FCB OFFICERS, 2004 - 2006
President:
Paul Edwards
20330 N. E. 20th Ct.
Miami, FL 33179
(305) 692-9206
E-mail: edwpaul@comcast.net
First Vice President:
Debbie Grubb
4215 17th Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34205-1418
(941) 749-6178
E-mail: debbiecg@verizon.net
Second Vice President:
James R. Warth, Jr.
1859 N. Washington Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 461-7067
E-mail: james.warth@verizon.net
Treasurer:
Patti Davis Land
6933 Alpert Dr.
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
E-mail: pattianne1@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Linda Jacobson
2915 Circle Ridge Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 272-8405
E-mail: jacobsli@bellsouth.net
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail: easytalk@earthlink.net
Editor of White Cane Bulletin:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Articles for the White Cane Bulletin must be submitted to Sally Benjamin no later than the 20th of the month before it is published.
Sally's E-mail is: salbenjamin@comcast.net. If you do not have access to a computer
and E-mail, please find someone in your chapter to help send it. We would like to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our
newsletter.
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
ARE YOU MOVING? - by Linda Jacobson
EMPLOYEE MENTORING PROGRAM - by Mike Drylie
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - by Paul Edwards
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - by Doug Hall
A BAD EXPERIENCE BUT HOPEFULLY SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OTHER PEDESTRIANS - by Sila
Miller
SANCHO, COBB TO MEET ON HAVA ISSUES - by Jeff Burlew (Taken from the TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, March
11th, 2006) - Submitted by Sally Benjamin
AMTRAK FLORIDA RAIL PASS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO GREYHOUND OR FLYING - by Barbara Grill
TECH TIPS - by John Richards for the FCB Technology Committee
CHAPTER NEWS - Mid-Florida Council of the Blind, Port St. Lucie Council of the Blind, Tallahassee Council of the
Blind
RECIPE CORNER
FCB TRADING POST
CHAPTER LIASONS
HANDY TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCES
ARE YOU MOVING? - by Linda Jacobson
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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EMPLOYEE MENTORING PROGRAM - by Mike Drylie
The Florida Council of the Blind has started a mentoring program to assist individuals with visual impairment in Florida in their search
for employment. The mentoring program matches those looking for employment with visually impaired employed individuals to provide
encouragement and support, and possible resume assistance.
The program is looking for both mentors and those desiring to be mentored. Both may sign up for the program by contacting Project
Insight by E-mail, projectinsight@fcb.org, or telephone 1-800-267-4448.
Both Mentors and those seeking assistance should provide current career field, previous employment experience, e-mail address or
telephone number, and city of residence.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - by Paul Edwards
WHY
I have devoted a substantial portion of my life to working to try to make things better for people who are blind. I don't make this statement
to blow my own horn but as a simple and incontestable fact. In all that time I have really never tried to answer the question that is posed
at the start of this article. Why was I prepared to devote my spare time and a lot I could not spare to this effort? Was there a specific
reason? Is it genetic?
I am still not sure I know the answer but I think exploring the question is worth doing for each of us. For me, part of my reason for
involvement is actually unhealthy. I had an unhappy childhood and was certainly abused emotionally. I built some pretty high walls
around many of my feelings. It became a lot easier for me to get involved in issues rather than coming to terms with my fear of
intimacy.
For me, though, the smoke screen was only one of many influences. I remember being discouraged from getting to know and make
friends with many blind kids. At one point, I remember running across a blind young man while waiting for someone to help me cross the
street. He indicated that he did not wait and talked with me about his white cane and how he used it. I had one but had never learned to
use it. So, being the thirteen-year-old that I was, the very next day I crossed 17th Avenue in Calgary using my cane and my ears. I went
into a store and bought something for my mom and then crossed back and went back to the Record store she ran. With great pride, I
told her what I had done and ended up getting the worst spanking of my life. I was also forbidden to talk with blind people. I think I
remember the sense of liberation that crossing that street alone afforded me but also resented the implication that I, also blind, was
somehow unworthy of consultation based only on a physical limitation that has nothing at all to do with my ability to reason or to feel.
Soon after this incident, we moved from Canada to Jamaica and, for the next 17 years I lived in the third world and came to think a
little like a citizen of a developing country. Services to blind people were fragmented and expectations of employment outside of a
sheltered workshop were virtually nonexistent. I was above all of this because my family had money and could choose differently for me.
I was not born into a culture of disempowerment and low expectations, as other blind folks in the Caribbean tended to have been. And
yet, I met blind people who could do many things that I could not. And I saw among blind people in the Caribbean a desire to become
active agents in changing things for themselves. I was actually offered a job that would have allowed me to travel from island to island
helping with this very process of awakening higher expectations. I turned down the job because I was convinced that leaders needed to
emerge within the Caribbean, not be imported from elsewhere.
When I returned to the United States in 1976, I brought with me a determination to learn as much as I could about becoming an
independent blind person. I also brought with me an unconscious admiration for blind people in the third world who, with far less
available to them, yet hunger for competence and recognition. And then I got to the Rehab Center and found myself face to face with
something I still do not fully understand. In a country where there are immense resources available for training, many blind people
choose incompetence. In a nation where opportunity exists, too many people who are blind are content to live on welfare. How was I to
come to terms with this absolutely unacceptable reality? It was very hard for me. And then I saw that those who train were creating the
expectations and ran programs of a fixed length where learning was an incidental and not well-measured outcome.
Almost immediately after my training, I went to work for the Division of Blind Services and got to see at first hand both the strengths and
weaknesses of our state's approach to rehabilitation. It became clear to me that there were systemic problems that needed work. It also
became clear that there was real discrimination out there that affected every aspect of every blind person's life. Over the next few years,
as I became more involved with the Florida Council of the Blind, some of the competing values I have already described, got altered. The
greatest gift that the Florida Council of the Blind gave me was its acceptance of me as a full-fledged person, not damaged goods. For the
first time in my life, I felt whole and could value myself not as others saw me but as I perceived myself. So, quite naturally, I wanted to give
this gift to others.
Not all of the reasons for my involvement relate to blindness. I have always felt that a person has a duty to use the gifts he or she has for
the good of others. I have always felt that you shouldn’t quit just because a problem is difficult. So, there are lots of reasons for my
involvement but by far the largest reason has not yet been discussed here at all.
That reason is individual people. I am not going to single out specific folks though I certainly could, but that is not the point. As I look
back on my life, there is this cornucopia of people, thousands of them, literally. Each has had a story to tell me. Each has had
something to teach me. There were blind people far more capable than I and there were blind people constrained by society, their
families, or by the beliefs they ingested who were far less than they could have been. There were ministers and whores, single people
and married people, good people and bad, kind folks and mean folks. Each became a part of a tapestry that is at the very heart of who I
am. They have shaped and sharpened me; they have soothed and angered me; they have, on occasion, aroused my pity.
Each of us has been shaped by those we have known and I, for one, want to thank every single person I have met. Each of you has
become a part of who I am and, while I certainly have faults, I like me. You did a good job!
So, is that it? Have I adequately explained why I am involved? I am sure I haven't listed all the reasons. But, for now at least, I am
satisfied that I understand my particular motivation, in general. I also understand that I will not change. I have been so shaped by my life
and those who have touched me that it is far too late for me to change much. And I wouldn’t want to either. For me, this process has
helped me to understand myself a little better. I recommend the exercise. When all is said and done, I have been privileged to be a part
of this movement and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I am conscious that we have many miles to go as well. But
most of all, though, I am immensely enriched by having known and interacted with each of you. Thank you!
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - by Doug Hall
At requests from Paul Edwards, President of FCB, and Craig Kiser, Director of the Division of Blind Services, I had the opportunity to
attend and speak at a Conference on Emergency Preparedness For Persons With Disabilities. The conference, which was held on
January 30th and 31st in Tampa, examined the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and the responses of emergency
management staff during the past two hurricane seasons. In addition, we discussed the need for planning, both by agencies and
individuals.
In fact, the need to have a personal plan to react to emergencies was thoroughly discussed on Monday and, wouldn't you guess,
Tuesday morning at 4 AM, the hotel's guests had to evacuate, when its fire alarm went off. Many participants in the conference, and the
hotel itself, discovered that they didn't really have a plan after all. Keaton and I had little difficulty, other than moving slow enough to keep
from tripping over slower moving people. The real problem was for wheelchair users, who were on upper floors. The elevators were
not to be used and the hotel had no plan for getting wheelchair users down the stairs. Thank goodness that there was no fire, just
someone burning popcorn.
During Tuesday's seminar on sensory impairments, I made a presentation about vision loss and information access, while Chris
Wagner, President of the Florida Association of the Deaf, spoke about the needs of persons, who are deaf and hard of hearing.
It quickly became clear that blindness agencies and organizations must become involved in the planning and coordination of
informational/advocacy meetings such as this one, insuring that materials are in accessible format and that other blindness-related
concerns are dealt with. Please note that Florida's Braille and Talking Book Library keeps several titles, on cassette and/or in Braille,
that may be borrowed. Persons, who are visually impaired, must be included in emergency preparedness and especially on the
proposed Interagency Council.
Other conference recommendations included:
1. Advisory committees should be formed in each county, to help local emergency management staff in planning for disability-related
needs. Individuals and organizations must become involved as advisors on such bodies.
2. Persons with disabilities should voluntarily register with their local Emergency Management agency. Then, the person may be
called, in the event of an emergency, to see if he/she needs assistance.
3. In Florida, H-89, sponsored by Representative, Gail Harrell, and S-1058, sponsored by Senator Stephen Wise, speak to
establishment of an interagency council and health/public safety needs of persons with disabilities.
4. In Washington, Senator, Tom Harkin, (D-IA) introduced SB-2124, "Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 2005," to address the needs of persons with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts.
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A BAD EXPERIENCE BUT HOPEFULLY SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OTHER PEDESTRIANS - by Sila
Miller
As some of you may know, in late December, I was hit by a car while crossing a street near my home. It was dark and cold and just
before Christmas. Everyone was in a hurry and Robert, Harley, Robert's leader dog, and I were coming home after doing some
shopping at a local grocery store. The particular intersection we were attempting to cross is a T intersection, so when the traffic on our
right went straight ahead, so did we. Robert and Harley were in the middle of the street and I was following, pulling my rolling 2-wheel
cart, which was loaded with our purchases. All of a sudden, the car to our left, who'd been waiting to make a right turn, pulled into the
intersection and struck me.
Thank God she was stopped and didn't have much time or space to build up any speed. As it was, the bumper hit me in the side of the
upper leg giving me what I used to hear referred to as a frog. I immediately stopped; slamming my cart back upright and so did Harley.
Robert, hearing the noise and being stopped on a dime by the dog, inquired if everything was ok. Being in somewhat of a shocked
state of mind I didn't answer right away and he began to turn around and inquire in an agitated tone of voice. I just stood there in the
middle of the street and finally answered, "I think so." Robert asked what had happened and I told him I'd been hit by a car. That's
when it finally hit me; we were in the middle of the street. The lady in the car rolled down her window saying, "I'm so sorry." Robert
yelled something at her like didn't you see her? The lady again responded, "I'm sorry, I didn’t."
A couple of good samaritans of a neighboring car also inquired if I was ok. Limping, I managed to get across the street and after
Robert surmised I was alive, could walk and that I didn't want to call the police, we started off for home. The good samaritans were
sincerely concerned and pulled into a nearby driveway to again inquire if I was OK, and offered the assailant's tag number, which
they'd jotted down before she left. I was shaken and quite honestly and shamefully afraid; I'd start crying and just wanted to get home.
The folks then said the lady in the car, which had hit me, had apparently gone to park and was walking up the sidewalk towards us.
After again thanking them for their assistance and concern and assuring them we would be all right, they left. The lady, identifying
herself as Bridgett, again apologized in a rather sluggish voice and after Robert again admonished her to slow down and watch out,
she left.
Thanking God that things weren't any worse, and that we'd made it home alive, we went on with the business of living, celebrating the
holidays and so on. Then about a week after the incident, I lost much of the feeling in my left index and middle fingers. Just so
happens, those are the very fingers I use to read Braille. Then the pain began, awful pain that tried to control my mind. Not being much
of a pill popper and a real wimp when it comes to pain, I started having massages, making chiropractors and Doctors visits, anything in
hopes of some magic, something to put my poor neck, shoulder and hand back to rights again. After much time missed from a hectic,
stressful but rewarding job and many appointments later, I was scheduled for surgery to replace 2 of the vertebras in my neck with a
bone from a cadaver and titanium pins and plates.
From what the Doctors could determine, the accident wasn't totally to blame. I have adapted a rather poor working posture to
accommodate for low vision by leaning forward and contorting my body into different positions to use my CCTV both at work and home.
Over time and with that enemy, AGE, damage has been done and the car was just "the straw which broke the camel's back." Being of
the firm belief that help begins with one's self, you can bet I'm trying to work on this problem and correct my posture. Sure doesn't
come easy though. The other behavior and belief that I pledge to work on is the notion that it is shameful to admit when something
isn't right both for myself and for others. It wasn't ok for someone to hit a pedestrian and then leave with nothing more than an
admonishment.
Hindsight being 20/20, I now wish I'd just called the law enforcement and at least filed a report. The reckless driver, who was either
under the influence of something or at the least, very distracted, would have a few points on her driver's license to help remind her to
slow down and pay attention. Also, there would be a statistic somewhere that contradicts a recent article posted in the Tallahassee
Democrat entitled "Pedestrians Less Safe in 2005" by Tony Bridges. The article stated that of the more than 100 pedestrian-related
accidents in 2005, most were the pedestrian's fault. It referred to drunken pedestrians, children at play and other people walking and
simply not paying attention. Frankly, the article made me mad since it didn't speak to red-light runners, what happens when a car pulls
into the crosswalk, forcing pedestrians into oncoming traffic or when the driver isn't paying attention and strikes pedestrians, as in my
case.
I can do nothing more now than to pass along information and apologize to my fellow pedestrians both blind and sighted. And,
apologize I do. I sincerely hope if this should happen to any of you, you might benefit from my experience and have the courage or
presence of mind to handle the situation better than I did. Be safe, take precautions but most of all be ok with saying "nope, I’m not
gonna take this" and be willing to do something about it.
PEDESTRIANS LESS SAFE IN 2005
By Tony Bridges
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
It wasn't a very safe year for people walking the streets of Tallahassee. The count: six dead, 13 seriously injured.
All from collisions between cars and pedestrians. In most of the cases, the walkers were the ones at fault, police say. They darted out
into afternoon traffic, or stumbled drunk in front of passing cars, or jaywalked without looking.
"A strange year," said Sgt. Steve Gauding, supervisor of the Tallahassee Police Department traffic unit. "Fatalities are up all over, and
there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason."
The city's traffic engineering department tracks crash reports from across the county to identify trouble spots. According to the
department's figures, pedestrian crashes have been steadily rising over the past three years, from fewer than 80 in 2003 to more than
100 last year.
Among the 2005 crashes: A 20-year-old man killed on High Road when he lost his footing on a hill next to the street; a 6-year-old boy
who suffered a head injury after running into traffic on West Tennessee Street; and two intoxicated Florida State University students
seriously hurt while walking in the roadway at night on Continental Avenue. There doesn't seem to be a common factor - other than
alcohol in several of the most serious cases - and traffic engineer Ross Airom said no specific traffic-flow problems have turned up in
his department's studies.
Gauding said pedestrians just have to be more careful about where, and when, they choose to walk. It's usually a matter of speed and
distance, he said. The average reaction time for a driver is 1.5 seconds. A car doing the speed limit - say, 40 mph - travels 58.5 feet
each second. Step in front of that car, and the driver won't even react for almost 90 feet. "They've long since run over them," Gauding
said. "It's a myth on the part of the pedestrian that the driver can stop." At night, those reaction times are even longer. And the distance
and speed of an approaching car is harder for a pedestrian to gauge, especially after a few drinks.
Gauding's advice: Stay out of the road, except to cross. Use the crosswalks, and only when the light signals that it's safe. But the
advice isn't guaranteed, of course. So remember what Mom always said: Look both ways before you step off that curb.
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SANCHO, COBB TO MEET ON HAVA ISSUES - by Jeff Burlew (Taken from the TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, March
11th, 2006) - Submitted by Sally Benjamin
RESIDENTS WEIGH IN ON SPECIAL NEEDS
Sally Benjamin looks forward to the day she can cast votes at her precinct in private, without anyone's help.
Benjamin, president of the Tallahassee Council of the Blind, is visually impaired. Since 2002, she has been voting through the mail,
marking her ballot at home with the help of a closed-circuit television enlarger. In years past, she voted at her precinct with a family
member's assistance.
"I don't like having to go and have somebody read (the ballot) to me and mark it for me," said Benjamin, 53. "All we want is to be able to
vote like everybody else."
That's the reason Congress in 2002 passed the federal Help America Vote Act. It requires voting systems to be accessible to people
with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired.
It sounds straightforward enough. Carrying out that law, though, has been a challenge in various states - and certainly in Leon County,
where a missed deadline has made the issue the No. 1 topic of conversation.
Here at the end of another week of election debate, people are alternately praising and scolding Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho
amid accusations of partisan politics. Meanwhile, as Sancho prepares for a meeting with state officials Monday and a county workshop
Tuesday, more attention is being focused on a proposed 11th-hour solution and people like Benjamin are hanging on every word.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
The law states that the equipment must provide "the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and
independence) as for other voters."
States across the country are struggling to comply. Among them are Colorado, Georgia, Maryland and New York - which is being sued
by the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to comply. Some jurisdictions bought new equipment without security features later
demanded by state legislators. Others have asked for waivers until after fall elections.
"It's a massive problem," said Bev Harris, director and founder of the nonprofit elections group Black Box Voting Inc. "Election officials
... feel like they're between a rock and a hard place." In Florida, Leon County is the only county that missed the Jan. 1st deadline to
comply with HAVA. Secretary of State Sue Cobb has threatened legal action if Sancho doesn't get voting equipment for the disabled by
May 1st. Sancho and county officials are set to meet Monday with Cobb and discuss the issue again in a Tuesday workshop.
Sancho hasn't been able to get the equipment because none of the three companies certified in Florida will sell it to him. One of them,
Diebold Election Systems, is upset because last year Sancho conducted tests (company officials call them demonstrations) of the
county's Diebold optical-scan system. He and other experts say they think the tests, underwritten by Black Box Voting, showed that
Diebold memory cards could be manipulated to change election results. Diebold stands by its equipment.
The two other companies, Election Systems and Software and Sequoia Voting Systems, say they have all the business they can
handle.
HERO OR VILLAIN?
Sancho's supporters call him a hero for standing up to the companies and demanding that voting systems have paper trails to ensure
accurate election results. They say the issue is especially important after the botched 2000 presidential election.
Others, however, are upset that Sancho's tests touched off a chain of events that led to the missed deadline and cost the county more
than a half-million dollars in grant money for the equipment. They say he put his personal beliefs about voting equipment above the
federal law.
Benjamin, of the Council of the Blind, is among those frustrated with Sancho, though she said she doesn't want to see him get into
trouble.
"He is not within the law, to be honest with you," she said. "He should have had it done by January 2006, and it's not in place."
Ken Weaver, a Tallahassee caterer who's been following the issue, said he thinks the Republican Party is trying to get rid of Sancho, a
former Democrat now unaffiliated with any party. Cobb was appointed by Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, and the county commissioners
most outspoken in their criticism of Sancho - Ed DePuy and Tony Grippa - are Republicans.
"The obvious solution, if everybody was not playing partisan politics," Weaver said, "would be to put pressure on the three vendors,
telling them, If you don't sell to Leon County, take your toys and get out of the state of Florida. And we'll sell to new vendors who aren't
afraid to have their equipment independently tested." DePuy, during a commission meeting last month, denied that partisan politics
had anything to do with his questioning of Sancho. Grippa, who has contributed to Sancho's re-election in the past, says his beef isn't
personal or political. But he said Sancho was responsible for making sure the county complied with HAVA.
"Not even Ion Sancho is above the law," he said.
Commissioner Bob Rackleff, a Democrat, calls Sancho one of the nation's best election supervisors.
"I think we just need to step aside and let him do his job, stop second-guessing him and attacking him," Rackleff said. "He doesn't
need any interference from amateurs, including me."
Sancho wants to buy equipment from a Louisville, KY company called IVS. Its Vote-by-Phone system would cost less than $600,000 -
which is cheaper than any alternative so far discussed. But it isn't certified by the state.
Sancho and Rackleff want the state to expedite its certification of the devices, which are headphones that can be used by the blind.
Next week, the election drama continues.
Contact reporter Jeff Burlew at (850) 599-2180 or jburlew@tallahassee.com.
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AMTRAK FLORIDA RAIL PASS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO GREYHOUND OR FLYING - by Barbara Grill
October 31st, 2005
Two articles entitled, "Tales from an Amtrak Traveler," recently were published in the White Cane Bulletin. I received several comments
about those articles. The articles described my trips aboard Amtrak trains. Subsequently, when the Access Committee met during the
2005 Mid-Year Board Meeting, I decided to write another Amtrak article.
The Access Committee focused on limited options for inter-city transportation between Florida's cities. The Amtrak Florida Rail Pass
may help provide an economically viable alternative to the Greyhound Bus or airline travel.
Amtrak offers Florida residents a year of unlimited travel, within Florida, on trains and the Amtrak thruway bus. Now you might say, “I
didn't know that Amtrak operated a bus system in Florida.” The buses operate exclusively to connect Amtrak passengers from locations
where there is no rail service to Amtrak stations where one can board a real train. However, presenting a Florida Rail Pass to the driver
allows passengers to board the Amtrak bus at specified locations throughout the State.
How does it work? Buy a Florida Rail Pass for $249 from an Amtrak ticket agent. The agent will explain how to fill in the voucher and the
protocol for boarding. Agents, generally, are located at train stations in cities such as Jacksonville, Deland, Pensacola, or Miami, among
others. An exception is the Amtrak ticket office in St. Petersburg. Bring a valid Florida photo ID when purchasing your pass. The agent
will give you a pad of vouchers along with your Florida Rail Pass. Go home, plan a trip and board either a train or Amtrak bus at any time
for a period of one year from purchase of the pass. No reservation is necessary.
For example, I travel frequently to Tampa to visit my daughter. I take paratransit to downtown Sarasota and hop a northbound thruway
bus that goes to the Amtrak station in Tampa. In March, I used my rail pass to return home from Fort Lauderdale after seeing the King
Tut exhibit at the Art Museum. In May, I'll use my rail pass to travel to Orlando for the 2006 FCB Convention.
When I meet the train or bus, I show my Florida ID and my rail pass, give my voucher to the driver and then I am allowed onboard. If I am
meeting a train to travel to Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, I must have vouchers to board both the bus and train.
Rail Pass passengers are afforded all the courtesies and amenities enjoyed by any other passenger. Two pieces of luggage may be
stored in the bay under the bus or carried onboard the train. Lunch in the café car or diner is available to Rail Pass customers. Another
neat opportunity offered by Amtrak is the ability to upgrade to a private room (depending on availability) once on board the train. For
example, when I travel to Jacksonville in July for the 2006 ACB Convention, I may upgrade to a private room. The cost varies depending
on destination.
Amtrak operates four train and six thruway bus schedules daily within Florida. Unfortunately, because of Hurricane Katrina, the Sunset
Limited operating between Orlando and Pensacola has been temporarily suspended. We are hopeful that the tracks will be repaired
and service restored soon. The Sunset Limited is one of my favorite routes. Once passenger rail service is restored, I will be able to
visit Tallahassee and Pensacola.
Amtrak is an alternative to the Greyhound bus or airline travel. Amtrak buses are clean. A restroom is available onboard. Buses are
wheelchair equipped but passengers must call 48 hours in advance of your travel date. Why not call 1-800-USA-RAIL to learn whether
or not Amtrak will work for you and where the nearest ticket agent is located. Then go pick up a timetable and schedule.
As you know, Amtrak is my favorite way to go. By the way…I have saved the best for last. The Florida Rail Pass is available for one
month each year for the bargain basement price of $199!
Check out this wonderful way to travel. Wouldn't you like to experience the thrill of traveling on a train? And, once you hop the train, you
may realize that there are many Florida cities that you want to visit. Happy travels!
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TECH TIPS - by John Richards for the FCB Technology Committee
(Portions of this article provided by http://www.gwmicro.com and ACB Radio Blog.)
SMALL-TALK ULTRA
Is your laptop computer becoming too heavy to carry? Does your compact sized notetaker seem to look bigger and weigh more? If so,
the Small-Talk Ultra may be the answer to your computing needs.
The Small-Talk Ultra is based on the world’s smallest ultra personal computer (UPC). It is a full-featured talking Windows XP
computer - not a simple notetaker or PDA. The Small-Talk Ultra contains a 1GHz processor, 30GB hard drive, 512MB of RAM, built-in
57-key keyboard, a color transflective display, and integrated wireless, Bluetooth, FireWire and USB. A full copy of Window-Eyes, custom
carrying case, USB 88-key keyboard, and USB External DVD-ROM/CD-RW are also included.
The Small-Talk Ultra has the power to be your desktop computer, laptop computer, and PDA. Best of all, the Small-Talk Ultra fits nicely in
the palm of your hand. It can be used to take notes in class, use high-powered applications at work, email friends and clients, surf the
web, listen to music while on the go, and more.
STANDARD FEATURES
1GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor
30GB Hard Drive (Shock-Mounted)
512MB DDR RAM
Microsoft Windows XP Home
Removable Lithium Polymer Battery
Custom Carrying Case
Built-in 57-Key Thumb Keyboard
USB 88-Key Keyboard
USB External DVD-ROM/CD-RW
4-pin FireWire (1394)
USB 2.0 Port
3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack
Built-in Speaker
Built-in Microphone
Built-in 802.11b WiFi
Built-in Bluetooth
AC Adapter
Main Unit Size: 4.9" x 3.4" x 0.9"
Main Unit Weight: 14 oz.
Processor: 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (optional)
Microsoft Windows XP Home
LCD: 5-inch Wide-VGA (800 x 480) LTPS TFT
Outdoor readable
Hard Drive:30GB 1.8-inch single platter
Memory: 512MB DDR DRAM
Human Input: 88-Key Keyboard
Embedded numeric keypad
12 dedicated function keys
Soft touch, silent and tactile feedback
Full functions of 104/105 key keyboards
Thumb keyboard
57 keys total
12 function keys
Number pad
Smart modifier keys
Mouse buttons
TrackStik pointing device
Digital pen
Programmable thumbwheel
The following options allow for customizing the Small Talk Ultra to fit your needs.
Wireless Keyboard
An RF Wireless keyboard provides a barrier-free QWERTY solution.
More Battery Life
Additional standard batteries are available for purchase, as well as double capacity batteries to increase battery life.
Optical Drive Upgrades
Take your movies with you wherever you go with the included DVD-ROM. CD-RW and DVD +/- R/RW drives are also available.
Portable Peripherals
Choose from USB Printers, USB Hubs, USB Flash Drives, USB Scanners, and USB/Firewire hard drives for maximum portability.
Custom Carrying Case
More information on custom carrying cases will be available soon.
Custom Software Installation
Upgrades to Windows XP Professional Upgrade, and Microsoft Office Basic are available. We will also pre-install additional software
upon request.
By default, a 30-day trial of NOD32 is installed.
For a demo and additional information on the Small-Talk Ultra, contact Easy Talk Computers at: (850) 906-9821.
The FCB Technology Committee hosts a Tech Talk session in the FCB General Chat Room on the first Monday of each month at 8:00
PM. Please take advantage of this free tech support session. Have you paid for tech support lately? If so, then you're aware of the
cost.
The following link will take you to the sign in screen:
http://www.fcb.org/FCBGenRSigIn.htm.
At that point, type your name in to the edit field and press the enter key. Give the chat program time to load to your system. After the chat
client has loaded, press the Ctrl key to talk and release to listen. If people are already talking, you will hear them when you enter the
room.
I will be glad to help anyone if you are having difficulty getting into the chat room. You can e-mail me at
jsrj@earthlink.net
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CHAPTER NEWS - Mid-Florida Council of the Blind, Port St. Lucie Council of the Blind, Tallahassee Council of the
Blind
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind - by Jay Bader
MFCB is proud to be involved with the upcoming 2006 Annual FCB Convention, especially with it being held in our chapter area.
President Rachel Bader, who also serves on the FCB Convention Committee, is preparing for plenty of activities and lots of good times
at the Sheraton Safari in Lake Buena Vista.
Over the past few MFCB General Meetings, the chapter has been making and finalizing plans for a fundraiser during Convention. For
those who are going, expect a pleasant surprise or two at the MFCB Table. It will involve a little guesswork and little thirst as well.
Also, MFCB is working hard at having sighted guide volunteers at the 2006 Annual FCB Convention, something that apparently has not
been done at an FCB Convention in some time. Rachel and other MFCB Members are organizing a group that will be ready especially
during the day on Friday and Saturday to assist attendees to the various activities scheduled during those days. It will be a challenge
for all involved but hopefully everything will work out for the best.
And one of the scheduled activities is one that holds special meaning to Rachel herself: the Street Smarts, Self-Defense, and Survival
Seminar. Rachel currently holds a brown belt in the style of karate that will be involved during that seminar, and she was glad to find out
that one of her senseis (pronounced "SEN-saiz", with a long A), Trish Gaudoin, will be involved in the seminar. While many of you who
are going to Convention may attend the Legislative Seminar, please also consider the Street Smarts, Self-Defense, and Survival
Seminar as it will be a very informative presentation, especially for those who are visually impaired.
Hope to see many WCB readers at what should be a successful 2006 FCB Annual Convention in Lake Buena Vista! And for those of
you who visit the area attractions, especially nearby Walt Disney World, say Hi to Mickey for us!
Port St. Lucie Council of the Blind - by Jackie Hull
A gathering of the members of the Port St. Lucie Council of the Blind featured an evening of films, fun and finger food at the home of
members George and Ginger Stokes. The evening started out with a video of the local PBS television station WXEL program "Cooking
Without Looking." This show is produced in Palm Beach County and is hosted by three blind and visually-impaired people who
interview guests who are also blind or visually impaired.
The guest chefs demonstrate how they get around the kitchen safely. They give helpful hints about food preparation and show some of
the gadgets that they use to help make cooking a little easier for them. Gary Metzler and Jackie Hull have been guests on the show and
the particular show that was watched that evening just happened to be one of the ones that they were in.
After laughing at and with each other they turned the evening over to enjoying the Johnny Cash story of "Walk the Line." It wasn't a
descriptive video but the comments made by the sighted members of the group helped a great deal. Any respectable movie theatre
would have tossed us out for all the yakking and laughing we did.
All of us decided that this would definitely be something we would enjoy doing again.
Tallahassee Council of the Blind - by Sally Benjamin
Over the past few months, our chapter has been busy. In February, we went on an outing to the Museum of Florida History. In March,
we took a walk around a lake and in April, we had a garage sale. When we started collecting items for the sale, it didn’t look like we
had very much. But when Sila and I started pricing things the night before the event, there was a lot.
We were very pleased with the amount of items donated. On the day of the sale, we also sold Cokes and hot dogs. It started to rain
about noon. So we packed up everything and called it a day. It was a lot of hard work but the end result was that we raised money.
Here is a fundraiser that is a bit different. A department store here in town called and wanted us to sell tickets for a special sale that is
only open to those who have tickets. The sale was to take place on April 22nd but only for a few hours. We only had a couple of weeks to
sell them but we get to keep all of the profit from the ticket sales.
So you might check with any large department stores in your area and see if they offer anything like this. It is a great way to make
money and the good thing is that you don't have to put out any money to do it.
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RECIPE CORNER
Chicken and Rice Casserole
by John Richards
This is an easy make-ahead meal. You can leave out the chicken for a vegetarian main dish. It's great for a potluck or holidays with
family.
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 medium onion, halved vertically and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound shiitake or other mushrooms, stems discarded and caps sliced
2 (12-ounce) bunches spinach, tough stems removed and coarsely chopped OR 2 (5-ounce) packages prewashed spinach, coarsely
chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
8 ounces Gruyere, shredded (2 cups)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups hot cooked brown or wild rice
3 cups cooked chicken breast meat, shredded (12 ounces)
1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, until softened. Stir in
garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add mushrooms, and cook 8 minutes or until softened. Add half of spinach, and cook, stirring constantly, until
spinach begins to wilt. Add the remaining spinach, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until all spinach has wilted.
2. Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, about 5 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat,
and slowly whisk in Gruyere, whisking until smooth. Whisk in salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture, rice, and chicken; transfer to a
lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (4-quart) casserole dish.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or bake, covered with foil, at 375° for 45 minutes or until bubbly and hot. Let stand 5 minutes before
serving.
Makes 8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
by John Richards
Comfort yourself with this classic hearty combination, or create a new favorite with these suggested variations.
Whole grain Dijon mustard adds depth to creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese, the ultimate comfort food.
1 (8-ounce) package dried elbow macaroni or favorite pasta (about 2 1/4 cups, uncooked)
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1 (8-ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
Toppings (optional):
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 - tablespoons butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour,
stirring until smooth. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn heat to medium; gradually whisk in milk, and cook over medium
heat, stirring or whisking constantly until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in pasta, mustard, and next 4 ingredients, stirring just until
cheese begins to melt.
3. Pour pasta mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano or more Cheddar. If desired,
you can top with fresh breadcrumbs, and drizzle evenly with melted butter.
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
(Editor's Note: I don't know about you, but I think I'm going to invite myself to John's for dinner!)
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FCB TRADING POST
For Sale:
Braille Millennium (20)
Approximately 4 years old. Includes external disk drive. In good condition. Has current update. Asking $900.00.
Optilec Spectrum CCTV approximately 6 years old (includes 20 inch color monitor). Asking $500.00.
Please call or E-mail Sila Miller at (850) 894-9203 or at
sila@easytalkcomputers.com.
For Sale! One Owner:
Braille Note QT 32 Cell Display
Classic Upgrade Model. Includes the following specs:
KeySoft version 7, build 22
Hardware Revision H2 Upgrade, added Compact Flash Slot on back of Unit
Kernel Version 5, December 19, 2005
Operating System: Windows C E Version 4.20
New Qwerty Keyboard just recently installed.
VALUED AT $3950.00 (this does not include shipping of $90.00, round trip).
New Leather Carrying Case VALUED AT $89.00 (does not include shipping), Accessory Storage Pouch, VALUED AT $ 29.00 (Both just
recently purchased from HumanWare
Super Disk Drive, VALUED AT $269.00 (does not include shipping).
Braille & Print Manuals
Asking $3100.00. This asking price includes shipping & handling, plus insurance
Method of Payment: Money Orders Only
You may contact me by phone or an E-mail, the contact info is listed below.
This unit is sold as is! The BrailleNote is found to be in good working order and has been well taken care of.
My reason for selling my BrailleNote is due to some recent neck surgery that I had, C5-6 and C6-7 were fused. As a result, I can no
longer read Braille due to numbness issues and weakness in my hands.
Donna Rogalski
Adaptive Technology Specialist
Phone: (352) 245-0471
E-mail: d.rogalski@worldnet.att.net
For Sale:
I have a Voice Note BT with the most current update on it for sale.
I am selling the Voice Note BT with version 7.0 on it and I am including the shipping to anywhere within the USA UPS ground shipping
with insurance, and several accessories.
VoiceNote BT with the Braille keyboard in excellent condition. It will be shipped with the following items:
1. The Voice note with the AC adapter/charger, carrying case, earphone, Keysoft 7.0 upgrade on it installed and working, with manuals
and users guide on the VoiceNote BT
2. A low power ether-net pcmcia card with cable for connecting to the Internet
3. A 128MB compact flash card
4. A 2 GIG Compact Flash card
5. A 5 GIG pcmcia card.
6. A cardholder to hold another compact flash card in the pcmcia slot
Asking $1450.00.
Will accept payment by check or money order or cashiers check.
The unit and all its accessories will be shipped when the check clears our bank.
Please see my contact info.
Pat Ferguson
205 Joliet Ave. SE
De Smet, SD 57231-2411
Phone: 605-854-9296
E-mail: pat@scanacan.com
Please call me or E-mail me, if interested.
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CHAPTER LIASONS
Alachua: Patti Land
Brevard: Paul Edwards
Clay: Patti Land
Greater Miami: Linda Jacobson
Halifax: Paul Edwards
Inter-County: Debbie Grubb
Jacksonville: Jim Warth
Miami Metro: Jim Warth
Mid-Florida: Robert Miller
Palm Beach: Linda Jacobson
Pensacola: Jim Warth
Pinellas: Robert Miller
PSLCB: Sharon Youngs
Sarasota: Linda Jacobson
Tallahassee: Sharon Youngs
Tampa: Debbie Grubb
Venice: Paul Edwards
The following Special Interest chapters only meet during Convention:
CCTB (Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind): Patti Land
FCBS (Florida Coalition of Blind Students): Jesus Garcia
FCCLV (Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision): Robert Miller
RSVF (Randolf Shepherd Vendors of Florida): Paul Edwards
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HANDY TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCES
Project Insight: 1-800-267-4448
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services: 1-800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services (Tallahassee State Headquarters): 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)
A T & 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
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