn to Deal With Disability
By Dave Koeppel - New York Times
submitted by: Rosanna Lippen
Information for Alumni Convention Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine
By: Dot Sowell
Window Eyes Discount for ACB Members - By: Robert Miller
Handy Telephone Numbers
Chapter Liaisons
*** Quotes ***
CONTINUE TO HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2004
May it be a healthy, happy and smiling year for all
ALL YEAR LONG!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Upcoming Events:
FCB Convention June 3 - 6, 2004 - Doubletree, Tampa
Convention: Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St Augustine (June 25, 26, 27 - 2004)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Robert Miller
I would like to take this time to share some information about the national convention In Birmingham Alabama and highlight some of the discussions that were held at the mid-year presidents meeting.
This year the convention will be held July 3 through the 10th at The Sheraton Birmingham, located at 2101 Richard Arrington BLVD Birmingham Alabama 35205. For Reservations call 1(800) 325-3535. Room rates are about $85.00 with tax. For information about free shuttle service from the airport, call (205) 324-5000.
The shuttle leaves the airport on the hour and half hour. The Hotel is very large with 750 guest rooms and has two restaurants and a gift shop. There aren't any restaurants with in walking distance of the hotel but a cab ride to the nearest ones should run around $6.00. This shouldn't be too much of a problem though, since ACB is trying something new this year. (ACB Dinners), an evening meal costing around $7.00 with a choice between 2 entrees with 2 vegetables. There will also be food stands in the convention center, which is only a short catwalk from the hotel.
Shortly after arriving at the hotel for the Mid-year President's meeting, I was informed of the unfortunate resignation of Steve Speicher, ACB's first Vice President. Along with the resignation of Board Member Dawn Christensen, this meant the Board had to elect new members. Mitch Pomerantz was elected by the Board to fill Steve's position, which left two openings on the board. David Trott, President of the Alabama affiliate and Cynthia Towers were elected. All of the people elected at Mid Year will be up for re-election at the National convention by the membership.
On Saturday afternoon, we had a meeting facilitated by Barry Levine to discuss some of the recent situations in ACB, which have caused concern to many leaders and members. The affiliate leaders were allowed to ask various questions and Barry fielded the responses from appropriate leaders and committee chairs. Without going into lengthy detail, there were many questions asked and some answers given. Although some of the questions couldn't be answered do to confidentiality, I think the majority of the affiliate presidents felt much better after the meeting. It was the consensus that we couldn't change the events of the past but there is a strong bond with and much love for ACB and all want to put ACB back on track and get back to promoting a better life for the Blind community.
There have been many statements and proposals with regard to how to best deal with the recent resignations of some ACB employees and leaders by various affiliates. So far, none of these proposals appear to be constitutional or would require a two-thirds vote by the Board and would probably be time consuming. I believe the best solution to our current problem regarding leadership and the direction of ACB is to use our right to vote for several board members at our national convention in Alabama. In essence, the board members are our ACB employees or voice of governance between conventions and if they aren't doing the job, we have a right and responsibility to elect new board members at each convention who will work for the betterment of us all. As Birmingham isn't all that far, I hope many of you will attend and make your voices heard.
Now I must share some sad news that requires action in your local area. Four ACB members have been hit by vehicles in the past five weeks. Both Jeff Thom, Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and Al Pietrolungo, President of the Maryland affiliate suffered broken legs. We need to band together and press the issue of the need for audible pedestrian signals through out the state of Florida before we are telling our own tails of injury or even worse, fatalities. I encourage local chapters to make this a priority project and please share your success stories with the rest of us. In the mean time, be careful. Remember, cars can turn right on red in Florida and many drivers are still using cellular phones while driving in spite of the laws prohibiting this.
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If you would like your subscription options changed to E-mail, please send an e-mail message to:
esbowden@nettally.com
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If you are moving please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also if you know of
anyone interested in joining FCB and would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum please contact me at
(904) 272-8405 or E-mail: jacobsli@bellsouth.net
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A reception to celebrate the life of Dr. Jerry Jahoda was held at the Tallahassee Senior Citizens Center on October 28, 2003 where he had volunteered teaching French and German language classes. There was a host of family, friends, former students and neighbors who were in attendance and shared their fond memories about Jerry. He was a professor at Florida State University in the Research Department, a mediator with the Leon County Court system, a researcher on a host of topics but most of all, a gentleman who truly cared about his fellow human. He was a longtime member of the Tallahassee Chapter of FCB and made great strides in opening doors for people who are blind through both his professional and personal interactions with others.
He and his wife, Pat traveled around Europe on a tandem bicycle and were both instrumental in helping to make Tallahassee, indeed Florida a better place for pedestrians and folks in general through helping to organize informational fairs and bring art awareness to us all!
Mr. Jahoda, rest in peace and know you truly made a difference to a lot of us! Thank you!
*** Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller ***
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"It helps you realize that you have abilities, not disabilities", commented Ryan Lindstrom, a wheel chair participant in the Gatorsports event held July 18 & 19, 2003, on the campus of Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville.
Dr. Carolyn Hanson, University of Florida professor in occupational therapy, organized the sports event to provide an opportunity for the disabled to discover their abilities in sports. and give the volunteer therapy students direct experience in assisting participants in the various events as shot put, speed walking, fencing martial arts, etc. it was great fun as well as educational for all involved.
Can a totally blind person fence (sword fight)? the eight blind participants, Todd Bowen, James Duke, Reggie Howard, Joan Miles, Lenora McGowan, Deborah Simmons, Maxine Stallings and Jack Varnon, from the Alachua County Council of The Blind (ACCB), an affiliate chapter of the Florida Council of The Blind, discovered the answer -- from a recreational standpoint, yes!
When Dr. Hanson encouraged me to give it a try, my initial reaction was "you got to be kidding"! but in a few minutes, I found myself in a protective jacket, steel helmet/mask glove and fencing sword in hand with a buzzer on the sword tip. Ditto for my opponent. The rules of "attack & defend" were explained. when the referee gave the command, "start"! My opponent and I went at it. After a few exchanges of "touche'", I began to have a sense of where my opponent's sword was, which way to parry his attack and respond with my attack. It was an amazing revelation how much fun it was in spite of the concentrated competitiveness of this sport.
Martial arts (open hand defense) for a blind person. the instructor, Alex Heyman, demonstrated the several simple techniques for breaking holds and moves that convey the message that you are not an easy mark for a mugger. Mr. Heyman gave instructions on what to do if things become a matter of life or death to survive. Amazingly, even people in wheel chairs can defend themselves despite the restraints of their mobility. the ACCB group agrees this educational seminar is a must for any blind person who travels or goes places alone.
Toward the end of the event, the participants were treated to a massage - aahhhh, need I say more. the event ended with a pizza party and a live band. It was great fun for all involved.
It is indeed a great feeling when one does realize that you have abilities, not just disability.
*** The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds - Dr. Albert Schweitzer ***
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How well I remember the Saturday afternoons of childhood that my sister, Terri, and I spent with our friends in the Marva Theater watching films that were a year or more beyond their premier. Parents would drop us off at the only movie theater in town and we could hardly wait to rush into Mr. George Reed's store to purchase cherry smash, popcorn and whatever candy from the shelf struck our fancy. The Marva was owned by Mr. Dawson and Miss Hattie Clark and Miss Hattie would be at the window to sell us our tickets and after giving her the forty cents, moist and hot from our expectant hands, we would hold for a moment or two that piece of paper that granted us entree into the world of the movies. Mr. Roger, an old Clark family friend, would take our tickets and watch as we entered the theater that seemed cavernous to us, making sure that we found seats. Mr. Dawson, who ran the projector, always came over the loud speaker to tell us boys and girls to be good and not to talk during the movie. The lights would go down and every week, all the kids except us brave few, would scream and then the magic that drew us to that place every Saturday afternoon would begin.
How different are movie theaters today with their many film offerings, prepaid ticket orders by credit card, impersonal ticket sellers who want only to know what it is you plan to see and how many tickets you want. The feel of the place is sterile and the smell is artificial and the snacks, besides costing enough to retire a fraction of the national debt, are prepackaged and as impersonal as those who wait to take your dollars.
I remember too the traffic sounds and the feel of the pavement and the asphalt under my feet when I learned to cross at a major intersection. All it took was a discerning ear, a bit of grit, nerve and determination, and I was off, tasting my first moments of real freedom. The wave of the traffic in front of me crested and I stood still, primed for movement, filled with anticipation. The tide turned and the wave of parallel traffic began its rise and I moved, free and sure and delighted in my accomplishment.
The days of the little hometown theater with one offering and the corner drug store with its soda fountain and shelves stocked with children's favorites are gone. The days of the pedestrian predictable intersection are gone. They have fled to make way for more people, more choices greater freedom to learn, enjoy, explore and move. If we are truly to live in today's world, we can do more than remember with fondness and a wisp of nostalgia those days for the beginnings that they were for all of us. Movie goers are confronted with choices almost 24 hours a day. Those negotiating the streets and highways of this country grow in number. The day of the one vehicle family is gone, as choice and the need and freedom to move becomes the norm of this country.
I was reminded of these truths anew As I moderated the FCB 2001 pedestrian safety session this Spring. One truth that has not changed and that I pray will never change is this. Driving a vehicle is still considered a privilege for which a license is required. Traversing the streets and highways of this great nation as a pedestrian is a right guaranteed by law.
In an effort to move the ever increasing traffic flow and with the advance of more reliable and less costly computer technology, traffic engineers have made some very significant and creative changes to the way in which traffic is controlled. Gone is the traffic control device that like the clock that it was, timed the period of ebb and flow of traffic on the intersection regardless of the time of day.
Although pre-timed traffic controllers remain a very popular way of controlling traffic movement, the timing changes throughout the day to best take advantage of the established daily traffic patterns. This makes access to the pedestrian walk signal information even more essential for all pedestrians.
The intersection that is fully or partially traffic-actuated, (traffic controlled by detectors or sensors in one or both streets of the intersection that read traffic flow which determines the length of a traffic phase and if that phase will be in the cycle) makes access to The pedestrian call button that initializes the pedestrian walk phase allowing time in the cycle for a person to cross the intersection absolutely crucial.
To add to this access nightmare, there are no standards in place for pedestrian call buttons and you may find them snug at the corner or several feet behind you or up a hill or down the block. Even if you are successful in locating this button, precious seconds of the "walk" phase are lost as you try to guess exactly when it is safe to begin the crossing. Blended curbs made identification of crosswalks sometimes iffy at best.
What can we do? Technology exists to assist the pedestrian who is blind or visually impaired to locate the pedestrian call button and to access the information provided to pedestrians when it is activated. Materials exist to assist in the locating of the crosswalk.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Bible of traffic engineers, now states, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the American Council of the Blind, "The design and operation of traffic control signals shall take into consideration the needs of pedestrians, including those with disabilities, as well as vehicular traffic." County by county, traffic engineers must be educated about our access problems, their causes and their solutions. Access to our streets and highways, true to the spirit of the ADA, for now comes one intersection at a time, as traffic engineers are educated and catch our vision and allocate ever decreasing funds to our cause.
The American Council of the Blind Pedestrian Safety Handbook, designed as a resource for advocates and traffic engineers, is available in all formats free of charge from the ACB National Office, (202) 467-5081 or from the ACB Website:
http://www.acb.org
In its pages, the problems of accessing the modern intersection and access options available now are thoroughly dealt with from every angle by experts. Technology is described and vendors are listed. Let's begin the work of making the streets and highways of this country accessible to all its citizens!
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I believe- that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe- that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe- that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe- that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe- that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe- that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe- that you can keep going long after you can't.
I believe- that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe- that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe- that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I believe- that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe- that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe- that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I believe- that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe- that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe- that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I believe- that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe- that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe- that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe- that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe- that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe- that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe- that two people can look at the exact same thing and see. Something totally different.
I believe- that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe- that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you will find the strength to help.
I believe- that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe- that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
*** If I would have known that I was going to live so long, I would have taken much better care of myself - Mickey Mantle ***
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West Palm Beach --. Two years ago, John Trabulsi had 20/20 vision. Today, he is blind. Now that diabetes has taken his vision, he must relearn how to make his way through the world. It takes some adjustments, some new skills.
That's why Trabulsi, 62, goes to the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind's classes. On Monday, after some practice reading Braille and a session on dealing with stress, students worked on making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. "I don't know how much peanut butter I have on the knife," Trabulsi fretted. "How am I supposed to figure it out? I like a lot of peanut butter." Other students and group leader Carolyn Lapp did their best to guide him. It was the often-joked-about situation of the blind leading the blind.
That's just the way Lapp, president of the Palm Beach County chapter of the advocacy group National Federation of the Blind, likes it. That's part of the reason she started the center about nine months ago. She says it's the only place in Palm Beach County where blind instructors teach blind students independent-living skills. The other part is that she simply didn't think there were adequate services for blind people in the county.
Trabulsi goes to four or five classes and groups in an effort to stay busy and avoid sitting home alone. He says learning from blind teachers such as Lapp has advantages. "There's no doubt about it. When you have instruction from somebody who is blind, they already know what you're going through," Trabulsi said. "The other counselors who just go to school, they don't have that experience."
It seemed to work pretty well Monday. The center still is hunting for a permanent location, so classes are in the Piccadilly Cafeteria in West Palm Beach. About 12 people, with varying amounts of vision, showed up. They sat in front of cafeteria trays loaded with jars of peanut butter and jelly, butter knives, plates and slices of bread. Lapp suggested digging a little peanut butter out of the jar and starting to spread it from the middle of the bread outward. Pretty soon everyone was done and many were munching on their work.
Lapp has big plans for her new center. She envisions a Florida Outreach Center for the Blind that hires blind people to help other blind people. To make it all happen, she is searching for grant money and a 2,500-square-foot location.
Dawn Clemons, a spokeswoman for the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, took exception to Lapp's claim that Palm Beach County didn't have adequate services for the blind. She said the Lighthouse had been doing a very good job as the primary nonprofit organization serving the nearly 43,000 blind and visually impaired county residents. Clemons said having blind instructors is less important than having qualified instructors. She said Lighthouse hires instructors certified to teach people with visual disabilities. Rosanna Lippen, a spokeswoman for the Broward County chapter of the advocacy group Florida Council of the Blind, also thinks sight doesn't prevent someone from being able to teach blind people effectively. "A lot of times a blind teacher will give a better perspective," said Lippen, who is blind. "But there are times when you need a sighted person. If I was newly blind and somebody who is blind is going to show me how to get around, I would not have that trust."
Despite the disagreements on philosophy, it's good that Lapp took the initiative to fill what she saw as a gap in services, said Sam Atwood, a client advocate for the Florida Division of Blind Services. "I think that the more people take responsibility for their own progress, the better they will do," he said.
Sam Tranum can be reached at:
stranum@sun-sentinel.com
or 561-243-6522.
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Give me a sense of humor Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, after the worship service, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute.
The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said, Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist.
***It's hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed -
Theodore Roosevelt ***
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Every chapter affiliated with FCB has constitution/bylaws to define its relationship to the state organization and rules on how the chapter is governed. Generally the charter members of a chapter know what is written in their constitution/bylaws. However, as the chapter grows in membership, most new members do not know what the chapter's constitution says; furthermore do not fully appreciate or understand the purpose of the chapter.
Most members join a chapter because of people they knew were members or were invited by a friend to come to an organization meeting. What seems to happen is the organization meeting becomes a mild form of recreation where the new member enjoys a meal, gripe about employment, transportation and other problems stemming from being visually impaired. Then they go home, do nothing until the next organization meeting. With this type of membership discipline, the chapter ceases to be an effective advocacy organization.
I suggest that you evaluate your chapter's ability to be an effective advocacy organization with the following questions:
1. Does your chapter give every new member a copy of its constitution/bylaws?
2. Have the members read the constitution/bylaws carefully?
3. During the year, does your chapter review each article in its constitution/bylaws with all the members?
4. Are the members very familiar with the mission statement as defined in the chapter's constitution/bylaws?
5. Do the members really know what "Project Insight" is all about?
6. What percentage of the membership participate in the chapter's effort to provide support for those who have recently become blind and don't know what to do?
7. What percentage of the membership is involved with other community organizations like International Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and Chamber of Commerce?
8. What percentage of the membership is involved with the various city/county citizens' disability advisory boards?
9. What percentage of the membership represents your chapter at the local governmental meeting & public forums?
10. Does your chapter hold workshops to educate members to the full extent of the Randolph-Shepard Act?
11. What percentage of the membership participate in chapter projects to educate the public on how to properly assist the blind, white cane safety awareness, and the capabilities of the visually impaired?
By this time you should have a feel for your chapter's capacity to be an effective leader to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than ourselves and know why you are here.
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An important example of a disease whose prevalence increases with age is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is now the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States. AMD causes the macula (the central part of the retina) to deteriorate, gradually destroying the sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving.
Although there is no cure for AMD, smoking, diet, and genetics appear to be contributing factors. Therefore, quitting smoking (or, better yet, never starting) and modification of diet may help lessen the chance of getting AMD. Recent polls have shown that even though ten million Americans, mostly women, have some form of AMD, two-thirds of Americans have never heard of the disease and do not know how they can help to protect themselves and their family members.
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It is one thing to mandate rights to the disabled and another for service providers to treat them with sensitivity and respect. But executives with disabilities say the travel industry finally seems to be getting it right.
The 12-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act gets a lot of credit for forcing a national re-evaluation of attitudes toward the disabled. And with spending by disabled travelers exceeding $3 billion a year, an industry that operates on razor-thin profit margins has become eager to please, even hiring consultants to train employees on how to behave. Whatever the causes, the difference between now and then is striking.
Just ask Sharon Myers, a medal-winner in the Para-Olympics. Paralyzed by polio since she was 3, Ms. Myers, a 56-year-old Virginian, recalled being carried onto a plane in Cincinnati more than 20 years ago, only to be kept waiting as the pilot and ground crew argued for 45 minutes about who was responsible for taking her to her seat. "I was sitting facing every person on that plane," Ms. Myers, now the director for disability affairs at the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality, said at a conference that her nonprofit consulting group organized in Miami last month. "Here I was a world ambassador in sports, experiencing my most humiliating travel encounter. No one even apologized."
For Ms. Myers and other travelers with disabilities, however, such ordeals have become rarer as employees in hotels, restaurants, airports and car-rental agencies have learned more about their special needs, both physical and emotional. "In the last few years, I have been treated with the utmost respect whenever I fly," Ms. Myers said. "There's been an absolute turn-around."
When she first started traveling for sports competitions and conference appearances in the 1960's and 70's, it was often impossible for her to get her wheelchair through the bedroom doors of hotels. These days, she generally has no such problem, especially if she specifies in advance that she wants an accessible room with roll-in showers and hand-held shower heads.
Disabled travelers spend about $3.6 billion a year, according to a 2003 study by the Open Doors Organization, a Chicago-based group that researches services and products for disabled customers. The study showed that of America's 54 million disabled people, about 2.8 million travel solely for business and an additional 2.5 million combine business and leisure travel. It suggested that disabled people would travel more frequently and stay longer if the industry worked harder to accommodate their needs. Cheryl Duke, the president of WC Duke Associates in Woodford, Va., has heard plenty of horror stories about the rude behavior of service providers, like the hotel waiter who embarrassed a blind business traveler by shouting, "Who's going to pay this blind guy's bill," and employees at another establishment who turned away blind customers with guide dogs because animals were not allowed on the premises.
WC Duke runs a training program called Opening Doors to educate service providers on the do's and don'ts of dealing with disabled travelers. Ms. Duke, along with her husband William and son Paul, conduct about 60 training programs a year for hotel, airline and restaurant personnel of clients like American Airlines, Embassy Suites and the Intercontinental Hotel Groups, the parent of the Holiday Inn chain. She says the company's videos have been used about 75,000 times in the last five years, and that its revenues have more than doubled in that time.
Murray Krasnoff, an Orlando tour operator and part-time trainer for the Opening Doors program, said that he had frequently seen employees ignore wheelchair customers by directing all their questions to an able-bodied companion. "I tell them it's their legs that don't work, not their mouths," Mr. Krasnoff said at a workshop he led called the "Ten Commandments of Disability" at last month's society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality conference. "People are so afraid of doing the wrong thing. Not doing anything is the worst thing you can do."
*** Laughter is the best medicine for a long and happy life. He who laughs - lasts. Wilferd Peterson ***
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Alumni, former students and friends of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, come join us for the FSDB Alumni Convention which will be held on the FSDB campus in St. Augustine on June 25, 26 and 27, 2004. Cost for the weekend is $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for children 6 through 12 and free for children under 5. This price includes dinner on Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. There will be a boat ride, bingo, a sing-along, auction and plenty of good times with old friends.
The Alumni Association encourages you to bring unused small personal care items such as shaving cream, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair spray, etc. for the Adopt-a-Student program. This program helps underpriviledged students attending the school.
The school will furnish bed linens and pillows but you must bring a towel and washcloth. The only car entrance that will be open for the Alumni weekend is the secured gate at Genoply Street. This is the first street south of the main entrance on San Marco Avenue.
If you have questions, or would like to request a registration form and agenda, please contact Dot Sowell at (904) 829-8415 or by e-mail at:
sowelld@aug.com
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In support of The American Council of The Blind, GW Micro and Easy Talk are pleased to offer the following discount to all ACB members. This offer will be beneficial to both you and ACB.
All ACB members will receive a 10% discount off the retail price of Window-Eyes. Additionally, when you purchase either the standard or professional version of Window-Eyes, The American Council of the Blind will receive 10% of the cost of your purchase. This offer is good through March 20th. Don't miss out on a good deal and on helping a great organization!
You may purchase your copy of the "most rock solid screen reader" on line at the ACB online store or by calling Easy Talk at (850) 906-9821.Verification of membership is required.
Finally - Smile Awhile - Anyway
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Project Insight: 1-800-267-4448
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library 1-800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services (Tallahassee) 1-800-342-1828
American Council of The Blind 1-800-424-8666(available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday )
ACB Legislative Hotline: 1-800-424-8666 (Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)
AT&T Disability Services: 1-800-872-3883
Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier
BellSouth Disability Services: 780-2273 from anywhere
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
24-hour voice and touch tone accessible
Outta Sight Travel: 1-866-338-7647 Phone - 772-336-TRIP (8747) E-mail:
gmtravel@bellsouth.net
Cheap Computers for The Blind: (But Good) - $100.00
Includes Shipping. Mr. Langford: Phone (214) 340-6328
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Bobbie Probst: Clay, Alachua, Halifax, PSLCB (904) 641-0709
Robert Miller: Tallahassee, Pinellas County (850) 906-9821
Lee Stallworth: Pensacola, Port Charlotte, FABS (850) 433-5663
Patti Davis: Mid Florida, Tampa, RSVF - (407) 767-8616
Carl McCoy: Brevard, Palm Beach County, Polk - (850) 553-9490
Nancy Folsom: Ocala, Greater Tampa, FCCLV (850) 893-8650
Sharon Youngs: Plant City, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood - (727) 937-8631
Jesus Garcia: Miami Metro, Broward - (305) 654-8329
Jim Warth: Greater Miami, Jacksonville - (813) 251-8469
-THE END-
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